KRC Celebration of Worship, Reformation Sunday, October 29, 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.
8:30 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer
*Morning Praise
Sermon Text Romans 3:19-28
Message “Unfathomable Sacrifice”
Prayer of Thanks
Offering and Prayer of Blessing
PLEASE NOTE: BASKETS ON THE BACK TABLE FOR COLLECTION OF DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS.
Intercessory Prayer
*Closing Hymn and Benediction
10:00 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
Following worship today, all are invited to Pastoral Appreciation and Pastor Rudy’s Birthday Celebration
downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Thanks to today’s ushers, Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Wayne Van Allen.
Thanks to today’s greeters, Jean & Stacey Hurst. Nursery facility available downstairs.
Prelude Not I, but Christ A. B. Simpson
Welcome and Announcements
Votum
Drawing Near to God
*Opening Hymn (Insert) I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
God's Greeting
Call to Worship (Responsive) - Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
My Lord, fill it.
I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.
I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent,
that my love may go out to my neighbor.
I do not have a strong and firm faith;
at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether.
O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you.
In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.
I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.
I am a sinner; you are upright.
With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, I will remain with you of whom I can receive,
but to whom I may not give. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise #43 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Summary of the Law Matthew 22:37 - 40
Allowing God to Shape Us
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Eternal God, how often we tried to undo what we have done. In our persistence, we have tried to right the wrongs too serious to correct, to erase mistakes too deeply engraved in the lives of others, to clean up messes too deeply affecting our world. Caught in our own efforts to make everything right, we end up tangled in our own webs. [Moment of Silent Recommitment]
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive the sins we cannot make right on our own. Give us the wisdom of repentance, that we might change our ways. Make your home within us, that we might experience the power of your transformation.
Scripture Reading Psalm 90:1-6 and 13-17
Coming before God’s Open Word
Children’s Prayer of Blessing (Unison) and Invitation to Sunday School
Heavenly Father, provide our children with a unified, prayerful, Bible-teaching church that will draw them into community; give them a hunger for your Word; involve them in your work; and bless them with spiritual leaders who are trustworthy and humble. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon Text Romans 3:19-28
Message “Unfathomable Sacrifice”
Prayer of Blessing
Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Accept Christ as Their Savior:
"Dear Jesus, I confess that I'm a sinner, and not right with you. I repent and ask forgiveness. I believe that you died on the cross to take my punishment and to pay the price for my sins. I believe that you rose from death to give me new life. Wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, and come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. In your name I pray. Amen.
Celebrating God
*Confession of Faith Apostles’ Creed (Front inside cover of hymnal)
Scouts Award Recognition – P.R.A.Y. Program
Offering/Offertory Faith Is the Victory Ira D. Sankey
PLEASE NOTE: BASKETS ON THE BACK TABLE FOR COLLECTION OF DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS.
*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)
Almighty God, give us such an awareness of your mercies that our hearts may be truly thankful, and that we may praise you, not only with our lips, but by walking in holiness and righteousness through Christ our Lord, who alone sets us and our resources apart for your service. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn #482 My Hope Is in 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 I know Whom I have Believed James McGranshan
This coming Saturday, November 4, at 11 a.m., Schodack Landing Reformed Church will hold its closing worship service. A luncheon will follow worship, and all are invited to attend these final events in the life of this church in support of the congregation at a very challenging and stressful time.
NEXT SUNDAY is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund. Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family and community members.
LOOKING AHEAD
On Sunday, November 19, and on Sunday, November 26, worship services will be combined in one 10 a.m. service. On Sunday, November 19, a congregational meeting will be a scheduled part of the service, and all KRC members and friends are encouraged to attend.
Please Note: In place of First Friday dinner in December, KRC will host its Annual Candlelight Night Annual Open House December 8.
Last Sunday, our offering of $1,869 fell seriously short of what is needed weekly to meet daily operating expenses. From past experience, we know that continued shortfalls result in budget deficits that become difficult, if not impossible, to make up without dipping into our limited general reserves. Regular contributors are asked to “double up” on their giving if they miss a Sunday, and Stewardship Ministry urges that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.
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Stewardship Ministry will be meeting to review and prepare for the 2018 Budget. Anyone interested in assisting with this essential work please contact Derick LaTorre (derick.latorre@gmail.com or 518-376-1882). We typically meet once or twice in October.
HELP REQUESTED FOR FOOD PANTRY DELIVERIES
Volunteers are needed to collect the non-perishable food donations from the two KRC collection baskets and deliver those on a weekly basis to the Food Pantry at the Valatie Presbyterian Church. Dolly Petith has done the deliveries for the last 9 years, but will need “time off” while she is recuperating from eye surgery. The deliveries can be dropped off when the pantry is open and when it is convenient for you. The pantry hours are every Monday: Noon to 2 PM; Wednesdays: 1st, 3rd & last, 6 to 8 PM; and Saturdays: 2nd & 4th, 9 to 11 AM. There is a sign-up sheet on the back table for those willing to participate in this ministry. If you have questions, please see or call Maureen at 518-210-6079.
