“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