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745 Little Neck Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(757) 340-2840
info@kgpc.org www.kgpc.org
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Is More Always Better?
How much is enough? We crave more. More achievements, more honors, more praise, more money, more security, more once-in-a-lifetime moments (ironically), more joy, more love, more peace, more hope, more positivity. We find ourselves hungry for more of what we believe will bring us more satisfaction. More leads to a better life. Or perhaps less makes a better life. Less wrinkles, less weight, less clutter, less stress. So we run after what the world says we need for our “best life now.” In fact, an entire billion dollar industry has been built around the idea that we can be a self-help project and with the right crème, the right book, the right pill, the right time management system, the right product, the right diet, the right life partner, our lives will be more fulfilled and more complete. Jesus was tempted with more in the desert: more food, more power, more prestige. But what if life was not about gaining more? What if life was about collecting the fragments of our imperfect lives and finding joy, hope, and God in the midst? Welcome to a Lent of affirming a faith in which we are blessed, regardless, and where we can lean into imbracing our imprefect and “good enough” lives. This Sunday’s theme can be summed up in a story.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a little while.” The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.
Perhaps our lives are already good enough. Perhaps we can reject the temptation of more. Perhaps Jesus himself can teach us how to embrace life as it is, in all its imperfections. Perhaps it’s in the ordinariness of life that we find the holy.
Grow Stornger, Shine Brighter, Love Deeper, Transfrom Your World,
Pastor Chris
P.S. Our descriptions and sermon titles for this series will be imprefect…on purpose!
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Good Enough:
Imbracing the Imperfectons of Life and Fiath
2023 Lentin Worship Series
We live in a culture bent on definitions of a good life as continuous upward mobility–climbing ladders of success with increasingly fabulous experiences that we can post to ever-more-likable social media accounts. Perfection is a multi-million dollar industry sold to us in self-help sections, prosperity gospel preachers, pills, products, and infomercials. But life happens, right? Most times we are not moving upward but trying to repair the rung we’ve just slipped from. Welcome to a Lent of affirming a faith in which we are blessed, regardless, and where we can lean into imbracing our imprefect and “good enough” lives.
February 22- Ash Wednesday Prefection is impossible. Transfromation Isn’t. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Jesus used the word “hypocrite” to describe those who put on airs in public to make people believe they were holier-than-thou, that they were…well…perfect. But their hearts were seeking approval, not God. Perfection was a mask they hid behind to live their “best life now.” Sometimes it is life itself that robs us of our dreams for the perfect life we had planned for ourselves. A diagnosis. A broken heart. A lost opportunity. This Lent, rather that trying to better ourselves, we will cease striving for perfection and surrender to transformation. Transformation reshapes us from the inside out, beginning with out hearts.
February 26- The Temptashun of More
Luke 4:1-13
How much is enough? We crave more. More achievements, more honors, more praise, more money, more security, more once-in-a-lifetime moments (ironically), more joy, more love, more peace, more hope, more positivity. We find ourselves hungry for more of what we believe will bring us more satisfaction. The devil lays a bet that Jesus will jump at the chance for glory, fame, and the quick fix. Who wouldn’t? What are the temptations of more that catch you ear, singing out promises that your life should be more than it is? What if our lives are already good enough? What if ordinary life is already enough just as it is?
March 5- The Illusion of Controll
Luke 13:31-35
Even Jesus got frustrated when folks didn’t behave as he would have liked. He acknowledged his own limitations and dashed hopes in a world that doesn’t always go our way. Yet, we somehow have bought into the idea that if we just try hard enough, do the right thing, and are good enough, I’ve will always go our way. We run around in so many directions trying to herd the chicks into so imagined semblance of perfect formation (have you ever tried to herd chicks?). What if we could let go of our need to control our future and everyone else’s? What if we grieved what might have been and what could have been so that we can move forward with what is? What is we dared to peak behind the curtain of the illusion of control?
