KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICES NOVEMBER 9, 2014
“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.
Following each service, all are invited to a reception celebrating today’s confirmations and baptisms.
8:30 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Announcements and the Lord’s Greeting
Morning Prayer
*Morning Praise God of Wonders
Scripture Matthew 25:1-13 (p. 702)
Message “Hibernating Christians”
Prayer of Blessing
Confirmation and Baptism – Being confirmed and baptized today is Michael Foote
Song of Hope and Joy Forever More
Offering
Intercessory Prayer
*Closing Hymn In Christ Alone
*Benediction
10 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Chuck Rothermel, Andrew Welcome
Greeter(s): Members of KRC’s Youth Group Preschool Nursery available downstairs.
Prelude Holy, Holy, Holy, I Want to See You
Announcements and God’s Greeting
Drawing Near To God
Call to Worship (Responsive) Based on selections from the Book of Psalms
You, O Lord, are our light and our salvation.
Let the light of your face shine upon us.
With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life,
and in your light we see light.
The unfolding of your words gives light.
Keep our lamps burning, and turn our darkness into light.
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide us;
let them bring us to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
*Opening Hymn #2 Holy, Holy, Holy
Allowing God to Shape Us
Call to Confession Based on Isaiah 45:21-22
“There is no God apart from me,” says the Lord. “I am a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Seek after me, for I am God, and there is no other. Turn to me and be saved, all of you. ”
Prayer of Confession (Responsive) Based on Psalm 106
O Lord, we have put you to the test; we have not believed your promises or remembered your many miracles and kindnesses.
Holy God, we have rebelled against you, and have turned to other sources to sustain us. Instead of putting our faith in you, we have made gods of our own inadequate abilities, possessions, and resources. Instead of seeking after your righteousness, we have done as we pleased and willfully pursued fulfillment of our own desires. We have provoked you with our proud attitudes and self-centered deeds; and we have wasted away in our sin.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Save us, O Lord our God.
Renew us with the righteousness of your Son, Jesus Christ; humble and sanctify us for service to you through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon Isaiah 57:15
Hear what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing (Unison)
All-powerful and merciful God, preserve these children from falling into sin and its spiritual and physical destructiveness. Through your Holy Spirit, may they lead holy lives of faithful, selfless service to you and to others. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Matthew 25:1-13 (p. 702)
Message “Hibernating Christians”
Prayer of Thanks
Confirmation Being confirmed today, Jessica Alessi, Thomas Carroll, & William Carroll
*Apostle’s Creed
*Hymn #540 Take Time to Be Holy
Giving Ourselves for God’s Glory
Offering and Offertory Holy Lord, Most Holy Lord
*Doxology and Offertory Prayer (Unison)
Heavenly Father, with glad and eager hearts we lay our offerings before you. Sanctify them for the purpose of bringing honor and glory to the name and Gospel of Christ, and increase to his kingdom. Amen.
Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer Hide Me, Lord, in Your Holiness
*Song of Exaltation #44 Great Is the Lord
*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
~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
~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 NEXT 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 by now their ballots and informational letters 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 TODAY 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 KRC’s sponsorship as a ministry of music to the 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.
TODAY, November 9, 3:00 pm, Kinderhook Reformed Church
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 today’s concert.
~THANK YOU TO OLDE DUTCH & SUCH BAZAAR VOLUNTEERS~
Bonnie Dunham and Dawn Tuttle would like to thank all the members on their committee for the hours they put into making KRC’s 3rd Annual Bazaar such a success. We won't mention any names for fear of leaving someone out, but we are so appreciative of all who helped. Of course, we're also thankful for all who came and purchased items from the bazaar and enjoyed the fellowship of the event. As a result of all the hard work, we were able to give over $1,600 to the restoration fund. Again, our thanks to all. Please join us in praising God for this dedicated and creative group.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON
~CCRM MEN’S and WOMEN’S GIFT PROGRAMS BEGIN TODAY~
LET’S SHARE OUR BLESSINGS and bring some warmth and caring to many who might not otherwise have much “Holiday Cheer” in these difficult times. BEGINNING TODAY, NOVEMBER 9, KRC will again be collecting gifts for homeless men, and Capital City Rescue Mission will distribute these gifts at the Mission’s community Christmas dinners. 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; and (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, mark LG or XLG on the outside of package, and return to the church collection boxes by Sunday, December 7.
Outreach Ministry will also be collecting ladies TOILETRIES and COSMETICS for the CCRM women. Toiletries requested include hand lotion, Chapstick, shower gel, shampoo, shower mist, perfumes, colognes, and fancy soaps; Cosmetics - all in neutral colors - include lipstick, lip gloss, eye liner, blush, mascara, or anything that would make a lady feel a little special. Baskets will be placed in convenient locations in the church for collecting individual items. After Sunday, December 7, the toiletries and cosmetics will be delivered to the mission, where Christmas gift bags will be made up for the ladies.
ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAM~
Gift needs for Angel Tree’s children of prisoners will soon be displayed on angel cut-outs on a Christmas tree in the church’s main entrance. Each angel will contain very specific age, size, and gift-request information for a particular child to assist donors as they gift-shop. Please take a moment to read the insert on the history of the Angel Tree ministry, watch for KRC’s Angel Tree soon to appear in the church’s front entranceway, and consider taking an angel. Your gifts 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. 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.
~ FOND MEMORIES OF DELIVERING ANGEL TREE GIFTS ~
Back in the early days of Angel Tree, Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, and his wife often personally delivered Christmas presents. One night, they discovered their directions led them to a housing project in a run-down and poorly-lit neighborhood. The Colsons knocked on the door and found a little boy all alone. His father was in prison and his mother was at work. “The boy’s eyes brightened as he saw the presents in our arms,” Chuck recalled. “The little guy pulled us into his living room. There was nothing but a chair, an old sofa with stuffing exposed, and a tree leaning haphazardly against the wall.”
