March 30, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know..... In the early history of our church liturgy, a "tithingman" walked about during the sermon looking for worshipers who were dozing off. He would awaken them by tapping them on the head with a long pole having a brass knob at one end for the men of the congregation with a feather on the other end which was used for the females. By the way, the average service lasted two hours and the sermon was the focal point of the service and usually lasted at least one hour!!!

March 30, 2008 Remembrance

Offering Plates for the Sunday School. Dear Jesus, we know you had little to claim, that you hadn't a house or a bed to your name when you walked the hot highways so dusty and brown, and blessed little children in village and town. And we learn, thought we can't understand all the way, that you gave us far more than we'll ever repay: so we bring you our pennies and nickels and such – (For of course little children don't have very much)---- In envelopes, not loose in pocket or purse, So we cannot forget them or lose them or worse. So less now our gifts, gentle Jesus, we pray, and the plates that are bearing them safe on their way. Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Elliot D. Sleight, in loving memory of their son Roger Barentsen Sleight. Dedicated on Children's Day, June 8, 1952

March 23, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... In the Order for Public Worship of the Liturgy of the Dutch Reformed Church of the 18th century that the first part of the service was led by a "Voorsanger." He (never she) was a presentor who served a role halfway between that of a chorister and a liturgist. He conducted the first part of the service and often assisted the "dominie" in the second half. He also led all of the singing because there were no musical instruments at all. The dominie entered the service during the singing of the Psalm and would shake hands with the Consistory. The Consistory was always seated in the front of the church, apart from the congregation.

March 23, 2008 Remembrance

A Detachable Lectern Light and Velvet Bible-Rest Cover. This light, a gift of human love, our mortal fingers may remove. Thus manmade lights may come and go to shimmer high or flicker low, while yet thy truth abides – and so, Father of Lights, to every heart thy shining truth, we pray, impart. O grant us vision well to read, and keep us humble, so to heed.

As now the Holy Book we lay upon this crimsoned lectern tray while richly glowing velvet cush, let once again thy beauty's flush. Find voice as in the burning bush: Remind us, through Thy truth profound, that here we are on holy ground! Donors: Dr. and Mrs. Halford Hallock, Yonkers, NY. Given during Lent, 1952. Grateful acknowledgment also to person wishing to remain unnamed, whose skilled and devoted hands fashioned a new lectern tray and fitted the velvet cover.

March 16, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... In 1758 there were approximately 33 families in our church (about 150 - 160 people, because families were larger). That number stayed fairly constant over the years and during the Great Depression of the 1930's and the days following World War II, the congregation dwindled down to as low as 44 persons attending services on Sunday.

March 16, 2008 Remembrance

An Organ Rack-light – Forth springs the music from console and key –whispering, murmuring, thundering free! –Lessening loneliness, comforting care, shouting a triumph, breathing a prayer. Only the organist glimpses a light helping the harmony spring into flight. It clasps the dark rack with the calm of a sage, up- tilting its ray to the note-spangled page. Hid by the organ, it sows forth the song, asking no plaudit of cleric or throng. Silent, self-giving, the lamp glimmers free, as forth springs the music from console and key. Donor: Miss Lou Fisher, Philidelphia, PA, given during Lent, 1952

March 9, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know... in 1888 the Finance Committee of New Hackensack Reformed Church put out at "special circular" classifying church contributors into six different classes. A through F according to the amounts of their contributions.... Class A gave 25 cents weekly; Class B gave 15 cents; Classs C gave 10 cents; Class D gave 5 cents; Class E gave 3 cents and Class F gave ONE CENT!!!! The Committee wrote "We earnestly entreat all the congregation to heartily cooperate with us in carrying out this our plan for always having enough money in the treasury to meet every obligation.

March 9, 2008 Remembrance

Guardians of the Sacred Cup - Pew-holders for individual Communion glasses. The stately, hushed communion rites proceed: Old vows made new, remembrance kindled fresh; the broken bread, the tokening wine dispensed, Our Lord's Last Supper with His friends re-lived. With reverence each grave communicant, draining his portion from the sacred cup, entrusts the empty chalice to our keeping. For we are guardians of the sacred cup. Planned thro' the ardor of devoted friends, wrought by the cunning of devoted hands. O worshiper, give to our passive charge the sacred emptied chalice of the Lord, then, by the holy fresh communion blessed, go forth in Christ, full-hearted, unafraid! Donors: Deacon George A. Nevers and Mr. Emery Bush, Jr., both of whom supplies materials and fashioned the holders. Installation by Deacon Nevers and Elder Royal R. Ollivett. Dedication at communion service, March 4, 1951. Special appreciation to Mrs. Nevers for valuable aid in the work.

March 2, 2008 Historic Moment

Did you know.... In addition to the Revolutionary War veterans, we also have the following Civil War veterans interred at our cemetery: Crumaline Diamond, 168th Regiment Drummer Boy; Captain George H. Everett, Co. K, 95th Regiment; Sargeant Sylvester M. Earle; Private John S. Foshay, Co. H, 128th Regiment Vol.; John E. Kidney, Co. E, 16th Field Artillery; William heny Knapp, 4th Illinois Cavalry, killed in action at the Battle of Fort Henry, Tennessee on February 6, 1862; Private William Myers, Co. G, 128th Regiment Vol,; and Colonel William Seward.

March 2, 2008 Remembrance

A Victorian stand with marble top whereon shall rest our volume of Remembrance. Our Father God, in deep humility we prepare this table before Thee, in the presence of Thy friends, Thy worshipers. And it is meet that we should lend this aid to memory: For of remembrance gratitude is born, and we are grateful for whatever gifts have paved the paths of blessed yesterdays and brought us to the dearness of today. This do we value all the deep devotion whereby all flowers of graciousness are bright along the Christian way that beckons us. Donors: This Victorian stand is given fondly by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Green in devoted memory of Mary Boyce Green. (This Remembrance Book is displayed in the case under the clock in the Gathering Area.)