The Best Shakespeare Quotes for Modern Life

Dear Pali Pres,

This past week was William Shakespeare’s birthday (we think). I say “we think” because no one really knows—the exact date of his birth was never recorded (most often it is celebrated on April 23). We do know that today, April 26, was the day of his baptism in 1564. We also know that Shakespeare died on April 23 (yes, the same day many consider to be his birthday) in 1616.

Even though Shakespeare lived over 400 years ago, his works continue to influence and inspire the world. I recently came across an article entitled, “Best Shakespeare Quotes for Modern Life,” which featured some classics, such as:

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” Hamlet

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Hamlet

“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them’’ Twelfth Night

“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” As You Like It

Shakespeare also wove theology through his many works, including these gems worth remembering:

“God shall be my hope, my stay, my guide and lantern to my feet.” Henry V

And this commentary on mercy:

“The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.” The Merchant of Venice

Just a bit of food for thought for all of us during this week we celebrate Shakespeare’s birth (we think)!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Matt

The Faithful Service of Our Deacons

Dear Beloveds,

This last Sunday, our church came together to recognize, thank, and pray for our deacons who serve so faithfully among us. I hope that you were able to join us in celebrating their ministry that is indeed the lifeblood of our church.

If you were in our worship service either in person or online, you would have heard Joanna Darvish and Vidda Brough explain some of the new caregiving that we will be doing in this year. This new caregiving includes a few aspects:

Going forward, we will always have three Deacons of the Month. Our deacons will be rotating their duties, and each month, there will be three specific deacons that will be called upon for things that arise in the church. If someone has a surgery, or an accident, or if we have a memorial service, these three deacons will be in charge of heading things up. You will be able to see who these deacons are in our newsletter and in our bulletins each week. This system will be replacing our “flocks” as we have had in the past.

In addition, we as a Deacon Board will always be checking in on folks who have recently undergone anything to make sure that their needs are being taken care of, that they feel supported, and they know that they are being prayed for and with. This check-in process is going to be more formalized than what it was in the past. Please do contact me if you would like a deacon to check in on you! It is important for us to be communicating our needs with one another.

Lastly, our deacons will continue their faithful service in heading up the planning and execution of our memorial service receptions when the needs arise. They will also continue their service in helping to set up our communion and do special deliveries and mailings. We meet monthly as deacons to make sure we are covering all bases.

As I mentioned on Sunday, you don't need to be a deacon to be able to help and serve in our church! We're excited to be reviving our Helping Hands Ministry, where people can help with providing meals and cookies when we have different needs arise. You can join this ministry at anytime! Please contact me if you would like to join.

I hope that you were able to partake in the incredible coffee hour reception that our deacons hosted for us! It was a cornucopia of bounty, and we want to give a special thanks to all of them for their incredible efforts, not just on Deacon Sunday, but year-round for their love and compassion for all of us.

Thank you, dear deacons, it has been a joy and honor to serve with you!

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

Even So, It Does Move...

Dear Pali Pres,

I must admit that I kind of got caught up in the solar eclipse “buzz” this past week. Not as much as many people, but I found the entire event rather cool and interesting to think about. The eclipse reminded me (and hopefully all of us) of how united we are as human beings on this one home we all share. It also reminded me that there are cosmic forces at play in this universe that are far beyond my control and understanding. Realizing, once again, how small my life is compared to all that is taking place out in the cosmos is pretty humbling, and yet comforting. The Creator of all the universe also created me; the one who set the stars, moon, and sun in the sky (and the One we are to thank for these amazing eclipses) also tends to me and cares about my little life. Amazing stuff, really.

