Celebrating 65 Years!
1958 - 2023
Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty - he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:9-10
On September 23 and 24, King of Glory officially celebrated 65 years as a congregation. What a journey it has been from being a small mission church meeting in an elementary school with 33 members, to a large presence on LBJ Freeway striving to serve the surrounding community as well as those throughout Dallas and the world!
This anniversary year, we wanted to give thanks for those who came before us, celebrate how God is working among us today at King of Glory, and look towards the future as we embrace His plans for living with Bold Grace: Grounded in the Love of Christ, Growing in Faith, Generous in Service and Giving.
The 65th theme of “This is Our Story” is based on the hymn Blessed Assurance.
"... this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."
Scroll through this webpage to see the many ways we celebrated and enjoy photos and videos from throughout the year. Photos from the weekend are being collected and shared in the coming weeks. If you have any photos to share, please send them to Ross Weir.
You can pre-order a copy of This is Our Story, KOG's written history. The initial order has sold out, but more copies will be purchased on October 16th. Please submit your order by October 15th.
With Appreciation
Purchase the Written History
This is My Story - Member Stories Video Series
65th Slideshow - King of Glory Through the Decades
DID YOU KNOW? KOG HISTORY & TRIVIA
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Thank you for celebrating with us!
Dobie Pre-K Valentine Goody Bags |
Sunday - Feb. 5 |
This is Our Story Book Drive |
Sundays - Feb. 5, 12, 19, & 26 |
This is MY Story - Member Videos |
Sundays - March 12, 19, & 26 |
Rise Against Hunger Event |
Sunday, April 23 |
Party in the Parking Lot |
Saturday, May 6 |
This is MY Story - Selfie Videos |
June and July |
Swim Night at Frog Pond |
Saturday, August 5 |
Celebrating Our Story |
Saturday, Sept. 23 |
Worship Celebrating Our Story |
Sunday, Sept. 24 |
EVENT DETAILS
Dobie Pre-K Valentine Goody Bags
February 5
We had the privilege of providing Valentine Goody Bags for the 450 students of Dobie Pre-K once again! KOG supports Dobie Pre-K through projects such as the Backpack Challenge and Angel Tree Gift Card Drive. This is one more way to intentionally be Generous in Service and Giving as we show love to preschoolers in our area with financial challenges and/or developmental disabilities.
Members purchased items for the bags and brought Valentines to the party where had a wonderful time together, signing cards and assembling bags.
For more information about Dobie Pre-K, contact Janet Follstaedt.
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This is Our Story Book Drive
February 5, 12, 19, 26
What was your favorite story or book as a child? What stories do you love reading to your children or grandchildren?
During the month of February, we collected new and gently used children’s books for Dobie Pre-K and Park South YMCA to donate in honor of our celebrating 65 years of striving to be Generous in Service and Giving.
Our goal was to collect 500 books for 3 & 4 year-olds, one for each Dobie Pre-K student to take home, and 500+ books for Park South YMCA (ages pre-school through 8th grade) to start a permanent library.
We not only met but exceeded our goals and have 500 new books for each Dobie Pre-K student to take home, over 1,200 new and like-new books for Park South Y to use as they establish a library for children and teenagers, and 70 bonus books for teachers at Dobie Pre-K to have for their classrooms. Thank you for purchasing books, donating funds, and cleaning out closets and shelves to share your favorite books and stories. We have an amazingly generous congregation!
Dobie Pre-K is a Richardson ISD school serving preschoolers with financial challenges and/or developmental disabilities. Park South YMCA serves children from 2 years old to high school seniors, in various programs including a full-day pre-school, after-school, and summer programs for elementary and junior high students, and the Y’s Youth in Government program for high schoolers. Plus, team sports activities are provided for children ages 5 to 12 and beyond.
This is MY Story - Member Video Clips/Recordings
Sundays - March 12, 19, & 26
Before and After Worship
As we reflected on 65 years of being Grounded in the Love of Christ, we took short, 2-3 minute video recordings of KOG members from throughout the congregation as they shared a story of their years at King of Glory.
Excerpts from these recordings were combined into special, 65th Anniversary videos that were shared with the congregation on September 23rd. You can see these videos here:
Location, Location, Location - Part I
Location, Location, Location - Part II
65th Celebration - Rise Against Hunger Event
Sunday, April 23
In the spirit of Bold Generosity, Church in Society partnered with the 65th Committee to coordinate a service project reaching those in need around the world. On Sunday evening, April 23rd, we hosted a meal packaging event in connection with Rise Against Hunger to provide nutritional food for hunger pockets around the world. Groups of 4-5 people (wearing hairnets and gloves for sanitary purposes) worked together assembling bags containing rice, soy, and 20 vitamins and minerals. The assembly process included filling the bags, replenishing supplies to the groups, weighing and sealing the bags, and packaging them for transport. Each bag provides meals for 5-6 people.
This Rise event provided a fun, multi-generational, and educational opportunity for our congregation to literally lend a hand to people facing hunger across the globe. The assembly line process is combined with an educational experience that not only makes an impact worldwide but also touches our lives and expands our understanding. After the bags were assembled and packaged, volunteers had the opportunity to share their experiences over a community dinner. Funds for the Rise meal bags were provided by the King of Glory Lutheran Church Foundation.
What a great evening at King of Glory - grounded in Christ's love and generous in giving and service! I will ask if we set a completion time record - we packaged 25,000 meals in under 90 minutes - because I think we may have thanks to the hearts, energy, hands, and feet of about 180 volunteers. Amazing! I'm so pleased that so many attended - and from all accounts, enjoyed it - and I'm extra grateful for your help executing the event! - Ashley Hanks
Click here to see pictures from the event!
Party in the Parking Lot
Saturday evening, May 6
We took a lovely trip down memory lane and partied like it was 1958! This anniversary event was a wonderful opportunity to show how we have been Grounded in the Love of Christ for 65 years at King of Glory.
It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and celebrate this anniversary milestone before everyone headed off for the summer. We celebrate 65 years with live music from the Dave Tanner Trio, vintage cars, children’s activities, and so much more! Woody’s BBQ provided the meal with lots of yummy sides and members wowed us with popular desserts from the era. Some even dressed in 50s attire!
Click here to see pictures from the event!
Click here for more information about The Dave Tanner Band.
Thank you to the King of Glory Foundation for the generous grant to fund a large portion of this event.
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This is MY Story - Selfie Videos
June - July
Everyone had the opportunity to share their story! Members made short (2-3 minute) videos from the comfort of their homes on their own smartphones by taking a selfie recording.
We had a great response in March recording This is My Story videos at church and gathered more stories from throughout the congregation through Seflie Videos. Excerpts from the videos are being compiled into a special anniversary video that will be debuted at our celebration on September 23rd!
Member Stories - PART I
Member Stories - PART II and III
Member Stories - Part IV
Swim Night at the Frog Pond
14032 Heartside Pl, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Saturday, August 5
6:30 - 8:30 pm
The heatwave couldn't keep us from having a great time! Members and friends gathered at The Frog Pond Water Park in Farmers Branch for an evening of King of Glory family fun! The entire facility was ours for the evening and we made the most of it, whether riding the slides, catching up with one another in the shade, or floating down the lazy river.
It was a fantastic opportunity to connect at the end of the Summer and celebrate before heading back to school.
Click here for more information about the Frog Pond.
Thank you to the King of Glory Foundation for the generous grant money to pay for the use of the aquatic facility.
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Celebrating Our Story
Saturday, September 23
6:30 pm
We had a fantastic evening together celebrating our official 65th anniversary with live music by Jukebox Heros, appetizers & dinner by Blue Mesa Grill, memories, and fellowship! The event was held in the Activity Center and included dinner, Our Story Program including videos of KOG members sharing their story, and plenty of dancing. The Anniversary Committee collected and archived photos from members that depict how we have been Grounded. Growing. Generous. at King of Glory for 65 years.
Thank you to the King of Glory Foundation for the initial funding for the celebration!
Worship Celebrating Our Story
Sunday, September 24
10:15 am
The anniversary festivities culminated with a celebratory worship service on September 24.
Through festive worship, we gave thanks for God's provision over the past 65 years, honored the faithful servants who made King of Glory possible, and were challenged to continue to Grow in Faith.
Thank you to the King of Glory Foundation for the generous grant to provide special brass instrumentation for the celebratory worship service.
Special Greeting from Pastor Harold "Bud" Pearson
A Written History
A comprehensive written history of KOG was compiled and written by member, Jim Haynes, in honor of the 65th anniversary, building on the 1982 history written by KOG member Col. Gilbert Ackerman. A special thank you to Jim for all his work on this monumental project. Also, thank you to long-time members Ron and Becky Brakke, Jon and Stefani Lee, Ron and Dolores Leake, Vernell Shuey, and Betty Johnson for their willingness to be interviewed and share memories of their years at King of Glory. Allie Becker put the history in story form with the added feature of photos collected by Roger Anders and Dawn Rosenquist.
65th Anniversary Committee:
Dawn Rosenquist, Chair - Roger Anders - Kenny Dickson - Tad Doering - Jim Haynes
Sonya Hohlt - Shauna Reckmeyer - Jon Schulz - Phil Thomas - Lorna Weir
Contact us at for more information.
Our 65th logo was designed by Mark Sullivan, KOG member and graphic designer, who graciously donated his time and talent towards the project. Thank you, Mark! Thank you also to KOG member and graphic designer, Kari Daelke, for her expertise and help in getting 65th signage formatted and printed. The logo emphasizes 65 years and features the Dallas skyline in the design. As a young church, King of Glory chose to serve not only the neighborhood around us but also our neighbors south of us in Dallas. This commitment to serve all of Dallas remains strong today.