Kinderhook Reformed Church
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
Worship Services for January 6, 2013
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
We would like to get to know you better, and 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
Welcome/Announcements
*Morning Worship Here I Am to Worship
Morning Prayer
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-3 & 6 and Matthew 2:7-12 (pp. 528, 682)
Message: “So, Where Does One Look for God?”
Prayer of Thanks
Communion
Offering and Prayer of Blessing
Intercessory Prayer
*Song of Devotion You Are My All in All
*Benediction
10 a.m. Celebration of Worship
All are invited you to enjoy refreshments and fellowship
downstairs in the Fellowship Room following this Worship service.
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome
Greeter(s): Ruth Edge and Mid Glass
Preschool Nursery facility is available downstairs.
Guest Organist: David Smith
Prelude Diferencias sobre el Canto del Caballero Antonio de Cabezon
Drawing Near to God
Welcome and Announcements
*Morning Praise Hymn #126 O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Call to Worship (Responsive)
The Christ is born. God has come. God is with us!
Let us worship him in Spirit and in truth.
The Magi searched earnestly for the Messiah.
We also seek him with longing and humility.
Having been led by a star, they bowed before him.
We, too, kneel before the Lord our God, our Maker.
They presented their gifts, the best they had to offer.
We come as well, giving our whole hearts in praise and worship.
O come, let us adore him.
O come, let us adore him.
All: O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Turning Our Hearts to God
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)
God of eternal hope, you place a light into every darkness and a star in every sky, and yet we prefer to walk in the darkness of despair and worry. We confess that we tend to cover over Jesus, the Light of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love, with our own effort and plans, often resulting in worry.
[Moment for Personal Quiet Confession]
Lord, teach us anew to notice your outstretched hand,
and to be fully aware that there is never a moment that you are not with us. Shine your light on our path, and walk with us through all our valleys with the sun at our backs. Amen.
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.
Children’s Blessing
Great God, make your presence, known to these children; live within them and be with them always. Assure them that you hear their prayers and that you always answer as a caring Father, even though the answer may not be what they expected. Through every difficulty of life, may they experience your comfort and your peace. Amen.
Allowing God to Shape Us
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-3 & 6 and Matthew 2:7-12 (pp. 528, 682)
Message: “So, Where Does One Look for God?”
Prayer of Thanks
Giving Ourselves for God’s Glory
Communion (Insert)
Offering/Offertory Fantasy "On freudt verzer" Paulus Hofhaymer
Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
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. Amen.
Prayer of Blessing
Intercessory Prayer
*Closing Hymn #194 Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring
*Benediction and Hymn of 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. (2x)
Postlude Canzona Andrea Gabrieli
The 9 a.m. Thursday morning small group is beginning a new study this coming week entitled, Living on the Edge – Dare to Experience True Spirituality, by Chip Ingram. Mr. Ingram, pastor, teacher, author, and discipleship leader, presents in this study a proven pathway to becoming an “r12” (Romans 12) Christian disciple in the image of Christ. The group invites you to join them in what is certain to be a blessed and rewarding time of spiritual growth together.
For those who are using the envelope system to present tithes and offerings to the church, NEW ENVELOPES FOR 2013 ARE NOW READY FOR PICK-UP IN THE BACK OF THE SANCTUARY. Boxes are labeled in alphabetical order by last name. PLEASE USE YOUR NEW ENVELOPES BEGINNING TODAY, JANUARY 6.
IF YOU ARE NOT USING OFFERING ENVELOPES, BUT WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN, PLEASE FILL OUT ONE OF THE SMALL GREEN REQUEST SLIPS (STANDING UP IN BACK OF ONE OF THE BOXES) AND DROP IT IN THE OFFERING PLATE. YOU MAY DO THIS NOW OR AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
Donations for the poinsettias decorating our pulpit area are now being accepted and are greatly appreciated. Contributions, along with any memorial designations you may have, may be placed in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.
The Christmas decorations in the sanctuary will be taken down and put away TOMORROW, JANUARY 7th, BETWEEN 9 a.m. AND NOON. If anyone would be able to help, please come and join us. If the weather is bad that morning, the back up date is Thursday, January 17th. Thank you for helping with this project. IHN, Dawn Van Buren
PRAISES & GRATITUDE FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CANDLELIGHT NIGHT. Thank you to all who donated their time and talents. We had lots of new visitors and young people who hung out to enjoy the good fellowship and food. There were over 15 people who helped and many others who contributed by baking or providing supplies. Thanks to Paul Clause, John Bowen and Deb for the music, and thanks also Bonnie and Jim, Joy, Jane Smith, Jane Dean, Ruth, Sally, Sara Hartman, Brenda, Nancy, Sara B, Sara S, Patty, Dawn, Greg, Melissa, Mid, and Erika. IHN, Maureen Mooney
Paul Clause (2nd), Libby Little (2nd), Kari Anne Powell (2nd),
Harriet Simpkins (2nd), Stacey Baker (20th),
Noreen Dick (22nd), Sug Hawver (27th), Jean Skipper (29th)
REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, and working together to complete projects and responsibilities.
