Kinderhook Reformed Church, Third Sunday in Advent, December 16, 2018“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudolph Visser, PastorWelcome visitors! Please fill out a visitor’s pew card and place it in the offering plate.

9:30 A.M. CELEBRATION OF WORSHIPFollowing worship, all are invited downstairs for refreshments and fellowship.

Thanks to today’s ushers, Johnathan Pratt, Chuck Rothermel.Thanks to today’s greeters, Stacey & Jean Hurst Nursery facility available

downstairs.

Prelude, Welcome, and Announcements Call to Worship 

Around the Advent Wreath (Responsive)  Janet Smith and Wayne Van AllenLEADER:  Today  we relight   the  first   two candles  of   the Advent  wreath.  The candle of HOPE and the candle of PEACE.  (1st & 2nd purple candles are lit.)Now we light the rose candle of Advent.   (Rose candle is lit.)This is the candle of  JOY.   As the coming of Jesus, our Savior, draws nearer, our joy builds with our anticipation of his birth. From Isaiah 65:18 we read together the words of our Lord :

PEOPLE:  “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.”

LEADER:  From Galatians 5:22-25, we read together the words of Paul to the people of the Church at Galatia:

PEOPLE: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” 

LEADER:  Let’s all join together in a responsive prayer:PEOPLE: We joyfully praise you, O Lord, for the fulfillment of your promise of a Savior and what that means in our lives.

LEADER:  Thank you for the gift of salvation through the birth of your son, Jesus. ALL: Create us anew as we wait, and help us to see your glory as you fill our lives with your living Spirit. Amen.

*Hymn #161  (Verses 1 & 2)                                                                Once In Royal David’s City  Prayer for Illumination Youth Sunday School Pageant

The Gift of LifeNarrator: Welcome to our annual Christmas pageant. Christmas is a very special time for children. This year our special gift to you is a journey back in time to the very first Christmas when God gave us the best gift of all.  It all started with a girl named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. One day an angel came to Mary and said:Angel: The Lord is with you, Mary. Blessed are you among women.

Narrator: Mary was deeply troubled by his words and worried about what his greeting meant. But the Angel went on to say:Angel :   Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Narrator: Then Mary said: Mary :   I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.Narrator: And the angel left Mary.Please join us in singing: Here I am, Lord (Verse 1)Narrator: And so it came to pass that Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering the census of the whole world. Everyone went to register, each to his own town. And so Joseph went to the town of Bethlehem to register with Mary.Please join us in signing: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Verse 1)Narrator: When they reached Bethlehem after a long and tiring journey, they began to look for a place to stay.Joseph to Innkeeper 1 : Do you have any rooms?Innkeeper 1 :  No, there is no room at the inn.Joseph to Innkeeper 2 : Do you have any rooms?Innkeeper 2 :  No, there is no room at the inn.Joseph to Innkeeper 3 : Do you have any rooms?Innkeeper 3 :  No, there is no room at the inn, but you may stay in the stable.Narrator: While they were in the stable, the time arrived for Mary’s child to be born. She gave birth to a son, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.Please join us in singing: Away in a Manger (Verse 1) Narrator: In the countryside close by were shepherds who lived in the fields and took turns watching their flocks by night. Suddenly, the Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid. But the An-gel said:Angel :  Fear not. For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be shared by all people. For unto you this day in the city of David is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: You will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.Narrator: And suddenly, there appeared with the Angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing:Please join us in singing:  O Come All Ye Faithful (Verse 1) Narrator: And the shepherds said to one another:

Shepherd :  Let us go into Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has made known to us.Narrator: And the shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the baby in the stable just as the Angel had said. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.Please join us in singing: The First Noel  (All verses) Narrator: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Wiseman: Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.”

