KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAY WORSHIP

 NOVEMBER 27, 2016 – FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Welcome visitors!  Please 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                                                                                        Matthew 24:36-44 (p. 701)

  Message                                                                                 "The Time Is Ripe to Meet . . ."

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

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

downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel.

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

  Prelude                                 What if It Were Today?  #275

  “Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way.  Glory, Glory! Jesus will come someday!”

  Welcome, Announcements

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)   From Advent Prayers and Litanies, “Ministry Matters” 

Keep awake! You know not when God comes, but there will be signs:

       a flood to cover the earth, the Red Sea parting;

the walls of Jericho tumbling, a giant slain by a boy;

       a barren womb birthing a son, a man sleeping in a den of lions;

another surviving the belly of a fish, a virgin conceiving in her womb!

      Behold the signs!

Keep awake!

      God is coming!

*Hymn of Assurance and Praise #517                                                          My Hope Is Built

  Around the Advent Wreath  (Responsively)  Based on Isaiah 2:1-5

Leader:  Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with Hope. The Prophet Isaiah announced that people of all nations will come to the mountain of the Lord and learn God’s ways.

People:  God, when we look at our suffering world, we know we need to learn your ways and to follow you.                          

          Leader:  God will settle disputes among great nations. Weapons of war will be sculpted into agricultural tools. The nations will live in peace –           no more will they prepare for war.

People:   On this first Sunday in Advent, we long to believe these promises of God. We light this candle of hope, inspired by a vision of the world where children grow into adulthood, and parents will live to old age.

(The candle of Hope is lit.)

Leader:  Let us pray together:

All:  Living God, come to our world and show your face to us. We trust your promises and we wait in hope. Come, Lord Jesus.

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  

When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore, in the light of Christ and in hope of his coming, let us confess our sins. 

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Lord, we have come to see that our lives fall far short of your glory. You have given yourself for us, and poured out your Spirit, yet we fail to return your love and to serve you with all our heart. Instead of trusting and obeying you, we turn in our pride away from you.  We follow after the false hopes and desires of this world, and are soon overwhelmed by self-pity, fear, and worry. By your Spirit and through your word, transform and renew us to follow Christ, in whom we have a secure love and a sure hope. Amen.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive)  Based on 1 Corinthians 1:5-9

Hear the good news:  God is faithful, who has called us into fellowship with his Son. Through God's grace we do not lack any spiritual gift as we wait with anticipation for Jesus to be revealed, who will keep us strong and blameless to the end.

       Thanks and praise to our Lord of Hope, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing 

Father God, bathe our children in confident hope and peace as they learn to trust and wait upon you for their spiritual and physical well-being, and for meeting all the material needs, responsibilities, and challenges of life.  Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                        Matthew 24:36-44 (p. 701)

  Message                                                                                 "The Time Is Ripe to Meet . . ."

  Prayer of Thanks 

Celebrating God

  Offering/Offertory                         He Is Coming Again

“Your Beloved, awaited with longing, at last draweth nigh.”

*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)

Faithful God, we enter this advent season focused on our hope in your ancient covenant spoken of by the prophets and made real in the flesh and blood of the person of Jesus. As those who bear his name, we now give of ourselves and our treasure so that your promises of righteousness, justice, and peace might be fulfilled and might reign forever. We pray in the name of the Lord, who is our righteousness.  Amen. 

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

  Hymn of Prayer, Praise, and Hope #135                       Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

*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                                  He Is Coming Again  (Refrain)

~PLEASE NOTE WORSHIP SERVICE CHANGES FOR NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4~

       The 8:30 am Early Communion Worship Service will not meet December 4, but will combine with the 10 am Communion Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School.  Rev. Willem Nel, brother of Elize Visser and missionary at "Volta a Biblia" near Chokwe in Mozambique, will be preaching for us. Both Willem and his wife, Carol, are fluent in Portuguese and English, and Carol is in the process of “catching up” on her Afrikaans. 90 % of their ministry, however, is in Portuguese. Carol, who had been on our prayer list for several months in support of her recovery from breast cancer, is currently in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.

