Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, December 24, 2017

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors. 

We invite you to fill out a visitors pew card and place it in the offering plate.

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Following worship, all are invited downstairs for refreshments and fellowship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Phil Hurst, Andrew Welcome.

Thanks to today’s greeters, Joy Bertram.         Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude

  Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  

To you, O God, belong honor and praise and glory.

       You, O Lord, are the Most High God. We lift up your name.             
You are holy, righteous and mighty. There is none like you.
       You are Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer. We worship you.
Your wisdom is unsearchable. Your love is unfailing.
       Your judgments are just. Your compassion is tender toward all.
To you, O God, belong honor and praise and glory.
       Thanks be to God! We sing our doxologies - our hymns of praise - to you!

  Around the Advent Wreath

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

PEOPLE:  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.

LEADER:  In the Book of Deuteronomy we find these words:  "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)x

PEOPLE:  From The Gospel of John we read the words of Jesus:  "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:

ALL:  Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ's footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus' birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.

*Hymn #169                                                                                                Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession

Christ was born into this world, fully God and fully human, that our sins may be forgiven through him.  In full confidence that Christ stands ready to hear, take upon himself, and forgive our sins, let us confess them together now: 

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison) 

Loving and merciful God, as we await the coming of Jesus, we confess that we do so with divided loyalties, scattered attention, and idolatrous hearts. We want to welcome a baby but not surrender control of our lives to a Lord who expects our allegiance. We like the idea of having something and someone to believe in but do not want those beliefs to demand a change in our behaviors. We are inspired by brilliant stars, angelic song, and the magi's gifts, but are not interested in the risky business of sharing the good news. Amid the bustle of parties, packages and pageantry, it is easy to misplace the truth of the Incarnation - that you have come to be with us, to know us, to be known by us, and to dwell not just with us but within us, for the sake of all creation and the world. Forgive us, precious Son of God, we pray, and restore to us the joy of being yours. Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

The good news of Advent is Christ's love for us and his forgiveness of our sin. Thanks be to Christ who sets us free to love and to serve.

       Rejoice! For in Christ we are forgiven!

 *Song of Acknowledgement (insert)                                                            We Are Your Temple

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer of Blessing upon Our Children (Unison)

Father, we lift up our children to you. Make the gospel of Jesus’s birth into our world beautiful and believable to them, and bless them with a saving knowledge of his loving, eternal presence in their hearts and lives.                                               

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Reading               2 Samuel 7:1-7 and Luke 1:30-33

  Message                                                                                                          “A Dynasty of Grace”

  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."

Celebrating God, His Abundance, and His Care

  Offering/Offertory

*Doxology #809                                                           Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer  (Unison) 

God of Grace, in the midst of a season so focused on finding and giving the right gift, we offer our gifts now to you, remembering that all our giving has its foundation in the amazing gift of your incarnation: Emmanuel, God with us! May we give in the knowledge that yours is the most perfect gift and the one we need the most. We pray in the holy name of the Christ child, the Prince of Peace. Amen. 

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

*Closing Hymn #163                                                                        Lo! How a Rose E’re Blooming

*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

~CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE, 7 P.M. THIS EVENING~

As always, KRC’s Christmas Eve 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.

NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE OUTREACH MINISTRY

Many thanks for your generous Christmas donations for the ladies at the Capital City Rescue Mission. Seven large shopping bags filled with unwrapped gloves, mittens, socks, scarves, perfume, cosmetics, toiletries, and snacks were delivered to the mission on Monday. The items will be sorted into gift bags, making a very Merry Christmas for the ladies! 

ENVELOPE SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR PRESENTING 2018 WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS

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 small table in the back of the sanctuary and ready for use beginning 
Sunday, January 7. If you are not currently using the weekly envelope system to present contributions to the 
church, but would like to do so in 2018, please complete one of the small green request forms and drop it into 
the offering plate.

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, as he fulfills his ministerial duties.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; Sunday School; 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 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: economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement.
• those grieving the death of loved ones, especially Angie and Chris Rivera, family, and friends grieving the recent unexpected death of Julie Rivera; Heather DiOrio, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Heather's father. Kay Haber, family, and friends grieving the death this past week of Kay's oldest brother, James Morse.
• 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.
• Thomas Appel, suffering with unresolved heart issues. Pray for proper diagnostics and medical intervention and for Thomas to allow his doctors to carry out these procedures.
• John W, a family friend of Patti Varga, in Albany Med with a brain bleed.
• Maggie C, a young girl from VBS, in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia.
• Caleb L, a teen from youth group, suffering with severe depression.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Charles Roppolo; Terri; Christine; Michael, brother of Mary Jane Haywood; Connie Witkowski; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B.; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.                        
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Seth Mooney; Asha and her baby; Connie; Esther Baker, Jim Baker’s mom; Ruth Edge; Barbara Vosburgh; Virginia

• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Merrill Johnson, dealing with a number of unspoken issues; our students as they deal with the challenges of higher levels of education in this school year, career choices, and job searches; Greg Clause Jr.; Libby Little-Saxton, working with Afghan refugees; the epidemic of addiction to life-threatening drugs.
• God’s protection for travelers over the holiday season, especially Jennifer (Deane) Anderson, daughter of Jane Deane, and her family.
• 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 KRC worship from time to time.
• the encouraging news that Cricket Warren's father, Marvin Van Benschoten, was willing to accept his need for assisted living, but please pray that he will make a speedy and comfortable adjustment to his new situation and surroundings.
• the good report that Lesley Haywood’s recent hernia surgery was successful, and that Lesley is recovering well and able to be in worship with us.
• the good news that Stacey Baker has completed her college studies after a long and sometimes difficult struggle to do so while recovering from a serious concussion.
• 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.
• the encouraging report that Virginia Rothermel is now home from Whitter following a recent mobility issue.
• 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.

KRC 2018 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

  Noreen Dick – ’18   758-6640  noreend122@twc.com

*Susan Patterson – ’19

  Beth Anne Rippel – ’18   392-5044  barippel@yahoo.com

*Deborah Spaulding – ’19

Elders

*Jane Deane – ’19   758-7051 jdeane1943@gmail.com

*Jean Hacker – ’19

  Merrill Johnson – ’18   828-6726  docjohnson36@gmail.com

  Dawn Van Buren – ’18  758-7564  dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

*Please Note:  These new and re-elected Consistory officers

 will be ordained and installed early in January, 2018.

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 376-1882  derick.latorre@gmail.com

                                                   KRC STAFF 

            Paul Clause – 859-4158      Courtney Wood – 852-7172

                       KRC  Sexton                  KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Steven Green – 505-4918        Greg Clause – 369-8472