PLEASE NOTE:
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5.
SET CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 4!
~NOTES OF THANKS~
Friends of Kinderhook,
Your generosity is changing lives. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those affected by the hurricanes. Your gifts have helped us send immediate supplies to those in need as we prepare our long-term relief response. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ.
Amanda Bruehl, Regional Coordinator of Development, RCA
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
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO READ THE THANK-YOU NOTES ON THE MISSIONS BULLETIN BOARD IN THE FELLOWSHIP ROOM
FROM SOME OF OUR MISSIONARIES.
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 new 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.
- those suffering loss of loved ones, livelihoods, and property, as well as life-threatening hardships due to recent earthquakes and hurricanes in Mexico, Puerto Rico and adjacent islands, Texas, and Florida. Pray especially for families and friends grieving those who have died in the recent California wildfires, as well as for those recovering from personal injury and loss of homes and businesses.
- Families and friends grieving those who died in the recent Las Vegas mass shooting, as well as for those recovering from injury. Pray also that God will provide wisdom for our government leaders facing the responsibility of reducing the number and severity of such attacks.
- 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
- Lauren Mitchell, great niece of Kay Haber, who has been quite sick for two months with a constant migraine headache and other symptoms for which doctors have been unable to find the cause. Lauren’s mother, who is travelling to see her in Idaho, will accompany her to a specialist in Seattle. Pray for a quick diagnosis, God's healing and comfort, and for a speedy recovery for Lauren.
- Christine, suffering extreme pain due to the final stages of multiple myeloma. She is in immediate need of at-home care during the day, and prayers are also asked for provision of that special person who can step in and provide the care that is needed.
- others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Michelle Martino; Lesley Haywood; Emese, Patti Varga's sister-in-law; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Barbara Vosburgh; Virginia Rothermel; Art Gross; Harriet Stockhoff; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga
- Donna Scalera, that she will maintain strength as she undergoes continued treatments for cancer, and pray as well for positive outcomes.
- others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Michael, brother of Mary Jane Haywood; Connie Witkowski; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
- those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: our students, from grade school to college, as they prepare to meet challenges of higher levels of education in this school year, career choices, and job searches; Suzy and Bill Nieman as they settle into their new home in New Hampshire; Greg Clause Jr.; Stacey Baker; 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.
- 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.
- His provision for all of 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/prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158.
PULPIT FLOWERS
Many KRC family and friends have, in the past, provided cut flowers for the pulpit in celebration of an anniversary or birthday, in honor of a special day or event, and in loving memory of family and friends who have passed away. If you wish to provide flowers for a particular Sunday, contact Dawn, 758-7564.
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HAPPY OCTOBER BIRTHDAY ! |
Bonnie Dunham (6th), Susan Patterson (14th), Jean Wildermuth (15th), Aiden Visagie (18th), Will Patterson (21st),
Amy Clinton (22nd), Rudy Visser (27th), Barbara Vosburgh (28th), Derick LaTorre (29th)
CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE CONTINUES ITS EIGHTH SEASON ON NOVEMBER 12TH AS NINETY PERFORM
HANDEL’S MONUMENTAL “ISRAEL IN EGYPT”
At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th at KRC, Concerts in the Village will present Handel’s monumental oratorio Israel in Egypt, with the Broad Street Chorale, the Cantilena Chamber Choir (Lenox), Andrea Goodman, Director, the Broad Street Orchestra, and soloists. This will be the second program of CITV’s eighth season. CITV Artistic Director David Smith will conduct.
For this concert CITV warmly welcomes the award-winning Cantilena Chamber Choir, in what is a first-ever collaboration for the Broad Street Chorale, CITV’s resident choral ensemble. Four outstanding soloists will be featured, each a returning CITV artist: sopranos Rose Hunsberger and Katie Roppolo, countertenor Daniel Moody, and tenor Christopher Sokolowski. The choral and instrumental forces required to perform Israel in Egypt are not exceeded by any other work of Handel and contribute mightily to its powerful effect.
In no other oratorio or opera is Handel more colorfully descriptive than in Israel in Egypt, where he portrays the dramatic exodus of the Israelites from Egypt (Part I), and upon their deliverance extended thanksgiving and celebration (Part II). The composer’s text-setting is absolutely brilliant.
In Part I the rivers run with blood, the King’s chambers are overwhelmed by frogs, there is pestilence for man and beast, flies and lice are everywhere, locusts devour crops, hailstones shower down, there is fire, and finally there is darkness . . . The first-born are beaten. There is no end to the horror so vividly conveyed by Handel. But at last the Red Sea is dried up and the Israelites escape, while the waters behind them overwhelm their enemies. All of this is high drama indeed, with action and emotion worthy of Hollywood at its cinematic best!
