St. John Center Lutheran Church, 599 Reading Road, East Earl, will host a concert by Ahava in the grove on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m.

Ahava, which is Hebrew for love, was founded in May 2021. The group is the worship band at Mellingers Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stevens, and developed out of requests to integrate contemporary Christian music into the traditional liturgical worship service. The band plays music in a range of styles from traditional gospel to contemporary Christian.

Ahava is under the direction Vickie Kissinger, director of music at Mellingers and a lifelong organist and singer. She was also a PA State Senior Idol. In Ahava, Kissinger provides vocals and plays the keyboard.

The band also includes pastor Tim and Kim Craven, John and Erin Biles and Jon Hogan. Tim and Kim are members of the well-known Craven Family Band, and they have been playing country, folk and bluegrass since the late 1970s. In Ahava, they play the guitar and bass. Erin is a high school choral and theater director, and her husband, John, is a high school English teacher and theater director; both are vocalists in Ahava. Jon Hogan has a long history of playing percussion in marching bands and other ensembles.

Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs, practice social distancing and follow current CDC guidelines. A concession stand will offer light refreshments. A freewill offering will be received. Handicapped-accessible restrooms will be available.

For more information, call 717-354-6575 or email vickiekissinger@gmail.com.