Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 a.m. December 4, 2011 - Second Sunday in Advent
“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 enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us at coffee hour downstairs in the fellowship room following today’s Worship Service.
Ushers: Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, John Schubert, Loren Speer
Greeter(s): Stan and Joy Bertram
Preschool Nursery facility is available downstairs, Nikki Barmen supervising.
Flowers are given today by Dawn Van Buren.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE Prelude and Fugue II in B-flat major, Op. 16/2, Clara Schumann
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, and PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING
GATHERING AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH (Responsive)
LEADER: Today we relight the candle of HOPE.
Now we light the candle for the second Sunday in Advent. This is the Candle of PEACE and PREPARATION. (Second purple candle is lit.)
PEOPLE: As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, we remember that
he is our hope and our peace.
LEADER: From the prophet Isaiah we receive this announcement: "For to us a child is born, to us a son given; and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, 7)
PEOPLE: In the Gospel of John we read this promise from Christ our
Lord: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do
not be afraid." (John 14:27)
LEADER: Let us pray:
Gracious God, grant that we may find peace as we prepare for our
Lord’s birth. May divisions in ourselves and in our families be
peacefully resolved. May there be peace in our cities and in the
countries of our world. Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives,
and then give to us courage to follow them. Lord, let us remember that
you alone are the giver of lasting peace, and that you are always with
us. Amen.
Boldly Approaching Our God
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices! Open the gates before Him lift up your voices!
MEN: Who is the King of Glory; what shall we call him?
Women: He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.
Enter in, Lord of our life, and fill each heart with joy and songs of gladness.
MEN: Stir in us the old excitement, and serve us richly with your
presence.
WOMEN: Oh, Lord of wonders, gladly we sing! Receive our praises.
ALL: We sing praises to the Lord of our salvation. Joy and gladness
are ours. God has come to us in Christ to walk with us in the paths of
righteousness.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #20 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
INVOCATION
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Let us admit our brokenness to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Holy God, forgive us. During this season when our focus should be on the coming of your Son, we are instead filled with desire for material things. We succumb to the allure of advertising. We covet what others have. We seek to fulfill all the wants of our children with little regard to cost or need. In the process, we spend money we don’t have and fail to appreciate the season’s true meaning. Turn our hearts to you and to those who are less fortunate than we are. Help us tune out what culture calls us to believe so we can listen, instead, to your holy Word. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON - Based on Luke 1:50, 54-55.
Friends, know and believe, that as we wait for the birth of the baby Jesus - and the return of our Savior - we are already forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen. Alleluia! Amen!
BLESSING UPON OUR CHILDREN (Unison)
Lord Jesus, bless our children with the peace that comes from the certain knowledge that you are their greatest treasure, and that you are coming again. Help us as we teach them to be your faithful, watchful servants, ready to receive you and to be received into your eternal glory. Amen.
We Come Before God’s Open Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Based on the hymn,“Peace, Perfect Peace”
God of perfect peace, reveal your holy Word to our questioning hearts. God of perfect peace, replace our faulty thinking with your wisdom.
God of perfect peace, illuminate our darkness with your clear truth. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Psalm 85:1-2 & 8-13 (p. 421)
MESSAGE “Restore Us, O God: Peace.”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Celebrating God
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS
Vicki Smith, soprano, “Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.” (My
Spirit Rejoices in God My Savior.) J. S. Bach from Magnificat, BWV 243
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Gracious God, you have blessed us with all that we need and often more than we need. Help us receive what you give with grace. In turn, help us be generous - with our monetary gifts, our possessions, our talents and our time. We ask that you would accept and consecrate all these gifts to further your work in the world. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER
*HYMN #135 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
*BENEDICTION, BLESSING, & RESPONSE - 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 Prelude and Fugue III in d minor, Op. 16/3, Clara Schumann
Consistory has approved the following slate of nominees for positions on the 2012-13 Consistory, and these nominees have agreed to serve if elected: As Deacons: Noreen Dick, Patrice Lyons, and Barbara Vosburgh. As Elder: Dawn Van Buren. Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they anticipate serving the Lord in their respective ministries.
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.
~CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION MEN’S GIFT PROGRAM~
Please share with us in bringing some warmth and caring for many who might not have any “Holiday Cheer” in this troublesome time. KRC collects gifts for homeless men, and Capital City Rescue Mission distributes these gifts at the Mission’s community Christmas dinners. In a gallon-size zip lock bag, place the following 5 items: (1) two new pairs men’s warm socks; (2) one hat; (3) one pair of LG or XLG mittens or gloves; (4) a personal care item or pair of items such as toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shaving gel/razor, nail clipper; and (5) a treat that will not crush or melt. Mark LG or XLG on the outside of package, tape securely, and return to the church collection boxes by December 13.
ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAM~
Gift needs for Angel Tree’s children of prisoners are now on angel cut-outs on the Christmas tree in the church’s main entrance. The angels contain very specific age, size, and gift-request information from a particular child. Please return your gifts to KRC by NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11. They will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
CANDLELIGHT NIGHT IN KINDERHOOK VILLAGE
KRC will sponsor its annual Candlelight Night Open House 6 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 9, featuring the beauty of our sanctuary - decorated with lighted garlands, candles, poinsettias, the lovely Chrismon tree, and the nearly-life-size Fontanini Nativity - together with Christmas music, cookie decorating, refreshments, and community fellowship in the Fellowship Room. Refreshment buffet will include cookies, cake, candy, hot drinks, and eggnog. Volunteers to assist, as well as donations of buffet items and Christmas paper products, will be much appreciated. Please sign up on the sheets provided at the back table, and contact Maureen Mooney if you can help with this outreach ministry.
