Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY - 10:00 a.m. April 3, 2011
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
You are invited to sign our Guest Book at the church entrance and to fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate. We would like to get to know you better, and invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us downstairs in the Fellowship Room immediately following Worship.
Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Lere Visagie
Greeter(s): Bob Dreier
Preschool Nursery is available for parental use downstairs.
Flowers are provided today by Barbara Vosburgh and the Van Buren Family.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, & PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM
God’s Children’s Approach
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on 1 Samuel 2
There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
You clothe with strength those who stumble.
The Lord raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ashes,
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s.
He establishes for his children a seat with princes
and gives them a seat of honor.
There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you, for you are my Rock and my Salvation.
GOD’S GREETING
*HYMN OF PRAISE #62 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
CALL TO CONFESSION Based on Psalm 32
The psalmist says, “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you.” With repentant hearts, let us faithfully offer our transgressions up to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Awesome and disturbing God, hold us close for a moment that we may look deep inside and not be afraid to offer ourselves to you. Only in your tender grasp can we face our struggles. Forgive: our reluctance to do something extravagant for another; the quick rise to anger when our pride is offended; the ease with which we let someone else play our part, fulfill our task; our clamoring for center stage, our need to be noticed, approved; our silence in the face of great joy or blatant wrong. Hold us close, that in the telling of our tale, we might find shelter under your wings and feel our burdens roll away. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON From Psalm 32:1
“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Friends, be filled with great happiness! Because in Jesus Christ, your sins have been forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.
PRAISE SONGS
CHILDREN’S PRAYER BLESSING (Unison - Congregation may remain seated.)
Loving Father, transform our children into the likeness of your resurrected Son, Jesus Christ. Guard them from the evils of this world, and renew them day by day. Bring them ever closer to Christ’s perfection, and clothe them in his righteousness. Amen.
Sunday School students are now invited to join their teachers.
God’s Children Before His Opened Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE TEXT Ezekiel 37:1-14
MESSAGE “Can God Transform Us Too?”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
God’s Children Celebrating Him
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION (Insert)
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Father, you have blessed us beyond measure, and you have called us to worship. May our gifts today flow from hearts of worship to the One who provides all we need. May we never forget that all we have is yours. Take it and use it according to your will. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER
*HYMN #473 (Verses 1, 3, & 5) And Can It Be that I Should Gain?
*BENEDICTION and RESPONSE - 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.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen.
POSTLUDE
Today is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund. Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family & community members.
PLEASE NOTE:
Church Family Ministry has decided to cancel the Chili Nite planned for this coming Friday. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Kinderhook Reformed Church has joined with Ghent Reformed Church in a 6-week cooperative Lenten study, “40 Days of Purpose,” based on Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. You are welcome to join in the remaining sessions each Wednesday through April 20. Kinderhook will be hosting this coming Wednesday, April 6, with potluck supper and study beginning at 6 p.m. Topics remaining to be addressed through short videos, discussions, and workbook activities are: DISCIPLESHIP – You Were Created to Become Like Christ; MINISTRY – You Were Shaped for Serving God; EVANGELISM – You Were Made for Mission.
The Missions and Evangelism Ministries would like to give a big “THANK YOU” to all who helped make the last St. Luke's community dinner such a success for this year. We served 137 people and there was no food left over. Praise God!
“An Interesting Thing Happened on the Way to the White House . . .”
March 2011 Letter from Libby Little
(NOTE: See photos sent by Libby on back table)
“What is wrong with me? After spending my whole life there, how could I not, for so many months now, even give Afghanistan a second thought! Was it bitterness, or denial, or post trauma?”
Flagging down an airport taxi, focused only on getting to the hotel, I glanced down at the Afghan carpet lining the inside of the taxi’s trunk. Instinctively, I looked up, stared at the driver, and together we started the long litany of friendly greetings, exchanging the blessing of peace, asking about the other’s house, health, and happiness, and ending with the words “ShUkor”, “Thanks be to God”.
“What brings you to Washington DC?” he asked.
