March 27, 2011

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY - 10:00 a.m. March 27, 2011
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor


A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
You are invited to sign our Guest Book at the church entrance and to fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate. We would like to get to know you better, and invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us downstairs in the Fellowship Room immediately following Worship.

Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Lere Visagie
Greeter(s): Will and Jayne Ferguson
Preschool Nursery is available for parental use downstairs.

Order of Worship
PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, & PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING


Boldly Approaching Our God

CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Psalm 95
YOUTH: God is here! God is here! We enter now into God’s holy presence.
PASTOR: Come, let us pray, sing songs, and hear his word. Let us bow
before the Lord, our God.
ALL: We bring him our thanks. God deserves our songs of praise, for he
alone is our holy God.
YOUTH: He is Creator of all - the highest mountains and the depths of the
earth.
PASTOR: The enormous water masses and the dry land were all God’s idea.
ALL: This Holy One is our God, and we are his people. We are called and
chosen, fed and nurtured, as the sheep of his flock.
YOUTH: Let us listen today for the voice of our Shepherd.
ALL: Let us come with open ears and hearts. Let us worship the Lord,
our God!
*HYMN OF PRAISE #98 Majesty
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our God is a good and faithful God, but at times we doubt and question his plans and goals for us. We come, speaking openly to God, and we are not afraid to talk about our sin. We do this because we are sorry and know he loves us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Merciful Savior God, we confess that what we say we believe, but our lives frequently tell the tale of anger and mistrust. We say that you are good, yet we’re quick to blame you when discomfort, turmoil, or distress arises. We say that you love us, but we act as if your will for our lives cannot be trusted. We proclaim that we are forgiven, yet we continue to carry the burdensome baggage of our past. We profess that you are a faithful God, yet we’re riddled with anxiety, fear, and impatience. Forgive us, Lord. Give us the courage to look honestly at the disparity between what we say we believe and the truth that our actions and attitudes tell. We pray for the grace to close the gap between the two. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Friends, the mercy of Jesus Christ covers all your sin and is from everlasting to everlasting. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen.
PRAISE SONGS

We Come before God’s Open Word

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE TEXT Exodus 17:1-7
MESSAGE “And He Gave the Water Anyway!”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Celebrating God

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Father, you have blessed us beyond measure, and you have called us to worship. May our gifts today flow from hearts of worship to the One who provides all we need. May we never forget that all we have is yours. Take it and use it according to your will. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*AFFIRMATION OF OUR CHILDLIKE FAITH - Hymn #470 Jesus Loves Me *BENEDICTION and 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.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen.
POSTLUDE


Next Sunday is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund. Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family & community members.

 

 

 

 

BUFFET BRUNCH AND CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ENJOY THE GOOD FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP OF A POTLUCK BRUNCH BUFFET IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP. A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WILL FOLLOW BRUNCH TO BRING OUR CHURCH FAMILY UP TO SPEED ON THE CURRENT OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED PLANS OF SOME OF OUR CHURCH MINISTRIES, AND TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC CONCERNS THAT THE CONGREGATION MAY HAVE. IT HAS BEEN SOME TME SINCE WE HAVE GATHERED FOR CHURCH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP AND A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, AND ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. QUARTERLY MEETINGS ARE BEING PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.

 

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO PREPARE, SERVE, AND CLEAN UP AT THE FREE ST. LUKE’S DINNER THIS COMING TUESDAY, MARCH 29. PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE SHEET PROVIDED AT THE BACK TABLE, OR CONTACT LORI SPEER, 784-2901, IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ASSIST KRC IN THIS OUTREACH MINISTRY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

Church Family Ministry is planning a Chili Nite on Friday, April 8, beginning at 6 p.m. Chili, toppings, and corn bread – and hot dogs for the children and anyone else who doesn’t care for chili – will be provided. We are asking for your help in rounding out the menu with tossed salads and dressings, veggie platters with dip, sodas, juices, and desserts. We are also looking for volunteers to set up AND TO CLEAN UP! Please sign up on the sheet provided at the back table.

 

 

 

“An Interesting Thing Happened on the Way to the White House . . .”
March 2011 Letter from Libby Little
(NOTE: See photos sent by Libby on back table)

