August 19, 2012

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY - Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
10:00 A.M. August 19, 2012
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Rev. John Bowen, Guest Worship Leader

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 the Lemonade Stand hosted by Jane Deane on the front lawn following Worship.
Ushers: Jim Baker, Bob Dreier, John Schubert, Loren Speer
Greeter(s): Jane Deane
Preschool Nursery facility available downstairs.
Order of Worship
  PRELUDE                    
  WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, & PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
  VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING


We Approach God
  CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)    
     Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.
Amen.
     We will give thanks to you, O LORD, with our whole heart;
     We will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
We will be glad and exult in you;
we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #594                       Like a River Glorious
*CALL TO CONFESSION
  PRAYER OF CONFESSION 
We want honor, we want credit for our hard work, but that isn’t what the kingdom of God needs. We know that, but it goes against everything that is within us. Even if we can manage to be humble, we want people to acknowledge it! Lord, take from us our pride. Help us humble ourselves and become a servant to the least. Amen.
[Time for personal prayer and confession]
  ASSURANCE OF PARDON  
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we know that God's face shines on us and we are indeed forgiven. Thanks be to God!
  HYMN # 109                           I Cannot Tell


We Come Before God’s Open Word
  PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 
  SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                   Ephesians 2:1-10 (p. 827)     
  MESSAGE                                                             “The Story of Lily”
  PRAYER OF BLESSING
 

Celebrating God
*HYMN of PROMISE #678         In The Bulb There Is A Flower
  WE GIVE OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS / OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and  OFFERTORY PRAYER  (Unison)
Most gracious and loving God, author of all that is good and just, we present this offering as our way of saying thank you. Thank you for not turning your back on us. Thank you for watching over us and our loved ones. Thank you for your patience when we are struggling through life. So, we ask you today to accept this offering of thanksgiving, and transform it into your love, felt throughout the globe. Amen.


  HYMN #505               Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It
  ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
  PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN # 700                                                                            We Are God's People        
*BENEDICTION and RESPONSE – 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.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen.
  POSTLUDE
          
The letter below to the Church Family outlines the vacation itinerary of the Vissers as they visit family and friends in South Africa.  Please continue to keep them in your prayers throughout the remainder of their travels and as they return home at the end of the month. 

Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church Family,
     Our trip to South Africa is underway.  We flew out of John F. Kennedy International Airport the morning of July 30, and arrived 16 hours later at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg the morning of July 31 We then traveled 4 hours north by car to Elize’s parents who live in a town called Ellisras. We will spend three weeks with them and hope to be of great help to Elize’s mom who recently had successful back surgery. Over the weekends we will get a chance to see at least three of Elize’s four siblings and their families.
      On August 22 we’ll be driving the four hours back to Johannesburg to board a plane heading for Cape Town, the Mother City, on the very southern tip of Africa. Here we will be staying a week with my brother, whom you have met, and get a chance to see my sister and Elize’s other sister. At my alma mater, the Stellenbosch University where I attended seminary, I will take part in a four-day seminar and will be preaching there on Sunday, August 26. At around 10 am on the 29th, we will be boarding a plane to return to Johannesburg where we will overnight with Elize’s sister, and the following day we will board our international flight to head back home. Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport is scheduled for 6:40 am EST, August 31.  Know that we will be thinking of you much and praying constantly. We will return with stacks of stories and photos, and remember that emailing me is equally as quick whether I am in Kinderhook or in Ellisras or Cape Town.  I have added a tab to our www.kinderhookreformedchurch.com website reading, “Blog - South Africa,” and will do everything in my power to write and post pictures as often as I can. Have a look at these posts, stories, and photos, and follow us on our journey. You are welcome, too, to leave a response on the website and so be in conversation with us! 
     Here at the home front Reverends John Bowen and Tom McCrossen will be filling the pulpit in August, and Rev. Ed Van Kampen from the Stuyvesant Reformed Church will be available to tend to any pastoral needs that might arise.  Please do not hesitate to call on elders Paul Clause and Dawn Van Buren if you need help, prayer, or just want to chat. We covet your prayers in our absence, but let us not neglect praying for our congregation, the remainder of the 2012 celebration year, and the specific ministry focuses and tasks that lie ahead for KRC.
     May the Lord our God who is our ever present help, guide, and friend be with you now and forever more and unite us all joyfully towards the end of August.
            Rudy and family    

The Academy of Christian Leadership, Route 9, Valatie, is holding an Open House Wednesday, August 22, 3 - 7 pm especially to introduce their new Kindergarten and Grade 1 programs.


