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, September 16

The community-wide dinner is offered at no charge for anyone who is hungry, who is feeling stretched, or who might need to be reminded that they are loved.

Menu:  Chicken alfredo, pasta, salad, bread, dessert

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

To sign up to volunteer, click below:

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

To sign up for the meal, click below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9zX7xowpw-MmmvaEV_xFFUc024DWpUYb5oVNcFcPyB1teCA/viewform

September 25, 2025

“Then Jesus told them a parable.” (Luke 12:16)

Members and Friends of Valley,

In the so-called Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus often teaches his disciples and followers using parables.  These short stories – something like fables for the faithful – can be challenging to interpret.  They are often like the proverbial onion:  for, when you peel away one layer of a parable’s meaning, you always find another underneath.

Over the past weeks, and for several more to come, we have been looking at the parables of Luke, seeking to find in these ancient teachings some relevant meaning for our lives today.  Often, we try to determine which character speaks most to us.  Sometimes, like in the Parable of the Prodigal Son(s) that we looked at a couple of weeks back, we probably saw a little of ourselves in each family member.

New Testament scholar Alyce McKenzie, in her book The Parables for Today, writes this about interpreting these mysterious sayings of Jesus:

Just when we think we have pinned one down to a single, definitive, permanent meaning, like a dead butterfly to a display board, it slips from our hands like the greased watermelon in the rugby game at a youth retreat.

Given all the complexities and uncertainties of life, it is tempting to wish that Jesus (and the scriptures, in general) would speak to us with more clarity or simplicity.  Because of this common desire to pin things down, it is wise to be wary of Christians who claim they (and maybe they alone) know the clear meaning of the scriptures.

I feel privileged to be part of a Christian tradition that welcomes questions and encourages debate; and that believes biblical interpretation takes place most faithfully in conversation with one another.  We will not always agree – our beliefs are not static – and that is a good thing.

And so, I invite you to join me in the mysterious process of interpreting God’s word; and to the challenging work of living out that which, together, we believe it to mean for the way we live our lives inside and beyond the walls of the church.

In Christ,
Pastor John

________________________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

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 Sundays, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.:
October 12 & 26

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

2025 Year-long Bible Study

Everyday for Everyone
365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation

This collection of reflections encompasses the entirety of the Bible – taking you on a journey from the beginnings of creation and humanity’s journey with God in Genesis through the history of Israel to the life of Jesus and the birth of the church in the New Testament.

Each daily devotion includes:

· Scripture Reference (usually not more than 1 chapter)
· A one-page, thoughtful commentary on that day’s passage
· A prayer echoing the Scripture and reflection from that day

Join Pastor John on a 2025 journey through the Bible; group times for discussion will be planned throughout the year.  Books are available through the church office for $17.

Every Day for Everyone – Daily Bible Study discussion

Those participating in the Every Day for Everyone Daily Bible Study (and anyone else interested) are invited to gather for questions and discussion:

Group Discussion Times

Sunday, October 12 & 26

Noon in the Church Sanctuary

Mid-week Lunch Group – October 14

All are welcome to gather for lunch together at Buckeye Café (located across from the church in Tanglewood Square) at noon on the second Tuesday of each month (October 14, November 11, December 9, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.

Sarah Circle 2025-26

We’d love to have you join us!

The meeting will be:
Tuesday, October 14

Our study for the upcoming year is:
PCUSA:  Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ

Meet September — May the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Church Library.  Books are available and cost $14.00.  To order a book or for more information, please contact Glenna Pool at 419-789-9446 or e-mail gpool205@yahoo.com.

________________________________________

LINKS

Link to Services at Valley:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYF6JWnNARixsYXmVVp-ImA

Link to Facebook

Link to Prayer Request List

Link to Sermons

Link to Service Bulletin:

Sunday, September 28, 2025 service bulletin

September 18, 2025

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1, New International Version)

Members and Friends of Valley,

Where do you talk with God? For some people, it doesn’t much seem to matter; they can pray just as easily in the car or at the grocery as in a church sanctuary.  For others, like me, the setting makes a difference; I like to pray on walks – while my feet are moving and my lungs are working.  The conversations flow more freely when, for example, I’m hiking a trail or following the steps of a labyrinth.

Among the things that Jesus teaches about prayer is that it should not be done for show; he calls those who stand up before crowds and make long speeches to God hypocrites.  For a church pastor, that is a warning that hits close to home:  prayer that is faithful and genuine is not, nor should it be, merely a public performance.

But among the things that the whole scripture claims is that when we speak, God is listening.  When we cry out for mercy – whether we are at home or in a park or on a highway – God hears us.  The One who created us and gave us the capacity to experience joy and pain, love and loss desires that we engage in faithful and genuine conversation, that we share these human emotions with the divine.

God, also, made us not to keep our thoughts and feelings, hopes and concerns to ourselves, but to share them within communities and in relationship with each other.  Aside from all the tweets and posts that grab our attention, we must, also, engage with one another in the same physical spaces; that is how we learn and grow in empathy and care.

This Sunday, after worship, we will be having a town hall meeting – a conversation regarding what has been, is now, and will soon be happening in our faith community.  You are free to come with questions or conversation topics; with prayers, joys, or concerns; or simply to listen and be heard in relationship to others.  We invite your presence and welcome your voice.

Maybe this is something we don’t do often enough.  Jesus, himself, was accused by religious leaders in his day of sitting down too often with those whose voices were considered unworthy of attention.  And yet, by his presence at table with them, Jesus showed that he was listening, that what they said and how they felt mattered.  He heard their voices.

We give thanks for the opportunity to be heard – by God and among each other – for these conversations do matter.

In Christ,

Pastor John

________________________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)

Town Hall Meeting

Sunday, September 21

Please join us after worship for a Town Hall Meeting in Fellowship Hall to discuss recent events and some upcoming decisions.

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 Sundays, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.:
September 21

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

2025 Year-long Bible Study

Everyday for Everyone
365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation

This collection of reflections encompasses the entirety of the Bible – taking you on a journey from the beginnings of creation and humanity’s journey with God in Genesis through the history of Israel to the life of Jesus and the birth of the church in the New Testament.

Each daily devotion includes:

· Scripture Reference (usually not more than 1 chapter)
· A one-page, thoughtful commentary on that day’s passage
· A prayer echoing the Scripture and reflection from that day

Join Pastor John on a 2025 journey through the Bible; group times for discussion will be planned throughout the year.  Books are available through the church office for $17.

Every Day for Everyone – Daily Bible Study discussion

Those participating in the Every Day for Everyone Daily Bible Study (and anyone else interested) are invited to gather for questions and discussion:

Group Discussion Times

Sunday, September 21
5:00 p.m. in the Church Library

________________________________________

LINKS

Link to Services at Valley:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYF6JWnNARixsYXmVVp-ImA

Link to Facebook

Link to Prayer Request List

Link to Sermons

Link to Service Bulletin:

Sunday, September 21, 2025 service bulletin

Pass-It-On Mission Store