Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service

Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY

10:00 a.m. July 3, 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 we invite you to fellowship with us and enjoy refreshments served by Bonnie Dunham at our Lemonade Stand on the front lawn of the church following today’s Worship Service.

Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Leré Visagie

Greeter(s): Dolly Petith

Preschool Nursery is available downstairs, Sue Patterson supervising.

Guest Organist, David Smith

Order of Worship

PRELUDE:  Praeludium in D major, op. 12                  J. G. Albrechtsberger                                                                                          Praeludium in G major, op. 3

  WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, and PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

  VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING

Boldly Approaching Our God

  CALL TO WORSHIP  (Responsive)

Great God and Savior, send your power upon this church.
Touch our brokenness and lift us out of our meaningless routines.
Walk with us on the paths of fear, so that we might know faith and courage.
Wipe from us tears of sorrow and show us the joy of new opportunities.
In this day we proclaim - God is our strength and sanctuary!

Now together let us be refreshed – sing, give thanks and be filled with the wondrous Spirit of our God.

*Hymn of Praise – Hymn # 29  O Worship the King

Call to Confession

The God who created us and knows our every weakness is also the God who redeems us. With confidence, let us confess the sins that separate us from God and one another.

Confession

Most holy God, we aren’t worthy of your love. Yet, still you love us. We aren’t worthy of your patience. Yet, still you wait for us. We aren’t worthy of your healing. Even still, you mend our wounded souls.

[Moment of Silence]

We confess our weakness, our lack of trust and our lack of perspective on what you’re doing in and through our lives. We fail to see that you are living and active and deeply concerned about every fiber of our being.

[Moment of Silence]

Restore our faith in you, O God. Let us not forget the ways you have loved and waited, healed and worked. Thank you for your continual mercy and forgiveness. We are most grateful. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon  

We live in the shelter and love of the Most High God. With God’s mighty and forgiving love, we are empowered to begin anew. No matter the storms and challenges of life, God’s love is constant and continual.

God’s Opened Word

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture                       Matthew 9: 9-13 & 18-26      p.687                                                      

Massage                        Admitting to Need Jesus

Prayer of Thanks          

God’s Children Celebrating Him

Communion

Offertory       “Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God,” op. 28              Marcel Dupré

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer                                                                                                           Generous God, you have given your only Son for us, and you have clothed us with the garments of salvation. Help us to learn generosity from you. Teach us to give freely so that others may know of your abundance. Teach us to give gratefully so that others may know of your liberality. Teach us to give humbly so that others may know of your love. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

*Closing Hymn # 702  I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

*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: Voluntary in A major                                             William Selby

If you are willing to offer your services to the Lemonade Stand ministry during the month of August, please contact Sally Heimroth, 784-3164.

Please pick up a copy of Libby Little’s JUNE UPDATE

 and itinerary from the back table.

The Reformed Church in America has asked for donations to aid people in tornado-ravaged areas.  To send buckets filled with cleaning supplies, as was suggested, is not practical for us, but we would like to add our “Drop In the Bucket” by donating anything our hearts suggest.  A bucket for that purpose hangs in the front foyer.  Please add your Drop in the Bucket.

Christian Ed Ministry is looking for volunteers to teach in our  Vacation Bible School program August 22 - 26, 9 a.m. to noon each day. A sign-up sheet is on the back table.  For additional information about the positive rewards of serving in this ministry and the relatively small time commitment involved, please see Patti Varga.  Forms are also available to pre-register children for this year’s exciting program. 

Please pick up your family’s copy of FOCUS ON THE FAMILY from the back table today.  This easy-to-read publication features Bible-based articles of good counsel and practical advice especially relevant to families raising children or grandchildren, along with other features of general interest.  A new edition will be available to you each month.  

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY.  Foods that are always popular and needed are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; pasta; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the front and side entryways of the church.

KRC’s share of support is $6,711 this year for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF THIS YEAR’S Classis assessment HAS BEEN SET AT $80.85, UP $5.85 FROM LAST YEAR.  Still, this averages out to only $1.55 per week.  All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above their regular giving, their share of this support.  The full share does not have to be given at one time, but may be given in as many increments as are convenient throughout the year. All contributions made for this purpose should be clearly designated, “Classis Assessment.”  MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED A TOTAL OF $3038 TO DATE TO HELP DEFRAY THIS EXPENSE.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Funeral for a Church

On Sunday March 13, 2011 the Leeds Reformed Church closed its doors for good. The Classis of Columbia-Greene celebrated with the few remaining members its high and low times in ministry at a closing service on Tuesday June 28. It was the funeral of a Church and sad, sad experience!

The decline of a church in spirit as well as attendance does not happen suddenly. It is a gradual process, influenced by several factors over a period of time. The signs of a dying church can be many and varied, but according to studies done by the guys at churchleaderinsights.com usually fall into one of the following categories discussed below.

