Join Us for Our Exciting June Events!

745 Little Neck Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 340-2840

info@kgpc.org kgpc.org

Grads, Dads, a Yard Sale, and Next Church Year!

What does the month of June hold? High School graduates will be walking across the stage and into the next stage of their lives. Oh, the joyful heartache us parents experience in these significant times of transition! Dads are celebrated this month and many of them will be leading our worship service this Sunday. The Men’s Chorus takes center stage on June 1 as they sing our anthem and offertory. Thanks in advance to those men who are part of this annual tradition. Happy Father’s Day to all dads and father-like figures. Another June tradition is our Yard Sale. Next week starting Wednesday, drop by your unwanted treasures for volunteers to get ready for the big sale next Saturday. We always need folks to sort on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as strong backs to help Saturday early morning to move the items out on the lawn and those willing to stay afterward to help clean up. Not to mention, come shop and donate to some really great charities!

June is also the time we wrap up the church year, assess how each ministry and the church as a whole are doing, and look toward next year with excitement at what God has in store for us. Our ministry teams have conducted their self-assessments and set out their priorities for next year. Session has done the same, not only outlining priorities but also how they might be intentionally fulfilled. Pray for the Leadership Summit tomorrow as we all meet together to share our collective priorities, to discern God’s will, and to move forward together this year.

Moving forward will mean discerning our Affordable Housing Initiative with a team who is still meeting and finding a way to meaningfully and effectively address a portion of the housing issues in our city.

Moving forward will mean finding a process that honors all voices and seeks everyone’s input as we discuss potential changes to our building for the sake of mission and ministry

Moving forward will mean living into the first summer of Gather Dinner Church on Sunday evenings and sharing the many stories of lives transformed by this unique worship experience.

Moving forward will mean hearing updates (like the one below) and eventually a final report from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee as they continue to search diligently and prayerfully for our future Associate Pastor.

For anyone working on these important initiatives, it will be anything but a quiet summer. Yet, God’s work continues through this church and the next 12 months will be crucial for the incredible ministry and future God has for us.

In the meantime, abide nearer, grow stronger, shine brighter, love deeper, and go transform your world,

Pastor Chris

Dear Brothers and Sisters of KGPC,

Last July Session and the congregation created the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). The APNC, working with Session, has developed an Associate Pastor position for Family and Community Ministry. The position description was vetted with congregational ministries and congregants at several well-advertised listening sessions. The position description, adjusted based on the input, was approved by both session and the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia (PEVA) Committee on Ministry.

The APNC continues to receive, review, vet, and interview potential candidates. This process is required to occur with the utmost confidentiality. When a candidate is selected and accepts the call or offer, they must be approved by the PEVA Committee on Ministry, and finally by the congregation via a vote at a congregational meeting. The APNC continues to meet weekly while following the detailed process prescribed by PEVA. Our journey and prayer in seeking HIS candidate is that the Holy Spirit continues to lead us and guide us in this journey.

Please do continue to pray for your APNC and the Spirit to show us the way!

Blessings,

Brian Miller, APNC Chairperson

Hello KGPC,

1st Corinthians 14:15 says "What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also." (NRSV)

Hearing God's word through music is a strong way in which people can remember the scriptures. Bible stories through song can reach people sometimes who do not remember spoken word or reading as easily. In her sermon last week, Chris mentioned using our minds as Christians, and in preparing music for the day, I shared with her and now you, that I struggled to find songs that discuss actually using our minds to praise God. What an interesting discovery.

I found myself questioning (using my mind) to wonder why. There are several assumptions one could make, however, the more productive thing to do would be to change the narrative and have something new written....we shall see. I also wonder how many of you resonated with the phrase "Presbyterians don't check our minds at the door." There is one song in our Glory to God Hymnal,#62, only one verse long, and it reads: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love the Lord your God with all your soul. Love the Lord your God with all your mind. Love the Lord your God with all that you are." It is short and sweet, but let us meditate on it this month along with 1st Corinthians 14:15 praying and singing to the Lord with our hearts, souls, and minds.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KGPC

