Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 a.m. October 2, 2011
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
You are invited to sign our Guest Book at the church entrance and to fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate. We would like to get to know you better, and we invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us at Coffee Hour downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship Service.
Ushers: Jeff Barmen, Derick Latorre, Steve Shpur, Bob Wildermuth
Greeter(s): Alan and Noreen Dick
Preschool Nursery facility is available downstairs for parent use.
Flowers are given today by Dawn VanBuren for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE Selected Hymns and Songs of the Obedient Christian Life
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, and PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM AND GOD’S GREETING
Boldly Approaching Our God
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Psalms 95 and 96
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving, with music and with song,
for the Lord is the great King above all gods.
Come, let us bow down in worship.
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Come, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
Let us bring an offering and come into his courts.
Let us worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
*HYMN #656 Make Me a Blessing
CALL TO CONFESSION Based on Jeremiah 50:4, 5
Go in repentance to seek the Lord your God. Ask him the way to his holy place, and turn your faces toward it. Bind yourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant of faithfulness to him, and to the work of his Kingdom, that you will not forget.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Based on the words of the prophet, Malachi
Almighty Lord, we have not set our hearts to honor you, but have shown contempt for you by not offering ourselves to you as living sacrifices, willing servants acceptable in your sight. We have not revered your name, remembered your laws, followed your ways, or fulfilled the tasks you have set before us. We have not kept faith with you or with one another. We have minimized and made excuses for the evils of our sin, and at times, have deceived ourselves into believing that our wrongdoing was actually the right thing to do. We acknowledge that we have fallen from grace and are under the curse of our sin, and we seek your mercy upon us.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Forgive us, O Lord, we pray; purify us, and refine us for your service.
Let the righteousness of Jesus Christ rise within us like the sun, with healing in its wings; and let the Spirit sanctify us for humble obedience to the Father’s will. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON Based on Isaiah 44:21-23
“Remember these things,” says the Lord. “You are my servants; I have made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me; sing for joy and shout aloud, for I have redeemed you.”
*VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PRAISE SONG
We Come before God’s Open Word
*BLESSING UPON OUR CHILDREN (Unison)
All-powerful and merciful God, preserve these children from disobedience to you and from the destructive evils that attend it. Lead them, through your Holy Spirit, into holy and virtuous lives of faithfulness, love, and humble service to you and to others. Amen.
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION (Unison) Based on the hymn, Open My Eyes that I May See
Divine Spirit, open our eyes, ears, and hearts. Illumine us, that we may grasp the truth you have for us this day. Silently, now, we wait for you, O God – ready, to know your will for our lives.
[Moment of Waiting before the Lord]
SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 21:33-46 (p. 698)
MESSAGE “God Our Landlord - Not the Slumlord”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Celebrating God
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION (Insert)
OFFERTORY SOLO, Deborah Spaulding O Lord of Hosts, My God and King
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Heavenly Father, sanctify these temporal gifts, the fruits of our earthly labors, for the work of building your eternal Kingdom, which you have entrusted to us. Energize us with Holy Spirit power to be your faithful servants in fulfilling this purpose here and throughout the world. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER
*HYMN #568 Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated
*BENEDICTION
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #639 Surely Goodness and Mercy
POSTLUDE
Today 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 & community members.
The temporary clothing thrift store for the flood victims in Schoharie was moved this past week, and Maureen Mooney will be bringing the clothes from our recent recycling sale to the new location. There is a need for men's clothing, and also a need for help to staff the thrift shop. Maureen is planning to volunteer at the shop Fridays, 10/7 and 10/14, from 12-7 pm. She will be reporting first to the Reformed Church in Schoharie, then on to the Presbyterian Church. If anyone would like to volunteer for these days and times, please let Maureen know, and carpooling could be arranged for the one-hour drive. This is a short-term opportunity but a much-needed one. The shop is also open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 5 pm, and you may call Sarah Goodrich, 518-470-0014, to schedule volunteer time. Below is a link to the Synod website listing opportunities to serve in the aftermath of the flood. Please be sure to scroll down toward the bottom of the home page to find information on the needs in Schoharie: http://www.albanysynod.org/events.htm
The Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery is sponsoring a BROOKS BAR-B-CUE, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, on the front and side lawns of the church. All proceeds will go toward operation and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, which has become an increasingly costly ministry to our community over the years. AS PART OF THE FUNDRAISER, WE WILL ALSO BE SELLING DESSERTS, AT A VERY REASONABLE PRICE, TO ENHANCE THE MEAL. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DONATE BAKED GOODS TO HELP SUPPLY THE DESSERT TABLE, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET AT THE BACK TABLE, OR CONTACT DAWN VAN BUREN.
