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As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
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Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
One warm evening this summer, the front portico of our church was transformed into an incubator of kindness. On July 15, members, friends, and neighbors of Valley gathered for a “Kindness Rocks” event; decorating stones with inspiring messages to be placed around the community to uplift others and claim God’s goodness made manifest through humanity. The show was then taken on the road on August 28 at the Bainbridge Rox Community Festival at Centerville Mills Park.
My colleague-in-ministry and past moderator of our denomination, Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, has recently published a little book entitled, In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World. In it, he describes how his motivation to write about the core Christian value of kindness – especially now, in such a polarized and hurtful time – was inspired and sustained by the example of yet another Presbyterian minister, Rev. Fred Rogers; yes, that Mr. Rogers, who says…
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.
Kindness – like the other descriptors offered in Colossians – is not a sign of weakness; it is not the same as just being nice. Instead, Reyes-Chow argues, it is a choice to act for justice, to move toward greater community and wholeness. The Christian definition of kindness he offers is this…
To be kind is to accept that each person is a created and complex human being – and to treat them as if you believe this to be true.
As with the children’s book – What Is God Like? – the church has ordered multiple copies of In Defense Of Kindness; enough for you to take for yourself and share with someone you know. It is a quick read – just over 100 pages – with a question for reflection and an action to try at the end of each short chapter. These will be available for you to take, starting on Sunday, October 3, and you are welcome to leave a $10 donation to help cover the cost of the book, if you’d like.
Over the coming weeks and months, and especially during Advent, we will be discussing kindness as a core Christian value: a faithful response to what we believe God is like and what God calls us to be. Stay tuned for these upcoming opportunities – in-person and online – to dig into these topics together.
In the meantime, consider getting a copy of the book and incubating kindness in your own life; treating others as the complex people God has created them to be. We are living in challenging, changing, and sometimes confusing times…when we could all use a little more kindness.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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Preaching Series - Out of Chaos...Hope
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Over the next nine months of 2021-22, we will be using the Narrative Lectionary readings in worship. After the New Year, we will focus on John’s Gospel; but this fall, prior to the start of Advent, we will look at texts from the Old Testament with the theme: “Out of Chaos, Hope.” Some of you may recognize this as the mission statement of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), a service arm of our denomination that responds to crises such as fires and floods. For, as much as we might wish that God turn chaos into order, hope is really what we need the most; and we are called to join with God who is already at work in the world providing for that need.
Here are the biblical stories and preaching themes for the month of October:
October 3
Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-15) – God Provides Purpose
October 10
Manna in the Wilderness (Exodus 16:1-18) – God Provides for Daily Needs
October 17
Calling of Samuel (I Samuel 3:1-21) – God Provides Clarity
October 24
Samuel Anoints David (I Samuel 16:1-13) – God Provides New Directions
October 31
Solomon’s Temple (I Kings 8:1-13) – God Provides Sanctuary
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 There will be a Holiday Sale Fundraiser to benefit Heart of Valley Preschool in Fellowship Hall on:
Friday, October 8
(12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Saturday, October 9
(10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
The store will be open on:
Friday, October 15
(10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Saturday, October 16
(10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
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World Communion Sunday / Peace & Global Witness Offering
October 3
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“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
As churches around the world gather at the Lord’s Table on October 3, World Communion Sunday, we join with congregations across our denomination in supporting the Peace & Global Witness Offering: promoting the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our communities and around the world. In addition to peace and reconciliation efforts done by our larger denomination, a portion of the offering will be designated to support the feeding ministry of North Presbyterian Church.
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Confirmation Class / Organizational Meeting
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Confirmation marks the opportunity to transition into full adult membership in the church. In order to prepare for this transition, youth enter into a period of questioning, conversation, and study alongside church members and leader to help them to consider their relationship with God and God’s people.
All young people who are currently in 6th to 9th grade are invited to be a part of this program. The classes will be taught twice per month by Pastor John in coordination with other church leaders and one-on-one adult confirmation partners. These partners will connect with students outside of class to help answer questions that may arise.
The planned date for confirmation is Sunday, May 22, 2022. Before this date, the confirmation students (and their confirmation partners) will be “examined” by session members and offer a prepared statement of faith.
An organizational meeting for interested youth and their parents / grandparents will be held at noon on Sunday, October 10 in the church library. At this meeting, we will introduce the confirmation program’s theme, materials, and a proposed meeting schedule.
Please contact Pastor John or the church office, if you have any questions.
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Chagrin Valley Council of Churches
Crop Walk
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Sunday, October 10, 2021
Frohring Meadows
16780 Savage Road
Sign in begins at 1:45 p.m.
Walk begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Katydid Shelter.
Proceeds benefit the Geauga Hunger Task Force and Church World Service.
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Community Meals
Second Tuesdays -
October 12, November 9, December 14
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Beginning this month, we will be resuming our community meal program: preparing dinners to be available for pick-up or delivery. These meals are our gift to the community: to anyone who is in need of the food or the love that goes into making it.
The menu for the October 12 meal is: baked lasagna, green salad, bread, dessert.
If you are interested in helping, we will be cooking meals from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.; assembling from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. and distributing / delivering from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. In addition, if you would like to make brownies / cookies at home, they can be delivered by 10:00 a.m. on October 12. Sign up on the church website, or click the link below: |
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Blessing of the Animals
Outdoor Chapel
Sunday, October 17,
4:00 p.m.
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Did you know that our Book of Common Worship includes a service for the Blessing of the Animals? On Sunday afternoon, October 17, we  are inviting anyone in the community to bring their pets to the outdoor chapel for a special service of thanksgiving, prayer, music, and blessing. Please dress for the weather. In case of rain, the service will be held under the front portico. |
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October is our partnership month with North Presbyterian Church. In June, North resumed worship services, but – because of Covid protocols – is not preparing meals in their kitchen or encouraging partner church members to gather with them at this time.
While we provide financial support to North Church (including a portion of the Peace and Global Witness Offering on October 3), we, also, have – over the past year – prepared meals in our church kitchen to send up to North. We will be doing this, again, on Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 a.m. – noon. If you would like to volunteer to prepare meals, provide dessert, or drive the meals up on Sunday morning, please sign up on the church website, or click the link below: |
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Stoller Pastries Fundraiser - HOVCP
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Heart of Valley is, once again, selling Stoller pastries – just in time for the holidays! This is a very popular fundraiser because the pastries are so good! Items come frozen and can be stored in your freezer to use later. You can order online with the link below or call Heidi at the preschool – 440/708-2572.
We will be taking orders through October 17th. Delivery is the week of November 8th. Thank you for your support!
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Worship Liturgy -
The Work of the People
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Worship is central to who we are and what we do as the people of God. During the last 18 months, our patterns of worship have undergone some fundamental changes; we understand now that, for as long as we can anticipate, we will have a hybrid worship with some physically present in the sanctuary and others participating online. After starting out with broadcasts of the service over Facebook Live, we have now implemented a video system to allow for livestream and recordings via YouTube. Thank you to everyone who helped purchase and implement this system.
Going forward, we will continue to need volunteers willing to film the worship services. As with our greeters and liturgists, this is a way of serving the church – by welcoming people into the experience of worship – that is best practiced when a number of people can rotate and share the responsibility. Training and support is available if you’d like to help. Please consider how and whether you might be able to share your time and gifts during worship.
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Thank you to all of the musicians, instrumentalists, soloists, ensembles and trios who provided the MUSIC throughout the summer months at Valley. Your talents offer variety, and we are so blessed to be able to experience the many gifts that you shared each week!!!
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Sundays
10:30 a.m. Worship live or via YouTube
Sunday, October 3
10:30 a.m. World Communion Sunday / Peace & Global Witness Offering
Wednesday, October 6
3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Youth Group - Setup for Holiday Sale Fundraiser for HOV Preschool in Fellowship Hall / Pizza at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, October 8
12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open in Fellowship Hall for Holiday Sale Fundraiser to benefit HOV Preschool
Saturday, October 9
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open in Fellowship Hall for Holiday Sale Fundraiser to benefit HOV Preschool
Sunday, October 10
12:00 p.m. Confirmation - organizational meeting for youth & parents / grandparents
Tuesday, October 12
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Cooking Community Meals
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Sarah Circle in Library
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Assembling Community Meals
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Distributing / delivering Community Meals
Friday, October 15
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
Saturday, October 16
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
Sunday, October 17
12:00 p.m. Session Meeting
4:00 p.m. Blessing of the animals in outdoor chapel
Saturday, October 23
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Prepare meals for North Church
Sunday, October 24
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Deliver meals to North Church
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Helyne Walker is creating 50 Goody Bags to give out to the families in the community. Please pick something from the list below or add your favorite snack or please consider donating items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
Potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, granola bars, candy, apples, oranges.
The Goody Bags will go out to families, adults, and seniors....people of all ages.
CFPCC is receiving donations at your car. Someone will come out and retrieve donations.
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10/1
Avah Foster
10/5
Sue Doughman
10/5
Chris Huff
10/6
Quentin Laupan
10/9
Alan Gurd
Virginia Stilson
10/10
Jon Cechner
Tanya Fouts
Danielle Osborne
Marilyn Rodenhausen
Shaylor Steele
10/14
Elora Crawford
10/17
Emily Pagano
Madison Spicuzza
10/19
Sam Cregar
10/21
Will Belew
Larry Graham
10/25
Jordan Fouts
Scott Izzo
Evelyn Laupan
10/27
Dottie Batchelor
10/29
Craig Hatch
10/31
Karen Winn
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Sarah Circle is a group of Valley Presbyterian ladies who meet the second Tuesday of each month. Guided by God, we have discussions and share insights. We learn about the teachings in the Bible and about ourselves. We currently have eight members.
 Our first meeting is on Tuesday, October 12, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Church Library. We will be studying " What My Grandmothers Taught Me", a Horizons Bible study.
Come and join this delightful group! Please call Carol Ferguson, Circle Coordinator, 440-543-8377, for more information. |
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Dougbe River School
2021 Gala
Sunday, October 24
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In-person Gala
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
at
Banquet Center at St. Noel
35200 Chardon Road
Willoughby, OH 44094
Attendees should be fully vaccinated and wear a mask, except when eating / drinking. |
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Heart of Valley Preschool has had a busy 1st couple of weeks! Making friends, remembering names, games, numbers, letters, stories, songs…….so much to do!
Believe it or not, this is HOVCP’s 21st anniversary. We have been blessed with the opportunity to teach of God’s love to small children  and spread joy into little hearts – and big ones as well! Thank you to all of our church family for your love and support over the years – the ministry of our preschool spreads beyond the classroom and touches young lives forever.
Heidi Cregar,
Director |
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Health and Safety Protocols
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With the return to in-person worship services, we ask you to follow these guidelines:
• Windows will be open and fans turned on, so please dress to be comfortable.
• In order for proper distancing, please do not sit in the pews that have been blocked or directly next to people not in your family.
• Please wear face coverings when inside the church building.
• If you are not feeling well today, please stay home.
• Hymnals and pew bibles have been put away, the words are printed in the bulletin.
• At this time, we will not be passing the peace, the offering plate, or holding hands for the benediction at the close of the service.
• Since we are livestreaming the service, we ask that you remain seated in the pews during the prelude and postlude.
• After the worship service has concluded, we ask that you move outside for any extended conversations.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Any changes to these protocols will be shared in advance of Sunday gatherings.
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Greg Weemhoff Geauga CROP Hunger Walk
September 26, 2021
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Kindness Rocks on the road at Bainbridge Rox Community Festival
August 28, 2021
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
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Show your appreciation for Pastor John by sending him a note of thanks and appreciation. Cards are available in the Narthex!
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Valley Presbyterian Church
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
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