Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, November 12, 2017

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

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.

  8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Scripture                                                                                              Deuteronomy 30:15-20

  Message                                 "But if Your Heart Turns Away and You Do Not Hear . . .”
  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

    PLEASE NOTE:  BASKETS ON THE BACK TABLE FOR COLLECTION OF DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS.

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

  10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Following worship today, all are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship

downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett.

Thanks to today’s Greeter, Sally Heimroth.

Nursery facility available downstairs.

  Prelude                                  Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us                 Thrupp/Bradbury

  Welcome and Announcements

  God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call To Worship   (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 
       We ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name;

       we worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.                                 

The Lord is powerful and majestic.
       His voice breaks the cedars and shakes the desert.

The Lord sits enthroned over all and reigns as King forever. Let the people say -         

       Glory, Glory, Glory!
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Let the people sing -
       Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

*Prayer Hymn of Praise #2                                          Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Allowing God to Shape Us

    Call to Confession   Psalm 34:18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Let us admit our brokenness to God.

  Prayer of Confession  (Responsive)

Lord, I have betrayed you by following my own way.

       I have denied you by fearing to follow yours.

And I have mocked you by not taking your death seriously.
       Lord, I am lost. Let your forgiveness find me.

Hold me in your strong arms and give me your new life.

Free us, we pray, from that which binds us. Enable us to be a people renewed in faith and love. We know that with you all things are possible, and so we ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ, who came to show us how to make your kingdom come.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

Jesus knows our weaknesses and shortcomings and is always eager to forgive us when we ask.

       Thanks be to God! In Jesus Christ we are cleansed and made whole.

       Hallelujah! Amen.

  Children’s Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)  and Invitation to Sunday School

Heavenly Father, bless these children with a whole-hearted, reverent love for you, and grant them the life-giving wisdom to obey your Word and submit to your will. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Reading                                    Deuteronomy 30:15-20

  Message                                         "But if Your Heart Turns Away and You Do Not Hear . . .”
  Prayer of Blessing

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

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

Celebrating God

  Offering/Offertory                     More Love to Thee, O Christ                            Prentiss/Doane

    PLEASE NOTE:  BASKETS ON THE BACK TABLE FOR COLLECTION OF DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS.

*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.

*Offertory Prayer  (Unison)

Lord God, whose wisdom is beyond understanding, you are the source of all life. Yet we chase after things of this world that fail to satisfy and that end in spiritual death. Thank you for patiently redirecting us to love, trust, and obey you with our whole heart. Renew us by your Holy Spirit so that we may enjoy and lead others to abundant life in you. To these purposes we give these offerings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Counsel #523                                                                                            Trust and Obey

*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                                                 I Love You, Lord                                               Laurie Klein

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Fred Hickman (3^rd), Ted Call (11^th), Joy Bertram (14^th), Claudia March (22^nd)

CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE CONTINUES ITS EIGHTH SEASON NEXT TODAY AS NINETY PERFORM

HANDEL’S MONUMENTAL “ISRAEL IN EGYPT”

       At 3:00 today at KRC, Concerts in the Village will present Handel’s monumental oratorio Israel in Egypt, with the Broad Street Chorale, the Cantilena Chamber Choir (Lenox), Andrea Goodman, Director, the Broad Street Orchestra, and soloists.  This will be the second program of CITV’s eighth season. CITV Artistic Director David Smith will conduct.   Contribution: $20.  Reception follows. 

       CITV concerts are made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Columbia, Greene and Schoharie Counties by the Greene County Council on the Arts through the Community Arts Grants Fund. Generous funding has also been received from the Hudson River Bank and Trust Company Foundation, T. Backer Fund, and Stewart’s Shops, as well as from many individual and business supporters. Kinderhook Reformed Church is especially acknowledged for its many in-kind donations. 

VALATIE FOOD PANTRY THANKSGIVING BASKETS

KRC's OUTREACH MINISTRY’S THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
ENDS TODAY, NOVEMBER 12

    Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church Family and Friends,

       Thanksgiving Food Baskets will be given again this year to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and request one.  The baskets include turkey and all the trimmings for Thanksgiving dinner.   KRC’s Outreach Ministry’s food collection drive in support of this effort ends today, so please place your bagged donations in the foyer if you have not already done so.                                     

