KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, MARCH 26, 2017

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher

Director of the Men's Shelter & Guest Services and Assistant Chaplain,

City Mission of Schenectady

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 Reading                                                                             John 14:23-15:5 (p. 764)

  Message                                                                                                "Love and Obedience"

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Thanks to today’s ushers, Ted Call, Bob Dreier, Jerry Flansburg.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Joy Bertram.        Nursery facility available downstairs.

Following worship, all are invited downstairs for fellowship and refreshments.

  Prelude                “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all.”  (#491)

  Welcome, Announcements and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive)

God of Hope,
       we come into your presence with confidence that you will meet us here.
Where there is sadness, bring joy.
       Where there is weariness, bring refreshment.
Where there is despair, bring hope.

       Where there is fear, bring courage.

Where there is rebellion, bring obedience.

       Where there is sin, bring repentance.

Where there is guilt, bring forgiveness.

       Where there is animosity, bring love.
Let this place be a sanctuary, a safe haven for us,
       a home for healing words and holy songs and prayers
       as we unite ourselves in full submission to you. Amen.

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

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Based on Daniel 9:9, 10

Even though we have rebelled against him, and have not obeyed him or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets, the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving.  Together, let us seek his face in repentance.  

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  

Father God, you are the one who leads us from darkness into light, from captivity into freedom, from anxiety into peace, from barrenness to abundance.  Yet, convinced of our own wisdom and strength, we choose independence and break free from you, cutting ourselves off from your life-giving power and sustaining love. Forgive us, draw close to us, embrace us once again in your loving arms, and enable us to be your faithful, productive servants each day of our lives.  Amen.  

[Moment of Silent Prayer]

  Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) 1 John 1:6, 7

If we say that we have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.   Thanks be to God!

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Holy Spirit, enter into these children, each one a temple of God, so they may bear all the good fruit of your presence in their lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Reveal to them their spiritual gifts, and how to use them in ministry to others. 

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                             John 14:23-15:5 (p. 764)

  Message                                                                                                "Love and Obedience"

  Prayer of Blessing

Celebrating God’s Abundance and Care

  Offering/Offertory                      Trust and Obey  (#523)

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word, what a glory he sheds on our way.”

*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)

God of abundant life, with hearts of adoration and commitment to doing your will, we present our offerings to you.  Sanctify them, we pray, for the purpose of bringing many into a loving, right, and fruitful relationship with you.  Amen. 

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

*Prayer Hymn (Insert)                                                                   More Love to You, O Christ

*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

Love and Obedience

March 26, 2017

Jesus said, “If you ______ me, keep my ____________. “

His promise is that both he and the Father will make their home in us through the Spirit.   “Anyone who _______ me will _____ my teaching.  My Father will _____ them, and we will come to them and make our ______ with them.”  (John 14:23)

But Jesus makes clear that the more we love him, the more we will actually experience this abiding.  “Whoever has my commands and ______ them is the one who loves me. The one who ______ me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and ______ myself to them.” (John 14:21)

See the list of commands on the reverse side of this page.  God loves you and wants to fully make his home with you and to help you be his fruitful, joyful disciple.  The key is our loving response to God in obedience.

What commands are easy for you?

What commands are harder for you?  Why?

When it is hard to _______, it is probably because of ________ someone or something more than we _____ Jesus.

PRAY:  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts.  Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”  (Ps. 139:23-24 The Living Bible)

If you love me you will obey my commands…

• Forgive
• Love your enemies; turn the other cheek
• Love your neighbor as yourself
• Love God with all you are
• Let you light shine (your good deeds done as a Christian)
• If a brother has something against you settle it before you worship
• In your anger do not sin
• Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, malice and hate
• Do not lie
• Do not steal
• Do not cheat
• Tithe (give 10% of your income to God)
• Live wisely, making the most of these evil days
• Go, make disciples of all nations
• Do not look lustfully at others who are not your spouse
• Give to the needy
• Help anyone in need for that one is your neighbor
• Do not be greedy
• Be thankful
• Love God more than money
• Do not worry; trust God and seek first his kingdom
• Pray at all times in all circumstances
• Cast your cares on Jesus for he cares for you
• Confess your sins to one another that you may be healed
• Help others without judging them
• Do not gossip
• Be quick to confess your own faults
• Be humble
• Witness to what Jesus is doing in your life
• Pray for healing
• Do not neglect getting together with other Christians
• Use your spiritual gifts
• Work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit through peacemaking
• Put Jesus’ words into practice

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.

