KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
APRIL 19, 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.
10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
All are invited to brunch, fellowship, and our congregational meeting
downstairs today following worship.
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Jonathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel
Greeter(s): The Sutherland Family Preschool Nursery available downstairs.
Guest Organist: David Smith
Prelude “Adorn yourself, O dear soul,” BWV 654 J. S. Bach
Announcements and God’s Greeting
Drawing Near To God
Call to Worship (Responsive) Based on Acts 3:20-26
Come and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We worship him with songs and praises.
Come and worship God, who sent his Christ, even Jesus, appointed for us.
We worship him in love and gratitude.
Come and worship God, who raised Jesus from the dead.
We worship him by faith in his power to restore everything.
Come and worship the resurrected Christ, through whom we are heirs
of the covenant of God and blessings to all peoples of the earth.
We worship him by listening to and obeying everything he tells us, that we
may not be cut off from among his people. Praise be to God and his Christ!
*Hymn of Praise #50 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
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 acknowledge that we have denied and forsaken him in favor of our selfish ways and sinful 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 the words of the prophet, Malachi
Almighty Lord, we have not set our hearts to honor you or submitted ourselves to your sovereign power and grace. Instead, we have renounced and rejected you through our willful, sinful thoughts and actions. We have not revered your name, and have not listened to your word or followed your ways. We have not kept faith with you or with one another. We have minimized and made excuses for our bad behavior, and in some cases, have deceived ourselves into believing that our sin - and ultimately our betrayal of you - was actually the right thing to do. We acknowledge that we have fallen from grace, and we seek your mercy upon us.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Forgive us, O Lord, we pray; humble us, and renew us.
Let the righteousness of the resurrected Christ rise within us like the sun
with healing in its wings. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) Based on Psalm 66:16-20
Come and listen, all you who fear God; this is what he has done for you: You cried out to him with your mouths; his praise was on your tongues. If you had cherished sin in your hearts, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely heard your confessions and listened to your voices in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected our prayers or withheld his love and forgiveness from us!
Coming before God’s Open Word
Children’s Message and Blessing (Unison)
Loving God, may these children learn and hold firmly to the truth of Christ and enjoy the righteous living and freedom that it brings. May they walk in discipleship with Jesus always, and never be ashamed of their relationship with him, no matter what the cost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Acts 3:12-19 (p. 772)
Message "Disowning the Holy and Righteous One? No, not ME!"
Prayer of Blessing
Celebrating God
Offering and Offertory “We now implore the Holy Spirit,” BuxWV 208 Dietrich Buxtehude
Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)
God of grace and renewal, sanctify these gifts for the purpose of breaking the bondage of spiritual ignorance and sin. Use them to inspire faith in the redeeming work and power of the risen Christ, and thereby relieve guilt, fear, stress, physical and emotional disease and pain, poverty, hunger, and whatever other disabling burdens we and those around us may be bearing. Amen.
Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn of Acknowledgement #499 Lord, I Was Blind
*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 Fugue in C major (“Jig”), BuxWV 174 Dietrich Buxtehude
PLEASE JOIN US FOR BRUNCH AND OUR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING DOWNSTAIRS FOLLOWING TODAY’S COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE.
The 8:30 and 10 am services will resume next Sunday, April 26. Many thanks to the Thursday Bible study group for hosting today’s brunch.
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.
For those of you who would like to donate flower arrangements for the pulpit in memory of loved ones or in celebration of special occasions, please contact Dawn Van Buren
~CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2014-2015 SERIES UPDATE~
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 10th Annual Paul Grunberg Memorial Bach Concert. Cantatas and Orchestral Works of J. S. Bach. At PS21 in Chatham.
HAPPY APRIL BIRTHDAY !
Deborah Spaulding (1st), Annake Visser (6th), Beth Anne Rippel (11th),
Anne-Marie Zietsman (11th), Angela Rivera (12th), Diane Morgan (14th),
Bill Nieman (16th), Arnie March (17th), Leo Dolan (18th), Cydney Rippel (22nd),
Paul Zietsman (29th)
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; and the Richard family, as they have endured the Boston bombing trial, reliving the horrendous death of their son, Martin, on that day.
- 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.
- Stacey Baker, in Colorado suffering concussion due to a fall. Substantial recovery progress happened too quickly immediately following the injury, and Stacey has experienced a “crash” resulting in a serious set-back in the healing process. Her neurologist has prescribed a slower recovery regimen, which includes a specific routine for eating and for taking many essential rest-breaks from activity, but this has not been easy for Stacey to meet on her own, and she must depend on her roommates to help her manage. She has had to withdraw from school, is physically unable to travel home, and is suffering depression. Please continue your much-needed prayers for Stacey and for Nancy and Jim.
- Floyd Haber, recovering in Whittier Rehab from recent hip-replacement surgery. Pray for speedy healing for Floyd, and remember Kay also as she assists in Floyd's recovery. Cards and notes of encouragement may be sent to Floyd at 540 Joslen Boulevard, Apt. 221, Hudson, NY 12534.
- those in hospice care, battling, or recovering from cancer: Joan Kennedy; Donna Scalera; 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; or chronically ill: Faity Tuttle; Alan Dick; Angie Rivera; 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.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR 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
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 little Finn Calhoun will not require surgery on his hand. He has met with an occupational therapist and has been fitted with a splint to wear at night. His surgeon is confident that the issue will resolve with the help of the splint as he grows. The Calhouns thank you all for your prayers.
- the happy news that Mid Glass is well enough to be discharged from Whittier Rehab to her home in Kinderhook, and is anticipating going to her home in the North Country when the warm weather arrives.
- the good report that Floyd Haber is healing well from recent hip-replacement surgery.
- the good report that Faity Tuttle expects to be discharged this coming week from Sunnyview Rehab to assisted living at Camp Hill.
- 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.
Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type. Please forward this information, as well as new praise and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158.
[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 less than $2.40 weekly for the remaining weeks in this year. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated, “Classis Assessment.”
MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY
FOR THEIR ONGOING GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY.
Non-perishable foods always popular at the Pantry are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti/spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake and brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.
~ REMINDER 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.
COMING EVENTS
Today, April 19 - Please note: Early Worship Service will not meet.
10:00 am Combined Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
11:15 am Congregational Meeting and Brunch following combined 10 am
Worship Service.
Tues., April 21
7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets
Thur., April 23.
9:00 am Small Group Bible Study meets
Please join us as we continue our Bible study on the Book of Isaiah.
10:00 am Community Prayer Group @ KRC
Sun., April 26
8:30 am Early Worship Service
10:00 am Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
11:15 am Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room
Fri., May 1
6:00 pm First Friday Potluck Supper, KRC Fellowship Room
Upcoming Kinderhook Business and Professional Association (KBPA) Events:
May 9 - Opening Day for the Farmers’ Market
May 30 - Kraft Fair and Olde Saratoga Fyfe and Drumms Parade & Muster
Servers Next Sunday, April 26, 2015
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Jonathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel
Greeter(s): Susan Patterson
