SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, JUNE 5, 2016

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH - REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Welcome visitors!  Please 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                                                                                  Nehemiah 4:7-18 (pp. 344-45)

  Message                                                                           “Finish, then, Thy New Creation.”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Sacrament of Communion

  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 following worship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Max DiOrio

 Thanks to our greeter(s) The Brevoort Family       Preschool nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude                                        Lead Me to Calvary, #211

  Welcome, Announcements, and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive) Psalm 86:8-11

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
      All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord,    

      and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
      Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth;

      give me an undivided heart to revere your name. Praise the Lord.

*Hymn #43                                                                                   A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession
We cannot earn God's grace or favor. It comes to us, not as something owed, but as a gift freely given. Confident of God's love for us, let us confess our sins before God and one another.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

        Holy and merciful God, we desire to make our hearts right before you. We are sinful, and so we confess our sins. We confess our selfishness, our greed, our deceit, our pride. Bring to light anything else that we may be hiding from you. Thank you for the unending promise of your grace and forgiveness. Thank you for taking our sin and washing it clean by your work on the cross. Give us hearts that desire to turn from sin and live like you. We are so grateful for your mercy. Amen.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive)

Beloved, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem us from all our iniquities. Thanks be to God! Amen. 

       Thanks be to God. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer of Blessing

  Scripture                                                                                  Nehemiah 4:7-18 (pp. 344-45)

  Message                                                                           “Finish, then, Thy New Creation.”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Sacrament of Communion

                                        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 #121 (Verses 1, 3, 5)   Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

                                                 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!

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!

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! And now, as Christ taught us, we pray together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

                                                                 THE COMMUNION

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."

(Distribution of the bread)

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

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.”

(Distribution of the cup)

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

SONG OF ASSURANCE AFTER COMMUNION (Unison)  Based on Psalm 91

Whoever goes to the Lord for safety can say to him,

“You are my defender and protector.

You are my God; in you I trust.”

He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers:

He will cover you with his wings,

and his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

You need not fear the plagues that strike in the dark,

or sudden attacks during the day,

for you have made the Lord your defender,

the Most High your protector.

God says, “I will save those who love me

and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord.

When they are in trouble and call to me,

I will answer them, and I will save them.”  Amen.

  Offering/Offertory         Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain, #230                    

*Doxology (#809)

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)

Mighty God, who has done great things for us, holy is your name. Bless all we offer you - our selves, our time, and our possessions - that through us your grace and favor may be made known to all the world, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  Amen.  

  Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn of Proclamation #447                                           Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

*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                                        One Day ,#196

“Living, He loved me; dying he saved me; buried he carried my sin far away . . .”

~NOTES OF THANKS FROM OUTREACH MINISTRY~

       We hope everyone was able to meet our RCA missionary to Taiwan, Dave Alexander, and enjoy his inspirational and informative presentations.  A special thanks to all who made his visit a success by acting as hosts and providing food and help for the reception brunch following worship last Sunday.      

       Our Annual Pancake Breakfast yesterday was in benefit of Wee Care. A huge thank-you to all of our chefs, servers, and workers who made the morning a success!  We all enjoyed Christian fellowship while serving our Lord!

~NEW SEWING GROUP BEING CONSIDERED AT KRC~

A signup sheet is available on the back table for those who would like to take part in starting a sewing group at KRC. Although some ideas have already been put forward about sewing for different charities, the direction the group takes and what it decides to sew all depends on who joins.  If you enjoy sewing, please consider taking advantage of this outreach opportunity. 

~HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY!~

Leré Visagie (2^nd), David Mooney (10^th), Jean Hacker, (9^th),

Dawn Tuttle (10^th), Lois Bertram (13^th), Seth Mooney (15^th)

