Three decades after the ministry of Jesus, life was chaotic for Christians in the Roman empire. Serious earthquakes occurred. Christians became scapegoats for the disastrous fire that destroyed much of Rome, and as a result were rounded up and put to death by the most horrific means. A Jewish revolt was put down by the Roman Army, leaving the temple in Jerusalem destroyed again. During this tumultuous time, someone we call Mark wrote the first Gospel. He tells the story that changes the world. In this series, we will travel with Mark from the beginning to the resurrection. Life 2,000 years after Jesus remains chaotic, but perhaps this story will change us. Mark bears witness that there can be abundant life even in the wilderness.
Jan. 2
Let’s Start at the Beginning
Rev. Tom Are
Jan. 9
Beloved Children of the Living God
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
Jan. 16
Will We Ever Get Out of Here?
Rev. Tom Are
Jan. 23
Why Did He Choose These Guys?
Rev. Tom Are
Jan. 30
Holy Friendship
Rev. Tom Are
Feb. 6
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Rev. Tom Are
Feb. 13
Do You See What I See?
Rev. Tom Are
Feb. 20
In Herod’s Court
Rev. Hallie Hottle
Feb. 27
Jesus Really Wants Us to See
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
March 6
The Problem with Being Right
Rev. Tom Are
March 13
Time to Move Beyond Book Learning
Rev. Tom Are
March 20
Eternal Life is Not Bold Enough
Rev. Tom Are
March 27
Are Smart People More Holy?
Rev. Tom Are
April 3
Jesus and the Poor
Guest preacher Rev. Jimmie Hawkins
April 10
Parade Time
Rev. Tom Are
April 17
He’s Not Here, But I Know Where You Can Find Him
Rev. Tom Are
He’s Not Here, But I Know Where You Can Find Him
Rev. Tom Are - Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022
Parade Time
Rev. Tom Are - Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022
It was quite a parade. People were singing. Others were making sure the young donkey had a green carpet on which to trod. The crowd seemed to grow, as it often does with parades, particularly those that are unscheduled. But when Jesus reaches the city of Jerusalem, the crowds drop away. He enters the city alone. No doubt, he always knew he would have to do this part alone. Our scripture reading is Mark 11:1-11.
Jesus and the Poor
Rev. Jimmie Hawkins - April 3, 2022
​We welcome to the pulpit Rev. Jimmie Hawkins as our guest preacher. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus is a few days away from his arrest, torture, and crucifixion. Mary, a friend of Jesus, anoints his feet with precious oil. One of the disciples, Judas, complains about how Mary wasted the expensive perfume and says the money could have been given to the poor, but Jesus tells him, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Rev. Hawkins will help us understand what Jesus meant by this and what it means for us today. Our scripture readings are Isaiah 43:16-21 and John 12:1-8.
Are Smart People More Holy?
Rev. Tom Are - March 27, 2022
Today we read the last passage in a section of Mark’s Gospel that is all about discipleship. The section begins with Jesus opening the eyes of the blind man at Bethsaida. It concludes with Jesus opening the eyes of blind Bartimaeus. It suggests that discipleship is in part a matter of seeing things rightly…specifically, seeing what it is to be human. Our scripture reading is Mark 10:46-52.
Eternal Life is Not Bold Enough
​Rev. Tom Are - March 20, 2022
​There was a man who came to Jesus with an important question. It’s a question, at one time or another, everyone probably thinks about. Typical of Jesus, he doesn’t really give an answer. More than anything, Jesus tries to change the man’s question. Our scripture reading is Mark 10:17-27.
Time to Move Beyond Book Learning
​Rev. Tom Are - March 13, 2022
​When John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus knew then that things would be difficult for him. Yet, after miracle upon miracle, Jesus’ disciples assumed the Messiah’s life would be defined by power. The real power in Jesus’ life was the power of love. The question of the ages is this: why is love such a threat? Why did Jesus unsettle folks so much that they preferred to have him killed? Our scripture reading is Mark 8:31-38.
The Problem with Being Right
Rev. Tom Are - March 6, 2022
​We return to the passage in Mark 8 for a second time, because in some ways the story is told twice. Once with a blind man who receives healing, and once with a disciple—Peter—who can’t see, or at least can’t see clearly. The blind man has an advantage, however for he knows he can’t see. Peter has no idea what he is missing. Like the blind man, the disciple will need a second touch. our scripture reading is Mark 8:22-30.
