Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship, 10 A.M. May 21, 2017

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

A Worship Service of Celebration and Dedication of

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.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Wayne Van Allen.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Susan Patterson.      

 Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude                                                Melody (1896)                                    Horation Parker

  Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Psalm 145:10-12

All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

*Hymn of Adoration and Praise #130                           O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

*Votum and God's Greeting

*Hymn of Greeting                                                I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art

  Morning Prayer

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Psalm 32:1, 2

The Bible says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” Seeking the blessing of forgiveness, let us now acknowledge our transgressions.

  Prayer of Confession  (Responsive)  Based on Psalms 25 & 79

Merciful God, forgive us when we stray from your path and succumb to the temptation of the moment. Forgive us the times we deny and even betray you.
       Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our        

       sins for your name’s sake.

We confess that we are too busy with our own lives to perceive you at work in our time, and so easily fall into fear and despair about our troubled world as if you have no care for us.

       Forgive our lack of faith and help us to join you as you labor to bring new life

       on earth.                                     (Continued on next page.)

So often we prefer the old to the new, half-life to full-life, and our own achievements to your gift of life.

       Guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior – our hope is    

       in you all day long.

Forgive us when we forget to live our lives in a way that shows that you are our God and we are your people.

       Make us to know your ways, O Lord; teach us your path.

Forgive too Lord, what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed.

Grant us your grace O Lord, to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen.

  Words of Assurance  (Responsive)

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. Believe the good news of the Gospel: in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

       Thanks be to God!

  Hymn of Triumph and Thanks #473 (Verses. 1 & 5)    And Can It Be That I Should Gain

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                                    Mark 14:1-9 (p, 719)

  Message                                                                                     “The Beauty of Brokenness”

  Prayer of Thanks and Moment of Silent Meditation

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Accept Christ as Their Savior:

"Dear Jesus, I confess that I'm a sinner, and I admit that I am not right with you. I repent and ask your forgiveness.  I believe that you died on the cross to take my punishment and to pay the price for my offences.  I believe that you rose from death to give me new life. Wash me clean, Jesus, from all sin, shame, and guilt, and come into my heart as my Lord and Savior.  In your name I pray.  Amen."

  Song of Edification - Deborah Spaulding, soprano         O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Celebrating God, His Renewal, His Abundance, and His Care

  Offering/Offertory - Woody Strobeck and Suzy Nieman, flute duet             Simple Gifts

                                                  (Slideshow of Restoration Work)

*Doxology #809                                                   Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

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.

*Prayer of Dedication

       Infinite God of infinite renewal, before time, space, and the foundation of the world, the redemptive work of Christ was already in place, assuring the salvation of  all creation from permanent decay and destruction.  Through the power of Christ, our broken relationship with you has been restored, we are clothed in righteousness, acknowledged as your children, and blessed with the promise of life eternal.  For these gifts of your measureless love, our hearts are forever filled with gratitude and praise.                                             (Continued on next page.)

     Today, as children spiritually-reborn and restored to fellowship with you, we gather to dedicate the physical restoration work – the “old which has been made new” – on this, your house of worship.  We praise you for those among us who, over several years, envisioned, planned, and encouraged our church family and friends to commit to this stewardship endeavor;  we thank you for, and are deeply grateful to those who were inspired to support it financially;  and we ask your continued blessing upon the hands of those who labored to accomplish the tasks of reconstruction with skill and diligence. But of far greater significance, we ask that you sanctify this work for the purposes of proclaiming, for many years to come, your free gift of spiritual restoration to our surrounding communities and beyond, and fulfilling the mission to which you have called us: “To Know Christ, and to Make Him Known.”     

*Hymns of Dedication (Medley) - Woody Strobeck, trombone; Glenn Henkle, banjo

The Old Rugged Cross, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, O for a Closer Walk with God

(The instrumentalists will play each of these hymns through once, and then they will accompany the congregation in singing the first verse of each hymn.)

*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                                  Postlude in A major (1896)                             Horatio Parker

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

 Brenda Longe (9^th), Tom Call (23^rd), Andrew Welcome (23^rd),

Phil Hurst (26^th), Liezl Visser (28^th), Anina Visagie (29^th),

 Jerry Flansburg (30^th)

Each member’s share of this year’s classis assessment has been set at $88.50 (down 43¢ from last year).  
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 just $2.74 per week for the remaining 31 weeks in this year. Please clearly designate
all contributions, “Classis Assessment.” 

~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER~ 

Stop Hunger Now, which has recently rebranded itself “Rise Against Hunger,” packages and ships food and 
life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people and works to end global hunger in our lifetime.  
Since meal-packaging events began in 2005, over 500,000 volunteers have been engaged in this work, and over 
225 million meals have been provided in 74 countries.  This year, nearly 60 million meals will be packaged by 
more than 350,000 volunteers, and will be distributed in needy locations around the world to nourish more than 
a half-million lives.  In addition, $15 million in donated medicines, medical supplies, clothes, soap, and solar 
lights will be shipped to at least 37 countries.  A RISE AGAINST HUNGER FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT IS AN 
IMMENSELY-REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF EASY, HANDS-ON WORK, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!  
A group of 40 to 50 volunteers (any age) can package over 10,000 meals in just two hours.  Our local packaging 
event will take place Saturday, September 9, at the Kinderhook Town Hall (formerly Martin H. Glynn school) on 
Church Street in Valatie, during which we hope to pack 20 – 30 thousand meals.  Plan to save this date on your 
calendar and to lend a helping hand to this extraordinary ministry. Donation baggies and canisters are now 
available on the back table of the sanctuary to take home for saving up your contributions, and you are 
encouraged to take canisters to work or to businesses willing to display them. A donation of 29¢ buys one meal, 
$29 one hundred meals, $290 one thousand meals.  

