This Advent Christmas Season will be one to remember and in some ways one we will likely want to forget. Our rhythms and traditions may be disrupted or amended, but at Village Presbyterian Church we are preparing moments of meaning for you. This is the truth: the light shines in the darkness. Hope can be trusted, and love is the power that heals. Join us for Advent season as we celebrate the love of God that is alive in the world.
— Rev. Tom Are, Jr., senior pastor
— Rev. Tom Are, Jr., senior pastor
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Advent Sermon Series
Worth the Wait: God, We've Made a Mess of Things. Can You Fix It?
Nov. 29- Dec. 24
During this season when COVID-19 has chased us indoors and, in many ways, away from one another, it is common to yearn for things to get back to normal. That’s what we have been waiting for. Advent is a spiritual season of waiting. As people of faith, we are not waiting to “get back” to anything. We are waiting for a promised day that we have yet to see, but it is a day on which we base our lives. In this sense, the church lives every day in the season of Advent. We are waiting for God’s promised day.
A Word of Hope while we wait…
Advent Daily Video Devotionals
As we wait together for Jesus Christ to be born, join us each day for a brief 2-3 minute video daily devotional offered by our pastors and other ministry leaders. Each day will feature a scripture passage and brief reflection offering a word of inspiration and hope for us all. Nov. 30 through Jan. 9, except Sundays. You’ll find these posted on our website, on our Village Facebook Page @VillagePres, or you can sign up to receive the Daily Video Devotional emails at villagepres.org/subscribe.
PW Advent Celebration
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Online
This year our PW Advent Celebration will be a participatory streaming event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. Village Church women pastors (from both current and recent years), will offer words of Christmas joy. Our online event will also include songs with Dr. Elisa Bickers and other musicians, as well as communion. It will be a holy experience infused with lots of holiday cheer!
The PW Advent Celebration will be broadcast on www.villagepres.org/online and the Village Church main Facebook page www.facebook.com/villagepres. It will also be available “on demand” to watch at your convenience at www.villagepres.org/pw. For those of you without access to the internet or a computer or mobile device, you can call 913-203-1301 to listen to the Advent Celebration service. Contact Laura Hobbs at laura.hobbs@villagepres.org or 913-671-2333 with questions.
The PW Advent Celebration will be broadcast on www.villagepres.org/online and the Village Church main Facebook page www.facebook.com/villagepres. It will also be available “on demand” to watch at your convenience at www.villagepres.org/pw. For those of you without access to the internet or a computer or mobile device, you can call 913-203-1301 to listen to the Advent Celebration service. Contact Laura Hobbs at laura.hobbs@villagepres.org or 913-671-2333 with questions.
Remembrance Service
4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 - Online
The service will be available online through www.villagepres.org/online. This annual worship experience provides an opportunity for members of the Village Presbyterian Church community to remember those who have died and are missed during the holiday season. The service always lifts up the names of church members who have died during the previous year. All worshipers are invited to have a candle or candles available that they can light at home during the service, as collectively we will light candles to remember our loved ones and others who have died.
Taizé Worship: Readings, Prayers, Music and Silence
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 - Online
Join Elisa Bickers, Matthew & Laurel Schaich and a Village Church pastor for a short, but special reflective time of worship. Taizé will be broadcast at villagepres.org/online, the Village Music YouTube channel, and the Village Music Facebook page @VillageChurchMusic.
Christmas Eve Online Services
3 & 5 p.m. - Family Worship Service with The Gathering Band
7, 9 and 11 p.m. - Traditional Candlelight Service
All Christmas Eve services will be livestreamed at villagepres.org/online.
7, 9 and 11 p.m. - Traditional Candlelight Service
All Christmas Eve services will be livestreamed at villagepres.org/online.
Come to the Star and Be the Christ Light
Christmas Eve Day at Village on Mission and Village on Antioch
On Christmas Eve day, all are invited to come in person to Village on Mission and Village on Antioch. Come journey to the star that proclaimed Christ’s birth to the whole universe. Remember the wonder and glory of the Christmas story and your part in it. Then take home Christ’s light to share with the world.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Village on Mission
Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Village on Antioch
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Village on Mission
Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at Village on Antioch
CLASSES
Adult Sunday Morning Class: Why The Incarnation Matters led by Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
10:30-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, via Zoom
Theologian J.I. Packer wrote that “nothing in fiction is so fantastic as the truth of the incarnation.” The very idea that God would become human flesh in the form of a baby is what C.S. Lewis called the “central miracle of the Christian faith” greater even than Jesus’ resurrection on Easter morning. That is why the Christian year officially begins with the season of Advent – the season of waiting for Jesus’ birth. Contact laura.hobbs@villagepres.org to register.
Christmas Carols: Then and Now
Hosted by Ryan Main and Dr. Jan Kraybill
2-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays in December via Zoom
Learn the story behind some of your favorite carols, ending with a unique modern arrangement of each song. Open to all, whether you are a musician or a Christmas music aficionado. Email ryan.main@villagepres.org to receive the Zoom link. We'll meet from 2-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 1-22.
CONCERTS, RECITALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Second Thursday Online Recital with Roger Wilder and Mark Strozier
12:15-12:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10
Jazz pianist Roger Wilder and jazz flutist Mark Strozier will present a program of seasonal jazz. FREE with online offering for Harvesters.
The recital will be broadcast on
1. villagepres.org/online - look for the button under the livestream screen RECITAL BROADCASTS
2. the Music Ministry Facebook page @VillageChurchMusic
3. the Music Ministry YouTube channel
The recital will be broadcast on
1. villagepres.org/online - look for the button under the livestream screen RECITAL BROADCASTS
2. the Music Ministry Facebook page @VillageChurchMusic
3. the Music Ministry YouTube channel
Te Deum Concert: Peace and Joy
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 - Online
Te Deum’s third annual Christmas concert is designed to thoughtfully reflect on the warmth of the holiday season. This concert will be a hopeful, intimate time to gather with your family. Though we are coming together in sung virtually, you will experience the beauty, warmth, and joy of Christmas. Our Christmas concert will be more intimate than ever as Te Deum splits into two 12-voice ensembles to rehearse and record new, meaningful pieces for the Christmas season. Visit te-deum.org to purchase tickets for our two livestream performances.
Second Saturday Family Fun "Christmas Lights Tour Kit"
9-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 - Village on Mission south parking lot
Come by the south entrance of Village on Mission to grab a “Christmas Lights Tour Kit” – complete with a holiday playlist, hot chocolate for the family and a map of the best neighborhoods of holiday lights in KC!
Village on Antioch Children’s Christmas Pageant
Noon Sunday, Dec. 13 - Online
The pageant will be presented by the families of Village on Antioch live online at noon on Sunday, Dec. 13, on villagepres.org/online and on the Village on Antioch Facebook Page @VillageAntioch.
Tidings of Joy
20th Anniversary Motion Picture
3 & 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 - Online
Don't miss the warmth, joy, and adventure of our highly anticipated 20th anniversary “Tidings of Joy” broadcast. This inspired and imaginative performance will involve Village children and adults in a short "feature film" that your whole family will enjoy. A retiring offering will benefit Literacy KC, our Village Church Signature Mission for 2021. The concert will be livestreamed on villagepres.org/online. It will also be posted on our website for “On Demand” viewing. Check back for the link.
Curbside Pickup Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, Dec. 16 - Village on Mission North Entrance
Chef Andrea and Larry will prepare a wonderful Christmas Dinner of glazed ham, candied sweet potatoes, seasonal vegetables and dinner rolls. Cost is $5 a person. The deadline to order Christmas Dinner online is noon Monday, Dec. 14. Order and pay online at villagepres.org/wednesday-family-dinners. Food may be picked up at the north entrance of Village on Mission between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
We are offering complimentary meals to Village Church families who have been directly affected by unemployment caused by COVID-19. Email cindy.wilcox@villagepres.org to learn more.
We are offering complimentary meals to Village Church families who have been directly affected by unemployment caused by COVID-19. Email cindy.wilcox@villagepres.org to learn more.
MISSION COLLECTIONS
Angel Tree at Village on Antioch
During Advent, Village on Antioch will be participating in the Angel Tree program through Prison Fellowship (prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree). This program gives us the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts for children on behalf of incarcerated parents who are not able to provide gifts. Angels and their gift requests, along with specific instructions, will be posted on a Sign-Up Genius which you may access via the VOA weekly email and the VOA website. Package drop-off at VOA will happen on Sunday, Dec. 13, and Monday, Dec. 14. Times for drop-off will be communicated later. The Sign-Up Genius will include spaces for those who would like to volunteer to help with delivery on Sunday, Dec. 20. Contact Laura Assyia (lassyia@yahoo.com) or Lisa Kelley (lkkelley1@kc.rr.com) with questions.
