March 3. 2013

Kinderhook Reformed Church
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor
Worship Services for March 3, 2013
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
We would like to get to know you better, and 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

  Welcome/Announcements
  Morning Prayer
*Morning Praise                                                    Bless the Lord, O My Soul
  Prayer for Illumination
  Scripture Lesson:                                                    Isaiah 55:1-9 (p. 524-525)
  Message:                                   "Embracing Abundant Life in God”
  Prayer of Thanks
  Communion                               
  Offering and Prayer of Blessing
  Intercessory Prayer
*Song of Devotion                              Jesus Paid It All
*Benediction

 

10 a.m. Celebration of Worship

All are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship
downstairs in the Fellowship Room following this Worship service.

Ushers: Sal Alessi, Derick Latorre, Steve Shpur, Ken Sutherland
Greeter(s):  Andrew and Melissa Welcome
Preschool Nursery facility is available downstairs.
Guest Organist:  David Smith

 

  Prelude       Chromatic and Diatonic (from Three Quiet Preludes)        Alec Rowley
Boldly Approaching Our God
  Welcome and Announcements
*God's Greeting
  Call to Worship  (Responsive)  Adapted from Isaiah 40:26-28
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
The Lord, our God. He is the maker of heaven and earth.
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name.    Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
We praise you, O Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
We worship you, Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
*Hymn of Praise #45                                  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing


Boldly Opening Our Hearts to God’s Grace and Forgiveness

   Prayer of Confession  (Responsive)  Based on Psalm 130
Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear our voices and let your ears be attentive to our cries for mercy.

[Quiet, personal confession of sin]

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
     O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word I put my hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
     O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with him is unfailing love and full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
     O Lord, we praise you for your unfailing love and forgiveness. We put our hope fully in you, for you have redeemed us. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
   Children's Blessing  (Unison)
Great God, make your presence known to these children.  May they experience you and acknowledge you as a God of miracles – especially the miracles of their salvation and eternal life.  Amen.

Boldly before God’s Open Word So We May Be Filled
   Solo, Deborah Spaulding, soprano
                                            “If with all your hearts” from Elijah        Felix Mendelssohn
   Prayer for Illumination
   Scripture Lesson                              Isaiah 55:1-9 (p. 524-525)      
   Message                        "Embracing Abundant Life in God”
   Prayer of Blessing

Boldly Celebrating Our Redemption in Him
  Communion 
Boldly in His Kingdom We Live and Love
  Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings/Offertory
                           Modal (from Three Quiet Preludes)         Alec Rowley
*Doxology and Offertory Prayer
  Pastoral Prayer
*Closing Hymn #130              O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
*Benediction
  Hymn of 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. (2x)
  Postlude                    Nachspiel (Rome, 1831)                       Felix  Mendelssohn 
       
  Donations for Easter lilies to decorate our pulpit area are now being  accepted, and are greatly appreciated.  Contributions may be placed directly in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.

Today is Pastor Rudy’s 4th anniversary as pastor of Kinderhook Reformed Church.  Please join us downstairs at Coffee Hour today following the 10 a.m. worship service to celebrate this milestone and to praise God for the blessing of Pastor Rudy, Elize, Annake, Liezl, and their ministry to the KRC family.

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAYS:

Doris Schmieder (1st), Maureen Mooney (5th), Kathy Schneider (5th), Priscilla Frisbee (6th), Stan Bertram (12th), Nancy Call (14th), Greg Clause (19th), Dave Ennis (30th), Paul Zietsman (31st).  PRISCILLA FRISBEE, TURNING 95 THIS WEDNESDAY, IS THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE MARCH BIRTHDAY GROUP! Please sign the birthday card for Priscilla on the back table.  If you wish to send your own greeting or personal note, Priscilla’s address is P.O. Box 173, Stuyvesant Falls, NY 12174.

