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75 Years of Faithfulness: The Stories We Carry With Us

Jan. 14-Feb. 11, 2024

Village Presbyterian Church was officially founded on Feb. 13, 1949. We give thanks to God for the faith and faithfulness of all those who have gone before us, those who are with us now, and those who will come after us. In the Sundays leading up to our anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, we will share stories of how God has led this congregation from a beginning with 282 charter members to over 4,500 today.

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We’ve Come This Far by Faith – Jan. 14
We've Come This Far by Faith - Jan. 14, 2024
From its first days, Village Church has sought to nurture and sustain a vibrant faith in persons of all ages. Through caring for our infants and toddlers to dynamic pre-schools on two campuses and a well-known Child and Family Development Center to children’s ministries and caring for families to ministries with youth and young adults and adult faith formation, we have sought to help each one grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. Truly we have come this far by faith!​ Our scripture reading is Hebrews 11:1-8.
All Are Welcome – Jan. 21
All Are Welcome - Jan. 21, 2024
Courageous and not without conflict and controversy, the welcome of all peoples was built into the early ethos of Village Church. When Prairie Village housing covenants denied property ownership to African-Americans and others, our founding pastor, Dr. Bob Meneilly, called for us to welcome everyone. In later years, we welcomed the leadership of women and the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in our midst. We did this so that all would be welcome in this place! Our scripture reading is Luke 14:15-24.
Sing Praise to God – Jan. 28
Sing Praise to God - Jan. 28, 2024
The psalmist calls upon us to “make a joyful noise unto God!” Over these 75 years, the ministry of music has lifted our hearts and sent our spirits soaring. Blessed with talented leadership and the dedication of thousands of volunteers, choirs of children, youth and adults lifting their voices and ringing bells and playing instruments have marked every season. So, we join with the saints in heaven as we “Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation!” Our scripture reading is Psalm 98.
Go to the World! – Feb. 4
Go to the World! - Feb. 4, 2024
In our earliest days, Village Presbyterian Church was known as “the mission church on Mission Road” because of our commitment to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the whole world. Not content to focus on ourselves, the first decision of the new church 75 years ago was to send money to support the founding of new churches in other places. Jesus sent his first followers to go and make disciples of all nations. Today, we renew our commitment to obey that great commission to go to the world! Our scripture reading is Matthew 28:18-20.​
Tell the Children – Feb. 11
Tell the Children - Feb. 11, 2023
Our 75th anniversary affords us an opportunity to look back and give thanks for God’s great faithfulness. It is a time for celebration. It is also a time to look to the next 75 years and beyond. What is God calling us to do and to be for our next 75 years? God has indeed been faithful and in response, let us lean into God’s future! Rev. Sarah Are Speed is an associate pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and the daughter of former Village Church senior pastor, Rev. Tom Are, Jr. and Carol Are. Our scripture reading is Joshua 4:1-6, 21b-24.