KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, AUGUST 16, 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.

9 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to refreshments and fellowship at the Lemonade Stand hosted today by Nancy Call on the front lawn of the church following worship.

Ushers:  Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, Dick Silvano, Andrew Welcome

  Greeter(s): Maureen Mooney                     Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

Flowers today are from the garden of Maureen Mooney

 KRC family and friends are encouraged to volunteer as front-door greeters for our

9 a.m. combined summer worship service.  A sign-up sheet for this purpose

 may be found on the back table of the sanctuary.

  Prelude                                    

  Announcements, Welcome, and God’s Greeting   

  Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship (Unison)  Based on Psalm 111

I will give thanks to God with my whole heart,

I will give thanks in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord,

Full of honor, majesty, and righteousness.

God is faithful and just, trustworthy in all.

The Lord’s praise endures forever!

*Hymn #532                                                                                                  Be Though My Vision

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession   -   Mathew 7:13: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

  Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Forgive us, Lord God, for all the time we spend looking for wide, loose gates: for minimum efforts that we think will do;  for “pretty goods” that we think are good enough;  for public acclaim that might pass for solid achievement; for fine intentions with no follow-through. Forgive our impatience, O God. Forgive our tendency to take things into our own hands, and to look for swift, simple solutions to all our problems. Lord God, forgive us our sin. In Jesus name. Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news of the Gospel.  In his death, he atoned for our sins, and gave us the assurance of his love for us. In his resurrection, he rose triumphant over the powers of this world that would seek to enslave us. We are set free, and called to live lives of gratitude and joy. Friends, believe and live the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God. Amen!

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                            Matthew 5:1-12 (p. 683)

  Message                                                          “Servanthood, Obedience, and Self-denial”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Offering and Offertory

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

God, your heart is wide open to us. You have given to us freely and taught us to return to you a portion of what we have. Grant us glad and generous hearts, and help us be as open to you as you are to us. Help us use your gifts wisely and for the benefit of all your people. Amen.

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

*Hymn (On screen)                                                                               Rejoice, the Lord Is King

*Benediction and Blessing

*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                                   

~ABOUT TODAY’S CLOSING HYMN~

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

 Behold, your King is coming to you . . .

Zechariah 9:9

By the 1740’s, Charles Wesley was regularly preaching to thousands in the open air, but opposition was developing.  He first encountered physical danger when a doctor in Wales, angry over Charles’s sermon, stormed up to him and demanded an apology.  Charles replied, “. . . My commission is to show you your sins, and I shall make no apology for doing so . . . You are a sinner.”  The doctor struck Charles with his cane, causing a mêlée involving several men and women.  This was the beginning of a period of dangerous ministry.  The July 22, 1743 entry from Charles’s diary reads:

I had just named my text at St. Ives . . . when an army of rebels broke in upon us . . . They began in a most outrageous manner, threatening to murder the people if they did not go out that moment.  They broke the sconces, dashed the windows in pieces, tore away the shutters . . . and all but the stone walls.  I stood silently looking on; but mine eyes were unto the Lord.  They swore bitterly I should not preach there again; which I disproved by immediately telling them Christ died for them all.  Several times they lifted up their hands and clubs to strike me; but a stronger arm restrained them.  They beat and dragged the women about, particularly one of a great age, and trampled on them without mercy. The longer they stayed, and the more they raged, the more power I found from above . . .

       It was during these days of danger that Charles wrote his triumphant hymn, Rejoice, the Lord Is King, the third verse of which says:

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and heaven;

The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given:

Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

       Interestingly, this entry appeared in Charles’s journal a few years later, on Sunday, July 13, 1746:

At St. Ives, no one offered to make the least disturbance.  Indeed, the whole place is outwardly changed in this respect.  I walk the streets with astonishment, scarce believing it St. Ives.  It is the same throughout all the country.  All opposition falls before us . . .

Robert J. Morgan

~ HUDSON RIVER BELLS TO PERFORM AT KRC SEPTEMBER 13~

Established in 1998 by its founding director, Kathy Boyer, Hudson River Bells is an intermediate/advanced level handbell choir with an intergenerational group of 14 bell ringers from the First Reformed Church of Athens, New York. The choir rings a 5-octave set of Malmark English handbells and choir chimes, and will be sharing their talents and the beauty of their instruments throughout our 10 am combined Communion Worship service on September 13.  A special presentation designed specifically to appeal to children will be included in the program, and you are encouraged to invite family and friends to attend with their children and grandchildren. In addition to our regular offering of gifts and tithes, a love offering will be taken as a thank-you to the Bells and to help them cover travel and other choir-related expenses.

