Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Services

 November 2, 2014 – Compassion Sunday

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors.  We would like to get to know you better

and 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 WORSHI 

 Announcements and the Lord’s Greeting

  Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise                                                                                         Ancient of Days 

  Tell a Child, “I am here for you” – Compassion International

  Scripture                                                                                 Matthew 22:34-46 (p. 699)

  Message                                                    “The Alternative to Religious Correctness”

  Prayer of Blessing

  Offering

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn                                                                                                Amazing Love

*Benediction

10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship service.

                                                       Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome

Greeter(s):                       Preschool Nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude                           O Lord God, your Divine word                            J. G. Walther

  Announcements and God’s Greeting

                                                              Drawing Near To God  

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 107

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

God’s steadfast love endures forever.

       Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed and gathered.

Let us give thanks for God’s steadfast love,

for God’s wonderful work of salvation.

       We thank you Lord for the redeeming love of your Son, Jesus Christ.

You alone, O Lord, are our help in times of trouble.

       You satisfy the thirsty, and fill the hungry with good things.

Our God can turn a desert into pools of water,

parched land into springs of water!

       Let us worship God and hunger and thirst no more!

*Opening Hymn #558                                                      Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

                                                             Allowing God to Shape Us

  Tell a Child, “I am here for you” – Compassion International

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Father, bless these children with the knowledge that you have adopted them in unconditional, measureless love, and in return, may they love you and one another wholeheartedly with the same love. Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

 Scripture                                                                                 Matthew 22:34-46 (p. 699)

  Message                                                    “The Alternative to Religious Correctness”

  Prayer of Thanks

    Giving Ourselves for God’s Glory

  Profession of Faith and Communion

  Offering and Offertory                  Lord God, we all praise you               J. G. Walther *Doxology and Offertory Prayer

Heavenly Father, you first loved us, that we might know how to love; you first blessed us, that we might know how to bless; you first gave to us, that we might know how to give.  In humble gratitude, we present these offerings to you for the purpose of upholding and furthering the Gospel of Grace through Jesus Christ, your Son.  Amen.    

  Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn of Prayer and Praise #634                            Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

*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                               Toccata and Fugue in d minor                         J. E. Eberlin  

~VALATIE FOOD PANTRY THANKSGIVING BASKETS~

Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church Family and Friends,

       Thanksgiving Food Baskets will be given to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and request one.  As we ready the sheets for people to sign up, we have 242 families who are eligible, with a total of 883 individuals. We are writing to ask for any help your congregation is able to give.

       The baskets include food for Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and brownies. If your congregation would like to help financially (we buy all food items in bulk), checks may be made payable to “Kinderhook Reformed Church” with “Thanksgiving Baskets” on the memo line and dropped into the offering plate.

       Thank you in advance for any help you are able to give.  Any monies or food items left over after the baskets are distributed will be put into the pantry account or onto the pantry shelves.

                                  Sincerely,

                                  Jean S. Norton, for the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, Inc.

The Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry is a not-for-profit charitable organization with 501 (c) (3) status. The pantry does provide any goods or services, in whole or partial consideration, for contributions given.

~OUTREACH MINISTRY’S THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES~

Along with the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry’s financial appeal in support of its Thanksgiving Food Basket program, KRC’s Outreach Ministry is once again collecting Thanksgiving food items for the pantry. THE DRIVE WILL END on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, so please place your bagged donations in the foyer on or before that date. Suggested food items most needed are CANNED SWEET POTATOES and YAMS; PUMPKIN; CANNED VEGETABLES; CRANBERRY SAUCE; STUFFING MIX; WHITE, BLACK, and RED KIDNEY BEANS; EVAPORATED MILK; FLOUR; SUGAR; BROWNIE MIX; PUMPKIN PIE MIX; GROUND COFFEE; CEREAL; and DISH SOAPS.  Otherwise, bring in whatever your heart moves you to provide - any nonperishable food items will be welcomed! AS A RESULT OF LAST YEAR’S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND FOOD COLLECTION DRIVE, MANY NEEDY FAMILIES IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ENJOYED GREAT THANKSGIVING DINNERS, AND KRC CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO THIS MINISTRY. LET’S MAKE THIS YEAR EVEN BETTER!  BAGS FOR TRANSPORTING YOUR GIFTS FROM MARKET TO CHURCH, INCLUDING SHOPPING LISTS, MAY BE FOUND ON THE BACK TABLE.