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.
• the good news that Maureen Mooney is recovering nicely following recent surgery.
• the good report on Charles Spaulding that after 3 weeks of radiation treatments doctors are pleased with his progress; following a break last week, treatments, will resume this week, presumably for 5-6 more weeks, or as needed.  Family appreciates continued prayers for Charles, who is in his nineties.
• the good report that Kathleen Campbell, mother-in-law of Jane Deane's daughter, Jen,  has recovered very successfully from a recent heart attack; Kathleen and family thank everyone for their prayers.
• the good news that Gary Silvano received a heart transplant following a long and sometimes very discouraging wait, and that he is responding well following the transplant surgery.
• the happy news that Sara Schubert’s new granddaughter has arrived healthy and weighing in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces. Parents Josh and Helen Schubert, also doing well, have 30 days to give Baby Schubert a name!
• the happy news that a grandson is due to arrive soon for Arnie and Claudia March. 
• 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.
• Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s new associate pastor, as she is called to take up her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches beginning May 1.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory, especially new members, Tana Thompson and Chip Wood; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; VBS; KRC’s small group ministries; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st 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 of Scott Wood, who died unexpectedly while vacationing in Scotland.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Nancy Stewart.
• Angie Rivera, at home fighting an infection following a brief hospitalization this past week. Pray that prescribed treatments will be successful, and that Angie will be lifted up with God’s healing grace and peace.
• Aaron and Susan Clause, following an auto accident in which Aaron fractured 10 ribs and Susan sustained a serious break in her left arm and 2 broken hand bones.  Please pray for speedy recoveries without complications for Aaron and Sue
• Donna Scalera, following the prognosis that her cancer is incurable.  Pray for God’s courage, comfort, reassurance, and peace for Donna and the Scalera family at this very difficult time, and for good results from new chemotherapy that is about to begin.
• Others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Ron Dick; Charles Spaulding; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; 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: daughter-in-law of Alan and Noreen Dick; Steve Shpur; Elizabeth Clinton; Stacey Baker; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: the Lamont Family; Greg Clause Jr and his mother; Donna and Jason; Amber, granddaughter of Erika and Merrill Johnson; Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those facing the challenges of a higher level of education or seeking a career; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• residence-bound KRC friends and family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

~NOTES FROM CONSISTORY~

·         The elevator is complete!  After the handicapped-accessible bathroom downstairs is finished, KRC will advertise that we are fully handicapped-accessible. 

·         The Worship Ministry will be purchasing a new keyboard. This will be a used instrument, a Van Koevering, to replace our current Kurtzweil (which has volume control problems that cannot be repaired).  The purchase will be made thanks to a donation from a member who wishes to remain anonymous.

·         A list of each Ministry's members has been updated and posted.  Please consider being a member on one of these Ministries and ask any current member if you would like more information.  Remember, you are always welcome to attend a meeting just to check it out to see if it fits with your gifts.  

·          Reminders:

May 31 - Classis Executive Committee Meeting – Pastor Rudy will attend.

June 9-14 - General Synod Meeting in Illinois – Pastor Paige and Patti will attend.

June 21 - Classis Meeting – Pastor Rudy and Patti will attend. 

June 26 - Our Associate Pastor, Paige Convis, will be installed and then 'given' to Stuyvesant and Muitzeskill churches.  Come join the celebration! The service will be at 4 pm at KRC followed by a reception.

~STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~

This past Sunday, our weekly offering of $1,678 was just over half of our weekly need of $3,000.  This, and previous shortfalls, have led to a current budget deficit of $6,711 as can be seen from the figures below. Regular contributors are asked to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday, and Stewardship Ministry urges that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.  

Total income to date:    $67,157

Total expenses to date: $73,868

Inspired by the abundance with which the Lord has blessed us,

 let us continue, as his faithful stewards, to be ever mindful of the need

 to maintain a weekly offering sufficient to cover our commitments.

                                     KRC 2016 CONSISTORY

                     Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                       Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16  Outreach, CITV Committee, Clerk  

Derick LaTorre – ’16  Cemetery, Stewardship, Treasurer  

Tana Thompson – ’17  Church Family

Chip Wood – ’17  Property   

                                                         Elders

          Merrill Johnson – ’16  Worship

          Patrice Lyons – ’16  Outreach, Clerk

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Vice President of Consistory

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel and Pastoral Relations

                                                     KRC STAFF

                                            KRC Office Manager                    

                                          Paul Clause – 859-4158                                                    

                                             Cemetery Supervisor        

                                                     Greg Clause  

COMING EVENTS

Today, June 5   

       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.

Tues, June 7

       7:00 pm  Youth Group meets

Thur, June 9

     9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets @KRC

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Sun, June 12 

     10:00 am  Combined Worship Service – Perry Jones preaching

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

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

Sun,  June 19 

       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, June 20

        6:30 pm  Consistory meets 

Sun,  June 26 

       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.

       4:00 pm  Installation of Rev. Paige Convis, KRC Associate Pastor

Servers Next Sunday, June 12, 2016

       Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Jonathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

       Greeter(s): The LaTorre Family