Attitude

The attitude about the priorities of the church can cause a church to die spiritually. Everyone need not agree on specifics, but if there is a consensus on the fundamental purpose of the church, attitudes will tend to remain upbeat. Dissenters, however, can become negative if they think their opinions are not valued. This negativity can start the decline.

Acrimony

Once attitudes take shape, cliques will form that will try to influence others into thinking their way or taking a stand on issues ranging from style of worship, music, leadership positions or staffing requirements. If members cannot listen to each other and respect everyone else's points of view, resentment builds and relationships become strained. This leads to confrontation and angry words.

Ambivalence

When differing groups side against each other, ambivalence can take over. Members who are undecided on an issue or those who may be considering joining the church will become uneasy in the midst of turmoil. This tension-filled atmosphere with nervous congregants is another sign that a church is going in the wrong direction.

Apathy

Apathy also hurts the growth of a church. When members are comfortable with the long-held customs of worship and don't want to be a part of positive changes, the church will stagnate spiritually and numerically. This attitude can be seen in churches that have little or no outreach to people of differing cultures, races and values. For many people, their church is a place of solace and a haven for them and people like them.

Attendance

A decline in attendance results when the majority of people are uncomfortable worshipping in their church because of personality conflicts, policies and procedures, or exclusionary groups. When people stop coming, the lack of interest in ministry and missions affects the influence of the church in the community. The church may still exist with some members, but it is "dying" or even "dead" to people on the outside--the very ones it was supposed to help.

Of all of these mentioned I fear “Forgetting Why We Are a Church” the most! If we remember again why we are congregated and called, negative Attitude, Acrimony, Ambivalence, Apathy and Attendance will be absent. For with, “Remembering Why We Are a Church”, necessarily means to constantly revisit the throne and therefore the presence of the Holy God. This in turn mean that we would get to know Him better and better and this begins to sound more and more like a people, a body, a congregation that is giving not only ear but also mind and heart to Matthew 22:37-40, - which is a good place to be when you are in the “church-business”!

As you enjoy summer think about Him, talk to Him but Love your God and love and regard others and pray for them.

Have a happy July!

                                                                                                     Pastor Rudy

Remember To Thank & Praise God for 

<>···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 whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• Karl and Jen, the new pastor and his wife at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, as they settle into their new home and ministry in Kinderhook
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; KRC’s 300^th birthday celebration
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Vacation Bible 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
• A speedy end to the violence and unrest in the Middle East
• Our missionaries; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those who have lost loved ones, suffered personal injury, and lost homes and businesses in the recent tornado disasters
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially Earl Johnson and family grieving the recent death of Earl’s wife
• Those, especially children, suffering natural disaster, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth, in intensive care with a brain aneurysm.
• Ashley and Mike, whose twin girls were born at about 34 weeks in very serious condition with congenital heart problems
• Scott Clinton, Amy Clinton’s brother-in-law, recovering from recent surgery following a massive coronary; according to Scott’s doctors, almost no one survives this type of attack, and they are calling his recovery a miracle – thank God for this answer to prayer,
• Dawn VanBuren, recovering from recent glaucoma surgery to save the sight in her right eye - please pray for a speedy recovery without complications for Dawn, and reassurance for her and Leo at this stressful time
• Those dealing with cancer: Ginger; Donna Scalera; Ken Scofield; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh;
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care:  Ryan; Ryan (Hacker) Morris; Tammy; Florence Kern; Doris Schmieder; Priscilla Frisbee; Florence Rivera; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Merrill & Erika Johnson; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga 
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Libby Little; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Greg L, Rachael, and Martin; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick Latorre and Heather Donahue, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, and Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; Dave and Beth Ennis would like to announce that their daughter, Kelly Ennis Babic, and husband Brad, are expecting a baby girl in early September - please keep them in your prayers; first-time parents, Nicole (Baby Arianna), and Ryan & Jennifer (Deane) Anderson (Baby Grace); new parents, Leré & Anina Visagie (Baby Luke); Luke & Ryan (Hacker) Morris (Baby Jocelyn); Kate (Little) & Chris Stevens (Baby Vivian Elise)
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan
• Those who are traveling, especially Stacey Baker traveling and studying in France -  Stacey will not be returning home until August 25
• Our residence-bound members:  Gordie VanBuren, Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• Our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert; Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; Carrington Hessell; and Spencer Moore - 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

~ BIRD’S-EYE FINANCIAL REPORT, JUNE 2011~

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 – ’11                                                     758-6512

Elders

Dave Ennis ’12                                                                                                     784-9656

Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12                                                                                                                                  210-6079

Dawn VanBuren, Consistory Vice-President, Worship,

                               Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11                                     758-7564

Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12                                                                                   392-4771

KRC STAFF

                    KRC Secretary                   Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton               

            Paul Clause – 859-4158           Greg Clause  –  369-8472, 758-1338