Weekly Word

A new commandment I give you.

“Commandments are more an expression of grace than one of compulsion. Instead of being rigid directives that allow us no room to maneuver, the commandments cannot, or should not, remove the grace of wisdom and critical thinking. They are freeing, not confining.” –Rev. Zach Walker

If you missed Pastor Zach’s examination of the word “commandment” on Sept. 20, one of the last sermons in our “Words of Faith” series, find it on our YouTube Channel and here on our website. At the Antioch Campus, we dedicated the new solar panels and LED lights installed across our buildings as we seek to honor God’s call to be good stewards of God’s good creation. 

Tacos, trucker hats, and tricks!

We had so much fun last week with all of you at our first Wednesdays@Village! Chefs Teri and Natalie fed more than 150 people with a festive taco bar while Carol Solenberger and her team got the room buzzing with fun discussion questions which resulted in an impromptu talent show that allowed some members to show off unique skills such as juggling and magic tricks! We cannot wait to do it again this Wednesday. The format will be a little different, but the times are the same. After dinner, adults will brush up on their media literacy skills with a guest presenter and programming will be offered for children and youth. Childcare (ages 0-5) is available in Rooms 114 and 107. No need to RSVP; just come!

Serve

Peanut Butter Month – September is Peanut Butter Month! It’s a rich source of protein that is good any time of day! Bring 18 oz. plastic jars to help stock the Food Pantry shelves. The Clothes Closet asks that you begin looking for gently-used jackets and coats that you can donate. Thank you.

Village Serves – 10 a.m.-noon, this Saturday, Sept. 26. We will serve at Center of Grace, our new Signature Mission partner. All ages welcome. Sign up HERE.

Cookie Bakers Needed – The Antioch Cross-Lines team needs people to bake cookies each month for Cross-lines lunches and/or meals that go to Uplift. Please call or text Jan Zimmerman at 913-522-4643 to volunteer.

Plant a Garden – 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Antioch Campus. Grab your gardening gloves and learn about the benefits of pollinator and native plants as we install our new pollinator gardens! Rain-out date is Oct. 24.

Engage, Grow, Celebrate

New Member Luncheons – 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 27 (Antioch Campus Library)—or noon, Oct. 4, Room 233 (Mission Campus). Interested in becoming a member of Village Church? You’re invited to join us for information and lunch. Sign up for the Antioch class HERE. For Mission Campus luncheon, register HERE. Childcare is available.

Flu & Covid Vaccine Clinic – 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Room 132 (Mission Campus). Flu and Covid boosters are available for anyone aged 5 and older. Pick a 10-minute time slot, register, and bring ID and insurance cards when you come. Sign up HERE. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Queering the Apocalypse – Next month’s Theology Beer Camp is sold out, but at our Mission Campus, we are hosting a two-day, pre-camp event on Oct. 7-8, “Queering the Apocalypse,” which will explore the Book of Revelation through the lenses of inclusion and hope. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Village Golf – 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Fred Arbanas Golf Course. This is our last 2026 outing. Course fee including cart is $43 for those age 60 and older; $50 for those under 60. Register HERE by Oct. 5. Questions go to Brad Steil.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Support families on a hard day – Memorial guild ushers greet guests and hand out bulletins. Hosts make sure refreshments are ready and replenished. Contact Linda Alley at 913-671-2327 to learn more and volunteer.

On Being – 9 a.m. Sundays through Oct. 18, Antioch Library. Life transitions, grieving, and dying are a normal part of the human experience, and yet we can find ourselves ill-equipped when facing change and loss. Taught by Jen Wewers, executive director of Prairie Sky Counseling Center.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Antioch Preschool Spots Available – There are a couple of openings in our classrooms at the amazing Antioch Preschool for (ages 2 ½ and older). Call Paula Benefiel at 913-681-1906 to schedule a tour.

international mission

Celebration Dominicana 2026 – Last chance! Get your tickets to Celebration Dominicana this Saturday, Sept. 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Milburn Country Club as the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership (DRMP) celebrates more than three decades of hope and healing. Support this long-standing ministry while enjoying live music, food & drink, and hand-picked auction items plus a lot more! Tickets are $60 per person.

Hit for Haiti Tennis & Pickleball Tournament – Saturday, Oct. 3. Attend the sixth annual tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis extravaganza at Homestead Country Club to benefit Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope. Find all the details HERE.

music ministry

Gold Line Quartet – 7p.m. this Friday, Sept. 25, Mission Sanctuary. Los Angeles-based Gold Line Quartet is a saxophone group merging the sounds of 19th century classical music with contemporary artists and pop/movie music from the 90s to today. Enjoy a brief lecture at 6:15 p.m. before the free program begins at 7 p.m.

VOCES8 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Mission Sanctuary. Friends of Chamber Music presents VOCES8, the acclaimed British vocal ensemble. Their “Towards Paradise” program is a deeply reflective sacred tapestry tracing a spiritual journey through music of longing, faith, consolation, and peace. Tickets are going quickly! Buy yours HERE.

Kansas City Wind Symphony Tribute – 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Mission Sanctuary. The Kansas City Wind Symphony presents “A World in Harmony: Honoring one life. Celebrating many cultures.” A tribute to trumpet player and long-time Wind Symphony member, David Hershberger. Free admission.

VILLAGE U

Village Forum; ”Conspiracy Theories” – Sundays, Sept. 27-Oct. 11, Room 126 (Mission Campus). Dr. Leslie Dorrough Smith of Avila University leads a discussion of the psychology and sociology of conspiracy theories.

Religious Conflicts in Matthew’s Community – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 6, Room 126 (Mission Campus). Join theologian and Scripture scholar, Biagio Mazza, for four sessions that delve into the mind and heart of the Matthean community by examining their cultural, religious, and political context. Register HERE.

Discovering God’s Creation Through Observational Drawing – 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 7, Room 206 (Mission Campus). Develop your drawing skills by learning to draw what you see. Using pencil, we will work primarily with natural objects while learning basic drawing techniques. All levels of experience are welcome! Register HERE.

American Mahjong Group Lessons – 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, Room 230, (Mission Campus). Come and see why American Mahjong has become the fastest growing game in town. This two-part intro class will show you the basics of playing Mahjong. There is a limit of 8 people. Register HERE.

The Village U catalog is available online. Email Desiree Keyes with any questions.

women‘s ministry

Barbie & Me; A Workshop on Perfectionism and Unpacking the Female Mindset – 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Friendship Hall (Mission Campus). Holistic health coach Lauren Claflin will lead a conversation about the impact of perfectionism in today’s world. All women are welcome! Childcare is available. Sign up HERE.

Young adults

Y.A.M. (Young Adult Ministry) Nights – First, join us for Wednesdays@Village. We‘ll share an intergenerational meal at 5:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall, then at 6:15 p.m. all 20s and 30s will head to the Young Adult Room (8) for our programming.

Picnic in the Park – 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Young adults with small children are invited to bring the whole family to Taliaferro Park (2900 W. 79th Street, Prairie Village) for an evening packed with food, laughter, and fun! No cost, just sign up.

YOUTH

Weekly programs are in full swing! Join us for any of our programs for students in grades 7-12. See you soon.

• Village Youth Sunday School – 9-10 a.m. Sundays
• Village Youth Group – 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays
• Wednesdays@Village – 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays

green tip of the week

Your father was right! Close the doors and windows when the AC is on.