Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 a.m. July 10, 2011
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
Guest Pastor Rev. Perry Jones
Executive Director, Capital City Rescue Mission
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 fellowship with us and enjoy refreshments served by Dawn Van Buren at our Lemonade Stand on the front lawn of the church following today’s Worship Service.
Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Leré Visagie
Greeter(s): Dick and Bev Van Alstyne
Preschool Nursery is available downstairs, Laura Rafferty supervising.
Flowers are given today by Dawn and Leo in celebration of
their wedding anniversary.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, and PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING
Boldly Approaching Our God
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Psalm 105:1-5
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
that your faith in him may be renewed
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #95 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
CALL TO CONFESSION Based on Isaiah 45:21-22
“There is no God apart from me,” says the Lord. “I am a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Seek after me, trust in me, for I am God, and there is no other. Turn to me and be saved, all of you. ”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Based on Psalm 40
Our sins have overtaken us, and we cannot see; they are more than the hairs of our heads. Our faith and our hearts fail within us. We are poor and needy; troubles without number surround us. Do not withhold your mercy from us, O God. Do not delay - come quickly to help us.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Be pleased, O Lord to save us and renew our trust in you.
You are our deliverer.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON Based on Isaiah 44:21-23
“Remember these things,” says the Lord. “You are my servants; I have made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins and your unfaithfulness like the morning mist. Return to me; sing for joy and shout aloud, for I have redeemed you.”
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
PRAYER OF BLESSING UPON OUR CHILDREN
All-knowing and faithful God, lead our children along paths of righteousness into the places and purposes that you have planned for their lives. May they always have faith in your promise and power to guide them in serving you, and to direct them in bringing blessing to others.
God’s Word Opened
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Responsive) Isaiah 2:3
PASTOR: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
PEOPLE: He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths."
PASTOR: The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Kings 17:1-8 (p. 253)
MESSAGE “A Common Man’s Uncommon Faith”
PRAYER OF BLESSING
*HYMN #473 And Can It Be That I Should Gain?
Celebrating God
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY:
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Holy God, we offer these gifts to be used to preach the truth of salvation and eternal life through Christ Jesus, your Son; to proclaim your promise of renewal of mind, body, and spirit; and to make known the blessings of your love, reassurance, and peace to those who are in need. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #519 It is Well with My Soul
*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
If you are willing to offer your services to the Lemonade Stand ministry during the month of August, please contact Sally Heimroth, 784-3164.
KRC’s Youth Group is still accepting donations from Sponsors for their recent 30-Hour famine experience. All proceeds will go to support KRC’s commitment to its Compassion ministry. Donations may be given to a Youth Group representative or placed in the offering plate. Kindly make checks payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church with “30-our Famine” on the memo line. If you would like to continue to support Compassion with coin-box donations, boxes are still available on the back table. If you have not yet turned in your filled coin box, please do so.
The Reformed Church in America has asked for donations to aid people in tornado-ravaged areas. To send buckets filled with cleaning supplies, as was suggested, is not practical for us, but we would like to add our “Drop In the Bucket” by donating anything our hearts suggest. A bucket for that purpose hangs in the front foyer. Please add your Drop in the Bucket.
Christian Ed Ministry is looking for volunteers to teach in our Vacation Bible School program August 22 - 26, 9 a.m. to noon each day. A sign-up sheet is on the back table. For additional information about the positive rewards of serving in this ministry and the relatively small time commitment involved, please see Patti Varga. Forms are also available to pre-register children for this year’s exciting program.
~VBS ORIENTATION MEETINGS SCHEDULED~
VBS meetings will be held at the church at 6:15 p.m. Monday (tomorrow), July 11, and again at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14, to present an overview of this year’s VBS program to any VBS volunteers who are able to attend. Volunteers need to attend only one meeting, as the same material will be presented at each one.
~YOUTH GROUP ASSISTANT NEEDED~
Youth Group will be in recess for the remainder of the summer, but Christian Ed is looking now for an assistant youth leader, or multiple rotating assistants, for KRC’s youth meetings beginning in the fall. The group will meet every Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30, and Loren Speer, who has been assisting, will no longer be available due to scheduling conflicts. You are encouraged to pray about being a part of this truly rewarding outreach ministry! If you feel led to assist, please speak to Patti Varga.
