Village Pres Sermons

In the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we have many stories about the public ministry of Jesus. We know of his teaching and preaching and miracles. We know of his last supper, washing his disciples’ feet, and his arrest, torture and crucifixion. We know of his resurrection from the dead and his encounters with his disciples and his ascension. But we know precious little about his li...

"Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power." (Ephesians 3:7) "When it is time to know it, you will know it." That was a refrain Alice Whitson recalls her Greek professor using during seminary and that wisdom has shown up in her own life over and over. God's love and grace and forgiveness for Go...

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:46-47). Today's scripture reading is Luke 2:41-52. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congre...

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” —Matthew 24:36. The season of Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting. Advent comes from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” In Advent, we wait for the birth of the Christ child. Yet theologians talk about three advents: the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the arrival o...

Today, Morning Stars Children's Music proudly presents our annual Christmas musical. “Arrest These Merry Gentlemen!” is a wild and crazy show telling the story of a band of unruly shepherds and angels. Are they disturbing the peace or simply spreading good news? Our scripture reading today is Luke 2:1-14. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@vill...

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting. Advent comes from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” In Advent, we wait for the birth of the Christ child. Yet theologians talk about three advents: the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Jesus. We will explore these three advents even as we wait to celebrate the baby...

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting. Advent comes from the Latin “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” In Advent, we wait for the birth of the Christ child. Yet theologians talk about three advents: the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Jesus. We will explore these three advents even as we wait to celebrate the baby...

In the last chapter of the Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, an angel shows John a vision of the water of life flowing from God’s throne. Straddling the river is the tree of life producing fruit for all creation and the leaves that come from the tree of life are for the healing of all the nations. We live in a world that is both beautiful and hurting. As we enter this giving season,...

In the last chapter of the Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, an angel shows John a vision of the water of life flowing from God’s throne. Straddling the river is the tree of life producing fruit for all creation and the leaves that come from the tree of life are for the healing of all the nations. We live in a world that is both beautiful and hurting. As we enter this giving season,...

In the last chapter of the Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, an angel shows John a vision of the water of life flowing from God’s throne. Straddling the river is the tree of life producing fruit for all creation and the leaves that come from the tree of life are for the healing of all the nations. We live in a world that is both beautiful and hurting. As we enter this giving season,...

In the last chapter of the Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, an angel shows John a vision of the water of life flowing from God’s throne. Straddling the river is the tree of life producing fruit for all creation and the leaves that come from the tree of life are for the healing of all the nations. We live in a world that is both beautiful and hurting. As we enter this giving season,...

From our earliest days as a nation, our democracy has been described as the “American experiment.” Then and even now, the very notion that a disparate group of people could come together and elect representatives to govern themselves seems incredible. For 248 years through a civil war and protests and riots, the American experiment has continued. Yet for many, it seems more fragile today than ever...

From our earliest days as a nation, our democracy has been described as the “American experiment.” Then and even now, the very notion that a disparate group of people could come together and elect representatives to govern themselves seems incredible. For 248 years through a civil war and protests and riots, the American experiment has continued. Yet for many, it seems more fragile today than ever...

From our earliest days as a nation, our democracy has been described as the “American experiment.” Then and even now, the very notion that a disparate group of people could come together and elect representatives to govern themselves seems incredible. For 248 years through a civil war and protests and riots, the American experiment has continued. Yet for many, it seems more fragile today than ever...

From our earliest days as a nation, our democracy has been described as the “American experiment.” Then and even now, the very notion that a disparate group of people could come together and elect representatives to govern themselves seems incredible. For 248 years through a civil war and protests and riots, the American experiment has continued. Yet for many, it seems more fragile today than ever...

In Matthew’s gospel, the last charge of Jesus Christ to his disciples was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). This has always been the task of the church—to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples and to invite them into a loving relationship with him and with his body, the church. In this sermon series, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will explore ways we r...

In Matthew’s gospel, the last charge of Jesus Christ to his disciples was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). This has always been the task of the church—to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples and to invite them into a loving relationship with him and with his body, the church. In this sermon series, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will explore ways we r...

In Matthew’s gospel, the last charge of Jesus Christ to his disciples was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). This has always been the task of the church—to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples and to invite them into a loving relationship with him and with his body, the church. In this sermon series, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will explore ways we r...

In Matthew’s gospel, the last charge of Jesus Christ to his disciples was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). This has always been the task of the church—to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all peoples and to invite them into a loving relationship with him and with his body, the church. In this sermon series, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will explore ways we r...

Rev. Zach Walker concludes the preaching series "Seeing God" with his sermon "Come and See." We live in a world where we can see and learn so much through media. Far flung parts of the world are visible to us. News of struggles and problems that were once trapped now receive a global audience. But what can we do in light of this knowledge? Sometimes, even in today’s world, ther...

This month we have been looking at where we see God in the movies. God, of course, also shows up in our lives. Today our youth lead us in worship, and we will hear how some of them saw God over the summer – in both expected and unexpected ways. They challenge us to examine our own lives, and to share with others when we have seen God show up. Our scripture reading is John 9:1-7, 35-38. Support the...

Sam: "By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkn...

"You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life." -- The ghost of Mufasa speaking to his son, Simba, in "The Lion King" Many people draw a clear distinction between the “sacred” and the “secular.” In their worldview, sacred things have to do with God an...

"But as for Aslan himself, the Beavers and the children didn't know what to do or say when they saw him. People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time. If the children had ever thought so, they were cured of it now. For when they tried to look at Aslan's face they just caught a glimpse of the golden mane and the great, r...

Throughout the Bible, the table holds a prominent place in the stories of God’s people. From the directions to build a table around which the people may gather in Exodus, to God preparing a table for us in the presence of our enemies in Psalm 23, to Jesus overturning tables in the temple in Jerusalem, to his last supper around a table with his disciples, the table is place of power and hope and ju...