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

July 14, 2023

Dear Pali Pres Family,

Since many of you have been asking, I wanted to share with you an update on the recent Hardin/Fish family vacation to Japan. We did, indeed, have a blast! Mary and I deeply appreciate your prayers for us and our boys while we were so far away from home. Outside of one lost shoe (Mary is absolutely heartbroken) and some nasty jetlag (I dare say the worst either of us has ever endured), everything went extremely well. It was such a joy to show our boys our old neighborhoods, the places where both of us used to work, and delight with them at all the beautiful/fun/quirky things that make Japan so unique and special.

An unexpected blessing during the trip was to see our children play with the children of our dear friends. It was almost beyond belief to watch our kids interact with our friends’ kids in places that Mary and I used to spend time, like our favorite park or restaurant. How is it that time moves so darn fast?!

I come back to the Pacific Palisades with a sense of deep gratitude for the blessings of my life. As quickly as time is moving, I look back on the different chapters of my life with heartful thanksgiving to God for what I have been able to see and experience. My time away from home has also helped me realize just how much God has blessed me in the here and now, with the life we have here and in this community of faith that the Lord has called me to help shepherd.

If you have not done so recently, I hope you will take some time from your usual routine this summer to reflect on God’s blessings. Perhaps that comes in the form of a fun family vacation, or perhaps it comes in the form of a simple hike in nature or walk around your neighborhood. However you do it, I pray you will find a way to give thanks to God for the precious and special life he has given you. What a true gift it is!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

A Warm Welcome to our new Contemporary Music Vocalist, Catriona Fray

Catriona Fray is an artist, teacher, and one of the co-creators and producers of Homegrown Recording & Collective. Her music is multi-genred, and her writing focus is on her love for God. She is a graduate of UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television, has opened for Grammy Award winning Pentatonix, filmed/recorded with recording Pop artist Jojo, and been in many theatrical productions including Mamma Mia at the Hollywood Bowl. She founded Catriona Fray Studios where she teaches music, theater, and yoga to students of all ages. Welcome to the Pali Pres family, Catriona!

This Sunday after Worship, Join us for a Session on “Answered Prayers”

The members of our Pali Pres Prayer Team invite you to the first in an occasional series of gatherings presented by our Team, with Pastors Matt and Grace, entitled “Answered Prayers.”

When: Sunday, July 16, 11:30 – 12:30 (after worship)

Where: Janes Hall (light refreshments will be served)

What: Your Prayer Team has been inspired by reading congregation members’ prayers of thanks for God’s grace. We would be pleased if those interested might come to hear our grateful prayers, and to share some of your own. We hope that through this fellowship ministry we can all be encouraged toward joy as we are reminded that indeed, prayer works!

Blessings,

Your Pali Pres Prayer Team

Questions? Email Nina Kidd

“Sages and Seekers”

This past winter the Missions and Outreach Committee learned about a local program for older adults to meet teens from Palisades Charter High School. The program, called Sages and Seekers, was recommended by a former editor of the Palisadian Post (presently news blogger at Circling the News, Sue Pascoe).

“Sages and Seekers” sounds like an interesting opportunity for a few of us who want to do a service offering advice and friendship to a young person; and who want to have an enriching and fun experience along with it. Sages must be 60+ years of age. It’s free!

If you’d like to learn more and perhaps sign up, this non-profit has helpful information and videos at: https://sagesandseekers.org/our-programs/#inperson

The first session is September 25 and each one runs for 75 minutes. Details of dates and times will be announced with registration, which opens in late July.

I signed up for the newsletter and plan to apply to participate this fall. Feel free to email me or ask at church for my personal take. I’d be happy to talk with you about it.

Nina Kidd

Missions and Outreach Committee

Now Hiring Sunday School Teachers

Pali Pres Prodigals: Optimism for the Future

Westwood United ‘Fighting’ Methodists: 11

Pali Pres Prodigals: 6

Our church softball team lost their final game of the 2023 season on Monday. While the scoreboard shows a loss, it cannot quantify the valiant effort they gave against the best team in the league. Westwood United - with several ex-college baseball players and track stars - are truly a force to be reckoned with. Despite this, the Prodigals found themselves down by only two at the top of the 6th inning. Unfortunately, they simply didn’t have the offensive firepower to pull through.

Tommy Lasorda once said that the saddest day of the year is when baseball season ends. While this is generally true, in the case of the Pali Pres Prodigals, they are left with boundless optimism at the end of this season. They are confident that 2024 will bring a playoff birth, and maybe, just maybe, a championship. If anyone within our church family knows any former Dodgers or Angels, please forward their contact info to will@palipres.org.

You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat. -Roger Kahn

Save the Date: New Members Class

Mark your calendars now for our fall new member class here at Pali Pres, which will be held on Sunday, September 10. The class will be led by Pastor Matt and Pastor Grace; a light breakfast and lunch will be provided, as will childcare. Contact Pastor Matt for more information.

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 the Children and Family Ministries Committee for last week's ice cream social, as well as Lyla Corrales & Hanna Fairchild for the refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Evelyn & Geoff Moyer!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Dewey & Whaja Park for donating last week! This week’s flowers are brought to us by Pastor Grace, Charlie & the whole Park family, in memory of their beloved father and grandfather on his birthday.

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 at will@palipres.org 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 coming Sunday we will begin a two-part sermon series on the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15: 11-32). Be sure to join us as we delve into this profound parable from Jesus.

Give to Pali Pres

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

Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

-1 John 4: 20-21