December12, 2010

Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
10:00 a.m. December 12, 2010 - Third Sunday in Advent
Route 9 and Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”
The Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

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 invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us downstairs in the Fellowship Room immediately following Worship.

Ushers: Jeff Barmen, Derick Latorre, Steve Shpur, Bob Wildermuth
Greeter(s): The Hickman Family
Preschool Nursery is available downstairs, Anina Visagie supervising.

Donations are now being accepted for the Christmas poinsettias
decorating our pulpit area. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.

Order of Worship

PRELUDE
WELCOME, SILENT PRAYER, & PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
VOTUM and GOD’S GREETING

God’s Children’s Approach
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) - Based on Psalm 124:8
The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices!
Open the gates before Him, lift up your voices!
MEN: Who is the King of Glory? What shall we call him?
WOMEN: He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.
Enter in, Lord of our life.
MEN: Stir in us the old excitement.
WOMEN: O Lord of wonders, receive our praise.
ALL: We sing praises to the Lord of our salvation.
Joy and gladness our ours, because God has come to us in Christ,
to walk with us in paths of righteousness!

THIRD SUNDAY AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH - The Rafferty Family
(Responsively - Based on John 1:6-28)
LEADER: On this third Sunday in Advent we remember again
John the Baptist’s joyful testimony about the coming Messiah.

PEOPLE: John’s joy spurred him on to boldly encourage people
to repent of their sinful ways and turn back to God.

LEADER: Then Jesus came onto the scene and introduced the people
to new joy in God’s love.

PEOPLE: Through the continuing work of God’s Holy Spirit
in our lives today, we too are able to know that same joy —
and to share it, as we wait expectantly for Christ’s coming again.

LEADER: We now light this candle — the Candle of Joy,
symbolizing our longing for the day of Christ’s return;
symbolizing the inexpressible joy we have in Christ. Come Lord Jesus.

LEADER: Let us join in prayer.

ALL: Loving God, while we patiently wait for Christ’s coming again,
may each of us rejoice in our salvation; and may that joy permeate
all aspects of our lives and be freely shared with others.
This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.


*HYMN #157 (Verses 2 and 3) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Let us admit our brokenness to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
Holy God, forgive us. During this season when our focus should be on the coming of your Son, we are instead filled with desire for material things. We succumb to the allure of advertising. We covet what others have. We seek to fulfill all the wants of our children with little regard to cost or need. In the process, we spend money we don’t have and fail to appreciate the season’s true meaning.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Turn our hearts to you and to those who are less fortunate than we are.
Help us to tune out what culture calls us to believe
so we can listen, instead, to your holy Word. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Based on Luke 1:50, 54 - 55
Friends, know and believe that as we wait for the birth of the baby Jesus – and the return of our Savior – we are already forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Alleluia! Amen.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #179 God’s Love Made Visible *CHILDREN’S PRAYER OF BLESSING (Unison)
Father, enable our children to experience with joy all the spiritual gifts and riches they have in Christ Jesus, especially your measureless love, your redemption, and your promise of an eternal relationship with you.
Sunday School students are now invited to join their teachers.
God’s Opened Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURES Luke 1:46-55 (p. 724)
MESSAGE “The Celebration of Our Stuff”
PRAYER OF BLESSING, Hymn #155 (Verse 4) O Little Town of Bethlehem
God’s Children’s Response

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)
Gracious God, you have blessed us with all that we need and often more than we need. Help us receive what you give with grace. In turn, help us to be generous – with our monetary gifts, our possessions, our talents, and our time. We ask that you would accept and consecrate all these gifts to further your work in the world. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER and LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #163 Lo! How a Rose E’re Blooming
*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

 

~ IMPORTANT CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY FOLLOWING WORSHIP ~
Election of officers to Consistory
Consideration of KRC’s 2011 budget

 

 

ANGEL FOOD MENUS & ORDERING INFORMATION FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON THE BACK TABLE. NOTE: ORDERING DEADLINE IS TODAY, DEC. 12. FOOD DISTRIBUTION IS AT KRC SATURDAY, DEC. 18, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

 


 

~CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION MEN’S GIFT PROGRAM~
In a gallon-size zip lock bag, place gifts for homeless men: 2 pairs new warm socks; a hat; mittens or gloves, SM, MED, or LG; a personal care item (toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shaving gel/razor, nail clippers); and a treat that will not melt or crush. Giftwrap, mark SM, MED, or LG on outside of package, tape securely. ALL GIFTS ARE DUE TODAY.

