Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, November 19, 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.

    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, Dawn Van Buren.

Nursery facility available downstairs.

Guest Organist, David Smith

Welcome this Morning to Our Congregational Meeting as We Engage

in Worshiping Our Lord and the Worshipful Work of Our Church.

  Prelude                                            Pastorale in G major                               Charles Wesley

  Welcome and Announcements

  Votum, and God's Greeting

  Call to Worship   (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 150

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

       Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

       praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

       Oh, let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

*Hymn of Praise #50  (Verses 1 & 2)                      Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

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

All-knowing and faithful God, lead our children along paths of righteousness into the places and purposes that you have planned for their lives. May they trust always in your promise and power to guide and direct them in how to serve you and in how to bring your blessings to others.

Ridder Church Renewal Introduced  Ezekiel 11:17-20

  Prayer for God's Blessing and Leading Hand  (Unison)

O great Teacher, open our minds and ears to hear and see the new. Open our hearts to receive new relationships. Open our souls to your voice and your guidance.  Never let us stop learning, we pray. As we learn, help us to see adventure, know change, and find purpose as we grow in faith. Bless us as you teach us, we pray. Amen.

*Hymn of Praise #669   (Verses 1 & 2)                                God of Grace and God of Glory                           

Learning Change  2 Corinthians 5:16-18

  Prayer for God's Blessing and Clarity for the Road Ahead.  (Unison)

God who is constant and ever-changing, we come before you as a people calling
for your presence here. With change upon us, we are anxious, not sure
what the future will bring. Through the Bible, O Lord, we know that change
includes opportunity, and yet, again and again, we resist change for fear of
losing control. Help us to welcome the new, embrace the different, and
move forward in the great expectation that all things work together for good
for those who love God. Amen.

*Hymn of Commitment #663                                                  Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

Proclamation of His Word  Luke 6:46-49

“Getting Ready to Build”

Dreaming God-sized Dreams  Revelation 3:1-3

  Prayer for God's Blessing and Our Transformation  (Unison)

In the midst of all that is before us, Oh Lord, come and give us peace. When we are frightened, hold us tight. When we are despairing, reassure us. When we are angry, soothe our spirits. For when we put our trust in you, you will not lead us astray.  Grant us the power to let go of knowing all things before they come to  pass. Teach us to give our futures to you, for the glory of your great vision for all humanity. Show us how to sacrifice in meaningful ways, not always needing to see instant results. And in the midst of change, give us the confidence of your love above all else. We are bold to pray, “So be it!” Amen. 

*Hymn of Praise and Devotion #45 (Verses 1 & 3)   Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing  

2018 Budget Report

  Prayer for Faithful Stewardship

God, our Provider, your Word creates our life and strength.  Everything we have is a gift from your open hand.  Guide us by your Spirit to be diligent and faithful stewards of all that you entrust to our care.  May we not bury our gifts or fearfully hoard resources.  Fill our hearts with trust, so that we can experience your joy in giving.  May our congregation reflect your generosity through our mission in the world.  We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

  Offering/Offertory         “A mighty fortress is our God” op. 79b                      Max Reger

*Doxology (#809) and The Lord’s Prayer

  Prayer of the People

*Hymn of Loyalty (Insert)                                          I Know Not Where the Road Will Lead

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

  Postlude                              “Now thank we all our God” op. 79b                       Max Reger

~KRC's OUTREACH MINISTRY THANKS YOU~ 

Many thanks from the Outreach Ministry for your generous donations to the Valatie Food Pantry’s Thanksgiving Basket Program and to those who delivered them.  We collected 39 overflowing bags of groceries that will truly make a "Happy Thanksgiving" for those in need.

~KRC TO SPONSOR AN ANGEL TREE PROGRAM AGAIN THIS YEAR~

       Gift needs for KRC’s Angel Tree children are now displayed on angel cut-outs on the Christmas tree in the church’s main entrance. Each angel contains very specific age, size, and gift-request information for a particular child to assist donors as they gift-shop.  Please consider taking an angel from the tree and returning it, together with your wrapped gift, to the church by the Sunday, December 10, deadline.  Your generosity will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

      Volunteers will also be needed to participate in the delivery of the gifts to local Angel Tree families.  Anyone volunteering to deliver gifts will be partnered with another volunteer, and will receive an orientation to the family before the delivery visit. Please contact either of the Angel Tree program co-chairs, Janet Smith (518-859-6591) or Maureen Mooney (518-210-6079) if you would be willing to participate in the gift-delivery ministry.

