SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, AUGUST 28, 2016

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH - REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Welcome visitors!  Please fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate.

  Following worship today, all are invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments at the Lemonade Stand hosted by Noreen Dick

 on the front lawn of the church.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Max DiOrio, Merrill Johnson

Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Jean and Stacey Hurst

 Preschool nursery available downstairs.

  9 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Prelude  

  Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive)  Based on selected Old and New Testament passages

O God, whose praise reaches to the ends of the earth,

       we come to be strengthened and upheld by your righteous right hand.

Righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

       we come to see you, know your will, and hear the words of your mouth.

O God, in whose gospel your righteousness is revealed,

       we come seeking righteousness, by faith from first to last,

       in your son, Jesus Christ, who had no sin but became sin for us.     

Righteous God, who answers when we call and hears our prayers,

       we come praying for mercy and relief from our sin and distress.

O God, who is our God and Savior,

       we come to sing of and to become your righteousness.

*Prayer Hymn of Commitment #45                             Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

  Morning Prayer

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession   Based on Isaiah 45:21-22

“There is no God apart from me,” says the Lord.  “I am a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.  Seek after me, for I am God, and there is no other.  Turn to me and be saved, all of you.”

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  Based on Psalm 106 & 107

O Lord, we have put you to the test; we have not believed your promises or remembered your many miracles and kindnesses.  Holy God, we have rebelled against you, and have turned to other sources to sustain us.  Instead of putting our faith in you, we have made gods of our own inadequate abilities, possessions, and resources.  Instead of seeking after your righteousness, we have become fools through our rebellious ways; we have wandered in darkness and stumbled in our iniquities; we have done as we pleased and willfully pursued fulfillment of our own desires.  We have provoked you with our proud attitudes and self-centered deeds; and we have wasted away in our sin.

 [Silent Prayer of Confession]

Save us, O Lord our God.

We embrace the righteousness of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Through the power of his presence within us, humble us and forgive us; renew us and give peace to our souls;  sanctify us and use us for your holy purposes. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Blessing on the Word proclaimed                       

  Scripture                                                     Exodus 9: 25-29, Romans 3:9-20   (pp. 46, 797)

  Message                                       “The Truth About the Fact the He is a Righteous God”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  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)

Gracious God, who has blessed us abundantly with many good gifts, after your example we lay these offerings before you. May they be used to promote the Good News of Christ; the whole truth of scripture; and the spiritual nourishment, growth, and joy of those within our church family and far beyond.  Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn of Praise #497                                                       Wonderful Grace of Jesus

*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 

~PRAISE GOD FOR KRC’S 2016 VBS “DEEP SEA DISCOVERY” OUTREACH.~

93 registered youth and teenage helpers enjoyed games, crafts, nutritious snacks, and were spiritually blessed by the Word and in song at KRC's 2016 Vacation Bible School. Praise to God also for Patti Varga and the 20 adults who assisted so faithfully in planning and implementing this exceptional outreach program which was so beautifully and successfully presented!

~NOTE FROM OUTREACH MINISTRY~

The KRC Outreach Ministry will be collecting redeemable cans and bottles from August 1 to September 30, 2016, at the Kinderhook Transfer Station on 9-H.  All money received will benefit the Stop Hunger Now drive.  Please save your items for our "bin with a banner" located near the transfer station office, or call Tana (518-495-3621) if you need assistance.

     The Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery is sponsoring a BROOKS BAR-B-CUE again this year from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m., September 28, on the front and side lawns of the church. PRICES ARE $12 FOR THE FULL DINNER AND $8 FOR CHICKEN ONLY.  All proceeds will go toward operation and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, which has, over the years, become an increasingly costly community ministry.  BAR-B-CUE reservations may be made by phone by calling 758-9492, or by calling the church office, 758-6401, and leaving your reservation information on either answering machine.  PAYMENT BY CHECK OR BY CASH FOR PHONE RESERVATIONS, WILL BE COLLECTED WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE BAR-B-CUE.  If you prefer, you may purchase prepaid tickets from Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett, or other representative of the Cemetery Committee.

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, 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 well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
• the encouraging report that Stacey Baker is doing much better following a long recovery from a serious concussion; she is having fewer and fewer bad days, and is making good progress in her college studies.
• the good news that Jay Rippel is recovering well from recent knee surgery and is now able to be in worship with us.
• the good report that a friend of Claudia and Arnie March is doing well following a recent golf-ball injury.
• the good report that Virginia Rothermel is doing well. Ginny thanks the congregation for the cards and messages of encouragement she received, and she hopes to be back in church soon!
• His provision for all of 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, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever 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.  Please forward this information, as well as new requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158. 

