Review: Terry Shaw & Band perform July ‘Rock Vespers’ at St. Marks Lutheran Church
Published July 7, 2026
Last month in my column at the JOLT News, I wrote a piece celebrating the beginning of the “Rock Vespers” season (aka summer) at St. Marks Lutheran Church. As audiences of these events can attest to, Rock Vespers leaves you wanting more than just one encore and more than just summer performances alone.
The July set list included The Eagles, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, the Doobie Brothers, Don McLean, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash… who wouldn’t have a fun time at a concert like this?
Admittedly, I was not familiar with every song in the program, but that is also the exact thing that made this particular round of Rock Vespers more exciting for me — I just love being introduced to music I have not heard before!
The music paired with the encouraging message given by Pastor Beth Utto-Galarneau made this an event that truly struck a chord in me!
The Review
St. Marks Music Director Terry Shaw has a gift for finding, inspiring, and celebrating local musicians in the area. The band he tends to gather for these events always embraces impressive musicality, but there was something really special about this group. More than ever before, this particular group of musicians really exemplified “true musicianship” as everyone listened to, celebrated, and embraced one another’s giftings. This group also embraced a large age diversity, leading the way for multigenerational collaborations. Incredible things that take place when we people from various generations come together to make music!
Playing alongside Shaw were Ben Martin, John Martin, Jon Balsley, and newcomers to the Rock Vespers stage including Donna Hoffman, Darlene Jones, Austin Schlichting, and Lilly Dickinson. Since I was less familiar with the set list, my ear and eye really tuned into what was going on with the band, and everyone blew me away! The vocal harmonies of Shaw, both Martins, Schlichting, and Dickinson were divine! Balsley and Jones added all these musical touches that brought each piece to a higher level!
Together, these musicians embraced the main theme of the evening: harmony, which as Pastor Utto-Galarneau explained, we create in our lives when we choose to listen, love, and live in community. Harmony was displayed in the audience as well as I watched people sing along, hold hands, clap or tap to the beat, and even arise from their seats to dance with one another. The sight of it was enough to bring a tear of joy to my eye.
The song that most embraced the message was, “Love Will Keep Us Alive” by the Eagles. The lyrics are pure poetry, just read them below:
I was standing
All alone against the world outside
You were searching
For a place to hideLost and lonely
Now you've given me the will to survive
When we're hungry
Love will keep us aliveDon't you worry
Sometimes you've just gotta let it ride
The world is changing
Right before your eyesNow I've found you
There's no more emptiness inside
When we're hungry
Love will keep us aliveI would die for you
Climb the highest mountain
Baby, there's nothing I wouldn't doNow I've found you
There's no more emptiness inside
When we're hungry
Love will keep us aliveI would die for you
Climb the highest mountain
Baby, there's nothing I wouldn't doI was standing
All alone against the world outside
You were searching
For a place to hideLost and lonely
Now you've given me the will to survive
When we're hungry
Love will keep us aliveWhen we're hungry
Love will keep us alive
When we're hungry
Love will keep us alive
May we all keep love alive in our hearts and in our actions. Then, when we need to be refreshed, come to Rock Vespers!
The last Rock Vespers of the year is August 2nd at 6pm! Bring a donation with you and get ready to listen to an evening filled with the music of Elton John!
I look forward to seeing you there!