Isabelle Bosquet-Morra (2nd), Jessica Alessi (5th), Jim Dunham (7th),
Dolly Petith (18th), Alan Dick (24th), Suzy Nieman (27th,) Melissa Welcome (28th), Erika Johnson (31st)

YOUTH GROUP HAS STARTED AGAIN AT KRC TUESDAY NIGHTS FROM 7-8:30 PM. All youth who will be entering Grades 6 through Grade 12 in the fall are welcome to attend!  Just like VBS, we have students who attend from various churches & who bring friends, so please feel free to join in the events, activities, and projects we are planning for the rest of the summer. Parents - you are always welcome to stay & help out if you'd like.  We hope to see you here on Tuesday.   

~WEIGHT WATCHERS PROGRAM~

WEIGHT WATCHERS IS COMING TO KRC IN THE NEAR FUTURE!
An informational meeting will be held at KRC at 9:30 am on Friday, September 7th.  Regular meetings will begin at 9:30 am on Friday, September 14th.  Contact Dawn Van Buren, 758-7564, for additional information.

SAVE THE DATE:  SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9!
CONGREGATIONAL PICNIC RIGHT AFTER CHURCH ON THE SIDE LAWN.  A SIGN-UP SHEET WILL BE AVAILABLE.

KRC SMALL GROUPS
KRC offers a small group opportunity at 9 am Thursdays at the church.  The group is continuing its new study, “Battlefield of the Mind,” based on the book by Joyce Meyer.  All are encouraged to attend, and walk-ins are welcome!

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN "THE OLDE DUTCH & SUCH" CRAFTS GROUP 9:30 AM FRIDAY MORNINGS, IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL. We are creating items for the KRC fair/bazaar which will take place November 3.  Please save wine corks and plastic grocery bags for use in this project.  A box is available in the room across from the church office for collecting these materials. 

~KINDERHOOK VILLAGE-WIDE YARD SALE – 9 AM SATURDAY, SEPT. 15THH.
KRC will participate in the day’s event - rain or shine - with a Recycling Sale sponsored by the Evangelism Ministry.  We will be open Saturday from 9 am - 3 pm, and  we will also be open Thursday and Friday, Sept 13 and 14, 4 - 7 pm. Donations of gently used clothes/coats, books, toys, linens, sports equipment, small appliances, fall plant divisions, etc, would be greatly appreciated.  Helpers are needed on Wednesday and Thursday to organize sale items. Items may be dropped off now and put in the back room by the ladies restroom, or if you are unable to do this, you may arrange to have donated items picked up - see Maureen or Dawn if you have questions.  You or other interested community members may also set up your own table if you are willing to bring in, organize, and takeout all of your own items. We just ask that you donate 10% of your sales to KRC.

Remember to Pray for
• those who do not know Christ, or are struggling in their faith or with other spiritual issues. 
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
• KRC programs & projects and those administering them: Youth Group; church restoration; tricentennial events.
• small group ministries, adult Bible studies, 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.
• 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 natural disasters; abuses of war and violence; exploitation; neglect; and family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially the Leighton and Hotaling families grieving the recent death of Mary Leighton of Stuyvesant; Donna Scalera and the Trout family grieving the recent loss of Ted Trout, Donna's father; Robin Siter and her family grieving the loss of her father, Edward Gay.
• Rosemary Gotz, friend of Jean Wildermuth, recovering from recent lung surgery.
• Frank Aiello, who suffered a massive heart attack last week.  He is now home and recovering but still dealing with a blockage that could cause a clot.  Please lift up Frank’s family also.
• the Royce Family, that God will intervene in a court proceeding involving the father; pray also for spiritual renewal and financial stability of the family.
• Jenny Kline, Ichabod Crane teacher, suffering from a facial tumor that is very painful disfiguring, sleep-depriving, and depressing, but apparently unrelated to the cancer she is already battling.  Jenny’s son, Jonathan, following a recent spiritual encounter with God, has challenged us to an intensive prayer-focus for his mother’s complete healing.
• Esther Tuttle, recovering from a fractured rib and awaiting test results.
• those traveling, especially Pastor Rudy and family as they visit and travel in South Africa for the month of August; and Patrice Lyons travelling through August 27
• those battling or recovering from cancer: John Bosquet-Morra; Roman Murynec; Helen Drumm; Tammy DeVito; Dick; Sal Alessi; Melissa M; Judy Iocco; Stephanie; Ron Jensen; Patricia’s mother; Donna Scalera; Tom Saulpaugh.  
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Linda Moran; Baby Luther; Don Bartow; Evan; Kenny Cadieux; Linda’s sister; Noreen Dick; Maureen Mooney; Raymond McKee; Marc Morales; Ruth Edge; Blanche Rogers; Jack, grandfather of Patti Varga; Jim Baker’s mother; Dave Ennis’s father; Joan Clause; Florence Rivera; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga.
• the hand of God at work in the outcome of  John Lyons’s arbitration case. 
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Karina Speer; Louise; Sara, Elizabeth, and Nancy; Paul and Tora Lyons, whose home and belongings burned recently; Pastor Glenn Metzler battling a blood disorder; the Schuberts as they attempt to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Libby Little facing a demanding schedule.
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: 1st-time-parents Tom and Jaime (Welcome) Eastman (Baby Evan Anthony Eastman, born Saturday, May 19); Terry Nawrot (twins, Baby Joshua and Baby Brian, born June 29; Brad & Kelly Babic (Baby Taylor Marie); Jeannie and Scott (Baby Luther); the Principis (Baby Gianna Drew).
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan. 
• our residence-bound members:  Ken Smith; Murray Leonardson, and Mike Rivera.
• our military men and women, especially Josh Heimroth, recently deployed to Afghanistan - 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.

