KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, JANUARY 24, 2016

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

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

  Scripture                                                                                                  Luke 4:14-21 (p. 727)

  Message                                                                                                “Connecting the Dots”        

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP 

    All are invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments

downstairs in the Fellowship Room today following worship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Dick Silvano, Andrew Welcome.

Thanks to today’s greeters, Mike Deegan and Donna Rhodes.

Preschool Nursery facilities available downstairs.

  Prelude

  Welcome

  Announcements

  God’s Greeting

Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive) 

Arise, people of God! The light has come;

it shines around us, within us, and without us.
       In the gloom of winter we seek out the light of Christ;

       we yearn for God’s radiance and warmth.
Gather, people of God! Come to encounter the Holy Mystery of God-with-us.
       Through Christ, we have access to God; let us be bold in our worship!

 *Hymn #634                                                                        Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Allowing God to Shape Us

   Call to Confession

In his great commandments, God has instructed us how we should live, but we have not lived in full obedience.  Let us confess to God that we have sinned, trusting in Christ as our Savior and Lord.

   Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Loving God, you call us to be the salt of the earth, but too often we miss the blessing of life filled with spiritual flavor that spreads from us to those around us. You call us to be the light of the world, but we try to blend into our culture rather than stand out as your people, and our actions often do not bring praise to you. You call us to go the second mile, but too often we consider our own convenience first, passing up opportunities to show love to our neighbor and to offer help to those in need. Forgive us, Lord, and help us be more like Jesus. Amen.

   Assurance of Pardon  From 1 John 1:5, 7

This is the message we have heard from God and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in God there is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children's Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Lord Jesus, may the hearts and minds of our children be filled with the light of your holy presence, making your goodness their goodness in the eyes of God.  May they be your light in this world, testifying without shame to your truth, and attracting many to the good news of your gifts of salvation and eternal life.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                                  Luke 4:14-21 (p. 727)

  Message                                                                                                “Connecting the Dots”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Offertory

*Doxology (#809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Gracious God, we thank you for these gifts that belong not to us alone, but to all our sisters and brothers, since they, too, are created in your image. Let their need become our need; let their hunger become our hunger; and grant us empathy, so that in sharing in the distress of others, we discover the Christ who gave himself in humble service and sacrifice for all. Amen.

  Update and Discussion, Elevator for the Handicapped

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s 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

ABOUT THE DOXOLOGY

       Before Charles Wesley or Isaac Watts, there was Thomas Ken, who has been called “England’s first hymnist.” He was born in 1637 in Little Berkhampstead on the fringes of greater London.  When his parents died, he was raised by his half-sister and her husband, who enrolled him in Winchester College, an historic boys’ school.  Thomas was later ordained to the ministry and returned to Winchester as a chaplain.

        To encourage the devotional habits of the boys, Thomas wrote three hymns in 1674.  This was revolutionary, because English hymns had not yet appeared.  Only the Psalms were sung in public worship.  Ken suggested the boys use the hymns privately in their rooms.  One hymn was to be sung upon waking, another at bedtime, and a third at midnight if sleep didn’t come.  His morning hymn had thirteen stanzas, beginning with:

Awake, my soul, and with the sun thy daily stage of duty run.

Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise to pay thy morning sacrifice.

His evening hymn, equally meaningful, included this verse:

All praise to Thee, my God, this night, for all the blessings of the light!

Keep me, O keep me, King of Kings, beneath Thine own almighty wings.

All three hymns ended with a common stanza, which has since become the most widely sung verse in the world:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below.

Praise him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

       In 1680, Thomas was appointed chaplain to England’s King Charles II. It was a thankless job, as Charles kept a variety of mistresses.  Once, the king asked to lodge a mistress in the chaplain’s residence.  Thomas rebuked him, saying, “Not for the King’s Kingdom!”  Afterward, the king referred to him as “that little man who refused lodging to poor Nellie.”

       During the reign of the next king, James II, Thomas, by now a bishop, was sent to the Tower of London for his Protestant convictions.  After his release, he retired to the home of a wealthy friend, where he died on March 11, 1711.  He was buried at sunrise, and the Doxology was sung at his funeral.   

~UPCOMING “FIRST FRIDAY” POTLUCK DINNERS~  

The Outreach Ministry encourages you to mark your calendar for February 5 and March 4.  These are the next two scheduled First Friday community outreach meals.  We are especially excited about the March date, as we will have a free concert by the Irish vocal group, Triskele, and an Irish dance demonstration by our very own Clinton girls following the meal.  Save the dates and stay tuned for more details.

