December 4, 2016

 

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAY WORSHIP

 DECEMBER 4, 2016 – SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

GUEST PREACHER REV. WILLEM NEL, MISSIONARY IN MOZAMBIQUE.

 REV. NEL IS THE BROTHER OF ELIZE VISSER.

 

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

 

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

 

  Following worship today, a brief congregational meeting will be held

for KRC’s active membership to elect new officers to Consistory

 and for presentation of KRC’s 2017 operating budget.

 

Thanks to today’s ushers, Dave Ennis, Will Ferguson, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Suzy Nieman.                Preschool nursery available downstairs.

 

          

Only one volunteer is needed to complete the greeters schedule for the remainder of this year!  Please sign up today on the sheet provided at the back table.

 

  Prelude             First and Third (“Veni Emmanuel”) Preludes            Edward C. Bairstow

  Welcome, Announcements

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship  (Responsive)

Hope has come; let the people rejoice! 

       We bring songs of praise to worship the Savior who has come to Earth. 

Come with shouts of joy to honor the God who became flesh. 

       Lift up your voices to the King who forever reigns on high. Hope has come;

       let the people rejoice!

*Hymn #20                                                                                   Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

  Around the Advent Wreath   (Responsive)                    Paul Clause and Greg Clause, Jr.

LEADER:   Today, the second Sunday in Advent, we celebrate Peace.  In Psalm 72, the psalmist envisions a world where the king rules with righteousness and the people are treated with justice.

PEOPLE:   In this new creation, the needy are delivered, the oppressors are crushed and peace abounds.

LEADER:    Around our world, many men, women and children live with the violence of poverty, conflict and persecution. They yearn to know peace and model this peace in their lives.

PEOPLE:   We long to live in that world, where God’s glory is revealed on earth, through justice and peace. Today, on this second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace as a prayer of longing.

 (The candle of Peace is lit.)

LEADER:     Let’s pray together:

ALL:   Living God, help us to recognize your presence wherever people work for peace, and teach us to be peace-makers. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession   

As we prepare to make room for Christ to dwell within us, we acknowledge our own sin, which stands in the way of living the fullness of life God promises in Christ.  Let us bring God the gift of our honest and humble confession.

  Prayer of Confession  (Responsive)

Lord God, we praise you for sending light into this world. We confess that we live as though the light had never defeated darkness. We confess that we ignore the Savior you sent to be among us and to live in us. We’ve kept the birth of your Son confined to the Christmas season and do not yearn for his coming each moment in our waiting hearts.

[Moment of silence])

Forgive us for not opening our eyes to Jesus. Prepare us for His return.

Help us rejoice in the light, so that your grace can illuminate the darkened places of our hearts.  Amen.

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

The good news of Advent is that Jesus Christ has come into the world, has led the way through death that we may have life, and is coming again to make all things new. Hear these words of assurance from Romans 5. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

       Thanks Be to God Amen

 

Coming before God’s Open Word

 

  Children’s Prayer of Blessing 

Heavenly Father, may these children come to understand that faith in Jesus brings a righteous heart; that a righteous heart is a heart at peace; that a heart at peace gives life to the body; and that joy awaits those who promote and share the hope and peace that is in Christ. Amen.  

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture                                                                                                Isaiah 11:1-10 (p. 491)

  Message                                                                                            “Come, Raise a Banner.

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Sacrament of Communion 

  Offering/Offertory                            Second Prelude                            Edward C. Bairstow

*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)

God of grace, it is our joy and our devotion to give these gifts to you. Accept  
this offering as a token of our abiding love, and use it to bring peace, justice, and comfort to all the world. Amen. 

  Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Hope #133                                                                 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

*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 e minor, BWV 555                          J.S. Bach 

 

Consistory has approved the following slate of nominees for election to KRC’s  2017 Consistory, and each nominee has agreed to serve if elected:

Elders:   Merrill Johnson, Dawn Van Buren

Deacons:   Jane Deane, Noreen Dick, Beth Anne Rippel

 

 

TODAY is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund.  Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family and community members.   

 

Donations for poinsettias to decorate our pulpit area are now being accepted and are greatly appreciated. 

