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.