On a somewhat related note, today is the anniversary of Galileo’s trial before the Roman Inquisition (which had been established by the Pope to regulate church doctrine). It was 1633 and the famous Italian astronomer was being judged for supporting the heretical idea that the Earth revolves around the sun, rather than the other way around. After agreeing to formally recant, Galileo was sentenced to house arrest and died at home eight years later. However, what Galileo said in his defense is worth remembering—he insisted that scientific research and Christian faith are entirely compatible, and that the study of the universe could actually encourage one’s faith and the proper interpretation of scripture. Legend has it that immediately after he recanted, as he rose from kneeling before his examiners, Galileo defiantly muttered, e pur, si movie (“even so, it does move”), referring to the Earth.

I hope you will find your faith comforted and encouraged by the amazing scientific phenomena that happen all around us, be they every 20 years or every 20 seconds!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Dear Beloveds,

In a couple weeks, I will be embarking on my first study week for the year. For this week, I have prayerfully chosen to walk on the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James. This trek has been traveled by millions of pilgrims for more than a thousand years, and has multiple routes stretching across Europe, with each major route ending at the grand cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. (It is believed that the remains of Saint James are buried here.) The Camino has great historical, cultural, and theological meaning, but central to its purpose is the opportunity for spiritual awakening.

The Camino is meant to be a sacred walk for pilgrims who are seeking spiritual growth or reflection and renewal in their lives. It is not only a grueling physical journey, but it is also a journey of the soul that provides a unique opportunity for its pilgrims to reconnect or establish their faith, to deepen one's relationship with God, and to ask existential questions along the way. This trek has served as a spiritual catalyst for those who are seeking a deeper understanding of following God. As the walking journey is made, it allows its pilgrims to separate from the tasks, worries and duties of everyday life, and beckons them to immerse themselves in a time of deep reflection and discovery.

I must admit that I have not trained for this journey very well! I endeavor to walk the final 100 kilometers, which is about 62 miles in just 5 days, as I have one week of leave (average of 12 miles a day). I arrive in Spain and start the trek the very next morning, and will be packing a rain poncho, a sturdy hat, my knee brace, and not much more! I am packing very lightly and will wash and re-wear my clothes. The terrain is quite remote and rural, but exceedingly beautiful in places; in the evening, I will be spending the nights in hostels and monasteries along the way. Friends have told me to carry blister pads, chafing cream, and walking sticks to fend off aggressive wild dogs---it will certainly be an adventure! I am loading my phone with good music and podcasts to listen to along the way, but I look forward to long stretches of silence and extended times of prayer.

I am so thankful for this experience and look forward to how God will change my heart through this time of learning. I will be posting my adventure on Instagram, so please check out @maypeacebethejourney_revgrace to see how I do every day! Thank you in advance for your prayers; I look forward to sharing with you what I learned upon my return.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

What's Good about 'Good Friday'?

Dear Pali Pres,

Today, Good Friday, is the darkest of days for us as Christians—the day Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world. That is why we dare to call this day “good”—because of what the death of Jesus means for us and all the world. As Paul writes, “Through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20). It is because of today that we have all been reconciled to God, and can live forgiven and peace-filled lives.

I do hope you will join us this evening at 7:00pm, in person or via live-stream, as we gather and reflect together on the meaning of this day. It is such a blessing to be partnering with our friends at Brentwood Presbyterian Church for this service; Pastor Dave and Pastor Lora will help lead tonight’s service and their congregation has been invited to join ours on this most holy day.

Whether you can join us for worship or not, I do encourage you to spend this day in prayer and reflection as we honor the loving sacrifice of our Lord. I share the following prayer with you as one that speaks to my heart this day:

Holy God, your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought humanity the gift of reconciliation by the death he endured. Teach those who bear his name to follow the example he gave us. May your life-giving power at work in us turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, and sorrow into joy, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[adapted from a prayer by the PCUSA Office of Theology and Worship]

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Palm Sunday & Holy Week

Dear Pali Pres,

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins the holiest week of the Christian year. We will start our worship service with a jubilant singing of All Glory, Laud, and Honor as we wave our palm branches during the refrain. It is a day of joy and celebration for Christians around the world as we remember Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.

