KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, November 1, 2015
“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 Hebrews 5:5-10 (p. 848)
Message “Jesus, Our Great High Priest”
Communion
Prayer of Thanks
Offering and Prayer of Blessing
Intercessory Prayer
*Closing Hymn and Benediction
10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
All are invited to a Pastor’s Appreciation/Birthday Celebration Brunch
downstairs today following worship.
Ushers today are Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, Dick Silvano, Andrew Welcome.
Greeters today are the LaTorre Family. KRC family and friends are encouraged to volunteer as front-door greeters for our worship services. A signup sheet for this purpose is available on the back table.
Preschool Nursery facilities available downstairs.
Prelude Adorn yourself, O dear soul, BWV 654 J. S. Bach
Announcements, Welcome, and God’s Greeting
Drawing Near To God
Prayer Call to Worship (Responsive)
Eternally self-existent God, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
we enter your sanctuary in awe and wonder of your timeless glory.
King of Peace and Determiner of Righteousness,
we come into your presence to hear your Word and to know your will.
Holy Lord, whose commandments reveal to us the path of holy living,
we bow to you in humble submission and obedience.
Gracious Father, whose Son, Jesus Christ, is today and forever shall be
both High Priest and Sacrificial Lamb of the Most High God,
we draw near to you in reverence, seeking reconciliation, renewal,
and empowerment for steadfast discipleship. Amen.
*Hymn #72 To God Be the Glory
*For those who are able, please stand.
Allowing God to Shape Us
Call to Confession
Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has entered the inmost heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us therefore approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures.
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we groan at our weaknesses, and we ask forgiveness. Your Word is so clear, and your grace is so good. But we close our ears to your call, and with our perverse pride we spoil and misuse the gifts you have given us. We know what you require of us, yet we do not do the good we want to do, but keep on doing the evil we do not want to do. We mistreat those we love, we dishonor you, the One who made us, and we continue to ignore your will.
(Continued on next page.)
In spite of our rebelliousness and disobedience, you provide streams of living mercy, and you invite us, again and again, to live renewed lives. So we turn once more to the cross, to the empty cross, to the stone rolled away, to our interceding Lord Jesus Christ seated at your right hand, and to the gracious gift of your Spirit. [Silent Moment of Personal Confession]
Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) Jeremiah 33:8
Hear the word of the Lord from the prophet Jeremiah: “I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.”
Coming before God’s Open Word
Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing (Unison)
Lord Jesus, lead our children into an understanding that you willing offered yourself up to suffering and death on the cross for their salvation. Assure them that you speak up for them before God, and that because of you, they are good in God’s sight and will live forever with you in heaven. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Hebrews 5:5-10 (p. 848)
Message “Jesus, Our Great High Priest”
Celebrating God
Communion
THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we come to the table of our Lord in Remembrance, Communion, and Hope.
We come in Remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent into the world so we might be saved through him.
We come to be in Communion with this same Christ who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.
We come in Hope, believing that this bread and cup are a pledge and foretaste of the feast of love in the kingdom to come.
Since by his death, resurrection, and ascension Christ has obtained for us the life-giving Spirit who unites us all in one body,
so we receive this Supper in true love, mindful of the communion of saints.
THE INVITATION
This is the feast of the Lord’s Table, in which all who profess the Lordship of Christ in their lives are invited to share. Come, for all things are now ready.
COMMUNION HYMN #472 (All Verses) Grace Greater than Our Sin
THE COMMUNION PRAYER (Responsive)
Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is holy and right to lift up our hearts and give God thanks and praise.
It is with joy that we give thanks to you in all times and places, Almighty and Everlasting God. You have shown the fullness of your love by sending to us Jesus Christ our Lord, made flesh for us, for our salvation, and for reconciliation with you. For this precious gift of your Son, we worship and sing praise to you, O God:
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky, and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. In the joy of his resurrection and expectation of his coming again, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices, and proclaim this mystery of the faith:
Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
As this grain and these grapes are gathered from many fields and hills into one loaf and one cup, to be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ, grant also that your whole Church may be joined together in him, attain unity in the faith, and soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! And now, as Christ taught us, we pray together:
(Continued from previous page.)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
THE COMMUNION
The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me."
