By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
A neighborhood summer concert series continues to grow and serve the community.
On the Parking Lot concert series begins Thursday with a performance by Flood City Brass.
The concerts are organized by members of Moxham Lutheran Church, 500 Park Ave., Johnstown.
The series of three concerts will feature music, free refreshments and fellowship in the church’s parking lot.
Each concert will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
After Flood City Brass, the series resumes with a performance by folk singer Tim Dabbs on July 24.
Rounding out the concert series on Aug. 21 is New Mercies Praise Band comprised of three local pastors and two lay people.
Members of Flood City Brass are Tom Pavic, lead vocalist; Luis Gonzalez III, keyboard; Josh Covert, guitar, trumpet; Andy Heinze, bass; John Homerski Jr., drums; Dan Perich, trumpet, flugelhorn; Jen Shuty, saxophone and guitar; and Jim Bilitski, trombone and sax.
Gonzalez also is a member of Moxham Lutheran and views the concerts as a way for the band to do community service.
“The neighborhood has been hit economically and this is an opportunity for the community to learn more about the church and enjoy an alcohol-free concert,” Gonzalez said.
Dabbs has played professionally across the United States for more than two decades.
He has released three CDs of original music and plays regularly in the Johnstown area.
The Rev. Arnie McFarland, pastor of Park Avenue United Methodist Church and a member of New Mercies Praise Band, said the group strives to find new ways to praise God through music.
“We like to incorporate new contemporary music to inspire people to seek God,” he said.
McFarland said the summer concert is a place to enjoy music and people should not expect any sermons.
“We let the music speak for itself,” McFarland said.
Joyce Conrad of Southmont, a lifelong Moxham Lutheran Church member, said the concerts have been gaining in popularity each year.
“We have been doing this for over four years and each year it gets bigger,” Conrad said.
“Attendance depends largely on the weather. In case of rain, the concerts will be held in the church fellowship hall.”
The Rev. Robert R. Wagner, Moxham Lutheran pastor, said attendance has grown during the first three years of the series.
“We open and close with a prayer, so I would say we are doing some evangelizing since this is a church-based activity,” he said.
On the Parking Lot
What: Moxham Lutheran Church’s concert series.
Where: 500 Park Ave., Moxham section of Johnstsown.
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Flood City Brass; July 24, Tim Dabbs, folk singer; Aug. 21, New Mercies Praise Band.
Admission: Free.
