Kinderhook Reformed Church, 9:30 A.M. March 31, 2019

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudolph Visser, Pastor

WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP CELEBRATION!

Greetings visitors! Please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the offering plate.

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

Thanks to today’s ushers, Austin Bailey, Bobby Bailey, Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham.

Thanks to today’s greeter, Patrice Lyons. Nursery facility available downstairs.

Prelude

Welcome, Announcements, The Lord’s Greeting

Drawing Near to God

Call to Worship (Responsive)

This is the season of Lent, a season to remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ.  A season to remember that to follow Christ is to take up our crosses

and to be servants of all.A season to remember Jesus's question, "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" A season to ask ourselves how we, like Simon the Cyrene,

might help to bear the cross.A season to ask ourselves how we, like Pilate and Caiaphas and the crowd,

continue to nail Christ to the tree. A season to ask ourselves how we, like Peter, are afraid and turn away.A season to ask ourselves what we, like the woman with the fine ointment, have to offer. A season to watch and wait with Christ, that we may have courage in the hour of

testing. A season to proclaim with Mary Magdalene that Christ is not dead but alive!

*Hymn #45   Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Allowing God to Shape Us

Call to Confession

When we say we are sinless, we fool only ourselves and we are unable to speak the truth. In our brokenness, let us be honest and profess what separates us from God and one another, trusting in God’s unchanging desire to forgive and renew.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Holy God, we are prone to take Christ's suffering and sacrifice too lightly. We see his suffering and death, and we do not want to follow the path that leads to the cross. We do not share Jesus's sorrow for our sin. Grant us your forgiveness and the courage to seek the same mind as Christ Jesus. In his name we pray.

[Silent Prayer] Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, freed, and empowered to live as joyful servants of God and one another.

Children’s Blessing and Invitation to Youth Sunday School (Unison)

Dear Jesus, let our children place their faith in you, abide in you, and take their spiritual food from you, the Bread of Life. Show them that all accomplishments of eternal value come from your presence in their hearts and lives. Amen.

Coming Before God’s Open Word Prayer for Illumination and Scripture Reading John 6:24-35

Message “Being Fed Through, By and With Jesus”

Prayer of Blessing

Silent Prayer for Those Seeking to Acknowledge 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."

Responding to God's Word Together – Reactions, Comments, Discussion, Testimonials

*Hymn of Response (Screen)

Celebrating God, His Care, and His Abundance

Apostle’s Creed (Unison)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy and worldwide Church, the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Offering/Offertory

*Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Caring God who nurtures and feeds us, we bring these gifts to you, confessing that we have often valued the bread for our stomachs above the bread for our souls. We have consumed lavishly and given grudgingly. Help us to keep our focus on you, the only One able to sustain us eternally - the Bread of Life! Help us to give as those who trust completely in you to satisfy all our needs. Amen.

Prayer Requests and Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn (Screen)

*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

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.

~WEDNESDAY LENTEN BIBLE STUDIES CONTINUE AT KRC ~

Come and be inspired and lifted up as we continue the “Walk to Glory” Lenten Bible series each Wednesday at 7 pm. All are cordially invited and encouraged to join with us and experience the blessing of this study!

~LOOKING AHEAD – EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE~

The annual Ecumenical Sunrise Service will be held at 6:30 am at the North Chatham United Methodist Church with Pastor Darienne Gagne. All are welcomed to join in this worship celebration.

KRC CHICKEN BAR-B-Q TODAY!

Remember to check your tickets for your chosen pick-up time:

11 am, Noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.

Additional take-out Bar-B-Q’s are being planned for Sundays in January, February, and March of next year, and will also be advertised and opened to the public. They are scheduled for winter months because this is the time of year when families are not likely to do a Bar-B-Q for themselves, but are apt to respond to the off-season temptation of enjoying one prepared by someone else! Proceeds from these fundraisers will be used to address a variety of priority financial responsibilities of our church.

