Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 a.m. August 7, 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 we invite you to fellowship with us and enjoy refreshments served by Noreen Dick at our Lemonade Stand on the front lawn of the church following today’s Worship Service.
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Bob and Josh Horn
Greeter(s): Jane Deane
Preschool Nursery is available downstairs, Elize Visser supervising.
Flowers today are from the gardens of Dawn Van Buren and Barbara Vosburgh.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, and PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING
Boldly Approaching Our God
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Now is the time to worship!
Come, let us focus on Him alone.
When we think of how marvelous God is, we cannot help but break into song!
Come, let us glorify, honor, praise, and exalt the Lord our God.
Our adoration and loyalty is to God, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Come, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
By His grace He provided salvation for our souls and a life worth living.
Come, all creation, and join us in our praise.
May the sea add its applause and the mountains their harmony.
What fitting tribute to the God of the universe?
“God is Spirit and they that worship Him
must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Come, now is the time to worship!
*HYMN OF PRAISE #52 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
CALL TO CONFESSION James 1:25
Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Father forgive me. . . !
[Moment of Reflection]
Loving Father, help us to see ourselves in the light of who You are,
that we may become more like You:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Beloved of God, because of what Love, through Love accomplished on the cross, know that you are unconditionally loved and wonderfully forgiven.
We Come before God’s Opened Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 (p. 28)
MESSAGE “How to Heal My Hate”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Celebrating God
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
*BENEDICTION and BLESSING
*HYMN OF 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
ABOUT TODAY’S OPENING HYMN
Isaac Watts 1674 – 1748, English theologian and preacher, is known as the “Father of English Hymnody” and was the first popular English hymn-writer. He wrote the words to today’s opening hymn, I Sing the Mighty Power of God (1715), and to some 750 other hymns, including O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Joy to the World, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Watts’s hymns, which have been described as “original songs of Christian experience,” reinterpreted the Psalms in the light of New Testament Christian doctrine, and challenged the Calvinist tradition of singing only direct translations of Old Testament Psalms in worship. Controversy surrounded Watts’s work as it rose in popularity. The issue of singing hymns, rather than the divinely-inspired Psalms, split churches in England, and the debate “jumped the Atlantic” in 1789 when Rev. Adam Rankin told the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, “I have ridden horseback all the way from my home in Kentucky to ask this body to refuse the great and pernicious error of adopting the use of Isaac Watts’s hymns in public worship in preference to the Psalms of David.” I Sing the Mighty Power of God became popular with adults after it appeared in Watts’s Divine and Moral Songs for Children, which endeavored to bring the language of hymns “to the level of a child’s understanding . . . to profit all, if possible, and offend none.” This hymn collection sold 80,000 copies in a year and has been selling ever since.
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: Out next Communion Sunday will be September 11.
Contribution Statements for 1-1-2011 through 6-30-2011 are now available for pick-up at the back table. Envelopes are alphabetical.
TO THOSE IN THE KRC FAMILY CELEBRATING AUGUST BIRTHDAYS:
Jessica Alessi, Alan Dick, James Dunham, Eric Herrmann,
John Herrmann, Erika Johnson, Suzanne Nieman, Dolly Petith
KRC’s 300th YEAR ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
The first steps have been taken by members of the Consistory, Stewardship Ministry, and the congregation toward building a committee for the KRC 300th Anniversary Celebration. We have met on two occasions and are moving forward with great ideas for numerous celebratory events. Your help is needed! You’re also invited to join us and be a member of our 300th Anniversary Committee. Our next meeting is Monday, August 15, at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. And please pray that God will continue to bless this church and its congregation as we head into 2010, our 300th year! Any questions, please contact Pastor Rudy or the members of the Consistory and Stewardship.
As we approach the 2012 celebration, you are invited to share your personal memories of the church and her journey so they can be included in the 300th-year celebratory book now being researched for publication. Author Geoff Benton will be in the KRC Fellowship room this Wednesday, August 10, from 6 - 8 p.m., and next Sunday, August 14, from 6 - 8 p.m., to record your stories, experiences, and vignettes, and you are encouraged to attend and participate in one of these sessions. Light refreshments will be served.
Missions Ministry’s recent "Drop-in-the-Bucket" campaign raised a total of $405. The money will be sent to the Reformed Church of America's Disaster Relief Program to support our tornado-ravaged states. Many thanks for your kind and generous donations, which will make a difference for those in need.
