Kinderhook Reformed Church

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

 “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A warm welcome to visitors.  We invite you to sign our Guest Book

 in the entranceway and fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate.

8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Scripture Reading                                                                             1 John 1:5(b)-10 (p. 862)

  Message                                                                                         “Hope for a Sinful World”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10:00 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

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

Thanks to today’s greeters, Greg Jr. and Paul Clause.

Guest organist, David Smith 

Nursery facility available downstairs.

Pastor Rudy and Elize were sworn in as US citizens on Friday, February 10.

All are cordially invited to celebrate this momentous event at a brunch/lunch reception downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s 10 am service.

  Prelude         Grave; Adagio from Organ Sonata No. 2, op. 65/2        Felix Mendelssohn

  Welcome, Announcements and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive) Based on Psalm 119:99-112

You call us, O God, into your presence to hear again the sweetness of your words,           

       sweeter than honey to our mouths.

You call us to come and gain understanding from your precepts,

      so that we may obey them and keep our feet from every evil way.

You call us to renew our promise to follow your righteous law,

      which is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path.

You call us to set our hearts on keeping your decrees to the very end,

      to make your statutes our heritage forever.

Preserve this day our lives, O Lord, according to your word,

      and accept the willing praises of our lips!

*Hymn of Praise #20                                                                 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Father God, you are the one who leads us from darkness into light, from captivity into freedom, from anxiety into peace, from despair into joy. Yet we long to break free, choosing independence, convinced of our own wisdom, forgetting your love and grace. Forgive us, draw close to us, embrace us once again in your loving arms, and enable us to follow you in worship and grateful service each day of our lives. Amen.

[Moment of Silent Confession]

  Assurance of Pardon  (Responsive)

Beloved of God, you are forgiven and loved.  In repentance, everything old has passed away, and your darkness has changed to light. You are renewed and restored - a new creation in Christ - and God is well-pleased.

       All praise and thanks to our God of grace! 

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Children’s Message and Prayer of Blessing  (Unison)

Merciful God, preserve these children from falling into sin’s darkness and its spiritually and physically destructive evils.  Empower us, through your Holy Spirit, to raise them up to walk in your light, and to lead righteous and virtuous lives of faithful, humble service to you and to others. Amen.

  Prayer for Illumination

  Scripture Reading                                                                             1 John 1:5(b)-10 (p. 862)

  Message                                                                                         “Hope for a Sinful World”

  Prayer of Thanksgiving

Celebrating God and Community

  Offering/Offertory                       Morning prayer, op. 10/1                    Sigfrid Karg-Elert

*Doxology 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)

Heavenly Father, thank you for the light of your Word, which drives out darkness so we can walk confidently and securely in this life. Help us not only to live by your light, but to share it with those who are in darkness.  For this purpose, we gladly present our gifts and offerings to you. Amen.

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

*Prayer Hymn #547                                                                   O for a Closer Walk with God

*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         Fuga: Allegro moderato from Organ Sonata No. 2, op. 65/2         Felix Mendelssohn

~ CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE, RESCHEDULED TODAY AT 1 P.M. ~

              At 1 p.m. today (rescheduled from last Sunday), CITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20^th 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 2^nd 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. Suggested donation for all performances - $20.  Please Note: The artistic exhibition currently on display in the Shainman Gallery contains graphic imagery including violence, nudity, and sexual content.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

       Thank you for your faithfulness at supporting us for these many years in our mission work in Taiwan.  It was wonderful to be with you last May, and we look forward to a future visit after our retirement in late 2018.

                                                                          Peace,

                                                                          Dave and Char Alexander

Non-perishable foods always popular at the Pantry are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti/spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake and brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.

~PROPERTY MINISTRY WINDOW PROJECT UPDATE~

              In order to protect and preserve the remaining portions of the back porch of the parsonage, and also to further insulate the kitchen area, the Property Ministry recommended and the consistory approved a plan to close the porch in with sliding windows plus screens, making it much more serviceable. The cost is just under $3,000, and the church has contracted with Window World to do the work. 

       The Property Ministry plans to hold some fund raising events in the spring of this year to help pay for this project. As always, any donations that a person may choose to make toward this work will be gratefully accepted to help reach our goal. If donations should exceed the amount required, they will be held for support of future projects which continually need to be addressed. 

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 Donald Trump and all of the new government officials taking 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 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 Mr. Heinz, grandfather of one of the Scouts attending our recent Scout-recognition service; Evelyn, friend of Alan & Noreen Dick, grieving the recent death of her husband.  
• 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.
• Kara Mobley, recovering from major surgery this past Friday at St. Peter's hospital in Albany. Pray for speedy healing and full recovery without complications for Kara, and remember also her parents, Dave and Beth Ennis, as they assist in her recovery.
• Darla and Jill, Maureen Mooney's sister-in-law and niece respectively, who are both recuperating from recent major surgery. Praise God that both are making progress in their recoveries, but please continue to keep them in your prayers, as they have a long way to go before complete healing and return to full health and activity.  Remember also Maureen as she continues her tasks as caregiver. 
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Jean Wildermuth; Lennox; Betty Osborn; Lynn; Rob; Virginia Rothermel; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Paul Varga.
• others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Jen; Bill, Janet Smith's brother; Ronny; Ron Dick; Donna Scalera; Kim Helm; Carol Nel; Paul Osborn; Jeff Peter; Mark; Jay, Ann; Jill; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler.
• those who are traveling.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Libby (Little) Saxton; Corrie Shattenkirk, relocating back to this area from Omaha, Nebraska; 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.
• residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe.