Narrator: The wise men followed the star until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and wor-shipped him. They bought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.  Gold was a present for Kings, Frankincense was used to worship God and Myrrh was a burial spice.  These three gifts point to Jesus, the Son of God, who died for our salvation and rose again as our King.  The Magi went home glorifying and prais-ing God for all the things they had seen and heard and they told everyone they met the wonderful news about the new king Jesus!Wise Men: We’ve seen Jesus the King of the world.Please join us in singing: Joy to the World (Verse 1)Narrator:  This is where our Christmas story ends, but it is not the end of the story.  We know that Jesus’ story continues to touch people today, just as it touched the peo-ple in Bethlehem and the Magi from far away.  Jesus’ story is a gift, not of gold nor wrapped in paper and bows, but of Light and life.  The light that shone for the Magi shines for us still, guiding us towards Jesus, towards hope, towards new life.  

Narrator: From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas!Please join us in singing: Go Tell it on the Mountain  (All verses)

THANK YOU & MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.PLEASE JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS DOWNSTAIRS FOLLOWING THE SERVICE!

Scripture                                                                                                                 Philippians 4:4-7 Message “Rejoice in the Lord Always; Again I Say, Rejoice.” Prayer of Thanks Offering/Offertory*Doxology #809                                                          Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow*Offertory Prayer (Unison)   

God of Glory, we eagerly anticipate the celebration of Jesus’s birthday. As we open ourselves again to this holy wonder, accept these gifts, and may the ministries that they support bring the joy-filled message of the Christ Child to many. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord’s Prayer

*Carol of Invitation and Praise #173                                                         O Come All Ye Faith-ful*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn My Friends May You Grow in Grace   Postlude

THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO POSITIONS ON THE 2019-20 CONSISTORY:As Deacons: Beth Anne Rippel and Wayne Van Allen

As Elders: Dawn Van Buren and Patti VargaPlease keep these individuals in your prayers as they anticipate serving the Lord in their respective ministries. New Consistory members will be installed and ordained at the January 13 worship service.

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~KRC ANGEL TREE GIFTS DUE TODAY~ Please return the wrapped gifts to church, with the tag attached, TODAY, DECEM-BER 16. Your generosity will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” The children receiving gifts live in our community and are so grateful to not only re-ceive a gift, but to know that their parent is sending Christmas joy, even when they can't be together. Last year, one of the children was so excited to be a part of this pro-gram that she asked to participate in our worship services, and even did a reading dur-ing "Lessons and Carols". If you are interested in going a step further and helping to deliver these gifts during the week before Christmas, please contact Maureen Mooney at 518-210-6079. Thank you, as always, for your generosity!

~OUTREACH MINISTRY GIFTS FOR CCRM GIRLS DUE TODAY~Christmas gift collections for the Capital City Rescue Mission this year will include girls’ hats, gloves and scarves in sizes medium and large for ages seven to twelve. Your do-nations are appreciated and will make a truly warm "Merry Christmas" for young ladies in need! The deadline for bringing your gifts to the church is TODAY, DECEMBER 16, and a collection container is available at the back of the sanctuary.

~THANK-YOU FOR CANDLELIGHT NIGHT!~Praise God for, and many thanks to Joy Bertram and Deborah Spaulding, coordinators of KRC’s Candlelight Night Open House held this past Friday evening, and to all others as well who offered their time and talents to make this Christmas event such a special

Celebrate the Donations for poinsettias to decorate our pulpit area are now being accepted and are greatly appreciated. Contributions may be placed in the offering plate clearly marked for this purpose.

and beautiful time of fellowship with each other and outreach to the members of our community.

~PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 5:30 – 8:30 pm~

~LESSONS AND CAROLS 4 P.M. NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23~Directed by David Smith, Lessons and Carols is a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and will be presented at 4 p.m. next Sunday, December 23, at KRC. A Christmas gift to our community from the KRC family, Lessons and Carols is open to all. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, along with choir music and the singing of Christmas carols and hymns. The first Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King's College, Cambridge, England, and has been broadcast from there by the BBC to millions of listeners around the world each Christ-mas Eve since 1931. The order of worship was adapted from an order prepared 38 years earlier by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro. Tradition says that the bishop orga-nized a 10 pm service in Cornwall on Christmas Eve, 1880, in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral.

