March 15, 2015

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES MARCH 15, 2015

 “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 Lesson                                                                     Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (p. 436)

  Message                                “When God Speaks, It Is Unmistakable and Un-erasable.”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to refreshments and fellowship downstairs today following worship.

  UshersTed Call, Jerry Flansburg, Glenn Warren, Chip Wood      

Greeter(s):                               Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

Guest Organist, David Smith

 

  Prelude                        Allegretto from Sonata IV, op. 65                      Felix Mendelssohn

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 100, 105:1-5

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.

       It is he who made us, and we are his;

       we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

and give thanks to him and praise his name.

       Make known among the nations what he has done. 

       Sing to him, sing praise to him; Tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

       For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

       his faithfulness continues through all generations

*Hymn of Affirmation #311                                               God Has Spoken by His Prophets

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Based on Isaiah 55:6, 7

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  Let us forsake our disobedient ways and evil thoughts; let us turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on us, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.    

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  Based on Psalm 51

Holy and loving Lord, we confess that we have sinned against you. Take the rebellious ruins of our lives, renew us, and restore to us the joy of your salvation. Teach us again your word and your ways, and we will turn back to you and pursue your righteousness with humble hearts. Grant us willing spirits to sustain us, and make us worthy servants in your kingdom.

 [Silent Prayer of Confession]

Save us, and we will obey your commands.

Open our lips, and we will sing of your righteousness.  Amen.

*Assurance of Pardon  (Unison)  Based on Psalm 86  

You are a compassionate and gracious God; forgiving and good; abounding in love and faithfulness to all who call to you.  We praise you, O Lord our God, with all our heart, for you have delivered us from sin and renewed our commitment to hear and obey your word. Amen. 

  Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Heavenly Father, establish these children firmly in your word, and bless them with the righteous living and freedom that come from faith in Jesus Christ and from obedience and discipleship to his voice of truth.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Lesson                                                                     Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (p. 436)

  Message                                “When God Speaks, It Is Unmistakable and Un-erasable.”

  Prayer of Blessing

    Celebrating God

  Offering and Offertory   Finale: Andante from Sonata VI, op. 65      Felix Mendelssohn

  Doxology and Offertory Prayer   

Generous Father, with glad and eager hearts we lay our offerings before you. Sanctify them for the work of proclaiming your word, bringing honor and glory to the name and Gospel of Christ, and building his kingdom.    

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn #208                                                                            Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?

*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn           My Friends May You Grow in Grace

  Postlude          Fuga: Allegro moderato from Sonata II, op. 65           Felix Mendelssohn

Donations for Easter lilies to decorate our pulpit area are now being  accepted, and are greatly appreciated.  Contributions may be placed directly in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.

 

Kinderhook Reformed Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Beginning at 10 a.m. Next Saturday, March 21, 2015

 ~ Hop on for Fun and Fellowship ~

Crafts, Cookie Decorating, and Snacks at 10 a.m.

Easter Story and Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m.

We need volunteers to make this event an awesome time for all who attend!  Please sign up on the sheet at the back table if you are available and willing to help out with this outreach ministry.

 

 

CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2014-2015 SERIES CONTINUES

3 P.M. SUNDAY, MARCH 29, KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH

       The well-received Concerts in the Village series continues with “Schubert and Beethoven: The Dawn of the Romantic Age” featuring the Broad Street Chorale, the Broad Street Orchestra, and guest soloists Amanda Boyd-Grout, Vicki Smith, Jon Morrell, and Andrew Robert Munn. This will be CITV’s 12th concert since its founding in 2010. a $15 donation per person is suggested.

       Under the direction of David Smith, the concert will feature 65 performers, in three important works from the very beginning of the Romantic Age: Beethoven’s dramatic concert aria Ah! perfido, op. 65 (1796), with soprano Amanda Boyd-Grout as soloist; Schubert’s charming Symphony No. 5 in B-flat, D. 485 (1816); and Beethoven’s monumental Mass in C, op. 86 (1807). The Broad Street Chorale includes 40 experienced choral singers from the region. The Broad Street Orchestra includes 25 of the finest orchestral musicians in eastern New York. This promises exceptional music-making.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, the KRC Family will once again join forces to cook the free supper at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie.  Anyone willing to lend a hand to this ministry (cooks from 2:45 pm; set-up crew from 4 pm; serving crew from 5 pm; clean-up crew from 6:30 pm) please sign up on the sheet provided at the back table.

