Colonial Church in Prairie Village

Worship Series Roll Down Justice What do you know about exorcisms? You may well have participated in an exorcism without knowing it! As we’re continuing our “Roll Down, Justice” series through the lens of Baptism, we are going to explore the ancient practice of exorcism. It may be exactly what you’re needing in a season of so much change.

Worship Series Roll Down Justice Every church, mosque, and synagogue in Kansas City laments this weekend following the shooting of Ralph Yarl. This act of violence, fueled by racism and fear, doesn’t stand alone. Lament is a kind of prayer - raw and real. Half of the Psalms are laments. There is a book called Lamentations. And Jesus quoted laments all the way to the cross. This Sunday we are going...

Worship Series Roll Down Justice There is almost an obsessive need in our time to label people: "good or evil"; "left or right"; "this side or that." It is a radical act of baptism to name each person "Child of God" - no matter what people say. This is where love that breaks all labels begins as God loves everyone - no matter what.

Worship Service in the Series Roll Down, Justice You don’t get to have Easter without the horror of the cross. When faced with the worst violence human beings can do, what does justice even look like? We will hear Pastor Aaron's experience in Cambodia coming to face the power of death and resurrection hope as he met with one of the twelve survivors of S-21, a concentration camp in Cambodia. The ho...

If we think of our lives and relationships as concentric circles with Jesus at the center, then our faith should radiate outward, always becoming more expansive and inclusive. After all, Jesus was always expanding the circles of welcome. However, sometimes people have a tendency to tighten up and make their circles smaller, eventually leaving little room for the very faith and love that Jesus teac...

If we think of our lives and relationships as concentric circles with Jesus at the center, then our faith should radiate outward, always becoming more expansive and inclusive. After all, Jesus was always expanding the circles of welcome. However, sometimes people have a tendency to tighten up and make their circles smaller, eventually leaving little room for the very faith and love that Jesus teac...

Be a Blessing Worship Series "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me" are not just the lyrics from a much beloved hymn but speak of a profound truth: we must be the peace we seek. The work of peacemaking is internal as much as external. Jesus tells the disciples, "my peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you". John 14:25-27. In other words, peace is a gift before it's a practice...

Be a Blessing Worship Series Maya Angelou once said, "Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayers." Giving thanks in all circumstances, says Paul reminds, us that this practice is much deeper than remembering to say thank you for things. Rather, it's a life orientation where we give thanks simply for the fact that we are here at all. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Rev. Pet...

Be a Blessing Worship Series None of these practices of the faith come easily to us all the time. This is why we need to be so diligent about making sure we set aside time for prayer. Call it meditation, or simply being still, or mindfulness, all of this is part of cultivating an inner life, where we close out the world so we can hear the voice from within. Paul encourages us to "pray constantly."...

Be a Blessing Worship Series Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians, invites the congregation to see their role as one of encouraging one another. The older I get, the more I see how much difference we can make in another's life by being the encourager. – Rev. Peter Luckey

Be a Blessing Worship Series Our good works are not viewed as "brownie points" to win us favor with God, but rather are our natural response to the grace that has been poured out among us by a generous and loving God. The text will be Paul's great words in his letter to the Romans, where he encourages us to outdo one another in our zeal to do good. Rev. Peter Luckey

Be a Blessing Worship Series It's not just that we "can" be a blessing to the world; we already "are" a blessing. The question is: how do we show up? How might you be a courageous blessing-bringer to this hurting world? Join us this Sunday as we tackle* these questions and more.

Be a Blessing Worship Series The signs that are facing the street outside of our church over the past weeks have said "Be the Blessing." Underneath these important words are suggestions on how we might do that: Words like "Pray Often," "Be Kind," and "Work for Justice." This week we'll look at other words on that sign: "Lead with Love." Being a blessing starts with each of us. How do we lead with...

Be a Blessing Worship Series In the United Church of Christ we often say that wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome. And that's true! We are all on a journey, both individually and as a community of faith. Although none of our journeys look the same, there are some similarities: highs and lows, challenging moments, joys and sorrows. Join us this Sunday as we explore journeys of all k...

Be a Blessing Worship Series In last week's service we discussed God's desire to create a world of abundance where everyone has what they need to live fully. Unfortunately, humans have fashioned something different: a world of limitations and scarcity. In the midst of life's challenges, how might we create a just world for all people? Join us this Sunday as we discover God's invitation toward a li...

Life can feel overwhelming at times, even messy. Negativity can swirl around us, and we can forget that God is still speaking to us. Join us as we explore how abundant God's blessings really are in our lives, even in the midst of uncertainty and fear. Discover how we can be a blessing to others, and to ourselves. In this first week of a new series on blessings, we turn to the Beatitudes of Jesus....

The world is religiously messy. Religious violence and intolerance are increasing. But, this isn't the first time. We're going back to an ancient story of the magi, and the hope that there is a Way of living that leads to peace. We'll look for that as we worship God this Sunday.

Angels Among Us Worship Series When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him. . . .” After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up,” the angel said, “and ta...

Angels Among Us Christmas Season Series “Do not be afraid.” — The Angels

Angels Among Us Christmas Season Series “Do not be afraid.” — The Angels Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you — wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is...

By Pastor Michael Vollbrecht Angels Among Us Christmas Season Series “Do not be afraid.” — The Angels "...an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin...

Angels Among Us Christmas Season Series “Do not be afraid.” — The Angels In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary....The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the chil...

An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. . . . He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” — Luke 1: 5-25, 57-80 It was just...

Friends November Sermon Series In our Building Relationships giving campaign this November, we are focusing on Friends. In this second week of the series, we wonder: What does it mean to be a good friend? A good person? A good Christian? We'll look at these questions through the lens of the TV show "Friends," as Phoebe Buffay tries to be as unselfish (and selfless) as she can be. Will it work? Fin...

Friends November Sermon Series In our Building Relationships giving campaign this November, we are focusing on Friends. God works through friendships to make this life full and abundant, and as a church community we are committed to building friendships through small groups in this coming year. So, join us for these Thanksgiving special worship services!