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Let them return to the LORD so that he may have mercy on them; to our God, because he is generous with forgiveness. (Isaiah 55:7b, Common English Bible)
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Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The recently released film, One Night in Miami, set in 1964, concludes with Sam Cooke singing, “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The song’s writing was inspired when Cooke was turned away from a whites-only motel in the segregated south; and it became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. The song contains this refrain: “It’s been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.”
We have been, now, dealing with this pandemic for a full year. The first case in the United States was diagnosed in late January, 2020, and by the middle of March, schools had closed; travel plans were canceled; and our congregation suspended in-person, indoor worship services in the midst of our journey through Lent.
All these months later, as we look back with sorrow on all that has been lost – and as we prepare to begin Lent again – Cooke’s words ring eerily true for us: the change that we await has indeed been a long time coming. Still, our faith reminds us that God has been and always will be about new things. God sent Jesus into the world to show us a new way to live; and that all the powers of sin and death were shattered when Jesus rose to new life.
Although the changes we long for have not yet all come to pass, we know they’re gonna come. While the ongoing pandemic dictates we remain vigilant about health and safety for at least several more months – meaning that we will celebrate another Day of Resurrection in a virtual, physically-distanced manner – we can use this Lenten season to imagine and reflect on what the coming change – the new creation – will be like.
Will it be a season of returning to the Lord? Can we acknowledge the trauma and grief people have endured? Will we remain vigilant in reaching out to, connecting with, and supporting our neighbors? Can we discover ways to heal divisions; new practices and habits to help create a more healthy community? Will we truly seek God’s mercy and forgiveness?
This Lenten season, we are distributing packets of materials and symbols to help commemorate the foundational truth that, “if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) These Lenten packets will be available for pick-up on Sunday, February 7; Monday, February 8; or will be delivered to you later that week. We hope that you might use their contents to help prepare for your journey to Holy Week and beyond; and to the change we know is gonna come. See below for more details.
Friends, we worship a God that is merciful and generous in forgiveness; one that calls us into a new day; to be a new creation. May we be given the strength to offer the same for others.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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Drive-thru Collection
Sunday, February 7
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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 We invite you to come to the church during these hours to pick up Lenten Packets from the portico. We will be, also, collecting food and monetary donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring and for Church World Service Blankets + (see details below). |
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The Lenten Packets (one per household) will include:
• Symbols to be utilized weekly in worship during Lent;
• Daily Lenten devotional from Presbyterians Today;
• Lenten / Easter Coloring pages designed for all ages.
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In 1990, Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:
“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.”
Since then, more than $160 million has been generated for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that transforms the time around the Big Game into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and caring for those in need.
This year, we encourage you to drop off your food donations under the church portico on Sunday, February 7. If you prefer, you can, also, provide monetary donations through the church office, Zelle, or website below.
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Church World Service - Blankets +
(February 14)
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This Valentine’s Day, blanket the world in Love.
February is here and that means Valentines. We can show the world our love by helping those in need through Church World Service Blankets +. Contributions to Blankets + means that CWS is there for the long haul as families recover from a disaster. When disaster strikes, people often need blankets and much more. They need food, shelter, safe water, and tools and training to rebuild their lives. Church World Service is committed to sharing a hope-filled tomorrow; making a difference in the lives of children and families. In 2020, they distributed over 100,000 blankets, school kits, emergency clean-up buckets, and hygiene kits in the United States and around the world.
Through our contributions, we can make this ministry of hope a reality for people in need the world over. Please be generous in your support for Blankets +. Donations can be made through the church office, Zelle, or website below.
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Community Dinner - Carry-out & Delivery Only
Tuesday, February 9, 4-6:00 p.m.
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Menu: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Mac & Cheese, Green Salad, Brownies
These continue to be challenging times; and we know there are people in our neighborhood who are hungry, who are tired, or who are looking for signs of caring and hope. November and December of last year, we held our first two community dinners – each time serving almost 100 meals. This was made possible through the dedication and donations of this church family.
We will be hosting our next community dinner on Tuesday, February 9. Packaged meals will be available for carry-out (or delivery, upon request) from 4–6:00 p.m. and can be reserved by signing up below, on the church website, or by calling the church office by noon that day.
If you are interested in helping, we will need volunteers on Tuesday, February 9, to prepare the food (9–11:00 a.m.), package the meals (3–4:00 p.m.), and fill / deliver orders (4–6:00 p.m.). If interested in helping at any of these times, please let us know by Friday, February 5.
In addition, we need volunteers to make the brownies (using your recipe of choice) at home, and drop them off at the church by 3:00 p.m. that Tuesday. If you can help in this way, let us know.
These dinners are intended for anyone who wants or needs them – members, friends, neighbors alike – so please help us to spread the word.
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Online Opportunities for Study & Conversation
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Presbytery-wide Matthew 25 Bible Study
You are invited to join members of the Presbytery’s Matthew 25 Task Force for a four-week study of the Book of Matthew. The Matthew 25 vision calls congregations, presbyteries, synods, and other entities of the denomination to strengthen the collective work and witness of the PC(USA) to the gospel of Jesus Christ, by discerning what it means to be Christ’s disciples in this time and place. Joining the Matthew 25 Vision means a commitment to pouring love, energy, and action into one of the three focus areas: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty.
This introductory Bible Study provides background and theological reflection for the Matthew 25 Vision, and we trust it will lead to good conversation around how we live into this vision here in NE Ohio. The study will be led by members of the M25 Task Force and will run for four weeks, beginning Sunday, February 14. We will gather weekly on Zoom from 4-5:00 p.m. For signups and more information, go to www.preswesres.org/m25biblestudy
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man
By Emmanuel Acho
O  ne of the three focus areas of the Matthew 25 Vision is dismantling structural racism. As Americans, we live in a culture and society where discrimination exists; where some people are not welcomed or treated with equity.
In an effort to better understand, acknowledge, confront, and dismantle racism in our society, you are invited to an ongoing study of Emmanuel Acho’s book. Each week, a chapter summary that includes a question prompt will be emailed. You are, also, invited to join a weekly Zoom conversation – each Tuesday evening from 7-7:30 p.m. using the link below.
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 Pass-It-On is currently receiving donations with pick-ups on request. Call the office for more information.
The store will be open on:
Friday, February 19
(10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Saturday, February 20
(10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
In the interest of keeping safe, please wear a mask and entrance will be limited to six at a time.
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Sundays
10:30 a.m. Worship via Facebook Live or YouTube
Sunday, February 7
10:30 a.m. Communion Sunday / Guest Preacher
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lenten Packet Pickup / Souper Bowl of Caring / Church World Service - Blankets +
Monday, February 8
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Lenten Packet Pickup
Tuesday, February 9
9:00-11:00 a.m. Free Community Dinner - Preparation of the food
3:00-4:00 p.m. Free Community Dinner - Packaging the meals
4:00-6:00 p.m. Free Community Dinner - Fill / deliver orders
Sunday, February 14
10:30 a.m. Commemorate Beginning of Lent / Ash Wednesday
12:00 p.m. Deacon Meeting via Zoom
Friday, February 19
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
5:30-6:00 p.m. Pickup for Moe's Southwest Grill - HOV Fundraiser
Saturday, February 20
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
Sunday, February 21
12:00 p.m. Session Meeting via in-person / Zoom
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Food Bank Needs:
February
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Please consider donating the following items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
Personal products (i.e., soaps, shampoos, deodorants, tooth pastes, lotions, ladies products, etc.) and cleaning supplies.
CFPCC is receiving donations at your car. Someone will come out and retrieve donations as you remain in your car.
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2/5
Cooper Timmons
2/11
Jeff Louis
2/14
Dick Doughman
2/15
Mary Long
2/23
Norah Foster
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Session has chosen to postpone our Annual Meeting – traditionally held in early February – until such time as we are, once again, able to meet in person; whether inside or outdoors. As mandated by our denomination’s Book of Order, notice of any congregational meeting will be given at least two weeks in advance. Any business that is typically handled at the Annual Meeting will be held until that time. |
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Ash Wednesday
February 17
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 Ash Wednesday is the traditional start to the Christian Lenten season. The imposition of ashes serves as a reminder we live fragile lives; and that – both in life and in death – we belong to God. The incomparable losses that we have experienced in this year certainly drive home this reality.
This year, we will commemorate the beginning of Lent during worship on Sunday, February 14. The service will include a liturgy for the imposition of ashes; and instructions will be given for marking yourselves with ashes (using materials from your Lenten kits) that day and / or on Ash Wednesday, February 17. |
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Guest Preacher
February 7
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Please welcome Rev. Susi Kowalics, who retired in 2020 as Associate Pastor of the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls. Rev. Kowalics is a long-time Bainbridge resident and participant in the Chagrin Valley Council of Churches
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 Happy Valentine’s Day!
February is a very busy month here at Heart of Valley Preschool!
Registration for next fall is, also, underway in February. If you know of anyone with preschool-age children, please pass the word about Heart of Valley – our best advertising comes by word of mouth!
Valentine’s Day is a big event here at HOV in February, as well. The children are busy drawing and cutting out hearts and making valentines for the people they love most!
We are doing a Moe’s Southwest Grill taco dinner on February 19th. You order the dinner (link below), and it will be ready for pick-up in the church  parking lot between 5:30-6:00 p.m. on the 19th. The taco dinner feeds 4-6 people, and it’s delicious – I do know from personal experience!! Call the preschool, if you have any questions or need help ordering (440-708-2572).
Moe’s Taco Link: https://form.jotform.com/210144175392147. See flyer below for fundraiser details.
Heidi Cregar,
Director |
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Valley Presbyterian Church
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
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