Kinderhook Reformed Church - December 31, 2017

Kinderhook Reformed Church Celebration of Worship, December 31, 2017

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor – Guest Pastor, Rev. Perry Jones

A warm welcome to visitors.

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

10:00 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

Following worship, all are invited downstairs for refreshments and fellowship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Phil Hurst, Andrew Welcome.

Thanks to today’s greeters. Nursery facility available downstairs.

Prelude Variations on a Burgundian noel Andre Fleury

Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

Call to Worship (Responsive)

Come and worship our all-knowing God.

We come, acknowledging that He is mindful of all that has happened in our lives this past year: the dreams and the realities, the successes and the failures, the gains and the losses.

Come and worship our ever-present God.

We come, bringing to Him the energy or the fatigue, the peace or the stress, the hope or the fear we may be experiencing as the old year wanes and the new emerges.

Come and worship our eternal God, with hearts open to receive His word for the future.

We come, ready to be part of His new heaven and earth, eager to serve Him by serving others. Speak to us, O God! Heal us, teach us, empower us, and lead us, in Jesus's name. Amen.

*Hymn #78 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Allowing God to Shape Us

Call to Confession

Hear these words from Daniel 9:10 and the words of Jesus from Mark 1:15: “We have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants and prophets.” “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Lord, you have asked us to love and to witness to your love; to feed the hungry; to clothe the naked; to welcome the stranger; to visit the sick and imprisoned. When we look back, we remember the enthusiasm we had for your work when this year began. We might even be able to say we did some of these things, but we have to confess that other things sometimes got in our way. We allowed ourselves to be swallowed up by worries and fears. We placed comfort of self before service to others. We often chose to take the “easy way out,” and you wept for us. Now we are on the brink of the new year. We cannot change the past, but we can make a covenant with you to be your witnesses to others in word, thought, and deed, so that when you say, "Have you done as I have asked?" We can respond with a joyful “Yes! Lord, we have done so gladly and with love!" Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (Responsive)

God is making all things new. The past is over and done, but it taught us many lessons. God is the God of forgiveness and of the future: transformed hearts, renewed vision, new opportunities, new hopes, new dreams. God dwells within us to be our God.

We are not alone! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing upon Our Children (Unison)

Draw our children face-to-face with you, O Lord. May they know and celebrate the glory of your presence, goodness, and love in their lives; may they experience your power to renew and strengthen them in times of need; and may they long for more of you each day. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Reading

Message “Let Earth Receive her King”

Prayer of Blessing

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Accept 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 Abundance, and His Care

Offering/Offertory The old year is passed, BWV 614 J S Bach

*Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer (Unison) Inspired by Galatians 4:4-7

Holy God, we marvel at your love and faithfulness! At the right time, your Son Jesus lived among us and invited us to call you our heavenly Father. Because of his obedience, you have adopted us into your beloved family. We are grateful that you have brought us through challenging times in the past. As we look forward to the new year, send your Spirit to help us trust you to guide us. Let our gifts and offerings be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Prayer Requests, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn #146 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come

*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 Balletto del Granduco J P Sweelinck

~NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE OUTREACH MINISTRY~

Many thanks for your generous Christmas donations for the ladies at the Capital City Rescue Mission. Seven large shopping bags filled with unwrapped gloves, mittens, socks, scarves, perfume, cosmetics, toiletries, and snacks were delivered to the mission on Monday. The items will be sorted into gift bags, making a very Merry Christmas for the ladies!

Donations for the poinsettias to decorating our pulpit area are still being accepted and are greatly appreciated. Contributions may be placed in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose. Our thanks to those who have already contributed:

Noreen Dick, In memory of Alan Dick

Arnold & Claudia March,

In memory of all our loved ones

and a special memory for our special friend, Donna Scalera

Maureen Mooney

Suzy & Bill Nieman, In memory of the Duck Family

Nancy Swinyard, in loving memory of

Reginald and Edna Swinyard and Linda Swinyard Morehouse

Glenn and Cricket Warren, in memory of

Ann Van Benschoten

ENVELOPE SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR PRESENTING 2018 WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS

For those currently participating in the envelope system to present offerings to the church, new envelope sets 
are now available for pick-up at the small table in the back of the sanctuary and ready for use beginning next 
Sunday, January 7. If you are not currently using the weekly envelope system to present contributions to the 
church, but would like to do so in 2018, please complete one of the small green request forms and drop it into 
the offering plate.

