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 7, 2026
“All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.” (Matthew 23:12, Common English Bible)
Members and Friends of Valley,
Later today, the Guardians will take the field in Chicago in an elimination game – trailing the White Sox 2-0 in a best-of-five series. The odds are certainly stacked against Cleveland making a comeback, but – as Vince Lombardi once said – “that’s why they play the games.”
For many people (present company included) sports play a large – some would say oversized – role in our society. Whether as participants or fans, a lot of us invest much time, attention, and treasure into the games that we choose to watch and play. And we tend to ride on the emotions of wins and losses, whether the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.
A danger exists, though, when that same competitive mindset – that the world is divided into winners and losers, and victory should be pursued at any cost – seeps into other areas of our lives. It can be tempting to view economic prosperity or college admissions or health-care access – or other spheres of our lives – as competitions that must result in winners and losers.
But, Jesus sees this a different way. It is by humbling ourselves that we – in the realm of God’s kingdom – will be raised up. It is by taking the less important seat at the table that we will ultimately receive honor. Jesus does not promise that this will happen right away, or even that the world around us will recognize the shift, but says that to live as God intends, we must serve our neighbors, putting their welfare ahead of (or, at least, level with) or own.
So, should the Guardians give in to the sway of Pope Leo (Chicago’s #1 fan) or take pity because the White Sox have been cellar-dwellers the past few years? Of course not; I would love to see the Guardians stage a comeback for the ages and go on to take the World Series. These are, after all, just games; friendly competitions.
But – fans though we may be – there is another way to live, a Christ-like way that seeks to lift others up and – when called for – be humble enough to bypass the win, even if there for the taking.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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. (beginning Sept. 21) 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, October 13
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, October 13
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 13, November 10, December 8, 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 11 & 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
Sponsored by the Chagrin Valley Council of Churches
Join members from area congregations as we gather together for food, fellowship, prayer, and to show our support for first responders from our local communities. A monetary and food donation will be taken to support local residents in need.
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