ASCENSION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, MAY 15, 2016

PENTECOST SUNDAY

 KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH - REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Welcome visitors!  Please 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                                                                                                   Acts 2:12-21 (p. 771)

  Message                                                                                "The Church in Public Domain"

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

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

Thanks to today’s ushers, Ted Call, Jerry Flansburg, and Glenn Warren

 Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Greg & Paul Clause                     Guest Organist, David Smith

 Preschool nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude                    Cantata di chiesa (a la Bach), op. 101/6                   Sigfrid Karg-Elert  

  Welcome, Announcements, and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on selected Old Testament “Spirit” passages

Spirit of the Lord, come, pour yourself out upon us from on high:

Turn the deserts of our lives into fertile fields.

Bring justice to the nations, and give us rest.

Spirit of the Sovereign Lord, enter into us:

Move us to follow your decrees and laws, and lead us on level ground.

Spirit of the Sovereign Lord, do not depart from us:

Keep the words that you have put in our mouths forever on our lips

and on the lips of our children and their descendants.

Spirit of the Sovereign Lord anoint us:

Empower us to declare good news to the poor;

to bind up the brokenhearted; to release the captives of darkness;

and to proclaim freedom.

*Hymn of Praise #8                                                                       All Glory Be to God on High

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Based on Isaiah 30:15

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion, for he is God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him. In repentance and rest is your salvation and in quietness and trust is your strength!

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

We have grieved your Spirit, O Lord, by spoiling our family life with moodiness and irritability that make us difficult to live with; with insensitivity that makes us careless of the feelings of others; with selfishness that makes life harder for others.  We have grieved your Spirit by spoiling our witness for you; by denying with our actions what we say with our lips; by the difference between our creed and our conduct, our profession and our practice.  We have grieved your Spirit, O Lord, for behaving in ways that make it easier for another to sin or to criticize the Gospel of Christ. When we consider the meanness and ugliness and weakness of our lives, we thank you for Jesus Christ, our Savior, and humbly beg your forgiveness for our sin.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive) Based on Ezekiel 39:25ff

“I will have compassion on my children,” declares the Lord, “and I will no longer hide my face from them.  I will pour out my Spirit on them, and they will forget their shame and all their unfaithfulness. They will know that I am the Lord their God, and I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.”

       Thanks and praise to the Spirit of Peace!

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing (Unison)

Father, fill these children with your Holy Spirit, we pray. Show them how to exercise their spiritual gifts, and enable them to bear all the good fruit of your Spirit in ministry to others - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                                   Acts 2:12-21 (p. 771)

  Message                                                                                "The Church in Public Domain"

  Prayer of Thanks

  Prayer Song #297                                                                                 Spirit of the Living God

Celebrating God

      Offering/Offertory            Adagio (a la Beethoven), op. 101/10            Sigfrid Karg-Elert         

*Doxology (#809)

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 grace and renewal, sanctify these gifts for the purpose of breaking the bondage of spiritual ignorance and sin through the redeeming work of Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Use them to relieve guilt, fear, stress, physical and emotional disease and pain, poverty, hunger, and whatever other disabling burdens we and those around us may be bearing.  Amen.

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Affirmation #689                                                    The Church's One Foundation

*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                   “Praise the Lord” (a la Handel), op. 101/5               Sigfrid Karg-Elert

~ANNUAL PLANT SWAP/SALE, 8 AM - 12 NOON NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 21~

     RAIN OR SHINE! KRC Outreach Ministry will hold its Annual Plant Swap/Sale from 8 am - 12 noon next Saturday, May 21. Please invite your friends and neighbors to participate in this popular event, and consider contributing extra divisions or cuttings from your own garden as well: perennials, herbs, ground covers, shrubs, house plants – visit kinderhookreformedchurch.com for a partial list. If you have something you need divided, but need help in doing so, please see call Maureen Mooney.  We will also pick up plants if you cannot drop them off.  We will be setting up from 4 – 8 pm this coming Friday, May 20, and anyone who volunteers to help gets to take advantage of a pre-sale/swap that evening.  100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the KRC Youth Group’s mission trip.

    Saturday, June 4, all are welcome to come and to invite family and friends to an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast of amazing food and fellowship with great people in the KRC Fellowship Hall. Sausage, coffee, and juice will be served along with the pancakes. No reservations needed, free-will donations accepted, and 100% of this year’s proceeds will to benefit the Wee Care program which outreaches to mothers in need of outfitting their newborn babies.

May 29, David Alexander, RCA missionary to Taiwan whom our church family has helped to support for many years, will be visiting KRC.  Dave will be updating us on his mission work, and on that of his wife, Char, at a combined 10 a.m. worship service.  Following worship, a light brunch will be served downstairs where we can meet, welcome, and fellowship with Dave personally.  A signup sheet is now on the back table for contributing food items to the brunch menu.

