SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, MAY 29, 2016

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH - REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

WELCOME TO DAVE ALEXANDER, GUEST PREACHER

RCA Missionary to Taiwan

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Welcome visitors!  Please fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate.

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  All are invited to enjoy fellowship and a light brunch downstairs following worship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Max DiOrio

 Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Joy Bertram             Preschool nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude                               Faith of Our Fathers         #692

“Faith of our fathers! We will strive to win all nations unto thee . . .”

  Welcome, Announcements, and God’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive) Bases on Psalm 86:8-10

With glad hearts we come to worship you, O Sovereign Lord,

       for there is none like you, nor are there any works like yours.

With humble and submissive hearts we bow down before you, O Lord,

       for you alone are God.

With hearts of praise, all the nations you have made shall glorify your name,

       for you are great and do wondrous things.

Allowing God to Shape Us

*Hymn of Praise #66                                                                    The God of Abraham Praise

  Call to Confession

In spite of God’s love for us, we disregard his covenant promises, close our hearts to him, and act in faithless, self-centered, and destructive ways. Together let us confess our sin:

 Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Almighty God, we confess how hard it is to be your people. You have called us to be the church, to continue the mission of Jesus Christ to our lonely and confused world. Yet we acknowledge we are more indifferent than energetic in fulfilling our mission; more stingy than sharing with your gift of spiritual light; more self-centered than other-centered; more callous than compassionate; more obstinate than obedient; more legalistic than loving; Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.

[Moment of Silent Confession]

Merciful God, remove the obstacles preventing us from being

your representatives to a broken world.

Awaken our hearts to the purposes and power of your indwelling Spirit.

This we pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 103

Our God of mercy remembers that we are dust, but his steadfast love is from

everlasting to everlasting for those who fear him, who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

       Thanks Be to Our God of love and forgiveness!

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer of Blessing

  Scripture                                                                                   Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 (p. 10)

  Message                                                                        "Mission when Expectations Clash"               

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

      Offering/Offertory                 Shine, Jesus, Shine!      #721

   “Flow, river, flow – flood the nations with grace and mercy.”

*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)

Faithful God of promise, with expectation we present ourselves and our gifts for your service.   Use us and these offerings to spread, both near and far, the gospel of hope that is in Christ Jesus, and thereby increase your kingdom.  Amen.  

  Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Affirmation #745                                                                           Jesus Shall Reign

*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                                       Jesus Saves            #728

“Let the nations now rejoice – Jesus saves!  Jesus saves!”

A hearty welcome to David Alexander, RCA missionary to Taiwan.  The KRC church family has helped to support Dave, and his wife, Charlene, for many years, and we are blessed to have him here today preaching and updating us on their mission work.  Following worship, a light brunch will be served downstairs where we can meet, welcome, and fellowship with Dave personally.

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.

THIS COMING 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 go to benefit the Wee Care program which outreaches to mothers in need of outfitting their newborn babies.

~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. 

~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 good report that after 3 weeks of radiation treatments, Charles Spaulding, uncle of Michael Spaulding, is taking a hiatus this week.  Doctors are pleased with his progress, and treatments will resume next week, presumably for 5-6 more weeks, or as needed.  Family appreciates continued prayers for Charles, who is in his nineties..
• the good report that Kathleen Campbell, mother-in-law of Jane Deane's daughter, Jen, has recovered very successfully from a recent heart attack; Kathleen and family thank everyone for their prayers.
• the good news that Gary Silvano received a heart transplant following a long and sometimes very discouraging wait, and that he is responding well following the transplant surgery.
• 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, especially family and friends of Scott Wood, who died unexpectedly while vacationing in Scotland.
• 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.
• the Lamont family, residing again in a motel.  Prayers are desperately needed for Susan and her children as they attempt to cope with difficult issues and circumstances.
• Aaron and Susan Clause, following an auto accident in which Aaron fractured 10 ribs and Susan sustained a serious break in her left arm and 2 broken hand bones.  Please pray for speedy recoveries without complications for Aaron and Sue
• Donna Scalera, following the prognosis that her cancer is incurable.  Pray for God’s courage, comfort, reassurance, and peace for Donna and the Scalera family at this very difficult time, and for his blessing on the family cruise being planned.
• Others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Ron Dick; Charles Spaulding; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; 6-month-old Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Payton; Angie Rivera; Suzanne, daughter-in-law of Alan and Noreen Dick; Steve Shpur; Elizabeth Clinton; 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 facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Greg Clause Jr and his mother; 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; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
• residence-bound KRC friends and family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

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

~NOTES FROM CONSISTORY~

·         The elevator is complete!  After the handicapped-accessible bathroom downstairs is finished, KRC will advertise that we are fully handicapped-accessible. 

