CHURCH OFFERS MUSIC FESTIVAL AS A GIFT OF NEIGHBORLINESS.Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer CHATSWORTH - Small in number but big in heart, the congregation at Chatsworth Lake Community Church will demonstrate its hospitable hos·pi·ta·ble adj. 1. Disposed to treat guests with warmth and generosity. 2. Indicative of cordiality toward guests: a hospitable act. 3. neighborliness neigh·bor·ly adj. Having or exhibiting the qualities of a friendly neighbor. neigh  bor·li·ness n.Noun 1. today as it hosts its sixth annual End of Spring Music Festival. ``It's a way to build relationships with other people. The festival is fun, absolutely,'' said the Rev. Jesse Stevens from the Advent Christian General Conference affiliated church. ``We're a group of about 50 and we're all committed to making the festival work. This is the big event of the year for us.'' The secular festival was conceived as an arts and music showcase on the oak-dotted church grounds on Lake Manor Drive in Chatsworth. Country, bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. , gospel soul, jazz and rock bands will make up the eclectic sounds from noon to 8 p.m. today. The country-western themed fair will also include handmade hand·made adj. Made or prepared by hand rather than by machine. handmade Adjective made by hand, not by machine Adj. 1. arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. for sale and children's activities. Festivalgoers won't be hit over the head by religion, but Stevens said those searching for a church home will find their comfort-level elevated if they decide to come back for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service. ``I would like people who come to the festival and are interested in the church to say, I've been here before and I can come on a Sunday and it won't be scary because I've already met someone from the congregation,'' said Stevens. About seven years ago, Sandra Kohler's two children were attending the church's Sunday school Sunday school, institution for instruction in religion and morals, usually conducted in churches as part of the church organization but sometimes maintained by other religious or philanthropic bodies. In England during the 18th cent. when her then 8-year-old daughter told her she had to go down to church. Kohler, a critical care nurse at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital, took her daughter's advice - and fell in love with the church. A keyboard player and singer, Kohler came up with the idea for the festival and has been its principal organizer. Kohler is also the church's worship team leader. ``When I started the festival the whole goal was to have a good time in a beautiful environment,'' said Kohler. ``I hope people enjoy it enough to say, hey, those Christians are having a good time. We want to put a smile on people's faces and get them happy.'' Lending a hand to help people cope with daily life, whether it's bringing music into their lives, spiritual guidance and support or opening the church doors for an after-school program, is the mission of the ``chapel under the oaks.'' ``I hope we're following Scripture: Love God, love people. That's how Jesus summed up his message,'' Stevens said. ``I want the congregation to feel loved, feel God's love and be instructed in God's word. I want people to ask themselves: What is God trying to talk to me about today?'' A distinctive vertical rock formation, dubbed dub 1 tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs 1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood. 2. To honor with a new title or description. 3. by locals long ago as The Twelve Apostles Twelve Apostles or Twelve Disciples: see apostle. , adds to the charm of the church that sometimes holds outdoor Sunday services. The ambience am·bi·ence n. Variant of ambiance. ambience or ambiance Noun the atmosphere of a place Noun 1. of the site and the genuine earnestness of Stevens and the congregation captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. Jeff Schwimer when he checked out the church at the urging of his niece. ``I was having a lot of problems at one point about three years ago. I felt like a wreck and my life was out of control,'' Schwimer said. ``When I thought about the best times in my life it was when I found the Lord. My life has never been better. I even met my future wife here. We're getting married on July 17.'' End of Spring Music Festival will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today at Chatsworth Lake Community Church, 23499 Lake Manor Drive, Chatsworth. Proceeds from a ``Haircut-a-thon'' will go to Ahead With Horses, an organization assisting disabled and ill children. Actor William Shatner <noinclude></noinclude> William Alan Shatner (born on March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor who gained fame for playing Captain James Tiberius Kirk, captain of the starship USS Enterprise , a patron of the charitable group, is scheduled to attend. Admission is free. Call (818) 712-0079 or see chatsworthlake(at)att.net. Holly Andres, (818) 713-3708 holly.andres(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Rev. Jesse Stevens is pastor of Chatsworth Lake Community Church on Lake Manor Drive. The small congregation's mission is to help people cope with daily life - this weekend by bringing music into their lives in an annual Spring Music Festival that funds various charities. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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