“No matter who you are, no matter where you are, you are welcome here!”

October 18, 2024

Dear Beloveds,

Just a few weeks ago, Charlie and I travelled to upstate New York to celebrate our daughter Hannah’s wedding. It was a wonderful event, and as it was our first child to get married, you can imagine what an emotion-filled time it was for our entire extended family. As a pastor, I have officiated countless wedding ceremonies, but there are truly few moments that are more profound than witnessing the covenant of marriage when it is your own child standing at the altar.

The journey to our daughter’s wedding day overflowed with gratitude and deep reflection every step of the way. This was a time for all of us to celebrate the love between Hannah and Paul, but it was also a marker for us to reflect on family, community, and the divine mystery of marriage itself.

As Paul and Hannah prepared for their wedding, the time leading up to that special day was a constant reminder of how God calls us into community and how God designs us to give and receive support, and how that is to be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

Something that Charlie said at our LA reception struck me deeply; he asked Paul and Hannah to direct their energies into remembering that they are now building a new nuclear family themselves; all at once, while I agreed wholeheartedly with him, a selfish panic rose over me as I realized that our daughter would now be building a community of her own, starting a new path with Paul, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we would be left behind. It was a lot on which to meditate!

The wedding day arrived, and it was truly a day filled with joy and gladness as we embraced every moment of the occasion. I felt privileged to stand between my child and her husband not only as a parent, but as a pastor who could help officiate and bless this most sacred moment in time.

All of our families also played crucial roles in the celebration. Each person was asked, and was honored to contribute in their own way—whether through the preparations, the artwork that was done, prayers, and being wholly and completely present with open and loving hearts.

This wedding was not just a ceremony, but a reminder to all of us that it is a covenant that both our extended families made to support this new family that was formed. It was truly a time to experience the beauty of God’s provision, love, and a reminder that no matter the season of life, we have the opportunity to witness God’s love and grace that is at work among us all the time.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

To see some photos from the wedding click here.

Trunk or Treat, Anyone?

The neighborhood favorite returns to Pali Pres! Contact Lucy Garcia if you would like to participate by decorating your trunk and giving out treats at this special event on Sunday, October 27th.

The Passing of Linda Grant

It is with a sad heart that we share the news that our long-time member, Linda Grant, passed away at her home on Tuesday, October 8th. Linda was a faithful Deacon and Elder, and a beloved friend to many in our church. Her death is an enormous loss to our congregation.

Please hold Linda’s family and friends in your prayers as they grieve her passing. A memorial and reception will be held at Pali Pres this Sunday, October 20th at 2pm.

You can livestream the memorial service HERE.

Election Eve Worship Service: Monday, Nov 4 at 7pm

“No politics, just prayer.” That is the theme of this special worship service here at Pali Pres on the eve of Election Day. Through hymns, prayers, scripture lessons, and communion, we will remind ourselves that our identities are not rooted in political affiliations, but in our everlasting covenant with God. Together we will reaffirm our unity in Christ, whatever the election results may be. Regardless of where you stand politically, you are welcome to come and gather with other people of faith as we pray for God to guide and sustain our nation and all those who will be elected.

The Search Has Begun!

The search for the next Pali Pres Preschool (PPP) Director has begun. We are grateful and fortunate to have the interim leadership of Lynda Park, who previously served as the school's Assistant Director, and our teachers who lovingly care for our children.

The charge for the search committee is "to find and recommend a candidate for PPP director who will lead PPPC's preschool ministry, working to meet the educational, enrichment, and care needs of our community families." The committee members are:

Cynthia Block; Preschool Elder and National Board Certified teacher/educator; Sharon Browning; Management/leadership consultant. Expertise in strategic planning and organizational change. Caroline Nick; Children and Family Ministries Elder, parent of former PPP student, and active community member. Vidda Brough; Educator/teacher, school principal, Personnel Committee member, and long time church member; Pastor Matt; Head of Staff and parent of two former PPP student.

The committee will be meeting regularly and your prayers are appreciated for the right person to respond to our call. Any Search Committee member can be reached at directorsearch@palipres.org and welcomes your feedback and recommendations for qualified candidates.

Now Hiring—Sunday School Teachers!

Pali Pres is looking for Sunday School Teachers to work with our growing Children and Pre-teen Programs (two hours on Sunday mornings, with the opportunity to work more hours on special event days). This PAID position is meant to offer opportunities for growth as the group grows. We want our youngsters to have biblically based instruction, teaching them the love of Christ and the wonder of God’s universe!

If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, please contact Lucy Garcia, Director of Children & Family Ministries.

US/CA General Election at Pali Pres

Pali Pres is a polling location for this year’s general election.

Voting equipment is occupying Janes Hall from Tuesday, October 29th to Saturday, November 9th. Janes Hall is unavailable, with the exception of the restrooms, preschool office and kitchen.

Please be prepared for an unusual influx of traffic.

We thank you for your cooperation and patience as we graciously open our church to the important needs of our community.

* Please do not confuse Pali Pres with your assigned polling location listed in your personal voting materials.

Join us for our Livestream Worship!

Join at 9:50am on Sunday Morning to enjoy the prelude, with worship beginning at 10am.

Sunday Refreshments

Bringing refreshments on Sunday mornings to share with our church is a loving and very important ministry. Thank you to all of you who have been doing this so faithfully. Please contact Refreshment Coordinator Jan Gong to sign up to serve.

Thank you to Jan Gong for last week's refreshments! This week’s goodies are brought to us by Jubilee & Joshua Park!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

This week’s bouquet is the gift of Evelyn & Geoff Moyer, in celebration of their wedding anniversary! We invite all of our church members and friends to provide donations for flowers to adorn our sanctuary, along with a special dedication of your choosing. The cost is $75 per week.

Please contact Will Saunders and the church will order flowers from a local florist to be placed in the chancel on Sunday morning.

Our Deacons will distribute the flowers to one of our members/friends after the service.

Thank you for helping make our sanctuary even more beautiful!

Sunday Sermon Teaser

This Sunday we will turn our attention to the book of Proverbs and hear God’s wisdom on the importance of listening. Be sure to join us!

Give to Pali Pres

Don't forget, you can easily give your tithes and offerings through our website!

Upcoming Children & Youth Events

Sun, Oct 20th: Preteens Starbucks Sunday

Sun, Oct 27th: Middle & High School Breakfast & Bible Study 10 AM Pali Pres, Little Chapel

Sun, Oct 27th: Trunk or Treat - 4 PM - Volunteer Opportunity: Decorate the Youth Room and help host this yearly tradition at Pali Pres

Sat, Nov 9th: Parents Night Out

Sun, Nov 10th: Community Service Opportunity - Right after Worship Service - Youth will help serve our community at a destination to be determined

Sun, Nov 17th: Preteens Starbucks Sunday

Sun, Nov 24th: Middle & High School Breakfast & Bible Study 10AM Pali Pres, Little Chapel

Sun, Dec 8th: Las Posadas - Volunteer Opportunity: Sign up to be part of this wonderful Christmas pageant in either the production or the planning and executing of the festivities. More details to come 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

-1 Corinthians 13: 4-7