·         The Worship Ministry will be purchasing a new keyboard. This will be a used instrument, a Van Koevering, to replace our current Kurtzweil (which has volume control problems that cannot be repaired).  The purchase will be made thanks to a donation from a member who wishes to remain anonymous.

·         A list of each Ministry's members has been updated and posted.  Please consider being a member on one of these Ministries and ask any current member if you would like more information.  Remember, you are always welcome to attend a meeting just to check it out to see if it fits with your gifts.  

·          Reminders:

May 31 - Classis Executive Committee Meeting – Pastor Rudy will attend.

June 9-14 - General Synod Meeting in Illinois – Pastor Paige and Patti will attend.

June 21 - Classis Meeting – Pastor Rudy and Patti will attend. 

June 26 - Our Associate Pastor, Paige Convis, will be installed and then 'given' to Stuyvesant and Muitzeskill churches.  Come join the celebration! The service will be at 4 pm at KRC followed by a reception.

~LETTER FROM INTERSERVE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – LIBBY LITTLE’S SABBATICAL~

Dear Friends,

       In talking and praying with Libby, we both feel that she is due for a sabbatical. Libby has been going strong ever since 2010. Just after the memorial service for Tom in October of 2010, Libby was off to Cape Town, South Africa to speak at the Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization. She hasn’t stopped since then.

       Libby has felt for almost two years that a change was in the wind; yet, she didn’t know exactly what God was calling her to do. We talked about it and we prayed. Last year about this time we again talked about this. I suggested she consider taking some time off for a sabbatical. She was sensing the need to hear from God about what he had for her in the future. A sabbatical would give her the time she needed for the Spirit to formulate something in her heart and mind as she reflected on her future.

       Yet, you all know Libby. She is an incredibly devoted and faithful soul. She was passionate about being faithful to all who have supported her over these years. For Libby, expressing that faithfulness was accepting all the speaking invitations she could accept.

       So, I just prayed and waited another year. Now, Libby has come to the place where she will actually do a sabbatical! We in Interserve wholeheartedly support this. This sabbatical will give Libby the opportunity to remain situated in one place, the time she needs to hear from the Lord, and the incredible opportunity to be a volunteer mentor to Afghan refugees who have immigrated to her home city, Afghans who have been traumatized by war and by coming to a radically different country. Being an immigrant is not easy for anyone; it is much harder for those who have come out of a context of senseless violence and great loss.

       So, I ask you to support Libby as she pulls back from her travels and takes time to be refreshed by all the Lord has for her.

Sincerely,

Patrick Krayer, Executive Director

~STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~

This past Sunday, our weekly offering of $2,814 came in under our weekly need of $3,000.  This, and previous shortfalls, have led to a current budget deficit of $8,196 as can be seen from the figures below. Regular contributors are asked to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday, and Stewardship Ministry urges that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.  

Total income to date:    $65,479

Total expenses to date: $73,675

Inspired by the abundance with which the Lord has blessed us,

 let us continue, as his faithful stewards, to be ever mindful of the need

 to maintain a weekly offering sufficient to cover our commitments.

~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)

COMING EVENTS

Today, May 29 

     10:00 am  Combined Worship Service

             Dave Alexander, KRC missionary to Taiwan, speaks at KRC.

               A light brunch will be served following the worship service.

                   Please Note: Adult Sunday School will not meet today.

Tues, May 31

       7:00 pm  Youth Group meets

Thur, June 2

      9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets @KRC

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

PLEASE NOTE:

JUNE 3 FIRST FRIDAY COMMUNITY DINNER CANCELED.

Sat.,  June  4 

       8 – 11 am  KRC’s Annual Free Pancake Breakfast  

             Donations accepted to benefit the Wee Care outreach program.

Sun,  June  5   

       8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service and Sunday School

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Sun, June 12 

     10:00 am  Combined Worship Service – Perry Jones preaching

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Sun, June 26 

        8:30 am  Early Worship Service

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Sunday School

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

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

       4:00 pm  Installation of Rev. Paige Convis, KRC Associate Pastor

Servers Next Sunday, June 5, 2016

       Ushers: Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Max DiOrio

       Greeter(s):