“What is wrong with me? After spending my whole life there, how could I not, for so many months now, even give Afghanistan a second thought! Was it bitterness, or denial, or post trauma?”
Flagging down an airport taxi, focused only on getting to the hotel, I glanced down at the Afghan carpet lining the inside of the taxi’s trunk. Instinctively, I looked up, stared at the driver, and together we started the long litany of friendly greetings, exchanging the blessing of peace, asking about the other’s house, health, and happiness, and ending with the words “ShUkor”, “Thanks be to God”.
“What brings you to Washington DC?” he asked.
“Well, since you asked…”
During the next 40-minute drive to my hotel, the formal greetings moved to a much deeper level. The taxi driver and I shared our personal and at times painful stories. There were tears, a prayer, invitations to dinner, and even a brief embrace as he lifted my luggage to the hotel entrance saying, “God brought us together today. Praise be to God.” I could not have agreed more. My fears relieved, I recognized God’s tender mercies as our family met in DC on February 15th to receive the Medal of Freedom award for Tom.
Thank you for your support and prayers as I start my busy 2011 itinerary. I am encouraged by the faithfulness of God through you. Together, let’s see how God will transform the tragedy of August 5th, 2010, into something life-giving for now and eternity. I fly home to Delmar tomorrow, visit the Saratoga Chapel on Sunday, fly to Finland on Thursday for a week with a mission there, and then back to the US for a three-week road trip south. Thank you for praying for the assignments and opportunities in April. Will write more when I return from Finland – Seija (also widowed on August 5) and I have been invited by Finnish Lutheran Missions to speak to their Board, colleagues, and candidates about what happened on August 5. Pray for us.

Love,
Libby Little


CONSISTORY NEEDS TO SHARE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU:
• For those of the congregation who are able, you are encouraged to prayerfully consider making up your offering/pledge/tithe for Sundays you are not in church.
• Our Lenten services will be in the form of Bible studies with potluck dinners alternating between Ghent and Kinderhook Reformed Churches each Wednesday evening through April 20. Please see announcement in this bulletin for more information.
• Consistory is working on setting up a time for a “2011 Consistory Brush-up”. Dates that were identified were 4/9 and 4/30. Please pray for us as we grow with God and grow into our ordained positions as Consistory members.
• Our Church’s big 300-year birthday in 2012 is getting closer. You are invited again to share with Consistory your ideas on “How to celebrate 300 years of church history”.
• And now, as we strive to live holy lives, may the Lord bless and keep you, and be gracious unto you and invade you with the peace He so freely brings.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~From the Pastor’s Desk – March 2011~
Happiness can be an elusive thing, but the author of Psalm 112 declares, “Happy are all those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.” And he goes on without qualifying his remarks to enumerate several blessings for such people.
It’s actually good to hear the psalmist link happiness to the fear of the Lord and the keeping of his commandments. For sometimes Christianity, with its “thou shalt nots,” is assumed to be too restrictive to be a source of happiness. The psalmist, however, connected happiness with holiness. Want to be happy? You start by doing the right thing.
Frankly, he was on to something. John Wesley knew that. Sarah Heaner Lancaster, a professor of systematic theology at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, examined a number of Wesley’s sermons and found that he “explicitly spoke of happiness as the goal of Christian life.” She found that more than 70 of his sermons include some reference to happiness, and some of them are devoted solely to that subject.
Like the psalmist, we can and should link happiness to holiness. Professor Lancaster found that one of Wesley’s recurring themes is what constitutes “true religion.” As we might put it, religion isn’t real when it is just an outward show, such as wearing an unearned military decoration. While relational, gratitude and benevolence are shorthand for the two great commandments - love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself - which lead to real or true religion. The cherry on the top, of course, is that righteousness, peace, and joy are present in the lives of those who live true religion.
Lancaster summarized by saying: “If we are unable to live the holy lives for which we were made, we will also not be able to enjoy the happiness of relationship with God for which we were made.” In other words, happiness is a byproduct of a life of right living, and faking holiness won’t bring real happiness any more than faking military decorations brings real honor.
In the weeks ahead may we steer clear of fake spiritual milestones and work hard at our relationship with God and our neighbor as we dwell in the Old Testament. Let’s see what blessings God has for us!!
Pastor Rudy

 

UPCOMING SERMONS:

TODAY – And He Gave the Water Anyway - Exodus 17:1-7

April 3 – Can God Transform Us Too? - Ezekiel 37:1-14

 

Kinderhook Reformed Church has joined with Ghent Reformed Church in a 6-week cooperative Lenten study, “40 Days of Purpose,” based on Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. It is still not too late to join in and continue each Wednesday through April 20. Ghent will be hosting this coming Wednesday, March 30, with potluck supper and study beginning at 6 p.m. Topics remaining to be addressed through short videos, discussions, and workbook activities are: FELLOWSHIP – You Were Formed for God’s Family; DISCIPLESHIP – You Were Created to Become Like Christ; MINISTRY – You Were Shaped for Serving God; EVANGELISM – You Were Made for Mission.

