Kinderhook Reformed Church

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Services

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

May 18, 2014

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors.  We would like to get to know you better

and 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

  Welcome/Announcements 

  Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                        1 Peter 2: 2-10 (p. 860)

  Message                                                                      “Longing for Pure Spiritual Milk”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering

  Intercessory Prayer

*Prayer Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship

downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship service.

Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome

  Greeter(s): Joy Bertram                                       Pre-school Nursery available downstairs.

Guest Organist:  David Smith

  Prelude                           Méditation from Suite Médiévale                      Jean Langlais

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

Boldly Approaching Our God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive) Adapted from Psalm 68:32-35

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord.
       To him who rides across the highest heavens,

       the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.
Proclaim the power of God.
       Whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens?
You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;

       The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
       Praise be to God!

*Hymn of Praise #70                                                God Is Love, Let Heaven Adore Him

  Call to Confession

Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” Come let us delight in the law of the Lord, and meditate on his law!

  Confession of our Sin (Responsive)

Pastor:  You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.  (Luke 10:27)

All:   And they'll know we are  Christians by our love,  by our love.  Yes they'll     

know we are Christians by our love. Lord, forgive us when we offend you!

Elder:  "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. (I John 4:7)

All:   And  they'll know we are Christians by our love,  by our love.  Yes they'll     

know we are Christians by our love. Lord, forgive us when we fail you!

Deacon:   God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him...We love because he first loved us.  (I John 4:16, 19)

All:   And they'll know we are Christians by our love,  by our love.  Yes they'll     

know we are Christians by our love. Lord, forgive us when we ignore you!

Pastor:   This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you . . . .This I command you: love one another. (John 15:13-14, 17)

All:  And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love. Lord, forgive us when we demand love without loving ourselves! Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon

Listen! Hear this good news! The grace of God surrounds us and goes before us and God's love for us is stronger than our misdeeds. You are forgiven! Receive this good news and breathe in the breath of God's forgiving love. Amen.

  Children’s Message and Blessing

Heavenly Father, bless our children with wisdom.  Give them a constant hunger for more, and fill them with the knowledge of your Word and your will.  Grant them a life-giving reverence for you, for that is where wisdom begins.  Amen.

We Come before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                        1 Peter 2: 2-10 (p. 860)

  Message                                                                      “Longing for Pure Spiritual Milk”

  Prayer of Blessing

Celebrating God

  Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings/Offertory

Improvisation from Suite Médiévale         Jean Langlais

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Gracious God, you have blessed us with all that we need and often more than we need. Help us receive what you give with grace.  In turn, help us be generous - with our monetary gifts, our possessions, our talents, and our time. We ask that you would accept and consecrate all these gifts to further your work in the world. Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn #538                                                                     I Need Thee Every Hour

*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                            Prélude from Suite Médiévale                         Jean Langlais

HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY

Elize Visser (4^th), Joan Clause (5^th), Sara Hartman (9^th),

Brenda Longe (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)

~LENDING A HELPING HAND~

Bev Van Alstyne, as you know, is now home from rehab, and it is time to step up and lend a helping hand to Bev and Dick.  Dick has arranged in-home help for each morning of the week, but Bev would appreciate visitors on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons.  Please let Dick or Erika Johnson know a day or two in advance of your visit so that Dick can plan an outing for himself during that time. Dick's cell phone is 965-6318, and Erika may be reached at 828-6726. Erika will be visiting with Bev this coming Monday. Please consider prayerfully how you can become a part of this ministry to these faithful members of our church family. 

KRC’S ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST and PLANT SWAP/SALE

All are welcome to come and to invite family and friends to a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast SATURDAY, MAY 31, from 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, and each year a different charity is chosen to receive the proceeds.