 

 

 

~NEW KRC LIBRARY ACQUISITION and BEVERLY LEWIS BOOK-SIGNING~

      We have a new book in the KRC library, “More Screams, Different Deserts,” written with humor and spiritual insight by Sue Eenigenburg about the missionary experience.  It was presented to Barbara Vosburgh by Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar missionary whom we help to support, during her recent speaking tour.  This book could also be used as a study guide for small groups.

      Beverly Lewis, author of the new novel, The Love Letter, will have a book-signing beginning at 7:00 pm Friday, March 27, at The Living Word Parable Christian Store, Peter Harris Plaza, 952 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY  (518) 479-7276.

 

 

 

~ ALL ARE INVITED TO THE ECUMENICAL EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE ~

6:30 am, 250 Sharptown Road, Stuyvesant

 Breakfast will be served following the service.

~ Please Note ~

 Following the Easter Sunrise Service,

KRC’s Easter Sunday Worship will be a combined service at 10 am, and Children’s Sunday School will be in recess. The 8:30 am service and Children’s Sunday School will resume the following Sunday, April 12.

 

 

 

~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY EASTER BASKETS~

Easter Food Baskets will be given to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and request one. In November, 132 families received Thanksgiving baskets, and we anticipate about the same number of families for Easter. The baskets include food for Easter dinner: ham, potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, pineapple, and brownies. The Pantry buys all food items for the baskets in bulk, and if you would like to help financially with these purchases, checks may be made payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church, with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and dropped in the offering plate.  If you prefer, you may make checks out directly to Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, Inc., with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and mail them to:  Jean Norton, 35 Harris Drive, Valatie, NY 12184 .

The Pantry thanks you in advance for any help you are able to give. All monies or food items left over after the Easter baskets are distributed will be put into the Pantry account or onto the Pantry shelves.

 

KRC’S NEXT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WILL BE SUNDAY, APRIL 19

following a combined 10 am Worship Service. The 8:30 am service will resume the following Sunday, April 26.  A light brunch will be served hosted by the Thursday Bible study group, and sign-up sheets for food donations will soon be available at the back table.

 

 

~ UPDATE FROM STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY ~

MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO KRC ELECTRONICALLY

     If you are not already aware, Kinderhook Reformed Church now has the ability to accept your regular contributions and designated gifts electronically on our website,

kinderhookreformedchurch.com

     On the homepage, click the link “Donate” under “Contact Us” at the upper right side of the page, and follow the prompts.  Electronic checks and all major credit cards are accepted, and you will find options for

  • making one-time contributions
  • setting up recurring payments for your regular contributions
  • designating contributions and gifts for special purposes or to specific funds such as 4th Century, Missions, Deacons Fund, Classis Assessment

     The online process is an easy one, and many of you may find it a convenient way to manage the contribution goals and commitments you have set for yourself or your family. 

     For each electronic transaction, the church is charged a small processing fee which decreases as the number of transactions increases.  If you have questions or need additional assistance or information, please contact KRC Treasurer, Derick LaTorre.

 

 

 2015 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

 

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,633.28 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 $88.02.  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 over $2 per week. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated, “Classis Assessment.”  

 

 

 

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY! 

Doris Schmieder (1st), Maureen Mooney (5th), Priscilla Frisbee (6th), Stan Bertram (12th), Nancy Call (14th), Greg Clause (19th), Emily Wood (20th), Dave Ennis (30th), Paul Zietsman (31st).  PRISCILLA FRISBEE, TURNING 97, IS THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE MARCH BIRTHDAY GROUP!  If you wish to send a personal greeting, Priscilla’s address is P.O. Box 173, Stuyvesant Falls, NY 12174.