“What’s your name?” Chuck asked.
“Emmanuel,” he replied.
Chuck opened his Bible to the Gospel of Matthew and said to Emmanuel, “Do you know what your name means? It means ‘God with us’!” When his mother arrived soon after, Emmanuel ran to her and hugged her around the legs. “Mommy, mommy!” he cried, “God is with us!”
As Chuck later recalled, “Even in that seemingly-hopeless, drug-infested housing project, this apartment had become an island of joy and hope. Once again, Jesus had become real.”
~ANGEL TREE CELEBRATES 32 YEARS~
Angel Tree®, the Prison Fellowship program started by former bank robber Mary Kay Beard, is turning 32 this year. Through this unique program serving inmates’ children, nearly 10 million children in the United States have received a gift on behalf of their incarcerated parent.
(Continued on next page.)
Angel Tree founder, Mary Kay Beard, grew up on a farm in Alabama. She learned to shoot a gun while rabbit hunting with her brothers. But as she got older, she took a greater interest in firearms, becoming an expert in everything from a .22 to a .357 Magnum. As a young woman, she married a man that she met on a blind date, only to discover months later that he had a secret life; he was an expert safecracker. He taught Mary Kay everything he knew. Soon, the newspapers were referring to the shotgun-wielding Mary Kay as the “Bonnie Parker of Alabama” for a string of robberies that landed her on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Arrested in June of 1972, at age 27, she quickly collected 11 federal indictments and 35 charges against her. She was convicted of grand larceny and armed robbery. She would spend a total of six Christmases behind bars.
The Forgotten Victims
On the three Christmases that she spent at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Alabama, local church groups brought the inmates gifts of toothpaste and soap. Intrigued, Mary Kay watched as her fellow prisoners wrapped up the small gifts and gave them to their children at the Christmas visit.
“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.”
Mary Kay began to read the Bible in prison. She started a personal relationship with God, and her life turned around completely. After being paroled, Mary Kay accepted Prison Fellowship’s challenge to become its first Alabama state director in 1982. One of her assignments was to create a Christmas program for inmates. At one of her speaking engagements, a conversation with an ex-prisoner’s daughter solidified the program’s focus.
“What about the inmates’ kids?” the woman asked. “They are the real victims.”
Recalling the toiletries that prisoners gave their children on Christmas, Mary Kay and a crew of volunteers began creating a program to provide clothes and toys for prisoners’ children.
The First Angel Tree
Mary Kay helped cut out 100 paper angel ornaments and then visited prisoners to invite them to sign up their children.
“God never wastes anything,” Mary Kay says. “He used my own criminal past to give me credibility in their eyes. And they trusted us.”
Mary Kay called the caregivers of the children and asked what they wanted for Christmas. Then, she wrote each child’s name and his or her gift preference on an angel ornament. On the day after Thanksgiving, the busiest retail day of the year, the first Angel Tree greeted shoppers at the top of the mall’s escalator. An advertisement in the Birmingham News had notified readers of the project. Many of the store owners agreed to offer a 10-percent discount to shoppers who bought their Angel Tree gifts at their stores. The response was overwhelming. That weekend, shoppers took all 100 angels to buy gifts. So Mary Kay visited more prisons, called more caregivers and put more angels on the tree.
That year 556 children received gifts, but the effects spread even farther. The next year, Angel Tree branched out to 12 states and soon became a church-based program. In the past three decades, the Angel Tree program has grown dramatically: In 2013, 1,952 new churches were recruited to sponsor Angel tree gift programs, 201,119 prisoners signed up for gifts to be delivered to their children, and 364,198 children received gifts. The program serves children in every state in the Union, and over the years has helped nearly 10 million children feel loved by an incarcerated parent at the holidays. Those millions of connections have laid the foundation for countless families being restored to one another and to their loving heavenly Father.
Thousands of children are also involved in Angel Tree’s year-round ministry component, enjoying relationships with caring Christian mentors from local churches & receiving scholarships to attend Angel Tree summer camps. Angel Tree’s broad impact has been made possible over the years by its relationship with thousands of dedicated churches who reach out to show the love of Christ to families isolated and wounded by the incarceration of a loved one
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.
- Randall, hospitalized in intensive care following an auto accident this past week.
- Dick Van Alstyne, preparing for knee-replacement surgery Monday, November 17.
- Susan Clause's father, undergoing surgery this coming Thursday for hernia repair and drainage of a large cyst.
- 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: 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: 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, settling in to their new home; 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.
- Residence-bound members Gordie Van Buren, Murray Leonardson, and Joan Van Alstyne.
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR HEART AND PRAYERS THE MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES
AROUND THE WORLD THAT KRC HELPS TO SUPPORT:
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
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.
- The good news that the Lamont Family have found suitable living quarters!
- 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.
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.
HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY!
Fred Hickman (3rd), Ted Call (11th), Joy Bertram (14th), Claudia March (22nd),
Joan Van Alstyne (26th)
~MUITZESKILL REFORMED CHURCH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR~
The Reformed Dutch Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill will be holding its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Church is located at the intersection of Schodack Landing Road & Muitzeskill Road, in Schodack Landing. The Christmas Bazaar will include new and gently used Christmas decorations, cards, gifts, and books, as well as a Luncheon Cafe and a Bake Sale. For more information, call the Church office at 732-7500.
~NOTE 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
CLASSMENT 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.