(Distribution of the bread)
The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.
After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
(Distribution of the cup)
The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.
THANKSGIVING and PRAISE after COMMUNION (Unison)
Father God, our hearts are full of thanks that you have appointed your Son, Jesus, to become a High Priest for us. We praise you that he is, indeed, in glory at this very moment – fully Man and fully God, perfect, pure, and holy – arrayed in priestly garments, and standing before you on our behalf. Although you surely take great pleasure in having your Son at your right hand, your Word does not say that Jesus ascended to heaven for your sake, or to regain his glory, but that he ascended and now appears in your presence to intercede and advocate for us. For this unfathomable grace, we are eternally grateful. Amen.
Based on excerpts from a sermon by David Wilkerson
Offering and Offertory Let all mortal flesh keep silence (free improvisation)
Doxology (#809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)
Good Shepherd, you have graciously spread your table before us, and have nourished us at the feast of the Lamb, that we may follow and serve you with spiritual energy, strength, and renewed purpose. With grateful hearts, we now offer you these gifts, O Lord Jesus, to be used to proclaim to all the world your triumphant love and infinite mercy. Amen.
Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer
*Hymn #482 My Hope Is in the Lord
*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn My Friends May You Grow in Grace
Postlude
TODAY FOLLOWING THE 10 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE
Kinderhook Reformed Church will honor Pastor Rudy at a Pastor’s Appreciation/Birthday Potluck Brunch. All church family and friends are cordially invited and encouraged to attend this special celebration.
~WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP UPDATE~
Recent weekly offerings ($2,803 this past week) continue to fall below our weekly need of $3,000. These shortfalls have once more placed us precariously near a budget deficit. Regular contributors are again reminded to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday, and Stewardship Ministry asks that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help us keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.
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.
~“FIRST FRIDAY” DINNER THIS COMING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6~
THE NEXT “FIRST FRIDAY” DINNER IS THIS COMING FRIDAY. DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 P.M., DINNER IS SERVED AT 6, AND AFTER-DINNER ACTIVITIES BEGIN AROUND 7. ALL ARE INVITED TO BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE GOOD FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN.
The First Friday Planning Committee is looking for volunteers to assist in arranging KRC’s First Friday free community dinners. Please consider joining in this outreach ministry and helping to make it an on-going success. Just contact one of the current committee members, Amy Deweerd, Maureen Mooney, Tana Thompson, or Patti Varga if you are willing to serve.
KRC’S ANNUAL OLDE DUTCH ’n SUCH BAZAAR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 10 AM – 2 PM
The Olde Dutch ‘n Such Bazaar will feature a gourmet lunch; homemade baked goods and jams; candy; unique hand-crafted gifts; and Christmas decorations. You are sure to find a treasure or two and to enjoy the homemade food and goodies. The Bazaar is sponsored by Church Family Ministry, and we look forward to seeing each of you there!
Sponsors are looking for volunteers to donate baked goods for sale and/or to work at the bazaar. If you are able to help out with either of these, please sign up on the sheet available at the back table. If you have made craft items at home for sale at the Bazaar, please bring them into the church by 1 p.m. Friday, November 6. Fresh baked goods may be delivered just before 10 a.m. on the morning of the Bazaar, November 7.
~CITV PERFORMS NEXT SUNDAY AT KRC~
3 p.m. Next Sunday, November 8th at Kinderhook Reformed Church
Alexander’s Feast, or The Power of Musick (c. 1751)
Vocal and instrumental splendor combine in one of Handel’s most colorful oratorios.
A NOTE OF THANKS FROM CCRM
THANK YOU! Your support of Capital City Rescue Mission’s recent Silent Auction and Banquet helped raise over $111,000 to purchase “Windows for Women” in CCRM’s expanded housing facility now under reconstruction for needy women.
The encouraging poem below was written by Lisa DeVinney, a Rescue Mission partner, and was inspired by the words of Executive Director, Perry Jones, at the Annual Banquet & Silent Auction. Praise God for being able to mend broken and shattered lives.
