Weekly Word

Where two or three gather in my name…

You all showed up! At the Mission campus Friday night, we had record attendance at the 50th anniversary celebration for the Preschool plus our annual Art & Hors d’oeuvres event and the momentum kept going into the weekend—as some of you prayed at the Labyrinth with Rev. Melanie Hardison, our young adults volunteered at Jerusalem Farm Saturday, more than 25 new members were warmly welcomed at both campuses on Sunday morning, and after the 4 p.m. Gathering service, large numbers of you turned out to serve your community for a spring version of Be the Church night. Check out the statistics (below) of what you all accomplished! Monday was also busy with a new staff person (welcome Bonny Green, music coordinator!), a Session meeting, and a standing-room-only community dinner with immigration experts and friends from Grandview Park Presbyterian hosted by the Social Justice committee.

• 1,200 lids labeled for Pete’s Garden
• 1,200 Easter eggs filled to be distributed to Food Pantry neighbors
• 190 hygiene kits assembled for Food Pantry neighbors
• 100 roadside care kits assembled to be distributed to folks in need along roadways
• 100+ Easter cards made for residents and partners with Hope Faith
• 50+ friendship bracelets made for Literacy KC
• 50+ personalized thank-you letters written for partner stores with Kanbe’s Market
• 10,000 adult vitamins into bags of 30; 5,000 children’s vitamins into bags of 30; 5,000 ibuprofen tablets into bags of 30; and 7,056 condoms into bags of 30 for the Dominican Republic Medical Partnership (DRMP)

Serve

Community Blood Center Announces Shortage – Save a life in April with Village and Community Blood Center! Tuesday, April 22 from 1-6 p.m. at the Mission Campus, Rooms 132 & 133. Walk in or sign up HERE. Tell your friends and recruit a donor!

Food Pantry & Clothes Closet – Fruit is often sought by our neighbors in need—canned or dried. Peaches, pears, mandarin oranges, and pineapple are favorites. All sizes of new undergarments and socks are always in need at the Clothes Closet, too.

Operation Breakthrough needs volunteers to help with their year-around tutoring program; one hour per week. Volunteers work one-on-one to assist the children with literacy and mathematics. Email Charlotte with questions and to volunteer.

Engage, Grow, and Celebrate

2nd Sunday Social – Gather Sunday, April 13, in the Welcome Center (Mission Campus) between services for a sweet treat and conversation! Antioch family: We will do this in Fellowship Hall after worship as our youngest friends head outside for the Egg Hunt.

adult faith formation

Village for Gun Sense Series: Beyond Thoughts and Prayers – 10 a.m. Monday, April 14, Room 307, Mission Campus. Kansas State Representative Stephanie Clayton will share ideas on being an effective gun safety advocate for our children, including best methods to contact your legislators. Childcare is available with your reservation.

Mapping Your Future: How to Find the Right College – Two sessions, two locations: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, Room 230, Mission Campus or 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, April 24, Multipurpose Room, Antioch Campus. Designed for students in grades 8-11 and their parents, this class—led by Vicki Petersen of VP College Consulting—guides you through the process of identifying the criteria that will help students find best-fit colleges. Register HERE.

Village Golf – We are excited to share the 2025 dates with you! Our first outing is Tuesday, April 22 at Fred Arbanas/Longview in Kansas City, MO. All men and women golfers are invited. Email Brad Steil to register before April 11. Follow the golf group on their Facebook Page.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast – 8 a.m. April 29, Heritage Dining Room. Rev. Alice Whitson will offer a presentation called, “Unexpected Opportunities for Ministry.“ Please join us for food and fellowship! $7 donation for breakfast. (This group is a continuation of Pastor Rodger’s Men’s Breakfast and will meet on the last Tuesday morning of the months when he is not speaking.)

Children & family ministry

Palm Sunday & Egg Hunt – Elementary kids are invited to join us in our annual Palm Parade during the 9 a.m. (Mission) or 9:30 (Antioch) worship services April 13. (Preschoolers are welcome to parade with their grown-up.)  For more information, contact Kate. Fun Egg Hunts follow at both campuses. Invite friends and bring an Easter basket!

Help Us Update the Mission Playground! We are making plans to renovate our aging playground, which is used year-round by families at Village and in the community. All donations will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $100,000 to ensure that the project makes it to the finish line. Thank you!

international mission

Would you like to help cover the cost of a free, three-day medical clinic scheduled during our June trip to Thwake, Kenya? About 1,500 men, women, and children with little or no access to medical care will be served. Thank you supporting our mission! Donate HERE.

music ministry

2nd Thursday Recital: Washington University Choir – 12:15 p.m. this Thursday, April 10. Free midday recital in the Mission Campus Sanctuary.

Presbyterian women

Women’s Build – Join other Village women Wednesday, May 14 to help our sisters build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership. No experience necessary. Tools, guidance, and lunch provided. Email Lisa Harrison to register by May 1.

young adults

Parents Group – 9-11 a.m. this Wednesday, April 9. Parents and their littles are invited to the Young Adult space on the second Wednesday each month for faith, fellowship, and food with Pastor Maggie.

Y.A.M.Picnic in the Park – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Young adult parents and their kiddos are invited to meet us for food and fun at Meadowbrook Park, Shelter 4. No cost, but sign up HERE to let us know you’re coming! Our next picnic will be Wednesday, May 14.

youth Ministry

No Programs this Sunday! Please note that there will be no youth programs Sunday, April 13 or 20 due to the Senior Capstone Retreat. All other programs will proceed as scheduled.

Graduating Senior Dinner – All graduating seniors and their families are invited to join us for dinner on Monday, April 28 from 6-8 p.m. Click HERE for more details and to RSVP.

green tip of the week:

Meat and dairy farming account for around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions! Add more plant-based foods and beverages to your diet. *Village Presbyterian Church is a certified Earth Care Congregation.

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Pastoral care & Counseling

Staying Connected Beyond Death – Deborah Shouse is our guest speaker at the next Faith & Grief meeting, this Wednesday, April 9 at noon. She will talk about how she follows her therapist’s suggestion to seek healing by writing letters to her beloved daughter, who passed away. Come at noon for lunch, the speaker, and facilitated conversation at partner church, Visitation Catholic.

Infertility and Miscarriage – 6:30-8 p.m. this Wednesday, April 9, Room 126/127, Mission Campus. In this workshop, participants will gain insight into the complex emotions individuals may face as well as learn gentle ways to offer comfort—ensuring you can support those affected with sensitivity and respect for personal boundaries.

Delivery Help Needed – Can you deliver an Easter lily to a homebound member near you on April 12? All lily info is HERE—including a sign-up for those who can help deliver. Thank you!