Sunday Worship
We are now open for in-person Worship Services. All are welcome.
Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School available during the school year with childcare
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
phone: 440-543-1071
email: info@valleypresbychurch.org
Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Annual Meeting Pastor’s Report – February 4, 2024
February 4, 2024 Annual Meeting Slides
Sunday Services
See below for a link to the live streaming of our services or to see previous services:
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYF6JWnNARixsYXmVVp-ImA/?guided_help_flow=5
Community Meal
Tuesday, November 19
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
This month, we will, again, be engaging in our community meal program: preparing dinners to be available for pick-up or delivery. These meals are our gift to the community: to anyone who is in need of an evening of not cooking or the love that goes into making the food.
Menu – Glazed Chicken, Roasted Winter Vegetables, Green Beans, Cornbread, Assorted Pies
If you are interested in helping, we will be cooking meals from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; assembling from 3-4 p.m.; and distributing / delivering from 4-5:30 p.m. In addition, if you would like to bake a pie (your recipe of choice) at home, please drop off by 10 a.m. on November 19th.
To sign up to volunteer, click the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F44AAAA2BA4F49-free
To sign up for the meal, click the link below:
https://forms.gle/JgRSusCwZosCAnqu6
November 7, 2024
“Your Father who is in heaven…makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)
Members and Friends of Valley,
My usual companions (Jack and Pepper) and I started out for a walk yesterday afternoon – my heartrate was just starting to rise, and I was noticing the smell of the leaves on the ground when it began to rain; not a downpour but enough that we chose to turn around and head back home.
When – in his Sermon on the Mount – Jesus says these words, he is speaking to the audience about what it means to love our neighbors. This will be the topic of this Sunday’s sermon; the last in our four-week worship series leading up to and following the elections about “Coming Together.” We will, again, be affirming, in song, that “Christ Has Broken Down the Walls,” helping us to imagine and work for the day that we truly become the Body of Christ united in spirit and purpose.
The hard part, of course, is how we love our neighbors (and our enemies); how to be in community even with those we don’t understand or agree with. When the raindrops fall, it can seem like they are only falling on us – sometimes, it’s best to stay resolute and keep going; other times, we may need to turn around and take shelter.
Given the recent election results – whether they seemed to you like sunshine or rain – some are reacting with determination and action, while others might – at least for a while – need some time to retreat and recover.
Jesus, not just with his words, but in his actions, showed both of these reactions can be appropriate. Time and again, he would respond to challenges and interruptions with zeal; other times, we’re told, after periods of healing or teaching, Jesus would retreat to a private place to pray. No one way of acting is always right; so let’s try our best to love our neighbors by allowing them the freedom and space to respond as they need.
Also, on Sunday, after worship we will have a “Town Hall” gathering during fellowship time. This will be an opportunity for our congregation to discuss and ask questions about a potential ministry partnership with the Bainbridge Community Church. It will not be the only time for conversation, and we certainly do not yet have all the answers, but we hope it will be a helpful step in this ongoing discernment process.
And I am thankful that, later that day, I have the opportunity to drive down to Hocking Hills for a two-night retreat with other pastors and church leaders from around the state; that you, as a congregation, grant me this chance to step out of the rain and experience some rest and renewal.
Thus, I pray for all of you, that – if it is what is needed now – you might discover ways to be taken care of – in body, mind, and soul; and that it might ultimately help us to love our neighbors, as Jesus told us it is best for us to do.
In Peace,
Pastor John
________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
“Town Hall” Meeting
Sunday, November 10
Fellowship Time
“Town Hall” meeting during fellowship time to discuss any questions that we might have about our joint discussions with Bainbridge Community Church to date.
Knitting For Others
Inviting all folks from 12-100 years of age, who like to knit or who would like to learn, to be a part of Valley’s Knitting Group. See bulletin or Valley newsletter for additional details.
The group will meet 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. (come when your schedule allows):
Sunday, November 10
Sunday, November 24
Sarah Circle – Tuesday, November 12
Sarah Circle will begin the 2024-2025 meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 10:30 a.m. in the church library.
This year’s study is:
“Words of Love” by Eugenia Gamble
All are welcome for membership or just a visit.
Contact Glenna Pool with any questions.
Mid-week Lunch Group – Wednesday, November 13
All are welcome to gather for lunch together at Buckeye Café (located across from the church in Tanglewood Square) at noon on the second Wednesday of each month (September 11, October 9, November 13, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.
Lunch and Table Conversations
Sunday, November 17
Noon–1:30 p.m.
