Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY - 10:00 a.m. February 20, 2011
“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 invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us downstairs in the Fellowship Room immediately following Worship.
Ushers: Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, John Schubert, Loren Speer
Greeter(s): Paul and Anna Marie Zietsman
Preschool Nursery is available downstairs, Sara Schubert supervising
Order of Worship
PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, & PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING
God’s Children’s Approach
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Psalm 108:1-5
Come now into God’s holy house to worship him
with joyful hearts and voices of praise.
Sing and make music with all your soul.
Awake, harp and lyre! Awaken the dawn!
Praise the Lord among the nations;
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Sing of the Lord among the peoples.
For great is his love, higher than the heavens;
His faithfulness reaches to the skies.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #20 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
CALL TO CONFESSION – Based on Psalm 53
Our God of abundant love, grace, and mercy looks down from heaven to see if there are any who understand that they are sinful - to see if there are any who seek his face and forgiveness. Let us not turn away, but let us turn toward him, call upon his name, and confess our sins.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION – Hymn #552 My Faith Looks up to Thee
Verse 1
[Moment of Silence]
Verse 2
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive) – Based on Psalm 86
You are a compassionate and gracious God; forgiving and good; abounding in love and faithfulness to all who call to you.
We praise you, O Lord our God, with all our heart, for you have
delivered us from sin and the depths of the grave.
Amen, and amen!
*PRAISE SONGS
CHILDREN’S PRAYER BLESSING (Unison - Congregation may remain seated.)
Gracious Father, shower our children with blessings that exceed our dreams, and let your love flow abundantly into their lives. Fill them with an irresistible desire to share, after the example of Jesus, your love and the gifts of your blessings with everyone. Amen.
Sunday School students are now invited to join their teachers.
God’s Opened Word
INVOCATION and PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 5:38-48 (p. 684)
MESSAGE “How an Eye for an Eye Makes Everyone Blind!”
PRAYER OF THANKS
God’s Children Celebrating Him
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Thank you, Jesus, Lord of Love, for teaching us how to love others, even those who do not love us. With your words and examples of perfect love fresh in our hearts and minds, we present these gifts out of love for you and for the ministries of faith-sharing, compassion, mercy, and self-sacrifice you have called us to fulfill. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #297 Spirit of the Living God
*BENEDICTION and RESPONSE - 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.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen.
POSTLUDE
~ PLEASE NOTE ON THE BACK TABLE ~
-Capital Region Theological Center course offerings. Pick up an information sheet to see which of these might be of interest to you.
-You are invited to pick up a copy of Libby Little’s very full global itinerary for 2011 on the back table.
-Photos of Helen Cullings and her daughter, Kay Hanson. Helen frequently attended KRC with Kay before moving to Kay’s home in Avondale, Arizona.
-The new books available through the KRC library. You are welcome to check them out right at the display.
Consistory has approved the proposal from Ghent Reformed Church to join with them in a 6-week cooperative Lenten study, “40 Days of Purpose,” based on Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. The goal is not simply to go through a study, but to urge our congregations, as the Body of Christ, toward Kingdom work which will serve God’s purpose in our generation. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, March 16 – April 20, with Ghent and Kinderhook hosting alternately. Sessions will begin with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, with study time following until around 8 p.m. Topics to be addressed through short videos, discussions, and workbook activities are: 1. What on Earth Am I Here For? 2. Worship – You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure 2. Fellowship – You Were Formed for God’s Family 3. Discipleship – You Were Created to Become Like Christ 4. Ministry – You Were Shaped for Serving God 5. Evangelism – You Were Made for Mission. If you are thinking of participating, please sign up on the “I AM INTERESTED IN THE GHENT/KINDERHOOK LENTEN JOURNEY” sheet on the back table.
ANGEL FOOD MENUS & ORDERING INFORMATION
FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE BACK TABLE.
Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• The RCA General Secretary Search Committee
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• New KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; Angel Food; church restoration; Ministry projects
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and Prayer Group
• 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; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those, especially children, suffering abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility, natural disaster
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially those of Johnny Putnam, who died this past Monday – Johnny was a young friend of several of our KRC family
• Dawn VanBuren, hospitalized with a complication related to her recent knee surgery
• Ginny Rothermel, recovering from back problems – pray that rest and pain medications will result in quick and complete healing
• Deb Rothermel and Beth C., both awaiting test results
• Christophe, Isabelle Bosquet-Morra’s cousin, battling a neurological problem that is baffling his doctors – pray that God will give them guidance, and Christophe the will and strength to fight his disease
• Jennifer Kline, recently diagnosed with an incurable, inoperable cancer – please pray that ongoing chemo and other treatments will shrink the tumors and keep them from spreading, and pray also for peace and reassurance for Jennifer and her family
• Others dealing with cancer: Juile’s aunt; Dave’s wife Matt; Tom Saulpaugh; Connie; Carin; Kara Ennis Mobley
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Bob Ringen; John Steneck; Florence Rivera; Ken Smith; Jeffery Smith; Gordie and Ann Van Buren; Larry Cady; Pastor Rudy; Merrill & Erika Johnson; Priscilla Frisbee; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Elizabeth; Libby Little; the Vargas; churches consolidating or considering closing their doors; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those facing employment/economic troubles; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Rachael, Greg L., Martin, & Andy; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan and John and Sara Schubert
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Mary Schubert and T.J. Lynch, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, and Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; Nicole, expecting her first child; new parents Luke and Ryan (Hacker) Morris (Baby Jocelyn); Kate (Little) and Chris Stevens (Baby Vivian Elise)
• Those who are traveling
• Our military men and women, especially Will Ryan, recently deployed to Afghanistan; Matt Plescia; Carrington Hessell; Spencer Moore; and Jay Rippel - 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
• His blessing of a wonderful, caring, Spirit-filled pastor of vision such as Pastor Rudy, and for steady healing and improvement in Pastor’s injured elbow
• The good news that Isabelle Bosquet-Morra’s mother is up and walking without a cane following recent knee surgery
• The encouraging news that Susie Hennessey will require monitoring only and no additional treatment following recent surgery
• The good report from Ginny Rothermel that she is up and around and that her back pain is coming under control
• Successful surgery for Florence Rivera - Florence is in good spirits and responding to physical therapy; praise the Lord also for Julie and Angela who are assisting in their mom’s at-home recovery
• The steady progress being made by Gordie VanBuren following recent surgery, and Ann following recent hospitalization
• The compassionate care and great support of hospice nurses and volunteers
• The wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times
• 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
~From the Pastor’s Desk – February 2011~
I read the newspaper! Today’s news-report includes three full pages of obituaries - write-ups of the recently-deceased which are usually accompanied by a head shot of the lately-departed, although the photo might be 60 years old.
