Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, February 11, 2018

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Transfiguration Sunday

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

Welcome visitors! Pleases fill out a visitor’s pew card

and place it in the offering plate.

8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Texts        2 Kings 2:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

  Message                                                          “Called to Continue the Work of . . . Jesus!”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

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

Thanks to today’s ushers, Greg Clause Jr., Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett

Thanks to today’s greeters.                              Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude      

  Welcome and Announcements

  The Lord's Greeting

  Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Adapted from Psalm 27

The Lord is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear? 
       The Lord is the stronghold of our lives; of whom shall we be afraid?
The Lord will protect us and guide us.
       Let us gladly offer ourselves before our God with shouts of joy;

       let us sing praises to the Lord, our God. 

  Hymn #562                                                                         Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

  Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession

The psalmist reminds us, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.” With this knowledge, we may confess our sins before God and one another with confidence.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Merciful God, we go about our days failing to proclaim your saving power with our voices or with our actions. We do not live as ones saved, but rather as people filled with fear and doubt. We often choose what is expedient, not what is right. We close our eyes and ears to those who are in need, and close our hearts to those we claim to love. We are quick to hurt others, and slow to right our wrongs. Forgive us, O God, for all the ways in which we have betrayed our relationship with you. Amen.  Betray

  Assurance of Pardon

Friends, “God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer of Blessing upon Our Children (Unison), and Invitation to Sunday School

Lord Jesus, draw each of these children into the light of your divine presence, goodness, and infinite love.  May they love you wholeheartedly in return, and be eager to share your light and your love with others.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Texts        2 Kings 2:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

  Message                                                          “Called to Continue the Work of . . . Jesus!”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Hymn #537                                                                                   In My Life Lord Be Glorified  

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 Care, and His Abundance

  Offering/Offertory

*Doxology #809                                                   Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Dear God and Father in heaven, the life of your only Son, Jesus Christ is the light of all people. Thank you for opening our eyes to recognize him as our Savior. May our lives and ministries embody Christ’s grace and truth so that our neighbors will find new life in relationship with you. We return a portion of your goodness to us in these tithes and offerings, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer requests and Pastoral Prayer 

*Prayer Hymn # 532                                                                                      Be Thou My Vision

*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                                        

There is mail in the church family mailbox (upper left corner box) for

Amy Deweerd, Gary Leggett, Maureen Mooney

       This year’s Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Worship Service, coordinated by Rev. Rudy with the assistance of a number of local pastors, will be held here at KRC February 14 at 7 p.m.  All are cordially invited to attend, and we look forward to your support of this observance of the beginning of the 2018 Lenten season. 

       On the six Wednesdays following Ash Wednesday - February 21 and 28, and March 7, 14,  21, and 28 - KRC will host a series of Lenten Bible-Study Meals at 7 pm each Wednesday. “On the menu” will be soup, bread, coffee, and a healthy portion of the series theme, "RESTORED - Finding Redemption in Our Mess." The Bible study will be offered at the same time the meal is being shared in community by those attending, and we are prayerfully expecting a blessed, meaningful experience for all.

A LITTLE ABOUT DANEN . . .

Hailing from Appleton, WI, Danen Kane was a basketball-playing prelaw student in college who detoured into music and found his life’s calling. Shortly after picking up a guitar for the first time to lead worship at his university’s chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ, Danen began performing in small coffee shops and at church gigs, all the while establishing a large local following. Before he knew it, his independent recordings were generating strong regional buzz. He began touring heavily, routinely performing 175 - 200 dates a year, sometimes headlining and other times opening for acts like Building 429, Chris August, Sara Groves, Hawk Nelson, For King And Country, Unspoken, and The Afters. To date, Kane has self-booked more than 2,000 shows, and his music has been streamed over a million times worldwide. All are welcome to attend! Refreshments to follow the concert hosted by Christian Community Church, Kinderhook Reformed Church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, and Trinity United Methodist Church. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the youth from the host churches attending the REACH 2018 Mission Trip.

Music and the Progression of Life:

Schumann’s Kinderszenen and Schubert’s Winterreise

4:00 pm Saturday, February 24, Van Buren Hall, 6 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, NY

Preview talk by David Smith and Jon Morrell:  5:00 pm, Saturday, February 10^th 

Kinderhook Memorial Library, 18 Hudson Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106; 518-758-6192

CITV offers two memorably expressive commentaries on youth and maturity. Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen cycle for piano (1838) presents 13 brief “imaginings,” each distilling a powerful emotion from the early years of life. Pianist Noah Palmer (CITV Musical Assistant) brings his impressive talents to these exquisite keyboard works. Following intermission, tenor Jon Morrell and pianist David Smith (CITV Artistic Director) bring their own extensive experience to bear on Franz Schubert’s haunting Winterreise (1823), regarded by many as the most important and challenging song cycle ever written. In Schubert’s intense sequence of songs, performers and listeners alike will experience an unforgettable “winter journey,” a remarkable passage through maturity.