According to David Smith, CITV’s Artistic Director and Conductor, “In Israel in Egypt Handel leaves no dramatic opportunity unpursued. Largely forgotten in the late 18th and early 19th c., this remarkable oratorio was reintroduced by Mendelssohn in 1833. The enthusiasm on that occasion lasted throughout the rest of the 19th c. In fact for many years the popularity of this work was easily the equal of Messiah, and with good reason. However, current performances are not common due to the complexity of the choral writing and the extensive forces required to deliver the high drama of Handel’s work.
“For Concerts in the Village, the time to offer Israel in Egypt seems just right – thanks in no small measure to the opportunity we have to collaborate with the award-winning Cantilena Chamber Choir of Lenox. I am especially grateful to Andrea Goodman, Cantilena’s Director and founder, for being so receptive to this collaboration and for contributing so essentially to our preparation. All of the many necessary ingredients are falling into place. I am confident that our listeners will be thrilled with the results on November 12th.
Four fine soloists will join the combined choral and orchestral forces. Soprano Rose Hunsberger is a frequent soloist in the area and member of Cantilena Chamber Choir. Soprano Katie Roppolo is a member of the Broad Street Chorale, with which she has appeared on several occasions, memorably as the Sorceress in CITV’s performances of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in Kinderhook and at PS21 in Chatham.
Countertenor Daniel Moody will be making his second CITV appearance. Moody has appeared throughout the United States, and has been a Tanglewood Fellow. Among many laudatory reviews, the New York Times has noted that his “vocal resonance makes a profoundly startling impression...” Tenor Christopher Sokolowski, a Tanglewood Fellow in 2016, will be making his third CITV appearance. Sokolowski, a native of the Hudson Valley, has performed throughout the United States in both opera and concert repertoire. In October of this year his impressive talents took him to Japan. The New York Times calls attention to Sokolowski’s “solid, attractive tone.”
As for Concerts in the Village and its previous Handel offerings, reviewing a 2014 program the late John Paul Keeler (Register Star, Hudson) concluded that the performance was “stunning . . . one of the finest musical events of its kind in many seasons . . . Maestro Smith has brought his musical forces to heights of musical grandeur . . . In a short time Concerts in the Village has taken on a major musical role in the Upper Hudson Valley.”
Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street (US Route 9), Kinderhook, NY 12106. Visit www.concertsinthevillage.org or call 518-758-6869 for further information and assured seating (recommended). Contribution: $20. Reception follows. Handicapped accessible.
For an informal talk about this program, please join CITV Artistic Director David Smith and Rev. Rudy Visser of Kinderhook Reformed Church at the Kinderhook Memorial Library, at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 5th.
CITV concerts are made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Columbia, Greene and Schoharie Counties by the Greene County Council on the Arts through the Community Arts Grants Fund. Generous funding has also been received from the Hudson River Bank and Trust Company Foundation, T. Backer Fund, and Stewart’s Shops, as well as from many individual and business supporters. Kinderhook Reformed Church is especially acknowledged for its many in-kind donations.
All of us from time to time, as members and friends of the KRC family, have had concerns and issues about church policies; Consistory decisions; order and times of our worship services; the preaching ministry; and sometimes even issues and concerns related to our interpersonal relationships within the church family. We would like you to know that the Elders are available to speak with you about any concerns you may have and invite you to contact them at any time.
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
KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Courtney Wood – 852-7172
KRC Sexton KRC Cemetery Supervisor
Steven Green – 505-4918 Greg Clause – 369-8472
COMING EVENTS
Today, October 29
8:30 am Early Worship Service
9:45 am Bible study, Book of Genesis, main floor Conference Room
10:00 am Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
11:15 am Pastoral Appreciation and Pastor Rudy’s Birthday Celebration
KRC Fellowship Hall
Tues, October 31
7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets
Thur, November 2
9:00 am Small Group Bible study @KRC.
Group begins 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
Fri, November 3
6:00 pm First Friday free community dinner. Doors open at 5:30.
Please Note: There will be no First Friday dinner in December.
Instead we will have our Candlelight Night annual open house December 8.
Sat., November 4 Daylight Saving Time Ends. Set Clocks Back One Hour.
11:00 am Schodack Landing Reformed Church final worship
service & luncheon
Sun, November 5
8:30 am Early Communion Worship Service
9:45 am Bible study, Book of Genesis, main floor Conference Room
10:00 am Communion Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
4:00 pm Informal talk with CITV Director David Smith and Rev. Rudy Visser
@ Kinderhook Memorial Library about the November 12 CITV program
Sun, November 12
8:30 am Early Worship Service
9:45 am Bible study, Book of Genesis, main floor Conference Room
10:00 am Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School
3:00 pm Concerts in the Village @ KRC – Israel in Egypt, Handel
Sun, November 19 Combined Worship Service
10:00 am Combined Worship/Congregational Meeting Service
and Children’s Sunday School
Sun, November 26
10:00 am Combined Worship Service
Servers Next Sunday, November 5
Ushers: Jim Baker, Merrill Johnson, Wayne Van Allen
Greeter(s): The LaTorre Family
