SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH

 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                                                                                                  Luke 9:57-62 (p. 734)

  Message                                                                                                   “Pausing Jesus’ Call”

  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, Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Gary Leggett

Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Susan Patterson

 Preschool nursery available downstairs.

The sunflowers which decorated the pulpit so beautifully last Sunday were given

 in loving memory of Harriet Simpkins by her family.

The sunflower was Harriet’s favorite.

  Prelude                                 O Jesus, I Have Promised (#648)

   “O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still

    above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.”

  Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive) - Inspired by Mark 8: 34-35

We follow Christ,
       Who says, “Take up your cross.”

We follow Christ,
       Who bids us come and offer our lives.

We follow Christ,
       Who summons us to new life.

Come, let us worship our Creator.

                                         Rosemary Lamie, First Congregational Church of Greenwich.

*Hymn of Praise #86                                                                      We Come, O Christ, to You

  Morning Prayer

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession 

With hollow excuses and arrogant motives, we often choose to remain in our self-centered “comfort zones,” hesitant to lead the lives of spiritual courage and personal sacrifice to which Christ challenges us.  Let confess together our resistance to his calling. x

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison) 

Heavenly Father, you have redeemed us through Jesus Christ and invited us into a life of hope, joy, and freedom. Yet we forget that you have sanctified us for greater things.  We become preoccupied with serving our own interests, and we abandon you when our comfort is threatened. Have mercy on us. Speak to our fearful hearts. Cause us to turn our gaze squarely back on you. Forgive us and open our eyes and ears to a greater awareness of you, and to the adventure of living daily for your glory. Make us eager to be your hands and feet, and ready to represent you well in our broken world. In Christ’s name we humbly pray. Amen.

  Words of Assurance  (Responsive)

O taste and see that our God is good! Through the limitless compassion of Christ, our sins are forgiven. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are energized for God’s work of salvation, justice, and peace in the world.

       Thanks be to God. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

All-knowing and faithful God, lead our children along paths of righteousness into the places and purposes that you have planned for them.  Lead them into holy and virtuous lives of love, humble service, and generosity to you, to the work of your Kingdom, and to others. Amen.

  Prayer of Blessing on the Word Proclaimed                       

  Scripture                                                                                                  Luke 9:57-62 (p. 734)

  Message                                                                                                   “Pausing Jesus’ Call”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Offering/Offertory             Living for Jesus a Life That Is True (#569)

                                                       “. . . Willing to suffer affliction and loss, deeming each trial a part of my cross.”

  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)

Generous God, who has given us Christ as our example, we gladly offer you all of our intentions, affections, desires, and resources. Grant that we may use them according to your will and only for your greater glory.  Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn (Insert)                                                            Jesus Calls Us O’er the

*Blessing, Benediction, and Response Hymn                            By the Gift of God’s Grace

By the gift of God’s grace may your burdens be light,

 and your heart with his love be aglow. May your spirit be glad, may your soul be at rest, 

and may Christ grant you peace as you go.  Amen.

  Postlude                               I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (#576)

     “The World behind me, the cross before me – no turning back, no turning back.”

~NOTE OF THANKS AND WELCOME FROM CONSISTORY~

Consistory and the KRC Family would like to praise God and thank Liz Carroll for her much-appreciated services as KRC Office Assistant over the past several years.  We offer our prayer support to Liz, and wish her the very best as she continues in her new position with Kinderhook Bank. In addition, we are very pleased to welcome Courtney Wood, who has been appointed as Liz’s replacement and is off to an excellent start in her new position. We are also happy to announce that Greg Clause Jr. has been appointed as KRC Sexton, and is likewise doing a fine job with his new duties.  Please keep all of the KRC staff members in your prayers as they carry out to their various ministries.

At 6:30 pm Tuesday, October 4, Reformed Church is hosting a FREE educational, solution-focused, 1-hour panel discussion highlighting the many agencies, services, self-help, and advocacy groups available in Columbia County addressing substance use issues and mental health. Panelists include representatives from Twin County Recovery Services, Inc, Columbia County Mental Health Center, Nar-Anon, Young People in Recovery, the Chatham Police Cares 4 U program, and Ichabod Crane School District. Attendees will learn how to recognize symptoms, where to get help, and how to get involved in fighting substance use and the opiate epidemic in particular.  There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and comments.

                        ~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15~

Stop Hunger Now packages and ships food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to 
end global hunger in our lifetime.  Established in 1998, over 500,000 volunteers have been engaged to package 
meals, and over 225 million meals have been provided in 74 countries.  This year, 45 million meals will be 
packaged, and over $9 million in donated health supplies will be shipped.  A STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT 
IS AN IMMENSELY REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF EASY, HANDS-ON WORK, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP THAT YOU WILL NOT
 WANT TO MISS!  A group of 40 to 50 volunteers (any age) can package over 10,000 meals in just two hours.  Our local packaging 
event will take place beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Kinderhook Town Hall (formerly Martin H. 
Glynn school) on Church Street in Valatie, during which we hope to pack 20 – 30 thousand meals.  Plan to lend a 
helping hand to this extraordinary ministry. Volunteer unloaders are needed at noon, and volunteer packers are 
needed from 1 – 3 pm.  A signup sheet is available on the back table to give us a general idea of the number 
participating from KRC.  Official registration can be done online, and a link to Stop Hunger Now for doing this 
can be found on our website, kinderhookreformedchurch.net.  Official registration can also be done at the Town 
Hall the day of the event.  Donations may be made online as well using the KRC website link, or directly through 
the church by check with “Stop Hunger” in the memo line.  A donation of 29¢ buys one meal, $29 one hundred meals, 
$290 one thousand meals.  Your co-workers might be willing to offer $29, or a business might be interested in 
making a $290 donation.