I found it fascinating reading. Some of the listings included people younger than myself who, without exception, had died because of disease or accident. The ages of those on this three-page roster of the deceased ranged from 22 to 98, and each entry offered a brief life-story. They were men and women, young and old, married and single, divorced or never divorced, rich and poor, highly educated or not highly educated. Some had been in the military or on stage, or in the education, banking, health care, or service industries. Some were homemakers, some artists, some pastors. And all of their lives had spanned two centuries and two millennia.
But they are all dead.
I read the details of each life: birth, schools, marriage, children, grand-children, occupations, hobbies, and so on, and it led me to muse again on this fleeting thing we call life; what the apostle James refers to as a vapor in the wind, smoke in the breeze, or what the psalmist calls grass in the fields that grows for a spell, then withers and dies.
But we are not dead, and before that time comes…!
I think of the song of the popular 1980s television show called Cheers, a song which claimed that “you want to go where everyone knows your name.” What the song was trying to point out is how much it means to most people to be known by others and recognized. What better way do we come to experience being known and recognized than when someone calls us by name? Most of us want to frequent places where others know us by name.
How blessed are we to have a church family where others know us by name, and how much more blessed are we when we remind one another that the Lord our God knows each of our names!
May you and your family know and experience the KRC family as ever- growing, not so much in number, but in trust in God and each another, in faith, and in love.
PREACHING SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY, 2011
Today - How an Eye for an Eye Makes Everyone Blind!
Matthew 5:38-48
Sunday, February 27, Investing Ourselves in Things That Do Matter!
Matthew 6:24-34
~ BIRD’S-EYE FINANCIAL REPORT, FBRUARY 2011~
Bills Paid, February 1 to 20, 2011 $9,471
Current Checkbook Balance $2,111
1Outstanding Bills
Ministry Expenses (Worship, Missions) $ 906
Pastoral Services and Personnel $3,169
Fuel and Utilities $1,790
TOTAL Outstanding Bills $5,865
General Reserves Investment Account, Current Balance $27,821
Due to Be Deposited ((RCA Notes + KRC Designated Roof Donations) + $25,000
Balance $52,821
Withdrawn (Balance, 2010 Missions Pledges) - $6,000
Withdrawn (Balance, 2010 Classis Assessment) - $4,669
General Reserves Projected Balance $42,152
Benevolent Fund Available Balance $1,306
Renovation Fund Available Balance $4,522
KRC OFFICE, EMAIL,WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is scheduled to be in his church office
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
If you wish to meet with Pastor during these times,
please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings have been set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call 758-9703 or 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, please call 859-4158.
KRC 2011-2012 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory, Classis Delegate
Deacons
Margaret Herrmann, Stewardship – ’12 758-6175
Laura Rafferty, Property – ’12 828-7189
Dawn Tuttle, Church Family, Clerk of Consistory, Cemetery – ’11 758-6031
Barbara Vosburgh, Missions, Church Treasurer – ’12 758-6512
Elders
Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12 210-6079
Ann VanBuren, Consistory Vice President, Cemetery, Worship – ’11 758-9703
Dawn VanBuren, Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11 758-7564
Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12 758-1266
KRC STAFF
KRC Treasurer KRC Secretary
Barbara Vosburgh – 758-6512 Paul Clause – 859-4158
Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
Coming Events
Today, February 20
10:00 am Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Fellowship and Refreshments, Fellowship Room
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon., February 21
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tue., February 22
9:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
5:30 pm Outreach Dinner, St. Luke’s Church
7:00 - 8:30 pm KRC Youth Group meets
7:45 pm Stewardship Ministry meets
Thur., February 24
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
Sat., February 26
Mon., February 28
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Fri., March 11 – Sunday March 13 Youth for Christ “Break Out” event,
Saratoga Springs
Tue., March 29 – Outreach Dinner, St. Luke’s Church
Servers Next Sunday, February 27, 2010
Ushers: Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, Arnie March, Glenn Warren
Greeter(s): Arnie and Claudia March
Nursery: Jayne Ferguson