• The encouraging news that Kara Ennis’s recent scans were all negative.
• the good report that Eleanor, mother of Patrice Lyons, is recovering speedily at Whittier rehab following recent hip replacement surgery.
• Baby Ian, 4-month-old cousin of Maureen Mooney, who is doing extremely well following heart surgery.
• the joy of seeing the students of our growing Sunday School celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus in song and pageant recently.
• the beauty of the recent Lessons and Carols worship service and the spiritual ministry of music and Word it provided for our church family and community in this season of celebration.
• His blessings of family, friends, and all the provisions for our basic life needs and much more.
• the good report that Judy Iocco is doing well following treatment for leukemia.
• 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.
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR
• those who do not know Christ, or are struggling in their faith or with other spiritual issues.
• KRC’s 2013 Consistory members, especially those recently reinstalled or ordained and serving for the first time.
• KRC’s administrative ministries, their chairpersons, and supporting members.
• KRC programs & projects and those administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; church restoration; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community 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: Dave and Char Alexander; Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell.
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies..
• our military men and women, that they may know God’s presence and protection.
• families and friends of our military troops and victims of warfare, terrorism, misunderstanding, and violence worldwide, that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassuring knowledge that he is in control.
• communities, families, & individuals grieving the tragedies of recent gun violence.
• those, especially children, suffering natural disaster; the abuses of violence; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially those grieving the unexpected death New Year’s Day of Nate Phelan, 31, son of Jon and Kathleen Phelan of Nassau; some members of the KRC family taught Nate when he was a student at Ichabod Crane, and worked for many years with his father, Jon, Middle School teacher.
• Blas and Margie Ortiz, friends of Deborah Spaulding and extremely faithful followers of Christ. Margie was diagnosed some months ago with peritoneal cancer and her condition has continued to deteriorate. She can no longer continue her chemo therapy, and is currently in ICU at St. Peter’s Hospital and stabilizing but not conscious. Please pray that she is not suffering and that the family will continue to stay strong in their faith
• Jim Baker's dad, hospitalized Christmas Day with an undiagnosed illness. Pray for a speedy diagnosis and effective treatment, and for reassurance for Jim's dad and family.
• Frank Vosburgh, now in rehab at Whittier, battling a number of health issues; pray also for Barbara as she attends to Frank’s needs.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Timmy Alvarez; Doris; Ken and Marion P; Fred Steeves; Jack, grandfather of Patti Varga; Pastor Glenn Metzler; Tom Saulpaugh; Eleanor, mother of Patrice Lyons; Baby Savannah; Sara Schubert; Bert Beach; Bea Post; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Ruth Edge; Blanche Rogers; Dave Ennis’s father; Florence Rivera; Paul Varga.
• those battling or recovering from cancer: Melissa M; Stephanie; Ron Jensen; Patricia’s mother; Dick; Don Berlin; Suzanne W; Jenny Kline; Betsey Klein; Jill Shpur; Rosanne & Connie; Helen Drumm; Sal Alessi; Donna Scalera.
• those traveling.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: the Royce Family; the Schuberts attempting to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Libby Little.
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick and Heather LaTorre, recently married; new parents, Ben and Kathryn Hart (Baby Daniel Robert, born October 29).
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• our residence-bound members, Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera, Gordie Van Buren.
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 forward this information, as well as new praise and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158. If you are not already on our email prayer list, and would like to receive prayer and praise requests through email, please contact Paul to have your address added. If you do not have email, contact Jane Smith, 758-6442, to be included in the phone prayer chain.
Please notice and enjoy the four display panels now installed on the side walls in the rear of the sanctuary. These beautiful works, featuring highlights of Kinderhook Reformed Church’s 300-year history, are a rich source of information to KRC visitors as well as to our church family, and they will serve as an excellent enhancement to KRC’s ongoing free guided tour program.
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 are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, call 859-4158.
KRC 2013-2014 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory
Deacons
Jane Deane – ’14
Noreen Dick – ’13
Derick Latorre – ’14
Patrice Lyons – ’13
Elders
Maureen Mooney – ’14
Dawn Tuttle – ’14
Dawn Van Buren – ’13
Bob Wildermuth – ’14
John Schubert, Chairman, Classis Financial Committee
KRC STAFF
KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Liz Carroll – 758-6034
Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
COMING EVENTS
Today, January 6
8:30 am Early Worship Service Begins
10:00 am Communion Worship Service – Sunday School Resumes
11:15 am Adult Sunday School Classes:
1st John study group meets in the classroom opposite the office.
Romans study group meets in the main floor conference room.
Mon, January 7
9:00 am – Noon Sanctuary Christmas decorations to storage
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Thur, January 10
9:00 am Small Group meets @ KRC - Chip Ingram study,
Living on the Edge – Dare to Experience True Spirituality
10:00 am Community Prayer Group @ KRC
Mon, January 14
7:00 pm Missions Ministry meets
Servers Next Sunday, January 13, 2013
Ushers: Jim Dunham, Fred Hickman, Barry Knights, Gary Leggett
Greeter(s):
