Weekly Word

There’s Just Us

“Dividing people into ‘us’ and ‘them’ is not Christian teaching. It’s actually heresy. When we tie God to nationalism, we make God too small. Because God loved the world.” –Rev. Tom Are

If you missed Rev. Tom Are’s sermon on Sept. 27, find it on our YouTube Channel and here on our website. He reminded us that we serve a God who loves the world, not just parts of it. “Jesus revealed himself not as the savior of a nation or a race, but of the world. The world may not be going after him, but he is here for the world.”

“The Word of the Prophets”

How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? Theologian Richard Rohr turns us to the writings of the prophets to respond to these questions. In his book, “The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for the Age of Outrage,” Rohr teaches us that prophets are not so much fortune tellers but rather truth tellers. In this series, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will draw on Rohr’s wisdom to help us make our way as faithful followers of Jesus Christ in what many feel is an “age of outrage.”

An evening of joy, generosity, and impact

What a wonderful Saturday evening at Celebration Dominicana! We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, those who donated auction items, our dedicated volunteers, and every person who joined us. Your generosity will help the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership (DRMP) make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the D.R. The DRMP will be able to continue providing healthcare and education to people who have little or no access to these essential services.

It was a special pleasure to welcome Sandy Yan Meristal back to Kansas City. He and his band filled the evening with music and energy. We were thrilled to exceed our fundraising goal, raising nearly $65,000. A special thank-you goes to our auction committee: Becky Anderson, Marilyn Borel, Lexa Carr, Julie Foster, Patty Grossman, and Martha Tatman. They gave countless hours and effort to make the evening a success. The next mission trip will be in November.

Serve

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.

Be the Church: Sunday, Oct. 11 – At Antioch: stay after worship and we will gather to do projects in Fellowship Hall at 11 a.m. At Mission: Join us at 5 p.m. for pizza in Friendship Hall, followed by various service opportunities from 5:30-6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome! 

The Clothes Closet asks that you begin looking for gently-used jackets and coats that you can donate. Thank you.

Engage, Grow, Celebrate

New Member Luncheon – 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. Register HERE. Childcare is available.

Flu & Covid Vaccine Clinic – 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Welcome Center (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.

Tuesday Lunches – 11 a.m.–1 p.m. starting Oct. 6. Purchase homestyle soup and sandwiches made by Chef Teri in Friendship Hall on Tuesdays. All are invited!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Faith & Grief has a new day and time – 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Country Club Christian Church (6101 Ward Parkway). Gatherings are now being held on the first Tuesday of each month. Alison Patterson is our speaker this month. Free parking in the Chapel lot at 61st and Ward Parkway.

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.

international mission

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

Passion Week – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Mission Sanctuary. The Kansas City Chorale and Te Deum join forces to present “Passion Week,” a sweeping journey through the Orthodox Holy Week by Aleksandr Gretchaninoff. Tickets available HERE.

Acer Sonorous Bassoon Ensemble – 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Mission Chapel. This 2nd Thursday Recital features the Acer Sonorous Bassoon Ensemble. Please join us for a free noontime recital with a short reception afterward in the Welcome Center to meet the artists.

Kansas City Wind Symphony Tribute – 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, Mission Sanctuary. Free admission. The Kansas City Wind Symphony (KCWS) presents “A World in Harmony: Honoring one life. Celebrating many cultures.” A tribute to trumpet player and long-time KCWS member, David Hershberger. The concert will feature a trumpet ensemble of KCWS members, friends, and cohorts of Mr. Hershberger, who lost his life in a plane crash in June 2026. 

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 Thursday, Oct. 1, Room 230, (Mission Campus). Come and see why American Mahjong has become the fastest growing game in town. This 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.

Amazing Graces Women’s Bingo Night – 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Sylvester Powell Community Center. Come for a fun night out with BINGO and a chance to connect with other women! $25 per person includes BINGO cards, food, and drinks. Register HERE. Questions? Email Becky Anderson.

Read more about Women’s Ministry, fall events, and news 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

Autumn check-up – Fall is here and now’s the time to get your home ready for cooler temperatures. Schedule a maintenance check for the furnace and change the air filter.