Weekly Word

More than 12 years of Star Family Merry-Making

Thanks to your generosity, 100 families associated with Operation Breakthrough will have presents to open this Christmas as well as holiday meals on their tables. Thank you so much for participating in this annual tradition. Marilyn Borel, Ann Colston, and Cindy Whitham have been spearheading this Advent ministry at Village Church since 2013 but it has predated their leadership. Thank you, ladies!

Fun at Advent Family Workshop!

For families, one of the most festive and anticipated days of the year is the Advent Family Workshop. People of all ages to don spirited clothes and accessories then roll up their sleeves to create holiday crafts around tables, eat some sweet and salty snacks, and make new friends. This year, 92 people attended in the newly renovated Friendship Hall. Families also made 75 “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake-making kits for our neighbors at the Village Church Food Pantry. Thank you to all—especially our Children & Family Ministry team—who helped organize, plan, and execute this meaningful event!

Serve

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.

Drivers needed for home-delivered meals – Village has a small team of individuals who deliver meals to folks who may not be able to make ones for themselves. We are in need of drivers to commit about two hours on a Wednesday or Thursday each month. Meals are picked up at Matt Ross Community Center. Email Leslie Conrad for more info or call 913-226-7245.  

Food Pantry & Clothes Closet – The Food Pantry would love donations of breakfast cereal, hot or cold. Our neighbors love choices. For the Clothes Closet, do you have sturdy shoes or boots gathering dust in your closet? We know folks who can use them!

Angel Tree at Antioch – Your Angel Tree gifts (benefiting Grace United Community Ministries) should be returned by Sunday, Dec. 14, gift-wrapped with Angel Tree stickers. Contact Lisa Kelley with any questions.

Engage, Grow, and Celebrate

2nd Sunday Social – Join us Dec. 14 in the Welcome Center (Mission Campus) after the 9 a.m. service for a sweet treat and conversation! At Antioch, we’ll share a potluck brunch after worship. Chef Teri is making the entrées. Last names A-P, please bring a salad or side dish to share. Last names Q-Z, bring a dessert. If you’re not able to bring something, no worries; we‘d welcome a $5 donation for your meal. 

Seniors Afternoon – 1 p.m. this 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. Invite a friend!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Throwing It All Away? Recycling and Composting at Village & Beyond – Date change: 7-8:30 p.m. tonight, 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.

What Are You Waiting For? 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 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. 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.

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.

music ministry

25th Annual Tidings of Joy Concert – 3 & 6 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 14, Sanctuary (Mission Campus). Featuring the Village Choirs and orchestra. Free Admission. The free-will offering will benefit this year’s Signature Mission, Kanbe’s Markets.

2nd Thursday Recital featuring Beau Bledsoe, guitar and Ezgi Karakus, cello – 12:15 p.m. this 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.

Te Deum – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, Sanctuary (Mission Campus). Te Deum presents “Carols of Olde,” celebrating the enduring magic of early Christmas music. Find tickets HERE.

Pastoral carE

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.

New Grief Support Group – 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, Room 232 (Mission Campus). Grief is a natural, complex response to loss—and no two experiences are the same. This monthly group, starting Jan. 6, provides a compassionate, confidential space to share, listen, and heal alongside others who understand. Facilitated by therapist Ryan Speed, LMSW, the group offers support, reflection, and practical tools for navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges of grief.

We are here for you. Village Church makes caring for one another a priority. Pastoral Care is available in your time of crisis; a pastor is on-call 24 hours a day for urgent needs. Call the main number: 913-262-4200. After business hours, calls are forwarded to our answering service. Hospitals no longer let churches know about admissions or transfers, so please call to let us know.

Presbyterian Women

Read the December issue of the Messenger online to hear about (and see photos) of the Advent Celebration and learn about upcoming events, book clubs, and more.

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.

College-Aged YA Christmas Party – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, Young Adult Room (Mission Camps). Come enjoy dinner and games with Angel, Rev. Maggie, and old friends after the Gathering!

YOUTH

Village High Study Break; Dec. 14 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Loft (Mission Campus. Take a break from studying for finals. Join us in the Loft from for pizza and sweet treats.

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. Purchases help fund scouting activities for the year.

green tip of the week:

If it’s time to replace the water heater, look for models with the Energy Star label. Better yet, consider heat-pump water heaters, which are much more energy efficient. *Village Presbyterian Church is a certified Earth Care Congregation.