Sunday, June 1

8:45 AM - Adult Faith Formation

9:00 AM - Discussion and Donuts

10:00 AM - King's Kids

10:00 AM – Worship

11:15 AM - Music Makers

5:00 PM - Gather Worship

Monday, June 2

11:00 AM - Joyful Bells

12:30 PM - Quilters

7:00 PM - Eve Circle

Tuesday, June 3

6:30 PM - Grow Meeting

Wednesday, June 4

7:00 AM - Prayer Breakfast

4:00 PM - Donations Open for the Yard Sale (Until 7 PM)

5:30 PM - Best LIFE Group

6:45 PM - Praise Team Rehearsal

7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, June 5

10:00 AM - Donations Open for the Yard Sale (Until 7 PM)

7:00 PM - Chancel Bells Rehearsal

7:00 PM - AA Meeting

7:15 PM - Zoom LIFE Group

Friday, June 6

9:00 AM - Contemplative Prayer

10:00 AM - Donations Open for the Yard Sale (Until 7 PM)

7:00 PM - AA Meeting

Saturday, June 7

7:00 AM- Yard Sale

Click HERE for the Full Calendar

Click HERE for June Birthdays

Upcoming Special Events!

June is the LAST MONTH of the Piano Campaign! As of May 25th, we have received $72,670.00 in donations toward a new instrument. If you plan to contribute toward this music ministry instrument, the time is upon us. The campaign will close on June 30th, and we will be keeping our prayers going and our eyes and ears open for the right piano for KGPC🎹

Click HERE for the Piano Campaign Frequently Asked Questions

Youth Group

The school year is winding down and summer is in full swing for our youth group! We are so excited for our summer conferences at Massanetta Springs, Montreat, and Triennium.

We have one last fundraiser planned prior to our summer adventures. Come out and treat all the dads (or yourself) to a Father’s Day Car Wash from 9-11:30 AM while you are in church on Sunday, June 15. All donations will support our summer conference expenses.

We have two youth who will be serving as High School Advocates for the Massanetta Springs Middle School Conferences in June. Please keep Elisabeth Writtenberry and Alex Carrasco in your prayers as they connect with middlers by leading encounter groups, recreation, and worship. Our own middlers will be traveling to the conference from June 24-27.

As we transition to our summer schedule, we will still have Donuts & Discussion each Sunday at 9:00 AM in June and July. We will not have weekly evening youth fellowship in the summer, but we will be having Summer Socials . Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 29 from 1:00-3:00 (following the Patriotic Picnic) for a pool party at Gwen Bushnell’s house. Please bring a snack to share with the group and come prepared to have fun.

We are looking forward to a great summer!

Peace and blessings,

Hollie

Are you willing to donate donuts for Sunday morning youth faith formation? Sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48AEA722ABFDC34-54184181-donuts

Are you willing to serve as a second adult at youth events? Sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48ADAA22A7FCC52-54982023-youth

Click HERE to Register

VBS Volunteer Training Sessions:

Sunday, June 22nd at 11:15 in the Connection Point and Sunday, July 6th at 11:15 in the Fellowship Hall.

Contact Gwen Bushnell for More Information!

THANK YOU SO MUCH

We got enough donations to fully fund the Sorghum Growing Project!

Thank you for all your love and generousity!

10 AM Worship Information

God’s Restoration Projects:

You, Your Faith, Your Church

Restoration is returning an object to its original condition. To the untrained eye it might look like a piece of junk, ready to be trashed, destroyed, or torn down. But to a skilled restorer, it’s a treasure, a project. Whether it’s a house, car, antique, or painting, restoration takes a lot of work, dedication, passion, money, time, and skill. In a similar way, God is in the restoration business. God takes our worn out and worn down lives, faith, and churches and through the Holy Spirit brings them back to their original condition. While the world sees a dilapidated, rusted out, good for nothing piece of junk, God sees beyond what we are to what we could be. This Easter season come to be restored and renewed by the Divine Restorer.

June 1--God Restores Your Love--Romans 13:9, I John 4:7-12, 18-21

According to recent polls, Christians are no longer known for their love. Christianity has become entangled with prosperity, politics, and prejudice. Yet we follow Jesus Christ who gave us the two greatest commandments to love and worship a God whose very definition IS love. Christians are in need of a love restoration. Although love can feel overwhelming and naive in a world full of division, hurt, and hate, it is at the heart of the Christian life. How would we live differently if our love for one another was restored to its original condition?

