Kinderhook Reformed Church

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, September 6, 2015

 “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.

9 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Guest Preacher, Rev. Perry Jones

Executive Director, Capital City Rescue Mission

All are invited to refreshments and fellowship at the Lemonade Stand hosted today by

Sally Heimroth on the front lawn of the church following Worship.

Ushers today are Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland.

Greeter today is Dawn Van Buren. 

  Preschool Nursery facilities are available downstairs.

Flowers today are from the garden of Barbara Vosburgh.

      Guest Organist, David Smith

  Prelude         Intermezzo (Andantino) from Sonata No. 4, op. 98        Josef Rheinberger

  Announcements, Welcome, and God’s Greeting 

  Drawing Near To God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)

In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.

     Christ dwells among us and is one with us.

King of kings and Lord of lords, he lives among the least.

     He journeys with the rejected, welcomes the weary,

     and pardons the worst offenders.

Come now, all who thirst,

     and drink from his fountain of life.

Come now, all who hunger,

     and be filled with his goodness.

Come now, all who seek,

     and find his infinite love.

*Hymn #92                                                                                Crown Him with Many Crowns

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  Based on Hebrews 4:14, 16

Seeing that we have a great High Priest in the inmost heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us confess even our greatest failures to God with confidence that we will receive his forgiveness

  Prayer of Confession  (Unison)

Awesome and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you.  You constantly call us, but we do not listen. You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need, seeking our own comforts, and wrapped in our own concerns.  We wink at evil, harbor prejudices, and yield to greed.  God of grace, as you come to us in mercy, we repent in spirit and in truth, admit our sin, and humbly ask your forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.  Amen 

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are assured that there is no sin so terrible that God cannot forgive, no hurt so terrible that God cannot heal.  God accepts, God forgives, and God sets free.  Receive his forgiving love.

              Hallelujah!  We are set free.

  Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Lord Jesus, may our children always acknowledge you as the Son of the Most High God and experience the power and direction of your Spirit within them.  May they be your light in this world, testifying without shame to your truth, and attracting many to the good news of salvation and eternal life.  Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                                           Psalm 2 (p. 384)

  Message                                                                             “The Unimpeachable King Jesus”

  Prayer of Thanks

*Hymn #519                                                                                            It Is Well with My Soul

Celebrating God

  Offering and Offertory            Now pray we all, Bux WV 208            Dietrich Buxtehude

*Doxology (#809) and Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Gracious God, everything we have comes from you.  Our hearts and lives overflow with your abundance.  With thanksgiving, we bring to you our time, talents, and tithes.  Use these gifts that you have given us to feed others as we have been fed, to serve others as we have been served, and to bless others as we have been blessed, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

  Prayer Requests and The Lord's Prayer

*Hymn #745                                                                      Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

*Benediction and Blessing

*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                      Prelude and Fugue in F major, BWV 556                          J. S. Bach   

~ HUDSON RIVER BELLS TO PERFORM AT KRC NEXT SUNDAY~

Established in 1998 by its founding director, Kathy Boyer, Hudson River Bells is an intermediate/advanced level handbell choir with an intergenerational group of 14 bell ringers from the First Reformed Church of Athens. The choir rings a 5-octave set of English handbells and choir chimes, and will be sharing their talents and the beauty of their instruments throughout our 10 am combined Communion Worship service next Sunday.  A special number specifically for children will be included, and you are encouraged to invite family and friends to attend with their children and grandchildren. In addition to our regular offering, a love offering will be taken as a thank-you to the Bells and to help cover travel and other choir-related expenses.

~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26~

 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 180 million 
meals have been provided in 65 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 10,000 MEALS IN JUST TWO HOURS.  OUR LOCAL PACKAGING EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE BEGINNING AT 1 P.M. 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, AT THE KINDERHOOK TOWN HALL (FORMERLY MARTIN H. GLYNN SCHOOL) ON CHURCH STREET IN 
VALATIE.  PLAN TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO THIS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTRY.  

