March 17, 2013

Kinderhook Reformed Church
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
Worship Services for March 17, 2013 - Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
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 Prayer
*Morning Praise                                                    Let All Things Now Living
  Prayer for Illumination
  Scripture Lesson:                                                    Jonah 3:1-5 & 10 (p. 655)
  Message:                         "God's Extraordinary Mission"
  Prayer of Thanks
  Offering and Prayer of Blessing
  Intercessory Prayer
*Song of Devotion                                                    Wonderful Grace of Jesus
*Benediction
10 a.m. Celebration of Worship
All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship
downstairs in the Fellowship Room following this Worship service.

Ushers: Alan Dick, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth, Paul Zietsman
Greeter(s):  Ruth Edge and Mid Glass
Preschool Nursery facility is available downstairs.
Flowers are given today  by Dawn Van Buren in loving memory of
her grandmother, Bertha M. Stevens.
Guest Organist:  David Smith

   Prelude               O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded, op. 67               Max Reger
  Welcome and Announcements
  God's Greeting
Boldly Approaching Our God
  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 62:5-7 & 12
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
     Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress,
      I will not be shaken. 
God Most High is my salvation; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.                                                  
     We trust in you Lord God; at all times, we pour our hearts out to you,
     for you are our refuge, and with you is unfailing love.
*Hymn of Praise #45                                  Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing          
  Call to Confession - Psalm 1:1-2
  Prayer of Confession  (Responsive)
Almighty God, you desire that your Son, our Savior, have first place in everything in our lives. Yet, we so easily relegate him to a lesser place, choosing to live for ourselves and apart from you. We have chosen to go our own way for too long, and we now recognize the foolishness of this. We confess our sin before you and pray for transformed lives because of the redemption that is to be found in your Son.

                                                          [Moment of Silence]
Realign our lives with your call, here today!
Forgive us and re-establish us for one goal only, and that is to honor and glorify you. O God, hear our prayer in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Beloved of God, the Lord’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.   Hallelujah, Amen.
   Children's Blessing  (Unison)
Draw our children face-to-face with you, O Lord.  May they feel your presence, and taste your goodness; may they experience your power to renew and strengthen them in times of need; and may they long for more of you each day of their lives.  Amen.

       We Come Before God’s Open Word
   Prayer for Illumination
   Scripture Lesson                                                         Jonah 3:1-5 & 10 (p. 655)
   Message                                                             "God's Extraordinary Mission"
   Prayer of Blessing

   Celebrating God
  Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings/Offertory
            O God Our Lord Thy Holy Word          J. G. Walther
*Doxology and Offertory Prayer
  Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
*Closing Hymn #532                           Be Thou My Vision
*Benediction
  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             Prelude and Fugue in e minor                            J. S. Bach
      
  Donations for Easter lilies to decorate our pulpit area are now being  accepted, and are greatly appreciated.  Contributions may be placed directly in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.


We are updating our Church Directory.  Lifetouch Studios will be coming to KRC on March 22nd and March 23rd to take family portraits.  Each family who signs up will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 family portrait as well as a new directory.  You can sign up on-line or call the office and Liz can sign you up.  For more information, check out the back table.  If you are unable to attend the portrait session, you may submit a photo to be used in the directory.  Please place photo, $10, and family information in an envelope marked "Church Directory" and Liz will make sure it is submitted.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office anytime.  If you don't reach anyone in the church office, PLEASE leave a message on the machine and Liz will return your call as soon as possible.  There is a sign-up sheet as well on the back table with available time slots.  Reserve a spot and Liz will make sure it is entered.

 

The KRC Family will once again join forces to cook the free supper planned for TUESDAY, MARCH 26, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie.  Anyone willing to lend a hand to this ministry (cooking, serving, clean-up) please sign up on the sheet provided on the back table.


HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY:

Doris Schmieder (1st), Maureen Mooney (5th), Kathy Schneider (5th), Priscilla Frisbee (6th), Jack Hart (10th), Stan Bertram (12th), Nancy Call (14th), Greg Clause (19th), Emily Wood (20th), Dave Ennis (30th), Paul Zietsman (31st).