Kinderhook Reformed Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Beginning at 10 a.m. This Coming Saturday, April 6, 2019

~ Hop on for Fun and Fellowship ~

Crafts, Cookie Decoration, Snacks, and more at 10 a.m.

Easter Story and Egg Hunt beginning at 10:30 a.m.

We need volunteers to make this event an awesome time for all who attend! Please sign up at the back table if you are available and willing to help out with this outreach ministry.

~HELPERS NEEDED FOR ST. LUKE’S FREE DINNER TUESDAY, APRIL 9~

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church family, Valatie, together with other area churches, continue the tradition of free dinners during the winter months at the St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall. KRC will be providing and serving the free dinner on Tuesday, April 9.  Volunteers are needed to setup, cook, serve, and clean up, and a sign-up sheet showing times volunteers will be needed is available on the back table for those willing to participate in this ministry.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Maundy Thursday Communion Worship Service Thursday, April 18

Kinderhook Reformed Church Sanctuary

WHAT IS MAUNDY THURSDAY?

Good Friday, we know, and Easter most certainly. But what is Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples. Most notably, that Passover meal was when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other. Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday - "maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command." It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said these words to his disciples:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have

loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

What was so "new" about this command? Well, for one thing, it raised the definition of love to a new and higher standard. Jesus sacrificially met His followers' deepest need - that of new spiritual life and the forgiveness of sins. He even loved His enemies, and He calls us to show love to those who don't appear to deserve it. Just as Jesus loved sinners "to the end" (or "to the max," John 13:1) when He had nothing to gain from them, so must we. The Bible says that there was nothing attractive about sinful mankind that drew Him to love us. God loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).  Salvation is not only a wonderful gift that protects us from the penalty that we deserve (Romans 6:23), the work of Christ also imbues new life, grants spiritual strength, and motivates Godly action in those who believe:

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to

renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright,

and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of

the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to

redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own

possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

While Scripture doesn't require us to commemorate days like Maundy Thursday, the main question is, “Are we observing Christ's new command to love - especially those who deserve it least?”

"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is from God, and whoever loves has

been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God,

because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

Alex Crain, Christianity.com

~SINGERS WANTED FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY CHOIR!~

We are looking for singers to participate in a combined choir which will sing at the 2019 Maundy Thursday service. The service will be held at the Kinderhook Reformed Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019. Several rehearsals will be provided. If interested, please contact Marilyn Proniske of the Stuyvesant Reformed Church @ 518-929-1277.

~VALATIE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY EASTER BASKETS~

Easter Food Baskets will again be given to families who use the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry and request one. In the past, Easter baskets have been prepared for between 130 and 140 families, providing for between 570 and 580 individuals, and the Pantry anticipates serving about the same number of families this year. The baskets contain food for Easter dinner, including ham, potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, pineapple, and brownies.

The Pantry buys all food items for the baskets in bulk, and if you would like to help financially with these purchases, checks may be made payable to Kinderhook Reformed Church, with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and dropped in the offering plate. If you prefer, you may make checks out directly to Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, Inc., with Easter Baskets on the memo line, and mail them to:

Jean Norton, 35 Harris Drive, Valatie, NYH 12184

The Pantry thanks you in advance for any help you are able to give. All monies or food items left over after the Easter baskets are distributed will be put into the Pantry account or onto the Pantry shelves.

 

HEARTS OF HOPE WOMEN'S LUNCHEON

A Benefit to Support Capital City Rescue Mission's Programs for Women and Children

12:00 PM (check-in 11:30 AM) Friday, Apr 12 or Saturday, April 13

Shaker Ridge Country Club, 802 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville

$24 Per Person - Complimentary Valet Parking

ATTENTION LADIES! With your choice of Friday, April 12 or Saturday, April 13, we look forward to seeing you at our 8th Annual Hearts of Hope Luncheon. The event will once again be held at the picturesque Shaker Ridge Country Club and is a “women helping women” fundraiser to benefit Capital City Rescue Mission's women's programs. There will be a heart-warming testimony from a program participant, a fabulous lunch, and some door prizes. Come fellowship with us!