~HISTORY OF ANGEL TREE~

       Mary Kay Beard was a safecracker, a bank robber, and one of America's Most Wanted. Arrested in June of 1972, she quickly collected 11 federal indictments and 35 charges against her. She was told she would serve between 75 and 180 years. Instead, she served just 6, at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.  While sitting in an Alabama jail cell, Mary Kay gave her life to Christ.​

       During that time, Mary Kay noticed how her fellow prisoners would collect toothpaste and soap - gifts from local church groups - and wrap them up as presents for their children at Christmas.​  "Most children wouldn't think much of such small gifts, but in prison there was such joy on their faces!" says Mary Kay. "It didn't really matter to them what they got; it was from Mama."

       After Mary Kay was paroled, Chuck Colson invited her to become Prison Fellowship’s first Alabama state director in 1982. One of her first efforts was coming up with a Christmas project for prisoners.​  Mary Kay recalled the toiletries that the incarcerated women gave their children on Christmas. So she and a crew of volunteers began creating a program to provide real gifts for prisoners’ children.​

       Their plan was to erect a Christmas tree at Birmingham's Brookwood Mall, encouraging shoppers to buy presents for specific children. Then someone suggested writing the children's names on paper ornaments shaped like angels - creating an "Angel Tree"!​  Mary Kay helped cut out 100 paper-angel ornaments and then visited prisoners to invite them to sign up their children. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, all 100 angels were taken by shoppers. Mary Kay made more angels, and that year 556 Alabama children were served. ​

       The next year Angel Tree expanded to 12 states, and eventually became a nationwide program. In total, more than 10 million gifts have been given to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents.

~CANDLELIGHT NIGHT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8~

       KRC will sponsor its annual Candlelight Night Open House 6 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 8, in conjunction with Kinderhook Village’s Candlelight Walk celebration.  KRC’s Open House will feature tours of our beautiful sanctuary -  decorated with lighted garlands, candles, poinsettias, the lovely Chrismon tree, and the nearly-life-size Fontanini Nativity - together with Christmas music, cookie decorating, refreshments, and community fellowship in the Fellowship Room. Co-chairs of this year’s open house, Jane Deane, Deb Spaulding, and Joy Bertram, are looking for volunteers to assist, as well as donations of desert-buffet items. Your contributions will be much appreciated, and a sign-up sheet is available on the back table if you are able to help with this ministry.

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.
• Families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially those grieving the loss of Donna Scalera this past week.
• 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.
• Asha and her baby, who was born with birth defects. Pray for God's reassurance and peace for Asha, and for successful treatment for her baby's condition.
• Connie, recovering from recent surgery.  Pray for speedy and complete recovery without complications for Connie.
• Merrill Johnson, dealing with a number of unspoken issues.  Pray for God's strength and peace for both Merrill and Erika as they work together through these difficulties.
• 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, diagnosed with colon cancer and  scheduled for surgery in the near future.  Pray for God's comfort, strength, and healing for James.
• Terri, battling cancer. Pray for God's healing and comfort for Terri.
• 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; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Lesley Haywood; Ruth Edge; 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; 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.

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type.  Please forward this information, as well as new praise/prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158. 

PULPIT FLOWERS

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

            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 19   Combined Worship Service     

     10:00 am  Combined Worship/Congregational Meeting Service

                              and Children’s Sunday School

Tues,  November  21

      7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Wed,  November  22

      7:00 pm  Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical Service
           Stuyvesant Reformed Church, 9 Church St., Stuyvesant

Thur, November  23

       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  26       

     10:00 am  Combined Worship Service

Mon,  November  27

      6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Fri,  December   8

      6:00 -  8:30 pm  KRC’s annual Candlelight Night Open House

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 26

Ushers:  Ted Call, Bob Dreier, Jerry Flansburg

Greeter(s): Joy Bertram