Weekly Word

Pray with Us Today

We will have brief prayer services today at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel at the Mission Campus and at noon in the Sanctuary at the Antioch Campus. The worship spaces will remain open all day for personal prayer with reflection guides available.

Last night at their meeting, the Session: 

• Approved the service of communion during officer examinations later this month, various worship services in 2027, as well as authorizing deacons to take communion to those at home at various times throughout the year
• Approved Ruling Elders Elizabeth Zakaryan, Donna Patton, Diane Lawson, Judy Bliss, and Stan Woodworth as commissioners to the Nov.14 Heartland Presbytery meeting
• Approved a “Commitment for Respectful Behavior” statement submitted by the Personnel Committee, in keeping with what other churches are recommending and adopting for staff and congregations nationwide. (Watch for blog post in near future.)

Thy Kingdom Come

Last Sunday was All Saints’ Day when we remember and honor the saints who have gone before us. If you missed that sermon, find it on our YouTube Channel, download the podcast, or watch on our website. We will begin a new series, “Thy Kingdom Come,” this Sunday. Theologian Henri Nouwen writes that “From the perspective of the gospel, giving is first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and then inviting others into that mission.” The vision of Village Presbyterian Church is to help usher in God’s kingdom, God’s reign, here and now, if only in part. Yes, God’s kingdom will fully come when Christ returns, but until that promised day, we must do all we can to show that God’s complete reign is on the way.

Wednesdays@Village this Week

At 5:30 p.m., people of all ages will begin the evening in Friendship Hall. Dinner menu will be meatloaf, vegetarian stuffed bell peppers, warm cinnamon bread pudding with vanilla sauce. After dinner, our adult faith-formation class will be “The Revelation of John” taught by Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, with programs running simultaneously for children, youth, and young adults (childcare for ages 0-5 is also available). No registration necessary. Bring the whole crew and enjoy time with your church family!

Serve

Thanksgiving Baskets – The Food Pantry is on track to give out 500 Thanksgiving baskets this year! Help support this annual Thanksgiving ministry; a $45 donation funds a turkey and all the fixings for a family of four. The Clothes Closet would love any dishes, linens, kitchenware, and small kitchen appliances to share with our neighbors in need.

Adopt a Star Family for Christmas – Sponsor Christmas gifts and holiday meals for low-income and unhoused families through Operation Breakthrough. Star families are available online now. Pick up your adopted family’s packet between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in Friendship Hall (Mission Campus).

Village Serves in November – Join folks from Village on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9-11:30 a.m. as we volunteer to make Kansas City a better place! This month we serve at Kanbe’s Markets helping sort food to be distributed city-wide. Learn more HERE about this and other monthly opportunities.

Drivers needed – Village has a team of drivers who deliver meals to folks unable to make them for themselves. We need drivers one Thursday each month. Meals are picked up late morning at Matt Ross Community Center. Contact Leslie Conrad, 913-226-7245.

Engage, Grow, Celebrate

Building Beloved Community Dinner Out – 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, Niecie’s Restaurant (6441 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO). Join this Village Church committee for dinner and conversation at Niecie’s, the iconic Black-owned restaurant which has been in business since 1985. RSVP to Laura Hobbs. Also, read a reflection on their 2024 Human Rights Pilgrimage HERE.

children & family ministry

3rd-Grade Bibles – 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 (Mission Sanctuary). Every year, we present special Bibles to our 3rd-graders during worship. RSVP so that we have one reserved for your student. Families are invited to gather after worship in Room 307.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Need a Pastor? We are here in your time of crisis. A pastor is on-call 24 hours a day for urgent needs. Call the main number, 913-262-4200, and select 1 for the receptionist. After business hours, calls are forwarded to an answering service who will contact the pastor on call. 

Honor a Loved One with a Poinsettia – You may donate to our annual poinsettia fund in memory of a loved one online (in the “Notes” field, add the name/s of the person you would like to honor) or by sending a check ($15 per name) to Karen Reimer, Village Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. All proceeds go toward our ministry of delivering poinsettias to homebound members during the holidays.

music ministry

2nd Thursday Choir Recital – 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Mission Sanctuary. This recital features the Liberty High School Choir. Join us for a short reception afterward in the Welcome Center to meet the students. Free admission.

Wind Symphony – 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, Mission Sanctuary. The Kansas City Wind Symphony presents “Bridges: Connecting Places, People, and Stories through Music.” Featured repertoire includes Mussorgsky’s Great Gate of Kiev. Free admission.

VILLAGE U

Select Parables of a Jewish Rabbi Named Jesus – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 27-Nov. 17, Room 126 (Mission Campus). Guided by the work of Amy-Jill Levine, Biagio Mazza explores how Jesus’ original Jewish audience would have heard and understood these stories, and their connection to the first century Jewish social, religious, and political cultures.

Men’s Breakfast & Bible with Rev. Dr. Nishioka – 8-9 a.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 1, Friendship Hall (Mission Campus). Join other men for fellowship, a hot breakfast, and Bible study led by Pastor Rodger. (Suggested donation $8, either in person or online when you register.)

Organizing Photos on Apple Devices – 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Nov. 10, Room 230 (Mission Campus). Instructor, Tim Burrow, will show you how quickly photos can be located, sorted, and organized. This class will also provide quick, simple tools for editing and sharing photos. Bring your Apple device or use one of our classroom MacBooks. Registration is appreciated.

Coffee & Conversation with Brooke Brundige – 10-11 a.m., this Wednesday, Nov. 4, Room 132 (Mission Campus). Grow in our faith, share honestly, and build friendships that last well beyond the first Wednesday of the month. Childcare is available; register by email.

The entire Village U catalog is available online.

women‘s ministry

Faithful Women of Outstanding Service – Nominations are being accepted to honor women who support the mission of Village Church, nurture their faith and that of others, work for peace, justice, and promote an inclusive community through leadership and service. Please send nominations to Carol Solenberger by Nov. 10. Read more about this award and see a list of past recipients HERE. Honorees will be recognized in April.

Mahjong Mondays – 6:30-8 p.m., Nov. 9, Room 230 (Mission Campus). No need to RSVP. Bring your Mahjong card (copies will be available). We’re taking December off but will resume on Jan. 11. Questions? Email Carol Solenberger.

Young adults

Picnic in the Park – 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. Young adults with small children are invited to bring the whole family to Taliaferro Park (2900 W. 79th St, Prairie Village) for an evening packed with food, laughter, and fun! No cost, just SIGN UP.

Friendsgiving – 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Save the date! We will meet at Sylvester Powell Community Center (6200 Martway, Mission, KS).

YOUTH

Heartland Youth Bonfire – 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Village Youth are invited to the Heartland Youth Bonfire, a night to connect and glow! We’ll gather around the fire, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and enjoy a fun evening together. Transportation will be provided, with drop-off and pick-up at Village Church. Register HERE.

College Student Care Packages – Help us stay connected with our college students! Sign up your student to receive a care package from Village this fall. Fill out the form to have a package sent their way! And, if you have leftover Halloween candy, bring it to the south reception desk and we will use it in our care packages.

green tip of the week

Damper Reminder – If you use a wood-burning fireplace, be sure to close the damper when not in use since an open damper allows heated air to go right up the chimney.

Village Church staff Halloween party

---