KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, JANUARY 1, 2017

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

Guest Preacher, Beth von den Driesch, Preaching Elder

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.

First Sunday after Christmas Day

 New Year’s Service of Lessons and Carols 

  Prelude

  Welcome and Announcements

  Drawing Near to God  Votum

*Call to Worship:                     “O Come, all Ye Faithful” (St. 1 & 2)                          No.173

          *For those who are able, please stand.)

  Lighting of the Christ Candle

We light this candle with great joy and celebration, because Christ is born in Bethlehem. God’s Son has come into the world to be our Savior! As we gaze upon this light, we are reminded that God sent his Son to bring light to all peoples. He is the light in the darkness. The beauty of this light reminds us that there is always light to be found in the darkness. Christ, our light and our hope, has come and He will come again in glory.

  Sentences (Responsive) Isaiah 63:7-9

Leader:  I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love.  I will praise the Lord for all he has done.

       People:  O come let us adore Him!
Leader:  I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

       People:  O come let us adore Him!
 Leader:  He said, “These are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became our Savior.

       People:  O come let us adore Him!
Leader:  In all our suffering he also suffers, and he personally rescues us.

       People:  O come let us adore Him!
Leader:  In his love and mercy he redeems us. He lifts us up and carries us through all our years.

       People:  Let us adore Him!

All:  Come! Let us adore Him! Christ the Lord.

  Salutation (Revelation 1:4-6)

  Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 9:2-7

*Hymn                        “Angels from the Realms of Glory"    (St. 1 & 4)                     No.174

  Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 146          

Leader:  Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

People:  I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

 Leader:  Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.

People:  When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

Leader:  Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

People:  The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

Leader:  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

People:  The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Leader:  The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
All:  Praise the Lord!

  Call to Confession:                 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (St. 1)              No.135

  Prayer of Confession:                                 [Silent Confession]

                                                        “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (St. 3 & 4)                          No.155

  Scriptural Assurance:  (Titas3:4-7)

  Assurance of Pardon:              “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” (St. 3)               No.157

  Summary of the Law

                                                    Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination:                “O Word of God Incarnate” (St. 1)                     No.310      

  Scripture Reading:                                          Hebrews 2:10-18

                                                                                John 1:1-18

*Hymn                                  “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (St. 1 & 3)                      No.171

  The Message:                                                                                      “The Ever Lasting Light”

     Celebrating God

*Affirmation of Faith (Unison)   (John 1:1-5, 9-14)

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

   Offering/Offertory

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 and community members.     

    Doxology #809                                                  Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Dear God who makes all things new, we praise you! You direct our paths, even when we do not recognize your presence.  As we journey into this new year and the challenges we may face, send your Holy Spirit upon us: enable us to trust you completely, to direct our gifts and resources wisely, and to fulfill your will for us individually and as a community of faith.  We ask this through your Son, who is Emmanuel, God with us.  Amen.      

  Communion

[We will receive communion this morning by intinction.

Those who remain seated will be served in their pews.]

                                       THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we come to the table of our Lord in Remembrance, Communion, and Hope. 

We come to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was sent into the world so we might be saved through him.

We come to be in Communion with this same Christ who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.

We come in Hope, believing that this bread and cup are a pledge and foretaste of the feast of love in the kingdom to come.

Since by his death, resurrection, and ascension Christ has obtained for us the life-giving Spirit, who unites us all in one body,

so we receive this Supper in true love, mindful of the communion of saints.

THE INVITATION

This is the feast of the Lord’s Table, in which all who profess the Lordship of Christ in their lives are invited to share.  Come, for all things are now ready.

                   COMMUNION HYMN #770     “As We Gather Around the Table”

                                                 THE COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is holy and right to lift up our hearts and give God thanks and praise.

It is with joy that we give thanks to you in all times and places, Almighty and Everlasting God. You have shown the fullness of your love by sending to us Jesus Christ our Lord, made flesh for us, for our salvation, and for reconciliation with you.  For this precious gift of your Son, we worship and sing praise to you, O God:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky, and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 

                                           (Continued on next page.)

As this grain and these grapes are gathered from many fields and hills into one loaf and one cup, to be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ, grant also that your whole Church may be joined together in him, attain unity in the faith, and soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

                                                                 THE COMMUNION

Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world.  In the joy of his resurrection and expectation of his coming again, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices, and proclaim this mystery of the faith:

Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me."