Reflection Questions: How might you counteract the prevailing perception of Christianity with love? Reflect on your words, your actions, your Social Media posts, and your lifestyle and ask God if there is room for you to express more love toward all people and how.

June 8--God Restores Your Church--Acts 2:1-4, 36-47

Church may be the creation of God through Jesus Christ, but it is also a human institution. Churches get caught up in bureaucracy, in disagreements, and in power struggles. What would it look like for the church to be restored to its original condition? Pentecost gives us a clear picture of the existence of the church in its original condition. Through the Holy Spirit and our openness, KGPC can experience restoration today.

Reflection Questions: What do you believe needs to be restored at KGPC? How might God use you to be part of our church restoration?

Gather Dinner Church Worship Information

THIS WEEK'S MEAL:

Crisp and Juicy Caesar Chicken

Rice Pilaf

Fresh Salad Greens

Gather Dinner Church Easter Series

GO!

Jesus is risen! Now what? GO! But where? What shall we say? What is our mission? In this Easter season we will study the resurrection stories and the consistent theme that we are a sent people. We are commissioned to GO. The church is always being sent out into the community, into the city, into the world. But why? And for what? What do we do or say once we are in the community? Each passage adds another piece to the overall picture of what it means to GO as a sent people out into the world.

June 1--Can I Get a Witness?--Acts 1:6-11

In this Ascension text, Jesus leaves the dozens of disciples with a mission, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” What does it mean to be a witness? Where are we sent today?

June 8--Ready or Not, Here I Come--Acts 2:1-18 (Pentecost)

Just like in the game hide and seek, the Spirit comes and finds us wherever we are hiding to transform us into more faithful disciples for Christ. The purpose of Pentecost and the sending of the Holy Spirit, is to empower us to share Jesus with the world. The Spirit does not solve all our problems, but gives us a new one. “We have a story to tell and we can’t help but tell it.” So, ready or not, here comes the Spirit…and it will change everything. Do you WANT to be changed by the Holy Spirit? What is your response to “the problem of Pentecost”?

BOOK CLUB

Once Upon a River

By: Diane Setterfield

*Wednesday* June 25th

7:00pm

As always, ALL are welcome!

For more info contact Julie Seipel at jseipel57@gmail.com

Our Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of the month

at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor.

Need a book, contact Julie Seipel for information.

MAY 2025 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

1. Session gathered for scripture and contemplation, asking God for a “word.” We closed sharing prayer joys and concerns and praying.

2. Pam Sandford was elected to be the next clerk of Session. Her term will begin July 1, 2025.

3. Session approved Personnel’s revised Employee Handbook which aligned it with our current practices and put time frames on sick, medical, and bereavement leave.

4. Newly elected elders were examined as they each shared their faith journeys. Session approved the examination of all of them:

Class of 2028: Al Mayo, Bob LaRose, Lizzie Chidester, Brian Miller

Class of 2027: Wayne Shank

Youth Delegates: Alexander Long, Michael Long and Elisabeth Writtenberry

The Ordination and Installation service will be June 22, 2025.

5. Session Priority #2 "Because we believe we need to shift the church in a healthy way to more effectively share the Good News of the Gospel and welcome more people looking for a sense of belonging in a new spiritual home (Matthew 28:16-20), we will…

-Grow in our ability to communicate our “Why” in a powerful and ongoing way
-Grow as a church in our comfort level with fear, discomfort, change
-Embrace a growth mindset
-Grow in our faith and trust in God"

We divided into groups and looked over this priority and came up with lists of actions.

Creates bullet points for each major decision and communicate it
Have “Minute for Session” during worship asking for prayers, discernment, information regarding past, ongoing, or upcoming decisions
Following up with those who have expressed concerns to give them an opportunity to be heard and also engage in a dialogue about other perspectives from Session’s big picture viewpoint.
Clearly articulate in one sentence why we are making these efforts to implement these priorities.