Jesus Really Wants Us to See
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Feb. 27, 2022
​Jesus does more miracles in Mark’s Gospel than in any of the other Gospels. But this particular miracle takes a little extra. Jesus opens the eyes of one who cannot see, or tries to, but his sight is still blurry. So, Jesus tries again. Thank goodness, Jesus is persistent. Our scripture reading is Mark 8:22-30.
In Herod’s Court
Rev. Hallie Hottle - Feb. 20, 2022
This story doesn’t make sense here. We’re hearing about the mission of the disciples, and then suddenly we’re in Herod’s court. Mark puts this made-for- television scene into the middle of his story. But perhaps this is how power’s drama always shows up - in the middle of our otherwise orderly narratives, making nonsense out of what we previously thought made sense. Our scripture reading is Mark 6:17-25.
Do You See What I See?
​Rev. Tom Are - Feb. 13, 2022
​This is one of the strangest stories in Mark’s Gospel. There is a man described as being possessed by a legion of demons. It’s hard to know exactly what that means, but the consequence is that to his community he is as good as dead. But when Jesus comes to him, he looks through the chaos and sees a human being. Jesus gives this demon-possessed outcast his life back, or better said, he gives him a life he never knew he had. Some might call it resurrection. Our scripture reading is Mark 5:1-20.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Rev. Tom Are - Feb. 6, 2022
Everything that Jesus did revealed God’s intention for us. He taught. We still study his teachings. But he also put his teachings into practice. If he had just taught, he might have escaped the cross. But he didn’t. Our scripture reading is Mark 2:13-17, 21-22.
Holy Friendship
Rev. Tom Are - Jan. 30, 2022
​Early in his ministry, a man was brought to Jesus carried by his friends. The friends made all the difference. When it comes to friendship, sometimes we do the carrying; sometimes we need to be carried. Both are human, and both are holy. Our scripture reading is Mark 2:1-12.
Why Did He Choose These Guys?
Rev. Tom Are - Jan. 23, 2022
​Today’s scripture narrates the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. They were going about their day when Jesus calls them to come and follow him. They drop everything, which is more than the nets they had in their hands. They drop their assumptions about what their lives were for. This raises two questions: what made them leave everything to follow Jesus? And why do you suppose Jesus picked them? Our scripture reading is Mark 1:14-20.
Will We Ever Get Out of Here?
Rev. Tom Are - Jan. 16, 2022
​If you read scripture, you learn pretty quickly that the wilderness is a big deal. It’s almost never “nature” that is beautiful and spiritual. Wilderness is a testing place. It’s where the word of God is questioned and the ways of God are doubted. It is also the place that the faithfulness of God is learned. Upon being baptized, Jesus is immediately driven into the wilderness. Casting Jesus into the wilderness is the work of God’s Spirit. It seems clear the wilderness is where God wants Jesus to be. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:9-13.
Beloved Children of the Living God
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Jan. 9, 2022
Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry. All four gospels tell of this event. Mark, true to form, is brief and succinct—no additional details—just the facts. In Matthew, John the Baptist protests that Jesus should baptize him. Luke has Jesus being baptized among other people which makes the dove descending and voice speaking from heaven all the more spectacular. In John’s gospel, it seems that John the baptizer does not recognize Jesus which is odd because he is, after all, his first cousin. All four gospels are clear on one thing: Jesus’ identity. In baptism, Jesus’ identity is made clear. He is God’s beloved son. It is the same for all of us. In baptism, our identity is made clear. We are God’s beloved children. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:9-11.
Let’s Start at the Beginning
​Rev. Tom Are - Jan. 2, 2022
​We begin a new sermon series today. About 30 years after the
life of Jesus, someone we call Mark wrote the first gospel. It was a theological witness to the redemptive love of God revealed in the life of Jesus. It was also a testimony to the reality that this love is often ignored, belittled and even battered. We will walk with Mark as he leads us to Easter. Today we begin at the beginning. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:1-8.

Quick Links

Food Pantry
Preschool
Child & Family Development Center
Wednesday Family Dinner
Baptisms
Weddings
Memorial Services
​Prayer List
Village U
Member Access
​​Bookstore
​​​​​Village Cup Coffee Shop
Picture
​6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS  66208 | 913-262-4200
© COPYRIGHT 2023.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.