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.

NNOTE OF THANKS & SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST FROM LIBBY LITTLEN
Dear KRC Family and Friends,
    Thank you for your prayers over the weekend of August 5th, the second anniversary of Tom's death.  Being in Ohio with Gladys, a good friend of mine, at the August 5th memorial service for her husband, Al, was the best place to be, considering the circumstances. On July 23, Al and his Afghan coworkers were killed while returning to their homes in Kabul from a village where they had been working. On July 26, Al’s body was buried in the old British cemetery next to the graves of Dan and Tom.
    Please pray for the Urbana Missions Conference, December 27-31, that the stadium in St Louis will be filled with young people ages 17-29. When I participated in 2009 (it only happens once every three years) there were 18,000 young people. God has used this conference for many decades to challenge Christians to give their lives to God's great purposes!
    The retreat I attended in prep for Urbana, which began August 6, was amazingly well-grounded in scripture study and prayer together as speakers began shaping the plenary speeches, visuals, and music, so that we are of one heart and mind.
    I so appreciate getting the [KRC] bulletins and calendar of events by email! It can go "with" me anywhere I go. Next stop, Fort Worth TX. I will be working from Kate and Chris's home, more or less, while enjoying them, little Vivi, and welcoming Ella Jane around the 27th of August.             
                                                                                                            Love, Libby

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.
• Praise God that Priscilla Frisbee has recovered well following a recent fall.  Priscilla was shaken up and bruised, but she broke no bones and is able to be up and about.
• Helen Drumm’s good toleration of and excellent response to chemo treatments.
• Stacey Baker’s safe return home from travels & studies in Valencia, Spain.
• Karina Speer’s response to treatment; Loren and Lori thank you all for your prayers, and please continue to pray that God will lend Karina his grace to heal her fragile state of mind.
• the very positive pathology report just received by John and Isabelle Bosquet-Morra following John’s kidney surgery one month ago. Praise God also that John has started to paint again!
• the good news that Elize Visser’s mom is doing well following recent back surgery.
• the encouraging report on Sal Alessi’s good progress with chemo treatments.
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• the blessing of family and friends.
• the wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times.
• 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.
• Tristan Debye-Saxinger is out of the hospital and it looks like he will make a full recovery.

Please forward praise and prayer requests to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158.  If you are not already on our email prayer list, and would like to receive prayer and praise requests through email, please contact Paul to have your address added. If you do not have email, contact Jane Smith at 758-6442, and she will be happy to include you in the phone prayer chain.

2012 EVENTS IN CELEBRATION OF OUR 300th YEAR
Fall Concert (details TBA)
November 3, Church Bazaar
December 16, 3rd annual Lessons & Carols with organist David Smith & choir

~NOTE OF THANKS FROM PRISON FELLOWSHIP~
Dear Kinderhook Reformed Church Family,
     Thank you for your very generous gift of $1,000 for Angel Tree Camping this summer!  The experiences that the children you have sponsored will enjoy and have a lasting impact on their present lives and future. We are praying that when these children are away from the everyday stresses of their lives, their hearts will be even more open to receive the Gospel. Just as Christ welcomed the little children into his presence when He was on earth, we know that He longs for each child attending these camps to surrender his or her heart to Him and allow Him to provide the peace and comfort they so desperately need.  Thank you again for your early support!  As you enjoy your summer plans, I pray that your heart will be warmed as you picture the children you have sponsored enjoying an Angel Tree Camp!
     Blessings to you and your generous congregation,         Tamara Wahl 

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 are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Mondays, please call 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.