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: KRC’s youth; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; First Friday and other outreach programs. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Jason, beginning boot camp with some anxiety, that he will experience God's protection and be blessed with His strength, and reassurance; Tom Eastman, fulfilling a tour of military duty in Afghanistan.
• those throughout the world suffering from natural and other hardships and tragedies: wildfires, famine, and other climate-related disasters; economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression and unrest; warfare and terrorism.
• 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.
• families and friends grieving the death of loved ones, especially Alan and Susan Patterson and the Boylan Family grieving the recent loss of  Susan's father-in-law, James Boylan.  Remember especially Priscilla, James's wife, as she faces life without her husband.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world. 
• Russ and his family, experiencing a personal family crisis.  Pray that issues will be resolved and that family unity will be maintained. 
• those in hospice care or battling or recovering from cancer: TJ Vooris; Zoe Covey Chris Howard and his ten-year-old son, Jonah; Elizabeth Clinton; Donna Scalera; Susan Lamont's sister; a friend of Erika Johnson; Bill Metzger, brother of Nancy Baker; Cheryl Johnson; Diane, friend of Cricket Warren; Jack; Bob Mellott; Marlene; Daniel; Andy; Lucy; Rodrigo; Jean.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Chris Treadway; Paul Zietsman’s father; Suzanne; Ruth Edge; Ed Van Kampen; Cidney Rippel; Ted Tuttle; Noreen Kennedy; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Florence Rivera; Steve Shpur; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; John Bowen; Floyd Haber; Art Gross; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Jane Smith; Blanche Rogers; Liz Carroll; Ruth Edge; Laurie Maul.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Keith Hinton, husband of Leigh Ann (Haber) Hinton, following his recent pastoral ordination; Judy Simmons; those facing the challenges of graduation, beginning a higher level of education, or seeking a career -  pray that God will provide them with wisdom in making the many choices and decisions before  them; Stuart, that God will give guidance in providing home care; Greg L; 16-year-old teenager, 3-months pregnant, whose unborn baby has an irregular heartbeat and may not survive; Dana, mother and caretaker of her 2-year-old daughter; Kevin and family, in crisis; Caleb; Vince Beaudoin; Isabelle Bosquet-Morra; Libby Little – Copies of Libby’s August schedule are now available on the back table.
• those who are traveling, especially the Zietsmans, visiting family and friends in South Africa.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for our loved ones who are nearing the close of this life; those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill.
• Residence-bound members Murray Leonardson, Doris Schmieder, Joan Van Alstyne.

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 report that Ruth Edge is now home from the hospital, very happy to be there, and doing well. Cards and notes of encouragement may be sent to Ruth at 53 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106.
• the happy news that Steve Shpur is gaining new strength each day and is able to be back in Worship with us.
• all His provisions for 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, 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.

~JOB-OFFER POSTING FROM PROPERTY MINISTRY~     

Property Ministry is seeking to fill, as soon as possible, a part-time sexton position (up to 15 hours per week) to take over the in-house duties of Greg Clause. Please contact Barbara Vosburgh, 758-6512, or Dawn Van Buren, 758-7564, if you are interested in applying. Greg is no longer able to continue as sexton, and his resignation will become effective as soon as a replacement can be found.  The Consistory and KRC Church Family extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Greg for the skill, creativity, and determination that he brought to this ministry during his several years of service, and wish him the very best in whatever new endeavors he pursues.

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT

KRC’s share of support this year is $5,633.28 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 88.022.  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 $5.50 for each of the remaining weeks in this year. All contributions made for this purpose should be designated “Classis 
Assessment.”  

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY

Jane Deane (1^st), Donna Flansburg (5^th), Morgan Hickman (5^th),

Tana Thompson (6^th), Abigail Wood (6^th), John Bosquet-Morra (13^th),

 Dawn Van Buren (20^th), Sophie Barmen (22^nd), Phil Sherman (23^rd),

Bob Wildermuth (23^rd), Nancy Baker (26^th), Chuck Rothermel (30^th) 

~CITV UPDATE FROM DAVID SMITH~

Concerts in the Village Looks to an Exciting 2015-2016 Season

       With major contributions from the Broad Street Chorale, the Broad Street Orchestra and guests artists, CITV’s fifth year has been an unequivocal success.  By any artistic measurement your musical achievements have been impressive – and recognized throughout the region.  And with respect to our administrative and financial sustainability, much progress has been made.  I hope you share my deep pleasure in all of this.

