Sunday Worship
All are welcome.
Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m.
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Sunday School available during the school year with childcare
What We Believe
Valley is a member of the Presbyterian Church, (USA) and the Presbytery of the Western Reserve.
Links to those umbrella organizations can be located here:
Whether you are new to the area or are looking for a new place to worship – we welcome you!
At Valley Church, you will find a vibrant expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a place for you to grow in your faith. We invite you to join us for a Sunday service!
Sunday Bulletin
Community Meal
Online Services
Community Meal
Tuesday, September 15th
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 casserole, green beans, dinner rolls, apple crisp
If you are interested in helping, we will be cooking meals from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; assembling from 3:00-4:00 p.m.; and distributing / delivering from 4:00-5:30 p.m. In addition, if you would like to bake apple crisp (your recipe of choice) at home, please drop off by 10:00 a.m. on September 15th.
October 15, 2026
“Look! I’m doing a new thing: now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.” (Isaiah 43:19, Common English Bible)
Members and Friends of Valley,
The late Christian historian Phyliss Tickle, in her 2008 book entitled The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why, proposes that approximately every 500 years, the church cleans out its attic and undergoes what she describes as a giant rummage sale: a time of upheaval where traditions are uprooted, and new forms of practicing the faith emerge.
Many church scholars and practitioners believe we are in such a period of disruption. What we have known and understood in previous generations is unraveling, and something unknown and unexpected is now being born. Familiar habits and institutions are giving way to new paths through an uncharted wilderness.
Today, I finished watching the final episode of “Christianity at a Crossroads.” A 4-part (4-hour) television series designed for broadcast on Public Television and use in congregations, schools and seminaries. Through stories filmed on location across the country and commentary from a range of speakers and researchers, it explores the changing face of Christianity in American life today.
Some of the trends that the series traced – the rise of American mega-churches, and the closing of many smaller congregations, for example – are fairly visible; others – like virtual reality churches that are being birthed in the metaverse – are more like hidden undercurrents. And yet, while many congregations – at this current crossroads – are struggling or changing, God is still in the midst of it.
And so, as the divine voice speaks through the prophet Isaiah, we are called to look, to listen, to pay attention to signs and voices among and around us: something new is springing forth in the often-disorienting wilderness. We are, after all, resurrection people.
This Sunday, we will be talking more about this unknown wilderness; and how it is, like every other corner of the earth, part of God’s creation. We do not enter this desert alone: our maker, savior, and guide accompanies us, therefore, we need not fear. God has been, is now, and always will be with us.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Reminder – if you are interested in joining in the second of three online sessions presented by our denomination’s co-moderators, “State and Citizen: A Mutual Responsibility,” you can use the link below:
https://pcusa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6pOeXSTvSmyT5eUSsVU4Ng#/registration
You can, also, follow this link to a statement from the Stated Clerk about our denomination’s historic opposition to the death penalty and the idea of publicly broadcasting an execution:
https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2026/10/13/statement-planned-livestreaming-execution
Announcements
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
"Why 'Presbyterian' Will Never Be a Political Party: A Churchwide Study Series"
The Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer, PCUSA Co-Moderators of the General Assembly, will host a series of three webinars on Fridays throughout October, offering an in-depth look at the PC(USA)’s Social Witness Policy. Each session will feature different guests from across the PC(USA) who will join the Co-Moderators in reflecting and expanding on each of these three topics.
Participants are encouraged to read the corresponding sections in this document prior to each session:
https://pcusa.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/Lord%20of%20the%20Conscience%20booklet_1.pdf
To register, click on the following link:
Book Study – Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters
by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes
I was recently introduced to the deep theological insights and scholarship of the author during my study leave seminar at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Michigan. Her book is insightful, but easy-to-read, and includes suggested scripture readings and discussion questions for each chapter. Weekly sessions will last 60-75 minutes and include an accompanying video from The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/videos/all.
Eleven weekly sessions – Mondays at 7:00 p.m. (September 21 – December 7) in the Church Library. Books are available in the Church office for $15.
Sarah Circle
We’d love to have you join us!
The next meeting for 2026-27 will be:
Tuesday, November 10
Our study this year:
United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other —
Paul’s First Letter to Corinthians
Meet September – May the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. – noon, in the Church Library. For more information, please contact Glenna Pool at 419-789-9446 or e-mail gpool205@yahoo.com.
Mid-week Lunch Group - Tuesday, November 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 Tuesday of each month (November 10, December 8, January 12, 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.
The group will meet on Sunday, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.:
October 25
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 have not used quite all the yarn. Knitting for Others can use the leftover yarn to make items to share with others. We are currently making items for babies and young children. If you have any size-3 or 4 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
Dougbe River School Gala
Sunday, October 18
4:30-8:00 p.m.
Banquet Center at St. Noel
35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
Valley has purchased a table for eight for the gala and invites anyone interested to attend for an evening of good food, great silent auction items, entertainment, and an opportunity to learn more about how to support the present and future of this amazing mission. Please contact Pastor John or the church office, if you are interested in attending and carpooling.
Dougbe River School Gala – Donation Request
The October 18 Gala is the biggest fundraiser for the Dougbe River School in Liberia. If you have and would be willing to contribute any gift cards and/or bottles of wine for the Gala, please bring them to the church office by October 9.
North Presbyterian Church -- Meal Preparation and Serving
Valley has a long-standing partnership with North Presbyterian Church, a congregation consisting mainly of homeless and impoverished members in the St. Claire neighborhood of downtown Cleveland. Four Sundays a year, we share worship and a meal with the folks at North Church.
Meal Preparation
Saturday, October 31
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. (2-4 volunteers)
Meal Serving
Sunday, November 1
Depart at 9:30 a.m., return by 2:00 p.m. (2-4 volunteers)
Pulpit Exchange
Sunday, November 1
Please welcome Rev. Katherine Chilcote, pastor of North Presbyterian Church, as she leads worship and shares about doing ministry with the homeless and housing insecure at North, while Pastor John swaps place with her and leads worship there.
Community Church Breakfast -- Postponed!
The participating congregations of the Chagrin Valley Council of Churches have decided to pause this year’s Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast, originally scheduled for November 7, 2026, with the hope of revisiting this gathering at a future date. We are grateful for the continued support, participation, and commitment of our local congregations and community partners and remain committed to fostering these relationships.
Church Directory
A new Church directory is available for pickup in the Narthex. If you would like to have a copy e-mailed to you, please contact the church office at 440-543-1071 or e-mail valleypc@netlink.net.
Food Bank Needs - October
Please consider donating the following items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
Any meat, fresh fruit / vegetables, milk, eggs, lunch meat, bread, snacks, or anything you would like to donate.
CFPCC is receiving donations at your car. Someone will come out and retrieve donations. You can, also, leave them in the blue donation bin in the Narthex.
Links
Online Services at Valley
Prayer Request List
Sermons
Service Bulletin
Pass-It-On Mission Store
The store will be open:
Friday, October 23, 2026
(1 – 4 p.m.)
Saturday, October 24, 2026
(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.
Get In Touch
EMAIL:
PHONE:
phone: 440-543-1071
ADDRESS:
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m