Latest News

IN THIS ISSUE…
Upcoming Worship, Women’s Connections, Conversation and Company, The Table Restaurant, OCO Concert, Open Arms, VBS 2025, Plant Sale, First Friday Fellowship, 2025 Nehemiah Action, Confirmation Ceremony, This week at Grace, Tochi Team, In Need of Prayer? 

World got you down? Hanging by a thread?
Here are some options:

Catch the Easter traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

View the videos below to catch all the special Easter music and message, from either our traditional or modern services at Grace

Grace UMC choir performs their Good Friday Cantata, “In My Place – Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice of Love”

I am excited to celebrate the hope of Easter with you this Sunday. We will have three worship services. Traditional worship will be in the Celebration Center at 9:00 and 10:30 AM. Common Grace is a modern worship that will be held at 10:15 AM in Grace Gathering.

Here’s the recording of the 4/17 Maundy Thursday service at Grace, including lots of special music, scripture, and a message from Rev. Wes on True Greatness.

Was Judas Right?
I never thought so. But this year? I’m questioning everything.

Information and farewells from Rev. Wes and Worship Leader Eric

IN THIS ISSUE… Holy Week Worship, Easter Worship, Church Office Closed, A Message from Eric, Women’s Connections, The Table Restaurant, Grab Your Nametag, This Week at Grace, Grace Publication Deadlines, Prayers for Grace, In Need of Prayer? 

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday begins Holy Week. It will be a full morning at Grace as we celebrate Palm Sunday at all three worship services. The day also includes a reception for Pastor Wes, and egg hunt for our children, a baptism and a commissioning of our Tochi mission team. You can find a Palm Sunday schedule at the bottom of this email.

I wonder: Is it possible to be ruthless in faith? You know—not the cruel kind, but the committed kind? What would it look like to be unrelentingly pursuing a full relationship with our Creator? What would life be like with that singular goal in mind, letting nothing get in the way?

IN THIS ISSUE…
Upcoming Worship, Palm Sunday Schedule, Celebration for Pastor Wes, Tochi Buddies Needed, Holy Week Worship, Easter Lilies for Purchase, A Message from Eric, The Burger Boys, Women’s Connections, The Table Restaurant, Grab Your Nametag, This Week at Grace, Grace Publication Deadlines, In Need of Prayer? 

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday we will continue our worship series on the Lord’s Prayer at all three services. We will dig into the phrase, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Don’t give in to that temptation to sleep in on Sunday morning. There is no better place to be than with your church family.

Here’s a short quiz to help you figure out just how vulnerable you are (and how vulnerable you should be.)

IN THIS ISSUE… Upcoming Worship, Tochi Buddies, Holy Week Worship, Palm Sunday Schedule, Easter Lilies Available, Women’s Connections, Celebration for Pastor Wes, Good Faith Network, Y.E.S. First Friday, Grace Gear Spring 2025, This Week at Grace, Grace Publication Deadlines, In Need of Prayer? 

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

Here’s the April newsletter for Grace senior adults!

Prayer comes in many forms, and they do not always include words.

God redeems, forgives, and holds people accountable. That’s a tougher, deeper road—and one we’re called to walk.

IN THIS ISSUE… Upcoming Worship, Kids & Youth Update, Holy Week Worship, Palm Sunday Schedule, Easter Lilies Available, Celebration for Pastor Wes, All-Church Potluck,Missing Keys, Y.E.S. First Friday, Good Faith Network, Grace Gear Spring 2025, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Loving Memory, In Need of Prayer?

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This week we will continue our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer by digging into the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread.”

You may be interested in these recent updates and additions to the Grace Website, beyond the regular weekly updates.

When I dive into the chaos of the world, I dive deep.
I let it wash over me — nearly drown me — because I don’t want to become numb to the many problems we face.
But when I’ve reached my limit? I’ve got to escape.

IN THIS ISSUE… Upcoming Worship, Holy Week Worship, Silver Set, All-Church Potluck, Extravaganza Last Chance Items, Missing Keys, Women’s Connections, Grace Gear Spring 2025, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer? Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday in worship we will continue our series on the Lord’s Prayer by digging into the phrase, “Thy will be done.” I invite you to join us in person or online as we seek God’s will in our lives.

In response to the above picture, I have two words for you.
No, they aren’t cuss words, but these two words do pack a punch. They look almost identical—and yet, they mean the exact opposite.