     The 9:45 am Sunday Bible study will be in recess December 4, and will resume Sunday, December 11.

~ELVES’ CHRISTMAS SALE - ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, VALATIE~

  Craft Items, Gently Used Gifts, Raffle, Bake Sale

   TODAY, Nov. 20 - Following 7:30 and 10:30 services

~KRC SANCTUARY DECORATION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1~

Decorating the church for the Christmas Season will be done beginning at 9:00 am  THIS COMING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, under the direction of Jim and Bonnie Dunham.  All are invited to offer their services to the ministry of beautifying our sanctuary in celebration of the birth of our Lord.

~CCRM MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GIFT PROGRAMS CONTINUE~

       LET’S SHARE OUR BLESSINGS and bring some warmth and caring to homeless men at Capital City Rescue Mission who might not otherwise have much “Holiday Cheer”.  In a gallon-size zip lock bag, place the following 5 items: (1) two new pairs men’s warm socks; (2) one knitted hat; (3) one pair of LG or XLG mittens or gloves – NO  MEDIUM please; (4) a personal care item or pair of items such as toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shaving gel/razor, nail clipper; (5) a non-perishable snack or treat that will not crush or melt - no peanuts or chocolate, please. Wrap with festive paper (NO BOWS), tape securely, and mark LG or XLG on the outside of package.

      FOR THE WOMEN, CCRM has suggested that we send body and hand lotions, body powder, and shampoo.

      RETURN ALL CCRM MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH COLLECTION BOXES BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11.

  ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAM~

       The Angel Tree Program, founded by ex-convict, Mary Kay Beard, has been part of Prison Fellowship's work for 35 years.  This ministry has served millions of children and brought the love of Christ, as well as reconciliation, to countless homes during the Christmas season.

      GIFT NEEDS FOR ANGEL TREE’S CHILDREN OF PRISONERS ARE NOW DISPLAYED ON ANGEL CUT-OUTS ON A 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 today.  Your generosity will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” DUE DATE FOR YOUR GIFTS TO BE IN THE CHURCH IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18. 

       Volunteers will also be needed to participate in the delivery of the gifts to local Angel Tree families. Please see Sara Hartman at church, or call 828-6368 or 917-538-6576, if you would be willing to participate in the gift-delivery ministry.

~MUITZESKILL REFORMED CHURCH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR DECEMBER 3~

The Reformed Dutch Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill will be holding its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The church is located at the intersection of Schodack Landing Road & Muitzeskill Road in Schodack Landing.  The Bazaar will include new and gently used Christmas decorations, cards, gifts, books, and a Luncheon Cafe and Bake Sale.  Hope to see you there!

~CANDLELIGHT NIGHT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9~

       KRC will sponsor its annual Candlelight Night Open House 6 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 9, 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. Volunteers to assist, as well as donations of buffet items and Christmas paper products, will be much appreciated.  A sign-up sheet is available on the back table if you are able to help with this ministry.

~LESSONS AND CAROLS 4 P.M. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18~

      Directed by David Smith, Lessons and Carols is a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at KRC. A Christmas gift to our community from the KRC family, Lessons and Carols is open to all. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, along with choir music and the singing of Christmas carols and hymns. The first Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King's College, Cambridge, England, and has been broadcast from there by the BBC to millions of listeners around the world each Christmas Eve since 1931. The order of worship was adapted from an order prepared 38 years earlier by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro. Tradition says that the bishop organized a 10 pm service in Cornwall on Christmas Eve, 1880, in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral.

~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY THANK-YOU FOR THANKSGIVING BASKETS~

Thanksgiving Food Baskets were given this year to 135 families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry. The baskets included food for Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and brownies. Food items for the baskets were either purchased in bulk by the Pantry or donated directly. The Pantry is particularly grateful for the outstanding response of KRC’s family and friends to this year’s ministry, as our generous donation of food items was heavily relied upon to fill the unusual number of “last-minute” requests for baskets that came in after the cut-off date.  A hearty “Thank-you!” from the Pantry to all who contributed.

~ CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2016-2017 SEASON CONTINUES IN FEBRUARY ~        

       On February 12^th CITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20^th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices, including works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Foote. The women of the Broad Street Chorale will perform, along with soprano Amanda Boyd, soloist in Britten’s Les Illuminations. On April 2^nd at Kinderhook Reformed Church Masterpieces from the Classical Age will feature Mozart’s magnificent Mass in c minor, as well as Haydn’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante for which the soloists will be principals of the Broad Street Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Silver, cellist Erica Pickhardt, oboist Karen Hosmer, and bassoonist Cornelia McGiver.

 ~STEWARDSHIP REPORT~

     Our weekly offering this past Sunday of $1,904 was less than â…” of our weekly minimum need of $3,000. Stewardship Ministry continues to urge everyone to give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help 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.

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.
• Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects and those planning & administering them: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; Adult and Children’s Sunday School; KRC’s Youth Group; 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-elect Donald Trump, 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 South Korea.
• 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.
• 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.     
• Lyn, who is in the final stages of a fatal brain disease, and for her husband, Rick and their family. Lyn is the grandmother of the 6-month-old boy on our prayer list who had been very ill, but is doing very well now.
• The mother-in-law of an Angel Tree parent is having foot surgery in January and has asked if anyone has a knee-walker that she could borrow for a couple of months.
• Donna Scalera, struggling with difficulty in her battle with cancer.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, co-worker of Deborah Spaulding; Angie, friend of Sara Hartman; Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Rob, friend of Glenn and Cricket Warren; Alex Jennings; Karina Speer; Susan Lamont; Merrill Johnson; Chris Nel; Dina; Mike Smith; Loren Speer; Vickie Metzger; Chrissy Blackwood; Alexandria Noxon; Eddie; Patti Varga’s Uncle Martin; Jay Rippel; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Susan Clause; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Jaheim, Angel Tree child, in need of appropriate school placement;  Family in need of housing in the ICC School District by the end of this month; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.
• those traveling.
• residence-bound KRC family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

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, 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 well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
• the good report that Virginia Rothermel continues to do well. Notes and cards of encouragement may be sent to  her at 26 Eichybush Road, Kinderhook, NY 12106.
• His provision for all of 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.

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

                                                   KRC STAFF

                 KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

              Paul Clause – 859-4158     Courtney Wood – 784-2134                                

                          KRC Sexton                    KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

                                   Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786         Greg Clause – 369-8472

                                                                       COMING EVENTS

Today, November 27  First Sunday in Advent

       8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       9:45 am Bible-based study continues

           “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

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

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

          Continuing Study: "Ephesians - Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ"

 Mon, November 28

       6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues, November 29

       7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets @KRC

Thur, December 1

        9:00 am  Decoration of the KRC sanctuary for the Christmas season

        9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC

            “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

      10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

        7:00 pm  Bible study group meets, @KRC main floor Conference Room

“A Study Book for Serious Students of Scripture.”

Sun,   December 4  Second Sunday in Advent 

                  Please Note: 8:30 am Early Communion Worship will not     

      meet December 4, but will combine with the 10 am Communion Worship.   

   The 9:45 Bible study will be in recess and will resume Sunday, December 11.

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

           Rev. Willem Nel, missionary at "Volta a Biblia" near Chokwe in             

             Mozambique, preaching. Rev. Nel is the brother of Elize Visser.

      11:15 am  2017 KRC budget presentation & voting for new Consistory officers

Mon – Fri,  December 5 – 9

        4:30-6:30 pm  KRC sanctuary open to public as a place and time

                              of quiet reflection during the holiday season.

Fri,  December   9

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

Sun, December 11  Deadline for CCRM Men’s and Women’s gift donations.   

Sun, December 18  Deadline for Angel Tree gift donations.

Servers Next Sunday, December 4, 2016

       Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

       Greeter(s):  Suzy Nieman