I’m not a regular churchgoer, so it was probably my friend Pat or her sister Lil who first got me involved in seeing the “Fifth Sunday” musical concerts at Community Lutheran church. (Each year, the calendar announces three or four “Fifth Sundays” and that’s when the concerts are scheduled.) The church is at 3720 E. Tropicana Ave. Parking is free. The concerts cost $15 and may be held in the Fellowship Hall or the Sanctuary and start at 2 p.m. AND if one wants, a small lunch is provided as well…and at no extra charge.

The audience for these concerts is typically older; lots of white hair. Attendees are typically talkative and obviously very happy to be at the concert. Almost everyone involved, we are told, is a volunteer, including the performers.

This year, 2025, is the tenth year of these concerts, an original idea of former Choir Director Bruce Ewing and pianist, Dr. Philip Fortenberry. Their idea was to present Fifth Sunday concerts to raise funds for church functions, in particular musical delights at the church. Sunday’s concert, August 31, like most of them, was a sellout.

I actually arrived at the August concert early, at 1:30 p.m so I would have time for lunch. Last week’s lunch included segments of nuts, grapes, cheese, two chocolate candies and a rather nice size piece of cheese cake. I ate it all.

And incidentally, on the table was a centerpiece made of artificial flowers, small candles, a chain and a rather large circle of clothes pins, alternating back and white. We were told to thank the church’s “GlitterTeam” for the decorations….very clever.

Then came the concert, On stage at first were Fortenberry, Ewing and emcee Keith Thompson. They talked a bit about the 10th anniversary; Bruce sang a song and made his often hilarious pitch for extra contributions from concert goers. Then Thompson began to introduce the performers. I have been to these concerts in the past; I have known some of the singers; others I have not known. Last Sunday, all the singers except two were new to me and they were just great. The singers’ names were Keith Dotson, Aaron and Ashley Fuller, Sandra and Steve Huntsman, Monique Muffei, Zoe McCracken, Tom Riggleman, Riley Stannard and Keith Thompson. Fortenberry accompanied the singers. One of the church officials, Senior Pastor Ben Bergren, also made a short appearance to greet the audience, thanked them for coming and have a few laughs.

Tickets for Fifth Sunday programs go quickly. Church-goers get announcements about a month before each concert and viewers of the church web site will see ticket availability as well. My friend Lil says, “He (or she) who hesitates is lost….without a ticket.”

Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and as such has a number of entertainers in town. How nice that so many of them volunteer to come sing on Fifth Sundays at Community Lutheran Church.