[email protected] www.kgpc.org

As my last Sunday, August 14^th, was planned, Worship Ministry asked me to offer a full service of music. What a way to go…. It has been a pleasure to build this service named “When in Our Music God is Glorified”. You will hear the wonderful sounds of our Sanctuary Choir, Music Team, King’s Bells, Chancel Bells, Youth Bells, Piano, Organ, Brass, Strings, and of course, our Men’s Chorus.

with us live.

Other than Jesus, David is written about more than anyone else in scripture. He is hailed as the greatest king of Israel, yet he was a paradox. He was a man after God’s own heart, yet he made destructive choices, abused his power, and caused brokenness in the lives of others. In his story, we learn about friendship and betrayal, temptation and grace, sin and redemption, cowardice and courage, arrogance and humility. Ultimately he sought to follow God and was redeemed by truth and forgiveness. This summer we will look at the highlights and lowlights of David’s life and learn what it means to be a flawed human being after God’s own heart.

July 31---Walking by Faith - Rev. Martha Mitchell, Preaching

---------Martha Mitchell is an ordained Presbyterian minister who has served small churches for 20 years. Most recently she was the pastor of Simonsdale Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, VA for 14 years. She is finishing a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Old Dominion University by completing her internship at Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services in Norfolk. As an advocate for mental health care and a believer in the resurrection power of The Word, Martha feels a new mission to help the Church shine bright as a beacon of hope, a safe place for spiritual healing, and a refuge for acceptance in the community.

---------Martha is married to Clint Mitchell, pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, where they live with their three children: William, Grace, and Clara. She could wax poetic about them forever, but because they’ve grown up as double pastor’s kids, this is all they prefer she publicly says about them. 

August 7---David’s Last Words: David and His Legacy 

------------I Kings 2; I Chronicles 29

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145

        

David is hailed as the greatest king of Israel, a man after God’s own heart, yet he made destructive choices, abused his power, and caused brokenness in the lives of others. In his last days, he was careful to leave behind a structure and people to continue on without him. To share his wisdom and values with those who would follow. To live out the rest of his days as faithfully as he could. His ancestry would produce a new kind of King, the One known as the Messiah. What legacy does David leave behind? What will our legacy be?

August 14--"When in Our Music God is Glorified"- A Worship Celebration of ----Janet's 41 years of music ministry at KGPC

August 21--Pastor, Dan Duquette----------------------------------------------------Gen 12:1-3, and Romans 12:1-2

This Sunday will feature our new interim Music Minister Mary Letson and participation from a guest Praise Leader Cameron Manuel. This will be our first Sunday without our former Music Minister and Chris Carasco will also be out of town. Pastor Dan Duquette's sermon on how we are called to be transformed to God's will includes testimony from one of our members.

August 28---Youth Conference Sunday

Join us for this special Sunday where the youth will share where they have encountered God this summer at Massanetta Middle School Conference and Montreat High School Conference.

The flowers this week are dedicated to the glory of God

July 31: 

------Leader: Pat Bowling

Session has unanimously approved hiring Mary Letson as our Interim Director of Music Ministries beginning August 15, 2022. Mary brings with her a wealth of musical knowledge, experience, and energy to this transitional role as she bridges the gap between Janet’s departure and the arrival of our new director. Mary is willing to fill this gap as long as needed and will be working on a Lessons and Carols program for December.

Mary began her church musician career in Dallas, Texas (yes, she knows Mary McDonald!) at the age of 10 playing for her home church and has continued her church organist, pianist, and choral director position ever since. She has held both long-term positions as well as substitute placements for Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Assemblies of God, and other denominations. Her career includes being a Concert Pianist, Organist, Choral and Instrumental Arranger, Orchestra Director, Adjunct Professor of Piano and Voice, and Collaborative Keyboardist.

Most recently she served 12 years as the Director of Music Ministry at Community United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. During her time there she directed numerous adult, youth, and children’s choirs, adult and children bell choirs, worked with the praise team and is well versed in contemporary music, prepared seasonal cantatas with additional professional orchestra, and accompanied the worship service on both piano and organ.

Mary has often played in local professional groups like Symphonicity and Tidewater Winds. In addition, she has taught music theory and composition, music technology usage, and vocal and choral technique at the college, high school, and middle school levels. She currently is the Director of Choral and Guitar Ensembles at Indian River High School while working on her Doctorate in School Administration to be completed in May 2023.

Mary and her husband, who is retired from the military, reside in Chesapeake. While she will work remotely during the day, Mary will be accessible during the week and physically present in the evenings and over the weekends to lead rehearsals and worship. She has a heart for God and is excited to be part of the KGPC music ministry.

A huge thank you to the Interim Search Team of Joe Simmons, Emily Balke, Anne Deary, Deb Sharpe, and Susan Kerr who met weekly to find a suitable candidate. I am so excited for you all to meet Mary and to know we will be in such capable hands in this transitional time. God knew exactly what we needed and sent Mary to us. Let’s give her a huge KGPC welcome!

