KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES

APRIL 12, 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                                                                                                   Acts 4:32-35 (p. 773)

  Message                                                           “Followers of Jesus Are a Sharing Society.”

  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.

  Ushers:  Pat Calhoun, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth

Greeter(s): Jim and Bonnie Dunham         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   

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship (Responsive)

We are gathered together to fix our eyes on Jesus.

       We come to this place to acknowledge his reign over our lives.

We worship in word and song and deed to bring glory to our great King.

       Lord God, we worship you, we love you, and we adore you.

We love you, Lord - and we lift our voice - to worship You - Oh, my soul rejoice! –

       Take joy my King - In what you hear –

       Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.  Alleluia! Amen!

*Hymn of Praise  #77                                                            Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession

Our world and our lives are not all that they should be. We fall short of reflecting the image of God and being the hands and feet of Christ to the world. Let us confess our sin, confident that God hears the cries of a sinner who repents.

  Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Merciful God, like the disciples, we are short-sighted and small-minded. We focus on problems and needs and on what seem like logical or "possible" solutions. We rely on our own strengths and resources and are quickly overwhelmed. We forget to turn to you, and we fail to depend on your Spirit. Forgive us, Lord.

[Moment of Quiet Confession]

Remind us yet again that your ways are not our ways.

Remind us also that with you, all things are possible.  Lord God, revitalize our faith and renew our hearts, that we might worship you fully. Renew us in faith and commitment, that we might trust you in every situation.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon

What a precious gift that we do not remain broken and burdened by our sin! Jesus Christ forgives us, renewing us to walk in freedom and power.

       Thanks be to God. Amen.

  Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Blessing  (Unison)

All-powerful God, preserve these children from the faults of selfishness and greed.  Lead them into holy and virtuous lives of love, humble service, and generosity to you, to the work of your Kingdom, and to others.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                                   Acts 4:32-35 (p. 773)

  Message                                                           “Followers of Jesus Are a Sharing Society.”

  Prayer of Blessing

    Celebrating God

  Offering and Offertory                                     

  Doxology and Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Gracious God, you have given your only Son for us, and you have clothed us with his garments of salvation and holiness. Inspire us with your generosity. Teach us to give freely so that others may know of your abundance. Teach us to give gratefully so that others may know of your liberality. Teach us to give humbly so that others may know of your love and compassion.  Amen.

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Commitment #710                                          We Are Called to Be God’s People

*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

KRC family and friends are encouraged to volunteer as front-door greeters for our 10 a.m. worship service.   A sigh-up sheet for this purpose may be found on the back table of the sanctuary, and your willingness to participate in this important ministry is much appreciated.

~CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2014-2015 SERIES UPDATE~

Recently, an enthusiastic audience of over 225 gathered in the KRC sanctuary for CITV’s second major offering of its 2014-2015 season.  The concert was devoted to works of Beethoven and Schubert, and featured 67 performers.  All performing felt deeply rewarded and grateful once again for KRC’s essential role in making such concerts possible.  Special thanks are extended to the Church Family Committee for its hosting of the reception following Sunday’s concert.  Wonderful receptions have become integral to the CITV concert experience and provide a very welcoming opportunity for listeners and performers to share their impressions.  Growing numbers in the community, truly in the region, are thankful that KRC makes possible such inspiring concerts.  CITV is very pleased to regard Kinderhook Reformed Church as its primary performing venue, indeed its home.

UPCOMING CITV PERFORMANCES:

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 3 P.M.:  Exploring a New Space:  A Musical Introduction to Jack Shainman Gallery: The School.  Works of Elgar, Britten, Vaughan Williams and Holst.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2 P.M.:  The 10^th Annual Paul Grunberg Memorial Bach Concert.  Cantatas and Orchestral Works of J. S. Bach.  At PS21 in Chatham.

                          ~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY THANK-YOU FOR EASTER BASKETS~

Thanks to your generosity, Easter Food Baskets were given to well over 100 families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry. The baskets included food for Easter dinner: ham, potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, pineapple, and brownies. All food items for the baskets were purchased in bulk by the Pantry, and it is still not too late 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 wishes to thank all who have contributed so far. All monies or food items left over from the Easter basket distribution will be put into the Pantry account or onto the Pantry shelves.

~ REMINDER FROM STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY ~

     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 4^th 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.

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 good news that Alan Dick has responded to treatment and is  much improved.
• the encouraging report that Harriet Simpkins is now recovering at home and improving significantly following recent knee-replacement surgery. Harriet thanks everyone for their prayers, cards, notes and good wishes. 
• the good news that Libby Little’s Australian speaking tour, though exhausting, was a great blessing to Libby and very well-received, and that she is back home safely.  Copies of Libby’s April Newsletter are now available on the back table.
• 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.

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, fulfilling 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, national, and world 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 Marge Heald, grieving the recent death of her younger sister; the Richard family, as they have endured the Boston bombing trial, reliving the horrendous death of their son, Martin, on that day; and Judy Simmons and her family following the death of Judy’s husband, Glenn Simmons.
• Alan Dick, recovering from pneumonia.
• Angie Rivera, dealing with a painful back issue that is limiting her ability to walk.
• Faity Tuttle, hospitalized at St. Peters for treatment of several health issues.  Please continue your prayers for Faity, her children, and her extended family.
• the sponsored Compassion International Children of John & Isabelle Bosquet-Morra: Jean, who lives in Togo, who just lost his father. Pray that he will be comforted as he and his extended family grieve this loss; and Evangelique, who lives in Burkina Faso, and whose mother is gravely ill. Please pray that the proper medical care will be made available for her. 
• Floyd Haber, recovering from hip-replacement surgery this past Tuesday. Pray for speedy healing for Floyd, and remember Kay also as she assists in Floyd's recovery.
• Donna Scalera, whose cancer has returned and is in 4 lymph nodes.  Please pray that the cancer has not spread from these sites so that treatment can be limited to radiation and chemo will not be necessary.
• Maureen Mooney’s Aunt Joan Kennedy, dealing with unresponsive bone cancer, and now at home receiving hospice services. Remember also Joan’s daughter, Rose, as she helps in meeting her mother’s needs during this difficult time. 
• others battling or recovering from cancer: Marlene; Mid Glass; Daniel; Zoe Covey; Andy; Lucy B. and Rodrigo; Jean; Edward Giordano; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Charlie Ropollo. 
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Harriet Simpkins; Marie Fronczak; Finn Calhoun; Bob, husband of Patti Varga's Aunt Kathy Jean Skipper; Stacey Baker; Paul Varga; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie Maul; Florence Rivera.
• first-time parents, Andrew & Melissa Welcome, expecting their baby girl in May.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions:  Carly Ripple; the Smith Family; Susan Lamont and her children, now in Florida; Bill and Abby - pray that God will bless them with his strength, hope, and guidance; 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.
• 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.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2015

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 now just over $2.25 per week. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated, “Classis
Assessment.” 

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), Diane Morgan (14^th),

Bill Nieman (16^th), Arnie March (17^th), Leo Dolan (18^th), Cydney Rippel (22^nd),

Paul Zietsman (29^th)