Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, July 9, 2017

“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.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Patrice Lyons.

Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude                                          Are You Sowing the Seed?                      Fred A. Fillmore

“Are you sowing the seed over soil rich and fertile, in the broad field of life each day?

   Are you sowing the seed that will spring up in beauty, and in splendor along the way?”

  Welcome and Announcements

  God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive)   

We enter into your presence this morning, faithful God,

       thankful that earth is in bloom; mindful that soil, water, seed, and sunshine     

       are gifts of your gracious hand.

We come expectantly,

       eager for your Spirit to soften and enrich the soils of our hearts,

May the seeds of your Word scattered among us today fall on fertile ground.

       May they take root in our hearts and lives,

       that we might grow into the people you intended us to be:

Fruitful, committed, and filled with your love and joy –

       witnesses to your saving grace and nurturing goodness.

  Hymn of Praise #60                                                                         Great Is Thy Faithfulness

  Morning Prayer

Allowing God to Shape Us

  The Law of God  Exodus 20

  Hymn of Confession & Assurance of Pardon  (Screen)   Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                               Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

  Message                                                                          “Parable of the Four Types of Soil”

  Prayer of Blessing

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Accept Christ as Their Savior:

"Dear Jesus, I confess that I'm a sinner, and not right with you. I repent and ask forgiveness.  I believe that you died on the cross to take my punishment and to pay the price for my sins.  I believe that you rose from death to give me new life. Wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, and come into my heart as my Lord and Savior.  In your name I pray.  Amen."

Celebrating God, His Abundance, and His Care

  Offering/Offertory                    Bringing in the Sheaves                              Knowles Shaw

“Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows, fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze; by and by the harvest and the labor ended, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”

*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.

*Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Father God, by your implanted Word we are nurtured, and by your indwelling Spirit we are enabled to grow closer to you and more like you.  With grateful hearts, we present these gifts for the purpose of reaching out to others and sowing the seeds of your gospel.  In the name of Jesus, may each ministry that you have entrusted to us be wisely cultivated and bear much fruit.  Amen. 

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Assurance #622                                                  What a Friend We Have in Jesus

*Blessing, Benediction, and Response Hymn                            By the Gift of God’s Grace

By the gift of God’s grace may your burdens be light,

and your heart with his love be aglow. May your spirit be glad, may your soul be at rest, and may Christ grant you peace as you go.  Amen.

  Postlude                                       Bringing in the Sheaves                             

     KRC will be assisting again this year with the summer lunch program at the First Presbyterian Church, Valatie, for Ichabod Crane students. Most of the students who come - anywhere from 5 to 18 children and sometimes adults - have been part of the free lunch program during the school year.

     We have committed to prepare lunch on the Fridays in July. All fruit, veggies, beverages, and supplies are provided by First Presbyterian Church and the Food Pantry. The menu is simple, and fruit pancakes, tacos, toasted cheese sandwiches, and Sloppy Joe’s were popular last year.

     Three people are needed for each Friday to be responsible for the food prep, cooking and serving the main entree, and cleanup. Prep starts at 11:15 am, lunch is served from 12 noon to 1 pm, and doors close at 1:15 after cleanup.  A sign-up sheet is available on the back table of the church (KRC) for those interested in volunteering. Please call Maureen Mooney at 210-6079 if you have questions about this ministry. 

L OOKING AHEAD

~NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 16, PREGRESSIVE DINNER, MUITZESKILL, STUYVESENT & KRC~

      5:30 – 8 pm, Progressive Dinner to Promote Fellowship and Community 
          Among Muitzeskill, Stuyvesant, and Kinderhook Reformed Churches

           5:30 pm  Appetizers at Muitzeskill

           6:15 pm  Dinner at Kinderhook

           7:15 pm  Dessert at Stuyvesant 

Stop Hunger Now, which has recently rebranded itself “Rise Against Hunger,” packages and ships food and 
life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people and works to end global hunger in our lifetime.  This 
year, nearly 60 million meals will be packaged and distributed to needy locations around the world.  A RISE 
AGAINST HUNGER FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT IS AN IMMENSELY-REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF EASY, HANDS-ON WORK, FUN, AND 
FELLOWSHIP THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!  A group of 40 to 50 volunteers (any age) can package over 10,000 
meals in just two hours.  Our local packaging event will take place Saturday, September 9, at the Kinderhook 
Town Hall (formerly Martin H. Glynn school) on Church Street in Valatie, during which we hope to pack 20 – 30 
thousand meals.  Plan to save this date on your calendar and to lend a helping hand to this extraordinary 
ministry. Donation baggies and canisters are now available on the back table of the sanctuary to take home for 
saving up your contributions, and you are encouraged to take canisters to work or to businesses willing to 
display them. A donation of 29¢ buys one meal, $29 one hundred meals, $290 one thousand meals.

~ BROOKS BBQ CEMETERY BENEFIT SEPTEMBER 27~

Brooks BBQ will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017.  Baked potatoes will be included with the dinner, 
but Brooks is no longer serving beverages or cookies as part of their standard menu. All proceeds will go to 
support operational expenses of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery Association.

