Colonial Church in Prairie Village

09/04/2026

When I began serving as your senior minister a year ago, I introduced a new way of encountering scripture together each Sunday. If you can remember all the way back to September 7, 2025, Rev. Caela Simmons Wood preached from the book of Genesis, beginning a journey that carried us through the Hebrew Bible during the fall. In the spring, we turned to the Gospel of John. Over the course of the year, we’ve had the opportunity to spend sustained time with these stories, following the broad sweep of scripture rather than encountering each Sunday’s reading in isolation. And now we’re about to begin again.

This Sunday marks our final week in this year’s Narrative Lectionary cycle, and on September 13, Gathering Sunday, Rev. Heather will bring us back to Genesis once more. There’s something meaningful about coming full circle. We return to familiar stories, but we don’t return to them as exactly the same people. We’ve lived another year. Our community has changed. The world has changed. We have changed. And so the scriptures have a way of speaking differently, too. Each time we return to these ancient stories, we have another opportunity to discover something about God, ourselves, and what faithful living might look like in the world we inhabit today.

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it might mean to be a "formed" Christian, someone willing to engage their faith thoughtfully, ask difficult questions, and recognize when theology is being used to cause harm. We’ll talk about the importance of challenging ideas such as American exceptionalism and nationalism when they become intertwined with Christianity, and we’ll consider our responsibility to cultivate a faith that can withstand serious questions while offering something life-giving to future generations.

Worship with Us This Sunday
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 9:30 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 9:30 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 "Tell the Story Again" September 6 Worship Dear Friends, When I began serving as your se

08/21/2026

"Advocates for God's Realm" August 23 Worship

Dr. King said the greatest challenges facing our nation were the “terrible triplets” of racism, poverty, and violence. These, along with climate disruption, form the basis of the mission of Kansas Interfaith Action, a statewide, faith-based advocacy organization.

Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of KIFA, will join us this Sunday during worship to share the vision of Kansas Interfaith Action and how we can join together with thousands of people of faith and conscience throughout Kansas to “put faith into action” in support of moral public policy in Kansas. He will also make a presentation after worship at 10:40 a.m. in the Social Hall.

Worship with Us This Sunday
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 9:30 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 9:30 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 Rabbi Moti Rieber preaching Donate Online Visit Our Website "Advocates for God's Realm" August 23 Worship Dear Friends, Dr. King said the greatest challen

08/19/2026

Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, will join us this Sunday, August 23, during worship to share the vision of his organization and how we can join together with thousands of people of faith and conscience throughout Kansas to “put faith into action” in support of moral public policy in Kansas. Moti will also join us after worship to share more about his faith journey and the work of KIFA. We hope to see you at 9:30!

08/19/2026

https://conta.cc/4hDVfL2

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Keeping you up to date “Advocacy as Faith Development: The Work of Kansas Interfaith Action” Dr. King said the greatest challenges facing our nation were

08/16/2026

We have a full morning at Colonial Church in Prairie Village! Join Rev. Heather Coates in our sanctuary at 9:30 am for our regular service. Pastor Michael will also be there for a blessing on our students and educators as we begin a new school year (already?!) Following the service, connect over coffee and conversation as Michael shares about his experience on a UCC trip to Germany last month (where he got this cool hat!) See you soon!

08/14/2026

https://conta.cc/461knEi

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Back to School Blessing Donate Online Visit Our Website "A People for the World" August 16 Worship Dear Friends, It’s school time again. That time of year

08/07/2026

"What Shapes Us?" August 9 Worship

I'm shocked to admit it, but summer is already beginning to give way to autumn, although I imagine we have plenty of hot weather ahead of us. As usual, and especially during this election season, we find ourselves surrounded by voices competing for our attention. Social media, endless notifications, and the demands of everyday life all shape us in ways we may not even realize. This Sunday, we'll reflect on Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:1–8 and consider a simple but important question: What is shaping your soul?

Together, we'll consider how we can intentionally cultivate our inner lives so that we are formed not by fear, division, or outrage, but by the love, grace, and peace of God.

As we look ahead to the fall, there is so much to anticipate in the life of Colonial Church. Together, we'll make important decisions about our church's name, discern the best time for worship, explore offering our first Confirmation class in several years, host a new member class, and begin planning another year of education, worship, fellowship, and community events. I believe we are in an exciting season of growth and possibility, and I hope you'll be part of it.

Looking ahead, you're invited to stay after worship next Sunday as I share stories and reflections from my recent experiences in Germany. Then, on August 23, we'll welcome a special guest, Rabbi Moti Reiber from Kansas Interfaith Action, who will offer a timely and meaningful message about faithful engagement in our world today.

This is a wonderful time to reconnect with Colonial Church, or to invite a friend or neighbor to experience the welcome and community we offer. I'd love to worship with you this Sunday!

See you soon,
Michael

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 9:30 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 9:30 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 "What Shapes Us?" August 9 Worship Dear Friends, I'm shocked to admit it, but summer is

08/04/2026

LIVE & LEARN – INTERNET SAFETY - TONIGHT
If you know a child whose fingers can reach a keyboard, this is a great way to bring yourself up to speed on keeping them safe. A great way to get ready for back-to-school challenges.

Presented by Sunflower House. Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 pm, Social Hall.
Sunflower House will discuss topics usually covered in their Keeping Kids Safe Online Training, designed in conjunction with the Overland Park Police Department and the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force.

Bring your questions, concerns and challenges. And, of course, a friend or two!

Childcare provided for ages 2-10.

07/31/2026

"The Wisdom of Wonder" August 2 Worship

After a refreshing vacation and a meaningful experience in Germany, I’m grateful to be back and looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!

This week we’ll conclude our journey through the letters to Timothy. Do you ever feel like we spend so much time trying to make perfect sense of God, that we forget to simply be present? During my vacation, watching the sun, the surf, and the rhythm of the waves reminded me that God’s presence is often found not in having all the answers, but in paying attention to the beauty and wonder already around us. We’re going to explore these ideas in depth this week.

Worship with Us
Come to Colonial Church to worship at 9:30 a.m.
Connect to online worship at 9:30 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 Wisdom of Wonder" August 2 Worship Dear Friends, After a refreshing vacation and a

07/29/2026

July 29, 2026 Newsletter

Email from Colonial Church of Prairie Village Keeping you up to date LIVE & LEARN – INTERNET SAFETY Presented by Sunflower House. Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 pm, Social Hall. Sunflower House will dis