March 29, 2015

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

MARCH 29, 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                                                                                   Isaiah 50:4-9a (p. 521)

  Message                                                                                    “Suffering as Public Witness”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to refreshments and fellowship downstairs today following worship.

  Ushers:  Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland      

Greeter(s): Donna Flansburg                         Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

Guest Organist, David Smith

 

  Prelude            Prière à Notre-Dame from Suite Gothique, op. 25          Léon Boëllmann                                                                             

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

  Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship   (Responsive)

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
       ALL:  Hosanna in the highest!
       WOMEN:  Blessed is God's only Son who takes away the sin of the world.
       ALL:  Hosanna in the highest!
       MEN:  Blessed is the Lamb of God who suffers for our sake.
       ALL:  Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the Prince of Peace who reconciles all humanity to God.
       ALL:  Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Lord and King.
       ALL:  Hosanna in the highest!

       Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

*Hymn of Praise #204                                                                     All Glory, Laud and Honor

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  Based on Isaiah 59:12 - 15

Sovereign Lord, our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us:  rebellion and treachery against the LORD; turning our backs on our God; uttering falsehoods our hearts have conceived; putting our comforts above the basic needs of others.  So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.  The LORD sees and is displeased that truth, goodness, and justice are in short supply, and that whoever shuns evil is mocked and becomes a prey.  Forgive us, O Holy God, for our personal and collective share in contributing to these offenses.   Our sins are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities.

  Assurance of Pardon  Based on Isaiah 58

If you honor your God by repenting and not going your own way and not doing as you please, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the needs of others, your healing will quickly appear: Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will guard your back. Your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.  The LORD will guide you, satisfy your needs, and strengthen you. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 

  Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Blessing  (Unison)

Lord Jesus, lead our children into an understanding that you willing offered   yourself up to humiliation, suffering, and death so that they might be righteous in the sight of God and enjoy abundant life with you for all eternity.  Amen.  

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Lesson                                                                                   Isaiah 50:4-9a (p. 521)

  Message                                                                                    “Suffering as Public Witness”

  Prayer of Blessing

    Celebrating God

  Offering and Offertory                    Offertoire, op. 29/1                           Léon Boëllmann                       

  Doxology and Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

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

  Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Exaltation #203                                                                Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

*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                                         Sortie, op. 29/2                                       Léon Boëllmann

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

MANY THANKS to Sarah Bailey, who has volunteered to take over for Mid Glass as greeter coordinator for the 10 am Sunday Worship Services each Sunday.  KRC family and friends are encouraged to sign up to greet on the sheet provided on the back table of the sanctuary.

 

 

CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2014-2015 SERIES CONTINUES

3 P.M. TODAY, KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH

       The well-received Concerts in the Village series continues with “Schubert and Beethoven: The Dawn of the Romantic Age” featuring the Broad Street Chorale, the Broad Street Orchestra, and guest soloists Amanda Boyd-Grout, Vicki Smith, Jon Morrell, and Andrew Robert Munn. This will be CITV’s 12th concert since its founding in 2010. a $15 donation per person is suggested.

       Under the direction of David Smith, the concert will feature 65 performers, in three important works from the very beginning of the Romantic Age: Beethoven’s dramatic concert aria Ah! perfido, op. 65 (1796), with soprano Amanda Boyd-Grout as soloist; Schubert’s charming Symphony No. 5 in B-flat, D. 485 (1816); and Beethoven’s monumental Mass in C, op. 86 (1807). The Broad Street Chorale includes 40 experienced choral singers from the region. The Broad Street Orchestra includes 25 of the finest orchestral musicians in eastern New York. This promises exceptional music-making.

 

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, the KRC Family will once again join forces to cook the free supper at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie.  Anyone willing to lend a hand to this ministry (cooks from 2:45 pm; set-up crew from 4 pm; serving crew from 5 pm; clean-up crew from 6:30 pm) please sign up on the sheet provided at the back table.

 

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

6:30 am, 250 Sharptown Road, Stuyvesant

 Breakfast will be served following the service.

~ Please Note ~

 Following the Easter Sunrise Service,

KRC’s Easter Sunday Worship will be a combined service at 10 am, and Children’s Sunday School will be in recess. The 8:30 am service and Children’s Sunday School will resume the following Sunday, April 12.

 

 

~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, 132 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.

 

 

 

KRC’S NEXT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WILL BE SUNDAY, APRIL 19

following a combined 10 am Worship Service. The 8:30 am service will resume the following Sunday, April 26.  A light brunch will be served hosted by the Thursday Bible study group, and sign-up sheets for food donations will soon be available at the back table.

 

 

 

 

~ UPDATE FROM STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY ~

MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO KRC ELECTRONICALLY

 

     If you are not already aware, Kinderhook Reformed Church now has the ability to accept your regular contributions and designated gifts electronically on our website,

kinderhookreformedchurch.com

 

     On the homepage, click the link “Donate” under “Contact Us” at the upper right side of the page, and follow the prompts.  Electronic checks and all major credit cards are accepted, and you will find options for

making one-time contributions
setting up recurring payments for your regular contributions
designating contributions and gifts for special purposes or to specific funds such as 4th Century, Missions, Deacons Fund, Classis Assessment

 

     The online process is an easy one, and many of you may find it a convenient way to manage the contribution goals and commitments you have set for yourself or your family. 

     For each electronic transaction, the church is charged a small processing fee which decreases as the number of transactions increases.  If you have questions or need additional assistance or information, please contact KRC Treasurer, Derick LaTorre.