The Bible, a dramatic 10-hour miniseries which covers the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, continues at 8 p.m. today on the History Channel.  According to many reviewers, The Bible is rich in story, vibrant in presentation, and may be one of the greatest miniseries ever presented by the History Channel.  While sometimes violent, The Bible depicts well-known and beloved Biblical characters and events. Noah's Ark, the Exodus, Abraham, and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are among the Bible stories covered in the series.  These remaining episodes of The Bible will air each Sunday for the next 3 weeks:

3/17 3/24 Easter Sunday
Homeland Mission Passion
Survival Betrayal Courage

 

2013 LENTEN JOURNEY AT KRC
To aid us on our Lenten journey this year, a seven-week Bible study by Adam Hamilton, 24 Hours That Changed the World, will be part of our experience.   We will begin the study at 7 p.m. NEXT WEDNESDAY February 20, and will continue each Wednesday through March 20, Maundy Thursday March 28, and Wednesday April 3.  The following topics will be covered: 
• Wednesday               March 20                The Torture and Humiliation of the King
• Maundy Thursday      March 28                The Crucifixion (Communion served!)
• Wednesday               April 3                      Christ the Victor

 

The Coffee Hour following our 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Service has grown into a well-attended, enjoyable, and very valuable time of fellowship for the KRC family and visitors. At this time, only a few dedicated individuals are providing and serving the refreshments and beverages and seeing to the work of clean-up afterward.  VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP OUT IN THIS MINISTRY, AND THE MARCH SIGN-UP SHEET IS AVAILABLE ON THE BACK TABLE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HOST OR LEND A HAND WITH A COFFEE HOUR.

 


A special public screening of the film, Restless Heart - The Confessions of St. Augustine, sponsored by the Kinderhook Knights of Columbus, will be presented at 2 p.m. THIS COMING SATURDAY, March 23, at the Crandell Theatre.  Filmed in Italy, this production depicts Augustine (354 - 430 A.D.) as he searches for the meaning of truth, wrestles with challenging philosophical arguments, and eventually embraces Christianity. It also highlights the influence exerted on him by his mother, Monica, and by Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.  Advance tickets may be purchased for $8 at Anderson Realty or from Aaron Pisacane, 518-965-4255. Tickets are $10 at the door.

 

"THE OLDE DUTCH AND SUCH" CRAFTS GROUP IS MEETING ON FRIDAYS AT 9:30 A.M. in the main floor classroom opposite the church office. We are creating new plans and new items for the 2013 KRC Bazaar, and WE ARE VERY MUCH IN NEED OF NEW MEMBERS AND NEW IDEAS.  Last year’s preparation workshops were full of fun, laughter, and good fellowship, and the bazaar was a huge success.  We warmly welcome you to join us in our efforts to make this year’s even better!

 


~A Quick Update from Libby Little~

March 2013

I have not knowledge, wisdom insight, thought, nor understanding,
fit to justify Thee in Thy work, O Perfect.
Thou hast brought me up to this, and lo, I cannot call it good.
But I can cry, “O Enemy! The Maker is not done!
One day thou shalt behold, and from the sight will run!”
                                                   George MacDonald, Scottish poet (1824-1905)
     How true! God’s work is not done. With resurrection power, He takes the tragedies and hard places in life and weaves a redemptive story of His faithfulness.
   Thank you for praying me through that great long trip! The conference and university talks went very well. It is humbling to see through our simple witness how powerfully God can speak and how convincingly the Holy Spirit can challenge us to trust God more. Seeing firsthand the Afghan Christian Media Production site was a foretaste of heaven! Reconnecting with supporting churches, praying friends, and meeting new friends along the way, has to be one of the best perks this job offers.
     I was home for four days to unpack/pack/refocus before I flew off to Afghanistan on the 8th March.  I know many of you are praying, Through prayer I believe God invites us to participate in His on-going redemptive process of working all things together for good.
   Please pray:
for the (PBS) film crew, the interviews and meetings with     
      friends, coworkers, patients, and with government officials.
for good flights to other in-country locations, and for our
      international flights.
for Dan’s wife and daughters back in the US.
for me and for my daughters, Molly, Nellika, Kate, and Kate’s
      family while I am away.
   I appreciate you. Thank you for sharing in this work in such tangible ways.
In His name and for His glory,             Libby

