Weekly Word

Kicking off!

This past Sunday, Sept. 13, the word of the week was “joy” and it was Kickoff Sunday at both Antioch and Mission Campuses. Joyful worshipers at Antioch were able to return to a newly renovated Sanctuary! More photos coming soon; check back here and on Facebook. You can find Rev. Maggie Johnson Phillips’ sermon on our YouTube Channel and here on our website.

Last night, the Session:

• met at the Antioch Campus to see the new renovations and remodeled Sanctuary
• received the final 2025 Village Church Audit
• approved a recommendation from the Worship & Music Committee to plan to hold only one morning service again on Sundays at the Mission Campus from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2027.

Congregational meeting this Sunday

The Village Church Session has called for a congregational meeting to be held Sunday, Sept. 20, following all worship services, for the purpose of electing officers and leaders for the new year, and presenting the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.

Serve

Thanks to the team who volunteered at Cross-Lines last Friday. We served 93 meals to our neighbors in need, which is a bit lower than our average of 120. Every meal, including the sweet treats, was prepared by loving hands and served with smiles. The Antioch team will serve on Oct. 9 and the Mission team serves again Nov. 13.

Cookie Bakers Needed – The Antioch Cross-Lines team needs people to bake cookies each month for Crosslines lunches and/or meals that go to Uplift. Please call or text Jan Zimmerman at 913-522-4643 to volunteer.

Peanut Butter Month – September is Peanut Butter Month! It’s a rich source of protein that is good any time of day! Bring jars (18 oz. plastic jars preferred) to help stock the Food Pantry shelves. Thank you.

Village Serves – 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 26. We will serve at Center of Grace, our new Signature Mission partner. All ages welcome. Sign up HERE.

Engage, Grow, Celebrate

New Member Luncheon – noon, Oct. 4, Room 233 (Mission Campus). If you’re interested in becoming a member of Village Church, you’re invited to join us for lunch. Register HERE. Childcare is available. Questions? Email Carol Solenberger.

Village Golf – 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Fred Arbanas Golf Course. This is our last outing of 2026. Course fee including cart is $43 for those age 60 and older; $50 for those under 60. Register HERE by Oct. 5. Questions go to Brad Steil.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Caregiver Support Group – 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Country Club Christian Church (3rd floor). Caregiving is loving, hard work. Join others for support with facilitator Becky Parrott, LCMFT, who holds a certificate in mental health and aging and serves as a board member for the Johnson County Commission on aging.

On Being – 9 a.m. Sundays Sept. 20-Oct. 18, Antioch Library. Life transitions, grieving, and dying are a normal part of the human experience, and yet we can find ourselves ill-equipped when facing change and loss. Taught by Jen Wewers, executive director of Prairie Sky Counseling Center.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Antioch Preschool Spots Available – There are a couple of openings in our classrooms at the amazing Antioch Preschool for (ages 2 ½ and older). Call Paula Benefiel at 913-681-1906 to schedule a tour.

international mission

Celebration Dominicana 2026 – You are invited to Celebration Dominicana on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Milburn Country Club as the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership (DRMP) celebrates more than three decades of hope and healing. Support this long-standing ministry while enjoying live music, food, drink, and creative, hand-picked auction items and experiences with Village pastors and staff and a lot more! Tickets are $60 per person.

Hit for Haiti Tennis & Pickleball Tournament – Saturday, Oct. 3. Attend the sixth annual tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis extravaganza at Homestead Country Club to benefit Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope. Find all the details HERE.

music ministry

Gold Line Quartet – 7p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, Sanctuary. Los Angeles-based Gold Line Quartet is a saxophone group merging the sounds of 19th century classical music with contemporary artists and pop/movie music from the 90s to today. Enjoy a brief lecture at 6:15 p.m. before the free program begins at 7 p.m.

VOCES8 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Mission Sanctuary. Friends of Chamber Music presents VOCES8, the acclaimed British vocal ensemble. Their “Towards Paradise” program is a deeply reflective sacred tapestry tracing a spiritual journey through music of longing, faith, consolation, and peace. Tickets are going quickly! Buy yours HERE.

VILLAGE U

Village Forum; Sundays, Sept. 13-20: Bible Stories for Grown-Ups – 9:30-10:30 a.m. Room 126 (Mission Campus). We will look at the stories of Noah and Zacchaeus from the video series by Rev. Josh Scott. All adults are welcome!

Religious Conflicts in Matthew’s Community – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 6, Room 126 (Mission Campus). Join theologian and Scripture scholar, Biagio Mazza, for four sessions that delve into the mind and heart of the Matthean community by examining their cultural, religious, and political context. Register HERE.

Discovering God’s Creation Through Observational Drawing – 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 16- Oct. 7, Room 206 (Mission Campus). Develop your drawing skills by learning to draw what you see. Using pencil, we will work primarily with natural objects while learning basic drawing techniques. All levels of experience are welcome! Register HERE.

Bad Weather Is Getting Worse: What Will Happen? 7-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, Room 233 (Mission Campus). This class, taught by Chick Keller, will discuss how America is managing climate change.

American Mahjong Group Lessons – 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, Room 230, (Mission Campus). Come and see why American Mahjong has become the fastest growing game in town. This two-part intro class will show you the basics of playing Mahjong. There is a limit of 8 people. Register HERE.

The Village U catalog is available online. Email Desiree Keyes with any questions.

women‘s ministry

Mahjong Mondays – 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 21 (Antioch). Join us to play Mahjong on the second and third Mondays each month. No need to RSVP. Bring your Mahjong card (copies will be available).

Fall Book Club – 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and 20, Room 8 (Mission Campus). We will read “True to You” by Dr. Kathleen Smith, a guide on exploring identity, values, and being your true self. Learn more and register HERE.

Antioch Book Club – 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15 (today) and Nov. 17, Conference Room, Antioch Campus. Today we will discuss “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson, and on Nov. 17 we will discuss “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi.

Young adults

Picnic in the Park – 5:30-7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 15. Young adults with small children are invited to bring the whole family to Neale Peterson Park (6136 Mission Road) for an evening packed with food, laughter, and fun! No cost, just RSVP.

Y.A.M. (Young Adult Ministry) Night – Join us for the first Wednesdays@Village starting Sept. 16. We’ll share a meal at 5:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall, then most weeks, at 6:15 p.m., all 20s and 30s will head to Room 8 for our programming.

YOUTH

Weekly programs are in full swing! Join us for any of our programs for students in grades 7-12. See you soon.

• Village Youth Sunday School – 9-10 a.m. Sundays
• Village Youth Group – 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays
• Wednesdays@Village – 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays

green tip of the week

Lawn Tip: Short grass needs more water to stay that way. A height of about 3½ inches is recommended for our warm-weather grasses. Taller grass also helps prevent weed growth.