The refrigerator in the church kitchen, which is used in support of many of KRC’s ministries, events and programs (VBS, Youth Group, Coffee Hours, Receptions), is no longer working and must be replaced. Donations to help in meeting this unexpected expense of $505 would be most gratefully accepted, and may be dropped directly into the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.
AANNUAL KRC PICNICC
Plan to enjoy the good food and fellowship at KRC’s Church Family Picnic starting at noon SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, at the home of Dawn and Ted Tuttle. BEVERAGES WILL BE PROVIDED, BUT FOOD ITEMS ARE NEEDED TO ROUND OUT THE MENU. PLEASE SIGN UP AT THE BACK TABLE.
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Don’t Drop In.
Dropping in for a visit used to be common practice, but today we don’t expect it — in fact, we don’t want it. How differently a particular story would have ended if the Samaritan hadn’t been willing to drop by and lend a hand.
A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of wheat on the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate.
“Hey, Willis,” he called out, “forget your troubles for a while and come and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you set your wagon upright again.”
“That’s very nice of you,” Willis answered, “but I don't think Dad would like me to.”
“Aw, come on, son!” the farmer insisted.
“Well, okay,” the boy finally agreed, “but Dad won’t like it.”
After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked the host. “I feel a lot better now, but I know Dad’s going to be real upset.”
“Don’t be silly!” said the neighbor. “By the way, where is he?”
“Under the wagon,” replied Willis.
Willis and the Good Samaritan farmer lived in a different era than we do today. While we all want to be good neighbors, it surely seems that the meaning of “neighborliness” for the most part has changed. People don’t drop by or drop in like they used to — and, what’s more, we don’t want them to!
This reminds me of the Bible telling us about three people who “dropped in” on a robbed and wounded man. (Luke 10:25-37) Their misunderstanding of what is important, of what matters, actually gets in the way of their compassion, their humanity and their faith. We know that the robbed and wounded man was Jewish. So was the priest; likewise, the Levite. This means they were of the same community. It’s as if an American traveling in exotic Kazakhstan meets another American in trouble, refuses to offer help because of a hateful, irrational prejudice, and later learns that a Shiite Muslim, discovering the plight of the one in trouble, opened his heart and his wallet to take care of the emergency.
God’s response to someone in desperate need reaching out for His help does not depend on whether they are a Republican from Montana or a Democrat from Missouri, Reformed or Baptist, friend or stranger, American or Mid-Eastern. What matters to God, what’s really important to Him is, simply, one of his needy creatures is reaching out to Him; and because He is a God of infinite love, mercy, and compassion, He never turns away. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus carries us, whoever we are, just as we are, to safety - not to an inn, but to the Community of Saints, the Holy Christian Church. It is here, among the saints, that the Holy Spirit applies the comforting message of the Gospel. It is here, among other victims rescued by our Good Samaritan, that we continue to recover and become enabled through the gifts of the Spirit to aid in the lives of others. And just as the Good Samaritan told the innkeeper, "Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back," so also Jesus Christ tells us, "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus Christ has given us a blank check signed in His blood.
The Samaritan represents the most unexpected source of mercy. After all, Luke places this story immediately after the one about Jesus and His disciples being cast out of a Samaritan village. It's the story where hotheaded James and John, "Sons of Thunder," want to call down fire from heaven and consume all the people who had not shown hospitality to them. And then Jesus turns right around and makes a Samaritan the hero of his story! There's a time for talking and there's a time for doing, especially when it comes to love. Don't talk about when it needs to be done; or offer irrational excuses for not doing it; just do it. The last words Jesus spoke to the lawyer were, "Go and do likewise." "Go and do." And then, that's exactly what Jesus did. That's exactly what He did... all the way to Golgotha.
Dare to drop in! Have a great, “just-do-it” August!
Pastor Rudy
~ COMMUNITY EVENTS ~
EMERGENCY KIT WORKSHOP
The Columbia County Department of Health, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, is offering a FREE opportunity August 9th to “Make a Plan, Make a Kit, and Be Informed” in case of emergency or disaster. Additional information is available on the back table.
CLOTHING BARN
The North Chatham United Methodist Church’s Clothing Barn, offering good, used clothing at reasonable prices, is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month through September. It will close with the Lord’s Acre Auction on October 15. Donations of good used clothing are always welcome – call 766-3925 for information.
MINI-MARKET AND CHICKEN BARBECUE
The Reformed Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill, located at the junction of Muitzeskill Road and Schodack Landing Road in the Town of Schodack, is holding its Annual Mini-Market and Chicken Barbecue this coming Saturday, August 13. The Mini-Market opens at 9:00 a.m., and the Barbecue ($10.00 donation for adults, $5.00 for children under 12) will be served from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on a first-come, first- served basis. (Take-out is available.)
