KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, MARCH 2O, 2016  

PALM SUNDAY

“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                                                                                         Philippians 2:5-11 (p. 831)

  Message             "To Act Justly, to Love Mercy, and to Walk Humbly with Your God."

  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 in the Fellowship Room today following worship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

       Thanks to today’s greeter(s):  Joy Bertram

Preschool nursery is available downstairs.

  Prelude                                                                                                     I Would Be Like Jesus                                    
  Welcome and Announcements

  God’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)

We enter into worship today remembering:

Most of the world did not recognize Jesus as God on earth and did not worship him.

We enter into worship today asking that our hearts be opened in faith

to accept Jesus for who he is and to worship him in truth.

People of God, behold Jesus, your God, who refused to worship the Evil One.

We turn our ears to his wisdom.

People of God, behold Jesus, your God, who chose the shame of the cross,

over the enticing kingdoms of this world.

We open our eyes to his humility.

People of God, behold Jesus, your God and Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords!

We raise our voices in tribute to his eternal grace, glory and power.

Alleluia!  God be praised!

*Hymn of Praise #203                                                                        Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession

When we gather to praise God, we remember that in spite of God’s love for us and his gift of love to us, we often close our hearts to him, disregard his law, and behave in sinful, destructive ways. Accepting God’s power to renew us in Christ, let us together confess our failings.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Jesus, our Savior, help us. We are slow to learn, prone to forget, and weak to climb; We are in the foothills when we should be on the heights. We are pained by our graceless hearts, our prayerless days, our poverty of love. We are ashamed of our falling back in the heavenly race, of our damaged sense of right and wrong, and of our wasted hours and opportunities. We remain blind while the light shines around us: take the scales from our eyes, grind to dust our faithless hearts, and help our unbelief. Make it our highest joy to study you, meditate on you, gaze on you, sit like Mary at your feet, lean like John on your breast, and appeal like Peter to your love.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

Jesus, who in his great love for us was brought low for our salvation, intercedes for us before God the Father.  In this knowledge and in true repentance, we are assured that our sin is forgiven.

              Praise be to the Lord our God. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing (Unison)

Lord of grace and glory, transform the lives of these children with your divine and holy presence.   May their lips boldly speak your praises, their voices resound with songs of worship, and their hearts remain faithful to you forever.  Amen.

  Blessing on the Word Proclaimed             

  Scripture                                                                                         Philippians 2:5-11 (p. 831)

  Message             "To Act Justly, to Love Mercy, and to Walk Humbly with Your God."

  Prayer of Thanks 

Celebrating God

  Offering/Offertory                   Jesus, by Your Great Love for Us, You Were Brought Low                                                  

*Doxology (#809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Blessed Jesus, you loved us infinitely, that we might know how to love.  You gave yourself humbly for us, that we might know how to give.  You blessed us with life everlasting, that we might know how to bless.  With praise and gratitude, we bring these offerings to you. Sanctify them, we pray, for the purpose of sharing your Gospel of Grace.  Amen.    

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

*Hymn of Praise and Promise #514                                  Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

*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                       Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord and He Will Lift You Up.

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.

~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY EASTER BASKETS~

       Easter Food Baskets will be given to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and request one. In November, 135 families received Thanksgiving baskets, and we anticipate about the same number of families for Easter. The baskets include food for Easter dinner: ham, potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, pineapple, and brownies. The Pantry buys all food items for the baskets in bulk, and if you would like to help financially with these purchases, checks may be made payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church, with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and dropped in the offering plate.  If you prefer, you may make checks out directly to Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, Inc., with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and mail them to:  Jean Norton, 35 Harris Drive, Valatie, NY 12184. The Pantry thanks you in advance for any help you are able to give. All monies or food items left over after the Easter baskets are distributed will be put into the Pantry account or onto the Pantry shelves

~HOPE COLLEGE CHAPEL CHOIR PERFORMS THIS EVENING~

       You are cordially invited to hear Hope College Chapel Choir from Holland, Michigan, perform THIS EVENING at 7:00 pm at the Claverack Reformed Church located on Route 9H in Claverack. Admission is free, but donations would be appreciated. The Chapel Choir was organized in 1929 and began touring annually in 1953. In addition to touring extensively in the United States and Canada, the Choir has toured Europe six times, most recently in France and the Netherlands.  In May of 2009 the choir toured South Africa.

       Hope College, founded more than 150 years ago in partnership with the Reformed Church in America, is a four-year liberal arts college with a deep commitment to our Christian heritage and faith. Growing from only 10 students in 1862, Hope College has more than 3,300 students on campus today.