 

~A NOTE OF THANKS~

Dear Church Family,        

       We would like to thank you for the generous baby shower.  We would like to thank all of those involved in planning - it was wonderful! Thank you for all of the well wishes and gifts, and a special thank you to the Sunday School children and families. We feel incredibly blessed to have such a loving church family to welcome our baby girl into!

                                                   With Sincere Thanks,  Andrew and Melissa Welcome

 

                           CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSIION'S

                        LADIES HEARTS OF HOPE LUNCHEON

                                              To Benefit

New Faith Program – Transitional Living – Short-Term Shelter

 

Friday, April 17, or Saturday, April 18

Shaker Ridge Country Club, 802 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY 12211

Registration – 11:30 a.m., Luncheon and Program – 12 Noon

Reservations necessary - $24 per person                Complimentary Valet Parking

To register:

Fill out a registration card from the back table and return it to Capital City Rescue Mission, ATTN: Hearts of Hope, PO Box 1999, Albany, NY 12201
Online at www.capitalcityrescuemission.com  or Call 462-0421

 

REMEMBER 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.
the encouraging report that Harriet Simpkins is much-improved following a very difficult day or so last weekend, and is now moving ahead well with rehab activities.
the good report that Stacey Baker has recovered sufficiently from a concussion and related symptoms to complete some of her end-of-term college work.
the good news that Libby Little’s Australian speaking tour, though exhausting, was a great blessing to Libby and very well-received, and that she is back home safely.
recent tests showing that Zoe Covey’s brain tumors, though inoperable, appear to have stabilized. Please continue your prayers for Zoe.
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.

 

 

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR HEARTS PRAYERS THE MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

AROUND THE WORLD THAT KRC HELPS TO SUPPORT:

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

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith, especially Diane, that they 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, fulfilling 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, especially Judy Simmons and her family following the death of Judy’s husband, Glenn Simmons; the Binder Family and friends grieving the recent death of Bridget; and Arthur Gross, dealing with personal health concerns and grieving the recent death of his brother.
Bob, husband of Patti Varga's Aunt Kathy, who suffered two small strokes last Sunday.  Bob is now awaiting test results to find what course of action is needed for a successful recovery.
Daniel, recovering from prostate cancer surgery this past week.  Please pray for a speedy recovery without complications for Daniel
Harriet Simpkins, recovering at St. Peter’s Rehabilitation Center in Albany from recent knee-replacement surgery at St. Peter’s Rehabilitation Center in Albany.  Cards and notes to Harriet, 2767 Rte. 9H, Box 15, Presidential Estates Mobile Home Park, Kinderhook,  NY 12106, would be greatly appreciated.
Mid Glass, now at Whittier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Room 327A, Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075. 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; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera. 
those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: a  grandmother with congestive heart failure; Scott Calhoun; Doris, Cricket Warren’s aunt, and Doris’s elderly husband, Dick; Jean Skipper; Stacey Baker; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
first-time parents, Andrew & Melissa Welcome, expecting their baby girl in May.
those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions:  Susan Lamont and her children, now in Florida; 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; 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.
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.

 

 

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type.  Please forward this information, as well as new praise and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158. 

 

 

On April 9 at 3:15 p.m. the church's bell will be rung for four minutes as part of the "Bells Across the Land: A Nation Remembers Appomattox" celebration.  The bell-ringing event is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the setting of the terms of surrender to end the Civil War.

 

 

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY !  

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

 

 

 

  CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2015

 

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,633.28 for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF THIS YEAR’S CLASSIS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN SET AT $88.02.  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 now just $2.25 per week. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated, “Classis Assessment.” 

 

 

EMAIL, WEBSITE,  AND FAX INFORMATION 

Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net

Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com

Rev. Rudy is available at his church office

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.

Please call ahead for an appointment.

Evenings are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.

For assistance on Mondays, and for immediate assistance at any time, please call 859-4158

Church Phone  758-6401                Church Fax   758-6402

Phone messages are picked up several times daily.

COMING EVENTS

Today, March 29Palm Sunday          

         8:30 am  Early Worship Service

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

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

         3:00 pm  Concert in the Village, KRC sanctuary

   “Schubert and Beethoven: The Dawn of the Romantic Age”

Tues.,  March 31

         5:00 pm  St. Luke’s Community Dinner

         7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur., April 2 

        9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets

  Please join us as we continue our Bible study on the Book of Isaiah.

       10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

     6:00 pm  Maundy Thursday supper, KRC Fellowship Hall

         7:00 pm  Communion Worship

Sun.,   April 5Easter Sunday          

         6:30 am  Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service, 250 Sharptown Rd, Stuyvesant

       10:00 am  Combined Easter Worship Service

Please Note: Children’s Sunday School will be in recess Easter Sunday.

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Thur., April 9 

         9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets

  Please join us as we continue our Bible study on the Book of Isaiah.

       10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

         3:15 pm  "Bells Across the Land: A Nation Remembers Appomattox."                    

               In celebration, KRC’s  tower bell will be rung for four minutes.

Fri., Sat., April 17 & 18

       11:30 am  CCRM Hearts of Hope Ladies Luncheon

                Shaker Ridge Country Club, Loudonville, NY

Sun.,   April 19 - Please note:  Early Worship Service will not meet.

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

       11:15 am  Congregational Meeting and Brunch following combined 10 am      

           Worship Service.           

 

Servers Next Sunday, April 5, 2015

       Ushers:  Pat Calhoun, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth