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

October 10, 2024

Members and Friends of Valley,

For the second time in as many weeks, we awaken to stories and images of destruction and loss due to devastating storms.

This week, our Vital Congregations Team was scheduled to be at Montreat Conference Center in Western North Carolina where they are, instead, still focused on assessing damage, clearing roads, and tending to the needs of their neighbors.  Now, our attention is turned to Florida where many of our family and friends have either evacuated or hunkered down, praying for escape from the worst possible outcomes.

And yet, even now, hope remains.

Followers of Jesus are people of hope.  We have hope in the presence of God’s Spirit around us, always; we hold hope in Christ’s redemptive story of new life; and we maintain hope that, even now, God is speaking to us.

We believe hope is present in the ways we are called to respond to the storms and uncertainties of life:  whether giving directly to disaster relief or helping neighbors closer by; whether sharing meals and worship at North Church or in offering sanctuary and welcome to those who are feeling lonely or lost.

This Sunday, we begin a four-week worship series on “Coming Together” – focusing, this week, on the theme of Kindness.  Next Sunday, we will host members of Bainbridge Community Church as they come to be in worship with us; and the following week, we will be guests in their house of worship – all as a part of discerning a possible future (and re-union) of ministry together.

And through it all – in all the storms and uncertainties; even now – hope remains.  May God’s love and Christ’s mercy and the Spirit’s presence be with you as the hope which surpasses our human understanding.

In Peace,
Pastor John

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Heart of Valley Christian Preschool – Stoller Pastries Fundraiser

Heart of Valley will be selling Stoller pastries, again, this fall.  Stoller is an Ohio company that makes delicious pastry ~ pumpkin rolls, cinnamon buns, and braided pastries to name a few.  This will be our 6th year doing this fundraiser and the reviews are excellent.

Frozen orders will be delivered the beginning of November – just in time for the holidays!

There will be order forms to look at after church on Sunday, October 13th, or order online at:

https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/SelectPRoducts/181d4270-e08f-476f-86d5-32146fbecd49/3462302

Serving at North Church

October is our North Presbyterian Church partnership month.  This year, we are sharing that privilege and responsibility with Christ Presbyterian Church, Chesterland, for the first three Sundays of October (members of Forest Hill Church will be serving on October 27).  This is a great opportunity to minister to “the least” by serving meals and sharing in worship.  Here is the schedule for ways you could help out:

Sunday, October 13
Members from Christ Church will be making and serving the meal.

Friday, October 18
10:30 a.m. – noon
Meal preparation in the church kitchen.

Sunday, October 20
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
4-6 members from Valley (any age) are needed to drive prepared food down, participate in worship, serve the meal, and share fellowship with the folks from North.

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, October 13 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. 

Sunday, October 27 — 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

________________________________________

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

Sunday, October 13, 2024, Service Bulletin

October 3, 2024

Guest Preacher – Rev. Brenda Grauer

Sunday, October 6

We are excited to welcome back Rev. Brenda Grauer to the pulpit on Sunday, October 6, to lead worship on World Communion Sunday when we will, also, receive the Peace and Global Witness Special Offering.

(See the October Valley Voice for a letter about the Peace and Global Witness Special Offering.)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Festival Choir

Can’t you feel it???  There is a chill in the air and nights are cooler.  Days are shorter, and soon will be ringing and will be singing “NOEL!” SO………………………..you are invited to join the Festival Choir for their Christmas Concert “CHRISTMAS, A SIMPLE GIFT” on December 15th, 2024.  Rehearsals started on October and will be every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Sarah Circle – Tuesday, October 8

Sarah Circle 2024-2025 meetings are 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.

Serving at North Church

October is our North Presbyterian Church partnership month.  This year, we are sharing that privilege and responsibility with Christ Presbyterian Church, Chesterland, for the first three Sundays of October (members of Forest Hill Church will be serving on October 27).  This is a great opportunity to minister to “the least” by serving meals and sharing in worship.  Here is the schedule for ways you could help out:

Sunday, October 6
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Youth Sunday at North Church – youth from Valley and Christ Church will be serving meals, adults are welcome to help drive folks back and forth.

Sunday, October 13
Members from Christ Church will be making and serving the meal.

Friday, October 18
10:30 a.m. – noon
Meal preparation in the church kitchen.

Sunday, October 20
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
4-6 members from Valley (any age) are needed to drive prepared food down, participate in worship, serve the meal, and share fellowship with the folks from North.

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, October 13 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. 

Sunday, October 27 — 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

________________________________________

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, October 6, 2024, Service Bulletin

Pass-It-On Mission Store