You are invited to pick up your family’s copy of FOCUS ON THE FAMILY from the back table today. This easy-to-read publication features Bible-based articles of good counsel and practical advice especially relevant to families raising children or grandchildren, along with other features of general interest. A new edition will be available to you each month.
Copies of Libby Little’s JUNE UPDATE and itinerary
are now available on the back table.
MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. The Pantry served 80 families in the month of May, including 133 adults and 132 children. Foods that are always popular and needed are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; pasta; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the front and side entryways of the church.
KRC’s share of support is $6,711 this year 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 $80.85, UP $5.85 FROM LAST YEAR. Still, this averages out to only $1.55 per week. All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above their 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 throughout the year. All contributions made for this purpose should be clearly designated, “Classis Assessment.” MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED A TOTAL OF $3072 TO DATE TO HELP DEFRAY THIS EXPENSE.
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Funeral for a Church
On Sunday March 13, 2011, the Leeds Reformed Church (1734) closed its doors for good. The Classis of Columbia-Greene celebrated with the few remaining members its highs and lows in ministry at a closing service on Tuesday, June 28. Indeed it was the funeral of a Church and a sad, sad experience! The decline of a church in spirit as well as attendance does not happen suddenly. It is a gradual process, influenced by several factors over a period of time. The signs of a dying church can be many and varied, but according to studies done by the guys at churchleaderinsights.com, they usually fall into one of the following categories discussed below.
ATTITUDE
The attitude about the priorities of the church can cause a church to die spiritually. Everyone need not agree on specifics, but if there is a consensus on the fundamental purpose of the church, attitudes will tend to remain upbeat. Dissenters, however, can become negative if they think their opinions are not valued. This negativity can start the decline.
ACRIMONY
Once attitudes take shape, cliques will form that will try to influence others into thinking their way or taking a stand on issues ranging from style of worship, music, and leadership positions, to staffing requirements. If members cannot listen to each other and respect everyone else's points of view, resentment builds and relationships become strained. This leads to confrontation and angry words.
AMBIVALENCE
When differing groups side against each other, ambivalence can take over. Members who are undecided on an issue, or those who may be considering joining the church, will become uneasy in the midst of turmoil. This tension-filled atmosphere among nervous congregants is another sign that a church is going in the wrong direction.
APATHY
Apathy hurts the growth of a church. When members are comfortable with the long-held customs of worship and don't want to be a part of positive changes, the church will stagnate spiritually and numerically. This attitude can be seen in churches that have little or no outreach to people of differing cultures, races, and values. For many people, their church is a place of solace and a haven for them and people like them.
ATTENDANCE
A decline in attendance results when the majority of people are uncomfortable worshipping in their church because of personality conflicts, policies and procedures, or exclusionary groups. When people stop coming, the lack of interest in ministry and missions affects the influence of the church in the community. The church may still exist with some members, but it is "dying" or even "dead" to people on the outside --the very ones it was supposed to help.
More than any of the signs just mentioned, I fear “Forgetting Why We Are a Church” the most! But if we remember again why we are congregated and called, negative Attitude, Acrimony, Ambivalence, Apathy and declining Attendance will be absent. For “Remembering Why We Are a Church” necessarily means that we must constantly revisit the throne and therefore the presence of the Holy God. This, in turn, means that we will get to know Him better and better, and that we will sound and behave more and more like a people, a body, a congregation that is giving not only ear, but also mind and heart to Matthew 22:37-40 - which is a good place to be when you are in the “church business”!
As you enjoy your summer, think about Him, talk to Him, love Him, and love and regard others and pray for them. To this we are called!
Have a happy July!
Pastor Rudy
Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• Karl and Jen, the new pastor and his wife at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, as they settle into their new home and ministry in Kinderhook
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; KRC’s 300th birthday celebration
• Leaders and those attending KRC’s Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and 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
• A speedy end to the violence and unrest in the Middle East
• Our missionaries; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those who have lost loved ones, suffered personal injury, and lost homes and businesses in the recent natural disasters
• Families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially those grieving the recent death of Dot Emery, 81; Clark and Dot Emery, and children Martha and David, were active members of KRC for a number of years before moving from Kinderhook
• Those, especially children, suffering natural disaster, abuses of war and violence, exploitation, neglect, family hostility
• Betty, sister of Sally Heimroth, now home recovering from treatment for a brain aneurysm; pray also for Sally as she travels to be with her sister and assist in her recovery for several days
• Angie (Rivera) Maycole, home Wednesday after 10 days in the hospital battling strep cellulitis; Angie’s energy level is not quite up to normal, and she is still in some discomfort, but she is generally doing better daily and able to be up and around somewhat - pray as well for Florence and Julie as they assist Angie in her recovery.