The Cemetery Committee is counting on your help in making this important fundraising effort a success. Tickets are $10 each, and may be purchased from Jim Dunham or Gary Leggett today in the Fellowship Room following Worship. If you are willing to sell tickets, please let Jim or Gary know.
CHURCH FAMILY MINISTRY OCTOBER SOUP SALE
Church Family Ministry will be offering Manhattan clam chowder soup in October. Prices are $5.00 for a pint and $10.00 for a quart. The deadline for placing orders is NEXT SUNDAY, October 9, and soup will be delivered on Sunday, October 16, in the Fellowship Room following Worship. Please place your orders on the sign-up sheet available today at the back table of the sanctuary.
Capital City Rescue Mission cordially invites you to attend its Annual Benefit Banquet and Silent Auction – “FURNISHING HOPE!” - Wednesday or Thursday, October 19 or 20, at Michael’s Banquet House, 1019 Route 9 North, Latham. Silent Auction begins at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. each evening. KRC has traditionally been well-represented at this inspiring event, the proceeds from which will benefit homeless and needy individuals assisted by CCRM’s programs. Choose the evening you would like to attend; pick up a flyer from the back table, or call 462-0421 to make banquet reservations; and send $18 per ticket reserved to Capital City Rescue Mission Banquet, P.O. Box 1999, Albany, NY 12201. RESERVATIONS SHOULD BE MADE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11.
MUCH APPRECIATION TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. The Pantry served 95 families in July, including 158 adults & 143 children. Non-perishable foods that are always popular and needed are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. (PLEASE NOTE: the Pantry is currently overstocked on spaghetti and pasta.) Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the front and side entryways of the church.
Please plan to attend the brunch and congregational meeting planned for Sunday, October 16, following Worship.
Your presence and input are needed and much appreciated.
~KRC SMALL GROUPS ~
We are all, as Erwin Raphael McManus states, broken pieces of the image of God. And as Christians, too often we talk about God's ability to change lives without fully understanding how to access that power. Through this six-week small group study, we will learn about ourselves and the transformational power of God.
Each week we are offering small group opportunities on Thursday at 9 a.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. Sally Heimroth is coordinator of the Thursday morning group, and Pastor Rudy the Thursday evening group. The theme for this Thursday’s sessions is “Humble Courage”. Scriptures to be explored are Matthew 8:5-13; Proverbs 11:2, 22:4, 29:23; Ecclesiastes 9:14-16; 1Peter 5:2-7; Joshua 1:7-9; and Philippians 1:20-27. Upcoming Themes are, “A Generous Heart”, “Perseverance”, and “Path of Servanthood”. If you are interested, please feel free to join one of these groups – Walk- ins welcome!
~YOUTH GROUP ASSISTANT NEEDED~
Christian Ed is still in need of an assistant Youth Group leader, or multiple rotating assistants, for KRC’s youth meetings. The group meets every Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30, and you are encouraged to pray about being a part of this truly rewarding outreach ministry! If you feel led to assist, please speak to Patti Varga.
TO THOSE IN THE KRC FAMILY CELEBRATING OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS:
Bonnie Dunham, Dustin Olsen, Susan Patterson, Will Patterson, Aiden Visagie, Rudy Visser
krc’s 300th anniversary celebration
A committee for celebrating KRC’s 300th anniversary in 2012 has been formed, and you are invited to join us as a committee member. Please pray that God will continue to bless our church family as we move forward into our tricentennial year with great ideas for numerous celebratory events, and that these events will further our mission to know Christ and make Him known. Everyone’s help is very much needed, and we ask that you prayerfully consider how you might participate in this unique opportunity for ministry to our congregation and community.