~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SEPTEMBER 26~

       Stop Hunger Now packages and ships food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to end global 
hunger in our lifetime.  Established in 1998, over 500,000 corporate, student, civic, and faith-based volunteers have been engaged 
to package meals, and over 180 million meals have been provided in 65 countries.  This year, 45 million meals will be packaged, 
and over $9 million in donated aid, mainly vitamins and medical supplies, will be shipped. Thousands of people each year are 
offered education about hunger and inspired to help end it.

       A STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT IS AN UPLIFTING, 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 10,000 MEALS IN JUST TWO HOURS.  WATCH THIS SPACE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THE PACKAGING EVENT THAT WILL 
TAKE PLACE IN ONE OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, AND PLAN TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO THIS 
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTRY.  

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY!

Isabelle Bosquet-Morra (2^nd), Sara Schubert (3^rd), Jessica Alessi (5th),

Jim Dunham (7^th), Carly Rippel (13^th), Robert Bailey (15^th),

 Dolly Petith (18^th), Alan Dick (24^th), Suzy Nieman (27^th,), Jean Dunbar (27^th)

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

~INVITATION FROM THE HUDSON ALIGHT CENTER~

       Very few women who have had an abortion walk away from the experience unaffected. It was supposed to be a quick fix, the only way to take care of the "problem". But try as you may, the memory and pain won't stay buried.  Many women become upset or depressed on the anniversary of the abortion or due date. Many don't feel they deserve to have children. Many keep their feelings to themselves for years and guard against even thinking about their abortion.

       At the Alight Center in Hudson, we want you to know that you are not alone, and we want to help you find true freedom and forgiveness from the heartbreak of your past decision.  Please join us for an 8-week Bible study entitled Surrendering the Secret, designed for women who have experienced the pain of abortion. This study is led by women who have walked the same path as you, and who have found forgiveness and restoration in Jesus Christ.  Whether your abortion experience was one time or several times, whether it was last year or 40 years ago, this study will provide you with a confidential and supportive environment that facilitates your healing and brings a sense of peace and hope to your future.  The study begins in September. Please call us at 518-822-9008 for dates and locations.

REMEMBER TO 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 Pastor Rudy has recovered well from a recent successful medical procedure.
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.
• 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.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith,
• KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: Vacation Bible School; KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; First Friday and other outreach programs. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Jason, beginning boot camp with some anxiety, that he will experience God's protection and be blessed with His strength, and reassurance; Tom Eastman, fulfilling a tour of military duty in Afghanistan.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters.
• 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.
• children suffering poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially Floyd and Kay Haber, family, and friends grieving the recent sudden loss of Floyd’s brother, Bob Haber; the Frisbee family, grieving the recent death of Priscilla Frisbee.
• Ruth Edge, recovering from recent surgeries to relieve pressure and bleeding from a hematoma on the brain, an injury caused, most likely, from a fall about a month ago. Please continue your prayers for a full recovery for Ruth.
• Ed Van Kampen, pastor of Nassau Reformed Church, and his wife, Janet.  Ed is recovering from recent heart bypass and valve-replacement surgery, and continues to need your prayers for complete healing without complications.
• Isabelle Bosquet-Morra, in Madagascar as a French/English translator for a team of Christian professionals holding financial training seminars for Madagascar nationals.  Pray for Isabelle and the team as opportunities arise to share their faith.

• Chris Howard, dealing with colon cancer, and his ten-year-old son, Jonah, dealing with leukemia. Praise God, Jonah is currently cancer-free.  Pray for complete and permanent healing for Jonah and his father, and for God's strength, reassurance, and peace for the entire family. 
• T.J. Vooris, suffering stage 4 cancer and expected to survive only six months or less.  Pray that God will make his presence known to T.J. and bless him with physical comfort and spiritual health and peace as he nears the end of his life.
• others in hospice care or battling or recovering from cancer: Zoe Covey; Elizabeth Clinton; Donna Scalera; Susan Lamont's sister; a friend of Erika Johnson; Bill Metzger, brother of Nancy Baker; Cheryl Johnson; Diane, friend of Cricket Warren; Jack; Bob Mellott; Marlene; Daniel; Andy; Lucy; Rodrigo; Jean.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Cidney Rippel; Ted Tuttle; Noreen Kennedy; AJ, son of Susan and Cliff; Rick Skiermont; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Florence Rivera; Steve Shpur; Carly Rippel; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Art Gross; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions:  16-year-old teenager, 3-months pregnant, whose unborn baby has an irregular heartbeat and may not survive; Dana, mother and caretaker of her 2-year-old daughter; Kevin and family, in crisis; Caleb; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little – Copies of Libby’s August schedule are now available on the back table; Bill and Abby; Greg L; Craig Johnson; those facing the challenges of graduation, beginning a higher level of education, or seeking a career - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices and decisions they face.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Residence-bound members Murray Leonardson, Doris Schmieder, Joan Van Alstyne.