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.
• 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.
• Praise God for the traveling mercies he has provided for family and friends during the holidays. 
• The happy news that Sara Schubert has a granddaughter due to arrive May 29 to son Josh Schubert and his wife, Helen.
• the happy news from Arnie and Claudia March that they have a grandson who is due to arrive in May. 
• 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, 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.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

Dave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan;

Alight Pregnancy Center, Hudson

Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Albany

Compassion International, KRC-Sponsored Children:

Evelin Chuquinia, 15, Bolivia              Giulbert Muguna, 18, Kenya

Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio

Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission

Dick and Carolyn Otterness, RCA missionaries, Hungary

Brian and Bea Post, Wycliffe Bible Translators

Seth and Melissa Rogati, missionaries, Young Life Ministry, St. Thomas

Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar International Mission

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith. 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.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory, especially new members, Tana Thompson and Chip Wood; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; First Friday, and other outreach programs. 
• our state, national, and world leaders, 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.
• 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 loss of Florence Rivera last Friday morning; prayers are particularly needed for Florence's daughters, Chris, Julie, and Angie, that they may know God's comfort and peace; condolences may be sent to PO Box 434, Kinderhook, NY 12106.  Pray also for family and friends grieving the recent loss of Walter Michaud.
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind this past year.
• 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 who are nearing the close of this life.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Maggie Brower, undergoing back surgery on Wednesday, January 27.  Please pray  for a successful outcome and quick healing without complications for Maggie.
• Tom Carroll, son-in-law of Barbara Gross, dealing with traumatic brain injury and other health issues related to a serious fall suffered a year ago.
• Vickie Metzger, whose eyesight is getting progressively worse.
• Stacey Baker, as she takes on a full schedule at college in Colorado, and for quick progress with the visual therapy she is beginning as part of her ongoing recovery from a serious concussion last March.
• Brian Post, missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators who KRC helps to support. Brian is recovering from recent surgery and needs prayers for speedy and complete healing
• Helen, experiencing her first pregnancy and dealing with anxiety and health issues. Pray for improved health and relief from fear for Helen.
• Donna Scalera, who is finding her current round of chemotherapy very challenging.  Please pray for strength and encouragement for Donna.
• Maria Zincio, diagnosed recently with cancer.  Pray for God's reassurance and peace for Maria.
• Dorothy Wheeler, fighting cancer and awaiting test results.  Pray for good test reports, reassurance, and peace for Dorothy.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Darryl Ferguson; 6-month-old Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Ann Powell; April Grimes; Gary Silvano; Harriet Stockhoff; Rev. Ed Van Kampen; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Steve Shpur; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Art Gross; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; Tom Eastman; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those facing the challenges of a higher level of education or seeking a career; Cliff Laraway; Greg L and friend, Joshua; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• God's protection and safety for those traveling, especially Ted and Dawn Tuttle as they drive their RV to and from Florida for a month's vacation.
• residence-bound member, Murray Leonardson.

KRC family and friends are asked to volunteer as greeters

for our 10 am worship services.

Please sign up on the sheet available at the back table.

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAY

  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)

2016 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

General Synod:     $53.71   (Up $1.98 from 2015)

Albany Synod:       $29.00   (Unchanged from 2015)

C.  G.   Classis:       $  6.22   (Down $1.07  from 2015

        2016 TOTAL PER MEMBER:        $88.93  

                                        KRC 2016 CONSISTORY

                                  Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                                     Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16  

Derick LaTorre – ’16  

Tana Thompson – ’17

Wood, Chip – ’17

                                                                                            Elders

                                                            Merrill Johnson – ‘16

                                                            Patrice Lyons – ‘16

Patti Varga – ’17

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17

                                                        KRC STAFF

                    KRC Office Manager                     KRC Office Assistant     

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

                                 Cemetery Supervisor         KRC Sexton

                                       Greg Clause                     Mike Deega

COMING EVENTS

Today, January 24     

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Sunday School

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude

Mon,  January 25

       6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets 

Tues, January 26

       6:30 pm  Youth Group meets @KRC

Thur, January 28

       9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Sun,   January 31    

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Sunday School

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Fri,    February  5

       6:00 pm  First Friday free community potluck dinner 

Sun,   February 7     

       8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service and Sunday School

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Wed, February 10  Ash Wednesday

Servers Next Sunday, January 31, 2016

       Ushers:  Jim Baker, Dick Silvano, Andrew Welcome

       Greeter(s):  Joy Bertram