~ST. LUKE’S FREE DINNER MINISTRY~

KRC has been greatly blessed by participating in this community ministry twice a year for the past several years.  If you are willing to help serve the free dinner offered at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Valatie this coming Tuesday, March 28, please sign on the sheet available on the back table.

~WORSHIP SERVICES TO BE OFFERED WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT~

The Wednesday Lenten worship service series led by Pastor Paige Convis will continue with the March 29 and April 5 services to be held at the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant churches respectively.  Each service will include a simple soup supper at 6 p.m. followed by Worship from 6:45 – 7:15. In addition to these services, a Communion Worship will be held on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. at Muitzeskill, and a Good Friday Worship will be held at 3 p.m. at KRC.

~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

Maureen Mooney (5^th), Stan Bertram (12^th), Nancy Call (14^th),

Greg Clause (19^th), Emily Wood (20^th), Beth Ennis (30^th),

 Paul Zietsman (31^st).

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.
• Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; 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 South 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 Noreen Dick, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Alan Dick. 
• 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.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Jeff, friend of the Bakers; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Sara Hartman; Keith Niver; Jim Van Deusen, friend of the Vargas; Betty Osborn Darla and Jill; Lennox; Lynn; Rob; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• those who are traveling, especially Pastor Visser and family as they with family and friends in South Africa.
• others facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Brianna; Libby Little-Saxton; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Maureen Mooney; Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe.

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 well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
• new KRC members recently received into fellowship. Please lift them up in your prayers as they join with us in ministry and fellowship.
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so willingly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly and selflessly 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.

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 $2.27 per week for the remaining weeks (39) in this year. Please clearly 
designate all contributions, “Classis Assessment.”  

                                       ~2017 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT DISTRIBUTION ~

General Synod:     $52.23   (Down $1.48 from 2016)

Albany Synod:       $30.00   (Up $1 from 2016)

C.  G.   Classis:          $6.27   (Up $0.05  from 2016

                                    2017 TOTAL:            $88.50   (Down $0.43 from 2016)x

~PROPERTY MINISTRY WINDOW PROJECT COMPLETED~

The Property Ministry reports that the windows and screens to enclose the porch at the parsonage have now been installed and have made a really noticeable difference in the temperature and comfort level not only in the kitchen but also in the additional room at the back of the house that abuts the porch. The cost came in at just under $3000.00.  Donations toward this project will be most gratefully accepted as we give thanks for another needed improvement that has been completed.. 

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

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

Tana Thompson – ’17  Property  . . . . . . . . . . . 392-3312  tanastrome@gmail.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 Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786       Greg Clause – 369-8472 

COMING EVENTS

Today, March 26 - Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher

      8:30 am  Early Worship Service

      9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

    10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

Mon,  March 27

      6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues,  March 28

      5:30 KRC volunteers cook, set up, and serve St. Luke’s outreach dinner

                   Please Note:  Youth Group will not meet March 28.

Wed,  March 29  Lenten Fellowship & Worship with Pastor Paige @Muitzeskill

      6:00 pm  Soup supper; 6:45 – 7:15 pm  Worship

Thur, March 30

      9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC:

              Group continues a new Bible study, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

      7:00 pm  Bible study group meets, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sun, April  2 - Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher

      8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

      9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

    10:00 am  Communion Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

Wed, April 5  Lenten Fellowship & Worship with Pastor Paige @Stuyvesant

      6:00 pm  Soup supper; 6:45 – 7:15 pm  Worship

Fri,   April  7

      6:00 pm   First Friday free community dinner and fellowship. 

                                 Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Thur, April 13

      7:00 pm  Maundy Thursday Communion with Pastor Paige @ Muitzeskill

Fri,   April  14

      3:00 pm  Good Friday Worship with Pastor Paige@ Kinderhook

Servers Next Sunday, April 2
 

Ushers:  Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur

Greeter(s):  Jerry and Donna Flansburg