KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES DECEMBER 21, 2014

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors.  We would like to get to know you better  

and invite you to sign our Guest Book in the entranceway and fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate

8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements and the Lord’s Greeting

  Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise                                                                          God’s Love Made Visible

  Scripture                                                                                   Romans 16:25-27 (p. 806)

  Message                                                               “Doxology Means ‘Words of Glory’ ”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn                                                                 Angels We Have Heard on High

*Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship

downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship service.

Ushers:  Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, Glenn Warren, Chip Wood

Greeter(s):  Bill and Suzy Nieman        Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

Guest Organist, David Smith

  Prelude                                      Noël Ancien, op. 28                                      Heni Doyen

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Around the Advent Wreath – 4^TH Sunday in Advent  (Responsive)

LEADER:  Today we relight the first three candles of the Advent Wreath — the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY.

Now we light the fourth candle of Advent. This is the candle of LOVE.

Jesus demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as the Good Shepherd. Advent is a time for kindness, thinking of others, and sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift. As God is love, let us be love also.  From the Book of Deuteronomy we read these words together:

ALL:  “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 

                                                                                                 Deuteronomy 10:17-19a

LEADER:  Together from the Gospel of John we read:

ALL:  “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”            

                                                                                                                                          John 13:34-35

LEADER:  Let us pray responsively:

ALL:  Teach us to love, O Lord.

LEADER:  May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ’s footsteps,

ALL:  that we may know your love and show it in our lives.

LEADER:  As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus’ birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world,

ALL:  that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.

*Hymn of Praise #179                                                                God’s Love Made Visible

  Call to Confession 

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Have we done that this week, or has Christ been crowded out of Advent? Let us confess our sins together.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Merciful Savior, we have the best of intentions, wanting to create memorable celebrations of your incarnation. We confess, though, that we get off track. We are dazzled by shiny lights and beautifully decorated trees, yet fail to be your light to a hurting world. We run from one holiday event to the next, yet fail to stop and be a Good Samaritan to those who need food and shelter. We sing Christmas carols at every opportunity yet fail to share the Good News of your love to those for whom the holidays bring depression, grief, loneliness and despair. Forgive us, we pray. Restore to us a joy in the sacred, in the simple, and in being in your presence as redeemed children of God. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive)

LEADER: God so loved the world that Jesus, God’s only Son, came into the world to redeem everyone who believes.

PEOPLE: Thanks be to God! We are forgiven because of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Amen.

  Children’s Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Lord Jesus, draw each of these children face-to-face with you.  May they know your goodness, your love, and the glory of your presence in their lives; may they experience your power to renew and strengthen them; and may they long for more of you each day.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                   Romans 16:25-27 (p. 806)

  Message                                                               “Doxology Means ‘Words of Glory’ ”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering/Offertory                Pastorale in A major, op. 177               Gustave Merkel

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Lord God, with thankful hearts we present ourselves and these gifts for your service.   Use us, and these offerings, to spread the Good News of the love that is in Christ Jesus for the increase of your kingdom.  Amen.   

  Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn of Christ’s Glory #152                                       Angels We Have Heard on High

*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                           Postludium in D major, op. 160                       Gustave Merkel

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, CONSISTORY WILL BE PRESENTING THE FOLLOWING SLATE OF NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO POSITIONS ON THE 2015-16 CONSISTORY, and these nominees have agreed to serve if elected:  As Deacons: Liz Carroll and Derick LaTorre.  As Elders: Patrice Lyons, Merrill Johnson, and Dawn Van Buren.  Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they anticipate serving the Lord in their respective ministries.   New 2015-2016 Consistory members will be installed and ordained Sunday, February 8, during 10 a.m. Communion Worship.

For those currently participating in the envelope system to present offerings to the church, new envelope sets are now 
available for pick-up at the back of the sanctuary and ready for use Sunday, January 4. If you are not currently using the 
system, but would like to do so in 2015, please pick up one of the small green request forms near the new envelopes, fill it out, and drop it into the offering plate. The system facilitates the efficient processing of weekly contributions, and those not using it are 
encouraged to give it a try. There is a $3 suggested donation to help offset printing costs, but this is not a requirement for 
using the system. 