Contributions may be placed in the offering plate

clearly marked for this purpose.

Please take a moment during this Christmas season to enjoy the beauty and meaning of the white and gold ornaments on our Chrismon Tree on the sanctuary platform.  The term "Chrismon" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "monogram," and means "symbols of Christ. "The ornaments, all emblems of our Christian faith and heritage, were hand-made by KRC family and friends several years ago for annual display on the tree. You are invited to pick up one of the informative handouts about the Chrismon tree tradition from the back table.  

 

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Birgitta Sherman (2nd), Elizabeth Carroll (4th), Dave Ennis (8th),

 Merrill Johnson (15th), Marion Arnold (22nd), Nikki Barmen(22nd),

 Mackensie Clinton (22nd), Cricket Warren (26th,), Patrick Carroll (27th)

 

KRC SANCTUARY OPEN THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 5

       KRC’s sanctuary will be open between 4:30 and 6:30 pm daily this coming week, December 5 thru December 9, for anyone needing a place and time of quiet reflection during the holiday season. Personnel to open and close the church will be provided, along with an elder who can lend an ear to anyone who needs to talk. Child care will also be available so that parents who must have their children with them can be blessed by the peace of the sanctuary.    

 

Celebrate the Season

~CCRM MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GIFT PROGRAMS CONTINUE~

       LET’S SHARE OUR BLESSINGS and bring some warmth and caring to homeless men at Capital City Rescue Mission who might not otherwise have much “Holiday Cheer”.  In a gallon-size zip lock bag, place the following 5 items: (1) two new pairs men’s warm socks; (2) one knitted hat; (3) one pair of LG or XLG mittens or gloves – NO  MEDIUM please; (4) a personal care item or pair of items such as toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shaving gel/razor, nail clipper; (5) a non-perishable snack or treat that will not crush or melt - no peanuts or chocolate, please. Wrap with festive paper (NO BOWS), tape securely, and mark LG or XLG on the outside of package.

      FOR THE WOMEN, CCRM has suggested that we send body and hand lotions, body powder, and shampoo.

      RETURN ALL CCRM MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH COLLECTION BOXES BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11.

    

 

  ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAM~

       The Angel Tree Program, founded by ex-convict, Mary Kay Beard, has been part of Prison Fellowship's work for 35 years.  This ministry has served millions of children and brought the love of Christ, as well as reconciliation, to countless homes during the Christmas season.

      GIFT NEEDS FOR ANGEL TREE’S CHILDREN OF PRISONERS ARE NOW DISPLAYED ON ANGEL CUT-OUTS ON A CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CHURCH’S MAIN ENTRANCE. Each angel contains very specific age, size, and gift-request information for a particular child to assist donors as they gift-shop.  Please consider taking an angel from the tree today.  Your generosity will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” DUE DATE FOR YOUR GIFTS TO BE IN THE CHURCH IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18. 

       Volunteers will also be needed to participate in the delivery of the gifts to local Angel Tree families. Please see Sara Hartman at church, or call 828-6368 or 917-538-6576, if you would be willing to participate in the gift-delivery ministry.x

 

 

~CANDLELIGHT NIGHT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9~

       KRC will sponsor its annual Candlelight Night Open House 6 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 9, in conjunction with Kinderhook Village’s Candlelight Walk celebration.  KRC’s Open House will feature tours of our beautiful sanctuary -  decorated with lighted garlands, candles, poinsettias, the lovely Chrismon tree, and the nearly-life-size Fontanini Nativity - together with Christmas music, cookie decorating, refreshments, and community fellowship in the Fellowship Room. Volunteers to assist, as well as donations of buffet items and Christmas paper products, will be much appreciated.  A sign-up sheet is available on the back table if you are able to help with this ministry.                                              (Continued on next page.)

~7th ANNUAL LESSONS AND CAROLS WORSHIP, 4 P.M. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18~

      Directed by David Smith, Lessons and Carols is a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at KRC. A Christmas gift to our community from the KRC family, Lessons and Carols is open to all. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, along with choir music and the singing of Christmas carols and hymns. The first Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King's College, Cambridge, England, and has been broadcast from there by the BBC to millions of listeners around the world each Christmas Eve since 1931. The order of worship was adapted from an order prepared 38 years earlier by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro. Tradition says that the bishop organized a 10 pm service in Cornwall on Christmas Eve, 1880, in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral.