~ ELECTIONS FOR  THE 2015 CONSISTORY ~

All active, confessing KRC members should have received their ballot and informational letters by now for election of the 2015 consistory.  If you have not received yours, please contact Paul as soon as possible following today’s service.  All nomination ballots must be returned and in the hands of the election stewards NO LATER THAN NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, IN ORDER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NOMINATION PROCESS.

                                                                                  ~ CITV 2014 – 2015 CONCERT SERIES ~

    Kinderhook Reformed Church is pleased to present the 2014 – 2015 season of Concerts in the Village (CITV), a concert series begun 5 years ago under the sponsorship of KRC’s Stewardship Ministry as a music outreach to the church’s surrounding communities featuring our refurbished pipe organ. A suggested donation of $15 will be gratefully accepted to assist in the ongoing funding of this exceptional series.

                                                    NEXT SUNDAY, November 9, 3:00 pm, Kinderhook Reformed Chur

                                                                                        The Glory of Handel III

Featuring the splendid Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, Chandos Anthem No. 6 (“As pants the hart”), Organ concerto in g minor, op. 4/3, and Concerto grosso for flute and strings, op. 3/3, performed by the Broad Street Chorale and Orchestra, with Amanda Boyd-Grout (soprano), John Davey (tenor), Karen Hosmer (oboe), Sharon Levin (flute), Cornelia McGiver (bassoon), Jon Morrell (tenor), Erica Pickhardt (cello), Jay Shulman (cello), Elizabeth Silver (violin), David Smith (organ), Vicki Smith (mezzo-soprano), and David Smith, conducting.

A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following next Sunday’s concert.  Volunteers are needed to donate finger foods and to help with the work of set-up and clean-up.  If you are able to assist in this ministry, please sign up on the sheet provided at the back table of the sanctuary.

                                          ~THANK YOU TO OLD DUTCH & SUCH BAZAAR / CRAFTS FAIR  VOLUNTEERS~

      Many thanks to all those who helped to make yesterday’s Olde Dutch & Such Crafts-and-More Bazaar a great success – the volunteers who contributed craft products, baked goods, and other food items, as well as those who donated their time setting up, working, and cleaning up after the bazaar.  Our appreciation also to Jeff and Nikki Barmen for preparing the delicious food for the bazaar’s lunch menu; and a special thank-you to chairperson Dawn Tuttle, who has been organizing the event and working with the crafters weekly over the past months.  The Bazaar was much more than a financial success: it provided an opportunity to get together weekly to enjoy good fellowship, foster closer relationships, and ultimately create an extraordinary outreach to our community.  Please join us in praising God for this dedicated, hard-working, and creative group.

Praise the Lord for the good food, games, and fellowship enjoyed by those who attended the first “First Friday” potluck supper sponsored by Outreach Ministry, and thanks to all who helped make this a successful event.  Next First Friday Potluck supper will be served THIS COMING FRIDAY, November 7.

~NOTES OF THANKS~ 

Dear Wee Care Ministry,

       Thank you so much for the generous donation of clothes and blankets for our newborn babies.  We are so happy to share them with our families in need.

                                  Sincerely, Columbia Memorial Hospital Family Birthplace Staff

To all Parishioners of the Kinderhook Reformed Church,

       Thank you for your generous donation of $500 towards the work of the Alight Pregnancy Center. Our addition is moving along, and we hope to be in the new area by this fall.  Your prayers and support are much needed and appreciated. 

                                                                        Sincerely, Debbie Daus

Dear Friends at Kinderhook Reformed Church,

       Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to your congregation on Sunday, September 14.  I was glad to reconnect with a number of people and meet many who were new to me.  Thank you to the ladies who provided a delicious and abundant brunch.  I appreciated the warm hospitality of Mrs. Barbara Vosburgh, and all the arrangements made by Mrs. Maureen Mooney and others.

       Rejoice with me at the provision of God!  For the first time since leaving India, I am now fully supported.  Over the past two years some new financial partners have joined in while others have increased their support.

       Please remember the efforts of our workers in the Middle East as they seek to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees.  My recent prayer letter is enclosed.

                                                                        In Christ, Betty Ann Stedwell

    Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church Family and Friends,

       Thank you for your gift of S4,000.00 received on September 30, 2014. With your help, we have been able to ship more than 150 million meals since 2005, and schools, orphanages, and other community-development programs around the world have been able to feed children in record numbers. For example, our partners, LeaSea Global Feed the Hungry, have made it possible to distribute Stop Hunger Now meals to 7,500 children daily in Ugandan refugee camps.

