Kinderhook Reformed Church Sunday, September 9, 2018
Sunday School Rally Day - First Day of Youth Sunday School
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. Rudolph Visser, Pastor
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 downstairs 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 Arabesque, op. 31, no. 15 Louis Vierne
Welcome, Announcements
The Lord’s Greeting
Drawing Near to God
Call to Worship (Responsive) Based on Isaiah 12
I will give thanks to God;
I will trust, and will not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my might;
God has become my salvation.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.
With reverence we come to worship our King.
*Opening Hymn (Screen) I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art
Allowing God to Shape Us
Call to Confession
God gives all people the same gift of repentance that leads to life. Let us open that gift as together we confess our sins.
Hymn of Confession (Screen) Not in Me
Assurance of Pardon (Responsive)
For those who long for Christ to live in them, the old ways of doing things have passed. A new life, filled with grace and gratitude, forgiveness and freedom, has begun. Know that we are forgiven, and be at peace.
Thanks be to God. Amen!
Coming Before God’s Open Word
Blessing upon Our Children and Invitation to Youth Sunday School (Unison)
Father in Heaven, establish these children firmly in your word, and bless them with the righteous living and freedom that come from faith in Jesus Christ and from obedience and discipleship to his truth. Amen. (Based on John 8:31-2)
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Mark 7:24-37
Message “Want to Be God's Sparring Partner?”
Prayer of Blessing
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."
Celebrating God, His Care, and His Abundance
Holy Communion (Intincture)
Communion Hymn (Screen)
*Hymn of Thanks After Communion #96 (Verse 3) Praise Him! Praise Him!
Offering/Offertory Andante from Organ Sonata No. 6 Felix Mendelssohn
*Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
God of power and might, you bring forth life in the midst of death, healing in the midst of disease, and hope in the darkest places of our despair. You reach out for our hand, that we might be made whole, but also that our hands might bring healing and life to others. Use us and these gifts, we pray, to bring life and healing to your children, both near and far. Amen.
Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer
*Hymn of Exhortation #540 Take Time to Be Holy
*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 Prelude and Fugue in D major George Frideric Handel
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Praise God, our offering last Sunday was $3,852, over $650 dollars above the $3,200 needed weekly to cover KRC’s daily operating expenses. Notwithstanding, our deficit is now $5,810 after meeting this past week’s expenses.
Income-to-date: $109,492 - Expenses-to-date: $115,302
Stewardship Ministry asks that everyone prayerfully consider how they might adjust their giving so we can avoid falling further behind and having to tap into our very limited reserves to meet budgetary obligations.
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.
An adult Bible study following the Sunday worship service
will be starting soon. Please see Jean Hacker if interested.
HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY!
Jane Deane (1st), Donna Flansburg (5th), Kaitlyn Morris, (6th), Tana Thompson (6th),
Abigail Wood (6th), Dawn Van Buren (20th), Phil Sherman (23rd), Bob Wildermuth (23rd),
Nancy Baker (26th), Wayne Van Allen (28th), Chuck Rothermel (30th)
MANY HAVE NOT YET PICKED UP THEIR NEW CHURCH FAMILY DIRECTORIES from the back table! 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.
PLEASE NOTE CORRECTIONS TO THE NEW DIRECTORY:
Joy Bertram’s email: joybertra@nycap.rr.com
Sara Schubert’s Cell Phone: 518-929-7494
~REACH YARD SALE & FLEA MARKET SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15~
The Kinderhook Reformed Church will sponsor a YARD SALE from 8 am – noon SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, for the benefit of the youth mission trip with REACH WORK CAMP. Please call the church, 518-758-6401, or Elize Visser, 518-758-9311, to either set up your own table (for just $15) or to donate items for the sale. If you have any canopies or outdoor tents that we can borrow for the sale, please let us know! We will also have a bake-sale table and free coffee available! If you're able to help work the sale from 10 am on, please call Elize, as we still need a few helpers! Come join in the fun!
The First Presbyterian Church, Valatie, is holding a Pulled Pork Drive Thru Dinner Saturday, September 15, from 4 - 7 pm. Dinner includes slow smoked pulled pork, award winning corn bread, secret recipe baked beans, homemade cole slaw, and dessert. Tickets are $14.00 each, and can be bought in advance or the day of the event pending availability. Call 518-758-9658 for tickets.