 

~BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE, 7 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22~

Join us for a Community Christmas Service of grieving, praying, and healing.

 

~7 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE~

As always, KRC’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship is a highlight of the season of giving and a special time to express our joy, praise, and gratitude for the Gift of Jesus, Light of the World, from God the Father.

 

~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANT RY THANK-YOU FOR THANKSGIVING BASKETS~

Thanksgiving Food Baskets were given this year to 135 families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry. The baskets included food for Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and brownies. Food items for the baskets were either purchased in bulk by the Pantry or donated directly. The Pantry is particularly grateful for the outstanding response of KRC’s family and friends to this year’s ministry, as our generous donation of food items was heavily relied upon to fill the unusual number of “last-minute” requests for baskets that came in after the cut-off date.  A hearty “Thank-you!” from the Pantry to all who contributed.

 

We are seeking helpers interested in visiting Whittier Rehab Center, Route 66, Ghent, on Monday afternoons to do a Bible study. Tana Thompson and Sally Heimroth are currently going, and they would like a few more people to volunteer to help out so that someone can go every week.  If anyone is interested, please contact Tana, 495-3621.

 

INCLUSION BIBLE STUDY CONVERSATION

All are welcome to attend a Bible study concerning scripture that may be applied to the inclusion of LGBT people in our church communities.  The last study in this series “Romans 14:1-15:7 - Prohibition on Judging,” will take place at 7 pm Tuesday, December 6,  at the Reformed Church of Claverack.              

 

  TOWER RESTORATION WORK JOURNAL

Regular Journal updates will be published in our Sunday bulletins

to keep the KRC Family aware and informed regarding

 the restoration work being done on the tower.

 

       The roofing subcontractor, Skyway Roofing, has been on the job since Monday, November 21.  However, due to a few days with high wind and heavy rain, they have been somewhat limited in the work they've been able to do on the tower. They have completed the replacement of damaged slate tiles and are now replacing the metal ridge caps.

       Beside the roofer's work, the two jobs remaining to be done are to connect the lightning rod protection system and to reset the restored weathervane

 

~ CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2016-2017 SEASON CONTINUES IN FEBRUARY ~        

       On February 12th CITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices, including works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Foote. The women of the Broad Street Chorale will perform, along with soprano Amanda Boyd, soloist in Britten’s Les Illuminations. On April 2nd at Kinderhook Reformed Church Masterpieces from the Classical Age will feature Mozart’s magnificent Mass in c minor, as well as Haydn’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante for which the soloists will be principals of the Broad Street Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Silver, cellist Erica Pickhardt, oboist Karen Hosmer, and bassoonist Cornelia McGiver.

 

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.
  • 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.

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists.  Please forward this information, as well as new requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158. 

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 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 and Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs.
  • our state, national, and world leaders, especially President-elect Donald Trump, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
  • our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Jason Lansing serving in South Korea.
  • 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 those grieving the death of the 13-year-old child in an auto accident on Route 9 last Thursday evening. 
  • those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world.
  • reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
  • the mother-in-law of an Angel Tree parent who is having foot surgery in January and has asked if anyone has a knee-walker that she could borrow for a couple of months.
  • others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Donna Scalera; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, co-worker of Deborah Spaulding; Angie, friend of Sara Hartman; Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
  • those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Lynn; Rob, friend of Glenn and Cricket Warren; Alex Jennings; Karina Speer; Susan Lamont; Merrill Johnson; Chris Nel; Dina; Mike Smith; Loren Speer; Vickie Metzger; Chrissy Blackwood; Alexandria Noxon; Eddie; Patti Varga’s Uncle Martin; Jay Rippel; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Susan Clause; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll.
  • those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Jaheim, Angel Tree child, in need of appropriate school placement;  Family in need of housing in the ICC School District by the end of this month; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.
  • those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.
  • those 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

 

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 859-4158.

Church Phone   758-6401                Church Fax   758-6402