Relax Ravinia-style at Harvest Bible outdoor concert

Harvest Bible Chapel is offering some end-of-summer family fun this Saturday with a Ravinia-style outdoor concert at its Elgin campus.

But instead of the Ravinia-style prices of the popular Highland Park venue, this concert is free. Matt Stowell, Andi Rozier, Meredith Andrews, Josh Caterer, Lindsay Pritchett and Amy Zurowski, all in-house musicians at Harvest, will perform contemporary Christian rock --"some fast, some slow, some hard, some soft," said Stowell, worship pastor for the three-campus church.

But, he added, "the focus of it really is not the music as much as it is just a chance to hang out. I love seeing families having something that they can do together."

If the weather cooperates, Stowell said he expects to see Frisbee discs flying and dads throwing footballs with their kids, while the music plays on.

If it rains, the concert will be moved indoors as it was last weekend when Harvest offered the same program at its Rolling Meadows campus.

Everyone is welcome to the 7 p.m. event at 1000 N. Randall Road. Be sure to pack a picnic supper and bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Frisbee discs are optional.

Jazz service returns to Immanuel: When those Immanuel saints go marching into the sanctuary this Sunday for the 10:45 a.m. service, they'll be in for some rousing, down-home Dixieland worship.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee, will kick off another school year with its annual Jazz Music Service. The jazz service is about six years old now, said Bill Gade, music and worship director, and it is popular not only with the congregation, but also with the people who actually make the music.

"For our musicians, it's just a joy," Gade said.

"Jazz is a little bit more expressive and a little bit more free."

The congregation is used to a contemporary worship style for its 10:45 a.m. slot, one of three services held each weekend, but during the rest of the year that means more rock-driven music, Gade said.

This Sunday they'll be bringing in a half-dozen horns -- saxophone, trumpets, trombones -- for some foot-stompin' renditions of "To God Be the Glory," "Days of Elijah," "Rock of Ages," "Down by the Riverside," and, of course, "When the Saints Go Marching In."

The Rev. Phillip Baerwolf's sermon follows the theme of the day, too, borrowing its title, "Who Dat?" from the New Orleans Saints football team chant.

In the New Testament, the word "saint" refers to any Christian believer, and Gade said Baerwolf will talk about God's promise of victory to the saints.

That's "saints" with a small "s" -- no sports team predictions in the Bible!

The public is welcome to get in on the fun and happy worship, and is advised to arrive as early as 10:30 a.m. for pre-service music.

And at the 9:30 a.m. service this weekend, Immanuel honors two longtime educators in its day school --Principal Ken Becker and first-grade teacher Muriel Ness, both marking their 40th anniversary in teaching. Congratulations to both!

Worship at Wing Park: Another special outdoor event will take place Sept. 9, when Elgin's First Presbyterian Church squeezes in its annual outdoor service before the weather cools too much. Morning worship will be held at the Wing Park band shell, 1000 Wing St., Elgin, and will feature popular folk musician Peg Lehman.

An Elgin resident, Lehman is well-regarded among folk music fans and brings a variety of instruments to play.

"She does a lot of creative things with the autoharp," said Deborah Walters, director of music at First Presbyterian. "We have a long history with her. We use her for our outdoor service nearly every year."

Lehman also plays dulcimer and other folk instruments, often inviting the congregation to join her in making music together.

"She is a spiritual woman who is deeply committed to her faith and to peace-making efforts in the Elgin community, and she shares that through her music," Walters said.

Guests are welcome to attend the 10:30 a.m. service, with park benches and picnic tables substituting for pews. The tables will pull double duty when they're also utilized for lunch. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided; bring your own table service and a dish to pass.