May 13, 2012

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 A.M. May 13, 2012
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
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 we invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us at Coffee Hour downstairs in the Fellowship Hall following Worship Service.

Ushers: Jim Dunham, Fred Hickman, Barry Knights, Gary Leggett
Greeter(s): Andrew and Melissa Welcome
Preschool Nursery facility available downstairs.

Flowers are given today by Dawn Van Buren in celebration
of all the great mothers of the KRC family.

We would like to wish all of the mothers a very Happy Mother's Day!

We wish to extend a warm welcome to the Scouts: Thomas Carroll, Alexander Christian, Larry Devito, Sean Parker and Jake Siter and their families here with us today.

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

Boldly Approaching Our God

  CALL TO WORSHIP  (Responsive)
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!
Thank you, God, for so many wondrous gifts. For our mothers and grandmothers, for the homes and families they create, for our church and friendship, for food and fellowship.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, we say rejoice.
Thank you, God, for new life in Jesus Christ, for love, for belonging, and for this time of thanks and praise.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, we say rejoice.
Thank you that we know that you are in this place, and we rejoice and feast in the gifts and grace of Jesus Christ our Savior.
*HYMN #92                                 Crown Him With Many Crowns 
   CALL TO CONFESSION
We are commanded to love the Lord our God, walk in his ways, and observe his commandments, decrees, and ordinances. Although we continually fail, God never ceases to long for us to turn away from our sin and toward him. Knowing the richness of God’s mercy, let us confess our sins before God and one another.  
PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (Unison)
Merciful God, you created us out of love, calling us to choose blessings and to delight in your law; instead, we follow our own capricious nature. Rather than seeing freedom in your decrees, we see constraints. We convince ourselves that we know what we need better than you do. We make choices that hurt others and lead us away from you. Forgive us for all the ways we fall short in what we do and in what we fail to do. Instill in us the desire to grow in our faith and our discipleship so we can help your kingdom grow with integrity. Amen.

    ASSURANCE OF PARDON 
Friends, the good news is this: While we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ came to forgive, to redeem, and to restore us to right relationship with God.
     In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Alleluia! Amen.
   MOTHER'S DAY LITANY and VIDEO
We are grateful today for families of all types:
     For single parents juggling jobs and after-school activities;
For grandparents raising their children’s children;
     For nuclear families and families-in-law;
For our church family;
     For aunts and uncles, and the way they enrich our lives;
For stepchildren and step-siblings and step-parents;
     For adoptive and foster families;
For our church family;
     Thank you, Lord, for the gift of family.
  CHILDREN’S PRAYER OF BLESSING (Unison)
Help us, Heavenly Father, as earthly parents, to lead righteous and blameless lives before our children. Enable us to bring them up in the training and instruction of your Holy Word and to counsel and discipline them with love and grace after your own example, that they may become your righteous and faithful servants.  Amen.

We Come Before God’s Open Word

   PRAYER for ILLUMINATION 
         SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                  1 John 5:1-6 (pp. 753-754)
        MESSAGE      "Love and Obey: The Link between Loving God
      and Obeying His Commandments."
  PRAYER OF BLESSING
Celebrating God
  HONORING OUR SCOUTS
  WE GIVE OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS / OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY 
      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. Amen.
  OFFERTORY PRAYER  (Unison)
Holy God, we thank you for the gifts and blessings that you lavish on your creation. It is as your children, heirs of your grace and filled with your Spirit, that we bring our tithes and offerings to you. Multiply and use them, we pray, to spread the gospel, feed the hungry, heal the sick, and bring grace, compassion, and wholeness where there is fear, loneliness, violence, and despair. Amen.
  ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
  PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #532                                                                                Be Thou My Vision
  BENEDICTION BLESSING & 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. (2x)
  POSTLUDE
Hearty congratulations to Adam Spaulding, son of Deborah and Michael Spaulding and grandson of Harriet Simpkins.  Adam graduated yesterday, magna cum laude, with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy. Please remember Adam in your prayers as he moves on to complete a specialized residency at Buffalo General Hospital, and ask God's blessing upon him and all other graduates this year as they pursue further studies or seek careers and employment.                               
 

