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

Caring for God’s Creation

Fridays:  July 12, August 9
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (lunch included)

  Cost is $5 per child / $10 per family per session
 Children age 3 – entering 5th grade

God created an amazing world, and – as God’s children – we have been called to care for it.

Join youth and adult volunteers from Valley as we learn about the mysteries and science of our natural world; and how we can participate in nurturing and healing the earth and all its creatures.

 Activities will include music, movement, science lessons, working in the garden,
service projects, and bible story time.

Register by calling the office, or use the google form below:

Caring for God’s Creation Registration

Faith & Love:  Building Up Our Community with Fellowship, Meals, and Acts of Kindness

Coinciding with each of our Caring for God’s Creation events for children is a meal for all ages featuring a speaker from the community who will share their expertise, along with a related activity.  We would love for you to join us at our Table Together Meals.  Although it is not necessary, if you know you’re coming, please sign up below:

Sunday, July 14 – Table Together Lunch – after Chapel in the Woods
Nurture God’s Loving Nature
Guest Speaker:  Agricultural Farmer
Plant a small herb garden in a 2-liter soda bottle
RSVP:  https://forms.gle/RUdqXTpUN5hwitAY6

Friday, August 9 – Table Together Dinner – 5:30–7:00 p.m.
God’s plan needs all of us
Guest Speaker:  To be announced
Bloom where you are planted
RSVP:  https://forms.gle/bCahwwBNGWBe6BCG8

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

July 11, 2024

“Listen to this: A farmer went out to scatter seed.” (Mark 4:1, Common English Bible)

Members and Friends of Valley –

It is good to be back in Ohio after a full nine days spent attending General Assembly in Salt Lake City and visiting with family in Denver.

One of the first things that I did after returning home was to check my vegetable garden.  What was blooming and growing?  What had the rabbits or birds found and eaten?

I am always amazed at the natural process of growth:  seeds germinating to eventually – despite all odds – producing their own fruit.  And I am likewise amazed when I see the same thing happen in people’s lives:  ideas and opportunities that are nurtured and grow into amazing new realities.  We may not know where the seeds we scatter will land or which will grow, but God calls us to be faithful stewards of what we have to share and to do so with boldness and generosity.

The theme of tomorrow’s Caring for God’s Creation children’s program is seeds, using this parable that Jesus tells in Mark 4 about a farmer who scatters seed on different surfaces:  a worn path, rocky ground, among thorns, or into good soil.  Like that farmer, all of us have been given seed to scatter, even if and when we don’t know where or how to best plant them.  I am excited to share this message with young people and to learn from their child-like faith and joy.

This Sunday will, also, be the first of a six-week sermon series focusing on the relationship between humanity and God’s creation.  In this world that we have not always tended well, we will be looking to scripture and science to discover ways to reclaim our role as God’s good, thankful, and faithful stewards.  If weather permits, we will have the opportunity to worship in the outdoor chapel; so please dress comfortably, if you are attending.  Following worship, there will be a Table Together lunch with a special speaker and activity for all ages.

It is, indeed, good to be back and to be mindful of our relationship with God’s amazing creation. I look forward to being with you.

In Peace,
Pastor John

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Pass-it-on

The store will be open on:
Friday, July 19, 2024 (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
Saturday, July 20, 2024 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

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.  We will be knitting special items like prayer shawls, blankets, and other helpful and comforting items for our members and people in our community.

The group will meet (come when your schedule allows):

July
Sunday, July 21 — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30 — 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

August
Sunday, August 11 — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20 — 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

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

Beverly Wahl – 502-553-7255

Bev Keough – 330-888-5385

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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, July 14, 2024 service bulletin

July 5, 2024

Guest Pastor Sunday, July 7 – Rev. Eric Dillenbeck

Eric is a member of our Presbytery and active in youth ministry planning for the denomination.  He currently works in validated ministry for Youth Opportunities Unlimited after having previously served on staff at Fairmount Presbyterian Church.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Mid-week Lunch Group – Wednesday, July 10

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 (July 10, August 14, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.

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.  We will be knitting special items like prayer shawls, blankets, and other helpful and comforting items for our members and people in our community.

The group will meet (come when your schedule allows):

July
Sunday, July 21 — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30 — 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

August
Sunday, August 11 — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20 — 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

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:

July 7, 2024 service bulletin

Pass-It-On Mission Store