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

November 17, 2023

Dear Pali Pres Community,

This coming Sunday is Dedication Sunday, a special day when we as a church family dedicate our 2024 pledges to God. As I put the finishing touches on my sermon and prepare for worship, I feel incredibly grateful for this community of faith. We have so many wonderful programs and ministries that make up our life here at Pali Pres. Our giving is an important way for us to partner with the Holy Spirit and help spread “Abundant Life” both locally and abroad.

As you prayerfully decide on your church pledge for the coming year, I hope you will not do so out of guilt or under compulsion (as Paul warns against in 2 Corinthians 9). Rather, I hope you will consider all of God’s many blessings in your life and offer something back to the church that you feel reflects your gratitude. To quote Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” I sincerely believe that this is what God wants from us—to make a life, abundant life, by giving from the heart.

On Sunday, please bring your completed pledge card with you to church. During worship everyone will have an opportunity to bring forward their pledges and offer them to God as an act of dedication and thanks. If you have already mailed in your pledge card, thank you! You can still fill out a duplicate copy (don’t worry, the church won’t count it twice!) and bring it forward on Sunday morning. Blank pledge cards will be available in the sanctuary. You may also scan the QR code below to submit your pledge digitally. As always, what you pledge will remain confidential.

With joy and thanksgiving,

Pastor Matt

Scan the QR code above to digitally submit your 2024 pledge. It's quick and really easy!

Angel Tree Giving Opportunity

It’s that special time of year! Once again the church is working with Angel Tree to provide gifts to the children of incarcerated parents. Gift request tags will be available at a table as you enter the church, as in previous years, beginning this Sunday, November 19. Gifts of $25-$30 are appropriate. Please bring all wrapped gifts to the church with the tags attached by no later than Sunday, December 2 so that they can be delivered in plenty of time for Christmas. Thank you, as always, for your love and care for these families in need! Yours in Christ, The Mission Committee.

Join the Pastors for an Advent Book Study!

The temptation is the same every year: to rush into Christmas.  However, Advent is a season of preparation that takes time and care. Think of the anticipation that comes when we host loved ones for Christmas dinner: We begin by extending an invitation and making our plans.  As the event draws closer, we begin our preparations. Ultimately, we open the door and welcome our guests.  Finally, we celebrate! Advent should feel the same way—a time to make ready for the long-awaited birth of Christ.

Pastor Matt and Pastor Grace invite you to ready your heart for Christmas by joining a conversation around the wonderful book, “Stay Awhile: Advent Lessons in Divine Hospitality.” 

Classes will be held via Zoom from 6:30-7:30pm on Wednesday evenings (Nov 29th, Dec 6th, 13th, and 20th).

Please purchase a copy and bring it with you to the Zoom room each week.  The Amazon link is below.  If you need a complimentary copy, please contact Pastor Matt.

RSVP to Will Saunders in the church office if you plan on attending.  We hope to see you there!

Pardon our Mess!

 Our beautiful and beloved sanctuary is getting a much-needed new roof!  Work will begin the week of November 20th and should be completed the following week.  During this time, the organ will not be in use and there may be a bit of dust in the sanctuary. Thank you in advance for your understanding!

Westside Food Bank Food Drive

Ends November 27th

Please help us in this great cause! Come by the church office between 8am and 4pm and drop off the following items in the barrel located outside:

Peanut Butter (in plastic)
Cans of: Soup, Vegetables, Tuna, Pork and Beans, Stews/Meats, Fruit
Dry Pasta, Beans, Lentils
Mac & Cheese
Instant Soups
Hot & Cold Cereals
Fruit Juices
Baby Foods (for baby food glass is ok, otherwise, no glass please)

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 & Dianne Jerome for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by George Browning and Evelyn & Geoff Moyer!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Scottie & Dave Dealey for donating last week! This week’s flowers are brought to us by Ash Park, with love for our church.

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 coming Sunday we will turn our attention to John 10, specifically verse 10, which is the inspiration behind our Stewardship theme this year: “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Be sure to bring your 2024 pledge card and join us!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Today: Mary Hagerth Memorial

Sun, Nov 19: Dedication Sunday

Mon, Nov 20: Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service

Thu, Nov 23: Thanksgiving (Office Closed)

Fri, Nov 24: Office Closed

Sat, Dec 2: Pali Pres Christmas Party

Sun, Dec 3: Congregational Meeting

Sun, Dec 10: Christmas Recital

Mon, Dec 11: Women’ s Cookie Exchange

Sun, Dec 17: Las Posadas

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

-1 Chronicles 16:34