       Your support has enabled Stop Hunger Now to supply millions of dollars’ worth of essential aid to needy people around the world. We received a donation of 3.6 million prenatal vitamin tablets from our friends at Vitamin Angels, and our partner, CitiHope International in the Dominican Republic, will use the supplements to help over 10,000 women receive the micronutrients they need to shape healthy futures for their children. Again, we thank you because we simply could not do it without YOU!

       We invite you to view our Annual Report at www.stophungemow.org. A new report for 2013 will be published very soon. You can also keep up with local events on our website or by contacting your local Program Staff. Please accept our sincere appreciation for sharing in our vision of a world without hunger.

                                                         Warmest regards, Rod Brooks, President and CEO

P.S. Thanks so much for your generous donation to help end hunger in our lifetime.

                                                                       Anita

                                                PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR HEART AND PRAYERS THE MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

                                                                          AROUND THE WORLD THAT KRC HELPS TO SUPPORT:

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

• those who do not know Christ, or who are struggling in their faith.
• KRC programs & projects and those planning & administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; outreach programs. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries, chairpersons, and supporting members.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
• survivors of warfare, terrorism, violence, and natural and other disasters worldwide, especially those in Syria, Iraq, other areas of the Middle East, and in our own country, that they may be blessed with God’s reassurance that he is in control.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• those, especially children, suffering poverty and hunger; abuse; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• family and friends grieving the death of loved ones.
• containment of the ebola virus, and for the thousands who are suffering from or have lost family members and friends to this disease.
• Susan Lamont’s cousin, Carl, hospitalized following a stroke.
• Karen Warren, sister-in-law of Cricket Warren, recovering from brain injuries suffered in a severe fall.
• those battling or recovering from cancer: Lucy B. and Rodrigo; Zoe Covey; Jean; Edward Giordano; Glen; Karen; 2-year-old Logan; Sandy; Bridget; Charlie Ropollo; Donna Scalera.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Bill, family friend of Patti Varga; Jennifer and her unborn baby; Morgan Hickman; Kara Ennis; Paul Varga; Jackie and her sister Barbara; Brother Arnold, Shaker friend of Suzy Nieman; Alan Dick;  Doris Schmeider; Maureen Mooney; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Baby Ellie LaTorre; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Florence Rivera.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Bill,  Abby, and Christopher, dealing with unspoken personal issues; Greg and Lisa, fighting addictions;  Craig Johnson, struggling through a difficult and stressful family crisis; the Heimroth Family; Holly and Marc Morales; Amber and others as they face the challenges of their college education - pray that God will bless them with wisdom in all of the many choices, and decisions that they are facing; Susan Lamont and kids, still looking for a suitable place to live, and  in need of strength and peace in hard times. Cliff, desperately in need of prayers; Christians everywhere who are suffering persecution; Libby Little.
• those who are traveling.
• reassurance and peace for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• our residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, and Joan Van Alstyne.

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 and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158. 

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.
• Mid Glass’s presence with us again in worship following her summer in the North Country.
• Phil Morse, 83, brother of Kay Haber, who has returned to good health and normal activities following an extended recovery period from heart valve surgery and related complications. 

• the good report that Vicki Metzger, mother of Nancy Baker, is now out of rehab and doing exceptionally well at home.
• the many dedicated and hard-working friends and members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Family who serve on Consistory, church ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize and carry out special church events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who are always ready to offer whatever help and support they can to those in need.
• all His provisions for our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2014

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,728.14 for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF THIS YEAR’S CLASSIS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN SET AT $86.79.  All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above regular giving, their share of this support.  Many thanks to all those who have already made donations to help offset the cost of this responsibility. 

                 ~ LOOKING AHEAD ~
~ A NOTE ON NEXT YEAR’S (2015) CLASSIS ASSESSMENT~

In response to some who have had questions regarding the distribution of our Classis Assessment contributions, they are divided three ways among the General Synod (national), Albany Synod (regional), and Columbia-Greene Classis (local).  Next year, 2015, the assessment will be $88.02, and will be distributed as follows:  

General Synod:  $51.73   (Up $2.44 from 2014)

Albany  Synod:        $29.00   (Unchanged from 2014)

C.  G.   Classis:  $  7.29   (Down $1.21 from 2014)

                                          2015 TOTAL     $88.02   (Up $1.23 from 2014)

Please see RCA’s Stewardship Report (when it becomes available) for information on  General Synod’s use of  its share of  assessed funds. Albany Synod’s portion is used to cover administrative and Camp Fowler expenses, as well as services to our congregation, including leadership development, library/video resources, and crisis management.  Classis’s share is used to cover administrative costs and retreats.

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY! 

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

 Joan Van Alstyne (26^th)