“Well, since you asked…”
During the next 40-minute drive to my hotel, the formal greetings moved to a much deeper level. The taxi driver and I shared our personal and at times painful stories. There were tears, a prayer, invitations to dinner, and even a brief embrace as he lifted my luggage to the hotel entrance saying, “God brought us together today. Praise be to God.” I could not have agreed more. My fears relieved, I recognized God’s tender mercies as our family met in DC on February 15th to receive the Medal of Freedom award for Tom.
Thank you for your support and prayers as I start my busy 2011 itinerary. I am encouraged by the faithfulness of God through you. Together, let’s see how God will transform the tragedy of August 5th, 2010, into something life-giving for now and eternity. I fly home to Delmar tomorrow, visit the Saratoga Chapel on Sunday, fly to Finland on Thursday for a week with a mission there, and then back to the US for a three-week road trip south. Thank you for praying for the assignments and opportunities in April. Will write more when I return from Finland – Seija (also widowed on August 5) and I have been invited by Finnish Lutheran Missions to speak to their Board, colleagues, and candidates about what happened on August 5. Pray for us.
Love,
Libby Little
~ NOTES FROM CONSISTORY ~
• For those of the congregation who are able, you are encouraged to prayerfully consider making up your offering/pledge/tithe for Sundays you are not in church.
• Consistory is working on setting up a time for a “2011 Consistory Brush-up”. Dates that were identified were 4/9 and 4/30. Please pray for us as we grow with God and grow into our ordained positions as Consistory members.
• Our Church’s big 300-year birthday in 2012 is getting closer. You are invited again to share with Consistory your ideas on “How to celebrate 300 years of church history”.
MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. 83 families were served in the month of February. Foods that are always popular and needed are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; pasta; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the front and side entryways of the church.
Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• The General Synod as it considers Tom De Vries, the canditate being presented by the General Synod Council, to serve as the next General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America – please uphold Tom in your prayers as well
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• New KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; KRC’s 300th birthday celebration
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and Prayer Group
• Our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely
• A speedy end to the violence and unrest in the Middle East
• Our missionaries; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those struggling with substance abuse, especially Rachael, Greg L., and Martin
• Those, especially children, suffering natural disaster, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially Gordie and Mark Van Buren and family and friends grieving the loss of Ann Van Buren this past Monday
• Tanya, friend of Deborah Spaulding, who has had troubling test results and is undergoing more tests this coming week
• Caitlyn, niece of Ruth Edge, facing another surgery this coming week; pray for a quick and complete recovery for Caitlyn without further complications.
• Jonah Meldrim, hospitalized with strep, scarlet fever, and pneumonia, and now battling complications
• Ron Stockhoff, still in rehab in Florida recovering from hip fractures, shoulder and hand injuries, and a subsequent systemic staph infection, all resulting from a fall from his bicycle; Ron has responded extremely well to medication and therapy, is now walking without the use of a cane, and is planning to begin the drive home to New York in a couple of weeks – pray also for Ron’s wife, Harriet, who has been heavily stressed during this difficult time, and for safe travels home
• Bea Post, Wycliffe missionary, recovering from successful back surgery this past Tuesday, and facing several weeks of physical therapy; pray also for husband, Brian, as he assists in Bea’s recovery and continues the responsibilities of his ministry
• The father, nephew, and other family members of Susan Lamont in need of healing
• Florence Rivera, now recovering at home from a second hospitalization
• Others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Chuck Shattenkirk; Deborah Spaulding; Donna Scalera; Aaron; Doris Schmieder; John; Dawn VanBuren; Christophe; Bob Ringen; John Steneck; Ken Smith; Gordie Van Buren; Merrill & Erika Johnson; Priscilla Frisbee; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those dealing with cancer: Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh; Walt; Joe; Jennifer Kline; Julie’s aunt; Dave’s wife; Connie; Carin; Kara Ennis Mobley
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Patti and Paul Varga, in need of a new rental home before May 1; Elizabeth; Libby Little; churches consolidating or considering closing their doors; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those facing employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
(Continued on next page.)
