Kinderhook Reformed Church Sunday, September 2, 2018

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudolph Visser, Pastor

Rev. Perry Jones, Guest Pastor

Executive Director, Capital City Rescue Mission

Welcome visitors! Please fill out a visitor’s pew card and place it in the offering plate.

9:00 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Following worship, all are invited to the lemonade stand,

hosted by Amy Deweerd, on the front lawn for refreshments and fellowship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Phil Hurst, Matt Osborne, and Andrew Welcome.

Thanks to today’s greeter(s).                                                Nursery facility available downstairs.

Prelude I Exalt Thee Pete Sanchez

“For you, O Lord, are high above the earth – You are exalted far above all gods.”

Welcome, Announcements

Drawing Near to God

Call to Worship (Responsive)

O God, our refuge, our strength, our help,

you are the bedrock upon which our lives are built,

the mighty fortress which surrounds and protects.

Though the earth tremble, the mountains shake, and the waters rise, we will not fear.

We call upon you, O Lord. Help us to live fearlessly amidst the storm.

We sing praise to the One you have exalted, the Lamb who was slain for our sin.

May the music of the Kingdom resound -

in our hearts, our homes, our communities, our world.

*Hymn of Praise #43 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Allowing God to Shape Us

Call to Confession Based on Isaiah 30:18

Our God is a God of justice, waiting to be gracious to us, yearning to have pity on us. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord. In faith, let us make our confession to God.

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon (Responsive)

Righteous God who will judge the living and the dead, we confess to our blind and ungodly pursuit of worldly pleasures and passions; and we acknowledge our need of your salvation. Purify us from all wickedness. Strengthen our hearts with your holiness. Empower us to be self-controlled, and upright in this present age, eager to answer your call to serve while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Silent Prayer of Confession]

Praise be to God, who forgives us through faith in his Son, our Redeemer;

who keeps us pure and blameless - who sanctifies us body, soul, and spirit for his

righteous purposes - until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, Amen.

Coming Before God’s Open Word

Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Psalm 57:1-11

Message “A Psalm from the Cave”

Prayer of Thanks

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Acknowledge 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."

*Hymn of Response #96 Praise Him! Praise Him!

Celebrating God, His Care, and His Abundance

Offering/Offertory I Will Call upon the Lord Antwuane Davis, Kevin Davidson

“The Lord lives, and blessed be the Rock, and may the God of my salvation be exalted.”

*Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, as a church community we exalt your holy name, seek to be your imitators, and joyously place our offerings before you. May they be used to support your Kingdom so that others may acknowledge you as Lord, praise you, and follow your path of righteousness, love, and peace. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Commitment #45 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

*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 Praise Him! Praise Him!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Jane Deane (1^st), Donna Flansburg (5^th), Kaitlyn Morris, (6^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), Wayne Van Allen (28^th), Chuck Rothermel (30^th)

~ANNUAL RISE AGAINST HUNGER MEAL PACKAGING EVENT THIS COMING SATURDAY~

Dear KRC Family and Friends:
I am writing to you today to invite you to be part of a life-giving event, our 4^th annual Rise against Hunger meal packaging event THIS COMING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018, FROM NOON TO 3 PM AT THE FORMER MARTIN H GLYNN SCHOOL BUILDING, CHURCH STREET, VALATIE. You may have participated in some fashion in the past, or maybe this is the first time you are hearing about it.

This multi-generational event has packaged more than 50,000 meals over the years, and we will package another 20,000 or more this year. We have set a goal of $5,800 to pay for all those meals. That’s right, for about 29¢ we are able to feed a hungry person! These simple rice, vitamin, soy, and dried vegetable meals are packaged and then sent off to feed a family of six somewhere in the world, including in our own country when disaster strikes.

1. addition, we have watched as members of our community come together to package these life-giving meals, and we have seen the friendships made, the laughter, and the energy that grows around the tables as everyone works with a common goal of helping those in need. It is truly a life-giving and transforming ministry, and I invite you to be part of it.

There are three ways you can become involved, and each is vital to the success of this ministry:

· Pray for those who are hungry around the world and for those who will come and pack meals on September 8.

· Make a donation. $8.70 feeds someone for a month. $105.85 provides someone with food for a year! All donations will make a difference. We thank you in advance for any monetary donation you can provide. Checks can be mailed to Kinderhook Reformed Church with RAH in the memo line, or look for donation jars around town. To allow us to plan properly, please mail in any donations by August 31.

· JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 8TH AT THE FORMER MARTIN H GLYNN SCHOOL GYMNASIUM to package the meals and experience this life-giving opportunity for yourself! We will be there from noon until we finish around 3 pm. You’re welcome to help with set-up at 11 am or to stay after 3 pm for cleanup as well. Wear a hat (unless you love hair nets!) and please RSVP to let us know you’re coming.

You can use this link to register and donate online:
https://shn.secure.force.com/events/homepage?id=701f1000002pCYGAA2

Make it a family outing, invite friends and neighbors, and encourage your church or organization to donate toward our goal and to put a packing team together. Remember, many hands make light the work. We need at least 100 volunteers to make this event happen! My prayer is that you will help us do that. In advance, I thank you for your support in this ministry.

Peace,
Pastor Rudy Visser

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, as he fulfills his ministerial duties.
• KRC ministries, programs & projects, and those planning & administering them as they seek new directions and God’s wisdom and blessing in moving our church toward a greater and more effective impact on our surrounding communities: KRC’s Consistory, especially newly installed officers, Jane Deane, Jean Hacker; Susan Patterson, and Deborah Spaulding; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; Sunday School; KRC’s small group ministries and Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday Free Community Dinner; and other outreach programs.
• our state, national, and world leaders, especially President Donald Trump and all of the government officials now in office, that God will grant them the leadership skills and wisdom needed to govern effectively.
• 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; those suffering economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, war, displacement, gun violence, and terrorism.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the loss of loved ones.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for those nearing the close of this life.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Elize Visser’s mother; Carly Rippel; Alan Smith; Jane Stutzman; Sal; George Graham; Fred Borrelli, Merrill Johnson.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Dave Ennis and daughter, Kara; 12-year-old Issy Kwei; Bill Nieman; Ben Kissel; Carol, future daughter-in-law of Erika & Merrill Johnson; Freya, Patti Varga’s aunt; Friend of Erika Johnson; Judy Alvarez; Charles Roppolo; Terri; Michael, brother of Mary Jane Haywood; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B.; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• those who are traveling.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: a young person with close ties to our church family who is experiencing serious depression and having difficulty finding purposeful, rewarding direction for moving ahead in life; Vickie Metzger, 98, Nancy Baker's mother; Brianna; our students as they deal with the challenges facing them at the beginning of this new school year, including college and career choices, and job searches; Greg Clause Jr.; the epidemic of life-threatening addictions.

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 KRC worship from time to time.
• the spiritual blessing received by the children (89), teachers (20), and support staff (20) who attended KRC’s recent Vacation Bible School. Many thanks to all who participated and helped in making this VBS such an exciting and successful outreach to our surrounding communities!
• the encouraging update that Jane Stutzman, sister of Paul Clause, has been home for the past week-and-a-half following hip-repair surgery and rehab, and is able to manage most of her everyday needs on her own. She is gaining strength daily and hopes to be back to driving her car soon. Jane thanks you for all your prayers, which in her words, “God has answered abundantly!”
• the good report that Elize Visser’s mom in South Africa is home from the hospital recovering from a torn muscle and subsequent hematoma in her leg; praise God, surgery was not required, and she is healing well.
• 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.

​Our new church family directories have arrived and are on the back table, but MANY HAVE NOT YET BEEN PICKED UP! If you had pictures taken, please pick up your free directory and check your name off the list. If you did not have pictures taken, you are welcome to take a copy without charge, but if you are able, free-will donations designated “Directory” would be much appreciated and may be dropped into the offering plate to help cover printing costs.

Each member’s share of this year’s classis assessment has been set at $94.68 (Up $6.18 from last
year). All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above 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. If offered weekly, that’s about $5.50 per week for the
remaining weeks (17) in this year. Please clearly designate all contributions, “Classis
Assessment.”

KRC 2018 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Noreen Dick – ’18 Church Family. . . . . . . . 518-758-6640 noreend122@twc.com

Susan Patterson – ’19 Property. . . . . . . . . . 518-755-4909 patterss@strose.edu

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18 Stewardship. . . . . . 518-392-5044 barippel@yahoo.com

Deborah Spaulding – ’19 Outreach. . . . . . . 518-758-7316 ber00519@fairpoint.net

Elders

Jane Deane – ’19 Christian Ed., Cemetery. . 518-758-7051 jdeane1943@gmail.com

Jean Hacker – ’19 Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-758-9412 jch9412@aol.com

Merrill Johnson – ’18 Worship. . . . . . . . . . . 518-828-6726 docjohnson36@gmail.com

Dawn Van Buren – ’18 Consistory Vice-President, Cemetery, Pastoral Relations,

Personnel. . . . . . . . . 518-758-7564 dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Clerk of Consistory

Patti Varga – 518-755-3054 patvarga66@gmail.com