KRC SMALL GROUPS
KRC’s small groups, offered on Thursdays at 9 a.m. (church) and 7 p.m., (parsonage) will continue their studies this coming Thursday led by Pastor Rudy.  All are invited to join one of these groups, and walk-ins are always welcome!  A new small group study has begun:
“Am I Happy?” – A small group study by Sean McDowell
May 17 - Searching for Happiness in Appearances
May 24 - Searching for Happiness despite Circumstances

  **MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Tuesday, May 15, Church Clean-up Day!**
Church Family Ministry will be helping to spruce up the church for our big birthday celebration on Sunday, May 20th.  We will be cleaning from 10 am – 12 noon, 2 pm – 4 pm, and 5 pm – 7 pm.  All are welcome, and your help is deeply appreciated.

HAM DINNER, 5:30 P.M. MAY 19, EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH
Menu includes baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, apple sauce, corn muffins, apple cake, and beverage.  Adults $10.00, children 6 – 12 $5.00, children under 6 free.  The church is located at 1150 Maple Hill Road adjacent to the Maple Hill High School in Castleton.  There is plenty of parking and the church is handicapped accessible.  For reservations or for takeout orders, please call the church office at 732-7766. 

           KRC’S ANNUAL ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT PANCAKE BREAKFAST
All are welcome to come and to invite family and friends to a delicious pancake breakfast SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 8 – 11 am, in the Fellowship Hall.  Sausage, coffee, and juice will be served along with the pancakes.  No reservations needed – free-will donations accepted.  Each year a different charity is chosen to receive the proceeds, and this year, the Valatie Food Pantry is the recipient.  Information about the Pantry and its services to our community will be on display at the breakfast. Feel free to bring a non-perishable food item to help stock their shelves.
     Outside on that same day, weather permitting, the church will hold its annual Plant Swap and Sale from 8 a.m. - 12 noon. Please consider contributing extra divisions or cuttings from your garden to this popular event. We will set up on Friday, June 1st.  If you have something you need divided, but need help doing this, please contact Maureen Mooney, 210-6079. Maureen will also pick up plants if you cannot drop them off. Anyone who helps at the Pancake Breakfast gets to take advantage of the plant pre-sale Friday evening from 4 - 8 p.m. while we are setting up.

KRC’S VBS 2012 - A Program for Kids Age 3 to Grade 8
Christian Ed Ministry is looking for volunteers to teach and to help in our NATIONAL PARKS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL program June 25th to 29th, 9 a.m. to noon each day. A volunteer sign-up sheet is available on the back table. For additional information about the positive rewards of serving in this ministry and the relatively small time commitment involved, please see Patti Varga.  Forms are also available to pre-register children for this year’s fun, informative, spiritually-nurturing program.

Elize Visser (4th), Joan Clause (5th), Sara Hartman (9th), Brenda Longe (9th), Tom Call (23rd), Mike Rivera (25th), Liezl Visser (28th),
Anina Visagie (29th), Jerry Flansburg (30th).
Mike Rivera is one of KRC’s residence-bound members. 
We invite everyone to sign his birthday card on the back table.

PLEASE JOIN THE CRAFTS GROUP, "THE OLDE DUTCH AND SUCH" (formerly known as "Essenes") - Dawn Tuttle, Jane Deane, and Joy Bertram - FRIDAYS AT 9:30 AM IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL. We are creating items for the KRC fair/bazaar which will take place November 3.  The Essenes were an ancient Hebrew group known for their devotion to God, and we honor them with our crafting.  Please save wine corks and plastic grocery bags for use in this project.  A box is available in the room across from the church office for collecting these materials.

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY.  The Pantry served 80 families in March, including 128 adults and 92 children. There were also 92 Easter Baskets delivered for the holiday. The Pantry is heavily over-stocked on spaghetti at this time, but other non-perishable foods that are always popular are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the church entryways.

