Weekly Word

Gratitude from Pastor Diane

Dear Village Friends and Family,

On your behalf, I was given a lovely candle and holder (and meltaway chocolate!) for my installation on Nov. 23. Thank you! What an apt symbol of the place to which I have come! The light of God’s love shines so beautifully in all of you. Our Gathering worship service that day—and my installation—left me feeling beyond blessed to be a part of the life and work of Village Church! Gratefully, Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen

At the meeting last night, Session…

• approved Endowment Trust grants for Emerging Needs from the Mission Legacy Fund
  • to support the establishment of a maternity ward at Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope in Fonds du Parisian, Haiti
  • to assist with much needed work at Asylum Clinic of Kansas City supporting our immigrant brothers and sisters
• approved an Endowment Trust grant for new friendship folders for the Mission and Antioch campuses
• established a writing group to respond to a letter from the Session of Grandview Park Presbyterian Church
• approved Ruling Elder Joe Pattison (class of 2027) to serve as Clerk of Session for 2026.

We need your input.

Help us as we search for an associate pastor for pastoral care. The search committee requests your thoughts. Please take this short survey before Dec. 8. Thank you!

Serve

Villages Serves • Dec. 6 – Join folks from Village this Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9-11:30 a.m. as we volunteer at Kanbe’s Market sorting food to be distributed to food pantries and local markets. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Decorate the Village Trees – Bring hats, mittens, and diapers (all sizes, including adults) to put on and under our Christmas trees at the north and south entrances. They will be donated to the Village Food Pantry & Clothes Closet.

Food Pantry & Clothes Closet – When households are food insecure, the holidays tend to add extra stress to lives. The Food Pantry would love donations of proteins: hearty soups, chili, stews, canned meats, etc. Consider donating holiday decorations to the Clothes Closet. Thank you!

Star Family Holiday Meals – We invite you to make a monetary donation for Operation Breakthrough meals: $50 will feed a family of four and $100 feeds a family of five or more. Send a check to Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208, with Star Family in the memo. If you bought gifts for Star Families, drop-off day is this Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Mission Campus’ South Parking Lot.

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.

Engage, Grow, and Celebrate

New Member Luncheon – noon-1:30 p.m. this Sunday Dec. 7, Room 232, Mission Campus. If you’re interested in becoming a member, you’re invited to a luncheon. Contact Carol Solenberger with questions.

Seniors Afternoon – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Welcome Center (Mission Campus). Bring your own board games, learn to play canasta, and enjoy good company and light refreshments. Bring a friend!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

What Are You Waiting For? 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 3 & 17, Room 132, Mission Campus. Join Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen to explore what this season of waiting and longing has to offer us for the faithful living of our days. Register HERE.

Coffee & Conversation – 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Friendship Hall, Mission Campus (with pastor and life coach Ginger Rothhaas) and/or 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Library, Antioch Campus (with Dr. Kate Unruh). Grow in our compassion for the shared human experience and discuss issues facing us today. Learn more HERE.

Throwing It All Away? Recycling & Composting at Village & Beyond – Date change: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 9. The church has recently expanded its efforts to divert waste from the landfill by composting and recycling. John Kurmann of Bridging the Gap is our guest speaker.

Find all Village U Classes in our Fall 2025 catalog.

children & Family ministry

Diapers in December – Lighthouse Kids and families are helping collect diapers and baby wipes for the Village Food Pantry during the month of December. We appreciate your generosity!

music ministry

“Messiah” Sing-Along – 7-8:30 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 6, Antioch Campus Sanctuary. We’ll welcome the Kansas City Baroque Consortium to accompany us this year! A reception will follow after the concert. Optional rehearsal tonight at 6 p.m.

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.

2nd Thursday Recital featuring Beau Bledsoe, guitar and Ezgi Karakus, cello – 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Mission Campus Chapel. Please join us for a free, noontime recital with a short reception afterward in the Welcome Center to meet the artists.

Pastoral carE

Last call for poinsettia names today – 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 today.

Sometimes the holidays aren’t so holly jolly – If you are feeling down, it’s okay. 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).

Services of Comfort and Hope – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, Chapel (Mission Campus) or 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Library (Antioch Campus). The holidays can be difficult for many who have experienced loss. This quiet service holds space for both the grief and the joy of the season. Child care is available.

Presbyterian Women

Advent Celebration – 6 p.m., tonight, 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.

young adults

Christmas Party! Join us for our two-part Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 12. All young adults (and kiddos, if you’ve got them) meet in Room 232 for cookies, crafts, and a scavenger hunt from 5:30-7 p.m. The party continues at Boulevard Brewery at 7:30 p.m. Wear your Christmas pajamas! Register HERE.

YOUTH

Dominican Republic trip info meeting – 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Are you interested in participating in our Village High spring-break service trip to the D.R.? Join us via Zoom to learn more. Email us for the meeting link.

Village High Progressive Dinner – Its Chiefs tailgate time! Wear your Chiefs colors and join us for this year‘s progressive dinner Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. during youth group.

Christmas Tree Lot – Troop 91, sponsored by Village Church, is collaborating with Troop 199 on their annual Christmas Tree Lot located at 6630 Nall Avenue (at the corner of 67th and Nall). Open until everything is sold out. They sell fresh-cut trees, stands, greenery, and other supplies. Purchasing a tree helps fund scouting activities for the year.

green tip of the week:

Combine your errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance while the engine is warm. *Village Presbyterian Church is a certified Earth Care Congregation.