Village Pres Sermons

Conversation is a lost art. But it is a spiritual practice. Rev. Tom Are preaches Village will be a place of conversation. You don’t want to be a part of that, unless you want your life to change. You might learn something new. And you might learn to love someone who isn’t like you. Our scripture readings are Acts 10:9-17a;23b-34. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.or...

Rev. Tom Are begins a new series “Village Being Village.” What do you think Village Church is known for? Or what should we be known for? Jesus said, “The world will know you belong to me by your love for one another.” It’s interesting that he didn't say, the world will know that you belong to me by your love for the world! No, “by your love for one another.” Jesus says loving one another is o...

As we conclude the “Road Trip” sermon series, Rev. Tom Are preaches sometimes we need to recognize that our questions are off a bit. Our target is the wrong one. We took the wrong road. It’s not just the journey, there is a destination, but it’s not to be myself, it’s to be the person God created me to be. Our scripture reading is Galatians 2:19-20.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian C...

The best road trips are never ones we take by ourselves. The best road trips require a friend to go along. Rev. Tom Are reflects on the importance of friendship. As human beings, we are defined by who we love and how we love them. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:16-20.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer re...

On World Communion Sunday, Rev. Tom Are invites some folks who have gone on Village Church international mission trips to talk about their experience. We have relationships around the world, and those relationships instruct and inspire us. Our scripture reading is Hebrews 11:32-12:2.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 H...

Rev. Tom Are shares the overall narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Good news…It doesn’t take any longer than a regular sermon!   Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congregational-care@villagepres.org Facebook @villagepres Instagram @villagepreschurch YouTube @villagepresbyterianch...

Jesus called James and John, Peter and Andrew to take a road trip with Jesus. They dropped everything, their jobs, their homes, the lives they had created up to that point. What do you supposed they were looking for on the road? Rev. Tom Are suggests it may be what brings us to church. Our scripture reading is Mark 1:16-20.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org comm...

Reflecting on the story of the prodigal son, Rev. Tom Are examines the courage required to hit the road in search of an authentic life, as well as lessons we learn on the road. Our scripture reading is Luke 15:11-18.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congregational-care@villagepres.org Facebook...

Right now, we are, as a country, coming to terms with one force that has hidden in plain sight for centuries: white supremacy. Rev. Dr. Brandon Frick looks at how this sin, and others, deceive us, and how we might see, and challenge it as God’s people. The scripture reading is Hebrews 3:12-14.    Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 91...

Village Church youth reflect on a time when church has been present in their lives in a way that was meaningful. How might that be something the church needs to be for others in these days? And how can we actively make that happen? The scripture reading is Matthew 16:13-19.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a pray...

As Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka concludes the “Being the Church” preaching series, the Apostle Paul offers up one more image for being followers of Jesus: new creations. It is so important that we understand that because of God’s love for us, we are made new. And not only are we made new, those around us are also new creations. Our scripture reading is 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.  Support the show Contact...

The Apostle Paul says we have this “treasure in clay jars,” plain ordinary clay jars. In part two of the sermon series "Being the Church," the Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka preaches do not be fooled by our outward appearance. We may look like ordinary folk, but the truth is, we have the treasure of Jesus Christ inside us! Our scripture reading is 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.  Support the show Contac...

We are all learning new ways of being family, being friends, being students and teachers, being employees and employers. The Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka explores new ways of being Church in part one of the sermon series “Being the Church.” Our scripture reading is 2 Corinthians 3:1-3.   Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Ha...

The prophet Ezekiel uses the image of the Israelites’ dry bones to remind them of the promises that God will one day breathe the breath of life within them again. And to remind them that they are still God’s people. In these days of COVID, join Rev. Sally Wright in spotting the places God breathes God’s breath into dry things. Our scripture reading is Ezekiel 37:1-14.  Support the show Contact Vil...

When it comes to seeing the flaw in our neighbors, our vision can be 20/20, but when it comes to seeing the flaws in our own lives, sometimes our vision gets quite blurry. Rev. Tom Are preaches taking a second look can prove to be eye-opening.  Our scripture reading is Matthew 7:1-5. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Ha...

Rev. Melanie Hardison preaches from Genesis 32:22-31. This is the story of Jacob’s long night of wrestling on a riverbank. She explores how Jacob perseveres, and what this story might mean for us today and in the weeks and months ahead.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congregational-care@villa...

Rev. Hallie Hottle preaches about the story of Rizpah in 2 Samuel 21: 10-14. Rizpah is a grieving mother, protecting the bodies of her lynched sons. Her protest is tragic and unrelenting, and it’s the thing that finally moves the king to right the wrongs, make the reparations, take down the bones. Only then does the land begin to grow again. In this day when bones still line our hillsides and a fa...

Rev. Tom Are preaches from Joshua 1:1-9. As Joshua leads God's people into the promised land, God tells him, "be strong and courageous." He, and all the people, needed courage not simply because battles awaited, but because they knew they were to live as a people shaped by God's word. To live faithful to the word of God always requires courage.  Support the show Contact Village...

Rev. Zach Walker provides some wisdom for those moments when life feels a bit heavy; recent weeks and months have put a fine point on that. What are we called to do in such times, and what does faith look like when the weight of it all tempts us to feel despair? Our scripture reading is Exodus 17:8-13.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres...

Rev. Tom Are preaches about the importance of trusting in God. It's not always easy. Particularly when times are challenging and confusing, like they are these days, it becomes more important for us to trust what our faith teaches us. Our scripture reading is Exodus 31:18-32:6.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Ha...

The phrase “Black Lives Matter” has become more familiar during the turmoil of recent weeks. Rev. Tom Are reflects on his understanding of how people of faith might understand this affirmation and encourages us to be more like Saul and to listen. 1 Samuel 17:28-40.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer reques...

Rev. Tom Are preaches from Psalm 13, one of the many psalms of lament. In his sermon message, Rev. Are said that George Floyd is just one person who has succumbed to this disease of systemic racism that has infected our lands from the time the first Pilgrims disembarked on our sandy shores until this very hour. As we grieve the killing of George Floyd and so many other African Americans, like the...

In the final sermon in the series “There’s a Call for You,” Rev. Tom Are rehearsed again the story of Pentecost where the Spirit of God breathed life into the church. What does the world need from us today? What is the calling that we share as followers of Christ in this place? Acts 2:1-21. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-...

In the third sermon in the series “There’s a Call for You,” Rev. Tom Are reflects on the call of Moses. Moses doesn’t feel equipped. He doesn’t want the job. God said, “I will be with you and that will be enough.” When God calls us, God also promises to journey along with a calling. Exodus 3:1-6,9-12. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.o...

In the second sermon in the series “There’s a Call for You,” Rev. Tom Are asks the question: Is God calling you as an individual to a particular work or role or task? Jeremiah 1:4-10.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congregational-care@villagepres.org Facebook @villagepres Instagram @villagepr...