Village Pres Sermons

Our scripture reading is Psalm 51:1-3, 6-12. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

We are a busy church. Across our ministries, we do many things: mission, education, fellowship, caregiving. But the one thing the church does that sets us apart from all other groups and organizations is worship of the Living God. But different churches worship God in different ways. In this sermon series, The Ways We Worship, we will explore the different elements of our worship. From the call to worship to the confession of sin to our hymns and sacraments, we will explore how and why we worship the way we do. Our scripture reading is Psalm 34:1-10. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Our scripture reading is Luke 24:13-32. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Village Church Mission Campus. Our scripture reading is Matthew 21:1-11. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Our scripture reading is Romans 12:9-21. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Our scripture reading is Romans 12:15-21.Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston is senior pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and was Village's Meneilly visiting scholar this weekend. He holds a B.A. in history and religion from St. Olaf's College, an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Johnston was professor of homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Lent is a time of contemplation and preparation for the days of Holy week leading up the arrest, torture, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During this time, we are invited to engage in practices that will help shape our lives as we journey with Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb. Our scripture reading is Matthew 6:25-34. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Lent is a time of contemplation and preparation for the days of Holy week leading up the arrest, torture, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During this time, we are invited to engage in practices that will help shape our lives as we journey with Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb. Our scripture reading is Matthew 6:16-18. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Lent is a time of contemplation and preparation for the days of Holy week leading up the arrest, torture, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During this time, we are invited to engage in practices that will help shape our lives as we journey with Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb.  Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka begins his Lenten Sermon Series, “Practicing Lent” with “The Practice of Prayer.” Our scripture reading is Matthew 6:5-15. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

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. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

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. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

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. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

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 transgendered persons in our midst. We did this so that all would be welcome in this place! Our scripture reading is Luke 14:15-24. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

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. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

As we enter a new year together, what does it look like to watch for the star? To look for those signs of God’s arrival in our lives and in our world? Epiphany season points to discovery, illumination, a new realization. We are still in a time of long nights and short days, and the concept of spiritual “dark” and “light” may hold more than first meets the eye. In Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Learning to Walk in the Dark,” she lifts up some of the unique gifts that only the darkness can bring. But here in Isaiah, the prophet speaks to a new dawn with brightness, rising, and radiance—people gathering together from near and far. This passage of Hebrew Scripture has been used by Christians to point toward Matthew 2:1-12, and the coming of the Magi to the newborn Messiah—even connecting the details of gold and frankincense. Tying into Matthew’s Gospel, what does this story teach us afresh about the gifts we bring? The unexpected ways wisdom shows up? The scope of this good news that extends widely into nations and peoples beyond our own? As we celebrate this coming anniversary of God’s mission through Village Church, what are some unique gifts of this congregation? How has Village been a light through many a troubled time, and into the future? How are we invited even now to “rise and shine” in this new day? Our scripture reading is Isaiah 60:1-6.Rev. Cari Pattison, daughter of Marilyn and Dave and sister of George and Joe Pattison, is grateful to be a child of Village Church. She was baptized and confirmed at Village. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents were charter members. With fond memories of Village Church Advent workshops, VBS, day camp, youth group trips, listening to Dr. Bob's sermons, teaching Sunday school and serving on youth ministry staff, Cari traces her call to ministry most centrally to this congregation and God's gift of faith formation here. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2007, she currently serves as pastor of the Woodstock Reformed Church in Woodstock, New York, where the Hudson Valley meets the Catskills. She loves walking her dog Ollie, teaching yoga at the studio down the street and hiking with friends—especially the Appalachian Trail! Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Rev. Sally S. Wright led worship Sunday, Dec. 31. She asked: Do miracles simply exist in ancient stories or do they still happen today? Our scripture reading was Luke 2:22-40, the story of Simeon and his reaction to meeting the Christ child. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka reminded us of the importance of names, and in this particular sermon, he delved into "Emmanuel, God With Us," and what it means that our God stops at nothing to be with us. Scripture readings were: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12.  Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, God is named as “Father.” God is understood to be the parent of all peoples. Jesus, too, embodies the role of parent to his disciples, the women and men who followed him.  He talks sternly to them at times yet with compassion. He worries about them. He is hurt by them. He clearly loves them without condition. And while they did not understand it then, his love would endure beyond time and place. His love would be everlasting!  Our scripture reading is Revelation 21:1-8. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

The early church struggled to understand Jesus’ relationship with God. He was the Son of God and yet, at the same time, Thomas names Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) In Jesus we know the mighty God. Time and again Jesus displays the power and strength of God. Jesus carries in him divine power and that power transforms and changes every person with whom he comes into relationship. Our scripture reading is Psalm 96. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka begins his Advent Sermon Series, “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” As the prophet Isaiah sees the coming of the new king, he will be a “wonderful counselor.” The term “counselor” has more to do with how Jesus Christ leads and governs. He will govern with justice and righteousness. He will help the people live in safety and wholeness. In this way, his reign will be filled with wonder. Our scripture reading is Isaiah 9:1-7. Support the showContact Village Presbyterian Churchvillagepres.orgcommunications@villagepres.org913-262-4200Have a prayer request? pastoral-care@villagepres.orgFacebook @villagepresInstagram @villagechurchpvYouTube @villagepresbyterianchurchTo join in the mission and ministry of Village Church, go to villagepres.org/giving