     The Bible, a dramatic 10-hour miniseries produced by Mark Burnette and wife, Roma Downey, is set to premier on the History Channel TODAY, March 3, at 8 p.m. According to many reviewers, The Bible is rich in story, vibrant in presentation, and may be one of the greatest miniseries ever presented by the History Channel. It does not appear that any expense was spared in terms of talent and special effects, which will ensure long-lasting appeal for the series.
     The epic-quality production, which covers the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, is enjoying broad acclaim from leaders of the worldwide Christian community.  Viewers will, they say, be treated to a dramatic and inspiring story that will kindle the hearts of all who watch. Previews of the miniseries reveal a colorful, captivating presentation of some of the most important stories in the Christian religion.  While sometimes violent, The Bible offers visually-enchanting depictions of well-known and beloved Biblical characters. Noah's Ark, the Exodus, Abraham, and the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are among the Bible stories covered in the series.
     Beginning with its March 3 premiere, the following episodes of The Bible will air each Sunday for a total of 5 weeks, with the finale arriving on Easter Sunday:

3/3 3/10 3/17 3/24 3/31
Exodus In the Beginning Homeland Mission Passion
Hope Kingdom Survival Betrayal Courage

The spring session of Weight Watchers begins at 9 a.m. this coming Friday, March 8, in the Fellowship Room.

We are updating our Church Directory.  Lifetouch Studios will be coming to KRC on March 22nd and March 23rd to take family portraits.  Each family who signs up will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 family portrait as well as a new directory.  You can sign up on-line or call the office and Liz can sign you up.  For more information, check out the back table.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office anytime.

2013 LENTEN JOURNEY AT KRC
To aid us on our Lenten journey this year, a seven-week Bible study by Adam Hamilton, 24 Hours That Changed the World, will be part of our experience.   We will begin the study at 7 p.m. NEXT WEDNESDAY February 20, and will continue each Wednesday through March 20, Maundy Thursday March 28, and Wednesday April 3.  The following topics will be covered: 
• Wednesday            February 20     The Last Supper
• Wednesday            February 27     The Garden of Gethsemane
• Wednesday            March 6            Condemned by the Righteous
• Wednesday            March 13          Jesus, Barabbas and Pilate
• Wednesday            March 20          The Torture and Humiliation of the King
• Maundy Thursday   March 28          The Crucifixion (Communion served!)
• Wednesday             April 3               Christ the Victor


The Coffee Hour following our 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Service has grown into a well-attended, enjoyable, and very valuable time of fellowship for the KRC family and visitors. At this time, only a few dedicated individuals are providing and serving the refreshments and beverages and seeing to the work of clean-up afterward.  VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP OUT IN THIS MINISTRY, AND THE MARCH SIGN-UP SHEET IS AVAILABLE ON THE BACK TABLE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HOST OR LEND A HAND WITH A COFFEE HOUR.


"THE OLDE DUTCH AND SUCH" CRAFTS GROUP HAS BEGUN MEETING AGAIN ON FRIDAYS AT 9:30 A.M. in the main floor classroom opposite the church office. We are creating new plans and new items for the 2013 KRC Bazaar, and we are very much in need of new members and new ideas.  Last year’s preparation workshops were full of fun, laughter, and good fellowship, and the bazaar was a huge success.  We warmly welcome you to join us in our efforts to make this year’s even better!


The KRC Family will once again join forces to cook the free supper planned for TUESDAY, MARCH 26, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie.  Anyone willing to lend a hand to this ministry (cooking, serving, clean-up) please sign up on the sheet provided on the back table.