        If you would like to help financially, checks may be made payable to “Kinderhook Reformed Church” with “Thanksgiving Baskets” on the memo line and dropped into the offering plate.     

        AS A RESULT OF LAST YEAR’S FOOD COLLECTION DRIVE AND FINANCIAL DONATIONS, MANY NEEDY FAMILIES IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ENJOYED GREATTHANKSGIVING DINNERS, AND KRC CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO THIS MINISTRY. LET’S MAKE THIS YEAR EVEN BETTER! 

~FRIENDLY NOTE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE~

Hi, Rudy and KRC Family,

       We are settled, doing well, and like being here! Hope all is well, and you are remaining in my prayers.

                                                                                 Suzy Nieman

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.
• Pastor Rudy and Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as they fulfill their ministerial duties.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; Sunday School; 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 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 S. Korea.
• victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies: economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement. Remember especially families and friends grieving those who died in the First Baptist Church shootings in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
• 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.
• Esther Baker, Jim Baker’s mom, suffering congestive heart failure and fluid build-up.  Pray for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Esther.
• James Morse, 93, oldest brother of Kay Haber, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is scheduled for surgery within the next two weeks.  Pray for God's comfort, strength, and healing for James, and for Kay and her family during this time.  
• Donna Scalera, now in hospice care.  Pray for God's comfort, reassurance, and peace for Donna and her family at this distressing time.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Christine; Michael, brother of Mary Jane Haywood; Connie Witkowski; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Lauren Mitchell, great niece of Kay Haber; Michelle Martino; Emese, Patti Varga's sister-in-law; Lesley Haywood; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Barbara Vosburgh; Virginia Rothermel; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: our students, especially Stacey Baker, as they deal with the challenges of higher levels of education in this school year, career choices, and job searches; Suzy and Bill Nieman as they settle into their new home in New Hampshire; Greg Clause Jr.; Libby Little-Saxton, working with Afghan refugees – Libby’s latest newsletter is available for pick-up on the back table of the sanctuary; the epidemic of addiction to life-threatening drugs.
• 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, Derek DeJager 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 wellbeing and lives for the peace & liberty we enjoy.
• the happy news from Will and Jayne Ferguson that they have been blessed with a granddaughter! Todd and Danielle Ferguson welcomed Isla Grace on October 23 (6 lbs. 9 oz.).  After a couple of weeks in the NICU following her early arrival, Isla joined her parents at home this past Tuesday, and everyone is doing well!
• the good news that Dolly Petith, is able to be with us in worship again following cataract surgery and a recent brief hospitalization for dehydration.
• the encouraging report that Virginia Rothermel is now home from Whitter following a recent mobility issue.
• the happy news that Andrew and Melissa (Call) Welcome are expecting their second child.  The Welcomes would very much appreciate your prayers for a healthy pregnancy for Melissa.
• the comfort and strength Jean and Bob Wildermuth experienced from the outpouring of calls, cards, and notes of prayer support and encouragement received during Jean’s eye surgeries this past year.  The power of your prayers enfolded them "from head to toe," and blessed them inexpressibly, for which they are most grateful. 
• all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so generously and so selflessly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who often do this quietly behind-the-scenes with little notice or recognition.

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

Patrice Lyons – ’17  Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    758-8400  patricelyons50@gmail.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 – 852-7172

                       KRC  Sexton                  KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Steven Green – 505-4918        Greg Clause – 369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today, November 12  Thanksgiving Food Drive Ends

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, main floor Conference Room

     10:00 am  Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

       3:00 pm  Concerts in the Village @ KRC – Israel in Egypt, Handel

Mon,  November  13

      6:30 pm  Consistory meets

Tues,  November  14

      7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur, November  16

       9:00 am  Small Group Bible study @KRC.

            Group continues a new study: Grace, by Max Lucado – Please join us!

      10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

       7:00 pm  Bible study, 1 and 2 Peter, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sun,  November 19   Combined Worship Service     

     10:00 am  Combined Worship/Congregational Meeting Service

                              and Children’s Sunday School

Mon, November 27

      6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Sun,  November 26       

     10:00 am  Combined Worship Service

Please Note: There will be no First Friday dinner in December.

Instead we will have our Candlelight Night annual open house December 8.

Servers Next Sunday, November 19

Ushers:  Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett

Greeter(s): Dawn Van Buren