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.
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
• Haley Hickman’s great European tour and safe return home – many thanks for prayers
• The success and enjoyment that Jake Mooney, son of Maureen Mooney, is experiencing in his internship at McEnroe Organic Farm, Millerton, NY, and at Union Square Market in Manhattan where he serves up samples of and sells McEnroe vegetable products each Friday
• The good news that Clinton Neal has miraculously recovered from a near-fatal heart attack and is now back to work – many thanks for your prayer support
• A good report from Gordie Van Buren’s doctors that he is healing well from his broken hip and other previous surgeries
• The news that Mark Van Buren is recovering well following recent major surgery
• The good report that Mike and Ashley's twin daughters, Sophia and Lily, born prematurely with congenital heart problems, are slowly improving
• The good report that Angie Maycole continues to improve daily following a serious infection and two hospitalizations
• 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
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.
MANY THANKS AND TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. The Pantry served 79 families in June, including 124 adults & 123 children. Non-perishable boxed/canned foods are always in demand, however the Pantry is currently overstocked on spaghetti and pasta. Collection containers may be found in the front and side entryways of the church for your food donations.
Remember to Pray for
• Those who do not know Christ, have turned their back on God, or are struggling in their faith
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• 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 Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study; Community Prayer Group; small group ministry
• 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 and our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones
• Those, especially children, suffering natural disaster, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Libby Little and Mary Lapp, mother of Glen Lapp, now in Afghanistan to attend several memorials for the ten who were killed August 5, 2010; meet with coworkers of Tom and Glen; visit the cemetery with Seija Terry, dear friend and Dan's widow; and visit in the homes of friends and officials – pray also as Libby and Mary return August 13th
• Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth, now at home dealing with life-threatening health issues; pray also for Sally as she travels to be with Betty and assist her for several days
• Please pray for speedy healing and continued relief from pain for Mark Van Buren, son of Ann and Gordie Van Buren, now at home recovering from a recent difficult surgery
• Gordie Van Buren, in rehab at to Barnwell – pray for continued healing, strength, and uplifted spirits and outlook; visits from his KRC family and friends would be good
• Those dealing with cancer: Donna Scalera; Emese, sister-in-law of Patti Varga; Ginger; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Ryan; Tammy; Florence Kern; Doris Schmieder; Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth; Clare; Rachael Beaudoin; Al Austin; Angie Rivera Maycole; Paul Zietsman, Sr; Twin babies of Ashley and Mike; Dawn VanBuren; Priscilla Frisbee; Florence Rivera; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Merrill & Erika Johnson; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Greg L, Rachael, and Martin; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick Latorre and Heather Donahue, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, recently married; first-time parents, Brad and Kelly Ennis Babic, expecting a baby girl in early September, Nicole (Baby Arianna), and Ryan & Jennifer (Deane) Anderson (Baby Grace); new parents, Leré & Anina Visagie (Baby Luke), and
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan
• Those who are traveling, especially John and Isabelle Bosquet-Morra, traveling in Spain for a month, and Stacey Baker traveling and studying in France until August 25
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• Our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert; Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; 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
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
Dave Ennis ’12 784-9656
Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12 210-6079
Dawn VanBuren, Consistory Vice-President, Worship,
Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11 758-7564
Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12 392-4771
KRC STAFF
KRC Secretary Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
COMING EVENTS
Today, August 7 – Deadline for school supply donations for CCRM
10:00 am Communion Worship
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon., August 8
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tues., August 9 – 6:00 pm Property Ministry meets
Wed., August 10
6 – 8 pm Sharing memories of KRC with author, Geoff Benton
KRC Fellowship Room
Thur., August 11
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
Saturdays through October 8
10 am – Noon - Historic Tours of KRC
Sun., August 14
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
6 – 8 pm Sharing memories of KRC with author, Geoff Benton
KRC Fellowship Room
Mon., August 15 – 7:00 pm 300-Year Celebration Committee meets
Mon., August 22 – 26 9 am – Noon daily – KRC Vacation Bible School
Sun., September 11
10:00 am Communion Worship
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
12 Noon – Annual Church Picnic at Dawn Tuttle’s home
Servers Next Sunday, August 14, 2011
Ushers: Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett, Bruce and Matt Moore
Greeter(s): John and Sara Schubert
Nursery:
Lemonade Stand: Sara Schubert