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 good report that Lesley Haywood’s recent hernia surgery was successful, and that Lesley is recovering well and able to be in worship with us.
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.

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: KRC’s Consistory; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; Sunday School; 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 Donald Trump and all of the government officials now in office, 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 S. Korea.
victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies: economic instability; poverty, hunger, and poor health; political oppression, unrest, terrorism, war, displacement.
those grieving the death of loved ones, especially Kay Haber, family, and friends grieving the recent loss of Kay's oldest brother, James Morse. Angie and Chris Rivera, family, and friends grieving the recent unexpected death of Julie Rivera; Heather DiOrio, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Heather's father.
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.
a young couple dealing with difficulties with their unborn baby. It's hoped that the problem can be handled in utero unless they uncover even more problems. These folks are badly in need of our prayer support.
Thomas Appel, suffering with unresolved heart issues. Pray for proper diagnostics and medical intervention and for Thomas to allow his doctors to carry out these procedures.
John W, a family friend of Patti Varga, in Albany Med with a brain bleed.
Maggie C, a young girl from VBS, in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia.
Caleb L, a teen from youth group, suffering with severe depression.
those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Charles Roppolo; Terri; Christine; Michael, brother of Mary Jane Haywood; Connie Witkowski; Michael; Don Morse; Jill; J.B.; Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Seth Mooney; Asha and her baby; Connie; Esther Baker, Jim Baker’s mom; Ruth Edge; Barbara Vosburgh; Virginia
those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Merrill Johnson, dealing with a number of unspoken issues; our students as they deal with the challenges of higher levels of education in this school year, career choices, and job searches; Greg Clause Jr.; Libby Little-Saxton, working with Afghan refugees; the epidemic of addiction to life-threatening drugs.
God’s protection for travelers over the holiday season, especially Jennifer (Deane) Anderson, daughter of Jane Deane, and her family.
residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill

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, 19

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

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.

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, such as with meals, emergency monies, a ride, a listening ear, a visit, childcare - to name a few.

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY!

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

Merrill Johnson (15^th), Ed Arnold (22^nd), Mackensie Clinton (22^nd),

Cricket Warren (26^th,), Patrick Carroll (27^th)

Stewardship Ministry urges that everyone give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.

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.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Part of an ongoing series

Wednesday, January 17 – 6:30 pm

“Active Shooter Seminar/Training”

Kinderhook Reformed Church, will host a training seminar to help the public and churches prepare and respond in the event of an active shooter scenario.

The seminar/training program will be presented by Investigator Anthony Brahm of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

There will be a question and answer session following the program.

KRC 2018 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Noreen Dick – ’18 758-6640 noreend122@twc.com

*Susan Patterson – ’19

Beth Anne Rippel – ’18 392-5044 barippel@yahoo.com

*Deborah Spaulding – ’19

Elders

*Jane Deane – ’19 758-7051 jdeane1943@gmail.com

*Jean Hacker – ’19

Merrill Johnson – ’18 828-6726 docjohnson36@gmail.com

Dawn Van Buren – ’18 758-7564 dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

*Please Note: These new and re-elected Consistory officers

will be ordained and installed Sunday, January, 7, 2018.

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 376-1882 derick.latorre@gmail.com

KRC STAFF

KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant

Paul Clause – 859-4158 Courtney Wood – 852-7172

KRC Sexton KRC Cemetery Supervisor

Steven Green – 505-4918 Greg Clause – 369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today, Sun, December 31

10:00 am Worship Service

Tues, January 2

Please note: KRC Youth Group is in recess until the beginning of the new year.

Wed, January 3

Evening Bible study, 1 and 2 Peter, home of Merrill Johnson

Please contact Jean Hacker for details.

Thur, January 4

9:00 am Small Group Bible study @KRC.

Group continues its study, Grace, by Max Lucado – Please join us!

10:00 am Community Prayer Group @KRC

Sun, January 7

8:30 am Early Communion Worship Service

10:00 am Communion Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

Please note: Newly-elected Consistory members will be ordained and installed.

Wed, January 17

6:30pm Community Conversations – Active Shooter seminar/training

Fri, January 19

Parents Night Out – more details coming soon!

Servers Next Sunday, January 7, 2018

Ushers: Dave Ennis, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

Greeter(s):