Weekly Word
Celebrate Rev. Dr. Diane this Sunday!
At the Gathering worship service on Sunday, Nov. 23, we will install our associate senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen. Diane officially began her ministry at Village Church on Sept. 2. If you want to learn more about Diane, read about her HERE. We hope to see you for the service and the reception on Nov. 23.
Requesting your thoughts.
Help us as we search for a new associate pastor for pastoral care. The search committee requests your input. Take this short survey before Dec. 8. Thank you!
Serve
Villages Serves • Dec. 6 – Join folks from Village on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9-11:30 a.m. as we volunteer in our community! We’ll serve at Kanbe’s Market sorting food to be distributed to food pantries and local markets. Learn more and sign up HERE.
Food Pantry & Clothes Closet – The Food Pantry is distributing Thanksgiving Baskets soon; gifts of $50 provide a dinner for a family of four and donations are still needed. Day to day needs at the Pantry continue for the food insecure. Consider donating a box or two of cereal. In the Clothes Closet, long-sleeved shirts and sweatshirts would be appreciated. Donate to the general fund HERE. Thank you!
Star Family Holiday Meals – We invite you to make a monetary donation for Operation Breakthrough Star Family meals: $50 will feed a family of four and $100 feeds a family of 5 or more. Send a check to Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208, with ‘Star Family’ in the memo. If you are buying gifts for Star Families, gift drop-off day is Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Mission Campus’ South Parking Lot. Thank you!
Angel Tree Gifts – Make the holidays brighter for a family in need with our annual Angel Tree program benefiting Grace United Community Ministries. Gifts, valued at $50 per child, should be returned by Sunday, Dec. 14, gift-wrapped with Angel Tree stickers. Contact Lisa Kelley with any questions.
short-term help;
Long-term good
In Pastor Rodger’s most recent sermon, he shared story about a women named Cathy who was referred to Village Church as a neighbor needing extra assistance ($300) to pay her rent. Her chemo medications are expensive and her income as a textbook editor wasn’t enough to cover rent and she was worried that she would be evicted. We were able to offer her $300 and pay next month’s rent, too, and Rodger visited Cathy to pray with her.
We aren’t able to help every ‘Cathy’ who calls, but we try to help as many folks as we can. Village Church offers a limited amount of emergency rent and utility assistance to those who need temporary support.
More than $133,000 was donated in the last few weeks when you responded to the needs in Kansas City—as people lost their SNAP benefits and federal workers went without pay. The generosity of God is extravagant. You responded in kind.
Engage, Grow, and Celebrate
Wednesday Family Dinner Thanksgiving Potluck – 5:30-6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 19, Friendship Hall, Mission Campus. Chef Teri will provide turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and dessert; bring a side dish to share. Register HERE and if you want to volunteer (and eat free!), send us an email.
VERT (Village Emergency Response Team) Training – 6:30 p.m., Nov. 19, Room 232, Mission Campus. Our VERT team is a vital part of worship and provides additional attentiveness for large events. Volunteers will be trained to respond to medical emergencies until professional medical attention arrives. Contact Carol Solenberger to sign up.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Live a Happier, Longer Life – 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Room 126 (*Note: room change), Mission Campus. Using sources such as Sonja Gupta’s book, “Keep Sharp,” this class will develop an actionable plan to live a longer, happier life and stay mentally sharp. Register HERE.
Throwing It All Away? Recycling and Composting at Village Church and Beyond – 7-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, Room 126, Mission Campus. The church has recently expanded its efforts to divert waste from the landfill by composting and recycling, but the new bins are causing some confusion. John Kurmann of Bridging the Gap will help us solve the mystery and answer other questions.
Coffee & Conversation – 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. Friendship Hall, Mission Campus. Grow in our compassion for the shared human experience with pastor and life coach Ginger Rothhaas. Learn more HERE.
Find all Village U Classes in our Fall 2025 catalog.
children & Family ministry
Advent Family Workshop – Don’t miss our annual family activity from 2-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Friendship Hall-Mission Campus to prepare for the birth of Jesus. There will be crafts for all ages, a service project, and cookies! Pre-register HERE by Nov. 30.
international mission
Prayers for GivingThanks Team – This week, 26 Village Church members and friends depart for the sixth annual Givingthanks in the Dominican Republic trip—all ages service trip: Janet & Wayne Bates; Teresa, Dan, Ava, Carmen, & Tucker Carroll; Andrew, Alexander, Carley, & Espyn Conrad; Dr. Carole Freiberger O’Keefe & Zoey O’Keefe; Kim, Larry, Brock, & Grant Lorenzen; Dr. Tom Millard & Tommy Millard; Michelle, Erin, & Sean O’Neal; Dr. Lina Patel & Himani Mulbury; Dr. John Stanley; and Rev. Zach Walker. The team will support our Dominican healthcare partners, Fundación Enciende Una Luz, with healthcare and health education initiatives in the bateyes (impoverished communities of Haitian sugarcane cutters) outside of La Romana. For more info, email Lora Garrison.
music ministry
“Messiah” Sing-Along – 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Antioch Campus Sanctuary. We’ll welcome the Kansas City Baroque Consortium to accompany our voices this year! A reception will follow after the concert. Optional rehearsal in the Antioch Sanctuary at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Kicks Band Christmas Concert – 7p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, Sanctuary, Mission Campus. A combination of traditional, jazz, and popular Christmas music that will be fun for the whole family. Free admission.
Pastoral carE
Sometimes the holidays aren’t so holly jolly – If you are feeling down, it’s okay. We understand. Perhaps a Stephen Minister would be helpful to spend time with as you walk through a challenging season. Contact Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen if you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry (913-671-2359).
Remember a loved one AND brighten someone‘s day! – A $15 poinsettia donation does two things: a homebound member receives a poinsettia from their Village family and your loved one(s)’ name(s) will be in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Donate HERE or send the name(s) with a check ($15 per person) to Karen Reimer, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208 by Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Presbyterian Women
Advent Celebration – 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, Mission Campus. From 6-7 p.m. come for a reception with hors d’oeuvres in Welcome Center; at 7 p.m., our program begins in the Sanctuary with all four of our female pastors leading us in song, scripture, meditation, and communion. Childcare is available. Register for the event HERE.
young adults
Y.A.M. (Young Adut Ministry) Night – For November, we’re engaging in a month of service! At 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, meet at TJ Maxx (9650 Quivira Rd.) to shop for our Operation Breakthrough Star Family. Note: No Y.A.M. Night Wednesday, Nov. 26.
YOUTH
Programs on Break – No programs from Nov. 23-30. We hope you have a great time gathering with friends and family this week.
green tip of the week:
Set the hot water heater’s thermostat to the lowest comfortable level. A temperature of 120 degrees F is considered safe. Use the “vacation” setting when you’re away for an extended time. *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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