by Bonnie Seely

A spirit of good fellowship and lighthearted fun characterized the Sunday morning worship service at Shiremanstown United Methodist Church on May 7, 2000, as parishioners met for an old-fashioned church service, one of a series of events planned to celebrate the church’s bicentennial. Over half of the congregation came in costume; some attired in colonial era garb, some in clothing reminiscent of the second half of the 19th century or early 20th, and some looking like they had come in from the western frontier of days long past. Many women wore long skirts, and hats of every kind were the order of the day, from mob caps to one royal blue wide brimmed creation so big that a "confederate officer," joking about his "missing men," said he had found them "...behind this hat!" In addition to the elegant lady with the hat, whose husband came dressed as a union officer, there were two frontiersmen, one of whom wore a coonskin cap, the other of whom carried a handmade long rifle; a mystery lady wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a long black veil; and whole families dressed in period costumes for a day to remember.

The service commenced with a prelude entitled "Voluntary," which was written by William Selby, a musician in Colonial Boston. He was the organist at King’s Chapel, Boston, where he played the first organ that was heard in the colonies. During the prelude, the clergy and choir made their entrance, with female choir members being seated, as were the female members of the congregation, on the right side of the church, while the men sat on the left. Regarding the fact that the right side of the church was more heavily populated than the left, the pastor quipped, "Why is it that this side is so full, and this side is not?!!

There was no liturgist at this service, but Gary Glasgow, as Beadle, followed the acolyte, Ashley Shank, into the sanctuary carrying the Bible after announcing from the rear of the sanctuary, "Hear ye! The Beadle entereth, bearing the beautiful burden of the Holy Writ for thy edification. Hear ye! The choir and the clergy entereth. Stand ye, in respect to the Lord Almighty’s own spokesman." The Bicentennial Minute was read by eight year old Daniel Wilson, dressed in knickers, knee socks, white shirt and black vest. The Beadle, in addition to carrying the Bible into and out from the sanctuary, had the responsibility of keeping the congregation on its spiritual toes. The following are examples of his admonishments:

Prior to reading the Old Testament lesson: "Hear ye! Now is the time to hear God’s own Holy Word. Sit ye up straight. Let not your attention waver one whit from these words of Holy Writ."

When introducing the Lining of a Psalm: "Hear ye! The time hath come for ye to praise the Lord in Psalms. Ye will line a Psalm now, under the direction of Brother Custer. Ye know that musical instruments be works of Satan, an abomination to our Lord, and are not permitted within these holy walls. Know, too, that of late there are these modern-day songs of human composure, known as hymns. These are not for ye. Ye sing the words of God alone...right from the Psalms."

In introduction of the sermon: "Hear ye! Now is the time to hear, for the benefit of thy earthly life and thy eternal soul. Brother Ile will expound upon and expose for thine edification the meaning of

these words of Holy Writ. And be ye warned, our Tything-man, Brother Ken Baer is afoot, alert with his brass knob and feather should any of ye feel the least bit drowsy."

Assisting the Beadle in keeping order in the house was the Tything-man. At one point during the sermon there was a disturbance, and Pastor Ile said, "That’s it, Mr. Tything-man, you keep them awake!" to which Brother Baer responded, "Pastor, they’re dropping like flies!" Brother Ken, looking for all the world like a well dressed 19th century undertaker, walked through the church during the service, surprising the unsuspecting by extending his rod to tickle a chin or the back of a neck.

In keeping with the old-fashioned theme, the choir’s anthem, "Thus Saith the High, the Lofty One," was written by early American composer William Billings (1746-1800). It is very possible and probable that his music was used in the early church. As most churches did not use instruments 200 years ago, the song was sung a cappella. The anthem, actually a canon, or round, was sung by the choir in unison twice before going into a round. It is a lovely piece, simple yet stately.

Choir director Charles (Chip) Custer also led the congregation in the "Lining of a Psalm," a type of responsive reading in which the words are sung in a sort of chant instead of spoken. Little dots above words or syllables indicate where the tone is to change. As Mr. Custer assured the congregation, it is not as difficult as it seems at first!

Pastor John A. Ile began his sermon with the remark, "A number of you look strange today!" (So did he!) His sermon was entitled, "Remembering Way Back When." He began with Shiremanstown United Methodist Church, remembering that it has travelled 200 years through history, and that though a lot has been recorded, much has been lost — records of successes and failures, joys and sorrows, victories and defeats. He recalled his 8 years as Pastor of SUMC, and said, "Isn’t it strange, the things you remember?" and went on to ask, "What should we remember?" In I Chronicles 16:2 we are told we ought to remember God’s mighty acts. Pastor Ile cited God’s creative power as we see it expressed in nature in the spring, or in the complexity of the human body. He reminded us that God works in families; those of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Bible, and our own families today; in each and every life, if we only stop to notice. The second thing we are to remember is God’s mighty miracles; and, Pastor Ile assured his listeners, God is still in the miracle business. Lastly, we are to remember God’s judgments, which He has given for our own good.

The service ended with a last admonishment by the Beadle: "Hear ye! The meeting is concluded. Go ye to your homes and serve the Lord in holiness and purity each day until ye meet here again."

Following the service, refreshments were served in fellowship hall by Richard and Laurie Rupp and their children, Jennifer and Jeremy, assisted by Sarah Custer. Hand-squeezed lemonade provided by Gary and Vera Glasgow was served by dipper from aluminum kettles, with cookies made by the ladies and gentlemen of the congregation.

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