~NOTE FROM KRC OUTREACH MINISTRY ON STOP HUNGER NOW DONATIONS~

From August 1 to September 30, the KRC Outreach Ministry will be collecting redeemable cans and bottles in the designated bins located both at the Kinderhook Transfer Station on 9-H and at the church.  Call Tana (518-495-3621) if you need assistance. All money received will benefit the Stop Hunger Now drive.

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.
• for the good report that Diane, friend of Cricket Warren, has been in remission for three years from her multiple myeloma cancer, and has found employment. Please continue to pray for Diane, that she may remain in good health and that she may come to know the Lord as her savior.
• the good news that Patti Varga’s sister-in-law, Emese, has been released from the hospital.  Her MRSA infection is gone, and she continues to heal at home.  Please continue your prayers, which are much appreciated.
• Dave Ennis’s presence in worship with us again.
• this encouraging news from Glenn and Cricket Warren:  “We would like to thank you for your prayers for Glenn's friend's six month old grandson.  He is still in the hospital but doing much better.”
• the good report that Virginia Rothermel is doing well. Ginny thanks the congregation for the cards and messages of encouragement she received, and she hopes to be back in church soon!
• 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.

x

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 new 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; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs. Pray especially for the Stop Hunger Now fundraising campaign and upcoming meal-packing event in October. 
• our state, national, and world leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely. Pray especially that God’s hand will direct our nation’s upcoming Presidential and other government elections.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
• 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, especially Jayne Ferguson, her mom, her siblings, and other family members and friends grieving the sudden loss this past Wednesday morning of Jayne’s father, Dave Peterson.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Nancy Stewart.
• Chrissy Blackwood, niece of Nancy Baker, who suffered a grand mal seizure recently and is severely anemic. Chrissy will be able to resume work, but will be unable drive the 45-minute commute to her nursing job for 6 months. Please pray for a good response to treatment for Chrissy, and for God's peace, reassurance, and provision regarding her work situation.
• Alexandria Noxon, Liz Carroll's niece, recovering from a tonsillectomy and in a great deal of pain.
• Eddie, recovering from an injury to his shoulder while at work.
• Loren Speer, recuperating at home from an undiagnosed illness and unable to work.
• Patti Varga's Uncle Martin, who has been released from the hospital but has a long road ahead to recover from injuries received in his recent fall and many weeks of healing and PT here before he is able to fly home to California.
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Jay Rippel; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Vicki Smith; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Susan Clause; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• Donna Scalera, struggling to get through another very difficult chemotherapy regimen.
• Jay, co-worker of Deborah Spaulding, whose pancreatic cancer has spread to his spleen and whose prognosis is not looking hopeful.
• Mark, whose cancer has returned, and who is facing additional chemo treatments.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Marlene; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Leonard Blish; Judy Alvarez; TJ Vooris; Baby Szafran; Ron Dick; Angie, friend of Sara Hartman; 6-month-old grandson of Rick; Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; Donna and Jason; Amber; Martha; Laurie; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; the Lamont Family; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts.
• those who are traveling.
• residence-bound KRC family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; George Clowe.

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

~STEWARDSHIP REPORT~

Praise the Lord! Our weekly offering this past Sunday was $2,798 – just under our weekly need of $3,000.  Many thanks to those who have recently made substantial gifts toward bringing our income more closely into line with expenses, and to our regular contributors who “doubled up” on their giving to cover the Sundays they missed. 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.

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Jane Deane (1^st), Donna Flansburg (5^th), Tana Thompson (6^th), Abigail Wood (6^th),

 Dawn Van Buren (20^th), Phil Sherman (23^rd), Bob Wildermuth (23^rd),

Nancy Baker (26^th), Chuck Rothermel (30^th) 

                                     KRC 2016 CONSISTORY

                     Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                  Deacons

Liz Carroll – ’16  Outreach, CITV Committee, Clerk  

Derick LaTorre – ’16  Cemetery, Stewardship, Treasurer  

Tana Thompson – ’17  Church Family

Chip Wood – ’17  Property   

                                                    Elders

                   Merrill Johnson – ’16  Worship

                   Patrice Lyons – ’16  Outreach, Clerk

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Vice President of Consistory

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel and Pastoral Relations

                                                    KRC STAFF

                 KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

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

                          KRC Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

            Greg Clause Jr – 758-9311      Greg Clause – 369-8472