Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY - 10:00 a.m. March 6, 2011
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. Tom McCrossan, Guest Preacher
Rev. Tom McCrossan is an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America. He has been a pastor since 1979 and has served four churches in CA, MT, CO and NY. After serving full time in Rotterdam, NY for 10 years, he left that church and for two and half years was a Financial Services Associate for Prudential Financial in Latham selling insurance and financial products. For the last year and a half Tom has been working at City Mission of Schenectady in the Men's Ministry there, where he teaches and coordinates the Sunday night Chapel service among other things. Throughout the last four years, Tom has been providing pulpit supply, preaching at some church most Sundays. He is married with three grown children, one dog and three cats.

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: Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, Arnie March, Glenn Warren
Greeter(s): Jean Hacker
Preschool Nursery is available for parental use downstairs.

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

God’s Children’s Approach
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Jeremiah 31:33-35
Exalt the name of the Lord Almighty, who appoints the sun to shine by day,
Who declares the moon and stars to shine by night,
Praise the Lord who stirs up the sea so that the waves roar.
He is our God, and we are his people.
Trust in the Lord of the New Covenant,
Who puts his law in our minds and writes it in our hearts.
Worship the Lord of Righteousness
Who promises the day is coming when all,
from the least to the greatest, will know him and be like him.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #306 Standing on the Promises
CALL TO CONFESSION Based on Jeremiah 50:4, 5
Go in tears to seek the Lord your God. Ask him the way to his holy place, and turn your faces toward it. Bind yourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant of faithfulness to him that you will not forget.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Responsive)
Almighty God, we confess that we have sinned against you and one another,
in thought, word, and deed,
By what we have done and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive) Based on Jeremiah 31:34-37
The Lord does not forget his promises, and does not reject us because of our unfaithfulness. Instead, he forgives our wickedness and remembers our sins no more. Alleluia! Amen.

*PRAISE SONG, Knowing You, and SCRIPTURE LESSON
Scripture Readers: 2 Peter 1:1-8
Soloist: Knowing You - verse 1
All: Knowing You - 1st chorus and verse 2 with chorus (insert)
Scripture Readers: 2 Peter 1:8-11
All: Knowing You – Verse 3 and chorus (2x)
CHILDREN’S PRAYER BLESSING (Unison - Congregation may remain seated.)
Loving Father, transform our children into the likeness of your Son, Jesus Christ. Guard them from the evils of this world, renew them day by day, and bring them ever closer to Christ’s perfection. Clothe them in his righteousness, and produce a rich and mature harvest of holiness in their lives. Amen.
Sunday School students are now invited to join their teachers.

God’s Opened Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE TEXT 2 Peter 1:2-4
MESSAGE “Knowing and Trusting God”
PRAYER OF BLESSING

God’s Children Celebrating Him
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION (Insert)
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Holy God, use these offerings to renew our vision of your glory, our grasp of your truth, our understanding of the salvation and righteousness that is ours through Jesus Christ, and our passion to share our knowledge of you and of your Son with those around us. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER
*HYMN OF PRAYER #532 Be Thou My Vision
*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

Today 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.

Consistory has approved the proposal from Ghent Reformed Church to join with them in a 6-week cooperative Lenten study, “40 Days of Purpose,” based on Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life. The goal is not simply to go through a study, but to urge our congregations, as the Body of Christ, toward Kingdom work which will serve God’s purpose in our generation. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, March 16 – April 20, with Ghent and Kinderhook hosting alternately. Sessions will begin with a potluck supper at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, with study time following from 7 to 8 p.m. Topics to be addressed through short videos, discussions, and workbook activities are: 1. What on Earth Am I Here For? 2. Worship – You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure 2. Fellowship – You Were Formed for God’s Family 3. Discipleship – You Were Created to Become Like Christ 4. Ministry – You Were Shaped for Serving God 5. Evangelism – You Were Made for Mission. If you are thinking of participating, please sign up on the “I AM INTERESTED IN THE GHENT/KINDERHOOK LENTEN JOURNEY” sheet on the back table.

Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• The RCA General Secretary Search Committee
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• New KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; Angel Food; 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 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 abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility, natural disaster
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially the Novak and Rothermel families and friends grieving the loss of Dorothy Novak after a long illness
• Chuck Shattenkirk, brother of Maureen Mooney, hospitalized and struggling with a severe and possibly life-threatening infection
• Dawn VanBuren, recovering from complications following recent knee surgery; pray for pain-relief for Dawn, wisdom for her doctors, and strength and reassurance for Leo
• Walt, recently diagnosed with cancer of the lung and back
• Tom Saulpaugh, father of a friend of the Clauses, recovering from cancer surgery this past Friday
• Others dealing with cancer: Jennifer Kline; Juile’s aunt; Dave’s wife; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh; Connie; Carin; Kara Ennis Mobley
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Ginny Rothermel; Christophe; Deb Rothermel; Bob Ringen; John Steneck; Florence Rivera; Ken Smith; Jeffery Smith; Gordie and Ann Van Buren; Larry Cady; Pastor Rudy; Merrill & Erika Johnson; Priscilla Frisbee; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• 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: 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 Herrmanns and 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,
• Florence Rivera’s sufficient recovery from knee surgery to be present with us in Worship
• The steady progress being made by Gordie VanBuren following recent surgery, and Ann following recent hospitalization
• The compassionate care and great support of hospice nurses and volunteers
• 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

~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!!

MARCH SERMONS:
March 13 - Free to Fall - Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

March 20 - Recalling the Call - Genesis 12:1-4a

March 27 - From the Wilderness of Sin We Come - Exodus 17:1-7

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

CONSISTORY NEEDS TO SHARE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU:
• Our next quarterly congregational meeting will take place on March 27 right after worship.We will also be eating together, as a potluck luncheon is planned.
• I will be at Camp Fowler from 2/28 – 3/2 and in Philadelphia from 3/3 – 3/8 for professional development.
• 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 Ash Wednesday service on March 9 will be an ecumenical service, and this year it will be held at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Valatie. The service will begin at 7:00 PM.
• Our Lenten services will be in the form of Bible studies with potluck dinners altering between Ghent Reformed and Kinderhook Reformed. 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.
Pastor Rudy

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. 93 families were served in the month of January, including 153 adults and 142 children. Foods that are always popular and needed are evaporated milk, coffee, sugar, boxed cereals, pancake mix, syrup, jelly, canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, spaghetti sauce, pasta, mac & cheese, dinner helpers, apple sauce, juice, cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the front and side entryways of the church.

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.

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 Treasurer KRC Secretary
Barbara Vosburgh – 758-6512 Paul Clause – 859-4158
Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338

Coming Events
Today, March 6
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., March 7
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Missions Ministry meets at the church.
Tue., March 8
9:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
5:30 pm Outreach Dinner, St. Luke’s Church
7:00 - 8:30 pm KRC Youth Group meets
Wed., March 9 – 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie
Thur., March 10
Please note: ZUMBA will not meet on this date.
Fri., March 11 – Sunday March 13 Youth for Christ “Break Out” event,
Saratoga Springs
Mon. March 14
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Wed., March 16 – Lenten Studies begin at Ghent Reformed Church
6:00 pm Potluck supper
7:00 pm Bible study
Thur., March 17
6:00 pm Stewardship Ministry meets
6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room
Wed., March 23 – Lenten Study at Kinderhook Reformed Church
6:00 pm Potluck supper
7:00 pm Bible study
Sun., March 27
10:00 am Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Brunch and Congregational Meeting, Fellowship Room
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
Fri., April 1 - 9:30 am Church Family Ministry meets
Fri., April 1 – Sat., April 2 Youth Girls Revolve Tour,
Hartford, Connecticut
Fri., April 8 6:00 pm Church Family Chili Nite

Servers Next Sunday, March 13, 2011
Ushers: Jeff Barmen, Derick Latorre, Steve Shpur, Bob Wildermuth
Greeter(s): Arnie and Claudia March