French Music from the early 20^th century:

Vocal and Instrumental Works of

Lili Boulanger, Nadia Boulanger, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy

4:00 pm Saturday, March 24, Van Buren Hall, 6 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, NY

Preview talk by David Smith and others:  4:00 pm, Saturday, March 17^th

Kinderhook Memorial Library, 18 Hudson Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106; 518-758-6192

CITV celebrates an especially beautiful and critical evolutionary period in music history, while also recognizing two centennials: the untimely deaths of Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) and Claude Debussy (1862-1918). Eight outstanding musicians are brought together for performances of richly-textured vocal and instrumental works, some well-known, others less so. The exceptionally precocious Lili Boulanger, at 19 the first woman to win the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome, will be represented by eight pieces, including four songs from her colorful, but not often performed song cycle, Clairières dans le ciel, written at the age of 20. Lili’s older and better-known sister, Nadia, is regarded by many as the most important musical pedagogue of the 20^th century. Unfortunately, her talent as a composer has been largely overlooked. When Nadia Boulanger decided to cease composing, about 1922, Gabriel Fauré and other luminaries regarded this decision as a significant loss. In CITV’s program she is represented by seven dramatic, but virtually unknown songs (1906-1922), and the especially clever Trois Pièces for cello and piano (1914). Following intermission, Maurice Ravel’s exotic, forward-looking  Chansons madécasses  (1925-26) for soprano, flute, cello and piano, wondrously capturing the spirit of Madagascar, has a rare performance. The program concludes with Debussy’s last major work, the virtuosic Sonata for Violin and Piano (1916-17). Performers include sopranos Amanda Boyd and Andrea Bargabos, tenor Jon Morrell, violinist Elizabeth Silver (Concertmaster, Broad Street Orchestra), cellist Jay Shulman, flutist Elizabeth Chinery, and pianists Noah Palmer (CITV Musical Assistant) and David Smith (CITV Artistic Director).

A $20 donation is suggested from those attending either of the above concerts.

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, especially newly installed officers, Jane Deane, Jean Hacker; Susan Patterson, and Deborah Spaulding; 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, especially those caught in the California mudslides who have lost loved ones and homes; those suffering economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement.
• those grieving the death of loved ones, especially Dennis & Jody Stupplebeen, family, and friends grieving the sudden death of Jody's father.
• 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.
• Fred Borrelli, nephew of Jane Deane, dealing with procedures needed to regulate his heart functions following recent heart-valve replacement surgery. Pray for a speedy and full recovery for Fred.
• Mark McIntosh his, wife, son, parents, and sister, in need of the strength, peace, and comfort only God can provide following Mark’s admission into St. Peter’s Hospice.
• others 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; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Amy Deweerd; Noreen Kennedy, mother of Maureen Mooney; Ann, close friend of Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Bill Lansing, father of Carol Zincio; Virginia Rothermel.                       
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Caleb L, youth group teen, suffering severe depression; Merrill Johnson, dealing with unspoken issues; our students as they deal with 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.
• 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 good news that Merrill Johnson’s shoulder pain and mobility are improving, and that Merrill will not be needing shoulder replacement surgery. Please continue to pray for his complete healing.
• 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.
• 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.

     The Stuyvesant Reformed Church “Stitchers” will be meeting the third Saturday of every month from 10 am to 12 pm.  They will be prepared to do any light mending -buttons, hems, torn seams, patching, etc. - that members of the community may need done.  Free-will donations will be accepted in lieu of payment.

     On the fourth Saturday of every month, from 4:30 – 6 pm, SRC will offer a soup-and-sandwich light supper consisting of a limited number of soups and a limited number of sandwiches.  Free-will donations will also be accepted. 

Non-perishable foods always popular at the Pantry are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti/spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake and brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church. Although we have collected empty egg cartons in the past, the Pantry is no longer in need of these items.

x

KRC 2018 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                           Deacons

  Noreen Dick – ’18   Church Family. . . . . . . .     518-758-6640  noreend122@twc.com

  Susan Patterson – ’19  Property. . . . . . . . . .   518-755-4909  patterss@strose.edu

  Beth Anne Rippel – ’18  Stewardship. . . . . . 518-392-5044  barippel@yahoo.com

  Deborah Spaulding – ’19  Outreach. . . . . . .   518-758-7316  ber00519@fairpoint.net 

                                                                  Elders

  Jane Deane – ’19  Christian Ed., Cemetery. . 518-758-7051  jdeane1943@gmail.com

  Jean Hacker – ’19  Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-758-9412  jch9412@aol.com

  Merrill Johnson – ’18   Worship. . . . . . . . . . . 518-828-6726  docjohnson36@gmail.com

  Dawn Van Buren – ’18  Consistory Vice-President, Cemetery, Pastoral Relations,       

                                             Personnel. . . . . . . . .  518-758-7564  dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Clerk of Consistory

Patti Varga – 518-755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 518-376-1882  derick.latorre@gmail.com

KRC STAFF

            KRC Office Manager                          KRC Office Assistant

     Paul Clause – 518-859-4158             Courtney Wood – 518-852-7172

                            KRC Sexton                            KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

            Steven Green – 518-505-4918           Greg Clause – 518-369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today,February 11 

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service   

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

Tues,  February 13

       7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets 

Wed,  February 14 – Ash Wednesday observance of the beginning of Lent.

       7:00 pm  Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Worship Service @KRC.

Thur, February 15

       9:00 am  Small Group Bible study @KRC.

            Group continues its study, Grace, by Max Lucado – Please join us!

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

Sun,   February 18 

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service   

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

       6:30 pm  Danen Kane concert @KRC

Wed, February 21, 28; March 7, 14,  21, and 28

       7:00 pm  KRC hosts a series of Lenten Bible-Study Meals:

            "RESTORED - Finding Redemption in Our Mess."

Sat,   February 24

       4:00 pm  CITV Concert - Van Buren Hall, 6 Chatham Street, Kinderhook  

                                      Music and the Progression of Life:

                     Schumann’s Kinderszenen and Schubert’s Winterreise

Sat - Sun,  February 24 - 25

       Schoharie Reformed Church Rededication Weekend – RSVP by TODAY

Servers Next Sunday, February 18, 2018

Ushers: Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, Glenn Warren

Greeter(s):