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, November 24th
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: Herbed chicken and broccoli, pasta, tossed salad, pumpkin spice cake
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 a pumpkin spice cake (your recipe of choice) at home, please drop off by 10:00 a.m. on November 24th.
November 11, 2026
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Members and Friends of Valley,
On or about this day in November of 1990 – during my senior year of college – word came that one of my apartment-mates, Doug, and his Marine Reserve Unit had been called to service in Operation Desert Shield Storm, later Desert Storm. He had decided to join the Reserves that summer, never imagining that it would interrupt his college career – and his life – so soon or so dramatically. Doug shipped out over Thanksgiving break and didn’t return until early May, 1991, just weeks before the rest of us would graduate.
At our community lunch yesterday, I had the chance to remember and reminisce about some of the many members of Valley who were, also, Veterans of Foreign Wars: Tom Bulanda, Ed Otten, Margaret Switzer, David Rodenhausen, Tom Scherr, and Lou Vernon; just to name a few. On this Veterans’ Day, we honor and thank them for boldly answering the call made on them to risk their lives for the sake of their fellow sisters and brothers – in faith, nation, and humanity.
This photo shows the view from the Church front lawn as the sun was about to rise this morning, on this Veterans Day, 2026. This flagpole facing the road was erected by Henry Cregar for his Eagle Scout project and is dedicated to his “Mentor and Friend” Tom Bulanda. A decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Tom, also, served as long-time Clerk of Session at Valley, Bible Study teacher, Confirmation mentor to many, and friend to even more.
On a day like Veterans Day, we not only remember and offer gratitude for those who faced combat in defense of our nation, residents, and freedoms; we, also, reflect on the way that God calls each and all of us to show this greater love by giving of ourselves abundantly and, even, sacrificially. Sometimes our giving directly benefits some specific person or people. Other times, we give although the outcomes are hidden, delayed, or indirect. It often, truly, is like planting seeds even when we may never know if or when or where they sprout and bear fruit.
Jesus shares this wisdom about greater love with his disciples in what scholars call the “final discourse,” knowing that his time with them will soon come to an end. The greatest, deepest, most genuine, and meaningful acts of love are often those that produce no direct, personal benefit: asking us to give something up so that love, mercy, justice, or compassion can grow.
And so, today and beyond, let us give thanks for all those who choose others above themselves; who have shown that the human family benefits when courageous individuals think and act, live and love, and sometimes even die; and do it for the sake of others.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Announcements
(additional announcements are in the bulletin and newsletter)
Extended Advent
What’s an extended Advent observance?
In an extended Advent observance, the season of Advent is longer than the usual four weeks. A typical extended Advent season is seven weeks long, beginning on the Sunday after the congregation observes the feast of All Saints (in 2026, November 1).
Where does the idea of an extended Advent observance come from?
In the early centuries of church history, the length of Advent varied; sometimes it was three weeks, sometimes six or seven, sometimes forty days. The forty-day tradition intentionally positioned Advent as a corollary of the Lenten season. The longer Advent was sometimes called St. Martin’s Lent because it began with St. Martin’s feast day on November 11, forty-five days before Christmas.
Why have an extended Advent observance?
None of us are surprised when stores stock the shelves with Christmas decorations the moment Halloween is over or when carols play on the radio the day after Thanksgiving. Churches often face an uphill battle to keep the chrismon ornaments in their tissue paper and the Christmas carols out of the Advent bulletins. Playing the Advent Grinch is hardly conducive to our own spiritual welfare and not always the best pastoral approach: sometimes, people just need a little early Christmas joy.
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.
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.:
November 8 & 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 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
Sarah Circle
We’d love to have you join us!
The next meeting for 2026-27 will be:
Tuesday, December 8
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, December 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 (December 8, January 12, February 9, etc.) for a time of good food, great coffee, and even better conversations.
Angel Tree
Each Christmas season, Valley has an Angel Tree project. This year, we will be supporting Geauga County Family Services.
We are collecting gift cards. The suggested gift cards are Giant Eagle, Walmart, Aldi, Amazon. There will be a box for the gift cards in the Narthex starting Sunday, November 22. Please return the gift cards by Sunday, December 13.
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 - November
Please consider donating the following items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
Turkey, potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, gravy, vegetables, butter, milk, eggs, anything for a Thanksgiving meal, 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, November 13, 2026
(1 – 4 p.m.)
Saturday, November 14, 2026
(10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
and
Thursday, November 19, 2026 (3:30 – 6:30 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