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, July 16
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:  Pork BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, macaroni salad, berry crisp

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 berry crisp (your recipe of choice) at home, please drop off by 10 a.m. on July 16th.

To sign up to volunteer, sign up on the church website or click the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F44AAAA2BA4F49-free

To sign up for the meal, sign up on the church website or click the link below:

https://forms.gle/PhyM44jTUCULREmt5

September 12, 2024

“I will give great thanks to the Lord…because God stands right next to the needy, so save them from any who would condemn them.” (Psalm 109:30-31, Common English Bible)

Members and friends of Valley,

I worked for a while this Tuesday with the dedicated volunteers at our Pass-It-On resale store.  We were sorting through donations and setting items on display for the weekend’s sale.

I am always amazed not only by the continuous stream of donations that come through the store, but the many different ways that Pass-It-On helps folks in our community:  water bottles and socks for North Church, school supplies for Homeless Hookup, furniture for Humble Design, clothing and medical supplies for other free stores, just to name a few.  In addition to these great ministries and organizations, we have been able to help foster families and recent immigrants.  This is not to mention those shoppers who come and find what they need for a new grandchild, for their classroom, or to furnish a college dorm room.

And while I keep telling our Pass-It-On workers that the money the store makes is just a bonus – icing on the cake – those funds help us to be able to provide community meals, repair our parking lot, support the Dougbe River School, and more.

When Pass-It-On was founded, we decided to call it “A Mission of Love.”  It has allowed us, as a congregation, to stand next to the needy, to value the gifts people have to offer, and to help our neighbors in dignified and tangible ways.

After this weekend’s sale – when more people will be loved and helped in visible and invisible ways – we will be celebrating Pass-It-On during our Sunday worship service.  We hope you will join us as we “give great thanks to God” and share more about this Mission of Love.

In Christ,

Pastor John

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Adult Choir Rehearsals

Valley’s first Adult Choir Rehearsal will begin today, Thursday, September 12th, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Our first Sunday back with the congregation will be September 15th.

That evening, music will be available for you to pick up on the table located behind the privacy rail on the left side of the church. (Where we were storing the drums and keyboard, etc.)  I felt it was time to rehearse in the space where we actually sing each Sunday and take the up and down the steps to the choir loft out of the process.

The Choir always needs new members so consider this your invitation to join a group of dedicated musicians who sing together, pray together, and praise the Lord together.  Valley is blessed to have so much talent so make this your year to “SING A SONG, SING IT LOUD, AND SING IT STRONG!”

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.

The group will meet (come when your schedule allows):
Sunday, September 22 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 13 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

This group has been busy knitting prayer blankets and shawls for members of our congregation. It takes a lot of yarn to knit or crochet these items. Many of us have made items in the past but not used quite all of the yarn. Knitting for Others can use the leftover yarn to make items to share with others. If you have any worsted size-4 or bulky size-5 yarn that you will not be using and could share with Knitting for Others, we certainly would appreciate your donation. Yarn can be left in the box marked “yarn” in the Library. Thank you so much for your help.

For questions, please call one of our Co-Chairs, Beverly or Bev:

Beverly Wahl – 502-553-7255

Bev Keough – 330-888-5385

David Lamotte Video and Discussion

Sunday, September 22

Author, musician, and activist, David Lamotte – who, last spring, was in our area for a concert and workshop on his book You Are Changing the World: Whether You Like It or Not – recently had an 18-minute talk released on TEDx entitled “Why Heroes Don’t Change the World” and it now has over 50,000 views.

David is an inspiring speaker whose message fits with our September themes of seeking justice and practicing our faith. On Sunday, September 22, we invite you to gather in Fellowship Hall at noon to view his TEDx talk together and engage in a discussion following. We hope you can join us.

Invitation for New Members to Join

Sunday, September 29

Those interested in becoming members of the church are invited to gather in the church library at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, to meet with Elders, and, then, be formally received during worship that day.