~STAR AND ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAMS~
Gift needs for Capital City Rescue Mission’s New Life Center family, a mother and daughter currently receiving shelter and services from the Center, are now on star cut-outs, and needs for Angel Tree’s children of prisoners are now on angel cut-outs on the same tree in the main entrance of KRC. Gifts are due Sunday, December 12. Please take a moment to read the information below about the Angel Tree Project:
For the past several years, our church has helped Prison Fellowship with their Angel Tree Project. Prison Fellowship was started in the 70’s by Charles Colson after his own incarceration. His experience awakened him to the extraordinary need of inmates in our jails for caring and witnessing. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners have been led to a freedom in Christ. From contacts with prisoners, it became apparent that their imprisonment severely impacted their families – especially their children. Out of this awareness grew Angel Tree Project. Since the project began, over 4 million children have been reached through thousands of participating churches.
As noted earlier, angel cutouts are now available on the Christmas tree in the front entranceway. The angels contain very specific age, size, and gift-request information from a particular child. We hope and pray that these will all be picked up by our families, and the directions followed, so these gifts can bring some Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ALL GIFTS ARE DUE TODAY IN THE CLASSROOM OPPOSITE THE CHURCH OFFICE.

All those willing to help in the ministry of delivering Angel Tree gifts to individual children will meet with Sara Hartman (828-6368) NEXT SUNDAY FOLLOWING WORSHIP to organize gift distribution.

 

~LESSONS AND CAROLS, 4:30 P.M. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18~
A gift from the KRC family to our surrounding communities – A program of organ and choral music and readings deriving from late 19th century England, emphasizing the rich sung & spoken traditions of the Christmas season, and including selections from Handel’s Messiah, the works of Vaughan Williams, Holst, Rutter, and others

~KRC’s SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM AND SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE~
10 a.m. December 19
KRC’s Sunday School Christmas Program
will be presented during Sunday Worship.
5 p.m. December 19.
Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities.
For people living through dark times, Kinderhook Reformed Church will be creating sacred space at a Service of Remembrance for reflection, meditation, and focus on Christ’s promises of healing and hope. Participants will be invited to come forward and light a candle in memory of someone or to mark a significant event in their life. The beautifully-decorated sanctuary will be filled with silent prayers, meditative music, and scripture reading. Please mark your calendar, and join us as we come together in God’s presence for this time of reassurance.


~CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE~
8 p.m. Worship Service
As always, a highlight of the season of giving, and a special time to remember again and to express our joy, praise, and gratitude for the Gift of Jesus, Light of the World, from God the Father

Remember to Pray for
• Those whose families and friends are praying for their salvation or other spiritual needs
• The RCA General Secretary Search Committee requests, “Please include the search committee in your prayers every time you gather” - Wes Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the RCA, will retire in the fall of 2011
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries
• New KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; Angel Food; church restoration; KRC’s Christmas gift programs; Lessons and Carols; Service of Remembrance; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service; other Ministry projects
• Leaders of KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, and Prayer Group as they administer programs over the next several months; and for those attending these programs
• Our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and personal safety needed to govern effectively
• Our missionaries; children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies
• Those, especially children, suffering abuses of war, exploitation, neglect, family violence, natural disaster
• Those grieving the loss of loved ones
• Lauren, daughter of Donna Scalera, recovering at home from a recent hospitalization
• Those dealing with cancer: Carin; Kara Ennis Mobley; Lillian Roginski; Dawn Meyers; Melanie; Ed B.; Rylyn Swierzewski
• Others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Dawn Van Buren; Matt; Vivian Williams; Blanche Rogers; Esther Baker; Stacey Baker; Elize Visser’s mother’ Irene Smith; John Hodgson; Karina Speer; Jack Taylor; Marie; Dorothy Novak; Christophe; Kris Morgan; Blanche Rogers; Gordie and Ann Van Buren; Pastor Rudy; Tom Saulpaugh; Emese; Merrill & Erika Johnson; Priscilla Frisbee; George Clowe; Kathy Schneider’s father in Barnwell; Paul Varga; Earl Ennis
• Those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Libby Little; the Riveras; the Vargas; local RCA and other churches consolidating or considering closing their doors permanently; caregivers of children with health or developmental issues; those facing employment/economic troubles, especially Rev. Michaelangelo, seeking a pastoral position; those struggling with substance abuse, especially Rachael, Greg L., Martin, & Andy; those suffering low self-esteem, discouragement, depression, despair, other emotional/mental health issues; those struggling with family relationships; young people dealing with the challenges of the school year, looking for jobs, dealing with the many temptations confronting young adults
• Those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan and John and Sara Schubert
• Our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Nicole, expecting her first child; Gary and Sarah (Hubel) March, Andrew & Melissa (Call) Welcome, recently married; new parents Kate (Little) and Chris Stevens (Baby Vivian Elise)
• Those who are traveling during the holiday season
• Our military men and women – especially Will Ryan, recently deployed to Afghanistan, Matt Plescia, Carrington Hessell, Spencer Moore, and Jay Rippel - 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

