Kinderhook Reformed Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

KINDERHOOK REFORMED CHURCH

 REV. RUDY VISSER, PASTOR

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

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

Today is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund.  Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family and community members.     

8:30 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting, and Morning Prayer

*Morning Praise

  Scripture                                                                                                  Luke 15:1-10 (p. 740)

  Message                                                                        “Basking in the Sweet Care of God”

  Prayer of Thanks

  Sacrament of Communion

  Offering and Prayer of Blessing

  Intercessory Prayer

*Closing Hymn and Benediction

10 A.M.  CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP

  Following worship today, all are invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments

downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Will Ferguson, Jonathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel

Thanks to today’s greeter(s), Sally Heimroth

 Preschool nursery available downstairs.

  Prelude          Jesus Is All the world to Me – My life, my joy, my all.  #491         

  Welcome, Announcements, and God's Greeting

Drawing Near to God

  Call to Worship (Responsive)

Here we are Lord! We come into your house this morning
       praising your faithfulness, giving thanks for your mercy, seeking your joy.
Thank you for Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd who seeks and saves the lost.

       Thank you for creating us in your image and giving us life and breath.
Thank you for the Holy Spirit, whose presence is here.
       Unite us as your people, and fill us with your peace. Amen.

*Hymn of Praise #60                                                                         Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Allowing God to Shape Us

  Call to Confession  From Isaiah 30:18

The God revealed to us in the pages of scripture is a welcoming and inclusive God yearning to have pity on us. The prophet Isaiah writes, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!” Come now, and confess those things that separate us from God.

  Prayer of Confession 

Dear Lord, we come to you this day to give you our thanks and praise for your unbelievable love for us. When we stop to think about how much you love us and what you have done for us by dying on the cross, we are overwhelmed and almost speechless. Is it hard for us to grasp that you really died for us, that you forgive us when we confess to you, that you can and do change us. Knowing that you are a God of grace and love, we are confident, even eager, to lay it all out before you. We confess that we have sinned, and fallen short of who you would have us be and how you would have us act. Please hear our silent prayers of confession… We are sorry and we ask you to forgive us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving us the courage, strength, and hope to cling to you, and to follow you more closely. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

  Assurance of Forgiveness  (Responsive)  Based on I Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good.     

       Thanks be to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

  Blessing on the Word proclaimed                       

  Scripture                                                                                                  Luke 15:1-10 (p. 740)

  Message                                                                        “Basking in the Sweet Care of God”

  Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

  Sacrament of Communion

                                       THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we come to the table of our Lord in Remembrance, Communion, and Hope. 

We come in Remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent into the world so we might be saved through him.

We come to be in Communion with this same Christ who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world.

We come in Hope, believing that this bread and cup are a pledge and foretaste of the feast of love in the kingdom to come.

Since by his death, resurrection, and ascension Christ has obtained for us the life-giving Spirit who unites us all in one body,

so we receive this Supper in true love, mindful of the communion of saints.

THE INVITATION

This is the feast of the Lord’s Table, in which all who profess the Lordship of Christ in their lives are invited to share.  Come, for all things are now ready.

        COMMUNION HYMN #448 (Verses 1 and 2)  Jesus, I Come

                                                 THE COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is holy and right to lift up our hearts and give God thanks and praise.

It is with joy that we give thanks to you in all times and places, Almighty and Everlasting God. You have shown the fullness of your love by sending to us Jesus Christ our Lord, made flesh for us, for our salvation, and for reconciliation with you.  For this precious gift of your Son, we worship and sing praise to you, O God:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky, and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world.  In the joy of his resurrection and expectation of his coming again, send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices, and proclaim this mystery of the faith:

Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

As this grain and these grapes are gathered from many fields and hills into one loaf and one cup, to be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ, grant also that your whole Church may be joined together in him, attain unity in the faith, and soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! And now, as Christ taught us, we pray together:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

THE COMMUNION

The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me."

