Welcome Back! Starting the New Program Year with your KGPC September eNews

745 Little Neck Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 340-2840

Welcome back KGPC, to a new season of refreshment and growth in the name of the Lord! Next week we will start the Handbell groups again, Music Makers for children will begin rehearsals on Sept. 14^th to learn a new song for World Communion Sunday, and on Sept. 13^th and 14th, our choir will have their annual Christmas Cantata Retreat, where they learn what our cantata will be and will start the deep dive into learning the music. I encourage you to start the year with us! Connect with me about joining a music group that serves God with love and allows you to use your musical gifts for His Glory.

In teaching music, and I'm sure other subjects as well, you can sometimes see a new horizon for students climbing up a level of musicianship, and watching that unfold like a butterfly is an amazing and wonderous event. Similarly, there are some things here at church that have been in cocoon for a while and are beginning to burst forth. It is happening in the Faith and Formation area with Kailey's arrival. It is happening in the property area with the discussion of a refreshed parking lot. Session is asking for prayers and discernment regarding a possible welcoming area addition to our building, and I know there are more cocoons in many other areas of the church as well just waiting to discover if and when they are meant to do God's mission here on Little Neck Road and beyond.

The largest cocoon in the music ministry the past two-plus years has been the need for a new piano. What started out as a caterpillar idea spent time in 18 months of research and discernment first from the worship committee, then from a piano subcommittee. This was followed by 6 months more of a campaign, and then like the butterfly that begins to obtain its shape and colors, there were a couple months of quiet calm while this piano underwent technician care. The result is an instrument that will serve our church, our community, and our God with excellence, beauty, and love.

Thanks to the generosity of many church members, visitors, and anonymous donors, we now have a beautiful Steinway Model B piano in the sanctuary. This piano is like new, but was hand-built in 2021 in Astoria, New York, and served as a Concert and Artist piano for the Kennedy Center in DC for three years. It was played in many concerts before being retired from the program this past spring. It has a lovely tone, deep and soulful, and the shiny polish finish is the most protective coating available. It was delivered to KGPC yesterday, and afterward the piano that has served us for approximately 50 years went to the home of its donor descendant, Janet Phelps.

To honor God with this new instrument so faithfully provided for our church, please put the Piano Dedication Concert in your calendars: Sunday November 2^nd at 2:00pm. It will be a special afternoon of music involving many of our KGPC musicians as well as cellist Jeff Phelps. I am SO EXCITED to share the sound and energy of this incredible gift with all of you!

Please see the fun photos of the piano delivery 🎹

~Tonya

Hello KGPC family!

One thing I have felt over the past two weeks at King’s Grant has been the contagious energy, the energy of the Spirit moving in this place, and I am excited for the ways we will be living into and celebrating that energy in two days with Welcome Sunday! We will be kicking off the church program year with several faith formation opportunities. Adult Faith Formation will begin at 8:45 in the parlor where they will be studying the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Youth Donuts and Discussion starts at 9:00 in room 102 for middle school and high school youth to come together and talk about faith and life.

King’s Kids, our children’s faith formation opportunity, occurs during worship with Pre-K children in room 117 and kindergarten through fifth grade in room 104. The children will generally be dropped off at their rooms before worship begins, but THIS SUNDAY THE CHILDREN WILL BEGIN IN WORSHIP where we will be presenting third grade Bibles and blessing the backpacks of students, teachers, and education professionals. We encourage your elementary age children to begin in worship with you. If you have Pre-K children, you may choose to drop them off at room 117 before worship or have them with you in service for the blessing of the backpacks. All the children participating in King’s Kids will leave with their teachers after their backpacks have been blessed. The kindergarten through fifth grade children will be brought back to the sanctuary for communion near the end of the service. Pre-K children can be picked up at room 117 after service concludes. Nursery care is available for children 0 to 36 months from 8:30 to 11:30 in room 120. Following worship, we invite everyone to join us outside for the Welcome Sunday Fellowship Luncheon complete with a bouncy house for the young in age and young at heart.

Gather dinner church worship is from 5:00 to 6:00 in the fellowship hall. Our middle school and high school youth along with their parents are invited to a thirty-minute informational meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the parlor to discuss the hopes, plans, and expectations for youth group this year. The youth will then stay from 6:30 to 7:30 for dinner and fellowship in room 102. All our ministry teams are so excited to be kicking off another program year together, and we can’t wait to welcome you this Sunday!

