KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES March 1, 2015

 “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.

  8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Scripture Lesson                                                                        Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 (p. 11)

  Message                                               “God the Promise Maker Is the Promise Keeper.”

  Communion

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn

*Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship downstairs following Worship.

  Ushers:  Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, Dick Silvano, Andrew Welcome

Greeter(s): Alan and Noreen Dick                       Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude                    Mystique from Trois Nouvelles Pièces, op. 87                C. M. Widor

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 138

We bow down in your holy temple, O Lord,

and praise your name for your love and your faithfulness. 

We sing praises to your name, O LORD, with all our heart, 

for you have exalted your name and your word above all things.

Your love for us, O Lord, endures forever.

We call, and you answer us; you stretch out your hand and save us.  

Because you do not abandon the works of your hands,

you make us bold and stouthearted, and you fulfill your purpose for us.  

*Hymn of Praise #306                                                                      Standing on the Promises

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Adapted from Psalm 25

In spite of God’s love for us and his promises to guide, uphold, and sustain us, we doubt his word and question his trustworthiness. Together, let us confess our sin of unbelief.

  Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon  (Unison)

Loving Father, we have proudly and selfishly ignored your longing to be actively involved in our lives. In our eagerness to proceed with our own plans, timetables, and goals, we have acted without regard for your readiness to guide us with your holy word and wisdom.  We have closed our hearts to you in unbelief, and have followed destructive and self-defeating paths. Forgive us for our impatience with your perfect design for our lives; rekindle our commitment to your sovereign will; and bless us with an unshakable confidence in your eternal promises and faithfulness.  

[Moment of Silent Prayer]

“Remember these things,” says the Lord.  “You are my servants; I have created you, and I will not forget you nor the promises I have made to you.  I have swept away your unbelief like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.  Return to me; sing for joy and shout aloud, for I have redeemed you.”

Alleluia! Amen.

  Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Faithful God, lead our children along paths of righteousness into the places and purposes that you have planned for their lives. May they trust always in your promises and in your power to guide and direct them in serving you and bringing blessing to others.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                     Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 (p. 11)

  Message                                               “God the Promise Maker Is the Promise Keeper.”

  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 in Remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who 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 #777 (Verses 1, 2, and 3)  The Lord Is Here!

                                                 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.

PRAISE after COMMUNION   From Psalm 85  (Responsive)

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints - but let them not return to folly. 

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.  Love and faithfulness meet together;

righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 

The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 

Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering and Offertory           Our Father who art in heaven, BWV 636             J. S. Bach

  Doxology and Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Holy God, we offer these gifts to be used to preach the truth of salvation and eternal life through Christ Jesus, your Son; to proclaim your promise of renewal of mind, body, and spirit; and to make known the blessings of your love, reassurance, and faithfulness to those who are in need.  Amen.    

  Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn #30                                                                      I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord

*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                               Fantasia in C major, BWV 570                                     J. S. Bach

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY!

Doris Schmieder (1^st), Maureen Mooney (5^th), Priscilla Frisbee (6^th), Stan Bertram (12^th), Nancy Call (14^th), Greg Clause (19^th), Emily Wood (20^th), Dave Ennis (30^th), Paul Zietsman (31^st).  PRISCILLA FRISBEE, TURNING 97, IS THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE MARCH BIRTHDAY GROUP! If you wish to send a personal greeting, Priscilla’s address is P.O. Box 173, Stuyvesant Falls, NY 12174.

~THANK-YOU FROM VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY~

Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church,

     Please accept this letter as a thank-you for your recent and most generous donation of $735 to the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry.  Your support is appreciated very much.  Our pantry serves all of the households in the Ichabod Crane School District who request help; the only stipulation is proof of residency in our district.  We are fortunate to live in communities that are very giving.      We find that more people are using the pantry in today’s economy.

(Continued on next page.)

    On their behalf, and for all of our volunteers, a sincere thank-you for your assistance.  Many people will eat a good meal thanks to your help.

                   Sincerely yours, Jean S. Norton for the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry

In January, the Pantry served 300 people representing 79 families, including 42 handicapped/seniors, 35 adults, and 123 children. Donations to the Pantry of cake and brownie mixes would be especially appreciated at this time; however, other non-perishable foods always in demand are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti/spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice.

TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

• Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
• 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.
• recent tests showing that Zoe Covey’s brain tumors, though inoperable, appear to have been reduced somewhat in size. Please continue your prayers for Zoe's recovery.
• the good news that Vanessa has returned home safely from Kenya.
• 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, church ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize and carry out special church events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith, especially Diane, that she will come to know the Lord or experience a renewal.
• KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Tom Eastman, beginning the 1st year of a tour of military duty in Afghanistan.  Pray for Tom's safety, and for peace and reassurance for his family as well.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide, Pray for an end to the violence and persecution, for safety of Christians in Niger and throughout the world, and for protection of homes, churches, and businesses.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• those, especially children, suffering poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the death of loved ones.
• Jean Skipper, long-time member of KRC now living near her daughter in New York City. Jean is at Mt. Sinai Hospital awaiting a cardiac procedure of some risk to prevent abnormal electrical signals or rhythms from moving through the heart.  Calls and cards or notes of encouragement would be very much appreciated.  Jean's hospital phone number is 646-412-8155, her cell number is 347-604-1075, and her mailing address is 80 John Street, Apt 21-C, New York, NY 10038.
• Libby Little as she carries out a very demanding Interserve Australia speaking tour this month.  Copies of Libby’s daily travel and speaking schedules are available on the back table. 
• Mid Glass, discharged from the hospital, and now at Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Route 66, Ghent. She is in room 327A, and her phone number is 828-0800, ext. 627.
• others battling or recovering from cancer: Larry and Leonard, Susan Lamont’s brother and cousin; Zoe Covey; Andy; Lucy B. and Rodrigo; Jean; Edward Giordano; Glen Simmons; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Bridget; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera. 
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Harriet Simpkins; Doris, Cricket Warren’s aunt, and Doris’s elderly husband, Dick; a grandmother with congestive heart failure; Stan Bertram; Alan Dick; Scott Calhoun; Baby Emma; Paul Varga; Floyd Haber; Dick Van Alstyne; Alan Dick; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
• Susan Lamont and her children, who have moved again to Florida. Pray for a quick and easy settlement into their new surroundings.  
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions:  Bill and Abby - pray that God will bless them with his strength, hope, and guidance; Kent Busman and his wife, whose home was destroyed by fire recently; Diane, friend of Cricket Warren, and Jim, in need of job opportunities; Greg L; Bill and Abby, in need of many special prayers; Craig Johnson; Holly and Marc Morales; those facing the challenges of their college education - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices, and decisions that they are facing; Libby Little.
• those who are traveling,  reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, Doris Schmieder, Joan Van Alstyne.

~A NEW BEGINNING - ANGEL TREE MINISTRY UPDATE~

     Wayne spent 12 years in prison, but if you ask him about it, he’ll say, I’m the luckiest man in the world.”  You see, it was in prison that Wayne met Jesus.  He was in prison when you helped him turn his life – and the lives of his family – around.

     “I remember the first year I signed my boys up for Angel Tree,” Wayne says.  “When I called home that day - my eyes still tear up when I think about it – there was excitement in my wife’s voice.  Angel Tree brought Christmas back into my boys’ lives.”  As they told him how thrilled and thankful they were for the gifts that had been given in his name, he couldn’t help thinking, “There really is a God, and He does Care.”

     The walls that a life of crime and its consequences had built around Wayne’s heart were beginning to tumble down.  So often, God uses the Angel Tree Christmas you help provide for a child to soften the heart of a prisoner like Wayne.  Some time later, when the Indiana prison where Wayne was incarcerated hosted a Prison Fellowship evangelism event, he jumped at the chance to attend. Before long, Wayne had trusted Christ and was working hard to grow into the new man God wanted him to become.  Wayne was still serving time, but he was also learning to serve Jesus.

     Sometimes he still weeps for the years that were lost, but he also rejoices at how good God has been to him.  And because Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree was such a blessing to his family, he’s volunteering with Angel Tree now that he’s been released.  Wayne knows that prisons are dark and desperate places, and that too many prisoners are still desperate to hear a message of hope. 

     Many prisoners remain unreached, but thanks to your support and that of volunteers like Wayne, thousands will hear the Gospel message of hope through evangelism events being held this year in prisons across the country.  Evangelism events include dynamic worship, powerful testimonies of changed lives, and an unvarnished Gospel message.  There’s a personal touch too – before and after each event, volunteers make an effort to visit with every prisoner in every cell.  Many prisoners trust Christ, and many more recommit their lives to Him.  Hundreds, like Wayne, will never be the same again.

    You can rejoice in all that God is doing through your support of prison evangelism.  But hundreds of correctional facilities across the country have yet to host an event.  Please pray that God will continue to open doors so that every prisoner in America can be reached with the Gospel.