        (Distribution of the bread)

The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.

After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

      (Distribution of the cup)

The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.

PRAYER OF ASSURANCE FOLLOWING COMMUNION

Good Shepherd, within your embrace we are safe and secure. Within your embrace we know that we are precious in your sight. Within your embrace we feel the warmth of family and belonging. Within your embrace we grow and are nurtured together as one flock, the people of your pasture, under your loving care and protection.  Amen.

  Offering/Offertory                          You Are My All in All –

 When I am down, you pick me up, when I am dry you fill my cup – You are my all in all.

                                          Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name.

  Doxology #809                                                    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) Based on Colossians 1:1-14

Living God, by your love and power, you inspire our faith in the work of Jesus Christ! Thank you for the hope and peace that you have planted in our hearts. The presence of your Spirit in our lives bears fruit as we share your good news with others. We dedicate our tithes and gifts to the work of your church as we reach out to share the knowledge of new life throughout the whole world. Amen.

  Pastoral Prayer

*Closing Hymn of Prayer and Praise (Insert)                                   Jesus, Lover of My Soul                          

*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     

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY!

Jane Deane (1^st), Donna Flansburg (5^th), Tana Thompson (6^th), Abigail Wood (6^th),

 Dawn Van Buren (20^th), Phil Sherman (23^rd), Bob Wildermuth (23^rd),

Nancy Baker (26^th), Chuck Rothermel (30^th) 

~STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15~

 Stop Hunger Now packages and ships food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to 
end global hunger in our lifetime.  Established in 1998, over 500,000 volunteers have been engaged to package 
meals, and over 225 million meals have been provided in 74 countries.  This year, 45 million meals will be 
packaged, and over $9 million in donated health supplies will be shipped.  A STOP HUNGER NOW FOOD-PACKAGING EVENT 
IS AN IMMENSELY REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF EASY, HANDS-ON WORK, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!  
A group of 40 to 50 volunteers (any age) can package over 10,000 meals in just two hours.  Our local packaging 
event will take place beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the Kinderhook Town Hall (formerly Martin H. 
Glynn school) on Church Street in Valatie, during which we hope to pack 20 – 30 thousand meals.  Plan to lend a 
helping hand to this extraordinary ministry. Volunteer unloaders are needed at noon, and volunteer packers are 
needed from 1 – 3 pm.  A signup sheet is available on the back table to give us a general idea of the number 
participating from KRC.  Official registration can be done online, and a link to Stop Hunger Now for doing this 
can be found on our website, kinderhookreformedchurch.net.  Official registration can also be done at the Town 
Hall the day of the event.  Donations may be made online as well using the KRC website link, or directly through 
the church by check with “Stop Hunger” in the memo line.  A donation of 29¢ buys one meal, $29 one hundred meals, 
$290 one thousand meals.  Your co-workers might be willing to offer $29, or a business might be interested in 
making a $290 donation.

~NOTE FROM KRC OUTREACH MINISTRY ON STOP HUNGER NOW DONATIONS~

From August 1 to September 30, the KRC Outreach Ministry will be collecting redeemable cans and bottles in the designated bins located both at the Kinderhook Transfer Station on 9-H and at the church.  Call Tana (518-495-3621) if you need assistance. All money received will benefit the Stop Hunger Now drive.

~AVAILABLE NOW ON THE BACK TABLE~

• Fall course offerings and registration information for The School for Christian Living and Serving, a ministry of the Mid-Hudson and Orange Classes
• Information on “Taking Care of Our Fathers and Mothers: Preventing, Identifying, and Addressing Elder Abuse in Our Communities,” a conference sponsored by Common Ground Dispute Resolution September 13 at Columbia-Greene Community College

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, 15, Bolivia              Giulbert Muguna, 18, Kenya