ABOUT DAVE & CHAR ALEXANDER

Charlene Bos and David Alexander met in Taiwan in 1976 while serving as RCA volunteers. They were married four years later, and returned to Taiwan in 1982 as career missionaries. Currently, Char teaches English at Chang Jung Christian University, which is associated with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Dave teaches practical theology and ministry skills to ministerial trainees at Tainan Theological College and Seminary and offers courses in the lay training division there. The Alexanders have two children, Kate and Grant. Dave and Char work in partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.

~ANNUAL CROP WALK UPDATE~

THANK YOU all who donated to the annual Northern Columbia Crop Walk.  KRC's representatives, Patti Varga and Patrice Lyons, collected $339 toward the total, just under $7000, raised on May 1, the day of the walk.  More donations may trickle in over the next few weeks.  Please remember that 25% of the total raised stays locally to help food pantries help the needy right in our back yard. Thank You for your caring and generosity!

~NOTES FROM CONSISTORY~

• The elevator is installed and working!  Finishing “cosmetic” touches still need to be completed in the entry way.  Cost-to-date is $43,554, which has been offset somewhat by nearly $8,000 in contributions to the project, and additional contributions would be greatly appreciated.
• During the first quarter of 2016, income for meeting daily operating expenses was down around $1,000 due to lower weekly giving.  Expenses are “on track” with the 2016 projected budget.
• KRC has a new Associate Pastor, Rev. Paige Convis, who will be charged with rural ministry to Stuyvesant and Muitzeskill churches.
• Although Rev. Convis is Associate Pastor at KRC under the terms of her call, full financial responsibility for her salary and for all the benefits of her employment rest with the Stuyvesant and Muitzeskill churches rather than with KRC.
• Our Pastor Rudy met with the President and VP of RCA to discuss the Stuyvesant and Muitzeskill scenario - they were VERY impressed with his creative solution to the lack-of-a-pastor problem of these two churches.
• June 12^th - Perry Jones will be preaching at KRC at a combined 10 a.m. worship service.
• Remember, KRC sells gravesites for full burials and columbarium sites for cremains burials at competitive prices.

~NEW SEWING GROUP BEING CONSIDERED AT KRC~

A signup sheet is available on the back table for those who would like to take part in starting a sewing group at KRC. Although some ideas have already been put forward about sewing for different charities, the direction the group takes and what it decides to sew all depends on who joins.  If you enjoy sewing, please consider taking advantage of this outreach opportunity. 

~HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY!~

Elize Visser (4^th), Joan Clause (5^th), Sara Hartman (9^th), Tom Call (23^rd),

Andrew Welcome (23^rd), Sarah Bailey (24^th), Liezl Visser (28^th),

 Anina Visagie (29^th), Jerry Flansburg (30^th)

~2016 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT~

General Synod:     $53.71   (Up $1.98 from 2015)

Albany Synod:       $29.00   (Unchanged from 2015)

C.  G.   Classis:        $  6.22   (Down $1.07  from 2015

          2016 TOTAL PER MEMBER:        $88.93

                          (Up $0.91 from 2014)

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.
• 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 wonderful fellowship, good food, fun, and generous outreach at the recent Wee Care baby.  Many thanks to Amy Deweerd and all those who assisted in the success of this event to benefit mothers in need of outfitting their newborn babies.
• the good news that Ron Dick's recent PET scan showed no active cancer. Please keep Ron in your prayers, as he will be treated with four rounds of chemo as a preventative measure.  He thanks you all for your continued prayers and support during this time of stress for him and Judie.
• the happy news that Sara Schubert has a granddaughter due to arrive May 29 to son, Josh Schubert, and his wife, Helen.
• the happy news from Arnie and Claudia March that they have a grandson who is due to arrive in May. 
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.
• the many dedicated and hard-working friends and members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Family who serve on Consistory, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever support they can to those in need.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith. 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 new associate pastor, as she is called to take up her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches beginning May 1.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory, especially new members, Tana Thompson and Chip Wood; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs. 
• our state, national, and world leaders, 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.
• 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.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Nancy Stewart as she manages the needs of her aging parents in Ogdensburg, NY.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Kathleen Campbell, mother-in-law of Jane Deane's daughter, Jen; Angie Rivera; Ron Dick; Suzanne, daughter-in-law of Alan and Noreen Dick; Greg Clause Jr and his mother; Steve Shpur; Sug Hawver; Elizabeth Clinton; Gary Silvano; Stacey Baker; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• Those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Charles Spaulding, Michael Spaulding’s uncle; Donna Scalera; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; 6-month-old Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Donna and Jason; Amber, granddaughter of Erika and Merrill Johnson; Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those facing the challenges of a higher level of education or seeking a career; Cliff Laraway; Greg L and friend, Joshua; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• God's protection for those traveling. 
• Residence-bound KRC friends and family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

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

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

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