Grace and Peace,

Kailey Stephens

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KGPC

Sunday, September 7

8:45 AM - Adult Faith Formation

9:00 AM - Youth Donuts and Discussion

10:00 AM – Worship

10:00 AM - King's Kids

11:15 AM - Welcome Sunday Luncheon

5:00 PM - Gather Worship

6:00 PM - Youth and Parent Meeting

6:30 PM - Youth Group with Dinner

Monday, September 8

9:00 AM - Quilters

11:00 AM - Joyful Bells

12:30 PM - Lunch Bunch

7:00 PM - Eve Circle

Tuesday, September 9

10:00 AM - Lydia Circle

Wednesday, September 10

7:00 AM - Prayer Breakfast

5:30 PM - Best LIFE Group

5:45 PM - Praise Team Rehearsal

7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 11

2:00 PM - Caregivers Support

6:00 PM - Connect Meeting

7:00 PM - AA Meeting

7:00 PM - Chancel Bells

7:15 PM - Zoom LIFE Group

Friday, September 12

9:00 AM - Contemplative Prayer Group

Saturday, September 13

2:00 PM - Cantata Retreat

Click HERE for the Full Calendar

Click HERE for September Birthdays

Upcoming Special Events!

Faith Formation Information!

Adult Faith Formation

September 7th, we will begin a study of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. This will be a 16 week study, led by Nelson Hodges. Join us in the parlor at 8:45! All are welcome, and no advance preparation is required.

Elijah was a man you did not want to mess with and in an interesting way is connected to Indiana Jones! Come join us as we discover what all the hoopla was about as this fearless man took on all contenders in around 850 BC.

Sept.7: How did we get here? Luke 9:30

Sept.14: The Unknown Man 1 Kings 17:1-24

Sept. 21: The Super Bowl 1 Kings 18:1-46

Sept. 28: New Quarterbacks 1 Kings 19: 1-21

Youth Faith Formation

Youth Discussion and Donuts will resume September 7th in room 102. Join us at 9:00 am in room 102 for lively, faith-filled discussions... and donuts!

King's Kids K-5

On September 7th, we will begin in the sanctuary with our families, then head to class together. The rest of the month, join us in room 104 at 10:00! Our theme for September is "On the Move: Brave the Unknown with God". We'll be learning about some Old Testament heroes like Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and Ruth, and how God can help us be brave even when things are scary or hard.

King's Kids Pre-K

Class resumes this Sunday, September 7th. PreK Children are welcome to Join us in room 117 at 10:00 or begin in worship with you and exit for their class with the teachers after the Blessing of the Backpacks! All Preschoolers should be picked up from the classroom after worship. Our theme for September is "Construct and Create: God Has Plans for Me". We'll be learning about Adam and Eve, Baby Moses, King Josiah, and Abraham and Sarah. God had plans for them, and God has plans for us too!

Sabbath LIFE Group

The Sabbath LIFE Group will resume September 7th, during the Sunday School hour (8:45 to 9:45 Sunday mornings). We’ll be studying Glenn Clark’s “The Soul’s Sincere Desire.” All are welcome to join!!!

King’s Grant Presbyterian Church Legacy Giving

Leaving a Lasting Gift of Love:

YOU can make a profound impact on future generations by including King’s Grant Presbyterian Church in your estate plans! Through planned giving, you will leave a legacy of love that will help shape the faith of others long after you are gone. Planned giving is established as part of an estate plan created during your lifetime. The actual gifting will happen per the timeline and provisions of fulfilling your estate plan upon your death.

Leaving a bequest for a Legacy Gift will:

~ provide for the long-term mission of the church,

~ ensure funding for new and existing ideas, initiatives and programs

~ help you prayerfully meet personal financial goals while making a meaningful contribution to Jesus’ work in the world through King’s Grant Presbyterian Church, today and in the future

How to Leave a Legacy Gift: Planned giving gifts are established now but will not be realized by King’s Grant Presbyterian Church until the time of the giver’s death.

1) Include your intentions of leaving a legacy gift to KGPC in your will or trust. Planned giving bequests are established now but will not be realized by KGPC until the giver’s death.

2) It is helpful to inform KGPC that you have included the church in your estate plans.

3) Informing KGPC of your intention to leave a legacy gift is a meaningful first step, but it is not enough to make the gift happen and is not binding. To ensure your wishes are honored, your legacy gift must be formally documented in your estate plan, for example in your will trust or beneficiary designations. If your circumstances change, your plans can be updated, within the limitations of your estate plan.

4) An estate attorney or financial planner is not needed to make a bequest to King’s Grant Presbyterian Church, however, KGPC recommends securing one to create your estate plan.

Where will the Legacy Gift go:

King’s Grant Presbyterian Church encourages unrestricted bequests so that your financial gift may be used for the Church’s highest priorities.

If you have a more specific purpose in mind, the Legacy Giving team can provide guidance for you.

