STAFF GREETINGS

REVEREND BILL HARMON, PASTOR

Genie in the Bottle 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 13

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find a genie in a bottle? My guess is that some of us would like to think that we would seek the greater things for our world. We might ask that genie for an end to war, hunger, and sickness. Although that is a lovely thought, I wonder how true it really is.

My guess is that many other people might take the opportunity to ask for other things. Most people might be inclined to “request” money, happiness, or the ability to do whatever they wanted. Perhaps we could get that fancy car or go on that dream vacation. Whatever the case, we would live each day not worrying about too much.

Don’t we have a Christian version of a genie in a bottle? The Bible does say we can do all things through him doesn’t it? It seems that whenever this passage is quoted by many Christians (and even non-Christians) they automatically take a genie in the bottle mentality to it. Because Jesus is God in the flesh and because He says I can do all things through Him well then….presto….I must be able to do whatever I want.

Because of Jesus my life should be care free. Because of Jesus I should be rich. Because of Jesus I should never suffer. Because of Jesus I should be exempt from consequences and the list goes on. That is not quite how it works. When we read this passage and others like it, it should definitely fill us with confidence and hope. We certainly can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as long as we remember that all things are defined by Christ not by you.

As we read the verses before this famous one we hear Paul say, “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Whether well fed or hungry. Whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens.” Paul’s contentment is not found in wishes from a genie. His hope is not grounded in millions of dollars. His future is not reliant on reason or any special human knowledge. He can do all things through Christ because he HAS Christ.

He is living each day in the joy of knowing that there is a God who loves him despite the circumstance of the world around Him. He lives each day with the power of knowing that God has chosen to love him in such a special way that He was willing to give of Himself so that Paul and all people would have an eternal future. He lives each day renewed with the confidence that although life changes, his God and his Lord does not. Therefore, come what may, he can do all things though Christ.

These same promises proclaimed by Paul are for you. Life will have its challenges. There will be days of joy and days of struggles, times of rejoicing and times of sadness; that is simply how life is. Yet you live each day with the promise that come what may you can do all things because it is Christ who strengthens you and He lives in you now and forever.

We pray: Almighty God, we praise you and thank you for your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Enable us to live each day with the confidence that regardless of what the day will bring we can make it through, we can endure, we can do all things because you live in us and strengthen us. We praise you for that wonderful gift of love. Amen.

RUTH McREYNOLDS, PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5+6

This has been a very busy summer for King of Glory Preschool. We served 149 children and their families through our 7-week Summer Day Camp program. It was a wonderful blessing to watch the children explore all kinds of fun things like the Outer Space and Outrageous Art. It was also a blessing to be able to share a different Bible story with the children each day watching them grow in their faith and knowledge of the Lord.

We are now gearing up for the 2008-09 school year. Currently we have 185 children enrolled. The entire staff has been very busy these last few days getting ready for the start of school on September 4th and 5th. We have openings in several 4-year old classes. If you know of a family with a 4-year old that is looking for a preschool please send them our way.

Our Preschool Staff now numbers 26 including myself. This year we have 2 new staff members. They are Mary Ann Berr who joins us as a Lunch Bunch Aid and Wendy Moog who is back with us now as our Kindergarten teacher. Returning to our staff are Judy Olver in Pre-Kindergarten; Betsy Darling, Susan Dimitrov, Tammy Foster, Mary Beth Hughes as 4 year old teachers; Suzanne Blanding, Carol Ward, Michelle Clauberg, Linda Johnson as 3 year old teachers; Lorie Gomez in Terrific Twos; Anna Cromis, Robin Doggett, Laura Leigh Jones, Jane Oren, Kim Riley, Andrea Ross, Kim Long, Sandra Mahle, Jenny Olsen, and Kathy McNelly as assistants; Gabi Watson as Lunch Bunch assistant and Office assistant; Christy King as music teacher and Dolores Zoller as Administrative assistant.

We will be consecrating this awesome 2008-09 staff during the 11AM service on Sunday, September 14th.

Please keep our Preschool families in prayer as they send their children to our classes. For many this is their first school experience. Pray for smooth transitions and happy hearts that are open to the love of the Lord and the love of learning. Please also keep each member of the KOGPK staff in prayer as we seek to daily put our trust in our loving Lord letting Him guide and direct our lives, our homes, our classrooms and our school.

Blessings,
Ruth McReynolds
Preschool Director

LARRY McREYNOLDS, DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH

NEW KENT MISSION UPDATE…
Things are normally quiet on summer evenings at the New Kent Forestry Center in Providence Forge. Located about 20 miles away from our King of Glory campus, the Forestry Center is surrounded by tall stalks of corn, trees and wide-open fields…and the evenings are usually devoid of activity.

But, not during the week of August 11th through 15th!

Those evenings were filled with LOTS of activity and joy-filled noise…families gathering with new friends to share delicious meals…children from West Point, Barhamsville, Stonehouse, Providence Forge, Quinton and Williamsburg joining their voices in song to praise Jesus….adults joining together in sharing scripture and its impact on their daily life… “Power Lab VBS” team members sharing the miracle of Jesus’ love for us through Bible stories, arts and crafts, fun scientific demonstrations and games! Even “Professor Bubbles” from our King of Glory VBS showed up for a visit – as a guest of “Spike” our puppet mascot – much to the delight of all present!

It was an outstanding week for ALL who were part of this first public ministry outreach of King of Glory into the New Kent community! Many thanks to the people of the New Kent Mission Team as well as many volunteers from King of Glory who gave of their time and talent to serve the children and families the Lord sent our way.

All in all, twenty-six children were registered; together with their families as well as our VBS Team, about 50-60 people gathered for meals prior to each session. It was a wonderful time of fellowship for the kids…and the adults!

We pray that the Lord will bless the children and families who were part of our New Kent Mission VBS – that the Good News of Jesus will continue to take root in their lives each day!

OTHER NEW KENT NEWS…

• Beginning Friday, September 5th, the New Kent Men’s Bible Study will meet weekly at Luca’s Restaurant on Route 60 in Providence Forge at 7AM
• The New Kent Mission Team will gather on the first and third Sunday evenings at 7PM at the Lysek’s home.
• The New Kent Mission Team will have a table at the New Kent County Fair on September 13th – keep this event in prayer as we have the opportunity to connect with the New Kent community. 

In Praise to Jesus,
Larry McReynolds
New Kent Mission Staff Leader

 

JULIA MALENKE, DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly.” Colossians 3:16

Sunday School and regular church attendance were not a part of my childhood before the age of ten when I moved with my parents and two twin sisters next door to an outgoing family with two lively teenage daughters. My younger sisters and I idolized these fun loving girls who graciously shared their treasured paper doll collections and kindly towed us along to the Saturday movies. They had a spirit and a joy that drew us to them like little moths to brightly lit candles. But it was actually their father who reached out in a way that God used to change the course of our lives. He invited, then cajoled, and finally pretty much pestered my parents on the subject of the need to “get those little girls to Sunday School.” His words must have been given wings through the power of the Holy Spirit because my parents reversed years’ long habits and decided one Sunday morning to pile us all into the blue station wagon and check out the local Lutheran Church recommended by our persistent neighbor. Being somewhat shy little girls, my sisters and I rode to church that morning with wide eyes and churning tummies. But our curiosity and love of adventure took over as we entered the unfamiliar surroundings and were warmly greeted by smiling adults. We loved everything about Sunday School…meeting children our own ages, hearing stories of remarkable Bible heroes, learning about the power of prayer and experiencing the love of Jesus through the devotion of our teachers. That first Sunday morning planted the seeds in each of our hearts that grew into a lifelong passion for studying God’s Word and growing in relationship with our loving Savior.

I am eternally thankful for the boldness of my childhood neighbor and for the response of my parents. Today I am equally thankful for all of the faithful parents who commit to bringing their children to the Lord’s house each week to worship together and to grow in His Word, an extension of their Christian training in the home. And we are all profoundly blessed by the commitment of all of the Sunday School and Bible class leaders who faithfully study God’s Word for their own spiritual growth as well as to prepare them to share its truths in powerful ways with students of all ages.

This month on September 14^th, at 9:30 AM, we will celebrate the beginning of another new year of Sunday School and Bible classes for children and adults with our fall Rally Day. Everyone is invited to meet together in the Fellowship Hall for music, entertainment and refreshments. The children will be introduced to their new teachers and join them in the classrooms for group-building activities. Adults will stay in the Fellowship Hall for fellowship and to hear presentations from the leaders of the Adult Bible Classes.

In addition to classes on Sunday mornings, God is continuing to raise up leaders who have a passion for sharing His Word through a variety of topics and situations…stay tuned for more offerings. Join me in thanking God for these wonderful opportunities to learn and grow…and to be continually transformed by the power of His holy Word.

In His joy,
Julia Malenke 
 

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Psalm 95:6

"Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty - - He is the King of Glory."
Psalm 24:10 NIV