Don't Forget to Drop Off Your Gifts for Star Families
If you adopted an Operation Breakthrough STAR family for Christmas, please don’t forget to drop off your gifts to the Operation Breakthrough truck parked in the Village south parking lot on Sunday, Dec. 6. If you miss the truck, you can deliver your gifts down to Operation Breakthrough at 31st and Troost in Kansas City, Missouri. Gifts are distributed to families during the week of December 7. Contact Ann Colston, 913-461-1791 or Marilyn Borel, 913-708-1917 with questions.
Hat and Mittens Collection for Cross-Lines
The Village Church tradition of collecting hats and mittens returns for the holiday season. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions on entering the church, Village Church will not have its traditional holiday trees but has set up collection bins outside the south entrance of the Village Church on Mission from Dec. 11-24. Your gifts of hats and mittens will go to families and the homeless served by Cross-Lines Community Outreach in Kansas City, Kansas. Contact Deborah White in the Mission Office at 913-671-2369 or deborah.white@villagepres.org with questions.
Poinsettias: Honoring Loved Ones Brightens the Season for Others
Village Church delivered 300 poinsettias to homebound members who are staying safe in their homes and communities. The poinsettias were delivered prior to the first Sunday in Advent. Each poinsettia is made possible through church members purchasing these poinsettias in memory of loved ones. You still have time to honor a loved one by purchasing one of these poinsettias. Please send the printed memorial name and a check for $10 to Village Presbyterian Church (6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208) by Dec. 21. Make your check payable to “Village Church” and send to the attention of Janice Gill. For more information, call Janice at 913-671-2362. The list of loved ones memorialized by these poinsettia gifts will be published in an upcoming edition of the Good News newsletter.
Joy and Christmas Project Offerings
The Joy Offering provides support to current and retired church workers in need (50%) and to students attending Presbyterian- related schools and colleges equipping communities of color as well as leadership development efforts of the Racial Equity Office of the Presbyterian Mission Agency (50%). The Christmas Project offering helps local social service agencies like the Johnson County Christmas Bureau and Operation Breakthrough who help others with holiday and emergency assistance needs (100%). During the holiday season, consider making a gift to the Joy and/or Christmas Project offering as your way of remembering the One whose birth we celebrate.
This year’s Joy/Christmas Project Offerings are scheduled during Advent concluding on Sunday, Dec. 20. If you wish to make a gift, you can send a check to Village Presbyterian Church , 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Please note on your check or in your mailing that the contribution is for the Joy or Christmas Offering and the percentage you wish allocated to each.
This year’s Joy/Christmas Project Offerings are scheduled during Advent concluding on Sunday, Dec. 20. If you wish to make a gift, you can send a check to Village Presbyterian Church , 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Please note on your check or in your mailing that the contribution is for the Joy or Christmas Offering and the percentage you wish allocated to each.
PASTORAL CARE
Parking Lot Pastoral Care
4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16
Pastor Melanie or Pastor Sally will be parked in the north parking lot of Village on Mission for pastoral visits from 4:30-5:30 p.m. each Wednesday through Dec. 16 (weather permitting). They will be masked, physically distanced and ready to talk with you during curbside dinner pickup hours.
Stephen Ministers Available to Support You During This Season
Are you feeling exhausted from all the disruptions to life brought on by the pandemic? Do the holidays seem extra challenging this year? Are you or someone you know struggling with challenges like isolation and loneliness, anxiety over health, grief due to many different kinds of losses, tension from juggling work, childcare and schooling, financial strain or job loss, uncertainty about the future, other unexpected life challenges? If so, you don’t have to face it alone. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support. A Stephen Minister will meet with you privately—by phone, by video chat, or, if safely possible, in person—to offer care and support. It’s free and completely confidential. For more information, contact Rev. Becky Chamberlain at 913-449-0713 or becky.chamberlain@villagepres.org.
Prayer Requests
Village Church is a congregation that prays for each other and for the concerns of our world. Please send prayer requests to pastoralcare@villagepres.org or 913-671-2327 so that your church family can include your concerns in our prayers.