Legacy gifts can be structured in many ways. For more information or questions contact a member of the Legacy Giving Team, Pastor Chris Carrasco Jill McNulty, Financial Administrator, Darryl Mitchell, Finance team leader, or Julie Seipel, Generosity team leader.

Click HERE For Legacy Giving Form

Thank you to each of you for the ways you participated in the welcoming of our Associate Pastor Kailey and her family Austin, James and their wonderful dog, Cooper.

Lifting and moving were provided the day of move in. Shelves were filled with donated food items , cleaning supplies and paper products. Meals were delivered, welcome footprints signed and cards collected.

A welcome beach basket was brimming with beach fun stuff and a Spider man balloon to boot! Your loving hands and feet offered food galore, serving punch, cutting cake and the bustle of cleaning following a wonderful reception!

Your APNC is grateful for this body of Christ who serves with love, grace and mercy.

STARTING SEPTEMBER 14TH

AUGUST 2025 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Session gathered for scripture and contemplation reading Philippians 2:1-11. This passage teaches us Christian humility, being in unity and like-minded in Christ, with humbleness and obedience to God. Amen!
We scheduled a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, September 14th after the 10AM worship service for the purpose of calling Kailey Stephens to be our Associate Pastor.
Session approved a motion from the APNC for additional funds in the amount of $2,500 to cover moving and office furniture expenses for our Associate Pastor, Kailey. The money will come from the unspent funds from the AP line item.
The subcommittee of the Finance Ministry, the Legacy Giving Team presented the Legacy Giving Program to Session. This program will provide a lasting and supportive financial gift of love for God’s continued work through our church. You can leave a legacy of love by making a bequest to KGPC in your Will or Trust. This will make a profound impact on future generations by including KGPC in your estate plans. Session voted to approve this program. For more information or questions you can contact a member of the Legacy Giving Team, Julie Seipel or Daryl Mitchell.
The Property Committee brought a motion to Session recommending replacement of the parking lot. Session has requested quotes and the details of our options from Property.
Hopefully, you have had a chance to read over the Weekly Highlights on Friday – especially the first article regarding Session’s discussion about the Hospitality and Discipleship Building changes. This was very informative and gave many of the details outlining where we are in this process about pre-design services. The Session asks for your prayers. We are praying for discernment of God’s Will regarding moving forward to hire a Pre-Design specialist to assess our church’s needs to better utilize our building space. This is a decision that we don’t take lightly! After a 1 ½ hour discussion last Monday night, we decided to continue the discussion and move toward a making decision in the next couple of months. Session members welcome a conversation and opportunity to provide more information about this idea as well as hear any joys or concerns you’d like to express.

10 AM Worship Information

The Power of Words

Words are powerful. They can create and destroy, build up and tear down, unite and divide. They reveal what’s in our hearts and shape who we are, especially the words we say to ourselves. They can have a lasting impact on others for good or evil. The Bible has a lot to say about the words we use, from Proverbs to Jesus to James. Our Fall Worship series will explore how God’s powerful Word, present at the beginning of time, is a model for how we use our words to profoundly shape us and others.

September 7 - The Power of God’s Words (Welcome Sunday/Communion)

Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-5,14

God’s Word carries several meanings. Through God’s word the world was created. Through God’s Word made flesh, we are newly created. In God’s Word we read the history of the relationship between Creator and created as well as how God desires us to live. God’s words bring light and life. The serpent’s words brought death and alienation. Which words are shaping your life?

Reflection Questions: What words do you listen to? To what do you give power to shape who you are? How does God’s Word bring you light and life?

September 14 - The Power of Words to Shape Us Matthew 12:33-37; James 3:2-5a

Our words reveal who we are, direct where we go, and shape who we will be. That’s powerful! Jesus warned us that our words indicate the status of our hearts. Which is why James instructs us that if we bridle our words, like horses, we can direct our hearts. In fact, our words are so important that Jesus says we will be held accountable for them. So what words are you speaking? And how do they reveal your heart, direct your path, and shape your being?

Reflection Questions: Reflect on the words you say to yourself and others. What does it reveal about your heart? How is it shaping you? How might using self-control align your words with God’s Word?

September 21 - Kailey Stephens preaching

September 28 - The Power of Words on Others

Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 5:21-22, James 3:2b-10

Sticks and stones will break my bones but words can never hurt me. Jesus says that’s not true. Words can kill in more ways than one. We are surrounded by hurtful words: judgment, sarcasm, derogatory remarks, gossip, and hatred that is so often spoken in our society. Perhaps thats why James calls the tongue a “restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Sometimes, that same tongue goes to church on Sunday and praises God. What can we do about the evil words all around us? How can we keep our tongues from participating?

