“Everything old is new again.”

Pastor Fretz send out an nice email about Saturday's service and the history of the Old Stone Church. Thought I would share it here. 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Robert Fretz 
Date: Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Subject: Old Stone Church Acoustic Worship

Dear Folks;

This announcement might get listed under, “Everything old is new again.”  Since 1789 there has been a building at the corner of Old Stone Church Road and East Saddle River Road.  From then until 1804 all music in the church was a cappella, Psalms, in Dutch, and led by a “voorlezer.”  In 1804 the congregation began to sing English hymns… in harmony!  The singing was still led by the voorlezer and sung a cappella or with chords from a guitar.  The first hymnals were purchased in the 1870s.  Most likely the first manually pumped organ was purchased around the same time the interior of the sanctuary was transformed from the Early American Federal style to the popular Neo-gothic designs of the mid 19^th Century. Pictures from the Library of Congress.  http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/nj0278/

In 1970, the Old Stone Church the interior of the sanctuary was restored to its Federal Style.

In 2012 we are restoring our acoustic roots. 

On Saturday, June 23 at 7:00PM  The Old Stone Church will be having an Acoustic Worship.  Our “voorlezer”, Rebecca Abma, will lead the congregation in meditative and spiritual songs, traditional hymns, contemporary praise, and even some compositions of her own.  I will lead the contemplative part of the liturgy with psalms, prayers, and scripture. 

There will also be a service on July 21, and August 11.  These will be in preparation for regular Saturday services in the Fall.

The services will be participatory.  If you play an acoustic instrument (string or woodwind) you are invited to participate.  If you would like to read scripture or talk about your spiritual journey, you are invited.  If you have no idea what this will be like, but are curious… you are invited.  You are even invited to offer your ideas on how to improve on our completely “non-electric” worship service.

If you have any questions – email me or simply attend this Saturday evening.

Dress Code – casual. 

Peace,

Bob Fretz

Pastor

Old Stone Church

Old Church, New Service

I am excited to announce Music & Meditation services at the Old Stone Church in Upper Saddle River, NJ start this weekend. The Saturday evening service (7-8pm) is a unique blend of old and new worship styles.

The venue is a gorgeous early 19th Century church down a quiet winding country road in Northern Bergen County. The historic church, built in 1819, has been an active Dutch Reformed Congregation for more than 200 years. With an arched cathedral ceiling, the sanctuary is an acoustic marvel and it has long been a dream of mine to use this sacred space for sacred music.

The service format aims to honor the worship service traditions of the Reformed Church, such as hymns, liturgy and lectionary readings, while incorporating modern worship elements to combat some of the stuffiness I associate with traditional church, in the hopes the spirit of God will fall afresh in the church and in our lives.

Unlike most "contemporary" church services that rely heavily on electronics, with video projectors, microphones, sound boards and electric instruments, Music & Meditation at Old Stone Church is completely acoustic. No microphones, no special effects, no amps or speakers. And unlike traditional services, there is no organ blasting out hymns.

The service will start at the bells with quiet meditation and background music. Spend quiet time in God's presence. Bow your head in prayer. Read the Bible. Look out the window. Journal. Meditate. Sit quietly and wait upon the Lord.

After a period of mediation, the "corporate part" of the service begins with traditional elements:  greeting, responsive reading and singing the Gloria Patrie, followed by reading the weekly Lectionary and a brief discussion of the readings. Each service will also include a testimony of how God at work in our lives and community. The service will end with songs of praise from the Celebration Hymnal, led with acoustic guitar or a cappella.

Following the servicewill be an extended time of praise and worship. Anyone who sings or plays an acoustic instrument is invited to join in. In coming weeks, I hope to update my digital chord chards to share on iPads or tablets.

I am very excited and also somewhat nervous about getting started. I imagine there will be kinks to iron out as we get organized this summer. We plan to have one service a month over the summer and to start with weekly services in the fall.

I would appreciate any and all support you can give, starting with your prayers that God will use these services to draw people closer to Him.

I am also looking for people to get involved. Acoustic musicians and singers, readers, and speakers who will share their testimony and talents to encourage others.

And of course, I hope you will join us as and help spread the word about this truly unique service.

Saturday, June 23, 7-8pm

Old Stone Church
500 E. Saddle River Road
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Here's a preview of an original song I will be singing Saturday night.

Please "like" Music at Old Stone Church on FACEBOOK for updates on future services.