KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES DECEMBER 28, 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                                                           Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies

  Scripture                                                                                           Luke 2:22-35 (p. 725)

  Message                                                       “For My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation.”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn                                                                 Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming

*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:  Chris Laurie, Derick LaTorre, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland

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

  Prelude                                     

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Call to Worship (Responsive)

For so long we have walked only in darkness, unable to see.  But behold, a light – yes, a light has come! Not even the deepest darkness can keep out the dawn.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Peace is here, upon us, with us, around us. It will never end.

Let us celebrate the King of light, power, and peace. He has come. 

*Hymn of Praise #562                                                Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

  Call to Confession 

Jesus has brought the light of his presence to us; yet we have not always welcomed and embraced the light, and have turned away from its power to save us, renew us, and give us peace.  Let us pray now together, and confess the error of our preference for sin’s shadowy darkness and self-destruction. 

  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.  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]

(Continued on next page.)

Save us, O Lord our God.

We embrace the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.  Through the power of his presence within us, humble us, renew us, give hope and peace to our souls, and sanctify us for your holy purposes.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)  Based on 1 Timothy 1:15, 17

Here are words you may trust, words that merit full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  To all who confess their sins and resolve to lead a new life, he says, “Your sins are forgiven . . . Follow me.” 

Hallelujah! Amen.

  Children’s Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Heavenly Father, may these children come to understand that faith in Jesus brings a righteous heart; that a righteous heart is a heart at peace; that a heart at peace gives life to the body; and that joy awaits those who promote and share the hope and peace that is in Christ. Amen.  

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                           Luke 2:22-35 (p. 725)

  Message                                                       “For My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation.”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering/Offertory               

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Holy God, we offer these gifts to be used to preach the truth of salvation and righteousness through Christ Jesus your Son; to proclaim his promise of renewal of mind, body, and spirit; and to make known the blessings that await those who believe in his message of love and life eternal.  Amen.    

  Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn to Christ’s Beauty #163                                      Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming

*Blessing, Benediction, and Response Hymn                       By the Gift of God’s Grace

By the gift of God’s grace may your burdens be light, and your heart with his love be aglow.

May your spirit be glad, may your soul be at rest,

and may Christ grant you peace as you go.  Amen.

  Postlude                           

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 next Sunday,January 4. If you are 
not currently using the system, but would like to do so in 2015, please pick up one of  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. 

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.

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 friendsgrieving the death of loved ones

• Floyd Haber, dealing with health issues that frequently result in pain, discomfort, and limited physical activity.  Remember also his wife, Kay, recovering from a stubborn cold.
• 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 from and back to Colorado for the holidays; and Pastor Rudy as he travels to join Elize, Annake, and Liezl 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 magnificent Lessons and Carols outreach worship service held last Sunday afternoon and for the nearly 500 people who attended.  Praise God also for the many talented musicians and for the dedicated direction of David Smith who provided such glorious music in celebration of Jesus’s birth. 
• the encouraging report that Linda Moran is now recovering at home and improving.
• 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)

~THANK-YOU FROM BRIAN AND BEA POST, WYCLIFFE MISSIONARIES~

Dear Rev. Visser and Friends at Kinderhook Reformed Church,

       May God bring you all a joyous Christmas Season in sweet fellowship with one another and in the company of those you love.  May he bring you as well a deeper walk with Jesus throughout the coming New Year!  We look forward to celebrating with our children, and are planning a short time away Christmas weekend.

       We are very thankful for your partnership in Bible translation and for your ministry to Bibleless peoples. Your support of our family has strengthened us into our 24^th year!  Thank you for your gifts of prayer and for your investment of missions offerings in our ministry. We are encouraged through your partnership always.  God bless you! 

                                                                   In Christ, Brian and Bea, Psalm 27