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

November 8, 2024

Dear Beloveds,

I write this the day after the elections, and we have a new president. Let’s name the elephant in the room—some folks’ prayers were answered, and some were not. This week, there are some across our nation who are rejoicing, and some who are disheartened.

Our Spiritual Care Department at Cedars Sinai (where I serve as a chaplain) offers something that is called Tea for the Soul, where all the chaplains come on each of the floors of the hospital and the various departments, and offer a hot cup of tea, open arms, and listening ears for anyone who might need to share what weighs heavily on their hearts. I want to encourage everyone to a time of processing and prayer for whatever we feel, whether joy or sorrow, and to give ourselves some “tea for the soul.”

It is very easy to be swept up by emotions and worry about the tensions and the division we see in our nation. But it is during times such as these that we hold tight to our faith. On Monday night, our church gathered for a very meaningful prayer service acknowledging that we are a praying people, a people of faith, a people who identify as children of God first before anything else, and right now, after our elections, it is all the more important for us to hold firmly on to this.

I would like to share with you what I prayed out loud that evening; it went something like this:

“Loving God, as our nation chooses its leaders, we come before you with humble hearts, and we seek Your wisdom, guidance, and we seek peace. As we prepare to cast our votes, and wait for those who are also casting them, we deeply acknowledge the weight of this moment. We acknowledge our hopes and fears. We ask for strength to approach the coming days, and we ask for open hearts and calm spirits. We ask for compassion for one another. Help us not to be overwhelmed by our fears and anxiousness. We ask that hope endures above all things….”

May God bless us all this week, and may we all love one another, that the world may know we belong to God. May we remember that God holds us all, and we have been called to love each other in our differences, to care for one another, to pursue peace and justice, and to be part of a beloved and loving community.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

Youth-led Service Day at The People Concern

We have a few ADULT spots left for this student-led service project being held on November 10th from 11am to 1pm. Join us as we serve and share a meal with our neighbors in Santa Monica. A big “thank you” to our church’s Mission & Outreach Committee for providing $500 in support of this great event! Contact Lucy Garcia if you would like to join us or would like more information.

Parents, Last Chance!

Pali Pres, in collaboration with Brentwood Pres, invites you to take part in "Parents Night Out" on Saturday, November 9th, from 5-8pm. Drop off your kids for a few hours while they are entertained and you have a night off to go on a date or do some early holiday planning! The location is Brentwood Presbyterian Church (12000 San Vicente Blvd) and the suggested donation is $20 per child. Scholarships are available. RSVP with Lucy Garcia.

Preschool Food Drive to Benefit Westside Food Bank

November 6th - November 20th

Please help our preschool in this great cause! Come by the preschool or church office between 8am and 4pm (M-F) or anytime on Sunday mornings and drop off the following items in the collection barrel:

Peanut butter (in plastic), canned foods (soups, vegetables, tuna, pork and beans, stews/meats, fruit), dry goods (pasta, beans, lentils), mac & cheese, instant soups, hot & cold cereals, fruit juices and baby foods (glass is ok for baby food, otherwise, no glass please)

Quarterly Stewardship Update

Through the first fiscal quarter of 2024-2025 (July 1 – September 30), members of PPPC’s congregation were thankfully faithful in fulfilling their pledge commitments. With our traditional fall Stewardship Campaign rescheduled to Spring 2025 in preparation for the next fiscal year (July 2025 – June 2026), those who pledged for 2024 are asked to extend (and hopefully increase) their pledge commitments through June 2025.

With the stock market experiencing significant gains in recent months, you may be unaware of the tax benefits of contributing appreciated marketable securities to the church. Not only will you benefit by a tax deduction equal to the full market value of the stock when contributed, but you will avoid federal capital gains tax if you held the stock for at least one year. Click here for “Charitable Donation of Securities and Transfer Instructions.” For questions or more information about this opportunity, email Finance/Stewardship Elder, George Browning.

Thank you for your continuing generous support of our church as we transition to a new fiscal year and diminished dependence on our Preschool for its financial contribution to the coverage of our operating expenses and mission commitments.

Sip & Socialize: Temporary Date Change

The Senior Ladies Tea & Faith Fellowship will see a temporary date change in November. Instead of meeting on the second Tuesday (Nov 12th), it will be held on the third Tuesday (Nov 19th) at 1pm. Margaret Keene will be hosting as we move forward and continue this ministry which was created by Linda Grant.

Join us for this three-week series on gratitude and thanksgiving:

Week #1 (Sunday, Nov. 10)—“Being Thankful in All Circumstances”

Week #2 (Sunday, Nov. 17)—“Being Thankful in Our Hearts & Minds”

Week #3 (Sunday, Nov. 24)—“Being Thankful in Our Actions”

Join us for our Livestream Worship!

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

Please note: 5 minutes before last week’s livestream was to begin, the power went out in the sanctuary. This caused a problem with the livestream link. Our tech team thought on their feet and created a new link. However, the service had already started by the time it was ready. Therefore, when you view ‘Last Week’s Service’ below, the video picks up shortly after the service had already begun. There is also no sound until the 2 minute and 48 second mark. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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 Michelle Oliver for last week's refreshments! This week’s goodies are brought to us by Lyla & Cindy Corrales and Sylvia Boyd!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

This week’s bouquet is the gift of Sylvia and Jon Boyd, in celebration of their 73rd 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!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Upcoming Children & Youth Events

Sat, Nov 9th: Parents Night Out, 5pm-8pm

Sun, Nov 10th: Community Service Opportunity - Right after Worship Service - Youth will help serve lunch at The People Concern, 11am-1pm

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

Sun, Dec 1st: Kids Christmas Sing Along in Worship

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 

Save the Dates

Mon, Nov 11th: Veterans Day; Campus Closed

Sun, Nov 24th: Saint Andrew’s Sunday

Mon, Nov 25th: Interfaith Worship Service at Corpus Christi

Thu, Nov 28th - Fri, Nov 29th: Thanksgiving Holiday; Campus Closed

Sun, Dec 1st: First Sunday of Advent; Sunday Funday

Fri, Dec 6th: Pali Pres Annual Christmas Dinner

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

-Proverbs 16:7