However, in the midst of our celebration we must also keep in mind the reason for Jesus’ trip—to be arrested, convicted, and then killed. That is why Palm Sunday is also known as “Passion Sunday.” Going back to the fourth century, the church has embraced the paradox of Palm/Passion Sunday, concentrating on both the glory and the passion of Jesus Christ.

It is an important tradition to keep observing, both in our church and in our personal walks of faith. To simply skip from the “Hosannas” of Palm Sunday to the “Hallelujahs” of Easter does a great disservice to Jesus Christ and his sacrificial gift to the world. We must be willing to embrace the full meaning of this most holy week by remembering the entire story of Jesus—his glory, his suffering and death, and his resurrection.

I hope you will join us here at Pali Pres as we journey through Holy Week together. This Sunday, in addition to morning worship, we will have a special concert by our chancel choir at 2pm, “Ride On, King Jesus!” Later in the week, on Maundy Thursday, we will gather at Brentwood Presbyterian Church at 7pm for a service of communion, reflection, and beautiful music. Then, on Good Friday we will host a special service in our sanctuary (7pm) focusing on the final hours of Jesus’ life through a dramatic reading from the Gospel of Matthew. I do hope you can attend one, if not all, of these services as we all prepare our hearts and souls for the glory of Easter Sunday.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Interior Freedom

Dear Pali Pres,

I recently came upon a powerful piece in Plough Magazine on the theme of repairing relationships. Given all that is going on in the world right now, and given how each of us carry within us a least a few regrets, burdens, and unhealed wounds, I found this article to be especially touching in how it articulated the restorative power of personal forgiveness. Within the article were writings on repair and reconciliation from spiritual authors including Teresa of Ávila and Desmond Tutu. However, it was an excerpt from the book Interior Freedom by theologian and priest Jacques Philippe that spoke to me the most. I share it with you now in hopes that Philippe’s words and message will speak to your heart too and help lead you closer to “interior freedom.”

There are times in every life when we find ourselves in situations of trial and difficulty, either affecting us or someone we love. We can do nothing. However much we turn things over and examine them from every angle, there is no solution. The feeling of being helpless and powerless is a painful trial, especially when it concerns someone close to us: to see someone we love in difficulties without being able to help is one of the bitterest sufferings there is.

Many parents experience it. When children are small, there is always a way of intervening, helping them. When children are older and no longer heed advice, it can be terrible for parents to see their sons or daughters turning to drugs or launching destructive love affairs. Much as the parents want to help, they cannot. At such times we should tell ourselves that even if we apparently have no way of intervening, we still, despite everything, can continue to believe, hope, and love. We can believe that God will not abandon our child and our prayer will bear fruit in due course. We can hope in the Lord’s faithfulness and power for everything. We can love by continuing to carry that person in our heart and prayer, forgiving them and forgiving the wrong done to them and expressing love in every way available to us, including trust, self-abandonment, and forgiveness. The more devoid of means our love is, the purer and greater it is. Even when externally there is nothing to be done, we still have inner freedom to continue to love. No circumstance, however tragic, can rob us of that. For us, this should be a liberating and consoling certainty amidst the trial of powerlessness.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

Our Deacons

Dear Pali Pres,

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of joining Pastor Grace and our amazing church Deacons at their annual Deacon Retreat (held at the lovely Bel-Air Bay Club—what a treat!). It was a meaningful time of fellowship, spiritual reflection, and planning for the future of our Deacon Board here at Pali Pres.

As the old saying goes, the only constant is change. With that in mind, I’m pleased to report that our Deacons, under the great leadership of Pastor Grace and Joanna Darvish, have prayerfully discerned how the Holy Spirit is leading them to reimagine some of their ministries to better meet the changing needs of our congregation. You will hear more about the exciting changes our Deacons are planning for their ministry in 2024 and beyond on Deacon Sunday, which will be April 14. Stay tuned!

