February 5, 2017

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors.  We 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

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Scripture Reading                                                                                  Isaiah 64:1-9 (p. 531)

  Message                                                                                              “God in Grand Display”

  Communion

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

 

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Following worship today, all are invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments

downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker and Max DiOrio.

Thanks to today’s greeters, Jean, Stacey, and Phil Hurst. 

Nursery facility available downstairs.

 

  Prelude                                                   Cantabile                                                César Franck

  Welcome, Announcements and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive) Based on Psalm 68

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth!
       Sing praises to the Lord!
O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens, listen: God sends out a mighty voice.
       Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel,

       and whose power is in the skies.
Awesome is God! Awesome is God in the sanctuary!
       Awesome is the God of Israel! God gives power and strength to the people.       

       Blessed be God!

*Hymn of Praise #2                                                                                           Holy, Holy, Holy

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession

Jesus modeled for us a life of humility and faith and calls us to follow his example. Where have we fallen short of being Christ to the world this week? Let us confess our sins together.

  Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Show us your mercy, O Lord, for we are an unfaithful people. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. Turn our hearts toward you alone, that we may joyously walk in your ways and be called your faithful children.

[Moment of silent confession]

Lord God, by your grace and forgiveness,

renew us in mind, body and spirit, that we will witness and work for Christ wherever you have placed us. In his name we pray. Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) - Based on Psalm 85

"Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other . . . Righteousness shall go before you, and peace shall be a pathway for your feet." Praise God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and freed to live anew!

       Thanks be to God that through Christ, our sins are forgiven. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children's Prayer of Blessing (Unison)

Heavenly Father, provide our children with a unified, prayerful, Bible-teaching church family that will draw them into community, give them a hunger for your Word, and involve them in your work; bless them with spiritual leaders who are trustworthy and humble. Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                                  Isaiah 64:1-9 (p. 531)

  Message                                                                                              “God in Grand Display”

  Prayer of Thanksgiving

Celebrating God

  Communion 

                                                                                          THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we come to the table of our Lord in Remembrance, Communion, and Hope. 

We come to Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was sent into the world so we might be saved through him.

We come to be in Communion with this same Christ who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.

We come in Hope, believing that this bread and cup are a pledge and foretaste of the feast of love in the kingdom to come.

Since by his death, resurrection, and ascension Christ has obtained for us the life-giving Spirit who unites us all in one body,

so we receive this Supper in true love, mindful of the communion of saints.

THE INVITATION

This is the feast of the Lord’s Table, in which all who profess the Lordship of Christ in their lives are invited to share.  Come, for all things are now ready.

COMMUNION HYMN #768 (Verses 1, 2, 3)   I Come with Joy

                                           

THE COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is holy and right to lift up our hearts and give God thanks and praise.

It is with joy that we give thanks to you in all times and places, Almighty and Everlasting God. You have shown the fullness of your love by sending to us Jesus Christ our Lord, made flesh for us, for our salvation, and for reconciliation with you.  For this precious gift of your Son, we worship and sing praise to you, O God:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky, and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world.  In the joy of his resurrection and expectation of his coming again, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices, and proclaim this mystery of the faith:

Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

As this grain and these grapes are gathered from many fields and hills into one loaf and one cup, to be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ, grant also that your whole Church may be joined together in him, attain unity in the faith, and soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! And now, as Christ taught us, we pray together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

                                                                                                                         THE COMMUNION

The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me."

           (Distribution of the bread)

       The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.

 

After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

        (Distribution of the cup)

The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.

 

            PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION  (Unison)

O Christ, you have opened to us the scriptures, and have been known to us in the breaking of bread:  Stay with us, we pray you, that we may go in the strength of your presence and your truth all our journey through, and at its end, behold you in the glory of the eternal Trinity, God forever and ever.  Amen

                                                                                                            Scottish Book of Order

 

  Offering/Offertory                             Petit Offertoire (1864)                           César Franck

*Doxology                                                             Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below.

Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

  Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Heavenly Father, evidence of your love and grace is all around us.  By laying our offerings before you this day, we declare our trust in your goodness, and announce to ourselves and to the world that we place ultimate importance on your purposes.  Receive these gifts as our way of praising your power, your glory, and your design for our service to you and your kingdom.  Amen.

  Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Prayer Hymn #584                                                                      Have Thine Own Way, Lord

  Postlude                           Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 557                         JS Bach

TODAY is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund.  Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family and community members.  

 

Sunday’s 9:45 am Bible-study group has completed its current study, and has beginning a new study of the Book of Genesis.  If you are interested in joining this group, please see Jean Hacker so that a guide may be ordered for you.