       I assure you that CITV has developed a significant and widespread following. A day does not pass without my meeting someone who has been impressed by your efforts.  And that “someone” is often a listener personally unknown to me -- wanting to know when the next concert is!  CITV has quickly become an established brand, with programs noted for their high quality.  By another measurement, I have received calls from as far as New York and Boston with notable musicians expressing interest in our concerts.  It is gratifying that the finest singers and instrumentalists want to be with us.  (And once they have been with us they wish to return!)  Each year our artistic brand becomes more established, and opening with our fifteenth concert, the coming season will be no exception.

Some Highlights of 2014-2015 (July, 2014 through June, 2015)

The 12-month season just concluded was significant for:

1.     Five important programs (Purcell, Handel, Beethoven-Schubert, The School, Bach);
2.     Dido and Aeneas at PS21, our first “semi-staged” (or was it staged?) effort and first institutional collaboration;
3.     A very well received, financially successful “ArtistsThanking Donors” benefit concert and reception at the memorable Keene Farm in Stuyvesant, to be repeated this coming September 19^th (see email to follow);
4.     A record-shattering reception for the “non-CITV” Fifth  Annual Celebration of Lessons and Carols (and a memorable Candlelight Night preview of it at Jack Shainman Gallery: The School, visited by 500 listeners);
5.     Record individual, business, grant, and listener support, allowing us to begin 2015-2016 with a modest financial reserve (with the CITV Business Supporter Program having had a very encouraging start);

1.     A record number of enthusiastic listeners, with CITV’s audiences among the largest in the region for “classical” music;
2.     Of greatest importance to me (hopefully to you as well) a growing number of committed musicians, bringing so much individual experience and talent to CITV programs -- an artistically strong and collegial mix of non-professionals and professionals (Incidentally in this I believe we are both unique and well positioned.)

Looking to 2015-2016

It may seem to be in a quiet period, but in fact much is underway, including the essential Annual Appeal mailing and “Artists Thanking Donors” preparations.  But here is the “major concert” overview, with much more detail to follow:

Sunday, November 8^th at Kinderhook Reformed Church (3:00 p.m.)

Alexander’s Feast, or The Power of Musick  (c. 1751) 

Vocal and instrumental splendor combine in one of Handel’s most colorful oratorios.

Midwinter (TBD), 2016 at Jack Shainman Gallery: The School

King David (1921) 

Arthur Honegger’s very dramatic, but neglected masterpiece,

performed in a space ideally suited to its sonic wonders.   Sung in English.

Sunday, April 10^th, 2016 at Kinderhook Reformed Church (3:00 p.m.)

Wagner Siegfried Idyll (1869), Brahms Schicksalslied (1871) and Mendelssohn Psalms 95 (1838) & 42 (1842)

19^th c. choral-orchestral richness.

In addition there are expected to be two smaller-scaled (chamber) concerts.

COMING EVENTS

Today,  September 6

         9:00 am  Combined Worship Service – Perry Jones, Guest Preacher

       10:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Tues.,  September  8

         7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets

Thur., September 10

         9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets

       10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Fri.,   September 11

         5:30 pm  Doors open for “Second Friday” free community dinner

         6:00 pm  Dinner served

         7:00 pm  After-dinner activity and fellowship

Saturdays through September

       10:00 am – Noon  Free Guided Historic Tours, KRC Sanctuary

Sun.,  September 13

       10:00 am  Combined Communion Worship Service

    Hudson River Bell Ringers will be performing in the 10 am service.   

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Sun.,  September 20 –  Back-to-Church Sunday

         8:30 am  Early Worship Service

       10:00 am  Worship Service and Opening of Sunday School

       11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Mon., September 21  

         6:30 pm  Consistory meets

Sat.,   September 26

         1:00 pm  Stop Hunger Now food-packaging event. Kinderhook Town Hall,

                 Church Street, Valatie (Formerly Martin H. Glynn School)

Mon., September 28  

         6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Wed., September 30

         3:30 – 6:30 pm  Brooks BBQ Cemetery Fundraiser, KRC front lawn

Servers Next Sunday, September 13, 2015

       Ushers:  Derick LaTorre, Chris Laurie, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland

       Greeter(s):  

        Lemonade Stand Host(s):  Bonnie and Jim Dunham