Jazz Vespers a unique worship service

West Milford — The West Milford Presbyterian Church will present a unique Jazz Vespers service at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. “Jazz in Church?” It hasn’t been done around here before. But it has been done elsewhere, including New York, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco and Niagara-on-the-Lake. And some people say it works! The musical tradition is about the task of giving voice to the hopes, dreams, frustrations and pain that expresses human experience. Jazz incorporates the rhythms that live in our soul, it has the power to heal and inspire, as it captures our hope. Jazz is the musical incense that collects and carries the prayers of a people. The creative collaboration between liturgist and jazz artist come together seeking reconciliation. Jazz reminds us who we are and where we have come from, while inspiring us into the reality of who we can become in God. Jazz is the music of the social gospel of Jesus Christ. Vespers is an early evening prayer service; a time to set aside the tasks of the day and come into God’s presence. Music has always played a significant role in vespers services, as it is often through our music that we learn to relax and give voice to our prayers. West Milford is fortunate to have some very talented jazz musicians who live in the community. At a recent evening of Jazz at the Huntsman Restaurant, the idea of a Jazz Vespers service came up. So come hear local artists, including Mitch Schecter, a consummate jazz pianist with a long-established teaching practice in town; Kent Smith, on trumpet, is often on the road with The Rolling Stones; Eric Goletz, a jazz trombonest who played with Dizzy Gillespie and others; and Bob Magnuson, who has played saxophone on the sound tracks of hundreds of records and commercials. The worship service is informal and would be an excellent opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors. A free will offering will be collected, and proceeds beyond the cost of the musicians will be dedicated to a mission projects. The West Milford Presbyterian Church is located at 1452 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, For more information, call the church office at 973-728-3081.