~BROOKS BAR-B-CUE AT KRC SEPTEMBER 26~
The Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery is sponsoring a BROOKS BAR-B-CUE again this year from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, on the front lawn of the church. PRICES ARE $12 FOR THE FULL DINNER AND $8 FOR CHICKEN ONLY. Full dinner includes a baked potato, coleslaw, and roll. A variety of beverages will be available to those who are eating in the fellowship room, and for carry-outs, bottled water will be available for those who want it. For a donation, homemade desserts will be offered to enhance the meal. If you are able to donate baked goods to the dessert menu, please indicate your contribution on the sign-up sheet at the back table.
All proceeds will go toward operation and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, which has, over the years, become an increasingly costly community ministry. Starting today, reservations can be left on the church phone, 518-758-6401, or at 518-758-9492. PAYMENT BY CHECK OR BY CASH FOR PHONE RESERVATIONS, WILL BE COLLECTED WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE BAR-B-CUE. If you prefer, you may purchase prepaid tickets from Jim Dunham, Dawn Van Buren, Steve Shpur, Jane Deane, or Gary Leggett. The Cemetery Committee remembers gratefully your support of last year’s BAR-B-CUE, and is counting on your help in making this important fundraising event a success again this year.
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.
Sunday, September 23, at 4 pm, an initial meeting of GriefShare, a bereavement support group to be offered at the McNary Center of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sylvester St., Kinderhook, will be held to introduce the program and to announce the planned schedule of 13 meetings on selected Thursdays.
• 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; 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 addiction
Outreach Ministry is asking that those who submit a prayer request to KRC’s family and friends also inform us if they know of any additional material or physical needs, beyond the initial prayer request, that we might be able to meet. We would love the opportunity to engage with those in need of prayer in tangible ways as well.
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 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.
• the encouraging update that Jane Stutzman, sister of Paul Clause, is now home 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!”
• 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.
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 Child, Evelin Chuquinia, 19
Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio
Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission
The Silvas, 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.
CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2018
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 $5.92 per week for the remaining weeks (16) in this year. Please clearly designate all contributions, “Classis Assessment.”
The School for Christian Living and Serving, Mid-Hudson/Orange Classes, is offering three fall courses: “Survey of the New Testament,” “Church History 2," and “Understanding Grief.” For those interested, detailed information and registration forms are available on the back table.
EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION
Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net
Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com
Rev. Rudy is available at his church office
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.
Please call ahead for an appointment.
Evenings are set aside for meetings, visitations, and counseling.
For immediate assistance at any time, call 518-859-4158.
Church Phone 518-758-6401 Church Fax 1-518-758-6402
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
KRC TREASURER
Derick LaTorre – 518-376-1882 derick.latorre@gmail.com
KRC STAFF
KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant
Paul Clause – 518-859-4158 Courtney Wood – 518-852-7172
KRC Sexton KRC Cemetery Supervisor
Steven Green – 518-505-4918 Greg Clause – 518-369-8472
COMING EVENTS
Today, September 9 Sunday School Rally Day
9:00 am Communion Worship and First Day of Youth Sunday School
Mon, September 10
6:30 pm Consistory meets
Wed, September 12
7:00 pm Bible Study w/Jean Hacker
Thur, September 13
9:00 am Small Group Bible study @KRC
Group continues its study, The Holy Spirit – Please join us!
10:00 am Community Prayer Group @KRC.
Sat, September 15
8:00 am – Noon REACH Yard Sale & Flea Market @KRC
4:00 – 7:00 pm Pulled Pork Drive Thru Dinner,
First Presbyterian Church, Valatie
Sun, September 16
9:00 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School
Sun, September 23
9:00 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School
4:00 pm GriefShare bereavement support group introductory meeting
McNary Center, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kinderhook
Mon, September 24
6:30 pm The Battlefield Is Now the Harvest field – In Context International
@Kinderhook Reformed Church
Wed, September 26
3:00 – 6:30 pm Brooks BBQ dinner @KRC
Wed, October 10
6:30 – 8:00 pm Suicide Prevention: Start the Conversation, Save a Life
Preventing Veteran Suicides - In Partnership with Faith-Based Organization
Servers Next Sunday, September 16, 2018
Ushers: Dave Ennis, Johnathan Pratt, and Chuck Rothermel
Greeter(s):
Sermon Notes
“Want to Be God's Sparring Partner?”
Mark 7:24-37
