Weekly Word
Being the Church
Village members at both campuses took time out of their Sundays to ‘be the church’—working side by side on projects that benefit our Food Pantry and other mission partners. Here are some rough numbers:
- 4,050 lids labeled for Pete’s Garden
- 600+ bags of over-the-counter medications prepared for the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership
- 200+ sack lunches made for City Union Mission
- 200 care kits assembled for Village Food Pantry
- 150 Thanksgiving Day cards for Village Food Pantry
- 100 teacher appreciation cards for California Trail Middle School staff
- 100 socks and snacks for Uplift
- 100 snack bags for Kansas City, Kansas police officers
- 80 roadside care kits made for those in need throughout the city
- 60 cat toys and 20 kennel art signs made for Wayside Waifs
- 50+ thank-you letters written for Kanbe’s Market partners
- 50 hygiene kits assembled for Hope Network
- 20 notes with colorful turkeys decorated for Village Food Pantry Thanksgiving baskets
what home feels like
‘Dwelling’
During Children’s Time in the Gathering two Sundays ago, Rev. Maggie Johnson Phillips asked kids what they like about their homes. They mentioned cozy places, pets, things like that. She shared that she hopes that this place, the church, also feels like a home. A place where they feel belonging—a place where they feel safe and loved. Because it is not our house; it is the Lord’s house. And we become, by a miracle, a dwelling place for God.
Serve
Blood Drive Today! In Kansas City, 1 in 3 people will need a blood transfusion. You can help! Donate between 1 and 6 p.m. today, Oct. 21, in Rooms 132 & 133, Mission Campus.
Village Serves on Nov. 8 – Join folks on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. as we volunteer to make Kansas City a better place! This month we serve at Ronald McDonald House preparing and serving a meal for inpatient families. Learn more and sign up HERE.
Engage, Grow, and Celebrate
Co-ed Seniors Afternoon – 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Welcome Center (Mission Campus). Enjoy games and social time with other seniors. Bring your own board games, learn to play canasta, and enjoy good company and light refreshments!
Guns to Gardens – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 25, at Central Presbyterian Church, 3501 Campbell St., KC, MO. This second annual gun surrender event provides an opportunity to surrender firearms safely to be dismantled and repurposed into garden tools. Those surrendering firearms will receive a grocery gift card. Last year they collected more than 80 guns—the goal is to collect 200 this year! Learn more HERE.
Trunk or Treat – From 1-3 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 26 in Fellowship Hall, Antioch families will host a Trunk or Treat event for children. Come and get into the Halloween spirit! We have 10 stations so far but would love to hit 15! Reach out to Lisa Harrison if you’d like to host or help out.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
God‘s Love Transcends Borders: Conversations on Immigration – 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 29, Room 126, Mission Campus. With a new facilitator each week, this course will explore five different topics relating to immigration—ranging from what is it’s like to be an immigrant today to how you can advocate for change.
The Current Approach to Climate Change in America – 7-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, Room 126, Mission Campus. Chick Keller discusses the resurgence of the oil and gas industry—projecting nuclear as the long-term solution to climate change and how to adapt until the climate stabilizes.
No Longer Reasoning Like a Child: Growing and Embracing an Adult Faith – 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5-19, Room 132, Mission Campus. In these classes, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will discuss the elements needed to grow into a mature faith. Together, we will explore what that means and how an adult faith is nurtured and lived in all facets of our lives. Register HERE. Find all Village U Classes in our Fall 2025 catalog.
children & Family ministry
We had a blast with our 6th graders last Sunday morning on a Prairie Village scavenger hunt that ended with a bagel brunch!
music ministry
Tidings of Joy will be Dec. 14 and to celebrate the 25th anniversary, we have a very special concert in store. Rehearsals begin this Thursday, Oct. 23. Contact Dr. Joshua Maize to sign up. Add your voice to the chorus!
2nd Thursday Recital – featuring Jessica Koebbe, piano and Can Balcik-Moretti, violin will be at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Mission Campus Chapel. Please join us for a noontime recital with a short reception afterward in the Welcome Center to meet the artists. Free admission.
Pastoral care & Counseling
The last day for All Saints’ Day names is Oct. 24 – Part of our worship services on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, is listing names of loved ones we miss. Names of those who passed in 2025 will be listed (if the church was informed). To include additional names, email Linda Alley or call 913-671-2327.
Share a Loved One’s Photo – Starting Nov. 2, we invite you to share a photo and/or write the name of a loved one on a heart and post them on the wall in the Mission Campus Welcome Center. This loving tribute will remain on display through Nov. 22.
Presbyterian Women
At the annual Advent Celebration, on Dec. 2, we will remember Biblical female connections. We need photos of the women in your family for the Sanctuary screen before the Celebration and as a part of table decorations! Email Patty Slentz-Howard photos (.jpg format) by Friday, Nov. 14. Thank you!
MOTS (Moms of Teens) – 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Young Adult Room (8). Interested in talking to other moms with teens? Join us for coffee and conversation.
young adults
Fall Retreat – Join other young adults for a weekend outside of Excelsior Springs, MO! On Nov. 7-9, we’ll hike, explore, rest, and examine our faith. Come for a time of laughter, joy, deep questions, and meaningful connection. The cost is $100 for Friday evening through early Sunday afternoon. Sign up HERE.
Y.A.M. (Young Adut Ministry) Night – All 20s and 30s are invited to join us every Wednesday as we gather, play games, study Scripture, and celebrate one another. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall, at 6:30 p.m. we’ll move to the Young Adult Room.
40s & 50s ministry
Progressive Dinner – The best event of the season! We’ll progress from house to house for a night of fellowship, fun, and food; meet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Wassmer Park (67th & Roe) and begin our journey from there. RSVP HERE and help our hosts prepare enough food.
green tip of the week:
Check out fueleconomy.gov for fuel-saving tips for gasoline as well as hybrid and electric vehicles. *Village Presbyterian Church is a certified Earth Care Congregation.
Worship Times
9 and 11 a.m. (Sanctuary) and 4 p.m. for the Gathering service (Friendship Hall) at the Mission Campus and 10 a.m. (NEW TIME!) at the Antioch Campus.
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