Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, August 13, 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.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Wayne Van Allen.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Donna Flanburg

 Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude

  Welcome, Announcements

  God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)

Dear Lord, most humbly we beg you to give us grace

not only to be hearers of the Word, but doers also of the same;
       not only to love, but also to live your gospel; 

       not only to favor, but also to follow you;
not only to profess, but also to practice your law and precepts and holy Word,
       to the honor of your holy name, and the health of our souls. Amen. 

                                                       Adapted from Thomas Becon (1511-1567), early English reformer

*Hymn #29                                                                                                    O Worship the King

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.  Let us admit our brokenness to God.

  Prayer of Confession  (Responsive) From Be Our Freedom, Lord, ed. Terry C. Falla
Lord, I have betrayed you by following my own way.
       I have denied you by fearing to follow yours.
And I have mocked you by not taking your death seriously.
       Lord, I am lost. Let your forgiveness find me.
Hold me in your strong arms and give me your new life.
       Live in me and with me day by day,

that together we may make a world that is new.

  Words of Assurance  (Responsive)

Hear the words of Psalm 103: "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him." 

       In Christ we are forgiven. Hallelujah, Amen!

*Song of Praise (Screen)                                                          Lord I Lift Your Name On High

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                                               1 Kings 3:5-12

  Message                                                    “The Future of Church and Church Leadership”

  Prayer of Blessing

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Accept Christ as Their Savior:

"Dear Jesus, I confess that I'm a sinner, and not right with you. I repent and ask forgiveness.  I believe that you died on the cross to take my punishment and to pay the price for my sins.  I believe that you rose from death to give me new life. Wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, and come into my heart as my Lord and Savior.  In your name I pray.  Amen."  

  Video

  Let Us Talk

Celebrating God, His Abundance, and His Care

  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)

Heavenly Father, with great kindness you lead your people. You give wisdom to help us recognize Christ as the Lord of glory.  Enlighten us by your Spirit to discern how to use the gifts that you have bestowed on us. May all of our church’s ministries serve as channels of your powerful grace to people in need of help. We dedicate these tithes and offerings through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.  

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

*Closing Hymn #60                                                                            Great Is Thy Faithfulness

*Benediction 

Pastor:  Let us press on toward the goal:
Reader:  May each of us know Christ when we meet him in one another this week.
                 May each of us be Christ to the people we encounter.
                 May each of us share Christ and his message of redemptive love.
                 May each of us glorify Christ, living as people of the resurrection.
Pastor:  In the name of the triune God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Amen.

  Postlude

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY!

Sara Schubert (3^rd), Jim Dunham (7^th), Carly Rippel (13^th),

 Dolly Petith (18^th),

Dolly celebrates her 91^st birthday!

Jean Hurst (27^th), Suzy Nieman (27^th,), Melissa Welcome (28^th),

Thomas Carroll (28^th), Erika Johnson (31^st)

                                       ”NEW DIRECTION” WELLNESS CLASS                                  ~               

KRC is offering a FREE 8-week class to improve wellness.  Class will be led by Amy Deweerd, licensed health coach.  A variety of topics will be covered from nutrition to sleep hygiene to stress reduction.  Classes have started, and will continue to meet from 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm on Wednesday nights through September 20.  Register by calling Amy, (518) 522-4264.

LOOKING AHEAD

~KRC’S ANNUAL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AUGUST 21 - 25~

At this year's “Hero Central” Vacation Bible School, kids will take on awesome adventures alongside some of their favorite Bible heroes and discover the qualities that make us truly heroic in God. VBS Hero Central uses epic music, spectacular science, crafty crafts, heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids (and leaders) discover their strength in God! Open to kids ages 3 (potty trained) to Grade 8. VBS Runs from 9-noon each day, August 21 - 25.  No fee to attend, but please register in advance if you can so we'll have enough supplies for everyone! Registration forms available at both Kinderhook and Muitzeskill Reformed churches, at the Cross Eyed Owl Gift shop, or you may call KRC at 758-6401 to register.

VBS families and friends are invited to a “Back-to-School Bash”

2 – 5 pm Saturday, August 26, at Muitzeskill Reformed Church located at the intersection of Muitzeskill Rd. and Schodack Landing Rd., in the town of Schodack Landing.  Free bounce house, games, prizes, face painting, treats, and school supplies will be offered for every child!

~KINDERHOOK CEMETERY COLUMBARIUM DEDICATION SEPTEMBER 9~

The Columbarium, a section of Kinderhook Cemetery expressly desiganted for cremains burials only, will be dedicated in honor of Beverly Van Alstyne at 10 a.m.  Saturday, September 9. All are invited to attend.  

 ~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SCHEDULED SEPTEMBER 9~

Stop Hunger Now, which has recently rebranded itself “Rise Against Hunger,” packages and ships food and 
life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people and works to end global hunger in our lifetime.  This 
year, nearly 60 million meals will be packaged and distributed to needy locations around the world.  A RISE 
AGAINST HUNGER FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT IS AN IMMENSELY-REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF EASY, HANDS-ON WORK, FUN, AND 
FELLOWSHIP THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!  A group of 40 to 50 volunteers (any age) can package over 10,000 
meals in just two hours.  Our local packaging event will take place Saturday, September 9, at the Kinderhook 
Town Hall (formerly Martin H. Glynn school) on Church Street in Valatie, during which we hope to pack 20 – 30 
thousand meals.  Set up is at noon, and packing is from 1 – 3 pm followed by clean-up. Plan to save this date on 
your calendar and to lend a helping hand to this extraordinary ministry. Donation baggies and canisters are now 
available on the back table of the sanctuary to take home for saving up your contributions, and you are 
encouraged to take canisters to work or to businesses willing to display them. A donation of 29¢ buys one meal, 
$29 one hundred meals, $290 one thousand meals.