Bainbridge Social Hall
________________________________________
LINKS
Church YouTube Channel
The livestream of the worship service is being broadcast via the Valley YouTube channel using this link:
Link to YouTube Live
Link to Facebook
Link to Prayer Request List
Link to Sermons
Link to Service Bulletin:
Sunday, November 10, 2024 service bulletin
October 31, 2024
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (I Corinthians 12:12)
Members and Friends of Valley –
For the past two Sundays, members of our church body have shared worship with our friends in the Bainbridge congregation: first at Valley and then at Bainbridge. Participants have had the opportunity to interact with one another, collaborate in common mission, and experience some of the similarities and differences in the practice of these two churches.
The Apostle Paul, writing to members of the early Christian congregation in Corinth, used this image of a body made up of many parts to define their relationship to one another: many as one, united in their diversity. In other places, Paul employs the Greek word ekklesia – a political term which means “gathering” or “assembly” – to emphasize that it is the people, more than the place, that best describes a congregation. We are who God wants us to be and do what God intends for us when we come together.
We have planned, for this Sunday and, again, in two weeks, additional opportunities to gather together with this neighbor congregation from whom, as many of you know, Valley was founded back in the 1950’s after a dispute about how members of the body were practicing their faith. We are continuing to discern – through these gatherings for worship, outreach, and fellowship – how we might best collaborate in common ministry moving forward. There is much for us to imagine, learn, and discuss concerning this potential future together.
This Sunday, we have invited folks from the Bainbridge congregation to join us for chili and board games in our Fellowship Hall. It is, as Paul reminds us, by gathering together that we become one body; even if, for now, only in these limited ways. Members and friends of Valley are encouraged to use this opportunity to build these bonds of relationship, living out our understanding that, though many, we are one in Christ. We invite you to bring a pot of soup, or a salad or side to share, or a favorite board game to play, or just bring yourself to be a part of this gathering.
In two weeks, on Sunday, Nov. 17, the Bainbridge congregation will be hosting in their social hall to sit at tables together for a potluck lunch; again, you are invited to bring something to share or just come and be a part of this assembly; this gathering of the body of Christ. After lunch, some of the leaders of both congregations will gather to reflect on these gatherings and discuss some next steps forward. We appreciate both your participation in and prayers for this ongoing process of discernment.
In between, on Sunday, Nov. 10, during fellowship time at Valley, we will have the first of what will be multiple “town hall” gatherings to share ideas, questions, and concerns among ourselves. As we know – and as our current worship series has reminded us – the act of coming together is not always easy; for we are not just many but, also – as is God’s intention – we are different: in habits, experiences, and opinions. Becoming, being, and remaining one in body and one in Christ – particularly in today’s state of polarization – is challenging. Thus, we want to offer every possible opportunity to go about this process patiently, openly, and deliberately.
And, as this will be my final writing to you prior to the election, I want to offer prayers for our nation and its people as we come together in this deliberative process. May we be guided, always, by the Spirit who strengthens, comforts, guides, and unifies us in Christ.
In Peace,
Pastor John
________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
Holiday Gift Boutique – Hamlet Atrium
Saturday, November 2, 2024
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(cash and checks only)
Located at:
Hamlet at Chagrin Falls
200 Hamlet Hills Drive
Raffle:
Gift from each table to support Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Joint Fellowship Opportunity – Chili and Board Games
Sunday, November 3,
Noon – 2 p.m.
Come join us in Fellowship Hall for a time of food, games, and sharing with members of the Bainbridge Congregation. If you would like, bring along a salad, side, or desert to share (and a favorite game; if you have one).
Sarah Circle – Tuesday, November 12
Sarah Circle will begin the 2024-2025 meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 10:30 a.m. in the church library.
This year’s study is:
“Words of Love” by Eugenia Gamble
All are welcome for membership or just a visit.
Contact Glenna Pool with any questions.
Mid-week Lunch Group – Wednesday, November 13
All are welcome to gather for lunch together at Buckeye Café (located across from the church in Tanglewood Square) at noon on the second Wednesday of each month (September 11, October 9, November 13, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.
Lunch and Table Conversations
Sunday, November 17
Noon–1:30 p.m.
Bainbridge Social Hall
________________________________________
LINKS
Church YouTube Channel
The livestream of the worship service is being broadcast via the Valley YouTube channel using this link:
Link to YouTube Live
Link to Facebook
Link to Prayer Request List
Link to Sermons
Link to Service Bulletin:
Sunday, November 3, 2024 service bulletin
Pass-It-On Mission Store
Pass-it-on will be open:
Friday, November 22, 2024
(1 – 4 p.m.)
&
Saturday, November 23, 2024
(10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Donations are now being accepted.
Pass-It-On is a mission of and is located behind
Valley Presbyterian Church
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
440-543-1071
To find out more about our Pass-It-On, A Mission of Love, Store, use the following link to go to our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/passit.on.716
or e-mail at
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