Kinderhook Reformed Church

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Services

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

October 5, 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

  Announcements and the Lord’s Greeting

  Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise                                                                                           

  Scripture                                                                                 Matthew 21:23-32 (p. 698)

  Message                                                                                  “The Upside of Giving Up”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Communion

  Offering

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn                                                                  

*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:  Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland

Greeter(s): Patti Varga   

 Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

Flowers are given today by Jane Deane  in loving memory of her parents,

Elliott and Helen Smith.

Guest Organist, David Smith

  Prelude                     Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 (mvts. 1-3)                   J. S. Bach

  Announcements and the Lord's Greeting

Drawing Near To God  

  Call to Worship  Based on Psalm 108:1 - 4

Our hearts are ready, O Lord, our hearts are ready!

       We will sing and make melody!

We will awaken the dawn!

       We will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples.

we will sing praises to you among the nations.

       We will trust in you and do your bidding

We will follow your word and do your will

       For your steadfast love is great above the heavens,

       and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

*Hymn of Praise and Assurance #523                                                     Trust and Obey

Turning Our Hearts to God  

  Call to Confession (Responsive)

As God has instructed us, and because we have not lived in full obedience, let us now confess our sins to him, trusting in the saving work of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison) 

Loving God, we confess that our lives are impure and unholy apart from the cleansing we have in Christ.  We confess that too often Christ in us is hidden by actions that wound rather than heal, that tear down rather than build up, that dishearten rather than inspire. Open our eyes, that we may see others in the same compassionate way you see them. Open our ears, that we may be quick to listen and slow to speak. Open our mouths to speak good rather than evil. Open our hands in selfless generosity. Instill in our hearts a steadfast resolve to follow Jesus in full obedience to your will and your way. We pray these things, trusting in your forgiveness and in the power of your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in paths of justice and righteousness for your name’s sake.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon and Call to New Obedience (Responsive)            

All the prophets testify about Christ that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sin through his name.  Knowing that we have obtained this grace, God calls us to renewed lives of unshakable trust in him and determined faithfulness to his will and purpose.

      Hallelujah to our God of mercy!  Amen.

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

All-knowing and faithful God, lead these children along paths of righteousness into the places and purposes that you have planned for their lives. May they trust always in your promise and power to guide and direct them in serving you and in bringing blessing to others.   Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                 Matthew 21:23-32 (p. 698)

  Message                                                                                  “The Upside of Giving Up”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Communion (Insert)

  Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings/Offertory

“Blessed Jesus, at Thy word”, BWV 634          J. S. Bach

*Doxology and  Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Heavenly Father, maker of all things, through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts, signs of your gracious love.  With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn of Commitment #576                                         I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

*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                    Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 (mvt. 4)                       J. S. Bach

Praises and thanks to our Lord that the BROOKS BAR-B-CUE/dessert sale/community outreach, sponsored by Kinderhook 
Reformed Church Cemetery this past Wednesday, more than met expectations.  $3200 was raised, all of which will go toward 
operation and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, an increasingly costly ministry to our community. The Cemetery Committee wishes to thank all those who helped in making this important event a great success again this year.   

Dear members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church,

       I am working with the KRC Cemetery Committee for my Eagle Project.  My project consists of designing and constructing the new Columbarium within the cemetery.  I will be installing the fence, which will define the perimeter of the Columbarium.  If you feel a calling to my project and would like to contribute to its completion, it would be greatly appreciated.  Donations may be made to the KRC Cemetery with "fence" in the memo.       

                           Thanking you in the name of Jesus Christ,      Will Carroll

Bobby Bailey (4^th), Bonnie Dunham (6^th),

Susan Patterson (14^th), Jean Wildermuth (15^th), Aiden Visagie (18^th),

Will Patterson (21^st), Amy Clinton (22^nd), Rudy Visser (27^th), Austin Bailey (28^th), Barbara Vosburgh (28^th), Derick Latorre (29^th)

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ, or who are struggling in their faith, especially: Michael; Brian, who is also experiencing disabling health issues; and Craig.
• 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.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide, especially those in Syria, Iraq, other areas of the Middle East, and in our own country, that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassurance 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 poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• family and friends grieving the death of loved ones: the Tuttle and Carroll families grieving the sudden death of Chris Tuttle, 43, of Saranac Lake – remember especially his wife, Heather and their four children, and his father and mother, Frank and Nora Tuttle.
• Bill, family friend of Patti Varga, hospitalized overnight recently for an unspoken health issue.
• Paul Varga, battling pneumonia & a jaw infection.
• Jackie, hospitalized recently with a kidney stone and an infection. Please pray for relief from pain and a speedy and complete recovery for Jackie.
• Jackie’s sister, Barbara, suffering migraine headaches due to a tumor behind her eye.
• those battling or recovering from cancer: Zoe; Jean; Edward Giordano; Glen; Karen; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Bridget; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness;  chronically ill; or in hospice care: Andrew McDermott; Susan Lamont’s Aunt Sylvia; Phil Morse, brother of Kay Haber; Vicky Metzger; Jennifer and her unborn baby; Morgan Hickman; Brother Arnold, Shaker friend of Suzy Nieman; Alan Dick;  Doris Schmeider; Maureen Mooney;  Joan Clause; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers, mother of Diane Morgan; Dawn Tuttle; Baby Ellie LaTorre; Isabelle Bosquet-Morra; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Bill,  Abby, and Christopher, dealing with unspoken personal issues; the Heimroth Family;  Holly and Marc Morales, daughter and son-in-law of Paul and Joan Clause; Amber and others as they face the challenges of beginning their college education - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices, and decisions that they are facing; Susan Lamont and kids, searching for a suitable home, and in need of strength and peace in hard times. Cliff, desperately in need of prayers; Greg and Lisa, fighting addictions; Christians everywhere who are suffering persecution; Libby Little.
• 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.
• our residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, and 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 blessing of a safe and decent car for Susan Lamont and her children.
• the good news that, on his 88th birthday, Gordie Van Buren is doing very well.  Pray that Gordie will continue to remain strong and healthy enough to remain in his home and do the things he loves to do.
• the good report that Doris Schmeider, mother of Claudia March, has recovered sufficiently from injuries received in a recent fall to be discharged from the hospital to Whittier Rehab.  Please continue your prayers for a complete recovery for Doris.
• Mary, friend of Erika Johnson, who recovered from a recent near-death experience; please continue to pray for Mary's return to complete spiritual and physical health.
• Dr. Rick, colleague of Merrill Johnson, who has recovered completely from a recent near-death experience and has returned to a full work schedule.
• 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.
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.