 


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.

 

 

~A STANDING INVITATION FROM COMMUNITY PRAYER GROUP~

KRC’s Community Prayer Group invites you to join us at 9 a.m. Tuesday mornings in the conference room kitty-corner from the church office. If you prefer not to pray aloud, we are delighted to have you join in prayer with us silently. We have a scripture, and pray for the pastor, consistory, our ministries, Sunday School, our youth, and illness and troubles in our families, church, and the world. We use unspoken requests to unload the cries of our hearts on the One who can do all things and do them well.


Remember To Thank & Praise God for
• All who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, & working together to complete Ministry projects and responsibilities
• His blessing of a wonderful, caring, Spirit-filled pastor of vision such as Pastor Rudy, and for steady healing and improvement in Pastor’s injured elbow
• All those who participated in the beautiful decoration of our sanctuary for Christmas
• The many who served in Candlelight Night’s very successful Open House Outreach ministry by providing refreshments, cookie decorating, tours, music, and caroling
• The compassionate care and great support of hospice nurses and volunteers
• 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

 

 

 


2 more CARE packages have been sent out this week to Jay Rippel and his fellow soldiers serving near the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. Many thanks to all who contributed to this ministry.

 

 


Literacy Connections of Columbia and Greene Counties is actively seeking volunteers to help others in our community learn to read, write, and reach their potential. If you are interested in the rewarding role of becoming a literacy volunteer, call 518-697-8227 or 845-452-8670 or visit our website,

 

KRC’s annual Fall Food Drive in support of the Valatie Food Pantry resulted in a total contribution of 318 food items and $25 in cash and checks. Many thanks and blessings to the KRC Family for their generosity. During the month of October, the Valatie Food Pantry served 79 families - 145 adults & 115 children for a total of 294 people. Items needed this month are pancake mix and syrup, jelly, sugar, tuna, mac & cheese, cake mix, brownie mix, dinner helpers, and juice.

 


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 758-9703 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 STAFF
KRC Treasurer KRC Secretary
Barbara Vosburgh – 758-6512 Paul Clause – 859-4158
Cemetery Supervisor/KRC Sexton
Greg Clause – 369-8472, 758-1338

 

 

 


Coming Events

Today,December 12 – Third Sunday in Advent
10:00 am Worship and Sunday School
Congregational Meeting following Worship
Election of Consistory officers, consideration of KRC’s 2011 budget
CCRM Men’s, Star, and Angel Tree gifts due
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room

Mon., December 13 7:00 pm Consistory meets

Tue., December 14
9:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
7:00 - 8:30 pm KRC Youth Group meets

Thur.,December 16 6:30 pm ZUMBA fitness group, Fellowship Room

Sat., December 18 4:30 pm “Lessons and Carols” - An afternoon program of organ and choral music and traditional readings of the Christmas season - KRC Sanctuary

Sun., December 19 – Fourth Sunday in Advent
10:00 am Worship and Sunday School Christmas Program
Angel Tree volunteers meet with Sara Hartman following Worship
to organize gift distribution
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room
5:00 pm Service of Remembrance

Fri., December 24 8 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service

Sun., December 26
10:00 am Worship
Please Note: Sunday School is in recess Dec. 26 as well as Jan. 2.
11:15 am Adult Bible Study, main floor conference room

 

Servers Next Sunday, December 19, 2010
Ushers: Alan Dick, Eric Herrmann, Merrill Johnson, Lere Visagie
Greeter(s):
Nursery: Becky Alessi