With broken hearts and lives shattered
Beyond all hope, I'll send them.
I'm asking you to take them in,
To love, and feed, and mend them.
They'll come to you like wandering sheep.
I'm asking you to tend them;
To bind their wounds, to feed their souls,
And, in My Name, to mend them.
Men and women, black and white,
Young and old... befriend them.
I'll give you all the grace you need,
The strength and power to mend them.
And I will take their broken pieces
In My hands, and blend them
To make them vessels for My use
Because you helped to mend them.
INTER NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
TODAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR
those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith. Pray especially for Amber, that she will come to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. 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
KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s youth group; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; First Friday, and other outreach programs.
KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
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, especially Jason, just beginning his military career, and Tom Eastman, fulfilling a tour of military duty in Afghanistan.
victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies: earthquakes, famine, and other climate-related disasters; economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression and unrest; warfare and terrorism.
those grieving the death of loved ones, especially: Michael and Deborah Spaulding and family grieving the recent loss of Michael’s cousin, Larry Spaulding.
those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world.
Florence Rivera, undergoing temporary dialysis to control fluid retention problems.
Carol, wife of Elize Visser’s brother, Willem. Carol’s cancer has come back, and she needs further treatments. Besides the diagnosis, this will be very difficult for Willem and Carol, as her doctors are more than 4 hours away from their home in Mozambique where Willem serves as a missionary.
others in hospice care or battling or recovering from cancer: Marlene; Donna Scalera; Bill Metzger; TJ Vooris; Chris Howard and his young son, Jonah; Elizabeth Clinton; Susan Lamont's sister; a friend of Erika Johnson; Cheryl Johnson; Diane, friend of Cricket Warren; Jack; Bob Mellott; Daniel; Andy; Lucy; Rodrigo; Jean.
those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Eric; Maryann; Linda, co-worker of Noreen Dick and Merrill Johnson; Gary Silvano; Vicki Metzger; Rev. Ed Van Kampen; Noreen, mother of Maureen Mooney; Stacey Baker; Ann, sister of Nancy Baker; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Steve Shpur; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Art Gross; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Jane Smith; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
reassurance, peace, and dignity for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Alex and Fran Knauss, as they continue their ministry to their supporting churches; Cliff Laraway; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts; those facing the challenges of beginning a higher level of education or seeking a career - pray that God will provide them with wisdom in making the many choices and decisions before them; Greg L; 16-year-old pregnant teenager, whose unborn baby has an irregular heartbeat and may not survive; Vince Beaudoin; Libby Little.
Residence-bound members Murray Leonardson, Doris Schmieder, Joan Van Alstyne.
REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR
Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision.
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.
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 recent tests on Donna Scalera’s lung returned negative.
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 and 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.
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.
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
~NEW BIBLE STUDY GROUPS TO BEGIN~
A number of people in our KRC family have expressed interest in forming new Bible study groups. For those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity, a survey sheet is available on the back table of the sanctuary for indicating interest and noting days and times convenient for you to participate.
HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY!
Fred Hickman (3rd), Ted Call (11th), Joy Bertram (14th), Claudia March (22nd),
Joan Van Alstyne (26th)
EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is available at his church office
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.
Please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings are set aside
for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For immediate assistance at any time, call 859-4158.
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
KRC 2015 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory
Deacons
Liz Carroll – ’16, Clerk of Consistory / Outreach /CITV Committee 758-6034
Noreen Dick – ’15, Church Family 758-6640
Derick LaTorre – ’16, KRC Treasurer / Stewardship / Cemetery 376-1882
Barbara Vosburgh – ’15, Property 758-6512
Elders
Merrill Johnson – ‘16, Worship 828-6726
Patrice Lyons – ‘16, Outreach 758-8400
Dawn Van Buren – ‘15, Personnel / Pastoral Care 758-7564
Patti Varga – ’15 Consistory Vice President /Christian Education / Classis Delegate 392-4771