• Gordie Van Buren, suffering a broken hip after a fall at Barnwell; doctors at Albany Med placed a pin in his hip Wednesday, and the operation went even better than expected; Gordie will remain in the hospital for a couple of days, then return to Barnwell – pray that God will lift his spirits and provide comfort and reassurance
• Those dealing with cancer: Ginger; Donna Scalera; Ken Scofield; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh
• Those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Twin babies of Ashley and Mike; Dawn VanBuren; Scott Clinton; Ryan; Ryan (Hacker) Morris; Tammy; Florence Kern; Doris Schmieder; Priscilla Frisbee; Florence Rivera; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Merrill & Erika Johnson; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Libby Little; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment/economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Greg L, Rachael, and Martin; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Derick Latorre and Heather Donahue, recently engaged; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, and Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; first-time parents, Brad and Kelly Ennis Babic, expecting a baby girl in early September, Nicole (Baby Arianna), and Ryan & Jennifer (Deane) Anderson (Baby Grace); new parents, Leré & Anina Visagie (Baby Luke), and Luke & Ryan (Hacker) Morris (Baby Jocelyn)
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan
• Those who are traveling, especially Haley Hickman, leaving tomorrow for a 3-week tour of Europe; and Stacey Baker traveling and studying in France - Stacey will be returning home August 25
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• Our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert; Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; and Spencer Moore - 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;
• The power of the peace & love of Christ to subdue everywhere the spirits of hatred, hostility, unforgiveness, cruelty, vengeance, and warfare
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
• His blessing of a wonderful, caring, Spirit-filled pastor of vision such as Pastor Rudy
• Carrington Hessell, whose yearlong tour in Afghanistan is over; Carrington is not expected to have to return to Afghanistan, and will be arriving in Colorado Springs, CO this week for a long-waited reunion with his mom, Gloria - Praises and thanks to God for his safe return to the United States
• 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
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.
~NOTE FROM CHURCH FAMILY MINISTRY~
We are getting quite a collection of plates and serving dishes in the kitchen from previous food affairs, and they are taking up valuable space. We will put these in boxes and place them in the vestibule for people to check and see if they belong to them. If they are not claimed, we will donate these items to charity!
KRC 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 have been set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations,
and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call or 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.
KRC 2011-2012 CONSISTORY
Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory, Classis Delegate
Deacons
Margaret Herrmann, Stewardship – ’12 758-6175
Laura Rafferty, Property – ’12 828-7189
Dawn Tuttle, Church Family, Clerk of Consistory, Cemetery – ’11 758-6031
Barbara Vosburgh, Missions, Church Treasurer – ’11 758-6512
Elders
Dave Ennis ’12 784-9656
Maureen Mooney, Evangelism – ’12 210-6079
Dawn VanBuren, Consistory Vice-President, Worship,
Pastoral Relations, Personnel – ’11 758-7564
Patti Varga, Christian Education – ‘12 392-4771
KRC STAFF
KRC Secretary Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Paul Clause – 859-4158 Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338
COMING EVENTS
Today, July 10
10:00 am Worship – Perry Jones, Guest Preacher
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
Mon., July 11
6:15 pm VBS orientation meeting VBS volunteers
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Tues., July 12
1:00 pm Cemetery Committee meets
6:00 pm Property Ministry meets
7:00 pm Stewardship Ministry meets, main floor conference room
Please note: Youth Group will not meet for the remainder of the summer, and will resume after Labor Day.
Thur., July 14
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
11:00 am Orientation meeting, VBS volunteers
Mon., August 8
7:00 pm Consistory meets
Mon., August 22 – 26
9 am – Noon daily – Vacation Bible School @ KRC
Servers Next Sunday, July 17, 2011
Ushers: Chuck Rothermel, Bill Schneider, Andrew Welcome, Paul Zietsman
Greeter(s): Glenn and Cricket Warren
Nursery: Sara Hartman
Lemonade Stand: Nancy Call