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

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 new 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; Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday, and other outreach programs. Pray especially for the Stop Hunger Now fundraising campaign and upcoming meal-packing event in October. 
• our state, national, and world leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely. Pray especially that God’s hand will direct our nation’s upcoming Presidential and other government elections.
• our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.
• 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 Suzy Nieman's cousin, John, his wife, Cheryl, and their 5-year-old son, Tyler, grieving the recent loss of their infant son and brother, Alexander – remember as well Alexander’s grandfather, Steve.
• those who, even after many years, still hurt from the void left by loved ones who have passed on from this world, especially Jim and Barbara Hatch. 
• all who have suffered and struggled with significant recent loss of any kind.
• reassurance, peace, and dignity for loved ones nearing the close of this life.     
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Nancy Stewart.
• Patti Varga's Uncle Martin, who has been visiting in the area, recovering from a fractured skull following a fall.
• others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Dave Ennis; Paul; Jay Rippel; Fred Borelli; Mark; Virginia Rothermel; Vicki Smith; Maggie; Art Gross; Angie Rivera; Susan Clause; Stacey Baker; Harriet Stockhoff; Ruth Edge; Merrill Johnson; Jean Skipper; Floyd Haber; Alan Dick; Paul Varga; Liz Carroll; Laurie Maul.
• those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Angie, friend of Sara Hartman; 6-month-old grandson of Rick; Ann; Jill; Donna Scalera; Jay; Ron Dick; Steve; Dorothy Wheeler; Baby Szafran; TJ Vooris; Judy Alvarez; Leonard Blish; Carol, Elize Visser’s sister-in-law; Marlene.
• those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Don and Phyllis Tymeson; Harry Sturgill; Donna and Jason; Amber; Martha; Laurie; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; the Lamont Family; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming wave of new, young heroin addicts.
• those who are traveling.
• residence-bound KRC family, Murray Leonardson; Joan Van Alstyne; 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.
• 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.
• Ted and Dawn Tuttle’s safe return home following their recent trip to Iowa.
• the encouraging report that Stacey Baker is doing much better following a long recovery from a serious concussion; she is having fewer and fewer bad days, and is making good progress in her college studies.
• the good news that Jay Rippel is recovering well from recent knee surgery and is now able to be in worship with us.
• the good report that a friend of Claudia and Arnie March is doing well following a recent golf-ball injury.
• the good report that Virginia Rothermel is doing well. Ginny thanks the congregation for the cards and messages of encouragement she received, and she hopes to be back in church soon!
• His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.
• the many dedicated and hard-working friends and members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Family who serve on Consistory, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever support they can to those in need.

~STEWARDSHIP REPORT~

Our weekly offering this past Sunday was $1,797 – again, just over half our weekly need of $3,000.  Many thanks to those who have recently made substantial gifts toward bringing our income more closely into line with expenses, and to our regular contributors who “doubled up” on their giving to cover the Sundays they missed. Stewardship Ministry continues to urge everyone to give prayerful consideration to how they might adjust their giving to help keep income at a level that will meet daily operating expenses.   

COMING EVENTS

Today, September 11      

       8:30 am  Early Communion Worship Service

     10:00 am  Communion Worship Service

     11:15 am  Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room          

               The class continues its study of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.

Tues,  September 13

       7:00 pm  Youth Group meets

Thur, September 15

       9:00 am  Small Group Bible Study meets @ KRC

     10:00 am  Community Prayer Group @ KRC

Sun,   September 18 – 10 am  First Sunday of Children’s Sunday School

Wed,  September 28

     3:00 – 6:30 pm  Brooks Bar-B-Q @ KRC to benefit Kinderhook Cemetery  

Sat.,   October 15

      1:00 pm  Stop Hunger Now food-packaging event. Kinderhook Town Hall,       

                  Church Street, Valatie (Formerly Martin H. Glynn School)

Servers Next Sunday, September 18, 2016

       Ushers: Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham, Keith Garwood, Gary Leggett

       Greeter(s): Tana Thompson