KGPC FINANCIAL REPORT

PERIOD ENDING: April 2025

MONTH OF April

Cash Income--------- $31,195

Cash Expenses -------($48,118)

Surplus(Deficit)------- ($16,923)

YEAR-TO-DATE COMPARISON

ACTUAL INCOME:-------

ACTUAL EXPENSES:--

DIFFERENCE:----------- -

2024

$219,625

($209,317)

$10,308

2025

$212,820

($185,989)

$26,831

Click HERE for Financial Summary

Grow In Your Faith!

Our Livestream is available Sundays on YouTube and also on Facebook! Use the links below. The links will also be in the Sunday Morning Worship email.

Click HERE for our 10:00 AM Worship Service

Click HERE for this week's Worship Guide

Faith Formation Information!

King's Kids (Children's Faith Formation)

King's Kids meets Sunday at 10:00. Kindergarten through grade 5 meet in room 104 and preschool meets in room 117. Please register your children on our website or at the classroom.

We also offer King's Kids at 5:00 pm on Sundays during the Gather Service. Children will eat with their teachers and friends and then go to room 104 for a Bible story and activities.

Click HERE to Register online

Adult Faith Formation 8:45-9:45am - Parlor (Room 115)

Righ now, we are doing a study of the book of Luke, led by Nelson Hodges. Join us in the Parlor (room 115). No preparation is required, and bibles are provided. All are welcome!

If you would like to join us on Zoom, Please use the link below:

Click HERE for Adult Faith Formation Zoom

Youth Faith Formation

Middle and high school students meet for "Discussion and Donuts" at 9:00 in room 104.

Our youth enjoy donuts on Sunday mornings while we engage in thoughtful spiritual discussions and activities. Would you be willing to donate donuts for faith formation occasionally? Please use the following link to sign-up!

Click Here

Willing to help be an extra adult for Youth Group Events? Please sign up using this link!

Spring ‘24 “LIFE” Groups

(“LIFE” L=Love God, I=Impact Others, F=Find time together, E=Engage authentically)

Prayerfully consider where you might spend “LIFE“ at KGPC by joining a LIFE group! There is a place for you in this small group experience of Loving God, Impacting others, Finding time together & Engaging authentically by studying, praying and sharing in the LIFE that fits your needs. There’s always room for more LIFE groups at KGPC if you are feeling called to create and lead a small group!

For more information, contact Julie Seipel (jseipel57@gmail.com). Please contact the LIFE facilitator for details on the LIFE group you would like to be a part of.

Spring 2024 LIFE groups: (day, time, place, point of contact)

Sunday:

Sabbath LIFE, begins 9/22, 8:45-9:45 a.m. @ church, Suzy Farley (suzyfarley@yahoo.com)

Monday:

Lunch Bunch LIFE, begins 9/9, 12:30-2pm @ church Connection Point, bring a lunch, Julie Seipel (jseipel57@gmail.com)

Wednesday:

Bible Breakfast LIFE, 9/4, 7 a.m. @ church Fellowship Hall, Don Bradway (bradway.don@gmail.com)

Best LIFE group, begins 9/4, 5:30 p.m., various restaurants, Jenn Baden

Thursday:

Biscuit Bunch LIFE group, begins 9/19, 8:30 a.m., 3rd Thursday of the month, @ the Hardee’s by Home Depot, Daryl Mitchell (darylwmitch@gmail.com)

Zoom LIFE Group, begins 9/12, 7 p.m., every week, online, in the comfort of your home, Karen Pleas (pleask.5@gmail.com)

Monthly LIFE groups:

Lydia Circle for Women 10 a.m. @ members homes, Claudia Hudgens (claudiakhudgens@gmail.com)

Eve Circle for Women, 7 p.m., @ church Pam Ponce (pnp.virginia@gmail.com)

Book Club, 7 p.m., last Tuesday of each month @ church, Julie Seipel(jseipel57@gmail.com)

Home Communion

Are you unable to make it to worship on a regular basis? Would you like to still participate in the sacrament of Communion? Every Communion Sunday, we have several elders willing to bring Communion to you in your home.

If you would like to receive home Communion, please notify Miriam Callahan or the Church Office. (757-340-2840)

Session Members

The Members of Session are always open to have conversations about what is happening in the church. Let's Talk!

Class of 2025