All this being said, it is so comforting to know that the role of Deacons will not change. Going back to the early church, Deacons have been known as people of love and warm sympathies. The Deacons carry out a service of witness and compassion in the example of Jesus Christ. For anyone who has ever served as a Deacon, or been served by a Deacon, you know that this is indeed a vital ministry to all who are in need, be they sick, lonely, or in emotional, spiritual, or physical distress.

It brings me great joy to know our church is ministered to by such servants of the Lord. Please join me in thanking them and praying for them!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

[From left to right]: Bruce and Vidda Brough, Joanna Darvish (Deacon Clerk), Pastor Matt, Staci Mitchel, Jan Gong, Jan Larson, Joan Kaczorowski, Brendan Kim, Linda Grant, Pastor Grace, Correne Gichuru, Lore Meline, Evelyn Moyer, Marie-Anne Helgeson

God's Love Will Prevail

Dear Beloveds,

A couple weeks ago, we heard of the tragic death of Alexei Navalny, who was a political prisoner in Russia and an outspoken activist. This devastating news powerfully and poignantly reminded us, once again, of the brokenness of our world. Navalny worked toward a cause for which he deeply believed, sought to speak the truth he felt in his heart, and pursued the hope of a different future for his country. He was an example of courage, and a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.

His death, to me, symbolized a stark example of injustice for the entire world, and we continue to witness oppression and suffering around the world each day. In the light of all the injustice that we see, and when we face such dark news, it can be easy to become discouraged, feel overwhelmed and disheartened. His life, as well as his death, remind us that our world desperately needs justice and those who will speak for it. It is hard to see hope for a better future for our humanity in such times when we hear bad news in the world. But I am convinced that in our darkest hours, we must try to find hope, even when things look so bleak.

We are in a time of mourning and grief in a way, during this Lenten season. We remember the suffering of Jesus and the pain that He endured during these 40 days. His teachings remind us that even in the midst of great pain and suffering, there is the sweet promise of redemption and renewal. As believers and seekers, it is through our faith in God's love and mercy that we can somehow find a glimpse of hope and a way to persevere when things look the worst.

As we look toward Easter Sunday, as we walk in these dark 40 days, we can be reminded that we are on a journey of transformation, and we are called to be changed each day to be made more like Christ; to walk humbly to love mercy, and to seek justice for those who are powerless.

On Ash Wednesday, I was honored to be able to attend noontime mass at Corpus Christi, our neighboring Catholic church in the Palisades. Father Kidney reminded everyone present that there are three things to remember during Lent: to pray, to fast, and to give alms. Part of the way that we can enact these three things during the Lenten season is to continue to lift everything up in prayer; he explained that fasting can mean to give something up in your life to sacrifice, and to give alms means to think of other people, and I believe it can also mean to take action for the oppressed.

May God lead us during this time, and may we hold tight to the knowledge that this is God’s world, and that God’s love will prevail.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

The Next Time You Pick Up Your Bible...

Dear Pali Pres,

Exactly 569 years ago today, February 23, 1455, something happened that would change the world forever. That is the date that Johannes Gutenberg printed the first Bible using his invention, the printing press. Up until then, every copy of the Bible had to be painstakingly copied out by hand. Artisans in China had been printing books for hundreds of years by that point, but that was not the case in Europe. The Gutenberg Bible (as it came to be known) was nearly 1,300 pages long and was printed on calfskin parchment.

There are many obvious advantages to having books printed instead of copied by hand. The simple fact that the Bible could be mass produced and shared among the larger population was itself a world changing development. However, many scholars and historians agree that without the printing press there likely may not have been the Protestant Reformation (at least not as we know it). In just a few decades after the first Bible was printed, Martin Luther would use the printing press to spread his “95 Theses” throughout numerous parts of Europe. Luther also translated the New Testament into German and sold an astounding (at the time) 5,000 copies in just two weeks. Luther really was the world’s first best-selling author!

Although Luther was not the first theologian to question the Catholic Church, he was the first one who was able to widely publish his message because of Gutenberg’s press. Others who questioned the principles and practices of the Church had their movements easily quashed by authorities because so few copies of their writings were in circulation. But the timing of Luther’s “reformation” was perfectly aligned with the new technology available to him. As Luther once famously said, “Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one.”

Just a little something to think about the next time you pick up a book, especially the Bible!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Lent: Deepening Our Relationship With God

Dear Pali Pres Family,

This past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, Christians all over the world entered the holy season of Lent. This season is a long-standing tradition of the church, a special time set aside for spiritual preparation in advance of Easter. With our focus being on deepening our relationship with God, we, as followers of Christ, are called to simpler living, reflection, and prayer.

Throughout the next six weeks, Pastor Grace and I will be preaching on Lenten themes and our worship services will reflect the holy and preparatory nature of this season.

That being said, I encourage you to not limit your Lenten spiritual formation to our time together on Sundays. I urge you to think about what you will be seeking after in these 40 days leading up to Easter. How is God calling you to deepen your relationship with him?

I know I’ve shared this with you before, but one helpful exercise that I practice each Lent is to take two pieces of paper, and prayerfully do the following:

· One the first piece of paper, I write down something I want to refrain from because I know it hurts my relationship with God.

· On the second piece of paper, I write down a practice, a devotion, or a new habit that I will commit myself to that will give me joy in my walk of faith.

· Then, I post these pieces of paper in a place where I will see them frequently and be reminded of my Lenten commitments.

I share this practice with you as a possible way for you to deepen your relationship with God during Lent. However you journey through this season, I pray it is one of deep meaning for you as we all look forward to the joy and resurrection power of Easter.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Black History Month

Dear Pali Pres,

February is Black History Month, a time set aside to celebrate black men and women who made significant contributions in American and world history. This month is an important reminder that our diversity is a gift from God; as it says in the very first chapter of the Bible, we are all made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1: 26). Black History Month is also a valuable time for us to recommit ourselves to the pursuit of racial equality and the end to racial discrimination and racism. This is an ongoing challenge, but one that is worth all our efforts and prayers as sisters and brothers in Christ.

In that spirit, I share with you a wonderful prayer from Rev. Demanya Kofi Akoussah, who is a pastor in the United Church of Canada. Originally from Togo in West Africa, Pastor Akoussah crafted this prayer based on texts from Isaiah, Genesis, and the Song of Solomon. It certainly spoke to my heart, and I hope it speaks to yours too. Let us pray…

It pleases me greatly to know that I am made of soil

and in the end will return to dust.

So why should I be worried

by the contempt of those who pay no heed to this truth

when they insult and discriminate against me

because of the colour of my skin?

Can the potter be ordered about by the pot,

or the clay instruct the artisan kneading it

into a chosen form?

O, my God, how can I not praise you?

I give thanks to you, my Creator,

for you have made me with intelligence and wisdom,

and I am proud to have been created Black.

I thank you, Lord, for my sister, who you made so beautiful,

her skin polished by the sun.

To paraphrase the Song of Songs,

I thank you, O God, for having made us diverse,

for giving humanity such wonderful harmony,

just as many different flowers together create a garden’s beauty.

Lord, I pray for those who harbour hatred for people of colour.

Heal them of their ignorance

that they might realize the vanity of their lives.

For whatever they may be today,

we all shall return to dust.

Lord, empower us to be wise and humble

so that we may love one another

as you have loved us and come to have true LIFE. Amen!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Welcome Aboard, Mary Fish!

Dear Pali Pres Family,

Well, it finally happened. My wonderful and beautiful wife, a proud Canadian to the core, decided that being married to an American, having two American sons, and calling America home for the past 10+ years was simply not enough. When it came to embracing her love of the good ol’ US of A, only citizenship would do! Thus, after a great deal of prayer and completing a pile of paperwork (and, of course, paying a hefty application fee), Mary officially began the process of going from being a permanent US Resident and Green Card holder to becoming a proud US Citizen.

It all started months ago when she submitted her application and loads of accompanying documentation. Then, a few weeks ago, she received a letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (under the Department of Homeland Security) to appear for her naturalization interview. This past Tuesday, January 30th, Mary made her way to the US Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles and that’s when things got real!

After a one-on-one interview, Mary successfully passed the required test on American history and civics (I won’t tell you her score, but trust me…almost all of us would miss at least a few of the questions). After swearing an oath of allegiance to the United States it was official: Mary Fish was an American Citizen!

I could not be prouder of my wife, who considers this the single greatest moment of her life (ok, so that might be an exaggeration on my part, but she still considers this in her top 10, at least).

Congratulations Mary! Enjoy voting and jury duty, my dear!

Pastor Matt

Happy Birthday, Wolfgang!

Dear Pali Pres,

Not too long ago I was flipping through the channels and was lucky enough to catch a good portion of the 1984 classic Amadeus on television. It had been a long time since I had seen it and forgot how compelling it is (the film won a slew of awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture). The story, the acting, and (of course) the music make it such an enjoyable and engaging movie.

Watching Amadeus again made me lament how little I know about music, especially classical music. I’ve never been confused for a music aficionado; Mary or Pierre or Anthony will definitely confirm this! However, I do love and appreciate good music when I hear it and the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart certainly qualifies.

Tomorrow, January 27, is Mozart’s birthday. He was born in present-day Austria in 1756 and although he only lived to be 35 years old, many consider Mozart’s musical works to be divine. After seeing him perform, the great French philosopher and writer Voltaire is said to have remarked that he had at last seen a miracle. Likewise, the renowned Swiss theologian Karl Barth once wrote, “It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille, they play Mozart — and that then, too, our dear Lord listens with special pleasure.”

Perhaps you too have a passionate love of Mozart, or (like me) are simply moved by his music though you don’t know exactly what to listen for. Either way, I am sure we can all feel thankful for the remarkable, larger-than-life people who have graced this world and contributed something extraordinarily beautiful along the way.

Happy Birthday, Wolfgang!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

PS—I can’t help but include here one of my favorite scenes from Amadeus.

Out of Love for His Sister

Dear Beloveds,

On Sunday night, my four adult children gathered for dinner in New York City. They sent me a photo of themselves after dinner, and it made my heart so happy to see them all together.

I wake up each morning feeling so blessed to be their mother; they have made me a better person and have taught me so much. I treasure each and every one of them for who they are and what joy they bring to the table.

The one thing that am so grateful for is the love and appreciation they have for one another. Each so different, they bring out the “good” in one another in such different ways. To hear them laugh with one another is one of the happiest sounds that reach my ears as a mother.

I wanted to share with you a memory I had of my two eldest children, Elijah and Hannah, when they were in middle school. As some of you know, our children were raised with music. Each of them studied the piano and also a string instrument, with some flute, guitar, and drums thrown in here and there. Our house was always filled with the sounds of music floating through the air, and we were forever driving to music competitions, national theory exams, recitals, and countless performances.

I recalled one competition where all four of our kids were in, and Elijah and Hannah happened to be competing in the same category. His teacher was extremely confident that he would win that day; his piece was advanced, he had played it with an orchestra, knew it backwards and forwards and played it flawlessly. His teacher was bragging to the other teachers about how well he played the difficult piece. Hannah was a little nervous about her piece, but she was prepared.

The time came to compete, and Hannah was up first. Her nerves got the best of her, and she stumbled a bit in the piece, but she lost her momentum and began to stumble through other places of her music. You could see her face at the piano had turned red, and then ashen white out of embarrassment. After she finished her piece, she returned to her assigned seat completely shaken with her head hung low, ready to cry.

Then it was Elijah’s turn to play; he sat down at the piano and began. It was beautiful—and then, strangely, his fingers began to skip over the notes in the most unusual way, and he too started to stumble. He finished his piece, stood up to bow, but I saw his face had a little grin on it---- odd, for someone who had made silly mistakes on a piece he knew so well.

After the competition was over, all the students gathered together in a group to huddle and to talk with their teachers. Another teacher came to me and said, “What happened to your son today? We thought he was the sure winner!” I walked over to the kids’ circle and saw Hannah and Elijah talking to each other. Hannah was saying, “I don’t know what happened, I just got so thrown when I made the first mistake, and then, it all fell apart!” and Elijah laughed and comforted her and remarked, “Oh, I know! Isn’t it funny? The same thing happened to me, and I just blew my entire piece! Oh well! No trophies for us this time around!” and they had a great laugh together, hugged, and shook it off. I could see Hannah felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Later, I approached Elijah, and looked him in the eye. I gently asked him what happened, and wondered how he could have made the peculiar mistakes he did when he knew the piece so well. He looked earnestly at me and said, “Mom, I saw how devastated Hannah was when she blew her piece. She was so heartbroken. I made the mistakes on my piece on purpose so she wouldn’t feel so badly about herself.”

At first, I was shocked; upset he had just thrown the competition out of love for his sister.

Out of love for his sister. I could not be mad at this child.

He followed up quickly with me imploring, “If you ever tell Hannah that I did that, I will deny it. Please, don’t tell her.”

It’s been almost 20 years, so I think it’s ok that I tell this story now. A story of love and sacrifice that God asks us to do daily for our those whom we love, for those in this world who need love. “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you...” (John 13).

My kids make me a better person because they are always teaching me about love.

And I will forever be grateful.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

Dr. Martin Luther King's Message: Unity in Christ

Dear Beloveds,

This coming Monday, our nation pauses to honor the memory of a man whose life has become a symbol of hope and justice for our world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. truly stood as a testimony of the transformative power and message of Christian love. His message reflected everything that Jesus taught about equality and justice for the marginalized in our world, and his commitment to justice was firmly rooted in the belief that every individual is created in the image of God, deserving of dignity and respect.

Today, sadly, antisemitism, racism, and even daily micro aggressions of racism exist, and we are constantly reminded that the fight for justice and equality must extend beyond color and ethnicity. Dr. King's legacy teaches us that the struggle against injustice is universal, and our clear duty as Christians is to stand in solidarity with those who face discrimination, no matter who they are. The message of the Gospel is crystal clear: we are one body in Christ, and in Him, there is no room for division or hatred.

As we celebrate MLK Day, I hope we can reflect on how we can be part of a commitment to nourishing a more unified community and world. Dr. King's dream was not just about the absence of discrimination, but the presence of true and sincere brotherhood and sisterhood.

More importantly, I hope we can all draw inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, who hoped that we as His followers may be one in both heart and soul. So perhaps we can take a moment to ask ourselves: how can we actively work towards dismantling the walls of prejudice, and how can we support a community where love prevails and the light of Christ shines sincerely among us?

May God's grace and spirit guide us on this journey towards reconciliation and justice and may the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. inspire us to be bold ambassadors of love in a world so desperate for the amazing power of Christ's redeeming love!

Here is an inspiring clip of Dr. King.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

Reflecting on 2023 & Welcoming 2024

Dear Pali Pres Family,

As we settle into this quiet and calm space between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I invite us all to share in a time of reflection. I encourage you to take the time to look back on these past few weeks and notice all the ways God was active in your life, perhaps opening your eyes (or heart) to something new. Take the time to look back even further, through all of 2023, and see if you can recognize the Holy Spirit in your life at times and in places that you could not see previously. What has God taught you this past year? In what ways has God blessed you and even challenged you to lean more on him?

As Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” As we say “goodbye” to 2023 and “hello” to 2024, it is a good and appropriate time for all of us to take stock of how God has supplied our every need. This is a wonderful week to spend some time acknowledging the faithfulness God has shown us in our lives.

As you will see, this week’s newsletter is a bit shorter than normal. I’m delighted that many of our church staff members are able to take some much-deserved vacation time this week to spend with their families. We have an incredible, hard-working staff here at Pali Pres! Rest assured we will be back with a full News & Notes next week to kick off what is sure to be a year full of blessings for our church!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Matt

Merry Christmas

Good Tidings, Pali Pres family!

As we draw very near to Christmas Day, Pastor Grace and I want to extend to all in our church family the blessings of this most holy season. May the hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts this Christmas and always.

From our families to yours, Merry Christmas!

Las Posadas

Dear Beloveds,

After church this Sunday we are celebrating Las Posadas and we hope you will join us!

Las Posadas is a wonderful tradition rooted in Latin America that has a beautiful lesson for all of us during the Advent season; the lessons are rooted in the story of baby Jesus, and it is a wonderful way to teach everyone, not just children, about the Christ child.

Las Posadas commemorates the long journey that Mary and Joseph took as they tried to find shelter in Bethlehem. This holds such theological significance, as it weaves the telling of the nativity with the notion of hospitality and hope in the Christmas story.

The baby Jesus was born in a strange land, as a stranger, and was welcomed into this world by people He would never see again; shepherds, magi, and a host of barn animals. The struggle that Mary and Joseph experienced is reflective of the struggle that all humanity has with the uncertainty of our experiences in life. We all desire a place of refuge and hope, and this applies to us spiritually as well. So as we watch Mary and Joseph try and try again to find a place to sleep for the evening, we are reminded that we, as believers, are called to a divine hospitality, to welcome those in need, to open our hearts and homes to those whom we can help, and to open our hearts to Jesus.

Another very important theological message that Las Posadas holds for us is that we belong to a community of faith. We are not in the world alone, if we can let others into our hearts and our lives. After the baby Jesus was born, a rag tag community assembled and worshipped Him together. This new little family was not left alone in the cold and the dark.

Las Posadas can remind us of these things, and can affect our spiritual lives this season when we reflect on gratitude and a mindfulness in seeing God in all things and all events, big and small. It took one stranger and their decision to open their door to a family who brought the Messiah into the world that night. What a beautiful thing to realize!

I hope that everyone will join us this coming Sunday afternoon for a meaningful and life-giving experience of Las Posadas.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

The Holy Season

Dear Pali Pres,

It was such a joy to begin the Advent journey with many of you last week in worship. The beautifully decorated sanctuary, the Advent Candle Lighting, the music, the reading of the Annunciation passage…it was a great start to this holy season. As we make our way towards Christmas Day, we mark these days with intentional waiting and hope. In fact, the word Avent comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “coming” or “arrival.” We are, indeed, in a season of hopeful expectation for Christ’s coming.

While we prepare for the Second Sunday of Advent, I am mindful of two important and noteworthy dates that make up this week. First, this past Wednesday (December 6th) was the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th Century bishop from what is now Turkey. (Feast days are special days set aside on the calendar for each canonized saint in the Catholic Church in which saints are remembered with special services and prayers.) St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors, who was notorious for his generosity. In many parts of the world, on the evening of December 5th, children put their shoes outside their front doors. During the night, St. Nicholas fills the shoes with presents such as sweets, fruit, and nuts. The character of Santa Claus developed out of this tradition, as did the custom of hanging stockings near the fireplace (instead of braving the cold weather outside).

Also, today marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. This eight-day celebration commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple (“Hanukkah” means “dedication”) by the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish fighters who held out against the larger Syrian army, who had invaded and captured the holy site. As you probably know, the story goes that there was only enough oil to light the temple’s menorah for one night. But miraculously, the oil lasted for eight! You can learn more about Hanukkah by clicking here.

May this holy season be continually filled with joy, hope, and new discoveries for you as you make your way to Christmas and the coming of our Lord!

Happy Advent,

Pastor Matt