~ BROOKS BBQ CEMETERY BENEFIT SEPTEMBER 27~

The Annual Brooks BBQ will be held on Wednesday, September 27th.  There will be chicken, potatoes, coleslaw and 
rolls, with homemade desserts.  All proceeds will benefit our cemetery maintenance.

In the month of May, the Pantry served 74 families, including 33 seniors, 142 adults, and 90 children.  In June, 73 families were served, including, 27 seniors, 144 adults, and 98 children. 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.

~A SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST~

Dear KRC Family and Friends,      

A few months ago, we asked you to pray for the millions of people affected by the crippling drought in East Africa. Because of your heart for your Compassion International sponsored child, Gilbert Maguna, who lives in Kenya, East Africa, I’m writing to provide you with an update and ask for your continued prayer.

Unfortunately, the drought is still causing widespread health concerns and food shortages for children and their families. The effects of a strong El Nino caused the region to suffer a third consecutive failed rainy season. Crops and livestock are withering away, leaving families without food sources and in desperate need of relief.

Compassion is committed to the long-term care of each child registered in our program. In the coming months, our field staff will guide us as we provide food, water, drought-resistant seeds and support to the families we serve in East Africa.

We believe in the power of prayer, so we again ask you to join with us in praying for:

• a rainy season that would bring relief to crops and water sources
• families who must make the difficult decision to uproot and move to find water
• the health of the children we serve, particularly those who are malnourished

As always, thank you for your commitment to serving and ministering to children in poverty, especially in times like these.  May God bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to His children.

Your brother in Christ,

Rich Van Eaton

Sponsor and Donor Relations Director, Compassion International

P.S. As this historic drought continues, the dangers faced by children and their families in East Africa are becoming more severe. If you feel led to give a special gift to help with disaster relief efforts, you can do so by giving to Compassion’s Health and Nutrition Fund through Kinderhook Reformed Church.  Make checks payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church, and clearly designate your gift “East Africa Drought Relief.”

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.
• Pastor Rudy and Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as they fulfill their ministerial duties.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; VBS; 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 S. 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.
• 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.
• Liezl Visser, recovering from a broken left arm and in a cast for the next several weeks.  Pray for a speedy and complete healing for Liezl.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Ruth Edge; Jean Wildermuth; Sara Schubert; Merrill Johnson; Rob Aciero; Barbara Vosburgh; Steve Canfield; Jack Lyons; the brother of Coleen, Mark Johnson's partner; Amy Deweerd; Virginia Rothermel; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Connie Witkowski; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• Our students, facing the challenges of a new school year and higher levels of education, career choices, and job searches.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Greg Clause Jr.; Stacey Baker; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little-Saxton, working with refugees; the epidemic of addiction to life-threatening drugs.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.

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. 
• the inspirational ministries of our guest preachers, Perry Jones, Tom McCrossan, John Bowen, Derek DeJager 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 wellbeing and lives for the peace & liberty we enjoy.
• Dolly Petith, celebrating her 91st birthday this coming Friday!
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so selflessly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly 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.

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

Patrice Lyons – ’17  Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    758-8400  patricelyons50@gmail.com

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18  Stewardship  . . . . . . . 392-5044  barippel@yahoo.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 – 852-7172

                 KRC Interim Sexton           KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

              Elize Visser – 758-9311         Greg Clause – 369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today, August 13

       9:00 am  Worship Celebration

     10:00 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues

Tues, August 15

      7:00 pm  Youth Group meets @KRC.

Wednesdays, August 16 – September 20

       6:30 -7:15 pm  “New Direction” Wellness Class @KRC

Thur, August 17

       9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible study @KRC.

              Group continues 1 & 2 Thessalonians

      10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

       7:00 pm  Bible study, 1 and 2 Peter, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sun,   August 20

       9:00 am  Worship Celebration

     10:00 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues

Mon,  August 21 – Fri, August 25

        9 am – Noon  KRC Vacation Bible School

Thur, August 24

     Please Note:  Thursday Morning Bible Study and Community Prayer Groups            

                                           will not meet August 24.

       7:00 pm  Bible study, 1 and 2 Peter, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sat,   August 26  

       2:00 – 5:00 pm  Muitzeskill Reformed Church “Back-to-School Bash”

Sun,  August 27 

       9:00 am  Worship Celebration

     10:00 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues

Sat,   September  9 

     10:00 am  KRC Columbarium Dedication @Kinderhook Cemetery 

     Noon – 3 pm  Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event

          @ Kinderhook Town Hall (formerly M H Glenn Elementary School)

Wed, September 27 – Brooks BBQ dinner @KRC

Servers Next Sunday, August 20

Ushers:  Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett

Greeter(s):