   FLAVORS - KRC’S COMMEMORATIVE COOKBOOK
The cookbook committee has selected, cooked, and photographed recipes submitted by members of the congregation.  It is now time to publish the cookbook, and we need your help!  Please consider making a donation to this project. If you would like to participate, make a check out to Kinderhook Reformed Church with “cookbook” on the memo line. 
CONTRIBUTORS OF $100 OR MORE WILL RECEIVE
A FREE COOKBOOK UPON PUBLICATION.

If you have prayer requests that you would like to have placed on the email and phone prayer chains, please forward them to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158.  If you are not already on our email prayer list, and would like to receive prayer and praise requests through email, please contact Paul to have your address added. If you do not have email, contact Jane Smith at 758-6442, and she will be happy to include you in the phone prayer chain.

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.
• Matt Plescia's safe return home from Afghanistan.
• the wonderful news that Kara Ennis Mobley’s scans this past week returned negative, and for the very encouraging report from her oncologist.
• the good report that Fred Oles is back to normal routines following successful stent placements.
• Dick and Bev Van Alstyne's safe return to Kinderhook this past week.
• the good report that Cliff Konkle has recovered from his concussion and has been back to work for 2 weeks.
• the good news that Kate, Maureen Mooney’s sister, is home and recovering well
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• the blessing of family and friends.
• 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. 

Remember to Pray for
• those who do not know Christ, or are struggling in their faith or with other spiritual issues. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
• KRC programs & projects and those administering them: Vacation Bible School beginning June 25; church restoration; tricentennial events.
• leaders & those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, new small group ministries, adult Bible study, Community Prayer Group, & New Members’ Class.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander, Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell. 
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies..
• those, especially children, victimized by natural disasters; abuses of war and violence; exploitation; neglect; and family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially Kate Bailey, friend of Ted and Dawn Tuttle, grieving the loss of her husband; and family and friends mourning the death of Lillian Mieske.
• Amy, suffering a head injury with major concussion and swelling.  Pray also for Amy’s parents during this stressful time.
• Dick Richardson, 90, uncle of Cricket Warren, recovering from recent heart surgery.
• David Johnson, dealing with health issues.
• Kate, sister of Maureen Mooney, recovering from an accident with a horse this past week in South Carolina. Kate suffered 7 broken ribs and a lacerated liver.
• Minor Smith, brother of Ken Smith, in intensive care with double pneumonia, bladder infection, and complications due to diabetes.  Remember also Minor’s wife, Arlene, during this stressful time.
• Romona DenBesten,  recovering from surgery this past Friday.
• Raymond McKee, who is seriously ill.
• those battling cancer: Dick; Sal Alessi, recently diagnosed and beginning chemo; Melissa M; Judy Iocco; Stephanie; Ron Jensen; Patricia’s mother; Donna Scalera; Emese; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh.  
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Harriet and Ron Stockhoff; Sue Jones; Jim Baker's mother; Minor Smith; Hope Lane; Joan Clause; Florence Rivera; Gordie Van Buren; Kathy Schneider’s father Barnwell; Paul Varga.
• a favorable outcome in John’s arbitration case.
• those who are traveling.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Kara (Ennis) Mobley; the Schuberts, as they attempt to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Clayton, as he selects a college; Louise; Libby Little, facing a demanding schedule; those struggling with unnamed issues; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment or other economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with dependencies/substance abuse, especially George in South Africa; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with many temptations confronting young adults.
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Terry (Gaylord) Nawrot, expecting twins in July; Brad & Kelly Babic (Baby Taylor Marie), the Principis (Baby Gianna Drew).
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan.
• our residence-bound members:  Ken Smith; Murray Leonardson, and Mike Rivera.
• our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert and Will Ryan, - 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.

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.

RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY'S 9TH ANNUAL CROPWALK
114 people participated in last Sunday’s CROPWALK.  As of this past Thursday, $12,936 was raised, and more money is expected to come in!!  Of that total, $690.00 was earned by KRC walkers. Remember, 25% - over $3000.00 - stays locally in support of our food pantries.  THANK YOU to Erica Johnson, Kari Ann Powell, Dawn VanBuren, Melissa and Andrew Welcome, and ALL who contributed to this good cause.