Email for Reservations:

sjones@albanymission.com or mschettini@albanymission.com

STEWARDSHIP WEEKLY UPDATE

Our offering last Sunday: $3856.

Needed weekly to cover KRC’s daily operating expenses: $3,000

Income to date: $44,715 Expenses to date: $42,822

CLASSIS ASSESSMENT 2019Each member’s share of this year’s classis assessment has been set at $97.69 (up $3.01 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 may be given in as many increments as are convenient. If offered weekly, that’s just $2.50 per week for the remaining weeks (39) in this year Please designate contributions, “Classis Assessment.”

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 as they seek new directions and God’s wisdom and blessing in moving our church toward a greater and more effective impact on our surrounding communities: KRC’s 2019-2020 Consistory as both continuing and incoming members take up their ordained duties and new group dynamics develop; KRC’s administrative ministries; KRC’s Youth Group; Sunday School; KRC’s small group ministries and Bible studies; Community Prayer Group; 1st Friday Free Community Dinner; Community Conversations; Parents’ Night Out; Wee Care; 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 and wisdom needed to govern effectively.

· our military men & women, their families, and friends, especially Jason, serving in Poland, Hungary, and various NATO countries, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace.

· victims world-wide suffering natural and other hardships and tragedies; those suffering economic instability; poverty, hunger, & poor health; political oppression, unrest, war, displacement, gun violence, and terrorism.

· families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially Ted Fiebke, family, and friends grieving the recent death of Ted’s father, the Rev. Edward Fiebke, former priest of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kinderhook.

· those who, even after many years, still hurt from the loss of loved ones. PLEASE NOTE: Healing Hearts with Hope – A Support Group for Loss of a Loved One - meets weekly at KRC from 6:15 - 7:15 pm Thursdays in the classroom opposite the church office.

· reassurance, peace, and dignity for those nearing the close of this life.

· others awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Robert Stern; Lu Holden; Al; Barbara Vosburgh; John Deane; Rita Laffety; Vickie Dick; Jean Hacker; Chris Halvax; Leslie Haywood; Merrill Johnson; Kevin Nooney; Carly Rippel; Jean Skipper; John Bowen; Stacey Baker; Elize Visser’s parents; Jane Stutzman; George Graham; Fred Borrelli.

· residence-bound KRC family, Art Gross and George Clowe; and those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially: the Bakers, caring for Nancy’s mother, Vickie Metzger, 99.

· those battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: Tom, patient of Jay Rippel, Grandmother of 4-year-old Ziva; Terri; Don Morse; J.B.; Ronny; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve; Jimmy Cozza; Jen Damiano; Dave Ennis; Patti, sister-in-law of Patrice Lyon; Bob, resident of Valatie; Barb, resident of Syracuse; Charlie of the Ghent Fire Department; 12-year-old Issy Kwei; Judy Alvarez; Charles Roppolo.

· others facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: all those dealing with unspoken issues - spiritual, health, financial, psychological, emotional, family-related, job-related, etc. - and who just need some help along the way; a member of our church family struggling with a serious and unsettling unspoken issue. Aaron Hacker; our college students as they work through the second term of this academic year, especially Carly Ripple, completing her final semester at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.

· traveling mercies for those traveling.

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists, especially those whose names are in bold type. Please forward this information, as well as new praise/prayer requests, to or call 859-4158.

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.

· 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.

· the happy news that Elize Visser's parents have completed the process of selling Elize's father's childhood homestead and are now safely back home.

· those men and women who have served or are now serving in our country’s military, and those who have sacrificed their wellbeing and lives for the peace & liberty we enjoy.

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

Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio

Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission

The Silvas, 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.

MAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION

Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net

Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com

Rev. Rudy is available at his church office

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.

