Weekly Word
Pop Quiz!
What have you learned as we have progressed through our summer sermon series, Words of Faith? You may have added a new word to your vocabulary: eschatology, which are beliefs concerning the ultimate destiny of humankind or the soul, and Jesus‘ return. At the Mission Campus, Rev. Maggie Johnson Phillips shone a light on that word as she broke down the parable of the women who await the bridegroom with lamps, which illuminates the importance of spiritual readiness for the second coming of Christ (excerpt below). Find her sermon on our YouTube Channel, here on our website, or download the podcast. Rev. Zach Walker dove into ”silence” at the Antioch Campus, a sermon that he will bring to the Mission Campus on Aug. 9.
“Children, don’t grow weary.”
How do we do this today in 2026? How do we, as a Christian people, keep the lamps burning when we are tired? When political polarization has us justifying hate and harm to one another? How do we keep the lamps burning as we wait for the arrival of Jesus Christ again? That is where I believe the Church rises up. The Church has always had the power to fill the lamps with oil. People of faith are called to keep the flame of hope burning. For as the body of Christ, we do not rely on one person’s hope alone. –Rev. Maggie Johnson Phillips
Last night, at their meeting, the Session:
- called a congregational meeting for Sept. 20, following all worship services, for the purpose of electing officers and leaders for the new year and presenting the 2026/2027 budget
- approved Endowment Trust Grants for the Signature Mission: Center of Grace, Meneilly Visiting Scholar 2027, an Adult Legacy Fund Request, and a pollinator garden at the Antioch Campus
- approved the collection of special mission offerings:
- “The Gift of Christmas,” during Advent 2026, for the Village Church Emergency Assistance Fund
- One Great Hour of Sharing, during Lent 2027, for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
With Gratitude
Thank you for your faithful generosity! Through July 2026, 681 Village Church households have pledged $3,897,379 to support church operations—with 78% of those pledges already fulfilled. That is remarkable. One of the easiest ways to support Village Church is through recurring giving. More than 210 households already use automatic giving for their annual pledge, providing a simple, secure way to stay current with their commitment throughout the year. Enroll HERE.
Pardon our dust.
Here for Good Capital Campaign projects are underway across our buildings. Choir risers are being built in the Mission Campus Sanctuary and are close to being done. The restrooms nearest Friendship Hall have been stripped down to the bare walls (including an original, exterior brick wall and boarded-up windows) and are awaiting their transformation. And one set of security doors are now visible in the children’s education wing. At the Antioch Campus, some of the pews have been temporarily relocated to Fellowship Hall to give the workers more space to work in the Sanctuary. Reupholstery is scheduled for late August. This week, the new chancel space is being constructed and lots of electrical conduit is being laid so better lights and new sound equipment can be installed.
Serve
Bonus Backpacks? If you have backpacks you no longer need (the bigger, the better), bring them to worship this Sunday. Uplift, one of our partner nonprofits, is always in need of backpacks to give to the housing-insecure neighbors they serve. We will bless them and deliver to Uplift. Thanks!
Books for Young People Needed – One of the biggest literacy challenges is getting age-appropriate books into homes. In August, we are collecting books for pre-K children through young adults for Front Porch Alliance. Donations can be placed on the white bookshelves at the north and south entrances at the Mission Campus. Thank you!
Excess Produce? During August, please bring excess produce from your gardens to the Antioch Campus and we will deliver it to the Village Food Pantry. Donations can go in the Food Pantry Bins located by the doors.
Cross-Lines Volunteer Opportunity – Friday, Aug. 14. On even-numbered months, the Antioch Campus team serves lunch to 100-150 neighbors in need at Cross-Lines Kitchen. Learn more HERE.
August Blood Drive – Donors are desparately needed during the summer when the supply wanes. Donate between 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Room 132 (Mission Campus). Sign up HERE and enter the group code BT. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Engage, Grow, Celebrate
Frontera de Cristo Conversation – 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, Southminster Presbyterian Church. Participate in a conversation with Frontera de Cristo mission co-worker, Marina Forero, about her work with children on the border.
Seniors Afternoon – 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, Room 230 (Mission Campus). Enjoy games and social time with other seniors. Bring your own board games, learn to play canasta, and spread the word! Questions? Email Deana Petty.
Register Now for Theology Beer Camp 2026 – 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8- Saturday, Oct. 10 hosted by Homebrewed Christianity at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO. Register HERE.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Monthly Grief Support Group – 6 p.m. tonight, Aug. 4. Room 232 (Mission Campus). Anyone on the grief journey is welcome at this professionally facilitated support group. A Prairie Sky Counseling therapist leads the conversation on first Tuesdays.
Vases Needed – Each Sunday, chancel flowers are divvied up and delivered to members who are hospitalized or going through a tough time. Please bring glass vases you no longer need to either reception desk at the Mission Campus. The ideal size is about 6 inches tall, roughly the size of a large peanut-butter jar. Thank you!
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Family Worship in August – For the month of August, kids will be worshiping in “big church” with their families. We will look forward to seeing kids at our kickoff on Sunday. Sept. 13.
Antioch Preschool Celebrates 35 Years! Join the fun at our 35th Anniversary Party from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.
international Mission
Celebration Dominicana – 6-9 p.m. Saturday Sept. 26, Milburn Country Club. Celebrate more than three decades of hope and healing at the annual fundraiser for the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership (DRMP) with an evening of live music, dancing, food & drink, a silent auction, and more!
music ministry
Kansas City Baroque Consortium – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, Mission Campus Sanctuary. The Kansas City Baroque Consortium presents “Cieli Stellati” (Starry Skies) featuring the music of Vivaldi, Geminiani, Corelli, and more. Get your tickets HERE.
Presbyterian women
Mahjong Mondays – 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 10 (Mission) and Aug. 17 (Antioch). Join us to play Mahjong on the second and third Monday each month. No need to RSVP. Bring your Mahjong card (copies will be available).
PW Horizons Workshop – 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Learn from Dr. Sarah Leer as she discusses the 2026-2027 Horizons Bible study: “United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other; Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.” Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. in Friendship Hall (Mission Campus); the program starts at 9:45. The workshop is $10. Sign up HERE.
Antioch PW Kick-Off Tea – 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, Antioch Campus. Let’s enjoy tea in Fellowship Hall, and make plans to continue to do the good that is ours to do. RSVP HERE.
Young adults
Service Saturday – Noon-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, Room 8 (Mission Campus). We will collect and package feminine hygiene products for Giving Hope & Help to support those experiencing period poverty.
green tip of the week
Reduce food waste by planning meals ahead of time, eating leftovers, and freezing excess. You can also support nonprofits like Pete’s Garden (one of Village Church’s mission partners) that recovers prepared food, repackages it into family-sized meals, and delivers them to social-service agencies throughout KC.
welcome!
We are glad you‘re here.
Our website may be your first step into our community. In the month of June, we had 4,200 first-time site visitors and in July, we had 3,600 first-time visitors. We are so glad you found Village Church online!
We put a lot of care and effort making our website easy to navigate, interesting, and useful. Just as we strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere within our physical buildings, we want our digital front door to reflect that same spirit of hospitality. If you have feedback or suggestions, we‘d love to hear from you!
Worship Times
MISSION CAMPUS: *SUMMER SCHEDULE: 10 a.m. (Sanctuary) and 4 p.m. (Friendship Hall) Sundays
ANTIOCH CAMPUS: 10 a.m. Sundays
Let’s stay in touch.
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