Kinderhook Reformed Church
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Worship Service for February 16, 2014 - Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
A warm welcome to visitors. We would like to get to know you better
and invite you to sign our Guest Book in the entranceway and fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate.
8:30 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Welcome/Announcements
God’s Greeting and Morning Prayer
*Morning Praise #20 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson Luke 15:25-32 (p. 740)
Message “The Prodigal Brother”
Prayer of Blessing
Offering
Intercessory Prayer
*Hymn of Commitment #563 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
*Benediction
10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship
downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship service.
Ushers: Al Dick, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth, Paul Zietsman
Greeter(s): Sara Hartman Preschool Nursery available downstairs.
Guest Organist: David Smith
Prelude “My God, I bring you my heart” Gottfried August Homilius
Announcements and God’s Greeting
Call to Worship (Reponsve)
The eternal Father, Who loved us while we were still sinners;
Who will love us forever with the love that will not let us go;
calls us to worship Him today as the only true lover of our souls.
The eternal Father, Who receives the weary and rejected;
Who welcomes the defeated and disheartened; Who sets us free from sin;
calls us to remember and be filled
with the depth of His love for us in Jesus Christ our Savior.
The eternal Father, Who stoops to receive
the love of our poor hearts in return,
Calls us to show His generous and selfless love to one another.
*Hymn of Praise #20 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Call to Confession
If we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, we must first be honest with ourselves about our disobedience and the mistakes we make, about our self-centered attitudes, and about how well or poorly we care for others. In this spirit, let us offer to God our prayers of confession.
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Gracious and gentle God, God of peace, Father of mercy, God of all comfort: we confess before You the waywardness of our hearts. Too often we have offended and grieved You with our inclinations toward anger, jealousy, revenge, ambition, and pride, which give rise to discord and bitter feelings between husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters - between ourselves and our friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
[Moment of Silent Confession]
Forgive us these sins, O longsuffering Father.
Bless us with the blessing You have promised the peacemakers, who shall be called the children of God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Responsive)
To all who turn from sin in sorrow, to all who turn to God in hope, this is God’s Word of grace: We are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved. This gift we have from God.
Thanks be to God.
Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing (Unison)
Heavenly Father, may these children come to understand that faith in Jesus brings a righteous heart; that a righteous heart is a selfless heart of love and compassion; that a heart of love and compassion is a heart at peace; and that joy awaits those who promote the peace that is in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer Hymn for Illumination #315 (Verses 1 & 4) Break Thou the Bread of Life
Scripture Lesson Luke 15:25-32 (p. 740)
Message “The Prodigal Brother”
Prayer of Blessing
Offering/Offertory “Our Father who art in heaven” BWV 737 J. S. Bach
*Doxology (p. 809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)
Gracious God, Who has blessed us abundantly with many good gifts, after Your example we lay these offerings before You. May they be used to promote the Good News of Christ; the whole truth of scripture; and the spiritual nourishment, growth, and joy of those within our church family and far beyond. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn of Commitment #563 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn My Friends May You Grow in Grace
My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen. (2x)
Postlude: “Where should I fly from here” Gottfried August Homilius
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church family, Valatie, together with other area churches, continue the tradition of free dinners once a month in the St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall. KRC will be providing and serving the free dinner offered Tuesday, February 25, and it is anticipated that up to 150 people will be attending. A sign-up sheet is now on the back table for volunteers who are willing to participate in this ministry.
Jayne Ferguson (1st), John Schubert (4th), Courtney Wood (8th),
Filip Carroll (9th), Mary Schubert (9th), Heather LaTorre (18th),
Chip Wood (23rd), Angie Hickman (24th), Jackson Carroll (24th)
PRAISE GOD, THE LARAWAY/LAMONT FAMILY HAS GOOD NEWS!
The family is now residing in an apartment in Stuyvesant on Church Street, and Cliff has a farm job on the Allen farm on Route 26A in Stuyvesant. A mailing address for the family is not yet available, but Susan is working on setting up their email address. They will be needing beds (twin or double or bunk), washer, dryer, sofa, dressers, (preferably one for each member of the family), and other household furniture if anyone has anything extra.
A THANK-YOU FROM CLIFF AND SUSAN
“God shows His love through the warmth and kindness
of special people like you. Thank you, and God Bless.”
Dear Pastor Rudy and Congregation of Kinderhook Reformed Church,
Words could never express the thanks we have for all the love and kindness you showed us through the toughest times. May God always bless you all. We love you all like our own family. GOD BLESS.
Cliff, Susan, and Kids
Two of the three pianos in the Sunday School classrooms, plus the electronic organ in the handicap ramp entranceway, are free-for-the- taking to anyone who would like to make use of them or who knows of someone who would. Although it has some issues, the organ is playable, and the pianos, which mainly need to be tuned, would make good practice instruments for beginning piano students. If interested, please contact Patti Varga.
~CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE PLANNED FOR 2014~
Kinderhook Reformed Church is pleased to present the 2014 portion of Concerts in the Village (CITV), a concert series begun 4 years ago under the sponsorship of KRC’s Stewardship Ministry as a music outreach to the church’s surrounding communities featuring our refurbished pipe organ. Continuing under the dedicated administration of KRC’s CITV committee and the capable and talented leadership of music director and organist, David Smith, the series has evolved to include a variety of orchestral instrumentalists, vocal soloists, a chorus of over 70 voices (now known as the Broad Street Chorale), and a wide selection of sacred and secular pieces from diverse musical periods and cultures.
All concerts will be performed in KRC’s sanctuary, and a suggested donation of $15 will be gratefully accepted to assist in the ongoing funding of this exceptional series:
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 3:00 P.M. The third offering in the 2013-2014 Concerts in the Village series will be "Henry Purcell Sacred and Secular: Home, Church and Dramatic Music of the Early Baroque in England.” Featured will be the Broad Street Chorale, soloists Amanda Boyd, Jon Morrell and others, and orchestra. This program will include a concert performance of Dido and Aeneas, the first important opera in the English language, as well as instrumental and solo vocal music.
REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR
Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, and working together to complete their callings.
KRC's Consistory, whose dedication to their calling is an inspiration to all.
all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times.
the blessing that all members of the Laraway/Lamont family escaped without injury the recent fire that destroyed their home.
those in the KRC family and beyond who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.
the blessing of times in which families fellowship, grow, and bond together
those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, & those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR
those who do not know Christ, or who are struggling in their faith.
KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; VBS; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs. KRC’s 2013 Consistory members; KRC’s administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members.
our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander; Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell.
our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies..
our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
victims of warfare, terrorism, and violence worldwide, that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassuring knowledge that he is in control.
our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
those, especially children, suffering violence; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially: the Wrigley Family, relatives of Arnie March, grieving the unexpected death of a dear family member; those grieving the sudden death of Rosemary Klugo, very close friend of Beth and Dave Ennis.
Bev Van Alstyne, recovering in Albany Med from a fractured pelvis following a fall. Please pray for a speedy and complete healing for Bev, and pray also for Dick as he assists in her recovery. Notes and cards of encouragement may be sent to PO Box 442, Kinderhook, 12106. Bev's room number is B321, but visitors should check with Dick beforehand: 758-9613, 239-348-8204; or email: mccagg2@yahoo.com
Kevin, struggling with a very difficult cancer.
others battling or recovering from cancer: Theresa Van Warner; Rosemary Whitmore & Mrs. Martinez, mothers of Paul Varga's best friends; Steven Blun; Mary, Jessica Farley's mom; Jen, Dawn Tuttle's daughter-in-law; Leonard, Susan Lamont's cousin; Kim Lyle's grandma; Rose and Joanne, friends of the Simpkins and Spaulding families; Charlie Roppolo; Luci & sister, Guinda (LaHaie) Derrico; Sal Alessi; Donna Scalera.
George, father of a friend of Nancy Baker, battling a severe sinus infection and unable to take appropriate medications due to a compromised immune system.
Gerald Jennings, Adam Rivenburgh, and David Rivenburgh, 3 teens still recovering from a severe car accident recently.
those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Jackie Gough, Susan Lamont's stepmother; Sylvia Ramm, Susan Lamont's aunt; Ted Tuttle; Maureen Mooney; George Clowe; Jane Smith; Liz Carroll; Jane Zanchelli; Dawn Tuttle; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Paul Varga; Blanche Rogers; Florence Rivera.
the Christian community in Afghanistan; winter snow in the country’s mountains to assure spring irrigation of farmlands; the upcoming election of a new Afghan President – one that will be of God’s choosing.
the Laraway/Lamont family as they establish themselves in a new rental home and for Cliff as he begins his new job. Pray also for peace, reassurance, and release from fear, especially for the children.
those facing challenges and difficult decisions: Christians suffering persecution; Libby Little.
reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life.
those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan.
residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren and Murray Leonardson.
those who are traveling
Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type. Please forward this information, as well as new praise and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158.
MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. IN 2013, THE PANTRY SERVED 3915 PEOPLE REPRESENTING 1065 FAMILIES. Non-perishable foods that are always popular at the Pantry are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti/spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.
KRC’s share of support this year is $5,728.14 for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF THIS YEAR’S CLASSIS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN SET AT $86.79. All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above regular giving, their share of this support. The full share does not have to be given at one time, but may be given in as many increments as are convenient. If offered weekly, that’s less than $2 per week. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated, “Classis Assessment.”
EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is available at his church office
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
If you wish to meet with Pastor during these times,
please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Mondays, please call 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, call 859-4158.
KRC 2014 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory
Deacons
Jane Deane – ’14, Outreach 758-7051
Noreen Dick – ’15, Church Family 758-6640
Derick Latorre – ’14, Stewardship / KRC Treasurer 376-1882
Barbara Vosburgh – ’15, Property 758-6512
Elders
Maureen Mooney – ’14, Outreach / Consistory Vice-President 210-6079
Dawn Tuttle – ’15, Worship / Personnel / Consistory Clerk 758-6031
Patti Varga – ’15 Christian Education / Classis Delegate 392-4771
Bob Wildermuth – ’14, Pastoral Relations 828-0690
John Schubert, Chairman, Classis Financial Committee
KRC STAFF
KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Liz Carroll – 758-6034
Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