Please call ahead for an appointment.

Evenings are set aside for meetings, visitations, and counseling.

For immediate assistance at any time, call 518-859-4158.

Church Phone 518-758-6401 Church Fax 1-518-758-6402

KRC 2019 CONSISTORY

Pastor Rev. Rudy Visser, President of Consistory

Deacons

Susan Patterson – ’19 Church Family . . . . . . . 518-755-4909 susanpatterson1014@gmail.com

Beth Anne Rippel – ’20 Stewardship,

Church Family. . . . . . .518-392-5044 barippel@yahoo.com

Deborah Spaulding – ’19 Outreach . . . . . . . . .518-758-7316 ber00519@fairpoint.net

Wayne Van Allen – ’20 Property. . . . . . . . . . . 518-339-8972 wayne@ctmdky.com

Elders

Jane Deane – ’19 Christian Education. . . . . . . 518-758-7051 jdeane1943@gmail.com

Jean Hacker – ’19 Outreach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-758-9412 jch9412@aol.com

Dawn Van Buren – ’20 Cemetery, Pastoral Relations, Personnel,

Consistory Vice-President. . .518-758-7564 dawnandleo@fairpoint.net

Patti Varga – ’20 Worship, Clerk of Consistory,

Classis Representative . . . . . 518-755-3054 patvarga@aol.com

KRC TREASURER

Derick LaTorre – 518-376-1882 derick.latorre@gmail.com

KRC STAFF

KRC Office Manager KRC Office Assistant

Paul Clause – 518-859-4158 Courtney Wood – 518-852-7172

KRC Sexton KRC Cemetery Supervisor

Steven Green – 518-505-4918 Greg Clause – 518-369-8472

Coming Events

Today, March 31

9:30 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School

10:45 am Please Note: Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker,

Gospel of John study, RESUMES TODAY, main floor Conference Room

Take-out Chicken Bar-B-Q fundraiser following Worship -

Pick-up times at 11 am, Noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.

Wed, April 3

7:00 pm Lenten Bible Study Series continues @ KRC with Pastor Rudy.

Please Note: Wednesday Bible Study with Jean Hacker

will be in recess during the Lenten Bible Study Series.

Thur, April 4

9:00 am Small Group Bible study, 1 Corinthians.

10:00 am KRC Prayer Group meets

6:15 - 7:30 pm Healing Hearts with Hope – A Support Group for Loss of a

Loved One - begins meeting in classroom opposite the church office.

6:30 pm KRC Youth Group meets

Fri, April 5

6:00 pm First Friday free community dinner – Doors open at 5:30.

Sat, April 6

10:00 am Annual KRC Easter Activities, Easter Story, and Egg Hunt

Sun, April 7

9:30 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School

10:45 am Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker, Gospel of John study,

main floor Conference Room

Mon, April 8

6:30 pm Consistory meets

Tues, April 9

KRC volunteers help in preparing and serving the free dinner

offered at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Valatie,

Fri, Sat, April 12, 13

12 Noon Capital City Rescue Mission Hearts of Hope Women’s Luncheon

Shaker Ridge Country Club, 802 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville

Sat, April 13

5:30 – 8:30 pm Parents’ Night Out

Sun, April 14 – Palm Sunday

9:30 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School

10:45 am Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker, Gospel of John study,

main floor Conference Room

3:00 pm CITV Presents Brahms Requiem at KRC.

Thur, April 18 – Maundy Thursday Communion Worship Service at KRC

Sun, April 21 – Easter Sunday

6:30 am Sunrise Service North Chatham United Methodist Church

with Pastor Darienne Gagne

Servers Next Sunday, April 7, 2019

Ushers: Austin Bailey, Bobby Bailey, Greg Clause Jr, Jim Dunham

Greeter(s): Stacey and Jean Hurst

Sermon Notes

“Being Fed Through, By and With Jesus”

John 6:24-35