March 12- The Need to Bee UNproductive
Luke 13:1-9
It’s baked into our DNA: Productivity. The Protestant Work Ethic. Being busy as a bee. It’s lauded by society, encouraged by the Protestant faith, and the key to value and worth. We wear being overscheduled and ultra busy as a badge of honor. After all, we must live up to our full potential! But what if our DNA also needed to be UNproductive? What if, like the gardener, we realized that there are times we need to slowly nurture ourselves, soaking in the manure all around until we can get the good stuff out of it. Lying fallow and getting fertilized with laughter and tears is sometimes exactly what we need in order to produce in the future.
March 19- Failure is Par for the Coarse
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
We are told not to be the prodigal son. But despite our best efforts, good intentions, self-discipline, and spiritual striving, we find ourselves walking in the shoes of the prodigal. We have failed. We can be pretty hard on ourselves when things don’t go as planned. Guilt, shame, and fear can leave us wallowing in the pig pen. Our delusions of a perfect life keep us disappointing ourselves. So we practice our repentance speech and nervously approach our Father hoping for acceptance. To our surprise, our extravagant failure is met with extravagant love and grace. Truth is, life is a big ole risk every sign day and facing whatever each day holds is not only good enough, but worthy of love and grace.
March 26- Shhh…Dont Talk About That
John 12:1-8
It’s the elephant in the room: death. It’s going to happen. To all of us. Yet, when the time comes near for us or a loved one, we often avoid the topic hushing up those who dare to speak the truth about the fragility of life. But Jesus didn’t. He speaks the words no one wanted to admit: he was not always going to be around. Neither will we or those we love. Perhaps speaking about it makes it too real, making us uncomfortable. The indescribably pain we know we will one day face invades our senses to the extent we can no longer avoid or ignore it. What if we stopped denying the limited nature of our lives and breathed in our vulnerable mortality?
April 2- Palm/Passion Sunday Who Are Your Cloke-Throwers?
Luke 19:28-40
Jesus orchestrated a parade into a city where he knew his days were numbered. “Get me a colt,” he directed. A crowd gathered and his friends started some loud chanting of encouragement that ticked off the religious leaders. When life is hard, we all need friends, sometimes big, loud, praying ones that will not be messed with. We are created for interdependence. We are not an island. All our pretending that we are “perfectly fine” on our own just won’t work. Get on the donkey when you need to and let people lay down their cloaks for you and make some noise of encouragement. You know you’ll do it for them when they mount their donkeys.
April 6- Maundy Thursday/Good Friday A Good (Eenuf) Friday
John 18:1-19, 42
Some days or seasons of our lives are just lousy, to say the least. In the 13th century, the Friday commemorating Jesus’ death was called “good” as a way to denote a time of holy observance. What if even on our lousiest days when we die a thousand little deaths, we could experience a holy observance of the reality that this is life? Perhaps the “good news” in the midst of the devastation is that God is buried with us in our deepest pain, wrapping us, holding us, until we an move through that birth canal once again into renewed life.
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Jehovah-Jireh means The Lord Will Provide. He is our grace, our comforter, our provider. Abraham experienced this name when, because of his faith and obedience, the lamb was provided for him as a sacrifice in place of his son Isaac. The upcoming season of Lent reminds us that when we seek “Jireh” he sends the lamb. Our service music over the next few weeks will help us prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus, the lamb that was sent for us by our God, our provider, Jireh. God is faithful to his promises, and to those who believe and trust in the one whose grace is enough…
The music ministry is prayerfully looking forward to sharing our messages of grace with you as we journey through this time of reflection and deep spiritual anticipation.
Musically Yours,
Tonya
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KGPC: | |
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Sunday, February 26 Winter Shelter
8:45 AM– Adult Faith Formation
9:00 AM– MS & HS Faith Formation
10:00 AM- Worship Service & King’s Kids
Monday, February 27 Winter Shelter
9:00 AM- Trinity Preschool
9:30 AM– Quilters
6:30 PM—Session
Tuesday, February 28 Winter Shelter
9:00 AM– Trinity Preschool
5:30 PM– Leadership Mtg.