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 wellbeing and lives for the peace & liberty we enjoy.
• the good report from Libby Little-Saxton that she is regaining strength and energy and “getting into the swing of things again” following her recent bouts with shingles and other health issues.
• the good news that Ron Dick’s blood sugar is under control and he is receiving injections to dissolve the blood clot in his lung.  He has been discharged from the hospital, and will be under the care of a rehab specialist for a while.  Please continue to pray for complete healing for Ron, and for strength, reassurance, and peace for both him and Judie as they deal with these issues without any family or other significant support system in Florida.
• Virginia Rothermel, who celebrated her 90th birthday last Monday!
• the good news that Don Morse’s recent hip surgery has healed nicely, and that his cancer treatments are going well with no negative side effects. Don is Kay Haber’s brother.  Thank you for all of your prayers.
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so selflessly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly behind-the-scenes with little notice or recognition.
• His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type.  Please forward this information, as well as new praise/prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158. 

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.
• Pastor Rudy and Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as they fulfill their ministerial duties.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; VBS; 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 Donald Trump and all of the new government officials now in office, 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 S. 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 Dean Hurst, cousin of Phil Hurst; Lyn, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Lyn’s husband, Frank;
• 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.
• Sally Heimroth, recovering at home following open-heart surgery recently. Some days are better than others for Sally, but she is gaining strength each day. Please continue to pray for her speedy and complete recovery and return to full health, and pray also for her family as they assist in her recuperation. Sally misses her KRC family, would welcomes visitors, and cards and notes of encouragement may be sent to her at P.O. Box H, Niverville, NY 12130.
• Our graduates, challenged by higher education, career choices, and job searches.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Amy Deweerd; Brian Baxa, Phil Morse, brother of Kay Haber, Chris, Elize Visser’s dad; Carol Zincio; Christopher Dick; John and Cathy; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: the Clause family, in need of spiritual, mental, and physical healing, as well as for other families with these needs; Nancy Baker and her mother, Vickie Metzger; Stacey Baker; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little-Saxton, working with refugees; the epidemic of addiction to heroin and other substances.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.

Sally Heimroth (3^rd), Virginia Rothermel (3^rd),

Virginia celebrated her 90^th Last Monday!

Patrice Lyons (5^th), Jay Rippel, (6^th), Will Ferguson (7^th)

Dick Van Alstyne (13^th), Ted Tuttle (18^th), Edward Arnold (26^th),

Glenn Warren (26^th), Carien Zietsman (28^th), Patti Varga (30^th),

Stacey Dunbar (31^st)

Each member’s share of this year’s classis assessment has been set at $88.50 (down 43¢ from last year).  All who
are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above 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. If
offered weekly, that’s just a little over $3.50 per week for the remaining 25 weeks in this year. Please clearly
designate all contributions, “Classis Assessment.” 

KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Jane Deane – ’17  Outreach, Cemetery. . . . . .  758-7051  jdeane1943@gmail.com

Noreen Dick – ’18  Church Family . . . . . . . . . . 758-6640  noreend122@twc.com

Patrice Lyons – ’17  Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    758-8400  patricelyons50@gmail.com

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18  Stewardship  . . . . . . . 392-5044  barippel@yahoo.com

Elders

Merrill Johnson – ’18  Worship      . . . . . . . . . . . 828-6726  docjohnson36@gmail.com

Dawn Van Buren – ’18  Pastoral Relations . . 758-7564  dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Outreach,

                                Consistory Vice President . .755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel, Clerk. . . . 758-6512  vosburgh1@nycap.rr.com

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 376-1882  derick.latorre@gmail.com

                                           KRC STAFF

                KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

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

                 KRC Interim Sexton           KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

              Elize Visser – 758-9311         Greg Clause – 369-8472 

COMING EVENTS

Today,    July 9  Compassion Sunday

      9:00 am  Worship Celebration

    10:00 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

Tues,  July 11

      7:00 pm  Youth Group meets @KRC.

Thur, July 13

       9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible study @KRC.

              Group continues 1 & 2 Thessalonians

    10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

      7:00 pm  Bible study, 1 and 2 Peter, KRC main floor Conference Room

Fri,  July 14

     12 Noon – 1 pm  Kids’ Free Summer Lunch Program, 1st Presbyterian Church

Sun, July 16 

      9:00 am  Worship Celebration

    10:00 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

      5:30 – 8 pm  Progressive Dinner with Muitzeskill, Stuyvesant, and             

                                       Kinderhook Reformed Churches

      5:30 pm  Appetizers at Muitzeskill

      6:15 pm  Dinner at Kinderhook

      7:15 pm  Dessert at Stuyvesant

Wed, August  2 Vendors’ Signup Deadline, Muitzeskill RC Annual Mini-Mart

Sat,  August  12 Muitzeskill Reformed Church Annual Mini-Mart Event    

Mon, August 21 – Fri, August 25

       9 am – Noon  KRC Vacation Bible School

Sun,  August 27  VBS Celebration Picnic @KRC Following Worship

Servers Next Sunday, July 16
 

Ushers:  Phil Hurst, Glenn Warren, Andrew Welcome

Greeter(s):  Nancy Call