Remember to Pray for
• Those who do not know Christ, have turned their back on God, or are struggling in their faith, especially Gloria
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; KRC’s 300th birthday celebration
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, new small group ministries, Adult Bible Study, Community Prayer Group,
• Our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely
• A speedy end to the violence and unrest in the Middle East
• Our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander, Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell
• Our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those, especially children, victimized by famine and other natural disasters, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Families that have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and employment as a result of recent storms and fires, especially our neighbors in Greene, Schoharie, and adjoining counties, and in the State of Vermont, as well as those in Texas
• Those grieving the loss of loved one
• Susan Dick, scheduled for surgery on October 11
• Gordie Van Buren, recovering from an injury requiring stitches following a fall in his room at Barnwell
• Ruth Edge, recuperating from health issues and steadily improving
• A friend of Erika Johnson recovering from injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident
• Those dealing with cancer: Marcia Smith; Gordon Parker; Donna Scalera; Emese; Ginger; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh;
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth; Morgan Hickman; Mark and Gordie VanBuren; Dawn VanBuren; Florence Rivera; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Merrill & Erika Johnson; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father and Charles March, Sr. in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Libby Little, facing the challenges of a demanding itinerary of speaking engagements; Bobby and others struggling with unnamed issues; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Greg L, Rachael, and Martin; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick Latorre and Heather Donahue, recently engaged; first-time parents, Brad and Kelly Ennis Babic (Baby Taylor Marie), Nicole (Baby Alisandra), and Ryan & Jennifer (Deane) Anderson (Baby Grace); new parents, Leré & Anina Visagie (Baby Luke)
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson and Mike Rivera
• Our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert; Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; and Spencer Moore - that they may know God’s presence and protection
• Families and friends of our military troops, and victims of warfare & violence worldwide - that they may be blessed with God’s peace and reassurance;
• The power of the peace & love of Christ to subdue everywhere the spirits of hatred, hostility, unforgiveness, cruelty, vengeance, and warfare
Regular reports are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists. If you have updated information, especially regarding individuals whose names appear in bold print, please call the church office.
Remember To Thank & Praise God for
• All who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, & working together to complete projects and responsibilities
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision
• The good news that all of Susan Dick's tests have come back negative for ovarian cancer.
• The safe return of the young runaway, Bobby, to his family and to treatment available for his particular needs
• The outreach and fellowship of the recent recycling and bake sale, and for Maureen Mooney and all those who worked so diligently to make it a success
• The good attendance, fellowship & food enjoyed by all at our recent Church Picnic at the Tuttles’
• The encouraging news that Marcia’s cancer has not spread to her lymph system - Marcia is Jane Smith’s niece
• The blessing of Doris Schmieder, Claudia March’s mother; Donna Scalera; and Angie Maycole in Worship with us recently
• The wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times
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• Those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, & those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy
KRC’s share of support is $6,711 this year 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 $80.85, UP $5.85 FROM LAST YEAR. Still, this averages out to only $1.55 per week. All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above their regular giving, their share of this support. The full share does not have to be given at one time, but may be given in as many increments as are convenient throughout the year. All contributions made for this purpose should be clearly designated, “Classis Assessment.” MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED A TOTAL OF $3,375 TO DATE TO HELP DEFRAY THIS EXPENSE.
CLOTHING BARN
The North Chatham United Methodist Church’s Clothing Barn, offering good, used clothing at reasonable prices, is open the second and fourth Saturday of each month through September. It will close with the Lord’s Acre Auction on October 15. Donations of good used clothing are always welcome – call 766-3925 for information.
OFFICE, EMAIL,WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is scheduled to be in his church office
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
If you wish to meet with Pastor during these times,
please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings have been set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations,
and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call or 859-4158
Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, please call 859-4158.
COMING EVENTS
Today., October 2
10:00 am Communion Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Coffee Hour, Fellowship Room
11:15 am New Members’ Class meets with Pastor Rudy
Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon., October 3
6:30 pm Stewardship Ministry meets
Tues., October 4
7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets meets
Wed., October 5 3:30 - 6:30 pm Brooks Barbecue & KRC Dessert Table
Kinderhook Cemetery Fundraiser, KRC Lawns
Thurs., October 6
9:00 am Small Group Session3, “Humble Courage”
Sally Heimroth, Coordinator
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @ KRC
7:00 pm Small Group Session 3, “Humble Courage”
Pastor Rudy, Coordinator
Saturdays through October 8
10 am – Noon, Historic Tours of KRC
Sun., October 9 - Deadline for placing October soup orders
with Church Family Ministry
Tues., October 11
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Fri., October 14
9:30 am Church Family Ministry meets, Dawn Tuttle’s home
Sun., October 16 – Pick-up date for October soup orders,
Fellowship Room following Worship
Congregational Meeting and Brunch following Worship
Mon., October 17
7:00 pm Stewardship Ministry meets
Mon., October 24
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Fri., November 11
9:30 am Church Family Ministry meets, Dawn Tuttle’s home
Sat., November 12
6:00 pm Family Chili Nite, KRC Fellowship Room
Servers Next Sunday, October 9, 2011
Ushers: Alan Dick, Merrill Johnson, Lére Visage
Greeter(s): Bob and Jean Wildermuth
