OYSTERVILLE — Whether he appears as his Humanities Washington “alter ego” Woody Guthrie, or as “himself,” actor, teacher, musician, and historian, Joel Underwood draws full-house crowds at the historic Oysterville Church. He will be the featured musician at the Sunday, Aug. 11, Music Vesper service that begins at 3 p.m.

Underwood, who resides in Olympia, joins a cadre of “regular” Vespers participants who provide the spiritual underpinnings for the summer services, now in their 46th year. Tucker Wachsmuth will begin the program with the opening five-minute “Oysterville Moment” — usually a story about an interesting event or circumstance from Oysterville’s long and colorful history. Pastor Steve Kovach will follow that by leading the congregation in singing a familiar hymn accompanied on by the nostalgic sounds of the vintage “parlor” pump organ.

It’s during the hymn singing that the traditional baskets are passed so that members of the congregation may contribute to the day-to-day maintenance of the church, which operates under the auspices of the Oysterville Restoration Foundation. Pastor Steve will then give a short spiritual message — words to think about as listeners go about their daily responsibilities in the community.

For the remaining 45 minutes of the hour-long program, Underwood will be center stage doing what he does best — playing guitar, singing folk/rock/country songs, telling stories, and providing an all ‘round memorable acoustic performance.