After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.

The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.

PRAISE and THANKSGIVING after COMMUNION  (Unison)

It is proper and right that we should exalt you, bless you, praise you, give thanks to you, and adore you in all places of your dominion; for you are God, incomprehensible, from everlasting, and changeless – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  You called us into being from nothingness, and when we had fallen away from you, you raised us up again, brought us back, and endowed us with your kingdom which is to come.  For these things we offer to you a ministry of thanks, praise, and service, which you are pleased to accept even though myriads of angels and archangels wait before you, calling aloud, singing the triumphant song, “Holy Lord, Hosanna in the highest! Heaven and earth are full of your glory!”  Amen and amen.

  Prayers of Intercession and The Lord’s Prayer

  Prayer Response:                              “Away in a manger” (St. 3)                                No.147

*Hymn:                          “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come" (St. 1 & 4)                No.146

*Benediction: (Titus 2:11-13)

*Response Hymn              “It Came upon the Midnight Clear” (St. 3)                     No.170

*Postlude

2017 ENVELOPE SYSTEM AVAILABLE

       On February 12^th CITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20^th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices, including works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Foote. The women of the Broad Street Chorale will perform, along with soprano Amanda Boyd, soloist in Britten’s Les Illuminations. On April 2^nd at Kinderhook Reformed Church Masterpieces from the Classical Age will feature Mozart’s magnificent Mass in c minor, as well as Haydn’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante for which the soloists will be principals of the Broad Street Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Silver, cellist Erica Pickhardt, oboist Karen Hosmer, and bassoonist Cornelia McGiver.

       Suggested donation for all performances - $20.  For further information and assured seating go to www.concertsinthevillage.org or call 758-6869.

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

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.
• Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; 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-elect Donald Trump, 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 South Korea.
• victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies: famine, earthquakes, and other climate-related disasters; economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement.
• those grieving the death of loved ones, especially: family and friends grieving the recent death of Joan Van Alstyne; John Leonardson, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Murray Leonardson, long-time member of KRC; those grieving the recent death of Angie Gabriel. 
• 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.     
• Merrill Johnson, recovering from recent surgery to relieve severe pain due to spinal stenosis. Pray that the surgery will be completely successful and for speedy healing without complications for Merrill. 
• Kim Helm, 48, whose breast cancer has spread to her bones and liver. Please remember also Kim’s husband, who is dying of liver problems.  Pray especially for their 16-year-old son at this very difficult time.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Carol Nel; Donna Scalera; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, co-worker of Deborah Spaulding; Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Ron Dick; Lynn; Rob, friend of Glenn and Cricket Warren; Alex Jennings; Karina Speer; Susan Lamont; Chris Nel; Dina; Mike Smith; Loren Speer; Vickie Metzger; Chrissy Blackwood; Alexandria Noxon; Eddie; Patti Varga’s Uncle Martin; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.

• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Jaheim, Angel Tree child, in need of appropriate school placement; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.
• those traveling.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe.

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, and others who lead worship at KRC from time to time.
• 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.
• His provision for all of 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, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever support they can to those in need.

                                         KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

                     Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                           Deacons

Jane Deane – ’17   

Noreen Dick – ’18

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18   

Tana Thompson – ’17

                                                             Elders

Merrill Johnson – ’18

Dawn Van Buren – ’18

Patti Varga – ’17

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17

                                                  KRC STAFF

                 KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

              Paul Clause – 859-4158     Courtney Wood – 784-2134

                          KRC Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786       Greg Clause – 369-8472 

                                       COMING EVENTS

Today, January 1, 2017 Combined 10 am Worship Service

       9:45 am  Bible-based study continues

           “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service

  Note: Children’s Sunday School is in recess until next Sunday, January 8.

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

Tues,  January 3

       7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets @KRC

Thur, January 5

     9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC

            “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

​       7:00 pm New Bible study group meets, @KRC main floor Conference Room

“A Study Book for Serious Students of Scripture.”

Fri,   January 6

       6:00 pm  Free Community Dinner and Movie Night – Doors open at 5:30 pm. 

Sun,  January 8             

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       9:45 am  Bible-based study continues

           “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

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

Ordination and Installation of Consistory Officers

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

Servers Next Sunday, January 8

Ushers: Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, Glenn Warren, Chip Wood

                                                                  Greeter(s):