~St. LUKE’S FREE DINNER MINISTRY~

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church family, Valatie, together with other area churches, continue the tradition of preparing and serving free dinners once a month in the St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall. KRC will be providing and serving the free dinner offered Tuesday, March 29, and it is anticipated that up to 150 people will be attending.  A sign-up sheet is now on the back table for volunteers who are willing to participate in this ministry.

~CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION “HEARTS OF HOPE” LUNCHEON~

Ladies! Please join us for our 5th Annual Hearts of Hope Luncheon. The event will once again be held at the picturesque Shaker Ridge Country Club and is a "women helping women" fundraiser to benefit our women's ministries. There will be a testimony from recent graduate, Margarita (pictured), a fabulous lunch, and some door prizes! Don't delay...register below!

DATE: Friday, April 8 or Saturday, April 9       TIME: 12pm - 2:30pm

LOCATION: Shaker Ridge Country Club, Loudonville 

   If using GPS: 802 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211

TICKETS: $24.00/ea

REGISTER: Online at www.capitalcityrescuemission.com  

                                  or call 462-0421

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.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory, especially new members, Tana Thompson and Chip Wood; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; First 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 grieving the death of Rodney Gage, former member of KRC;  father Sean McLaughlin, family, and Grade 6 classmates of 12-year-old Connor McLaughlin. Connor, died last Sunday when he was struck by a falling boulder at Roaring Brook Falls in the Adirondacks while hiking with his uncle.
• 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.
• God's blessing on the Bible studies, "War Room," which focus, among other topics, on the power of prayer.  The third study in the series of 5 will be presented today at 10 am and again at 11:30 am.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill
• Maggie Brower, recovering from spinal surgery this past week.  Pray for a speedy healing and return to full health for Maggie, who is hoping to be sufficiently recovered so that she can worship with us at KRC Easter Sunday.
• Nancy Baker, as she travels to be with daughter, Stacey, in Colorado. Pray also that Stacey's visual therapy, part of her on-going treatment following a concussion nearly a year ago, will be quickly effective and restorative.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Donna Scalera; Ron Dick; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; Darryl Ferguson; 6-month-old Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Vickie Metzger; Ann Powell; April Grimes; Gary Silvano; Rev. Ed Van Kampen;  Cathryn Rhodes, mother of Donna Rhodes; Sug Hawver; Sissy Mahoney; Vicky, cousin of Susan Lamont; Donald Smith, father of Janet Smith Van Allen; Tom Carroll, son-in-law of Barbara Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Steve Shpur; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Art Gross; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: 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; Cliff Laraway; Greg L and friend, Joshua; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• God's protection and safety for those traveling, especially: Sara Schubert, in Oregon visiting daughter, Lisa.
• residence-bound members, Murray Leonardson and Joan Van Alstyne.

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 encouraging update on Sabrina Sigmon, friend of Floyd and Kay Haber. Sabrina's recent ovarian surgery was successful, there is no cancer, and she is now  home. Continued prayers for a speedy recovery will be appreciated. 
• the 125 church family and community members who enjoyed the wonderful potluck buffet, good fellowship and excellent Irish dance and vocal entertainment provided by the Clinton sisters and Triskele at our March First Friday outreach event. Praise God also for the hard work and efforts of all who organized, set up, served, and cleaned up after the festivities.  
• the good report that Maria Zincio is recovering at home and doing fine following recent cancer surgery. Thanks to all who offered prayers for Maria. 
• the happy news that Sara Schubert has a granddaughter due to arrive May 29 to son, Josh Schubert, and his wife, Helen.
• the happy news from Arnie and Claudia March that they have a grandson who is due to arrive in May. 
• 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

~WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~

This past Sunday, our weekly offering of $2,365 came in well below our weekly need of $3,000. Repeated shortfalls, as we see from the income/expense figures below, lead quickly to a budget deficit, and regular contributors are asked to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday. 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: $35,978            Total expenses to date: $37,438

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.

~BARE ROOTS TREE SALE~

The Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District is now holding its Annual Bare Root Tree Sale.  Orders may be mailed in or delivered to the District’s office prepaid, and must be received in the office by April 1.  Order forms and additional Information on the sale details are available on the back table for your convenience.

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                     KRC Office Assistant     

                     Paul Clause – 859-4158                 Liz Carroll – 758-6034

                                    Cemetery Supervisor         KRC Sexton

                                          Greg Clause                 Mike Deegan