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith journey. 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 associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; KRC’s small group ministries and Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs.
• our state, national, and world leaders, especially President Donald Trump and all of the new government officials now in office, 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, especially Jason Lansing serving in South Korea.
• 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, especially: the South African family grieving the death of their young son following a lion attack; the extended family of Ellen Lawrence, cousin of Deborah Spaulding, grieving Ellen’s recent death, as well as the death of Ellen’s brother, Ken, this past February; Michele Fuchs, co-worker of Nancy Baker, and family grieving the recent passing of Michele's mom, Valerie Molnar;
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.
• Christopher Dick, son of Noreen, just diagnosed definitively with rheumatoid arthritis, and now on a life-long treatment regimen.  Please pray for God’s healing, relief from pain, reassurance, and peace for Christopher as he begins to cope with this life-changing news.
• John and Cathy, following a car accident.
• A woman experiencing deep sadness because she is unable to conceive a child.
• Jay Rippel, dealing with persistent hiccups, which can result in exhaustion and interfere with normal eating and sleeping patterns.  Pray for quick relief for Jay.
• Our graduates as they face the challenges of higher education or career choices and job searches.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Ahtua Teo; Gail Schubert; Chris, Elize Visser’s dad; Annis and her young daughter; Keith Niver; Betty Osborn; Darla and Jill; Lennox; Lynn; Rob; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• Michael, battling cancer.
• Jill, recovering from lung cancer surgery.
• Don Morse, brother of Kay Haber, whose cancer has metastasized to his skeletal frame leaving him with many lesions. Recent surgery to place pins in each hip to stabilize his hips and legs, went well, and he now home and continuing treatments.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• others facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Stacey Baker; Libby Little-Saxton, now back to work with refugees after assisting her husband, John, in his recovery from knee-replacement surgery. Libby’s April Update is now available on the back table for pick-up; Vince Beaudoin; the epidemic of addiction to heroin and other substances.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.

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. 
• the inspirational ministries of our guest preachers, Perry Jones, Tom McCrossan, John Bowen, and others who lead worship at KRC from time to time.
• 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.
• Jen's acceptance of Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
• a smooth, problem-free house-closing this past Tuesday for Patti Varga.
• successful shoulder surgery and exceptional healing for Amy Deweerd's father.
• the blessings of family, and especially our mothers.
• the well-received and productive Community Conversations Workshop held recently at KRC.
• Sally and Wayne Heimroth's safe return from their winter stay in Florida.
• the good news that John Saxton, Libby Little-Saxton’s husband, has a new knee, is home from hospital, and recovering well - even climbing stairs!  Libby and John are very thankful for everyone’s prayers.
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so willingly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly and selflessly behind-the-scenes with little notice or recognition.
• His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Jane Deane – ’17  Outreach, Cemetery. . . . . .  758-7051  jdeane1943@gmail.com

Noreen Dick – ’18  Church Family . . . . . . . . . . 758-6640  noreend122@twc.com

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18  Stewardship  . . . . . . . 392-5044  barippel@yahoo.com

Elders

Merrill Johnson – ’18  Worship      . . . . . . . . . . . 828-6726  docjohnson36@gmail.com

Dawn Van Buren – ’18  Pastoral Relations . . 758-7564  dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Outreach,

                                Consistory Vice President . .755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel, Clerk. . . . 758-6512  vosburgh1@nycap.rr.com

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 376-1882  derick.latorre@gmail.com                                         

                                           KRC STAFF

                KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

            Paul Clause – 859-4158      Courtney Wood – 784-2134

                   KRC Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786       Greg Clause – 369-8472 

COMING EVENTS

Today,   May 21  Combined Service for Dedication of Restoration Work to Date

    10:00 am  Dedication Worship Service

Please Note: Sunday School will not meet Sunday, May 21.

Mon,  May 22

      6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues,  May 23

      7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur, May 25

       9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC:

              Group continues a new Bible study, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

      7:00 pm  Bible study group meets, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sun,   May 28  Children’s Sunday – Last Day of Sunday School

      8:30 am  Early Worship Service

      9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

    10:00 am  Worship Service, Sunday School students participating

Fri,   June 2

Please Note:  In lieu of KRC’s Annual Free Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 3, there will be no First Friday Community Dinner in June.

Sat,   June 3 

      8:00 - 11:00 am  Annual KRC Pancake Breakfast

      8:00 - Noon  Annual KRC Plant Swap/Sale

Servers Next Sunday, May 28
 

Ushers:  Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett

Greeter(s):