Colonial Church in Prairie Village

05/31/2026

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Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Saturday, June 13 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Saturday, June 13th | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Greetings! Looking for a night off? Drop your kids off at our “Parents Night

05/29/2026

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Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Rev. Michael Vollbrecht preaching Donate Online Visit Our Website "The People God Calls Blessed" May 31 Worship Dear Friends, We have just completed a yea

05/29/2026

"The People God Calls Blessed" May 31 Worship

We have just completed a year of readings in the lectionary, beginning in September with the gospel of John and continuing this spring with Paul’s letters and the book of Acts. We now move into summer and an upcoming series on inclusion and belonging beginning June 7.

This Sunday, we’ll explore the Beatitudes from the opening of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. These familiar words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” “Blessed are the merciful,” “Blessed are those who mourn,” are far more than gentle sayings or inspiring poetry. Jesus speaks these words to ordinary people living in anxious and uncertain times, offering a vision of a different kind of life and community shaped by compassion, mercy, humility, and peace.

I’m writing this while sitting beside a lake in Minnesota, listening to blackbirds, doves, and kingbirds calling out across the water. These past few days have offered a much-needed sense of quiet and rest, and it has reminded me how deeply many of us long for peace in a world that often feels filled with noise, stress, and tension.

Perhaps that longing is part of what Jesus was speaking to all along.
I hope you’ll join us Sunday as we reflect together on these ancient words and what they might still teach us about the way of peace, compassion, and community today.

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 8:30 or 10:15 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 10:15 a.m. at https://colonialucc.online.church/
Or, you can worship anytime via YouTube at https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Rev. Michael Vollbrecht preaching Donate Online Visit Our Website "The People God Calls Blessed" May 31 Worship Dear Friends, We have just completed a yea

05/22/2026

"Pentecost: Rejoice!" May 24 Worship

This Sunday is Pentecost, the “birthday” of the church, so don’t forget to wear red as we celebrate the Spirit moving among us in joy, courage, and hope!

I have to tell you, I’m feeling especially energized lately. Maybe it’s the sunshine and warmer weather, but this time of year always seems to wake something up in me. I feel that same kind of energy stirring around Colonial Church right now too. There is so much good happening here, and so much to look forward to together. I’m deeply grateful to be part of this community in this season.

Matt, Karma (our dog!), and I are heading to Minnesota this Memorial Day to spend a couple of days with my family, including my sister and her five kids. I absolutely love being an uncle. But I could definitely use a little of that “speaking in various tongues” gift from Acts just to keep up with all the conversations happening at once.

I’m looking forward to worshiping together this Sunday as we celebrate the Spirit that continues to move through the church, and through all of us.

See you Sunday,
Michael

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 8:30 or 10:15 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 10:15 a.m. at https://colonialucc.online.church/
Or, you can worship anytime via YouTube at https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Rev. Michael Vollbrecht preaching Donate Online Visit Our Website "Pentecost: Rejoice!" May 24 Worship Dear Friends, This Sunday is Pentecost, the “birthd

05/20/2026

May 20, 2026 Newsletter

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Keeping you up to date Join Us for Pride Fest 2026 You have two opportunities to represent Colonial Church during Pride weekend this year. Worship with Us

05/15/2026

"The Christ Hymn" May 17 Worship

One activity I miss from my younger years is letter writing. I lived overseas before the times of the internet (so many, many years ago) and loved to sit down and write to my friends and family, and loved it even more, when I received a letter in return. Of course, with some of my correspondents, my letters were more newsy, less introspective. Some were more intimate, expressing my deepest thoughts and hopes.

This Sunday at Colonial, we continue with our reading of the Letter from Paul to the Philippians. A letter he wrote from prison to one of his most beloved communities. This is not a newsy letter, but a letter where he shared his affection for this young church community and his deep hope for their shared life, a life rooted in the mind, actions and love of Christ. It’s a life that doesn’t call for ease (he is writing from prison!), but one that looks to something much deeper and sustaining.

When we come together this Sunday, let us read this letter as if it was written to us, a beloved community in Prairie Village! And let us see if we can tap into this deep and sustaining message of living in community, walking together in the footsteps of Jesus.

I am so looking forward to sharing Sunday with you.

Sincerely,
Pastor Heather

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 8:30 or 10:15 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 10:15 a.m. at https://colonialucc.online.church/
Or, you can worship anytime via YouTube at https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Rev. Heather Coates preaching Donate Online Visit Our Website "The Christ Hymn" May 17 Worship Dear Friends, One activity I miss from my younger years is

05/12/2026

This past Saturday, the United Church of Christ — the denomination of which Colonial Church is a part — elected a new Associate General Minister to support our churches. For the first time in our history, all three elected officers of the UCC are women. That is something to celebrate and be proud of. God is still speaking. ❤️

05/08/2026

"Living inHope: Working Together: May 10 Worship

What’s in a name?

I was eleven when my sister was born. In the months leading up to her birth, I discovered that my parents had chosen to name her “Hannah.”

I was appalled.

Did they not know the teasing that was about to ensue? Hannah… BANANA?! I was convinced this was a bad move.

My parents, on the other hand, knew something else about the name. One meaning of the name is “Grace,” while another means “[she] who God highly favors.” I suppose I couldn’t argue with that.

This week, after much thought and care, our church council shared its recommendation of a new name for our community.

For some, this is exciting; for others, it doesn’t sit so easily.

We have an opportunity now to listen to one another as we consider a potential name change. Like naming a child, we pour our dreams, hopes, and worries into the decision. We don’t have all the answers, but we trust that God is with us along the way.

Over the years, my sister has lived into her name. She has a caring heart, which she uses to love her children, my nieces and nephews, all five of them! And of course, I love it, too.

Throughout this process, we've been reminded that a name isn’t everything. What matters most is who we are, the love we share, and how we show up for one another.

But sometimes, a name can help tell that story. It can point us toward who we are and who we’re becoming.

Names grow into us, and we grow into them.

Perhaps the question before us isn’t simply, What should we call ourselves? but Who are we becoming, and what name might help us live more fully into that calling?

Like hearing my sister called “Hannah” for the first time, we may not fully understand the name at first. But with time, care, and grace, we may just grow into it… together.

See you Sunday,
Michael

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 8:30 or 10:15 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 10:15 a.m. at https://colonialucc.online.church/
Or, you can worship anytime via YouTube at https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village What's In a Name? Donate Online Visit Our Website "Living in Hope: Working Together"  May 10 Worship Dear Friends, What’s in a name? I was eleven when m

05/07/2026

Come to Our Rummage Sale!
7039 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Ks
Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8 - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 - 9:00-11:00 a.m. Half Price Day!
Enter in the back (east side)

05/06/2026

May 6, 2026 Newsletter

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Keeping you up to date The Rummage Sale Is Here! Sale Hours: Wednesday, May 6 - 3:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8 - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Satu