Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Services

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

April 27, 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.  All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship service.

Greeter(s): Donna Scalera

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

Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

  8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Welcome/Announcements 

  Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise                                                                                            The Solid Rock

  Scripture Lesson                                                                            John 20:19-31 (p. 769)

  Message                                                                                                “Doubtful Design”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering

  Intercessory Prayer

*Song of Praise & Worship                                                           It Is Well with My Soul

*Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Prelude

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Entering God’s Presence

  Call to Worship (Responsive)

Let us worship the eternal God,

the source of love and life, who creates us.

Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one, who lives among us.

Let us worship the Spirit, the holy fire, who renews us.

To the one true God be praise in all times and places,

through the grace of Jesus Christ.

*Hymn of Praise #517                                                                                  The Solid Rock

  Seeking God’s Renewal

  Call To Confession   

When we see the perfection of the glorified Christ, we recognize our own imperfection. Christ is light and truth, yet we desert him and flee from him to hide among the shadows of sin and betrayal. Let us acknowledge our unfaithfulness; let us ask forgiveness; and let us seek a renewed and holy relationship with our gracious Lord.

  Prayer of Confession (Unison)

God of everlasting love, we confess that we have been unfaithful in our promises to you.  We have served our own self-interest instead of serving only you. You have shown us the way of life through your Son, Jesus Christ, but we confess with shame our slowness to learn from him, our failure to follow him, and our reluctance to bear the cross.  Have mercy on us, gracious God.  Forgive us, and bring us back into the fullness of our covenant with you and to faithful discipleship with Christ.  Amen.

[Moment of Silent Confession]

  Assurance of Pardon (Responsive)  Hebrews 10:10; Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 66

We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  And this is God’s gospel promise:

To grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by grace because of Christ’s one sacrifice accomplished on the cross.

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing

May these children learn and hold firmly to the truth of Christ and enjoy the freedom that it brings. May they walk in discipleship with him always, and never be ashamed of their relationship with him, no matter what the cost.

  Encountering God’s Word

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                          John 20:19-31 (p. 769)

  Message                                                                                                “Doubtful Design”

  Prayer of Blessing  

Celebrating God’s Blessings

  Invitation to Offering

We offer our gifts with grateful hearts; we present our tithes with generous spirits; and we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the service of Christ’s gospel and kingdom.

  Offering / Offertory

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Holy God, we offer these gifts to be used to preach the truth of salvation through the resurrected Christ, your Son - the only gateway to fullness of life and life eternal; to proclaim his promise of renewal of mind, body, and spirit; and to make known the blessings that await those who listen and respond to his voice of love and reassurance.  Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn #519                                                                                     It Is Well with My Soul

*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 ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY UPDATE~

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY, not only for your generosity in support of the Valatie Food Pantry’s Easter Basket program, but also for your on-going donations of food and money. 94 families, including 141 adults and 112 children, benefitted from this community ministry in the month of March.  Non-perishable foods that are 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 & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.

     On October 17, 1969, a thousand people in Bismarck, ND, walked in what may have been the first-ever CROP Hunger Walk – and raised $25,000 to help stop hunger. Several other CROP Hunger Walks occurred soon thereafter, and before long there were hundreds of Walks each year in communities nationwide. Currently, well over 2,000 communities across the U.S. join in more than 1,600 CROP Hunger Walks each year. More than five million CROP Hunger Walkers have participated in more than 36,000 CROP Hunger Walks in the last two decades alone.

     CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide -- and right here in the U.S. -- to have food for today while building for a better tomorrow. Each year, some two million CROP Hunger Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors worldwide put their hearts and “soles” in motion, and in the last 20 years have raised nearly $300 million to help end hunger and poverty around the world and in our own communities.  Hungry people in developing countries typically walk as many as six miles a day to get food, water, and fuel, and to take their goods to market. CROP Hunger walkers walk to be in solidarity with their struggle for existence.  They walk because they want to end hunger – one step at a time.

      WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES A CROP HUNGER WALK MAKE?

     $24 can provide a 1-year supply of nutrition packets for 20 children.

     $50 can provide seeds and tools to help a family grow their own food to eat and sell.

   $110 can provide emergency food for the needs of a family of five.

   $140 can give a struggling farm family a new source of income: a pair of pigs. A piglet

             from each litter is then given to another family in need.

   $300 can pay for 10 meters of a shallow borehole well for a community desperate for

             clean, safe water and sustainable food.

$1,000 can provide pump and maintenance training, allowing women and girls to grow food and attend school instead of carrying water long distances daily.

     It is expected that some $3.5 million of CROP Hunger Walk funds raised this year will be shared with food banks, pantries, community gardens, and other local efforts across the U.S., with 25% of the funds raised by the Kinderhook walk going to hunger-fighting agencies in Northern Columbia County.  Our local efforts are making a huge difference, and you can be a part of it! Last year’s CROP walk

against worldwide hunger and in support of local food pantries was a great success! 120 walkers participated, and over $14,000 was raised.  More than $3,500 was returned for use by local food distribution agencies.  YOU DON’T HAVE TO WALK TO CONTRIBUTE!  Checks made out to “CWS/CROP” are welcome and are tax-deductable.

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),

Anna Hart (15^th), Sophia Hart (15^th), Bill Nieman (16^th), Arnie March (17^th),

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

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ, or who are struggling in their faith, especially: 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; VBS; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs.
• KRC’s 2013 Consistory members; KRC’s administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members. the missions and missionaries supported by KRC: Dave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan; Alight Pregnancy Center, Hudson;  Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission; 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, Young Life Ministry, St. Thomas; Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar International Mission.  
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace. Remember especially Jason, serving in Afghanistan, as well as another unspoken military-related need.
• victims of warfare, terrorism, and  violence worldwide,  that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassuring knowledge 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 violence; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the recent death of Helen Drumm; those grieving the loss of John Bryant.
• Jean Skipper, undergoing surgery to repair a rotator cuff.
• Mark Young, hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
• Bev Van Alstyne, now home, where she will continue to receive physical therapy.  Please also keep Bev's husband and caregiver, Dick, in your prayers.  Visits and gifts of food would be appreciated.
• Bridget, struggling with a difficult cancer diagnosis.
• Mary Beth Gottshall, suffering stage 4 cancer.  Mary Beth is the mother-in-law of Harriet Simpkins's son, Terry.
• Sal Alessi, not doing well in his battle with advanced cancer.
• others battling or recovering from cancer: Kim Lyle’s grandmother, Linda; Gen Weiland; Harold; Sharon; Kevin; Theresa Van Warner; Rosemary Whitmore & Mrs. Martinez, mothers of Paul Varga's best friends; Steven Blun; Mary, Jessica Farley's mom; Dawn Tuttle's daughter-in-law; Leonard, Susan Lamont's cousin; Charlie Roppolo; Luci & sister, Guinda (LaHaie) Derrico; Donna Scalera.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness;  chronically ill; or in hospice care: Joe Harden; Luke; Ron Moore's father; Bobby Bailey; Angie Rivera; John Dean Sr; Isabelle Bosquet-Morra; John; Paula Mueller; Dawn Van Buren; Sara Schubert; Bev Van Alstyne;  Maureen Mooney;  Jane Smith; Liz Carroll; Jane Zanchelli; Dawn Tuttle; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Paul Varga; Blanche Rogers; Florence Rivera.
• those who are traveling, especially Paul Varga, traveling between Texas and New York.
• Those facing challenges and difficult decisions: Greg and Lisa, fighting addictions; Alex and his family; the Laraway/Lamont family; the mom and child of one of our long-time VBS families, who had to leave their home recently due to family violence; Christians suffering persecution, especially the Christian community in Afghanistan and other places in the Middle East; Libby Little.
• 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, Doris Schmeider, Claudia March's mom; Gordie Van Buren; and Murray Leonardson.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
• all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, and working together to complete their callings.
• KRC's Consistory, whose dedication to their calling is an inspiration to all.
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.
• the encouraging news that Cliff Laraway has been hired at a good job that he likes and that suits his needs.  Pray that Cliff will find blessing in this employment.
• the good report that the CAT scan of Kim Lyle’s grandmother, Linda, showed no new cancers.
• the KRC family and beyond who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.
• the blessing of times in which families fellowship, grow, and bond together.
• 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.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,728.14 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 $86.79.  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. That’s only $2.50 per week for each week remaining
 in this year. All contributions for this purpose should be designated, “Classis Assessment.”  

During the month of May, The Eddy/St. Peter’s Health Partners are offering free installation of a traditional emergency help button (a savings of around $50), or the new mobile alert with a gps.  Anyone who is homebound should consider getting an emergency help button.  Active individuals should consider the new mobile/gps system. The monthly cost of the traditional system after free installation is around $40.  For information on the monthly cost of the mobile alert, or to obtain either alert system, call the Eddy at 833-1040.

~A FRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT PEW CARDS~

Just a note to remind parents to keep their children from writing on or tearing the visitors’ cards and the prayer and announcement cards found in the slots on the back of each pew.  The visitors’ cards are purchased from a professional printer, and are expensive to replace.   Please have your children make use of the writing and coloring materials available especially for them in the back of the sanctuary.  Your attention to this request will be greatly appreciated