 

 

 

 

~A NOTE OF CAUTION FROM THE PROPERTY MINISTRY~

The very long and very heavy oval table in the conference room can be moved only with the help of several strong men who can lift it. Recently it was discovered that apparent efforts to push or pull it at the ends had loosened screws in the hardware that holds the table together, causing some of the screws to fall out. As a result one of the legs had started to buckle, a very dangerous situation. The table has been repaired with more and heavier hardware and is now in good and safe condition. Please note that no efforts should be made to move it. If that ever becomes necessary, we will collect the man power to do it correctly.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

 

  • those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith, especially Diane, that they will come to know the Lord or experience a renewal.
  • KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs. 
  • KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members.
  • our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Tom Eastman, beginning the 1st year of a tour of military duty in Afghanistan.  Pray for Tom's safety, and for peace and reassurance for his family as well.
  • survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide, Pray for an end to the violence and persecution, for safety of Christians in Niger and throughout the world, and for protection of homes, churches, and businesses.
  • 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 poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
  • families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially the Binder Family and friends grieving the recent death of Bridget, and Arthur Gross, dealing with personal health concerns and grieving the recent death of his brother. 
  • Harriet Spaulding, recovering from knee-replacement surgery this past Thursday.  Pray for a speedy recovery without complications for Harriet.
  • Stacey Baker, who is attending school in Colorado.  Stacey sustained a moderate concussion following a recent fall, and is suffering visual disturbances, nausea, some memory loss, and inability to concentrate. She was seen at the hospital, but now needs to find a doctor for follow-up care.  Pray for a quick recovery for Stacey so that she may complete her final papers and exams in a timely fashion.
  • Jean Skipper, long-time member of KRC now living in New York City, recovering from a cardiac procedure to prevent abnormal heart rhythms.  Calls and cards or notes of encouragement would be very much appreciated.  Jean's cell phone number is 347-604-1075, and her mailing address is 80 John Street, Apt 21-C, New York, NY 10038.
  • Libby Little, as she completes her speaking engagements in Australia during the remainder of this month. Copies of Libby’s daily travel and speaking schedules are available on the back table. 
  • Mid Glass, now at Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Room 327A, Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075. Her phone number is 828-0800, ext. 627.
  • others battling or recovering from cancer: Larry and Leonard, Susan Lamont’s brother and cousin; Zoe Covey; Andy; Lucy B. and Rodrigo; Jean; Edward Giordano; Glen Simmons; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera. 
  • those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Adam Spaulding; Doris, Cricket Warren’s aunt, and Doris’s elderly husband, Dick; a grandmother with congestive heart failure; Alan Dick; Scott Calhoun; Paul Varga; Floyd Haber; Dick Van Alstyne; Alan Dick; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
  • First-time parents, Andrew & Melissa Welcome, expecting their little one in May.
  • those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions:  Susan Lamont and her children, now in Florida; Bill and Abby - pray that God will bless them with his strength, hope, and guidance; Kent Busman and his wife, whose home was destroyed by fire recently; Diane, friend of Cricket Warren, and Jim, in need of job opportunities; Greg L; Craig Johnson; Holly and Marc Morales; those facing the challenges of their college education - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices, and decisions that they are facing.
  • those who are traveling,  reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
  • Residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, Doris Schmieder, Joan Van Alstyne.
REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR
  • Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
  • 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 report that Adam Spaulding, recovering from a dislocated shoulder, is now out of the splint and back to work.
  • the good news that Libby Little’s dental abscess is under control and that her speaking tour in Australia continues to go very well as planned.
  • recent tests showing that Zoe Covey’s brain tumors, though inoperable, appear to have been reduced somewhat in size. Please continue your prayers for Zoe's recovery.
  • all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.
  • the many dedicated and hard-working friends and members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Family who serve on Consistory, church ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize and carry out special church events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.

 

 

 

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR HEARTS PRAYERS THE MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

AROUND THE WORLD THAT KRC HELPS TO SUPPORT:

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

 

 

 

 

                                              KRC 2015 CONSISTORY

                        Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                           Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16,  Clerk of Consistory / Outreach /  CITV Committee  58-6034

Noreen Dick ’15Church Family     758-6640

Derick LaTorre ’16,  KRC Treasurer / Stewardship /  Cemetery     376-1882

Barbara Vosburgh ’15,   Property      758-6512

                                                                                             Elders
            Merrill Johnson – ‘16,  Worship   828-6726
            Patrice Lyons – ‘16,  Outreach    758-8400

Dawn Van Buren – ‘15,  Personnel / Pastoral Care    758-7564

Patti Varga ’15  Consistory Vice President /   Christian Education / Classis Delegate   392-4771

 

                                                          KRC STAFF

                      KRC Office Manager                     KRC Office Assistant     

                   Paul Clause – 859-4158                   Liz Carroll – 758-6034

                                       Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton

                                               Greg Clause – 369-8472