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. Praise God also and congratulations to Pastor and his wife for the happy news that they are now U.S. citizens!
• 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.
• the good report that a friend of Noreen Dick is cancer-free following 8 months of chemotherapy.
• Jen’s presence in worship with us after completing 1 month of chemotherapy.
• the good news that Jean Wildermuth's recent eye surgery went well, and continued prayers for complete healing and restoration of her eye.  Jean and Bob wish to thank everyone for their prayers during her surgery and recuperation.
• the good report that Merrill Johnson’s surgery was very successful in relieving the pain he was suffering, and that he is again able to be in worship with us. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Merrill. Notes and cards of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, and may be sent to Merrill at 533 Old Post Road, Ghent, NY 12075.
• the good news that Stacey Baker is doing very well as she begins her internment program.                                             
• the happy update from Nancy Baker that her mother, Vickie Metzger, 97, is doing so remarkably well in her advanced years.
• all those of KRC's family and friends who donate their time, talent, and energy so generously and so willingly to the various ministries and programs of our church, many of which are carried out quietly and selflessly by behind-the-scenes volunteers who often receive little notice or recognition.
• His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

~HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY~

                                                              Jayne Ferguson (1^st), Jocelyn Morris (5^th), Courtney Wood (8^th),                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 Filip Carroll (9^th), Mary Schubert (9^th), Heather LaTorre (18^th),

Chip Wood (23^rd), Jackson Carroll (24^th)

Each member’s share of this year’s classis assessment has been set at $88.50 (down 43¢ from last year).  All who are able to do
so are encouraged to offer, over and above 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. If offered weekly, that’s just $1.97 per week for the
remaining weeks (45) in this year. Please clearly designate all contributions, “Classis Assessment.” 

                                       ~2017 CLASSIS ASSESSMENT DISTRIBUTION ~

        General Synod:     $52.23   (Down $1.48 from 2016)

Albany Synod:       $30.00   (Up $1 from 2016)

C.  G.   Classis:       $   6.27   (Up $0.05  from 2016

                                    2017 TOTAL:            $88.50   (Down $0.43 from 2016)

                                              KRC 2017 CONSISTORY

                        Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

                                                           Deacons

Jane Deane – ’17  Outreach, Cemetery. . . . . .  758-7051  jdeane1943@gmail.com

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

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

Tana Thompson – ’17  Property  . . . . . . . . . . . 392-3312  tanastrome@gmail.com

                                                             Elders

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

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

Patti Varga – ’17  Christian Education, Outreach,

                                Consistory Vice President . .755-3054  patvarga66@gmail.com

Barbara Vosburgh – ’17 Personnel, Clerk. . . . 758-6512  vosburgh1@nycap.rr.com

                                                          KRC TREASURER

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

                                             KRC STAFF

                KRC Office Manager              KRC Office Assistant          

            Paul Clause – 859-4158     Courtney Wood – 784-2134

                   KRC Sexton                 KRC Cemetery Supervisor        

           Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786       Greg Clause – 369-8472 

COMING EVENTS

Today, February 19

      8:30 am  Early Worship Service

      9:45 am  Bible study, Book of Genesis, continues.

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

Please Note: Adult Sunday School will not meet until further notice.

    11:30 am  Brunch/lunch reception in honor of new US citizens,

                                     Rudy and Elize Visser!

      1:00 pm  Rescheduled CITV Concert, The School/Jack Shainman Gallery

Mon, February 20

      6:30 pm  Consistory meets

Tues, February 21

                      Please Note:  Youth Group will not meet February 21.

Thur, February 23

      9:00 am  Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC:

           “I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @KRC

      7:00 pm  Bible study group meets, KRC main floor Conference Room

Sun,  February 26 Combined Worship at 10 am - New members to be received.  

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

Please Note: Adult Sunday School will not meet until further notice.

     11:15 am  Reception for new members, Fellowship Room

Mon, February 27

      6:30 pm  Outreach Ministry meets

Tues, February 28

      4:30 - 7:00 pm  Pancake Dinner benefit, Emanuel Lutheran Church,

      7:00 pm  KRC Youth Group meets @KRC

                                      Route 9, Stuyvesant Falls

Fri, March  3

      6:00 pm   First Friday free community dinner and fellowship. 

                                 Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Sat, March 11 – KRC volunteers serve at Capital City Rescue Mission

                              Servers Next Sunday, February 26                   
 

Ushers:  Dave Ennis, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

Greeters:  The LaTorre Family