  UPDATE FROM CHAR AND DAVE ALEXANDER , KRC MISSIONARIES TO TAIWAN
     We had a good 6 months of home assignment in America, and now are back on the ground in Asia getting set up to return to our missionary work here.
The 6 months of home assignment were full.  Singly or together, we visited 35 churches, schools and church agencies sharing about life and mission in Taiwan and challenging people to be involved in mission where their own churches, schools or agencies live and work.
     We missed visiting 5 of our partner congregations in Canada, New York and New Jersey, but they'll be first next time. A lot of the travel was done on the train and intercity busses to hold down the costs of Reformed Church Global Mission. Dave met a lot of nice people on the rails.
     Home assignment is a time to re-connect with churches as well as being family time. We spent days on end with Char's parents and siblings in Michigan, made a flying visit to California to see some of Dave's kin, and had extensive time with our son, Grant, both while he stayed with us on vacation from college in Illinois and when we went there for quick visits.
     We were built up by the fellowship and love - a thing that makes us very grateful to be Reformed Church missionaries is the wonderful house that we stay in while on home assignment. It is one of four that the church maintains in Holland, MI, and has been our "home" there on 6 home assignments during the last 23 years. We love that house, and hope we left it in good shape for whoever sojourns there next.
     We ask that you pray with us in thanksgiving for our time away and for our return to Taiwan.

A special public screening of the film, Restless Heart - The Confessions of St. Augustine, sponsored by the Kinderhook Knights of Columbus, will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Crandell Theatre in Chatham.  Filmed in Italy, this production depicts Augustine (354 - 430 A.D.) as he searches for the meaning of truth, wrestles with challenging philosophical arguments, and eventually embraces Christianity. It also highlights the influence exerted on him by his mother, Monica, and by Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.  Advance tickets may be purchased for $8 at Anderson Realty or from Aaron Pisacane, 518-965-4255. Tickets are $10 at the door.


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 forward this information, as well as new praise and prayer requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call Paul at 859-4158.  If you are not on our email prayer list, and would like to receive prayer and praise requests through email, contact Paul to have your address added. If you do not have email, contact Jane Smith, 758-6442, to be put on the phone prayer chain.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR
• those who do not know Christ, or are struggling in their faith or with other spiritual issues. 
• KRC’s 2013 Consistory members, especially those recently reinstalled or ordained and serving for the first time.
• KRC’s administrative ministries, their chairpersons, and supporting members.
• KRC programs & projects and those administering them: adult and children’s Sunday School; KRC’s youth; church restoration; small group ministries; adult Bible studies; Community 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.
• our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander; Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell. 
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies..
• our military men and women, that they may know God’s presence and protection.
• familiesand friends of our military troops and victims of warfare, terrorism,  misunderstanding, and  violence worldwide,  that they may be blessed with God’s peace and the reassuring knowledge that he is in control. 
• those, especially children, suffering natural disaster; the abuses of violence; exploitation; neglect; family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially:  those grieving the death of Lisa Greene, friend of Isabelle Bosquet-Morra; the Bryant family grieving the loss of their mother; Dave and Beth Ennis grieving the recent death of Dave’s father, Earl Ennis; family and friends grieving the recent death of Irene Smith, sister of Virginia Rothermel and sister-in-law of Jane Smith.
• Marthie, Elize Visser’s sister in South Africa, who had surgery last Wednesday for a hysterectomy and also to remove several tumors.  Please pray for a good recovery time while she is still in ICU,  and for good test results.
• Guinda (LaHaie) Derrico, former resident of Valatie and long-time friend and acquaintance of Patti Varga, the Clauses, and others of the KRC family. Guinda has been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, and will undergo major surgery in Florida on March 27 followed by a heavy regimen of chemotherapy.  Remember also Guinda's husband, Joe, at this trying time.
• Kristen Clause, daughter-in-law of Paul and Joan, whose apartment was seriously damaged by a fire recently. Praise God that Kristen escaped without injury, and that her son, Greg, also escaped injury when his car was totaled the day after the fire. 
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Melinda; Nancy Swinyard; Dolly Petith; Laurie (Dunham) Maul; Jan; Frank Vosburgh; Faity Tuttle; Glenn Wallace; Kathy Varga; Tom Saulpaugh; Eleanor, mother of Patrice Lyons; Sara Schubert; Bert Beach; Bea Post; Ruth Edge; Blanche Rogers; Florence Rivera; Paul Varga. 
• those battling or recovering from cancer, especially Jill Shpur; Rosanne & Connie; Helen Drumm; Sal Alessi; Donna Scalera.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: Olivia, that God will give her peace, strength, perseverance, safety, and His direction; Paul, that God will give him wisdom, determination, and peace in making and carrying out the difficult decisions that are challenging him; the Royce Family; the Schuberts attempting to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Libby Little.
• those travelling, especially Jane Deane as she travels to and from Hawaii.
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Barbara Vosburgh and Diane Morgan
• our residence-bound members, Murray Leonardson, Mike Rivera, Gordie Van Buren.


REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• the good report that Pastor rested well while he was fighting a severe bronchitis and is feeling much better.
• the Spirit-filled worship services led so beautifully by Consistory last Sunday in Pastor Rudy's absence.
• prayers answered.  Rudy's sister, who had her baby at 28 weeks, is doing great.  Little Savanna went home a little over a week ago, and she is doing really wonderful.  All praise be to God for this little miracle! 
• Dolly Petith’s presence with us in worship this past Sunday following many weeks of battling a severe case of shingles.
• all of those from the KRC family who worked so diligently to help prepare and serve the free community dinner to 146 people who attended at St. Luke’s this past Tuesday evening.  
• all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, and working together to complete projects and responsibilities.
• the good news that  Laurie Maul is home and continues to do well following her recent surgical procedure.  Your prayers are much appreciated by Jim, Bonnie, and Laurie and her family.
• the good report that Glenn Wallace is recovering at Sunnyview rehab following successful cardiac surgery.
• save travels for Dawn and Ted Tuttle and Maureen Mooney.
• the joy of blessing the students of our growing Sunday School each Sunday morning as they go to their classes.
• His blessings of family, friends, and all the provisions for our basic life needs and much more.
• 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.

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 are set aside for meetings, pastoral visitations, and counseling.
For assistance on Fridays, please call 859-4158
Church Phone  758-6401                Church Fax   758-6402
Phone messages are picked up several times daily.
If you need immediate assistance anytime, call 859-4158.

 

COMING EVENTS
Today,  March 3
   8:30 am  Early Worship Service
     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service – Sunday School resumes.
     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School Classes:
                1st John study group meets in the classroom opposite the office.
                Romans study group meets in the main floor conference room.
       8:00 pm  Premier of History Channel 5-week miniseries, The Bible
Mon., March  4
       6:45 pm  Missions Ministry meets
Tues., March 5
       7:00 – 8:30  Middle School Youth, Grades 6 – 8, “PRAY 7” at KRC
Wed., March 6
       7:00 pm  Seven-week Lenten Bible study by Adam Hamilton
                      This week – “Condemned by the Righteous”
Thur, March 7
  9:00 am  Small Group meets @ KRC - Chip Ingram study,                
          Living on the Edge – Dare to Experience True Spirituality    
   10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC
Fri.,   March 8     
       9:00 am  Weight Watchers spring session begins, KRC Fellowship Room
       9:30 am  Olde Dutch and Such crafts group meets opposite KRC office
Sun.,  March 10
   8:30 am  Early Worship Service
     10:00 am  Worship Service
     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School Classes:
                1st John study group meets in the classroom opposite the office.
                Romans study group meets in the main floor conference room.
Mon., March 11
       6:30 pm  Consistory meets
Fri.,   March 22, 2 pm – 9 pm and Sat., March 23, 10 am - 5 pm
                                 KRC Directory photos taken
Sat.,   March 23
       2:00 pm  Film, Restless Heart – The Confessions of St. Augustine,
                                   Crandell Theater, Chatham
Tues.,March 26 - KRC family cooks/serves free community supper, St. Luke’s
Thur, March 28
  9:00 am  Small Group meets @ KRC -  Chip Ingram study,                
          Living on the Edge – Dare to Experience True Spirituality
  6:00 pm  Maundy Thursday supper
  7:00 pm  Communion Worship and Lenten Bible Study

                     Servers Next Sunday, March 10, 2013
Ushers:  Al Dick, Merrill Johnson, Bob Wildermuth, Paul Zietsman
Greeter(s):  Joy Bertram