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!

Community Meal

February 19, 2026

“There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Common English Bible)

Members and Friends of Valley,

Lent is likely low on the list of favorite seasons in the Christian year. Its dominant themes are temptation and darkness, repentance and atonement, ashes that come from and return to the dust of the earth. In Lent, there are few memorable songs, festive decorations, or celebratory occasions. Only the Friday fish fry; at least that is something.

And yet, followers of Jesus – and of his story – know it is an important season to pass through. In Lent, we follow the final journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, the cross, and the grave, with all its tests and traps, betrayals and denials. Without this season, it would not be possible to understand and appreciate – at least to the extent we can and do – the power, glory, and joy of the resurrection, and our thankful response within a life renewed.

In the past weeks, Valley’s session has made the difficult decision to raze the manse. Over many years, its condition has deteriorated and – despite several attempts to find new potential uses and partners for the property – it has been deemed to be beyond repair and a possible safety liability. Therefore, we have selected a contractor that will – in the coming weeks – demolish the structure, dig out the foundation, haul away the debris, infill with clean dirt, and restore the site to its natural state.

This certainly is not a favorite season in the life of the church. The structure has had a long lifespan as a farmhouse, classroom building, and residence for immigrant families, Presbytery interns, and – most recently – the Olsen family; our dear friends and loyal church members. Some of you, I know, have fond memories of time spent in and around the manse and have invested your own sweat equity to keep it standing strong for these many good and holy purposes.

We welcome you to share with us any photos or stories you have to share, and – prior to the demolition date – we will be taking out some of the historical and memorable items still inside the house to keep and possibly repurpose. In the coming months, we will select a Sunday for a liturgical moment to pay our respects to the ways the manse has been a part of our congregation’s story for these past almost seventy years.

In so doing, we hope to acknowledge this season and look for signs of resurrection; hopeful that there will be a renewed purpose for the property on which that manse now stands. As the barn has been transformed to new life through the ministry of Pass-It-On, we pray that a good future lies in store; that God is not done with it, or with us, just yet.

During worship this Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent, there will be a prayer which marks the beginning of a holy Lent. In this less-than-favorite season, we will vow to travel the complete journey of life, which must always include death, but – as the story of Jesus reminds us – leads us into rebirth.

In Christ,
Pastor John

Lenten resource links:

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

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