~7 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE~As always, KRC’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship is a highlight of the season of giving and a special time to express our joy, praise, and gratitude for the Gift of Jesus, Light of the World, from God the Father.

Please take a moment during this Christmas season to enjoy the beauty and meaning of the white and gold ornaments on our Chrismon Tree on the sanctuary platform. The term "Chrismon" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "monogram," and means "symbols of Christ." The ornaments, all emblems of our Christian faith and heritage, were hand-made by KRC family and friends several years ago for annual display on the tree. You are invited to pick up one of the informative handouts from the back table about the Chrismon tree history and tradition.

ENVELOPE SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR PRESENTING 2019 WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS For those currently participating in the envelope system to present offerings to the church, new envelope sets are now available soon for pick-up in the back of the sanctuary and ready for use beginning Sunday, January 6.

If you are not currently using the weekly envelope system to present contribu-tions to the church, but would like to do so in 2019, please complete one of the small green request forms near the new envelopes and drop it into the offering plate.

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 win-some 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 to-ward a greater and more effective impact on our surrounding communities: KRC’s 2019-2020 Consistory as both continuing and incoming members take up their or-dained 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; 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, that they may know God’s pres-ence, 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, dis-placement, gun violence, and terrorism.

families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially Kim Lyle and family grieving the death of Kim's great grandmother; Jack and Maura McKeon, grieving the death of Jackie, Maura's mother; and Carina, Rev. Rudy's sister, grieving the death in South Africa of her best friend, Deanne, from brain cancer.

those who, even after many years, still hurt from the loss of loved ones. reassurance, peace, and dignity for those nearing the close of this life. Sara Schubert, recovering at home from recent successful surgery.  Pray for a speedy re-

cuperation for Sara. Dave Ennis, as he continues 30 days of chemo/radiation therapy.  Dave sends his loving

greetings to the KRC family.  He misses everyone, and thanks all who have remembered him in prayer and the many who have sent him notes and cards of encouragement.  Dave is looking forward to being in worship soon with his church family.

Bill Vick, resident of Stuyvesant Falls, suffering serious complications following recent surgery. Pray that Bill will know God's healing presence and reassurance at this uncertain time, and for a speedy recovery.

Bob, resident of Valatie, recovering from surgery to remove a sarcoma cancer; and Barb, resident of Syracuse, recovering from brain cancer. Pray for God's presence and reassur-ance for both Bob and Barb as they face long and difficult recuperations.

others battling or recovering from cancer or in hospice care: 12-year-old Issy Kwei; Ben Kissel; Judy Alvarez; Charles Roppolo; Terri; Don Morse; Jill; J.B.; Ronny; Carol Nel; Jeff Peter; Mark; Ann; Steve.

those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; or chronically ill: Jenna Rossman, granddaughter of Kay and Floyd Haber; Jean Skip-per; Merrill Johnson; Kevin Nooney; Angie Hickman; Carly Rippel; Ed Arnold; Jean Skip-per; John Bowen; Stacey Baker; Elize Visser’s parents; Alan Smith; Jane Stutzman; George Graham; Fred Borrelli.

(Continued on next page.) residence-bound KRC family, George Clowe, and those caring for the elderly, displaced,

disabled, or ill, especially: the Bakers, caring for Nancy’s mother, Vickie Metzger, 98; Nancy Stewart, caring for her ailing father, now in his 90’s.

our college students, as they near the close of the first term of this academic year and pre-pare end-of-term papers and face exams.