Keep Growing, Shining, and Loving,

There will be a Sound Board In-Service after church on Aug 7th. We will meet on the back row of the Sanctuary. Please sign up on the Connect Card.

*Thursday, Aug. 11th at 7:00 PM with Chancel--------------------------- Bells & Drummers

Please sign up on the Connect Card or contact Janet Phelps, 757-580-5899.

Hello Church Family,

We are seeking volunteers to help prepare food for our next JCOC dinner, on Thursday, August 18. We will be serving 80 dinners to hungry people in need of a good meal that day.

We give thanks to Laura and Rodney White for leading this meal. They have assembled a great team of 8 people ready to package and serve on August 18.

 Food Items needed – deliver to Fellowship Hall August 18 on or before 3 PM

o  Cold pasta salad with chicken & veggies: 8 volunteers for 10 servings each

o  80 blueberry muffins: 4 volunteers to bring 20 each

o  80 Peanut Butter cracker sleeves: 1 volunteer

o  80 Bottles of water: 1 volunteer

Watermelon and cookies have already been committed by KGPC donors for this dinner.

If you want to contribute any of the food items needed, please email or phone Laura White, 804-928-6624.

Thanks to our congregation for your support!

Blessings,

The Serve Ministry

If you need more information, contact Julie Seipel.

-----------Contact-Claudia Hudgens

-----------Contact-Cindy Hiddemen

-----------Contact-Pam Ponce

Elizabeth and Eve Circles will be using the Presbyterian Women's study entitled Celebrating Sabbath, Accepting God's Gift of Rest and Delight.

Lydia Circle will be studying Paul's Letter to the Colossians.

They have organized youth retreats and other events that brought together youth throughout our Presbytery. They found speakers that connected with the kids. They provided break-out groups to discuss issues facing our 21^st century kids as well as their chaperones. Students have grown in their Christian faith and grown closer to God and to one another. Our youth have been accepted for who they are and where they are on their respective faith journeys.

Amanda is also a Synod Commissioner and will attend the 250^th Synod Assembly held September 11-13, 2022 at Massanetta Springs Camps and Conference Center, Harrisonburg Va.  

As many of you may know, there have been discussions for years regarding the occurrence of one or two worship services here at KGPC. After much discussion and prayer, the Worship Ministry made a recommendation to the Session, which was approved at their July 18th meeting this week, that we continue with only one worship service in the fall. Several of the reasons for this recommendation included:

· Many changes will be occurring this new church year including a new structure for Faith Formation classes, a new Director of Music Ministries (who may initially be challenged with the workload of preparing for and leading music for two services), and a Session priority for enhanced hospitality.

· Declining attendance at the early service; empty pews and an empty parking lot can give the impression to visitors that we are not a vibrant church.

· The additional workload for volunteers (ushers, communion servers, tech team, and Message for Young Disciples leaders) to facilitate a service with such low attendance.

· The most compelling reason is the fact that as everyone worships together there is greater opportunity for enhanced spiritual vitality as well as for Hospitality and Fellowship before or after one service.

We plan to continue with a "blended service" in the fall that includes both traditional and contemporary music. In addition, the Worship Ministry will reassess the possibility of returning to two services within a year. There is also a group convening with members of the Worship, Care, Connect and Grow ministries to develop a new format for Sunday mornings that will recommend the time for our worship service, as well as Faith Formation class schedules and hospitality activities.

In July, more than 100 KGPC Vacation Bible School participants and volunteers engaged in Compassion in Action thanks to your generous giving! VBS is one of the many programs at our church that is empowered by the financial gifts of our community of faith. The participants responded to what they learned by giving generously to the SPCA and Operation Smile. We filled 6 boxes and bags with pet supplies and collected enough money to help at least 3 children have surgery to repair clef palates. Thanks to your financial support, loving kindness was not just learned by put into action, changing lives by making disciples of Jesus Christ!

Watch for your midyear giving statements to arrive in your email very soon! If you have any questions or do not receive a statement, please contact financial administrator, Jill McNulty.

Giving makes a difference in God’s world!

Thank you for making giving to God through KGPC a priority in your life!

Search Committee Report for Director of Music Ministry

The KGPC Search Committee team has conducted zoom interviews with several potential candidates to date and we are beginning the process of call-back in-person interviews. The committee has also decided to expand our job posting to gain more exposure with an additional online job recruiter site. Your continued prayers are appreciated and remember to spread the word that we are hiring.

The search has begun for a new Director of Music Ministry. Often, utilizing personal contacts can lead to the best candidate. If you know of someone who might be interested in this position, please take a moment to forward them this LINK.

Also, please share this LINK with friends or family that attend other churches and ask them to share it with leaders in those churches. They may know of an interested individual.

Word Share Prayer is a monthly scripture reading/reflection that Session and the leaders of ministries use to start their meetings. We will be including this in the monthly ENews for you to use throughout the month to read and meditate on.

REFLECT: What captured your attention or imagination? 

----------------What might God be up to in this passage for us today?