Please join us – no experience necessary.

the Bishop of the Great Plains Annual Conference, in consultation with the Appointive Cabinet, is appointing me to serve as the pastor of Heritage UMC in Overland Park, Kansas.

IN THIS ISSUE…

Extravaganza Thank You, Upcoming Worship, Third Grade Bibles, Pastor Wes’ Letter,  Silver Set, Grace Ambassadors, Women’s Connections, Prayer Blanket Workday, Lenten Studies, The Burger Boys, Y.E.S. Friday Fellowship, Contemplative Community, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Loving Memory, In Need of Prayer?

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

Thank you to everyone who attended and who worked to create another fantastic Grace Extravaganza!
Here are Chandler’s photos from the event.

Grace Extravaganza, Lenten Series, Spring Forward!

Prayer, hymns, special music from the choir and quartet, and a helpful Ash Wednesday meditation — “All by yourself. Together.” — by Rev. Mitch.

What if Ash Wednesday went viral? Imagine a world where your forehead is the trending topic. No, really.

IN THIS ISSUE…

Extravaganza Is This Week!, Ash Wednesday, Upcoming Worship, Spring Forward, Silver Set, Grace Ambassadors, Prayer Blanket Workday, Lenten Studies, The Burger Boys, Y.E.S. Friday Fellowship, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace,  In Need of Prayer?

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday is “Transfiguration Sunday” on the Christian calendar. Every time we tell the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, I think about Calvin and his transmogrifier machine. Jesus didn’t step into a cardboard box, instead he took two of his disciples to the top of Mount Tabor.

Here’s the March issue of the YES Spotlight for senior adults at Grace!

I hope that, when I die, and see my life pass before my eyes, there’s an accompanying playlist.

IN THIS ISSUE… Extravaganza, Upcoming Worship, Silver Set, Grace Ambassadors, Extravaganza Donations, Open Arms, 3rd Grade Bibles, Ash Wednesday Service, New Lenten Studies, Women’s Connections Activities, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer?    

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

The truth is, each of those words, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, refer to so much more than meeting HR quotas. They speak to the heart of Christ-like living, and they are literally being painted over by our country’s leadership.

Sign up for these Lenten Studies at Grace UM Church in Olathe

IN THIS ISSUE…
Olathe Orchestra Concert, February 23rd Worship, Grace Ambassadors, Extravaganza Invitation, Extravaganza Baskets & Donations, Grace Kids Summer Dates, 3rd Grade Bibles, Ash Wednesday Service, New Lenten Studies, Women’s Connections Activities, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer?

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

On Sunday, Pastor Mitch and I will switch places as we continue our sermon series on Gandhi’s Seven Deadly Social Sins. This week our subject is “Worship Without Sacrifice.” Mitch will preach the traditional worship, and I will lead at Common Grace. We are looking forward to exploring some important questions. Why do we come to worship? What does God expect from us? and What difference should worship play in how we live our lives during the week?

Valentines Day is brought to you this year by Seal.
As a seal.
Did you see the Superbowl ad? It was kind of bizarre, and kind of funny. It certainly didn’t make me crave a Baja Blast, but I guess it got my attention.

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

IN THIS ISSUE…

February 16th Worship, Extravaganza Invitation, Extravaganza Donations & Baskets, 3rd Grade Bibles, Grace Kids Summer Dates, New Grief Study; The Burger Boys, Women’s Connection, Prayer Blanket Workday Update, OCO Concert, Saving Grace, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer?

We have designated this Sunday as Red Sunday at Grace and you are encouraged to wear red to worship. I don’t believe that God roots for any specific team, even the Kansas City Chiefs, but God does not mind when we show support for our favorite teams. I love how teams can bring a community together and am grateful to be part of the Kansas City community with you. It is a great time to be a Chief’s fan.

I was grown in a greenhouse.
I had two loving parents, a solid up-bringing. I learned right from wrong and how to make good decisions.
I learned that the world was a beautiful place, filled with beautiful people. Yes, bad things could happen, but I was generally safe and sound in my sheltered, climate-controlled existence.

IN THIS ISSUE…

February 9th Worship, Red Sunday, 3rd Grade Bibles, Grace Kids Summer Dates, The Burger Boys, Prayer Blanket Workday, Extravaganza 2025, Extravaganza Baskets, OCO Concert, Saving Grace, Women’s Connection, Grief Study, Blood Drive, Grace Publication Deadlines, This Week at Grace,  In Need of Prayer?  