                                      CLOTHING BARN

The North Chatham United Methodist Church’s Clothing Barn, offering good, used clothing at reasonable prices, opened yesterday for the season, and will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EVERY Saturday through September. The Barn will close with the Lord’s Acre Auction in the fall.  Donations of good used clothing are welcome on Saturdays, or call 721-8318.

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
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.
If you wish to meet with Pastor during these times,
please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations,
and counseling.
For assistance on Mondays, please call 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 2012-2013 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory, Classis Delegate

                                                  Deacons
Noreen Dick – ’13,  Church Family   758-6640
Patrice Lyons – ’13,  Missions   758-8400
Laura Rafferty – ’12,    828-7189
Barbara Vosburgh –’13,  Stewardship / Treasurer     758-6512

                                                   Elders
Dave Ennis – ’13,  Worship   784-9656
Maureen Mooney – ’12,  Evangelism / Clerk    210-6079
Dawn Van Buren – ’13,  Cemetery / Pastoral Relations /
                                           Personnel / VP of Consistory  758-7564
Patti Varga–’12,  Christian Education   392-4771

                  John Schubert, Chairman, Classis Financial Committee

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

Kinderhook Reformed Church
Tricentennial Keynote Celebration Events May 20, 2012


2:00 P.M.      In the Sanctuary
• Organ Recital – David Smith  
The pipe organ was originally built by William Allen Johnson of Westfield, Massachusetts, who began building organs in 1844.  Johnson was considered one of the best organ builders of his time, using only the finest materials.   The organ was restored in 1999 by Leonard A. Carlson of East Greenbush, New York, who was able to save and use 780 of the original pipes dating from the Civil War period, many of which had been damaged over the years.  288 new pewter pipes were shipped from the Netherlands to complete the ranks.   A wooden parapet was removed that had been separating the pipes from the rest of the gallery, and in its place new, dramatic woodworking was crafted by Mr. Carlson’s son and installed on each side of the rose window to contain and protect the pipes and to allow for a full and impressive view of the window.
• Tour of the Church and the Display of Historical Items
     Outside - Tent
• Book Signing – Authors and contributors, KRC’s commemorative history publication Kinderhook Reformed Church: 300 Years of Faith and Community, will be available to sign your book.
• Cuisine Tasting – Sample recipes from KRC’s 2012 commemorative cookbook, Flavors
3:00 P.M.      Outside
• Butterfly Release - 300 butterflies will be released symbolizing the 300 years that the gospel has been preached from the pulpit of Kinderhook Reformed Church and honoring the Lord for his grace and blessing upon this ministry.
• Ichabod Crane High School Marching Band  Performance
• Ichabod Crane High School Quartet  Performance  
     Outside - Tent
• Book Signing – Authors and contributors, KRC’s commemorative history publication, Kinderhook Reformed Church: 300 Years of Faith and Community, will be available to sign your book.
     Outside
• Photo Op on the front steps & lawn of the church for church family and guests who have come to celebrate KRC’s Tricentennial year 
4:00  P.M.      In the Sanctuary
• Keynote Celebration Worship Service, portions in Dutch and English
• Choir of the Christian Academy Performance
5:00  P.M.      Fellowship Hall
• Everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for coffee and Dutch delicacies.


2012 EVENTS IN CELEBRATION OF OUR 300th YEAR
May 26, Abe Williamson Memorial at Kinderhook Cemetery - dedication of a memorial monument placed by family members in remembrance of family members and others buried in the cemetery without markers
June 10, Youth Sunday - A celebration of KRC’s Sunday School students and staff as Sunday School recesses for the summer
June 25-29, 9-12 Noon daily “National Parks Vacation Bible School” for ages 3 through Grade 8
July 20, 7 pm  An evening of acoustic worship with Derek Levendusky -
Derek is the lead singer of the band, “Isaiah 6”
Fall Concert (details TBA)
November 3, Church Bazaar
December 16, 3rd annual Lessons & Carols with organist David Smith & choir