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan and John and Sara Schubert
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick Latorre and Heather Donahue, and Mary Schubert and T.J. Lynch, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, and Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; Nicole, expecting her first child; new parents Luke and Ryan (Hacker) Morris (Baby Jocelyn); Kate (Little) and Chris Stevens (Baby Vivian Elise)
• Those who are traveling, especially Jay Rippel returning from Afghanistan
• Our military men and women, especially Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; Carrington Hessell; and Spencer Moore - that they may know God’s presence and protection
• Families and friends of our military troops, and victims of warfare & violence worldwide - that they may be blessed with God’s peace and reassurance;
• The power of the peace & love of Christ to subdue everywhere the spirits of hatred, hostility, unforgiveness, cruelty, vengeance, and warfare
Regular reports are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists. If you have updated information, especially regarding individuals whose names appear in bold print, please call the church office.
Remember To Thank & Praise God for
• All who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, & working together to complete projects and responsibilities
• His blessing of a wonderful, caring, Spirit-filled pastor of vision such as Pastor Rudy
• The good news that tests for Donna Scalera are encouraging, although she is facing another operation to deal with possible side-effects of her recent cancer treatments; please continue to pray for Donna’s complete recovery
• Remarkable improvement in the spirits and physical condition of Aaron, who suffered multiple injuries in a recent auto accident; Aaron is now recovering at home, his neck brace is off, he is talking away, and he is able to do some walking - many thanks for all the prayers that went up – keep them coming!
• Dawn Van Buren’s continued improvement and presence with us in Worship
• The wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times
• Those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, & those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy
- PLEASE NOTE ON THE BACK TABLE OF THE SANCTUARY -
• Upcoming Camp Fowler retreats, “getaways”, summer camp, & other events
• Synod-sponsored local workshops, learning opportunities, retreats
• Spiritual conference opportunities – information and registration forms
• Words of Hope, & other devotional booklets – Please take for use at home.
• Young Life, Compassion, Service, GO, TWR, Words of Hope - latest world
missions’ magazine issues / updates
• Missions updates from RCA and KRC-supported missionaries
• Recent RCA Today copies
• RCA’s Stewardship and Building and Extension Fund reports and investment
opportunity brochures
• Volunteer opportunities through RCA
• Regional Synod of Albany’s latest newsletter, Close to Home
• Personal greetings cards, “thank-you” notes, and letters
• Flower Donation, and other volunteer sign-up sheets
• Surveys and information response sheets
• KRC Library booklist
• Shepherd’s Guide, Christian Yellow Pages & Capital Region church directory
• Public service information and opportunities
KRC OFFICE, EMAIL,WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is scheduled to be in his church office
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
If you wish to meet with Pastor during these times,
please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings have been set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations,
and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call or 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, please call 859-4158.
KRC 2011-2012 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory, Classis Delegate
Deacons
Margaret Herrmann, Stewardship – ’12 758-6175
Laura Rafferty, Property – ’12 828-7189
Dawn Tuttle, Church Family, Clerk of Consistory, Cemetery – ’11 758-6031
Barbara Vosburgh, Missions, Church Treasurer – ’11 758-6512
Elders
Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12 210-6079
Dawn VanBuren, Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11 758-7564
Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12 758-1266
KRC STAFF
KRC Secretary Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
Coming Events
Today, April 3
10:00 am Communion Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Fellowship and Refreshments, Fellowship Room
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon. April 4
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Missions Ministry meets
Tues., April 5
7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets
Wed., April 6 - 6:00 pm Potluck Supper & Lenten Study @KRC
Thur., April 7
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
Fri., April 8 – Please Note: Church Family Chili Nite is canceled
and will be rescheduled for another time.
Mon. April 11
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tues., April 12
7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets
Sat., April 16 - 10:00 am Easter Egg Hunt @KRC
Sun., April 17 - Palm Sunday
Mon. April 18
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Missions Ministry meets
Thur., April 21 - Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Worship
Sun., April 24 - Easter Sunday
Mon. April 25
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tues., April 26 - 9:30 am Christian Ed. Ministry meets
Servers Next Sunday, April 10, 2011
Ushers: Chuck Rothermel, Bill Schneider, Andrew Welcome, Paul Zietsman
Greeter(s):
Nursery:
