Straight answers to the questions people ask before they visit The Valley Remnant Church, a Reformed Baptist church in Belle Vernon, PA. If your question is not here, ask us and a real person will answer.
Visiting The Valley Remnant Church
What should I expect on my first visit to The Valley Remnant Church?
Expect a simple, Word-centered service: congregational singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and a sermon that works straight through a book of the Bible. Right now we are preaching through Hebrews. Someone will greet you at the door and help you find a seat, but you will never be singled out, asked to stand, or asked to introduce yourself. Come, sit, listen, and leave whenever you like.
What time are Sunday services at The Valley Remnant Church?
Lord's Day Worship is every Sunday at 11:00 AM, and Sunday School starts at 10:15 AM. If it is your first time, come for the 11:00 worship service. Sunday School is open to you too, but nobody expects you to start there. We also hold an afternoon service at 2:00 PM on the last Sunday of each month.
Where is The Valley Remnant Church located?
The Valley Remnant Church meets at 130 Greenwood Ave., Belle Vernon, PA 15012, in the Mid-Mon Valley of southwestern Pennsylvania. We are an easy drive from Monessen, Monongahela, Donora, Charleroi, Rostraver, Perryopolis, Speers, and Fayette City. Enter through the main entrance and someone will meet you there.
Is there parking at the church?
Yes. We have a free parking lot on site at 130 Greenwood Ave. Park anywhere in the lot and walk to the main entrance. There is no charge and no permit needed.
How long is the Sunday worship service?
Plan on about ninety minutes from start to finish. Worship begins at 11:00 AM and usually wraps up around 12:30 PM. Most of that time is singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and the sermon.
What should I wear to church?
Come as you are. On any given Sunday you will see suits and you will see jeans, and nobody is counting. We care that you are here, not what you have on.
Are children welcome in the service?
Yes. Children stay in the worship service with their families at The Valley Remnant Church. We believe families worship best together, and we are not bothered by the noise that comes with that. If you need a moment with a fussy little one, there is a cry room where you can still hear the service.
Will I be asked for money as a visitor?
No. We do not pass an offering plate. There is a small box in the back of the room where those who are led to give leave their offering. As a visitor you are not expected to give anything.
Do I need to let you know I'm coming?
No, you can just show up. But if you tell us ahead of time through our Plan a Visit page, we will watch for you, save you a seat, and have someone ready to meet you at the door. You can also email info@valleyremnant.com or call 855-379-1689.
Can I watch The Valley Remnant Church online?
Yes. We livestream our Sunday worship service on our Watch Live page and on the church's YouTube channel. Past sermons are available there as well, so you can listen to a few messages before you visit in person.
What We Believe
What is a Reformed Baptist church?
A Reformed Baptist church holds to historic Reformed theology, often called the doctrines of grace, together with believer's baptism by immersion. The Valley Remnant Church confesses its faith using the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. In practice that means we are committed to the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God in salvation, and Christ-centered, expository preaching.
What is the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith?
The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith is a historic summary of Reformed Baptist belief, first published by Particular Baptists in England. It closely follows the Westminster Confession and the Savoy Declaration, sharing their Reformed theology while affirming believer's baptism and congregational church government. The Valley Remnant Church uses it as a clear, precise statement of the biblical doctrines our leadership holds. You can read the full text on our 1689 Confession page.
Do Reformed Baptists believe in Calvinism (the doctrines of grace)?
Yes. We affirm the doctrines of grace, often summarized as the five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, particular redemption, effectual calling, and the perseverance of the saints. More than five points, we hold to a whole-Bible Reformed theology that magnifies God's sovereign grace in salvation.
What is the difference between a Reformed Baptist church and a Presbyterian church?
Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians share the same doctrines of grace and a high view of Scripture. The main differences are baptism and church government. Reformed Baptists baptize professing believers by immersion, while Presbyterians also baptize the infant children of believers. We also differ in how we understand the covenants, a view often called 1689 Federalism, and each local church governs itself rather than answering to a presbytery.
How is a Reformed Baptist church different from other Baptist churches?
We share believer's baptism and local church autonomy with other Baptists. What sets a Reformed Baptist church apart is confessional Reformed theology: we hold to the 1689 Confession, we preach the doctrines of grace, we practice expository preaching through whole books of the Bible, and our worship is simple and regulated by Scripture rather than built around programs or productions.
Do you baptize infants?
No. We practice believer's baptism, also called credobaptism. We baptize those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, by immersion, following the pattern of the New Testament. If you were baptized as an infant and have since come to faith, we would be glad to talk with you about believer's baptism.
What is expository preaching?
Expository preaching explains the meaning of a Bible passage as God intended it, in its context, and applies it to our lives. Instead of picking a topic and finding verses to match, the preacher works through a book of the Bible passage by passage, so the text sets the agenda. That is the main preaching philosophy at The Valley Remnant Church.
What Bible translation do you preach from?
We preach from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). There are Bibles available in the room if you did not bring one, and any faithful translation is welcome. Our aim is to explain each passage clearly so the whole counsel of God is made plain.
What is the music like at The Valley Remnant Church?
Our music is congregational singing, and it is chosen to teach. We sing hymns and songs that put the Word of God into our hearts and minds, so music serves worship and discipleship rather than performance. You will not find a concert here, just a room full of people singing truth together.
Is The Valley Remnant Church part of a denomination?
No. We are an independent Reformed Baptist congregation governed by our own elders and members. For fellowship, accountability, and the spread of the gospel we partner with the Reformed Baptist Network and the Mid-Atlantic Confessional Baptist Fellowship.
Membership
How do I become a member of The Valley Remnant Church?
Membership begins with a conversation with an elder. After that interview you take our four-week Next Steps class, you are presented to the church with a two-week period for members to get to know you, the members vote, and you are publicly received into membership. If you have not yet been baptized as a believer, baptism comes first. Ask any elder to get started.
Is there a membership class?
Yes. Next Steps is a four-week class that covers the history of the church, an overview of the 1689 Confession, our church constitution, and the membership covenant. Anyone is welcome to sit in, and completing it is required for membership.
Will someone pressure me to join?
No. You are welcome to visit as long as you like, and many people attend for months before asking about membership. When you are ready, talk to an elder and we will walk you through the process at your pace.
Are there groups for men and women during the week?
Yes. The Forge, our men's gathering, meets Wednesdays at 6:00 PM, and The Hearth, our women's gathering, meets Thursdays at 7:00 PM. Locations can vary, so call 855-379-1689 or email info@valleyremnant.com for details before your first time.
Giving, Sermons, and Contact
How can I give to The Valley Remnant Church?
You can give in person in the offering box at the back of the room, or online through our giving page at valleyremnant.churchcenter.com. Giving is never required, and visitors are never asked to give. The Valley Remnant Church is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so gifts are tax deductible.
Where can I listen to past sermons?
Past sermons are on our Sermons page, organized by book of the Bible, and on the church's YouTube channel. Current and recent series include Hebrews, the Gospel of Mark, Acts, Genesis, Ephesians, and a walk through the 1689 Confession.
How do I contact The Valley Remnant Church?
Email info@valleyremnant.com, call 855-379-1689, or use the form on our Contact page. A real person will get back to you. If you are planning a Sunday visit, the Plan a Visit page has everything you need to know before you come.
Who is the pastor of The Valley Remnant Church?
Phil Pagliari is the pastor and church planter of The Valley Remnant Church. He is a graduate of Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh and preaches expositionally through books of the Bible. The church is led by its elders and is accountable to its members.