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Wednesday, March 1 Winter Shelter
7:00 AM- Prayer Breakfast
9:00 AM- Trinity Preschool
9:00 AM—Property Mtg.
4:30 PM– Children’s Music
5:15 PM– Youth Music
5:45 PM– Praise Team Rehearsal
6:00 PM– Lent Dinner & Study
7:30 PM- Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 2
9:00 AM- Trinity Fine Arts Day
7:00 PM– Chancel Bells
Friday, March 3
Saturday, March 4
10:00 AM– Luncheon for Dr. Holland
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Church Office Hours are 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM | |
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Deepening Your Lenten Experience
To encourage you in your Lenten Transformation we are giving you a devotional booklet called Good Enough by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. Please be sure to pick one up on Sunday or any time in the church office. There is a short scripture and a few questions for each day, Monday through Saturday. We hope that you will make reading these daily devotions part of your Lent practice that go along with the worship series. These will also be the basis for our Lenten dinner and discussion gathering on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30. There is also a book that goes with this devotional that will help you in the class if you choose to purchase it. In the spirit of this series, don’t let this booklet be a source of burden or guilt. If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up, just keep going. If one of the readings catches your eye and you get sidetracked, go with it. As we enter into this Lenten season, we remember that perfection is impossible, but transformation isn’t. May God’s spirit be at work in you this Lenten season.
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One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
During Lent, we celebrate that God connects with us through Jesus’ resurrection and connects us with the least of these and that’s what the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is all about.
OGHS is the single largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world through three programs the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), and the Self-Development of People (SDOP) program to carry out essential ministry: restoring streets to live in, sharing bread with the hungry and losing the bonds of injustice. Gifts to this offering are so imperative to help improve the lives of the suffering and the vulnerable.
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Serve will be collecting donations for Beach Bags
Sunday, March 5th through Sunday, March 12th.
Beach Bags are bags of food sent home with selected VBCPS students who are in need of food over the weekends when they do not have access to school meals. The number of students needing food has grown, and so the schools are asking for more donations. Items needed include:
-Individual-sized cereal boxes or oatmeal packets
-8 oz. servings of shelf-stable milk
-Individual-sized meals (ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, macaroni & cheese, etc.)
-Fruit cups or 100% juice boxes
-Snack items (granola bars, raisins, pretzels, etc.)
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Lunch Bunch is back!
Monday, March 13 at noon in the Connection Point.
Bring a lunch and gather around the table as together this small group shares praises, concerns, scripture and study! Contact Julie Seipel for more information.
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BOOK CLUB
Join our discussion on the last Tuesday of the month
at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.
Need a book, contact Julie Seipel for information.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Book club upcoming reads…
March book: Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr. Historic WW2 mystery about a real painting titled “Woman on Fire” Join the discussion on Tuesday, March 28 at 7 pm in the Parlor.
April book: Midnight Library by Matt Haig. What “life story” would you chose for yourself if you could? Discussion on Tuesday, April 25.
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Pick your section early! The soil will be ready by mid-April! | |
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Save the DATE!!
Our annual yard sale will be Saturday, June 10th, so start going through your closets and garages, and attics now!
Donations will be accepted starting June 7th
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Just a friendly reminder...
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
DO NOT
flush paper towels, baby wipes or anything other than toilet paper!
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January Session Highlights
1) A congregational meeting will be held after the 10:00 worship service on 2/12/2023 for the following purposes:
a) to elect nominating committee members from the congregation that will work with session members Karen Pleas and Chris Andersen
b) to approve the pastor's compensation package
c) to hear the annual Clerk of Session report
2) A committee will be formed to plan events surrounding KGPC's 60th anniversary. Volunteers will work with Chris Carrasco, Bruce MacCall, and Pollie Morrison.