 

Please Note:  Anyone who would like to do so is invited to take a poinsettia home for themselves or to a home-bound friend or family member to enjoy. It may lose the red leaves that fired for the Christmas holidays, but in a sunlit area of your home and with just a minimum of watering care, it will last for years as a green plant.  It can be placed outside and will thrive in the sun during the summer months.

 

~ CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE, 2 P.M. NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 ~

       At 2 p.m. February 12, CITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices, including works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Foote. The women of the Broad Street Chorale will perform, along with soprano Amanda Boyd, soloist in Britten’s Les Illuminations. On April 2nd at Kinderhook Reformed Church Masterpieces from the Classical Age will feature Mozart’s magnificent Mass in c minor, as well as Haydn’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante for which the soloists will be principals of the Broad Street Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Silver, cellist Erica Pickhardt, oboist Karen Hosmer, and bassoonist Cornelia McGiver. Suggested donation for all performances - $20.  Please Note: The artistic exhibition currently on display in the Shainman Gallery contains graphic imagery including violence, nudity, and sexual content.

HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY !

Jayne Ferguson (1st), Jocelyn Morris (5th), Courtney Wood (8th),

 Filip Carroll (9th), Mary Schubert (9th), Heather LaTorre (18th),

Chip Wood (23rd), Jackson Carroll (24th)

 

THERE IS MAIL IN THE CHURCH FAMILY MAILBOX (UPPER LEFT CORNER BOX)

FOR BONNIE DUNHAM.

 

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY

FOR THEIR ONGOING GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF

THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY.

       The Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry took in $2,730.00 in donations and paid out $2,408.40 for food purchases this past November in order to deliver 135 Thanksgiving Baskets to needy families in our communities. Remaining funds went into the Pantry’s General Fund in support of ongoing operations. At the same time, the Pantry carried on its regular services, assisting 74 families, including 25 seniors, 150 adults, and 97 children. In the month of December, 58 families were served, including 22 seniors, 125 adults, and 84 children. Non-perishable foods 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 and brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.

       Many thanks to Dolly Petith for updating us with the above information.

 

There is a January update from Libby (Little) Saxton

available on the back table.  All are welcome to take a copy.

 

~PROPERTY MINISTRY WINDOW PROJECT UPDATE~

       It is the responsibility of the Property Ministry to see that the properties owned by the church are maintained and kept in suitable condition. The parsonage on Eichybush Road is one of those properties.

       In the 1970's, a porch was added to the back of the parsonage behind the kitchen in a corner formed by parts of the structure. It was screened in, and during the years since then those screens deteriorated to the point where they were removed. In order to protect and preserve the remaining portions of the porch and also to further insulate the kitchen area of the parsonage, the Property Ministry recommended and the consistory approved a plan to close the porch in with sliding windows plus screens, making it much more serviceable. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROPERTY MINISTRY WAS IN ERROR ABOUT THE COST OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS ACTUALLY JUST UNDER $3,000, MUCH LESS THAN THE $5,000 TO $6,000 REPORTED IN PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTSThe church has contracted with Window World, and the work should begin this coming week. 

       The Property Ministry plans to hold some fund raising events in the spring of this year to help pay for this project. As always, any donations that a person may choose to make toward this work will be gratefully accepted to help reach our goal. If donations should exceed the amount required, they will be held for support of future projects which continually need to be addressed. 

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

  • those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith journey. Pray also that God will provide opportunities for us to witness for Jesus, and give us the courage and winsome words needed to make the most of these opportunities.
  • Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
  • KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries and Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs.
  • our state, national, and world leaders, especially President Donald Trump and all of the new government officials taking office, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
  • our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Jason Lansing serving in South Korea.
  • victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies: famine, earthquakes, and other climate-related disasters; economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement.
  • those grieving the death of loved ones. 
  • those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world.
  • reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.
  • Jill, Maureen Mooney's niece, as she recuperates at home from recent major surgery. Pray for speedy healing and full recovery to health for her, and pray also for Maureen as she assists in Jill’s care
  • wisdom for Kara (Ennis) Mobley as a decision must be made regarding the extent of the surgery that she will soon be undergoing.  Kara and her family wish to thank everyone for the prayer support that they have received during this difficult time.
  • others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Lennox, Darla Skiermont; Betty Osborn; Lynn; Rob; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
  • Ronny, recovering from breast cancer surgery last Friday. Pray for speedy and complete healing without complications for Ronny.
  • Donna Scalera, struggling in her battle with cancer and with the associated therapies she is undergoing.  Pray for God's blessings of encouragement, strength, and healing for Donna.
  • Bill, Janet Smith's brother, diagnosed with cancer. Pray for God's peace and reassurance for Bill and his family, and for successful treatment for his cancer.
  • Jen, as she continues treatment following a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. Pray for good outcomes and a complete return to full health for Jen.
  • others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Ron Dick; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
  • those who are traveling.
  • those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Libby (Little) Saxton; Corrie Shattenkirk, relocating back to this area from Omaha, Nebraska; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.
  • those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.
  • residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

  • Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision, and for the Christ-centered messages God gives to Pastor each and every Sunday for the spiritual nourishment and growth of our church family.
  • the inspirational ministries of our guest preachers, Perry Jones, Tom McCrossan, John Bowen, and others who lead worship at KRC from time to time.
  • those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, and those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
  • the good report that Merrill Johnson’s surgery was very successful in relieving the pain he was suffering, and that he is again able to be in worship with us. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Merrill.  Notes and cards of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, and may be sent to Merrill at 533 Old Post Road, Ghent, NY 12075.
  • the good news that Stacey Baker is doing very well as she begins her internment program.
  • the happy update from Nancy Baker that her mother, Vickie Metzger, 97, is doing so remarkably well in her advanced years.
  • all those of KRC's family and friends who donate their time, talent, and energy so generously and so willingly to the various ministries and programs of our church, many of which are carried out quietly and selflessly by behind-the-scenes volunteers who often receive little notice or recognition.
  • His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

                                                              PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

Dave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan;

Alight Pregnancy Center, Hudson

Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Albany

Compassion International, KRC-Sponsored Children:

Evelin Chuquinia, 15, Bolivia              Giulbert Muguna, 18, Kenya

Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio

Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission

Dick and Carolyn Otterness, RCA missionaries, Hungary

Brian and Bea Post, Wycliffe Bible Translators

Seth and Melissa Rogati, missionaries, Young Life Ministry, St. Thomas

Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar International Mission

 

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO READ THE THANK-YOU NOTES ON THE MISSIONS BULLETIN BOARD DOWNSTAIRSIN THE FELLOWSHIP ROOM FROM A NUMBER OF THE ABOVE MISSIONARIES WHOM WE SUPPORT YEARLY.  

 

                                                                            CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,310 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 $88.50 (down 43¢ from last year).  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 just $1.88
per week for the remaining weeks (47) in this year. All Classis contributions should be clearly designated,
“Classis Assessment.” 

                                      ~2017 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT DISTRIBUTION ~

General Synod:     $52.23   (Down $1.48 from 2016)

Albany Synod:       $30.00   (Up $1 from 2016)

C.  G.   Classis:          $6.27   (Up $0.05  from 2016

                                    2017 TOTAL:            $88.50   (Down $0.43 from 2016)

 

 

                                            KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

                      Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                         Deacons

Jane Deane  ’17  Outreach and Missions . . . 758-7051  jdeane1943@gmail.com

Noreen Dick  ’18  Church Family . . . . . . . . . . 758-6640  noreend122@twc.com

Beth Anne Rippel ’18  Stewardship  . . . . . . . 392-5044  barippel@yahoo.com

Tana Thompson  ’17  Property  . . . . . . . . . . . 392-3312  tanastrome@gmail.com

 

                                                            Elders

Merrill Johnson’18  Worship      . . . . . . . . . . . 828-6726  docjohnson36@gmail.com

Dawn Van Buren ’18  Pastoral Relations . . 758-7564  dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Patti Varga  ’17  Education, Consistory VP.   .   755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

Barbara Vosburgh  ’17 Personnel. . . . . . . . . 758-6512  vosburgh1@nycap.rr.com

 

                                             KRC STAFF

                 KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

              Paul Clause – 859-4158     Courtney Wood – 784-2134

                          KRC Sexton                   KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

             Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786       Greg Clause – 369-8472 

 

COMING EVENTS

Today, February 5 

       8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

       9:45 am  New Bible study of the Book of Genesis continues

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Tues, February  7

Please Note:  Youth Group will not meet February 7.

Thur, February  9

    9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC

            “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

       7:00 pm  New Bible study group meets, @KRC main floor Conference Room

Sat,    February 11

       4:30-6:30 pm  Soup-and-Sandwich benefit, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie

Sun,   February 12  Scout Sunday

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       9:45 am  New Bible study of the Book of Genesis continues

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

2:00 pm CITV Concert, 20th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices,

The School/Jack Shainman Gallery

Mon,  February 13 

       6:30 pm  Consistory meets

Tues,  February 14

       7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Tues, February  21

Please Note:  Youth Group will not meet February 21.

Mon,  February 27 

       6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues,  February 28

       4:30-7:00 pm  Pancake Dinner benefit, Emanuel Lutheran Church,

                                           Route 9, Stuyvesant Falls

 

Servers Next Sunday, February 12

Ushers: Jim Baker, Max DiOrio

Greeter(s):  Joy Bertram