~SOUTHERN COLUMBIA COMMUNITY CHOIR~
The Southern Columbia Community Choir will present "Down From His Glory - The Love Story of Christmas,” 4 p.m. Sunday, December 11, at the Reformed Church of Germantown, 20 Church Avenue, Germantown, NY. A free will offering will be donated to a local charity. Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be served following the concert.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
As part of our Worship Service Sunday, December 18, KRC’s Sunday School children will be celebrating the birth of Jesus with the presentation of their Annual Christmas Pageant. (Please note that this program was originally scheduled for December 11.)
LESSONS AND CAROLS
We are looking forward to a large and enthusiastic gathering for Kinderhook Reformed Church’s 2nd annual Celebration of Lessons and Carols, scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18. The Celebration, which emphasizes the rich sung and spoken traditions of the season, derives from England in the late 19th century. It tells the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir music. In its many modifications, the Celebration is presented throughout the world and in a diversity of denominations during the Christmas season. Please mark your calendars, and plan to attend this deeply meaningful and beautiful Worship Service.
KRC SMALL GROUPS
Each week, small group opportunities are offered on Thursday at 9 a.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. Sally Heimroth is coordinator of the Thursday morning group, and Pastor Rudy the Thursday evening group. You are cordially invited to join one of these groups – Walk-ins welcome!
Orders for 2012 calendars, featuring photographs of Kinderhook by Jim Dunham, are being accepted for a donation of $15 to benefit the Kinderhook Cemetery. To order one of these beautiful calendars, contact Jim, 758-6171.
MUCH APPRECIATION TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY, which served 105 families in October, including 180 adults & 139 children. Also, 133 Thanksgiving baskets were delivered to needy families, and KRC alone contributed 318 food items to this effort! Thanks to all who participated for your generosity. Non-perishable foods that are always popular at the pantry are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.
KRC’s share of support is $6,711 this year for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF THIS YEAR’S CLASSIS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN SET AT $80.85. All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above their regular giving, their share of this support. All contributions made for this purpose should be clearly designated, “Classis Assessment.” MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED nearly $3,800 TO DATE TO HELP DEFRAY THIS EXPENSE.
TO THOSE IN THE KRC FAMILY CELEBRATING DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
Marion Arnold, Nikki Barmen, Beth Ennis, Merrill Johnson,
Julie Moore, Spencer Moore, Birgitt Sherman, Cricket Warren
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 planning.
• leaders & those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, new small group ministries, adult Bible study, Community Prayer Group, and New Members’ Class.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander, Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell.
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies.
• those, especially children, victimized by famine, drought, and other natural disasters; abuses of war and violence; exploitation; neglect; and family hostility.
• those grieving the loss of loved ones, especially the Smith Family, grieving the death of Liz, mother and wife.
• Jane Deane, undergoing major surgery this coming Tuesday.
• Sug Hawver, having a heart procedure this coming Wednesday; please pray for a successful outcome and for peace and reassurance for Sug.
• Joan Clause, recovering at Sunnyview from a recent stroke; please pray that strength in Joan’s right side will continue to improve and that recovery will continue without complications.
• those dealing with cancer: Ron Jensen; Patricia’s mother; Shelly LoPiccolo; Gordon Parker; Donna Scalera; Emese; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh.
• Kathy, whose dependency issue has worsened – she is at an all-time low and desperately needs your prayers.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Morgan Hickman; Stacey Baker; Al Van Alstyne; Patricia Taliaferro; Susan; Patricia and twins; Carol; Gordie Van Buren; Richard Williams; Angie Rivera Maycole; Sue Jones; Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth; Mark VanBuren; Dawn VanBuren; Florence Rivera; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Merrill & Erika Johnson; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father and Charles March, Sr. in Barnwell; Paul Varga.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Libby Little, facing the challenges of a demanding itinerary of speaking; Olivia and family; those struggling with unnamed issues; 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; first-time parents, Brad and Kelly Ennis Babic (Baby Taylor Marie), and Ryan & Jennifer (Deane) Anderson (Baby Grace); new parents, Leré & Anina Visagie (Baby Luke)
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan.
• our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson and 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.
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.
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.
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• the recent volunteer efforts of Maureen Mooney and those who accompanied her to paint at the Reformed Church in Middleburg.
• the blessing of family and friends.
• Joan Clause’s excellent rehabilitation progress; speech and cognitive skills are normal, and she is walking with a walker. Joan may be coming home this week, and many thanks for your prayers, cards and emails of encouragement.
• Marcia Smith’s good recovery from her bout with cancer, and that she is back to work.
• the report that Carol, who had neck surgery recently, is home and doing well; Carol did not have to have any “hardware” put in her neck to relieve the compression on her spinal cord. Thanks for your prayers - God is good.
• the good news that Gordie Van Buren continues to do very well at home - baked goods and visits would be welcome!
• the encouraging report that Angie Rivera Maycole continues to improve.
• the wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times.
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• 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.
krc’s 300th anniversary celebration
A committee for celebrating KRC’s 300th anniversary in 2012 has been formed, and you are invited to join us as a committee member. Please pray that God will continue to bless our church family as we move forward into our tricentennial year with great ideas for numerous celebratory events, and that these events will further our mission to know Christ and make Him known. EVERYONE’S HELP IS VERY MUCH NEEDED, AND WE ASK THAT YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER HOW YOU MIGHT PARTICIPATE IN THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR MINISTRY TO OUR CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY.