3) The Ash Wednesday service will be at 6:00 on 2/22/2023.
4) KGPC will have three Easter Sunday services:
a) 7:00 am (sunrise service)
b) 8:45am (contemporary service)
c) 11:00am (traditional service)
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JANUARY 2023 SESSION SUMMARY
KGPC FINANCIAL REPORT
PERIOD ENDING: January 2023
MONTH OF January
Cash Income-------------$41,136
Cash Expenses --------($45,574)
Surplus(Deficit)----------($4,438)
YEAR-TO-DATE COMPARISON
----------------------------------2023
ACTUAL INCOME:-------$41,136
ACTUAL EXPENSES:---($45,574)
DIFFERENCE:-------- -- -($4,438)
2022
$33,941
($44,386)
($10,445)
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Word Share Prayer is a monthly scripture reading/reflection that Session and the leaders of ministries use to start their meetings. We will include this in the monthly ENews for you to use throughout the month to read and meditate on.
Luke 13:6-9
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
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Sundays at KGPC
8:45 AM: Adult Study- The Gospel of John: Part Two/Parlor
9:00 AM: Middle School & High School Session/HS Rm 104: Discussion & Donuts
10:00 AM—Worship and King's Kids: During Passing of the Peace, children may follow their teachers to and be picked up from:
Pre-school &Elementary School — Room 104
Youth Fellowship
Sunday, February 26th- Youth will be serving dinner for Winter Shelter guests
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MARCH
5- Youth Fellowship
MS: Join us from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will enjoy fellowship time together from 5:30-6:30, and then eat dinner with the high schoolers from 6:30-7:00.
HS: Join us from 6:30PM-8:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will eat dinner with the middle schoolers from 6:30-7:00, and then separate to enjoy fellowship time together from 7-8:00.
12- Youth Fellowship
MS: Join us from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will enjoy fellowship time together from 5:30-6:30, and then eat dinner with the high schoolers from 6:30-7:00.
HS: Join us from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will eat dinner with the middle schoolers from 6:30-7:00, and then separate to enjoy fellowship time together from 7-8:00.
17- St. Patrick’s Day Date Night 5 PM-8 PM
Dust off your babysitting skills as we babysit for parents while they go out! We will be partnering with the Connect Team to make this happen.
19- Third Sunday Small Groups 5:30-7:00 PM
Meet with your small group at your assigned location.
26- Youth Fellowship
MS: Join us from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will enjoy fellowship time together from 5:30-6:30, and then eat dinner with the high schoolers from 6:30-7:00.
HS: Join us from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM for Youth Fellowship. We will eat dinner with the middle schoolers from 6:30-7:00, and then separate to enjoy fellowship time together from 7-8:00.
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Our Women's Circles will be meeting on
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Elizabeth Circle meets at 10:00 AM in the church Parlor. Contact Cindy Hiddemen for more details.
Lydia Circle will meet at 10:00 AM at the home of Claudia Hudgens. Contact Claudia Hudgens for more details.
Eve Circle meets at 7:00 PM in the Parlor. Contact Pam Ponce for more details.
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Sundays, thru March 19, 2023, a study of the Gospel of John will be held at 8:45 AM in the Parlor.
February 26th--Chapter 18-----Amanda Pine
March 5
March 12
March 19
Starting March 26 and April 2 we will offer a class on the epistles of John.
Details coming!!
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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.
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The next seminar with Lilly Bradley
at Lynnhaven Presbytery Church is
Saturday, March 18 at 3 pm.
The Scriptures are Matt 20:1-16 and Luke 15:1-32.
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King's Grant Presbyterian Church
745 Little Neck Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
(757) 340-2840
info@kgpc.org
Office Hours: 8:00 - 2:30 M-F
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8:45 & 9:00 AM - Faith----------- Formation
10:00 AM - Worship
---------- Service
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