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.
• Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s new associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs. Pray especially for the Stop Hunger Now fundraising campaign and upcoming meal-packing event in the early fall. 
• 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. Pray especially that God’s hand will direct our nation’s upcoming Presidential and other government elections.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
• 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, especially Suzy Nieman's cousin, John, his wife, Cheryl, and their 5-year-old son, Tyler, who have just lost their infant son and brother, Alexander; also remember John's father, Steve, who lives in Montana, while John and his family live in Hawaii - the distance is difficult at this time of loss and grieving; please pray that they will find the courage and strength they need to continue through each day; also remember the Jensen and Borelli families and friends grieving the recent death of Ron Jensen, brother-in-law of John and Jane Dean.  
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Nancy Stweart.
• the 6-month-old grandson of Rick, friend of Glenn Warren, who is in an induced coma because his vital organs were shutting down and the doctors can't find out what's causing it.  Pray for a speedy diagnosis and effective treatment for this little one, and for God's peace for his parents and for Rick.
• Angie, friend of Sara Hartman, recovering from a recent stroke.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Ann; Jill; Donna Scalera; Jay; Ron Dick; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Paul; Jay Rippel; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Vicki Smith; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Susan Clause; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; Donna and Jason; Amber; Martha; Laurie; Greg Clause Jr. and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; the Lamont Family; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those Vince Beaudoin.
• those who are traveling, especially Ted and Dawn Tuttle, traveling to and from Iowa.
• residence-bound KRC family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

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 Missionx

~STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~

Praise God that our weekly offering this past Sunday was $5,673, nearly double our weekly need of $3,000, which considerably reduced the current deficit in our operational budget!  Many thanks to those who made substantial gifts toward bringing our income more closely into line with expenses, and to our regular contributors who “doubled up” on their giving to cover the Sundays they missed. Stewardship Ministry continues to urge everyone to give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.   

Inspired by the abundance with which the Lord has blessed us,

 let us continue, as his faithful stewards, to be ever mindful of the need

 to maintain a weekly offering sufficient to cover our commitments.

                                                            ~2016 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT~

General Synod:     $53.71   (Up $1.98 from 2015)

Albany Synod:       $29.00   (Unchanged from 2015)

C.  G.   Classis:        $  6.22   (Down $1.07  from 2015)

          2016 TOTAL PER MEMBER:        $88.93

                          (Up $0.91 from 2014)

• Fall course offerings and registration information for The School for Christian Living and Serving, a ministry of the Mid-Hudson and Orange Classes
• Information on “Taking Care of Our Fathers and Mothers: Preventing, Identifying, and Addressing Elder Abuse in Our Communities,” a conference sponsored by Common Ground Dispute Resolution September 13 at Columbia-Greene Community College

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY!

Sara Schubert (3^rd), Jim Dunham (7^th), Floyd Haber (11^th), Carly Rippel (13^th),

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

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

EMAIL, WEBSITE,  AND FAX INFORMATION 

                                                                  KRC 2016 CONSISTORY

                     Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                  Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16  Outreach, CITV Committee, Clerk  

Derick LaTorre – ’16  Cemetery, Stewardship, Treasurer  

Tana Thompson – ’17  Church Family

Chip Wood – ’17  Property   

                                                    Elders

                            Merrill Johnson – ’16  Worship

                            Patrice Lyons – ’16  Outreach, Clerk

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Vice President of Consistory

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel and Pastoral Relations

                                                    KRC STAFF

                 KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

              Paul Clause – 859-4158     Courtney Wood – 784-2134                                

                          KRC Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

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

                                      COMING EVENTS

Today, August 28

       9:00 am  Combined Worship Service

     10:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room          

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Mon,   August 29

        6:30  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues,   August 30

       7:00 pm  Youth Group meets

Thur,  September 1  

       9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets @KRC

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Sun,   September  4 – Last Combined Summer Worship Service

       9:00 am  Combined Worship Service

     10:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room          

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Fri,    September  9 

       6:00 pm  Friday Free Community Dinner – Doors open at 5:30 pm. 

Sun,  September 11      

       8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service

     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room          

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Sun,  September 18 – 10 am  First Sunday of Children’s Sunday School

Wed, September 28

     3:00 – 6:30 pm  Brooks Bar-B-Q @ KRC to benefit Kinderhook Cemetery  

Servers Next Sunday, September 4, 2016

       Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Jonathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

       Greeter(s): Joy Bertram

       Lemonade Stand Host(s):