Art Gross and wife, Barbara, as Art settles into his new nursing home surroundings.  Pray that Art will transition easily, and for God's comfort and peace for both him and Barbara.

others facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: a young per-son with close ties to our church family who is experiencing serious depression and having difficulty finding purposeful, rewarding direction for moving ahead in life.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision, and for the Christ-cen-

tered 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 safe return home of Elize, Pastor Rudy's wife, after visiting for several weeks with her aging and ailing parents in South Africa; and pray that God will give Elize comfort from the distress of having to part with them and leave them at such a distance.

the safe arrival of Rudy's brother, Anton, his sister, Carina, and her young daughter, Savannah, from South Africa, and for the special blessing of the family being all together again for several weeks.

his "gift" (Amy's word) to Amy Deweerd of being able to visit recently with her brother in Colorado whom she had not seen for twenty years.

Aaron Clause's good response to intravenous medications administered during his recent 7-day hospital stay to fight a serious MRSA infection.  Arron is now home and back to work, and he and his family thank all for your prayers and concerns. 

the good report that Carol, future daughter-in-law of Erika & Merrill Johnson, has recov-ered full health following her recent battle with cancer.

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.

all those of KRC's family and friends who volunteer their time, talent, and energy so gen-erously and so selflessly to the various ministries and programs of our church, and who of-ten do this quietly behind-the-scenes with little notice or recognition.

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.

Birgitta Sherman (2nd), Elizabeth Carroll (4th), Dave Ennis (8th), Merrill Johnson (15th), Ed Arnold (22nd), Mackensie Clinton (22nd),

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

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIESDave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan;

Alight Pregnancy Center, HudsonPerry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Albany

Compassion International, KRC-Sponsored Child, Evelin Chuquinia, 19Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission

The Silvas, RCA missionaries, HungaryBrian and Bea Post, Wycliffe Bible Translators

Seth and Melissa Rogati, missionaries, Young Life Ministry, St. ThomasBetty 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.

STEWARDSHIP WEEKLY UPDATEOur offering last Sunday was $1,990, $1,210 less than

the $3,200 needed weekly to cover KRC’s daily operating expenses. Income to date: $152,837 Expenses to date: $156,708 Shortfall: $3,871

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please know that your giving to the work of the church is not a matter to be decided between you and the church’s financial lead-ership, but between each of us individually and our Lord, to whom all that we pos-sess belongs, and who will inspire and lead us according to the abundance with which he has blessed us. Please also understand that Stewardship Ministry is provid-ing weekly updates on the church’s financial status because they would be remiss in their duties if they did not keep us fully-informed on a regular basis, especially dur-ing times of financial strain. With this in mind, let each of us, as God’s faithful stewards, be ever-mindful of how we can help to maintain a weekly offering sufficient to cover our commitments. Pastor Rudy

EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net

Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY !

Rev. Rudy is available at his church officeTuesday, 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

COMING EVENTS

Today, December 16 3rd Sunday in AdventDeadline for Angel Tree and CCRM Gifts to be returned to the church

9:30 am Worship Service and Youth Sunday School Christmas Program 10:45 am Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker, Gospel of John study by Justin Buzzard, main floor Conference RoomWed , December 19 7:00 pm Bible Study w/Jean Hacker, Book of Romans Please Note: Call Jean at 518-603-2450 for meeting location.Thur, December 20 9:00 am Small Group Bible study - Group continues its study, The Holy Spirit 10:00 am KRC Prayer Group meets 6:30 pm KRC Youth Group meetsSat, December 22 5:30 - 8:30 pm Parents’ Nights Out Sun, December 23 4th Sunday in Advent 9:30 am Worship Service 10:45 am Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker, Gospel of John study by Justin Buzzard, main floor Conference Room 4:00 pm 9th annual celebration of Lessons and Carols at KRCMon, December 24 Christmas Eve 7:00 pm KRC’s Annual Candlelight Worship ServiceSun, December 30 9:30 am Worship Service 10:45 am Adult Sunday School w/Jean Hacker, Gospel of John study by Justin Buzzard, main floor Conference Room

Servers Next Sunday, December 23, 2018Ushers: Jim Baker, Wayne Van Allen

Greeter(s):

Sermon Notes“Rejoice in The Lord Always; Again I Say, Rejoice.”

Philippians 4:4-7