Reflection Questions: Think of a time when your words hurt someone else and a time you were hurt with words from another. What was the lasting impact of those words? How would you respond differently in the future? In what ways can you keep evil words from coming out of your mouth?

October 5 - The Positive Power of Words (World Communion Sunday)

Ephesians 4:29; James 1:19-20; Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 16:23-24

God’s Word instructs us that we aren’t just to refrain from evil words, but we are to actively use our words to build other up and give grace. Words of love, encouragement, and grace come out of our mouths when we have listened to God’s Word about ourselves and others, listen more than we speak, and keep our anger in check. Everyday we choose what to say to others and to ourselves. Speak Life!

Reflection Questions: At the end of each day, write down all the positive words you spoke to others as well as the positive words spoken to you. Soon you will be intentionally looking for ways to build others up and speaking life into all you meet!

Gather Dinner Church Worship Information

Jesus’ Parables of Grace, Kingdom, and Judgment

Fall Gather Worship Series

A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The Bible says that in addition to the 50 or so parables recorded, Jesus used many other parables, and he would not speak to the people without using a parable. The parables revolved around one of three central themes: Grace, Kingdom, Judgment. This Fall we will explore several of Jesus’ parables and learn the deeper truths he shared through these stories.

Parables of Grace

September 7 (Communion)-The Friend at Midnight-Luke 11:5-13

September 14-The Good Samaritan-Luke 10:30-37

September 28-The Unjust Steward-Luke 16:1-9

Parables of the Kingdom

October 5 (Communion)-The Mustard Seed and Leaven-Matthew 13:31-33

October 12-The Thistles-Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

October 19-The Treasure and the Pearl-Matthew 13:44-46

Parables of Judgment (with a little grace)

October 28 (Communion)-The King’s Son’s Banquet-Luke 14:15-24

November 2-The Laborers in the Vineyard-Matthew 20:1-16

November 23 (Communion)-Lesson of the Ten Lepers-Luke 17:11-19

THIS WEEK'S MEAL:

Pizza

Salad

Hershey's Chocolate Cake

Vanilla Ice Cream

Click HERE For the Sign Up Genius

BOOK CLUB

The Art Thief By: Michael Finkel

September 30th 7:00pm

As always, ALL are welcome!

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

Upcoming Book Club Books:

October: James by Percival Everett

November: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

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.

KGPC FINANCIAL REPORT

PERIOD ENDING: July 2025

MONTH OF JULY

Cash Income--------- $51,737

Cash Expenses -------($58,167)

Surplus(Deficit)-------($6,430)

YEAR-TO-DATE COMPARISON

ACTUAL INCOME:-------

ACTUAL EXPENSES:--

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

2024

$380,685

($361,756)

$ 18,929

2025

$443,264

($412,788)

$30,476

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

Fall ‘25 “LIFE” Groups

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

Join a LIFE group this Fall!

Prayerfully consider where you might spend “LIFE“ at KGPC!

There is a place for you in this small group experience. And there is always room for more… more members & more groups.

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.

Sunday:

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

Monday:

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

Tuesday:

Porch LIFE, 6:30 p.m., every other Tuesday @ Chuck & Pam Sandford’s home (chuck_sandford@yahoo.com)

Wednesday:

Prayer Breakfast LIFE, 7 a.m. @ church Fellowship Hall, Don Bradway (bradway.don@gmail.com)

Faith Walkers LIFE, 1 p.m., @ church in the Parlor, Sue Mooney (susannemooney@gmail.com)

Best LIFE group, 5:30 p.m., various restaurants, Jenn Baden (jennifer.baden@gmail.com)

Thursday:

Biscuit Bunch LIFE group, 8:30 a.m., 3rd Thursday of the month, @ church, Daryl Mitchell (darylwmitch@gmail.com)

Zoom LIFE Group, 7 p.m., every other week, online, in the comfort of your home, Karen Pleas (pleask.2@verizon.net)

Monthly LIFE groups:

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

Eve Circle will meet on Monday, September 8th at 7:00pm in the Parlor and on zoom. Contact Pam Ponce (pnp.virginia@gmail.com) for information.

Lydia Circle will meet in the Connection Point on Tuesday, September 9th at 10am. For more information, please Contact Claudia Hudgens (claudiakhudgens@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)

We would like to remind everyone that from Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:45 AM and 12:30 PM, the doors by Trinity Preschool are designated for preschool use only.

This measure is in place to ensure the safety and security of our wonderful students. Thank you for being an integral part of our efforts to maintain a secure and supportive atmosphere for all.

Session Members

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

Class of 2026