 

 

Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• The General Synod as it considers Tom De Vries, the canditate being presented by the General Synod Council, to serve as the next General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America – please uphold+ Tom in your prayers as well
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• New KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; Ministry projects
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and 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
• A speedy end to the violence and unrest in the Middle East
• Our missionaries; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those struggling with substance abuse, especially Rachael, Greg L., and Martin
• Those, especially children, suffering natural disaster, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially those grieving the death of Roger VanAlstyne
• Caitlin, 13-year-old niece if Ruth Edge, following 4 separate 8-hour procedures involving some of the arteries and veins of the brain - a brain surgery may still need to be scheduled
• Florence Rivera, now recovering at home from a blood infection
• Others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Deb Rothermel; Jeffery Smith; Larry Cady; Donna Scalera; Aaron; Doris Schmieder; Chuck Shattenkirk; John; Dawn VanBuren; Christophe; Bob Ringen; John Steneck; Ken Smith; Gordie and Ann Van Buren; Merrill & Erika Johnson; Priscilla Frisbee; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those dealing with cancer: Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh; Walt; Joe; Jennifer Kline; Julie’s aunt; Dave’s wife; Connie; Carin; Kara Ennis Mobley
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Elizabeth; Libby Little; the Vargas; churches consolidating or considering closing their doors; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those facing employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan and John and Sara Schubert
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derrick Latorre and Heather Donahue, and Mary Schubert and T.J. Lynch, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, and Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; Nicole, expecting her first child; new parents Luke and Ryan (Hacker) Morris (Baby Jocelyn); Kate (Little) and Chris Stevens (Baby Vivian Elise)
• Those who are traveling, especially the Tuttles
• Our military men and women, especially Will Ryan, recently deployed to Afghanistan; Matt Plescia; Carrington Hessell; Spencer Moore; and Jay Rippel - that they may know God’s presence and protection
• Families and friends of our military troops, and victims of warfare & violence worldwide - that they may be blessed with God’s peace and reassurance;
• The power of the peace & love of Christ to subdue everywhere the spirits of hatred, hostility, unforgiveness, cruelty, vengeance, and warfare

 

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 call the church office.

 

Remember To Thank & Praise God for
• All who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, & working together to complete projects and responsibilities
• His blessing of a wonderful, caring, Spirit-filled pastor of vision such as Pastor Rudy
• The good news that tests for Donna Scalera are encouraging, although she is facing another operation to deal with possible side-effects of her recent cancer treatments; please continue to pray for Donna’s complete recovery
• Remarkable improvement in the spirits and physical condition of Aaron, who suffered multiple injuries in a recent auto accident; Aaron is now recovering at home, his neck brace is off, he is talking away, and he is able to do some walking - many thanks for all the prayers that went up – keep them coming!
• The good report that Dawn Van Buren continues to improve - "Each day," she says, "I see some progress and, with physical therapy, see a light at the end of the tunnel."
• 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

 

Literacy Connections of Columbia and Greene Counties will again be hosting training sessions for volunteers interested in becoming tutors for Literacy. These workshops will take place at the Hudson Area Library, at 400 State Street in Hudson. Each workshop will be a total of 12 hours. The Basic Reading Workshop, trains tutors to work with native English speakers to increase literacy. This will be held Saturday April 9 and Saturday April 16. On both of these days, the workshop will be held from 10 am to 4 pm. The English Immersion Workshop trains tutors to work with students learning English as a second language. This will be held on Tuesdays, April 19 and 26, 1-7 pm. These workshops are free, except for a $25 fee for the text book. To enroll, call Literacy Connections at 518-697-8227 to register and for more information. Share your love of words - become a literacy volunteer. www.literacyconnections.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

KRC 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 have been set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call 758-9703 or 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, please call 859-4158.


KRC 2011-2012 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory, Classis Delegate
Deacons
Margaret Herrmann, Stewardship – ’12 758-6175
Laura Rafferty, Property – ’12 828-7189
Dawn Tuttle, Church Family, Clerk of Consistory, Cemetery – ’11 758-6031
Barbara Vosburgh, Missions, Church Treasurer – ’11 758-6512
Elders
Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12 210-6079
Ann VanBuren, Consistory Vice President, Worship – ’11 758-9703
Dawn VanBuren, Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11 758-7564
Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12 758-1266

KRC STAFF
KRC Secretary Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Events
Today, March 27
10:00 am Worship - Children’s Sunday
11:00 am Brunch and Congregational Meeting, Fellowship Room
NOTE: Sunday School & Sunday Adult Bible Study will not meet today.
Mon. March 28
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tue., March 29 - Outreach Dinner, St. Luke’s Church
PLEASE NOTE: Community Prayer Group will now be meeting
Thursday mornings, 10 am, @KRC
Wed., March 30 - 6 pm Potluck Supper & Lenten Study at Ghent Reformed
Thur., March 31
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
Fri., April 1 - 9:30 am Church Family Ministry meets
Sun., April 3
10:00 am Communion Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Fellowship and Refreshments, Fellowship Room
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon. April 4
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Missions Ministry meets
Wed., April 6 - 6:00 pm Potluck Supper & Lenten Study at Ghent Reformed
Fri., April 8 - 6:00 pm Church Family Chili Nite

Mon. April 11
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Sat., April 16 - Easter Egg Hunt @KRC – Watch for details to come
Thur., April 21 - Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Worship
Mon. April 25
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tues., April 26 - 9:30 am Christian Ed. Ministry meets

 


Servers Next Sunday, April 3, 2011
Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Lere Visagie
Greeter(s): Bob Dreier
Nursery: