I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)
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Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As Christians, we hope, pray and believe that God is at work among us – doing new things, changing lives, impacting the  world – and so, our role as the church is to listen for God’s voice, study Christ’s example and follow the Spirit’s leading.
We, also, believe that while the church to which we belong and the world in which we live is changing, God loves us, empowers us and has plans for us; plans for good.
The Presbytery of the Western Reserve, consisting of 36 congregations throughout northeast Ohio, has been invited to take part in the Presbyterian Vital Congregations Initiative (VCI). This is a two-year process of discerning and assessing how our church has been called and equipped to participate with God in changing lives and transforming our community.
re-vi-tal-i-za-tion / noun
“The act or an instance of bringing something back to life, public attention, or vigorous activity.”
“The action of imbuing something with new life and vitality.”
Synonyms: reanimation, rebirth, regeneration, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, revival.
Here is how VCI is described by our denomination’s leaders:
The purpose of the Vital Congregations Initiative is to work alongside leaders of existing congregations continually assessing, discerning, and living into faithful actions that increase vitality through intentional spiritual practices that take them deeper into following Jesus Christ, so that their own lives are changed, congregations are transformed and the mission of God spreads throughout particular communities and the world.
 The assessments that we do later this year will be based on the 7 Marks of Congregational Vitality. For seven consecutive weeks, beginning Sunday, February 9, we will be looking at one of these 7 Marks in order to learn more about ourselves and the ways that we – as this particular congregation – can answer God’s call on our lives.
I invite you to join with the leaders of Valley as we embark on this two-year journey of discovery to find how God is at work among and around us, making all things new. Can we perceive it?
Blessings,
Pastor John
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Thursdays
7:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
Sundays
10:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February 2
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion / Souper Bowl Sunday
12:00 p.m. Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 9
12:00 p.m. Commission Meetings / Deacon Meeting
Tuesday, February 11
12:30 p.m. Sarah Circle
Sunday, February 16
12:00 p.m. Session Meeting
5:00 p.m. Family Game Night
Wednesday, February 26
6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Imposition of Ashes
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 The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of Valley Presbyterian Church will be held this Sunday, February 2 at noon, for the purposes of electing Elders, Deacons and members of the nominating committee; approving terms of call; and any other necessary business. Please plan to attend; if you are able. The 2019 Annual Report is available on the table in the Narthex. |
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 This Sunday, February 2, our children and youth will be collecting donations to benefit the feeding program at North Presbyterian Church.
The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement of youth across the nation working together to fight hunger and poverty in their communities. Now in its 30th year, it seeks to make the statement that while two teams are facing off to be champions, they are not the only ones who will win. |
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 February 16, 5 - 7 p.m.
Bring your favorite board game to share, and join a team for Trivia! Pizza and drinks provided, bring a snack to share. RSVP by February 14 to Amanda PerryMiller at aperrymiller@icloud.com. |
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70's Disco benefiting Chagrin Falls Park Community Center
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February 8
7 p.m. - midnight
$75/person or a table of 10 for $650
Put on your dancing shoes and come help raise money for the Chamber of Commerce "Non Profit of the Year", Chagrin Falls Park Community Center. The event will feature music performed by Disco Inferno. Ticket costs include heavy appetizers and open bar.
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Ash Wednesday
February 26
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Soup Supper and Imposition of Ashes
6 - 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Each year, Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of the Season of Lent, the time of preparation for Jesus’ death and resurrection. On this day, Christians are offered the imposition of ashes as a symbol to remember that we were created by God from the dust of the earth, and to the earth we will one day return. And yet, because Christ died and rose for us, we have hope in God’s promise of life eternal.
We invite you to join us for this holy celebration as you begin your own Lenten journey. |
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Sarah Circle is a small group of women at Valley who meet monthly in each others homes. Faith is nurtured and growth takes place through worship, study, friendship and outreach. Open discussion is encouraged on how the Bible study relates to each of our lives in today’s world.
 Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m., in the home of Carol Ferguson. We will be studying lesson 6 in “Love Carved in Stone” Words of Love: Hold Your Marriage Sacred. Christie Frenchie will lead the study. All women of Valley are welcome to join us for discussion and fellowship. |
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Food Bank Needs:
February
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Please consider donating the following food items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
Lots of hot cereals (grits, oatmeal, etc.), bar soap,
dish detergent, canned chicken.
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2/5
Cooper Timmons
2/11
Jeff Louis
2/14
Dick Doughman
2/23
Norah Foster
2/28
Payton Hildebrand
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The store is currently receiving donations with pick-ups on request. Call the office for more information.
The next open dates are:
Saturday, February 22
(10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Sunday, February 23
(noon – 2 p.m.)
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Church World Service Blankets and Tools
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In February, we give Valentines to loved ones. We can give a Valentine to the world by supporting Church World Service's Blankets and Tools Program. When disaster strikes, people often need blankets, food, shelter, safe water and medical supplies. As the recovery process unfolds, they need tools, training and other resources to help them rebuild their lives. Please help "Blanket the World with Love" in February. Donation envelopes will be provided in mid February. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can make a difference.
Mission Commission |
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Happy Valentine's Day
 Valentine’s Day is a big event here at HOV in February. The children are busy drawing and cutting out hearts and making valentines for the people they love most! As we begin the 2nd half of our school year, we just want to say
thank you,  again, to the members of Valley for your support – with your help we have a very happy, loving and caring preschool atmosphere, and it show’s on each child’s face every day!
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Bright Night 2020 on Saturday, April 4th – 7:00 p.m. – Adam Hall!
Heidi Cregar, Director
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Montreat College Conference
January 2-5, 2020
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Amber Balista
Guest Preacher
January 26th Service
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Valley Presbyterian Church
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
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