Village Pres Sermons

The psalmist calls upon us to “make a joyful noise unto God!” Over these 75 years, the ministry of music has lifted our hearts and sent our spirits soaring. Blessed with talented leadership and the dedication of thousands of volunteers, choirs of children, youth and adults lifting their voices and ringing bells and playing instruments have marked every season. So, we join with the saints in heaven...

Courageous and not without conflict and controversy, the welcome of all peoples was built into the early ethos of Village Church. When Prairie Village housing covenants denied property ownership to African-Americans and others, our founding pastor, Dr. Bob Meneilly, called for us to welcome everyone. In later years, we welcomed the leadership of women and the full participation of lesbian, gay, bi...

From its first days, Village Church has sought to nurture and sustain a vibrant faith in persons of all ages. Through caring for our infants and toddlers to dynamic pre-schools on two campuses and a well-known Child and Family Development Center to children’s ministries and caring for families to ministries with youth and young adults and adult faith formation, we have sought to help each one grow...

As we enter a new year together, what does it look like to watch for the star? To look for those signs of God’s arrival in our lives and in our world? Epiphany season points to discovery, illumination, a new realization. We are still in a time of long nights and short days, and the concept of spiritual “dark” and “light” may hold more than first meets the eye. In Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Learning t...

Rev. Sally S. Wright led worship Sunday, Dec. 31. She asked: Do miracles simply exist in ancient stories or do they still happen today? Our scripture reading was Luke 2:22-40, the story of Simeon and his reaction to meeting the Christ child. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a prayer request?  congregational-care@v...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka reminded us of the importance of names, and in this particular sermon, he delved into "Emmanuel, God With Us," and what it means that our God stops at nothing to be with us. Scripture readings were: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262...

Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, God is named as “Father.” God is understood to be the parent of all peoples. Jesus, too, embodies the role of parent to his disciples, the women and men who followed him.  He talks sternly to them at times yet with compassion. He worries about them. He is hurt by them. He clearly loves them without condition. And while they did not understand it then, his love wou...

The early church struggled to understand Jesus’ relationship with God. He was the Son of God and yet, at the same time, Thomas names Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) In Jesus we know the mighty God. Time and again Jesus displays the power and strength of God. Jesus carries in him divine power and that power transforms and changes every person with whom he comes into relationship. Our sc...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka begins his Advent Sermon Series, “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” As the prophet Isaiah sees the coming of the new king, he will be a “wonderful counselor.” The term “counselor” has more to do with how Jesus Christ leads and governs. He will govern with justice and righteousness. He will help the people live in safety and wholeness. In this way, his reign will be filled with...

Everywhere we turn, human beings seek to define who is and who isn’t part of the community of God. But the promises that Christ embodies often go one step past what feels comfortable for us. Even the very human Jesus sometimes encounters this discomfort, as he did when he rejected the Canaanite woman. Fortunately, she believes so deeply in the promises of God that she refuses to allow human catego...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka concludes his series “Giving Thanks” with “Giving Thanks for All God’s Good Gifts” on Commitment Sunday. Our scripture reading is Psalm 138.  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 @...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka  preaches about what it means to be salt and light. Jesus talks about you and me and says, "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world." Rodger tells us more about how Christ is calling us to be salt and light for the whole world every day. Our scripture reading is Matthew 5:13-16​​. Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagep...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka explores the different gifts that God has given to us through our Young Adult Ministry. Our scripture reading is Matthew 19:16-22​​. 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 @villagepr...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka explores the different gifts that God has given to us through our ministries with young people. Our 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?  congregational-care@villagepres.org Facebook @villagepres Instagram @villagepreschurch YouTube @villa...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka explores the different gifts that God has given to us through our ministries with children and families. Our scripture reading is Mark 10:13-16​. 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 YouTu...

History inspires us. History includes the story of Abraham and Ruth. We have the words of Isaiah and the song of Mary. We remember the deeds of Jesus and the perseverance of Paul. There was the theological courage of John Calvin and the prophetic courage of Martin Luther King Jr. We remember the pastoral heart in the ministry of Dr. Bob Meneilly [founding pastor of Village Church]. The story of ou...

The early church remembers a woman named Tabitha. When she died, her friends summoned the apostle Peter. Peter prayed for her, and she got up. The church remembers the miracle. But the church also remembers with equal clarity her kindness. Our scripture reading is Acts 9:36-43.  Support the show Contact Village Presbyterian Church villagepres.org communications@villagepres.org 913-262-4200 Have a...

“We believe; help our unbelief.” This prayer has become part of our liturgy at Village Presbyterian Church. It is an unavoidable prayer, not because our faith is weak, but because the Gospel is so big. The call of this Gospel is so demanding it is never something we embrace with certainty, but with hope. This is why we pray, “We believe; help our unbelief.” Our scripture reading is Mark 9:14-29. ...

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka offers a phrase that is central to his faith. Our scripture reading is Isaiah 42:5-9. 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 @villagepresbyterianchurch To join in the mission and min...

When you have all the time in the world, you can talk about anything and nothing. But when time is short, you want to say what matters. Over the next few weeks, Rev. Tom Are, Jr. will lift up some language we have shared together. They are phrases that he wishes to leave with you as a type of blessing, and to express his gratitude for you. Next Sunday, Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will join the series...

Every year new officers of the church answer some important questions. These questions point to theological convictions we, as people of the church, hold dear. In this series, Rev. Tom Are, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka will explore the theological promise of these questions. Today we begin with considering what it means to trust in Jesus Christ. Our scripture reading is John 20:19-31. Support...

Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation of your own making? Moses did. He led the Israelites out of slavery only to find himself surrounded by desert with no clear map of where to go. They were lost. They had run low on food, and now they were without water. In times like that, it is natural to ask, “Just what are we doing here? And why does it have to be so difficult?” Does God have...

The unknowns of something new can be daunting. Yet, when we step beyond the comfort of our borders, we get to experience the mystery and beauty of God’s faithfulness to us. Today, our students are sharing with us how they answered the call to step outside of their comfort zones this summer. Peyton Yowell and Anika Brim preached the Gathering worship service. Our scripture readings are Matthew 4:18...

The unknowns of something new can be daunting. Yet, when we step beyond the comfort of our borders, we get to experience the mystery and beauty of God’s faithfulness to us. Today, our students are sharing with us how they answered the call to step outside of their comfort zones this summer. Tula Richard and Jack Vaughan preached the morning worship services. Our scripture readings are Matthew 4:18...

Today we turn to Pixar's “Up." The Gospel story is ultimately a love story of God’s love shown in Jesus Christ. After Jesus completes his public ministry on earth, he goes to heaven. From there the Gospel takes a turn from holding on to Jesus to letting him go and moving forward with his commission to “Go into all the world and make disciples…” Our scripture reading is Luke 24:44-53. ​We...