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday we will continue our sermon series on “Gandhi’s Seven Deadly Social Sins.” After worship, we will have an All-Church Potluck in Grace Gathering beginning at 11:30 AM. In the announcement below you can see what food items to bring and share. I look forward to worshipping with you and breaking bread this Sunday.

You can’t talk about Christianity without talking about mercy.
But don’t take my word for it.

See the February edition of the YES Spotlight here!

Grace UMC presented Janelle Wilke of Angel House a check towards the construction of the Angel House Elementary School.

IN THIS ISSUE…

February 2nd Worship, Angel House Presentation, Open Arms Meeting, KPG Enrollment, 3rd Grade Bibles, Grace Kids Summer Dates, All-Church Potluck, Prayer Blanket Workday, Extravaganza 2025, Extravaganza Baskets, UMCOR Fire Relief, Blood Drive, February Women’s Connection, Giving Statements, This Week at Grace, In Loving Memory, In Need of Prayer?

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

This Sunday we are going to present a check to Janelle Wilke for Angel House. Angel House was our Christmas mission and Grace far exceeded our goal of $30,000. I received a thank you note recently from Emmanuel Pius, the young medical student who we featured in the video. Here is what he wrote.

Sisyphus was condemned.
Not by God, but by a god. Zeus. He was cursed to roll a heavy boulder up a hill, only to watch it fall back down to the bottom. Lather, rinse, repeat. Forever.
There are days when that’s how I feel.

updates to the site, including Grace Kids, Preschool, and Grace Extravaganza

IN THIS ISSUE…

January 26th Worship, KPG Enrollment, Tochi Trip 2025, Inreach Outreach Team, Open Arms Meeting, 3rd Grade Bibles, Grace Kids Summer Dates, Extravaganza 2025, UMCOR Fire Relief, Blood Drive, January Women’s Connection, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer?  

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

One place that I find roots for my life is each Sunday when we gather for worship. Even when we are in between the “big” Sundays of the Christian year, our weekly rituals give me time to reflect and connect with God. The sanctuary becomes a place of rest where I can renew my spirit.

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”
-Proverbs 26:11
This proverb is definitely a contender for “most likely to trigger one’s gag reflex”-and not just because of the mental image.
The second reason for gagging is the awful realization that I do this. All the time.

IN THIS ISSUE…

January 19th Worship, Inreach Outreach Team, Table Hosts Needed, The Burger Boys, Open Arms, The Divine String Phone, Blood Drive, January Women’s Connection, Office Closed, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer? 

Catch the traditional service or modern service sermon videos here – cued up to the start of the sermons. Or, rewind to watch the entire service.

I am very excited to start our next sermon series. Mahatma Gandhi was an amazing individual and one of my personal heroes. His impact on India and their Independence from Britian was an amazing accomplishment and his commitment to non-violence inspired leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela.

I can love my enemies. I frequently include people who I think are jerks in my prayers! And I’ve been known to actually say hello to strangers on the elevator.
Maybe being perfect isn’t that hard?
Oh wait, that’s not the only scripture where Jesus talks about being perfect.

Church Office Closed, January 12th Worship, Charge Conference, The Divine String Phone, Extravaganza 2025, January Women’s Connection, This Week at Grace, In Need of Prayer?

Watch the snow-day casual dialog sermon between Revs Barry and Mitch on Epiphany! Or rewind to watch the entire service, including music by our own Rick Fisher.

We try not to cancel worship, and your pastors will do everything we can to make it to church. If we are able to make it to the church, we will have worship in person with whoever joins us. The second part is that we want you to be safe and make the best decision for you and your family. If you choose to stay home, our hope is that you will be able to join us online. If we decide to cancel worship, we will get the information to the local television stations and send out a mass email by 8:00 am on Sunday morning.

The KPG Preschool Page has been updated with the new 2025-26 Enrollment Packet and staff photo!

YES Spotlight Newsletter for January, 2025

Check out the newly update Grace Youth (GUMY) Page! We have lots of new info up regarding this year’s mission trips, confirmation, and upcoming holidays off dates. Grace UM Church […]

Enjoy this recap of the missions work done by our preteens in 2024.

James helps us to know what the source of conflict is, the dangers of unhealthy conflict, and how to navigate conflict when it comes.

This is the link to the sermon Pastor Wes is preaching about on April 7.

September 10 we gathered for the blessing of the backpacks, animals, cars – with food truck treats, ministries info, and underwear donation for Center of Grace!

Do you want to engage in Bible study but maybe you don’t have the time to come for a class? Check out this new podcast. Listen to weekly episodes on […]