Kinderhook Reformed Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, APRIL 10, 2016  

 KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH - REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

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                                                                                         John 21:15-19  (p. 769-70)

  Message                                                                                        “Authentic Love for Jesus”
  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments

downstairs in the Fellowship Room today following worship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett, Greg Clause Jr.

 Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Patti Varga.

Preschool nursery available downstairs.

Fresh-Cut Flowers are given today by Deborah Drebitko and Geoffrey Gross

in loving memory of their mother, Glenda Gross.

  Prelude      

  Welcome, Announcements, and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship   (Responsive)  Adapted from Psalm 113

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord.
       Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.
       The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
       Let us worship and praise the Lord our God!

*Hymn #745                                                                     Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun 

Allowing God to Shape Us

Call to Confession

How easy it is to criticize someone else for the wrongs done to us; how quickly we can list the occasions when we have been hurt or left out. Let us honestly look at the times when we have done the same to others and confess our shortcomings to God.

  Prayer of Confession

Pastor:   We acknowledge the times when we have worked hard and fallen short of the mark.

All:   We regret the times when we did not try at all.

Women:   We are sorry for the times when we didn't try to make things better.

Men:    And sorrier still when we made it difficult for someone else to work for justice.

Pastor:   We look back with regret at the occasions when we didn't offer praise for work well done.

Women:   And we ask forgiveness for the times when we belittled and scorned someone for doing what we should have done.

Men:   We see now the opportunities missed when we could have given our time to help others.                              (Continued on next page.)

All:   And we are sorrier still that we did not even give of our money so someone else could help in our stead.

Pastor:   We regret the times when we looked the other way.

All:   And we regret even more when we were the ones committing the wrong.

Pastor:   In these moments of silence, examine your hearts and confess to God your shortcomings.

(One minute of silent prayer)

  Assurance of Pardon

Friends, hear this good news: Our God is a God of mercy and love. In the name of Christ, your sins are forgiven. In response to this gift of grace, make your pledge to do better as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen. 

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing

Lord Jesus, draw each of these children into the glory of your divine presence and goodness.  May each of them experience your infinite love, love you wholeheartedly in return, and be ready to show your love to others.  Amen.

  Blessing on the Word Proclaimed             

  Scripture                                                                                         John 21:15-19  (p. 769-70)

  Message                                                                                        “Authentic Love for Jesus”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Offering/Offertory                       

*Doxology (#809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Blessed Jesus, you have given yourself for us and clothed us in your garments of holiness and everlasting life. You have inspired us with depth of your affection for us, and in return we give these gifts with glad and loving hearts so that others may experience your love, salvation, and life eternal.  Amen.

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Submission #538                                                                I Need Thee Every Hour *Blessing, Benediction, and Response Hymn                            By the Gift of God’s Grace

By the gift of God’s grace may your burdens be light,

and your heart with his love be aglow. May your spirit be glad, may your soul be at rest,

and may Christ grant you peace as you go.  Amen.

  Postlude

~CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE CONTINUES SIXTH SEASON TODAY AT KRC~

19^TH CENTURY MASTERPIECES BY MENDELSSOHN, BRAHMS AND WAGNER

       Concerts in the Village (CITV) continues its sixth season at 3:00 p.m. today at KRC with major works of Mendelssohn, Brahms and Wagner. Led by David Smith, this program will be CITV’s 18^th concert. Over 70 musicians will be performing, including the Broad Street Chorale, the Broad Street Orchestra, soprano Amanda Boyd, tenor Jon Morrell, and mezzo-soprano Vicki Smith. Former Metropolitan Opera singer Marjorie Elinor Dix, who has performed throughout the United States and abroad with major orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Houston Symphony, the American Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will be CITV’s guest artist.

       The concert includes Richard Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, the richly romantic Alto Rhapsody & Schicksalslied of Johannes Brahms, and Felix Mendelssohn’s monumental settings of Psalms 95 and 42. Says David Smith, who will be conducting this concert, “These are all emotionally charged works, almost operatic in their force.”