~LESSONS AND CAROLS 4 P.M. TODAY, DECEMBER 21~

      Directed by David Smith, Lessons and Carols is a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and will be presented at 4 p.m. TODAY at KRC. A Christmas gift to our community from the KRC family, Lessons and Carols is open to all.

     The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, along with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir music. The first Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King's College, Cambridge, England, and has been broadcast from there by the BBC to millions of listeners around the world each Christmas Eve since 1931. The order of worship was adapted from an order prepared 38 years earlier by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro. Tradition says that the bishop organized a 10 pm service in Cornwall on Christmas Eve, 1880, in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral.

    ~7 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE~

As always, KRC’s Candlelight Worship is a highlight of the season of giving  and a special time to express our joy, praise, and gratitude for the Gift of Jesus, Light of the World, from God the Father.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2015

In response to questions regarding the distribution of our Classis Assessment contributions, they are divided three ways among the General Synod (national), Albany Synod (regional), and Columbia-Greene Classis (local).  Next year, 2015, the assessment will be $88.02, and will be distributed as follows:  

General Synod:     $51.73   (Up $2.44 from 2014)

Albany  Synod:     $29.00   (Unchanged from 2014)

C.  G.   Classis:       $  7.29   (Down $1.21 from 2014)

                                          2015 TOTAL         $88.02   (Up $1.23 from 2014)

Please see RCA’s Stewardship Report (when it becomes available) for information on  General Synod’s use of  its share of  assessed funds. Albany Synod’s portion is used to cover administrative and Camp Fowler expenses, as well as services to our congregation, including leadership development, library/video resources, and crisis management.  Classis’s share is used to cover administrative costs and retreats.

PLEASE NOTE:

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith, especially Diane, that she will come to know the Lord.
• KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• those, especially children, suffering poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• containment of the ebola virus, and for the thousands who are suffering from or have lost family members and friends to this disease.
• families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially those grieving the shooting deaths in Pakistan of 132 school children and 9 adults.
• Jim Hatch, recovering from a serious puncture wound to his lower leg sustained in an accident with his tractor.
• those battling or recovering from cancer: Zoe Covey; Andy; Lucy B. and Rodrigo; Jean; Edward Giordano; Glen Simmons; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Bridget; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Carl, Susan Lamont’s cousin; Randall; Karen Warren; Kara Ennis; Paul Varga; Jackie and her sister Barbara; Brother Arnold, Shaker friend of Suzy Nieman; Danielle Lyle; Jim Hatch; Amy Deweerd; Linda Moran; Dick Van Alstyne; Alan Dick; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers;; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Jim, in need of job opportunities; Bill and Abby, in need of many special prayers; Craig Johnson; Holly and Marc Morales; those facing the challenges of their college education - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices, and decisions that they are facing; Christians everywhere who are suffering persecution; Libby Little.
• those who are traveling,  especially Stacey Baker and her friend as they travel home from Colorado for the holidays, and Elize, Annake, and Liezl Visser, visiting family and friends in South Africa.
• reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, Joan Van Alstyne, and Doris Schmeider

REMEMBER TO THANK & 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 happy news that Baby Ellie LaTorre’s hip joint is now stable and healthy, and that she is no longer in need of a support harness.
• the good report that Aaron Clause is home, feeling well, and back to work following a 2-day hospital stay and antibiotic treatment for persistent abdominal pain.
• 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.

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Birgitta Sherman (2^nd), Elizabeth Carroll (4^th), Beth Ennis (8^th),

 Merrill Johnson (15^th), Marion Arnold (22^nd), Nikki Barmen(22^nd),

Mackensie Clinton (22^nd), Cricket Warren (26^th,), Patrick Carroll (27^th)