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
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
Community Meal
Tuesday, February 17th
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: Stuffed creole chicken, cheese grits, steamed veggies, frosted cake
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 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 February 17th.
February 12, 2026
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” (I Peter 4:10)
Members and Friends of Valley,
This Sunday, we have the privilege of ordaining and installing new leaders into the ministry of the church as elders and deacons. We believe that, in baptism, each person is called to ministry in Christ’s name, but God calls some persons from the midst of congregations to fulfill particular functions; so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish.
In a service of ordination and installation, the church sets apart through prayer and the laying on of hands those who have been called by God through the voice of the church to serve as deacons and elders. We are grateful for Holly Cooper, Sean Bulanda, and Brad Sauder, who were nominated and elected at the February 1, 2026, congregational meeting and will be courageously stepping into their new leadership roles.
Still, this occasion has more to do with the ministry of the whole church than with any individual. That is why, during an ordination and installation service, we ask all members of the church – starting with those who have previously been ordained and installed as leaders – to lay on hands. This is the point of the service when we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those being ordained, but we acknowledge that the Spirit often moves through the wisdom, experiences, and unique gifts of every individual member. Leaders are, as the scriptures say, “like good stewards of the manifold grace of God,” entrusted with responsibilities that help to elevate each gift of every member.
Among the questions these three individuals, who have been called to service in our tradition, will be asked is: Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? This is my favorite ordination / installation question because it recognizes that each leader will bring to their service all of who they are, including what they (or others) may see as strengths or flaws. God wants us to bring all of ourselves to our ministries – our questions and doubts, our wounds and weariness – trusting that God will balance it all out with the gifts of others in the community. In a world and on days when it sometimes seems we need to do more, faster, better, and without struggle, it is good news to be reminded that, in God’s eyes, we just have to be ourselves.
In Christ,
Pastor John
As we move closer to this season of Lent, I encourage you to take a look at the attached paper entitled, “Should I Be Giving Something Up for Lent?,” as well as the Lenten resource links that are included below (and will be, again, on next week’s email):
https://justiceunbound.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lent-PDF-Final.pdf
https://pcusa.org/resource/lent-home-family-devotional
https://pcusa.org/resource/tread-lightly-lent-lent-calendar
Please, also, consider participating in our community Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday dinner on February 17 and Ash Wednesday observance on February 18 (information included below under announcements).
Announcements
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
Lenten Devotions
Over the next few weeks, we will be sending out links and offering some printed Lenten devotions. If you are interested in following Kate Bowler’s writings, her theme for the Lenten season is “Living with the Ache”:
Sarah Circle
We’d love to have you join us!
The meeting will be:
Tuesday, March 10
Our study this 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. .
Mid-week Lunch Group - Tuesday, March 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 (March 10, April 14, May 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 Sundays, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.:
February 22
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 of the yarn. Knitting for Others can use the leftover yarn to make items to share with others. If you have any bulky size-5 or 6 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
Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday Party
Tuesday, February 17, 5–6:30 p.m.
Mardi Gras, which literally means “Fat Tuesday,” is typically called Shrove Tuesday in English churches because on that day, traditionally, people were shriven (i.e., had their confessions heard) in preparation for the beginning of Lent. We are looking to make our community meal a festive, all-ages, in-person gathering. Come for a celebration in Fellowship Hall where, in addition to the dinner, there will be music, beads, costumes, crafts, photo booth, and king cakes.
The King Cake is an Epiphany Cake, with the “Kings” being the Magi—the “three Kings.” So, Mardi Gras is really an extended Epiphany, and the themes of the season are the same as that of Epiphany itself: the Light of Christ shining on all kinds of people (the Magi being the first Gentiles to worship the Christ Child), and the Light growing stronger and stronger as more and more kinds of people come to worship Christ. It’s, also, about our taking the Light of Christ out into the world and sharing it with others.
Come and be with us as we celebrate Christ’s Light and transition into the Lenten Season.
Ash Wednesday -- February 18
Marking the start of Lenten Season, Ash Wednesday is a day for prayer and penitence, to remember that: From the earth we were formed, and to the earth we shall return; ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
The imposition of ashes is a traditional sign of preparation for the Season of Lent. Also, many often make Lenten resolutions: a habit, substance, or practice to give up (or take up) during the season as a sign of preparing oneself for the coming Resurrection of our Lord.
On Ash Wednesday, the Sanctuary will be open for prayer and meditation, and the imposition of ashes will be available from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Links
Online Services at Valley
Prayer Request List
Sermons
Service Bulletin
Pass-It-On Mission Store
Pass-it-on will be open:
Friday, February 6, 2026
(1 – 4 p.m.)
Saturday, February 7, 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