Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Services

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

May 25, 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                                                                                   God of Our Fathers

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                Philippians 3:4b-14 (p. 832)

  Message                                                  “No Longer Does My Past Get into My Eye.”

  Scout Badge Presentation, Patrick and Jackson Carroll

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering

  Intercessory Prayer

*Hymn of Prayer and Commitment                                                         Higher Ground

*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): Dolly Petith                             Pre-school Nursery available downstairs.

Flowers are given today by Dawn Van Buren in honor and memory of

those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. 

Guest Organist:  David Smith

  Prelude                           Prelude No. 2 in G major, op. 37                       Mendelssohn

  Announcements and God’s Greeting  

Boldly Approaching Our God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive) Based on Psalm 102

Come and worship our eternal God      

       who sits enthroned forever,

       whose renown endures through all generations.
Come and worship our all-powerful God

       whose name will be feared by all nations,
       whose glory will be revered by all rulers of earth.

Come and worship our compassionate God

       who hears the prayers of the destitute from his sanctuary on high,
       who hears the groans of prisoners and the pleas of the condemned.

Come and worship our perfect God

       whose attributes are written in his everlasting Word,

       that a people not yet created may praise his name.

*Hymn of Praise #419                                                                          God of Our Fathers

  Call to Confession  Psalm 103:8, 9

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.” In the reassuring knowledge that the Lord does not treat us as our sins deserve, let us confess our offenses before him.

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)  Based on Psalm 143

O Lord, hear our prayer and listen to our cry for forgiveness and mercy.  Do not hide you face from us, or bring us into judgment for our sinfulness, for no one living is righteous before you.  Hide us in your righteousness, and let your good Spirit lead us on level ground.  Our souls thirst for you like parched land.  In your unfailing love, show us the way we should go, and teach us to do your will, for you are our God.  Amen.

[Silent Personal Prayer of Confession]

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive) Psalm 103:11, 12

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is the Lord’s love for those who fear him;  as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

       Hallelujah! The Lord’s righteousness is with those who fear him.

  Children’s Message and Blessing  (Unison)

Holy Spirit of God, inspire our children with the eternal rewards you promise, and motivate them to seek first your kingdom and righteousness and to lay up treasure in heaven.  May they, like Christ, move forward in their faith journey with integrity, and invest generously and unselfishly in the lives and spiritual welfare of others.  Amen.

We Come before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Lesson                Philippians 3:4b-14 (p. 832)

  Message                                                 “No Longer Does My Past Get into My Eye.”

  Prayer of Blessing

Celebrating God’s Blessings

  Memorial Day Prayer  (Responsive)

Gracious God, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and give thanks

for those who have given their lives in the service of our country.

When the need was greatest, they stepped forward and did their duty to defend the freedoms that we enjoy, and to win the same for others.

O God, you yourself have taught us that no love is greater than that which gives itself for another. These honored dead gave the most precious gift they had, life itself, for loved ones and neighbors, for comrades and country – and for us.

Help us to honor their memory by caring for the family members they have left behind, by ensuring that their wounded comrades are properly cared for, and by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms for which they gave their lives.

Help us, O God, to remember that freedom is not free – that there are times when its cost is, indeed, dear. Never let us forget those who paid so terrible a price to ensure that freedom would be our legacy.

Though their names may fade with the passing of generations, may we never forget what they have done. Help us to be worthy of their sacrifice, O God, help us to be worthy. Amen.

  Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings/Offertory

                    Finale from Sonata No. 6 in d minor, op. 65          Mendelssohn

*Doxology and Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

O Lord, our God, we bring to you our offerings and sacrifices, our tithes and special gifts, all the choice possessions we have vowed to give, and our freewill offerings.  Here, in your presence, O Lord, we rejoice because you have blessed the work of our hands.  Amen.     

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn (Insert)                                                                                Higher Ground

*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn    My Friends May You Grow in Grace

  Postlude                                             Free Fantasy on Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory

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 THIS COMING 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.

Nancy Swinyard will be making her annual visit to Kinderhook from May 28 to June 4.  For those of you who do not know Nancy, she was raised in Kinderhook and KRC by parents, Reginald and Edna Swinyard, and now resides in Maryland.  Nancy will be accompanied by her friend, Greg, and they are looking for a family or individual willing to offer them the use of a couple of rooms in their home during their stay.  Nancy and Greg will be responsible for their own meals, entertainment, and transportation.  Please call Paul at 859-4158 if you are able to accommodate them.    

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.
• Angie Hickman, hospitalized recently with a blood infection, now recovering at home.
• Doris Schmieder, mother of Claudia March, recovering from a light stroke recently. Doris is home but is concerned. Pray for peace, reassurance, and patience for Doris and the March family.
• A J Laraway, bitten by three ticks and awaiting the results of blood tests.
• Abby and Bill, dealing with a personal crisis and in need of prayer and guidance.
• 13-year-old Estee Strumpfer of South Africa, showing some improvement and response to treatment, but still seriously ill with Lyme disease.
• 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, 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 good news that Susan Lamont now has her driver's permit and may soon be able to drive, which will enable her to independently care and provide for her family in a more timely and efficient manner.
• 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.

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)

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 just under $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

                          KRC 2014 CONSISTORY

            Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                       Deacons

Jane Deane – ’14,  Outreach     758-7051

Noreen Dick – ’15,  Church Family  758-6640

Derick Latorre – ’14,  Stewardship / KRC Treasurer    376-1882

Barbara Vosburgh – ’15,   Property   758-6512

                                                        Elders

Maureen Mooney – ’14,  Outreach / Consistory Vice-President    210-6079

Dawn Tuttle – ’15,  Worship / Personnel / Consistory Clerk  758-6031

Patti Varga – ’15  Christian Education / Classis Delegate  392-4771

Bob Wildermuth – ’14,  Pastoral Relations 828-0690

                John Schubert, Chairman, Classis Financial Committee

                                                   KRC STAFF

               KRC Office Manager                     KRC Office Assistant    

              Paul Clause – 859-4158                   Liz Carroll – 758-6034

                                    Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton

                                   Greg Clause – 369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today, May 25

        8:30 am  Early Worship Service             

      10:00 am  Worship Service

Please Note: Sunday School is in recess today and will resume next week.

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

Mon., May 26

         9:30 am  Olde Dutch & Such Craft Group meets

Tues., May 27

         7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets       

Thur, May 29

            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 30 – Pancake Breakfast/Plant Swap Set-up

         9:30 am  Weight Watchers meet, KRC Fellowship Room

Sat.,   May 31

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

Sun., June   1

         8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service    

       10:00 am  Communion Worship Service and Sunday School    

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

Mon., June 2

         9:30 am  Olde Dutch & Such Craft Group meets

         6:45 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Sun., June  8 

         8:30 am  Early Worship Service            

       10:00 am  Worship - Sunday School Youth Sunday

Please Note: Beginning June 15, Sunday School will be in recess

for the summer months and will resume in September.

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

Sun., July  6 – Sun. August 31 

Please Note: The 8:30 and 10 am services will combine

and meet for worship at 9 a.m. during the summer months.

Servers Next Sunday, June 1, 2014

       Ushers:  Jim Dunham, Fred Hickman, Barry Knights, Gary Leggett

       Greeter(s):  Dawn Van Buren