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.
• Eleanor, mother of Patrice Lyons, home after successful hip-replacement surgery.
• The good report that Glenn Wallace is now recovering at home.
• prayers answered.  Rudy's sister, who had her baby at 28 weeks, is doing great.  Little Savanna has been home for a couple of weeks, and she is doing really wonderful.  All praise be to God for this little miracle! 
• traveling mercies for Jane Deane and for her presence with us again in worship.
• the good news that Laurie Maul continues to do well following her return to work this past week.  Your prayers are much appreciated by Jim, Bonnie, and Laurie and her family.
• the joy of blessing the students of our growing Sunday School each Sunday morning as they go to their classes.
• His blessings of family, friends, and all the provisions for our basic life needs and much more.
• 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. 
• 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 recent death  of Audna Morse, sister-in-law of Kay and Floyd Haber; those grieving the death of Lisa Greene, friend of Isabelle Bosquet-Morra;
• Maureen Mooney, now recovering at home from a blood clot that did permanent damage to a small portion of one kidney.  Praise God, the clot is in a place where it cannot travel, and the kidney is still functioning, but a stent placement may be needed in the near future to completely close off the damaged area.  Please pray for a quick and complete recovery without complications for Maureen, and reassurance for her husband Dave, and sons Seth and Jake.
• Guinda (LaHaie) Derrico, long-time friend and acquaintance of Patti Varga, the Clauses, and others of the KRC family. Guinda has been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, and will undergo major surgery in Florida on March 27 followed by a heavy regimen of chemotherapy.  Remember also Guinda's husband, Joe, at this trying time.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Marthie; Nancy Swinyard; Dolly Petith; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Jan; Faity Tuttle; Tom Saulpaugh; Sara Schubert; Bert Beach; Bea Post; Ruth Edge; Blanche Rogers; Florence Rivera; Paul Varga. 
• those battling or recovering from cancer, especially Jill Shpur; Rosanne & Connie; Helen Drumm; Sal Alessi; Donna Scalera.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Kristen Clause and her son, Greg; Olivia, that God will give her peace, strength, perseverance, safety, and His direction; Paul, that God will give him wisdom, determination, and peace in making and carrying out the difficult decisions that are challenging him; the Royce Family; the Schuberts attempting to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Libby Little.
• those travelling, especially: Paul and Joan Clause and family on their Florida trip this coming week; Paul Varga and a friend driving to Texas over this weekend.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Barbara Vosburgh and Diane Morgan.
• 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 on our email prayer list, and would like to receive prayer and praise requests through email, contact Paul to have your address added. If you do not have email, contact Jane Smith, 758-6442, to be put on the phone prayer chain.


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.

COMING EVENTS
Today,  March 17
   8:30 am  Early Worship Service
     10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
     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.
Tues., March 19
       - No P.RA.Y. Meeting
Wed., March 20
           7:00 pm  Seven-week Lenten Bible study by Adam Hamilton
             This week –" The Torture and Humiliation of the King"
Thur, March 21
  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
Fri.,   March 22   
       9:30 am  Weight Watchers spring session begins, KRC Fellowship Room
       9:30 am  Olde Dutch and Such crafts group meets opposite KRC office
       2 pm – 9 pm, and Sat., March 23, 10 am - 5 pm  KRC Directory photos taken
Sat.,   March 23
     10:00 am  Annual Easter Egg Hunt at KRC
       2:00 pm  Film, Restless Heart – The Confessions of St. Augustine,
                                   Crandell Theater, Chatham
Sun.,  March 24
   8:30 am  Early Worship Service
     10:00 am  Palm Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
     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.
Tues.,March 26 - KRC family cooks/serves free community supper, St. Luke’s
Thur, March 28
        9:00 am  Small Group meets @ KRC -  Chip Ingram study continues
  6:00 pm  Maundy Thursday supper
  7:00 pm  Communion Worship and Lenten Bible Study


                     Servers Next Sunday, March 24, 2013
Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome
Greeter(s):  KRC Youth Group