During the month of May, The Eddy/St. Peter’s Health Partners are offering free installation of a traditional emergency help button (a savings of around $50), or the new mobile alert with a gps.  Anyone who is homebound should consider getting an emergency help button.  Active individuals should consider the new mobile/gps system. The monthly cost for either  system after free installation is $38.  For information on how to obtain these services, call the Eddy at 833-1040.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ, or who are struggling in their faith, especially: Brian, who is also experiencing disabling health issues; and Craig.
• KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; VBS; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs.
• KRC’s 2013 Consistory members; KRC’s administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members. the missions and missionaries supported by KRC: Dave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan; Alight Pregnancy Center, Hudson;  Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission; 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, Young Life Ministry, St. Thomas; Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar International Mission.  
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace. Remember especially Jason, serving in Afghanistan, as well as another unspoken military-related need.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide,  that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassurance that he is in control.
• 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 abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• family and friends grieving the death of John Saunders; family and friends grieving the recent death of Sal Alessi, especially his wife, Becky; daughter, Jessica; and his mother and father. Remember also the Ball family of Cairo, grieving the recent death of their young son and brother, Eddy Ball.
• 13-year-old Estee Strumpfer of South Africa, gravely ill with Lyme disease and not responding to treatment.
• Carin, battling an infection.
• Barbara, in ICU.
• the unspoken request offered for Cliff.
• the kidnapped school girls of Nigeria.
• Bev and Dick Van Alstyne dealing with health and related issues.
• Amber and others about to graduate as they make their plans to attend college in the fall; pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many challenges, choices, and decisions that they are facing.
• Jean Brouwer and family.
• Baby Ellie LaTorre, diagnosed with displacement of the left hip, will be wearing a painless harness 24/7 for the next few weeks to hold her hip in place and correct this condition. Pray for a speedy and complete restoration of Ellie’s hip to its proper position.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness;  chronically ill; or in hospice care: Amy Clinton; C J and Chris Laraway; Jean Skipper; Mark Young; Joe Harden; Luke; Bobby Bailey; Angie Rivera; John Dean Sr; Isabelle Bosquet-Morra; John; Paula Mueller; Sara Schubert; Bev Van Alstyne;  Maureen Mooney;  Jane Smith; Liz Carroll; Jane Zanchelli; Dawn Tuttle; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Paul Varga; Blanche Rogers; Florence Rivera.
• Sandy, mother-in-law of Andy Shpur, undergoing chemo and radiation treatments.
• others battling or recovering from cancer: Bridget; Mary Beth Gottshall; Kim Lyle’s grandmother, Linda; Gen Weiland; Harold; Sharon; Kevin; Theresa Van Warner; Rosemary Whitmore & Mrs. Martinez, mothers of Paul Varga's best friends; Steven Blun; Mary, Jessica Farley's mom; Dawn Tuttle's daughter-in-law; Leonard, Susan Lamont's cousin; Charlie Roppolo; Luci & sister, Guinda Derrico; Donna Scalera.
• those who are traveling.
• those facing challenges and difficult decisions: Greg and Lisa, fighting addictions; Alex and his family; the Laraway/Lamont family; mothers and children who have had to leave their homes due to family violence; Christians suffering persecution, especially the Christian community in Afghanistan and other places in the Middle East; Libby Little. YOU ARE WELCOME TO PICK UP A COPY OF LIBBY LITTLE’S MAY UPDATE LETTER FROM THE BACK TABLE.

• reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• our residence-bound members, Doris Schmeider; Gordie Van Buren; and Murray Leonardson.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
• all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, and working together to complete their callings.
• KRC's Consistory, whose dedication to their calling is an inspiration to all.
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times .
• The happy news that Patrice Lyons's mother continues to do very well.
• The good report that Mark, Colleen's brother in Florida, is improving.
• The dedicated and hard-working women 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.
• the KRC family and beyond who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.
• the blessing of times in which families fellowship, grow, and bond together.
• 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.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,728.14 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 $86.79.  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. That’s only $2.50 per week for
 each week remaining in this year. All contributions for this purpose should be designated, 
“Classis Assessment.”  

~A FRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT PEW CARDS~

Just a note to remind parents to keep their children from writing on or tearing the visitors’ cards and the prayer and announcement cards found in the slots on the back of each pew.  The visitors’ cards are purchased from a professional printer, and are expensive to replace.   Please have your children make use of the writing and coloring materials available especially for them in the back of the sanctuary.  Your attention to this request will be greatly appreciated.

COMING EVENTS

Today, May 18

        8:30 am  Early Worship Service             

      10:00 am  Worship Service and Sunday School    

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

             Please join in our continuing study of The Lord’s Prayer.

Mon., May 19

         9:30 am  Olde Dutch & Such Craft Group meets

         7:00 pm  Food Pantry meeting

Tues., May 20

         7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets       

Thur, May 22

            9:00 am  Small Group meets @ KRC

          Please join us as we continue our study of the book of Revelation.

       10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Fri.,    May 23

         9:30 am  Weight Watchers meet, KRC Fellowship Room

Mon., May 26

         9:30 am  Olde Dutch & Such Craft Group meets

Fri.,   May 30 – Pancake Breakfast/Plant Swap Set-up

Sat.,   May 31

         8:00 am – 11:00 am  KRC’s Annual Pancake Breakfast /Plant Swap

Mon., June 2

         9:30 am  Olde Dutch & Such Craft Group meets

         6:45 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Servers Next Sunday, May 25, 2014

       Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome

       Greeter(s):  Dolly Petith