              A contribution of $20 includes an on-site reception immediately following.

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

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.
• 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 news that Greg Clause Jr. has made sufficient gains in his addiction recovery to be released from in-patient rehab to the home of his grandparents, Paul and Joan, to continue his progress.  Please remember to pray for Greg as he attends out-patient treatment and counseling, and pray that his family will be able to provide a strong and successful support system for him.
• the healthy birth recently of Baby Nina Grace, granddaughter of Libby Little.  Praise and thank God along with Libby that all is well with mother, Kate, and new little Nina.
• the happy news that Sara Schubert has a granddaughter due to arrive May 29 to son, Josh Schubert, and his wife, Helen.
• the happy news from Arnie and Claudia March that they have a grandson who is due to arrive in May. 
• 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, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever support they can to those in need.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith. 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.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory, especially new members, Tana Thompson and Chip Wood; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs. 
• our state, national, and world leaders, 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.
• 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, especially: Will and Jayne Ferguson, family, and friends grieving the death this past week of Will’s brother, Darryl; those grieving the recent loss of Howard Gleason, brother of Rita Laffety.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• God's blessing on the Bible studies, "War Room," which focus, among other topics, on the power of prayer.  Study #5, the closing study in the series, will be presented today at 10 and 11:30 am.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Steve Shpur, hospitalized this past Wednesday with intestinal issues and awaiting possible surgery this coming week. Please pray for strength, reassurance, and peace for both Steve and his wife, Janet, at this difficult time.
• Sug Hawver, recovering from surgery this past Wednesday.  Pray for a speedy recovery without complications for Sug, and for her husband, Bruce, as he assist in her recovery.
• Linda, friend of Erika Johnson, not recovering well following recent surgery.  Pray that she will experience the power of God's physical healing and spiritual renewal.
• Elizabeth Clinton, mother-in-law of Amy Clinton, who suffered severe breaks of both the tibia and fibula bones of her lower leg following a serious fall recently.  Please pray for pain relief and speedy healing for Elizabeth.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Donna Scalera; Ron Dick; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; 6-month-old Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Gary Silvano; Stacey Baker; Maggie Brower; Cathryn Rhodes, mother of Donna Rhodes; Sug Hawver; Sissy Mahoney; Vicky, cousin of Susan Lamont; Donald Smith, father of Janet Smith Van Allen; Tom Carroll, son-in-law of Barbara Gross; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Steve Shpur; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Amber, granddaughter of Erika and Merrill Johnson; Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those facing the challenges of a higher level of education or seeking a career; Cliff Laraway; Greg L and friend, Joshua; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• God's protection and safety for those traveling.
• residence-bound members, Murray Leonardson and Joan Van Alstyne.

~HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY!~

Deborah Spaulding (1^st), Annake Visser (6^th), Beth Anne Rippel (11^th),

Anne-Marie Zietsman (11^th), Angela Rivera (12^th), Bill Nieman (16^th),

Arnie March (17^th), Leo Dolan (18^th), Cydney Rippel (22^nd), Paul Zietsman (29^th)

~2016 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT~

General Synod:     $53.71   (Up $1.98 from 2015)

Albany Synod:       $29.00   (Unchanged from 2015)

C.  G.   Classis:        $  6.22   (Down $1.07  from 2015

          2016 TOTAL PER MEMBER:        $88.93

                          (Up $0.91 from 2014)

~WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~

Our weekly offerings have not been consistent in reaching the $3000 needed to cover our regular operating expenses.  As we see from the income/expense figures below, the shortfalls lead quickly to a budget deficit, and regular contributors are asked to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday. Stewardship Ministry urges that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses. 

Total income to date: $43,004             

 Total expenses to date: $45,281

Inspired by the abundance with which the Lord has blessed us,

 let us continue, as his faithful stewards, to be ever mindful of the need

to maintain a weekly offering sufficient to cover our commitments