Kinderhook Reformed Church

Easter Sunday Worship 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.

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Thanks to today’s ushers, Phil Hurst, Glenn Warren, Andrew Welcome.

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

 Nursery facility available downstairs.

Following worship, all are invited downstairs for fellowship and refreshments.

  Prelude

  Welcome and Announcements

  God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on selected passages from Psalm 118

Open the gates of the righteous; enter and give thanks to the Lord.      

       Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous.
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

       The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

       The Lord has done it this very day;

let us rejoice today and be glad.

       Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
       From the house of the Lord we bless you. 

The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
     You are our God, and we will praise you;

you are our God, and we will exalt you.

       Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

*Hymn of Praise #234                                                               Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Luke 24:45,46

Then [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations . . . ” Together, let us open our hearts in repentance to God.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  

Loving Lord, we confess that at times we do not share in the joy of the resurrection, but are caught in the worries of the world. We confess that we do not always live in the spirit of new life, but remain discontent, grumbling and anxious. Forgive us for not sharing in the Good News. Forgive us when we find it more comfortable to worry and complain than to risk the joy and encouragement of new life in Christ. Call us back to your ways, O God, to seek hope and reconciliation, restoration and peace. In the name of the risen Christ, we pray. Amen.                                                                                Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell

Assurance of Pardon  (Unison)  Based on selected passages from Psalm 118

The Lord is our strength and our defense; he has become our salvation. We will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. We will give you thanks, O Lord, for you answered us; you have become our salvation.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Great God, fill these children with your mighty presence.  May they experience and acknowledge you as the God of their salvation and eternal life through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Reading                          Colossians 3:1-4 (p. 834)

  Message                                                                           “The Paradox of the Open Grave”

  Prayer of Blessing

Celebrating God, His Abundance, and His Care

  Duet  Deborah Spaulding, Soprano, Nancy Baker, Alto                          Because He Lives

  Offering/Offertory

*Doxology #809                                                   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)

Loving God, through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, you have given us the immeasurable grace of life eternal. May these offerings be used to share, through lives committed to the service of the risen Christ, the grace we have received. Amen.

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

*Hymn of Praise and Affirmation #196 (Verses 1&2, 4&5)                                     One Day *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                       

~VALATIE FOOD PANTRY EASTER BASKETS DISTRIBUTED~

Over 100 Easter Food Baskets have been given to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and requested one this year. The baskets included food for Easter dinner: ham, potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, pineapple, and brownies. The Pantry purchased all food items for the baskets in bulk, and if you would like to help cover the cost of these purchases, checks may be made payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church, with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and dropped in the offering plate.  The Pantry thanks KRC for the help already given. Funds and food items left over from the Easter basket distribution are put into the Pantry account or onto the Pantry shelves.

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 now in 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, especially family and friends grieving the loss this past Wednesday of Jay Marston, colleague of Deborah Spaulding; the Bertram Family, especially Joy and her mother, Lois, grieving the recent death of father and husband, Stan Bertram; Noreen Dick, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Alan Dick. 
• 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.
• Annis, former Compassion student sponsored by Merrill and Erika Johnson, and her young daughter, who is terminally ill. Pray for God's strength, reassurance, and healing for Annis and her daughter during this very difficult time.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Jeff First; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.

• the grandmother of Heather LaTorre, suffering health issues and now moved to a hospice facility. Pray for God’s comfort, peace, and reassurance for Heather’s grandmother and her family.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Derick LaTorre; Valarie Molnar; Sara Hartman; Keith Niver; Betty Osborn; Darla and Jill; Lennox; Lynn; Rob; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• those who are traveling, especially Jane Deane and her brother, vacationing together in Holland April 8 – 18; Jane Deane's daughter, Jen Anderson, and family, travelling to California April 12 – 20; Noreen Dick and Beth Anne Rippel traveling to Ireland April 12 – 17.
• others facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Peggy and Fostera, mother and daughter of Keanya Meyer, experiencing special challenges.  Brianna; Libby Little-Saxton – Libby’s April Update is now available on the back table for pick-up; 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 epidemic of addiction to heroin and other substances.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Maureen Mooney; 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.  Praise God also for the Visser Family’s safe return from month-long travels in South Africa visiting family and friends.
• 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 news that Valerie Molnar, although still in the hospital, is doing much better. Valerie is the mother of one of Nancy Baker's co-workers.
• the great news that tests made following Jeff First’s surgery show that his cancer has not spread.
• new KRC members recently received into fellowship. Please lift them up in your prayers as they join with us in ministry and fellowship.
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so willingly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly and selflessly behind-the-scenes with 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.
•  

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)

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 $2.45 per week for the remaining 36 weeks in this year. Please clearly designate
all contributions, “Classis Assessment.” 

KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Jane Deane – ’17  Outreach, Cemetery. . . . . .  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  Christian Education, Outreach,

                                Consistory Vice President . .755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

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

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 376-1882  derick.latorre@gmail.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,   Easter Sunday, April 16   Rev. Rudy Preaching

    10:00 am  Combined Easter Worship Service

        Please Note:  Children’s Sunday School is in recess Easter Sunday.

Tues,  April 18

       7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur, April 20

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

              Group continues a new Bible study, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

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

                     Maundy Thursday Communion with Pastor Paige @Muitzeskill

Sat,  April  22   KRC volunteers will again be serving at CCRM, Albany.

      7:30 pm  Hudson Valley Choral Society Spring Concert

                        Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kinderhook

Sun, April 23

      8:30 am  Early Worship Service

      9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

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

Mon, April 24 

      6:30 pm  Consistory Meets

Wed, April 26

      6:30 pm  Community Conversations @KRC, “Reducing Inflammation”

Servers Next Sunday, April 23
 

Ushers:  Glenn Warren, Andrew Welcome

Greeter(s):