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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, September 15, 2024 service bulletin

September 5, 2024

“Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God…who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:5, 7)

Members and friends of Valley,

During Valley’s Tables Together meals this summer, we have been learning more about how local foods – whether honey or soybeans, blueberries or maple syrup – get from farms to tables.  We have listened to cultivators describe how they care for the land and adjust to changing weather conditions; all a part of their passion for creating a healthy ecology in which we can live and thrive.

But we know that food is a justice issue:  there are many people who do not have sufficient resources for or access to healthy food.  We, also, know that food insecurity is an issue that intersects with other justice issues including education, poverty, and health.

And so, our congregation’s approach to helping bring justice to those without resources for or access to food is three-fold:  1) We donate canned/dry goods and fresh vegetables from our Faith Garden to the food bank at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, bringing healthy food to a location serving people in need; 2) For the past three years, we have offered free community meals, made available to anyone who wants or needs them, no matter the reason; 3) We have sought to educate ourselves, through the Tables Together meals and our guest presenters, to better understand and support local food and growing practices.

This Sunday, September 8, we will have our final Tables Together meal of the summer.  Our guest will be chef Craig Sirna from Sirna’s Restaurant in Auburn.  We invite you to come and hear from him and to sample some foods from local producers.  There will, also, be a Market Table – an opportunity to share things grown and created by congregation members.  Any donations will go to support our local food bank.  Please bring what you can to share.

Our belief is that every good gift comes from God, so the giving and sharing of food – in all the ways we involve ourselves – is an act of God’s justice.  May we be ones who share this hope in God with others.

In Christ,
Pastor John

________________________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Harvest Fair and Market Table

Sunday, September 8

Please plan to join us this Sunday, September 8, for the final installment of our Caring for God’s Creation, Farm to Table series, including a Tables Together lunch in the Fellowship Hall with a guest speaker from the restaurant industry.  If you have any items to share for the Market Table (veggies, jellies, crafts, etc.), please bring them that day.  Proceeds will go to support our local food pantry.

Sarah Circle – Tuesday, September 10

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.

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.

The group will meet (come when your schedule allows):
Sunday, September 8 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 22 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 13 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

This group has been busy knitting prayer blankets and shawls for members of our congregation. It takes a lot of yarn to knit or crochet these items. Many of us have made items in the past but not used quite all of the yarn. Knitting for Others can use the leftover yarn to make items to share with others. If you have any worsted size-4 or bulky size-5 yarn that you will not be using and could share with Knitting for Others, we certainly would appreciate your donation. Yarn can be left in the box marked “yarn” in the Library. Thank you so much for your help.

For questions, please call one of our Co-Chairs, Beverly or Bev:

Beverly Wahl – 502-553-7255

Bev Keough – 330-888-5385

Mid-week Lunch Group – Wednesday, September 11

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.

Adult Choir Rehearsals

Valley’s first Adult Choir Rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 12th, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Our first Sunday back with the congregation will be September 15th.

That evening, music will be available for you to pick up on the table located behind the privacy rail on the left side of the church. (Where we were storing the drums and keyboard, etc.)  I felt it was time to rehearse in the space where we actually sing each Sunday and take the up and down the steps to the choir loft out of the process.

The Choir always needs new members so consider this your invitation to join a group of dedicated musicians who sing together, pray together, and praise the Lord together.  Valley is blessed to have so much talent so make this your year to “SING A SONG, SING IT LOUD, AND SING IT STRONG!”

Dougbe River School Gala

The Dougbe River Presbyterian School of Liberia is having its annual update and fundraiser.  Valley has purchased a table for eight and invites you to come for good food, great silent auction items, and to learn more about the present and future of this amazing mission.

Sunday, September 15, 2024
5 – 8 p.m.
Banquet Center at St. Noel
35200 Chardon Road
Willoughby Hills, OH  44094

Please contact Pastor John or the church office, if you are interested in attending.

________________________________________

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, September 8, 2024, service bulletin

Pass-It-On Mission Store