KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES  JANJUARY , 2015                                                                                                                                                                               

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher

Director of the Men's Shelter and Guest Services, and Assistant Chaplain,

City Mission of Schenectady

.A warm welcome to visitors.  We 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, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise #364                                                       Jesus, Jesus, Jesus in the Morning

  Responsive Reading #378                                                               A Litany of Thanksgiving

  Scripture                                                                                       Matthew 6:33 - 7:5 (p. 685)

  Message                                                “Thankfulness, Humility, and Love - First Things”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Prayer Hymn #369                                                                              Lord of All Hopefulness

*Benediction

  Congregational Meeting

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship downstairs following Worship.

Ushers:  Alan Dick, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth, Paul Zietsman

Greeter(s):                        Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude, Announcements, and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on Psalms 95 and 96

Come, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

     Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. 

Let us come before him with thanksgiving, with music and with song;

     for the Lord is the great King above all gods.
Come, let us bow down in humble worship before the Lord our Maker
     for he is our God, and we are the flock under his care.

*Hymn of Praise #372                                                 Greet Now the Swiftly Changing Year

  A Litany of Thanksgiving  (Responsive)

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.  For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
     We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
     We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
     We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
     We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
     We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
     We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
     We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
     We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises

given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
     To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit,

     now and for ever. Amen.

Turning Our Hearts to God

  Call to Confession  Based on the words of the prophet, Zephaniah

Let us acknowledge our arrogant disobedience to God. Let us seek from him forgiveness, righteousness, and humility, for he is mighty to save.

  Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge our need of your salvation.  We confess to blind and selfish pursuit of worldly pleasures and passions; to proud and thankless behavior; and to unloving and judgmental attitudes. Purify us from all wickedness, and strengthen our hearts with your holiness.  Empower us to be self-controlled and upright in this present age, eager to answer your call to righteous living.

[Silent Prayer of Confession]

Praise be to God, who forgives us through faith in his Son, our Redeemer;

who keeps us pure and blameless - who sanctifies us body, soul, and spirit for his holy purposes - until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.    

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

All-knowing God, preserve these children in the righteousness of Christ.  Lead them into holy and virtuous lives of love, humble service, and generosity to you, to the work of your Kingdom, and to others. Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                Matthew 6:33 - 7:5 (p. 685)

  Message                                         “Thankfulness, Humility, and Love - First Things”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering/Offertory

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Holy Father, sustainer and supplier of all our needs, we present these offerings to you as an expression of our gratitude and as an investment in fulfilling the mission you have put before us - to know Christ and to make him known.  Sanctify our gifts for these purposes we pray.  Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Prayer Hymn #369                                                                       Lord of All Hopefulness

*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

  Congregational Meeting

~ Please Note ~

The Christmas decorations in the sanctuary will be taken down next

Tuesday, January 13, starting at 9:30 a.m.  Your help will be appreciated!

CLASSES 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)

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.
• families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially Tana Thompson, grieving the recent death of her mother.
• 6-month-old Baby Emma, born with a rare disorder of the lymphatic system.  Pray for a miracle, as doctors seem to be out of options for restoring Emma to full health.
• Scott Calhoun, Patrick Calhoun's father, diagnosed with severe congestive heart failure. Pray that Scott's condition will respond well to the treatments prescribed.
• Annake Visser, recovering from a dog bite to the face.
• 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: Jim Hatch; Amy Deweerd; Paul Varga; Floyd Haber; 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; Greg L; 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 Pastor Rudy, 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 Schmieder.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

• Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision. Praise God also that Pastor Rudy had a safe flight to South Africa and is relaxing and enjoying the benefits of balmy weather!
• 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 encouraging report that Linda Moran is now recovering at home and improving.
• 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 JANUARY BIRTHDAY!

  Paul Clause (2^nd), Libby Little (2^nd), Kari Anne Powell (2^nd),

 Harriet Simpkins (2^nd), Robert Carroll (12^th), Jennifer Jennings (19^th),

Stacey Baker (20^th), Noreen Dick (22^nd), Sug Hawver (27^th), Jean Skipper (29^th), 

William Carroll (31^st), Ainsley Clinton (31^st)

For those now using the envelope system to present offerings to the church, a few new envelope sets are still awaiting pick-up at the back of the sanctuary. If you are not currently using the system, but would like to do so in 2015, please pick up one of the 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. 

KRC Youth Group will be attending the Excel conference in Saratoga from 6 p.m. Friday, January 16, through 4 p.m. Sunday, January 18, and the Christian Ed Ministry is looking for sponsors to help fund the $300 cost for two members of the youth group to attend.  If you would like to contribute to this ministry, checks should be made payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church with “Excel” in the memo line, and dropped into the offering plate.  

                 KRC 2014 CONSISTORY-ELECT

    Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                  Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16,                          758-6034

Noreen Dick – ’15,                      758-6640

Derick Latorre – ’16,                  376-1882

Barbara Vosburgh – ’15,           758-6512

                                           Elders

       Merrill Johnson                            828-6726

       Patrice Lyons ’15,                        758-8400

Dawn Van Buren 6,                    758-7564

Patti Varga – ’15                         392-4771

                                                          KRC STAFF

                  KRC Office Manager                     KRC Office Assistant     

               Paul Clause – 859-4158                   Liz Carroll – 758-6034

                                    Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton

                                            Greg Clause – 369-8472

                                               COMING EVENTS

Sun.,  January 11 – Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher

    Congregational meetings following both 8:30 & 10 am Worship Services

         8:30 am  Early Worship Service

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

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Tues., January 13

         9:30 am  Christmas decorations taken down from the sanctuary.

                 7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur., January 15

         9:00 am  Small Group meets @ KRC

  Please join us as we continue our Stonecroft Bible Study,

       Living in God’s Will – A Guide to Decision-Making

       10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Fri., January 16, 6 pm – Sun., January 18, 4 pm

                     KRC Youth Group at Excel Conference, Saratoga

Sun.,  January 18 – Rev. Perry Jones, Guest Preacher

         8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       10:00 am  Worship Service

            Please Note:  Children’s Sunday School will be in recess January 18.

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Sun.,  February 8   

         8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

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

                    New Consistory Members Installed and Ordained

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

                          Servers Next Sunday, January 18, 2011

       Ushers:  Alan Dick, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth, Paul Zietsman