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, August 18th
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: Pulled pork BBQ, coleslaw, cornbread, peach-berry cobbler
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 make peach-berry cobbler (your recipe of choice) at home, please drop off by 10:00 a.m. on August 18th.
August 14, 2026
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Members and Friends of Valley,
This week, I have been reading A Pilgrimage into Letting Go by Andrew Root. It is the story of a nine-day intentional walk that he took with his family in England and Scotland in the summer of 2021, chronicling both the historical and spiritual significance of the land on which they walked, as well as the challenge of trying to let go of the need to control in order to be led by God’s Spirit.
This was the same summer of my own Sabbatical (hard to believe it was five years ago!), when I focused on the Sabbath practice of spiritual walking, including trips to Kentucky and New Mexico. It is a practice that I go back to often to find rest and renewal – and to help be reminded that as much as we might want to control our lives, God calls us to trust, instead, on the Spirit’s leading.
Root points out that the same challenge often shows up in our churches. We often try so hard to control the ways we encounter God – the where, when, what, and how of our spiritual practices – that we don’t listen for the Spirit’s leading. We fill our church calendars with activities and carefully script our worship services, but that sometimes does not allow the space needed for God to break in; to surprise and challenge us.
I believe the message of this Psalm is not that we always need to be still; as in never moving. There are important things that need to get done. And yet, I have discovered, about myself, that connecting with God usually comes more easily when I am in movement – walking or biking or working in the garden – rather than trying to control my environment (good lighting, no distractions, etc.) by sitting still.
But it does mean that we sometimes just need to take another step; to climb the next hill, to turn the corner and keep going; to remember that God will be with us no matter where we are or will go; to be reminded that the Spirit is like the wind. We may not see it or know where it comes from, but when we pay attention, we can feel it moving in and around us.
There is much in life to see and discover when we are willing to let go of some of that control; mysteries beyond our imagination. May we still our hearts and minds sufficiently to feel the Spirit blowing through us.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Announcements
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
Celebration of Life for Roy Nichols
Valley member and long-time Chagrin Valley resident, Roy Nichols, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 11. His funeral service will be in the sanctuary on Wednesday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a lunch reception in Fellowship Hall. Visiting hours will be at Kendrich-McHugh Steinbauer Funeral Home, 33375 Bainbridge Road in Solon, on Tuesday, August 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. All are invited. Please keep Roy’s wife, Pat, and their family members in your prayers.
Below is the link to his obituary:
https://www.steinbauerfunerals.com/obituary/roy-nichols
Faith Garden
In Valley’s Faith Garden (located outside of the Church Library), we grow fresh produce to be donated to the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center Food Bank. There are garden gloves and tools in the shed, or feel free to bring your own. Summer garden workdays are below:
Summer Garden Workday
Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
August 26
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.:
September 13, 27
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
Mid-week Lunch Group - Tuesday, September 8
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 (September 8, October 13, November 10, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.
North Church Meal Ministry
North Presbyterian Church is a unique ministry opportunity. Sharing space downtown with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, at East 45th and Superior Avenue, North serves a population that is predominantly homeless or housing insecure.
Along with many other congregations in our local area, Valley supports its long-term mission partner, North Church, by preparing a lunch to serve after Sunday worship. This is an incredible opportunity to engage in a hands-on mission. We look to have 3-5 volunteers carpool from Valley to worship and serve lunch at North.
Meal Preparation
Saturday, August 15
9:30-11:00 a.m. in FH
Serving at North
Sunday, August 16
Meet to carpool at 10:00 a.m. – return by 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday Dinners and Entertainment
Join friends from Valley and beyond on third Wednesday evenings this summer from 6-8:00 p.m. (June 17, July 15, August 19) for some food, drinks, and fun. The owners of Sharon James have agreed to donate ten percent of all sales (if you mention VPC2026) back to the church. Enjoy the covered patio and performers (featuring comedy from Sean Bulanda) for open-mic night. Reservations are recommended but not required:
Sharon James Cellars – Winery & Restaurant
11303 Kinsman Road
Newbury, OH 44065
440-739-4065
Outdoor Chapel Worship
Sunday, August 23
Come and join us on Sunday, July 19, for worship in the beautiful outdoor chapel. If the weather does not allow us to be outside that day, worship will be in Fellowship Hall.
Sarah Circle
We’d love to have you join us!
The meeting will be:
Tuesday, May 12 (final meeting for 2025-26)
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.
Food Bank Needs - August
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, August 14, 2026
(10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Saturday, August 15, 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