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

September 1, 2023

Happy Labor Day weekend, Pali Pres!

I hope everyone has some fun and relaxing plans in store for this long weekend (unofficially, the last weekend of summer). Mary and I plan on braving the crowds on Saturday and taking the boys to the beach, then potentially hitting the Malibu Chili Cook Off on Monday. With school starting two weeks ago and church activities ramping back up after a relatively quiet summer, I am very much looking forward to some easy-going family time. I hope you too will have some time this weekend to take a break from your regular routine and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

Labor Day weekend is also an important reminder of the blessings we have from God. In particular, we remember our God given ability to use our minds and bodies for work and service. We have each been given talents and skills that not only provide us with income, but also help build up our community and our nation.

Below are two prayers that speak to the importance of labor and service, and the importance our labor and service have on those around us. I hope these prayers will speak to you on this Labor Day weekend and help lead you into a deeper sense of gratitude to God for the work we do and the work others around us do.

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-From the Book of Common Prayer for the Episcopal Church (1979)

O God, you have bound us together in this bundle of life; give us grace to understand how our lives depend upon the courage, the industry, the honesty, and the integrity of our fellows; that we may be mindful of their needs, grateful for their faithfulness and faithful in our responsibilities to them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-By Reinhold Niebuhr

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Matt

Mission Opportunity to Tijuana, Mexico - October 7-9 - Last Week to Register!

In partnership with Brentwood Presbyterian Church, our church will take part in a home building mission trip through Amor Ministries on October 7-9. Pastor Matt will lead the Pali Pres crew as we serve God by serving others. Youth and families are welcome and (best of all) no special skills are required! The registration deadline is September 6th. The cost is $485 per person (scholarships are available).

You can read more about the details of the tip here. For more information or to RSVP, contact Pastor Matt.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” -- Jesus

A Message from Music Director, Dr. Pierre Tang

Dear Pali Pres Family,

I hope you have been enjoying a summer full of blessings! The PPPC chancel choir will return from summer break in September. We will sing in services after Labor Day weekend, beginning September 10, with weekly Wednesday evening rehearsals, beginning September 6. If you would like to join us, please contact me at pierre@palipres.org. Being in the choir is a wonderful way to serve the church, glorify God, and enjoy good fellowship.

If you have prior training and experience, that would be great. If not, I would still love to meet with you and see if we can incorporate you in some service music and hymns during rehearsals, and potentially sing in the services! We have a lovely team of professional and volunteer singers and they can be great resources for you.

In Christ,

Pierre

Maui Disaster Relief

We have all heard of the horrific news of the Maui fires, and the tragic aftermath of the deadliest U.S. fire in over a century. There has been unspeakable tragedy, and Maui and her people are grieving their deep losses.

There are numerous ways to help and to contribute funds for the recovery of Maui, and one of the most important things that we can do is pray. In the face of disaster, the human spirit is put to the test. It is during these times that we all try to find ways to cope and to heal, and prayer is one way to do that. While it may seem easy to dismiss prayer as a passive response, prayer is a powerful force in healing and trusting God.

So please, pray for Maui. Pray for her people who have lost so much, for those who have lost everything. Pray for healing of the land, and for comfort in their pain. Pray for hope in the hearts of the people who have lost so much and pray for the survivors who will be recovering for weeks and months to come. Pray, knowing that God is listening.

If you would like to help, please contribute at the Pali Pres giving page. These funds will go directly to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

You’re invited to Supper Club on Sunset, our annual Pali Pres fundraiser! The festivities will take place Saturday, October 14 at 5:30pm in Janes Hall where guests will be transported back to the golden days of the Rainbow Room and Copacabana, enjoying drinks, dinner, and live music all while taking part in our silent and live auctions. Want to help? We are looking for donations such vacation home stays, restaurant/retail gift certificates, themed gift baskets (food or game-night, be creative!). One of Pali Pres’ most popular auction items – hosted parties where volunteers host a game/move night or themed dinner. Stop by the Supper Club on Sunset information table after church to RSVP, pick up a donation form, or for more information!

RSVP HERE

PAY HERE

Download your Auction Item Donation Form HERE

Download your Hosted Party Donation Form HERE

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 Caroline Nick for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Margi & Dean St. Clair!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Marion Belt for donating last week! This week’s flowers are in celebration of our preschool and the upcoming school year!

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 Sunday, in recognition of Labor Day, we will take some time to explore the gift of work (yes, it is a gift!). How much do we really appreciate the God-given gift of labor and service? Join us in worship as we reflect on this topic together!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Mon, Sept 4: Labor Day, Campus Closed

Tue, Sept 5: First Day of Preschool

Sun, Sept 10: New Members Class, Before & After Worship

Sun, Sept 17: Fall Kickoff, After Worship

Sun, Sept 24: Estate Planning Seminar, 11:30am

Sat, Sept 30: Adult Education, “Embodying Resilience: How Our Bodies Help us Thrive”, 9am

Sat, Oct 7 - Mon, Oct 9: Mission Trip to Tijuana

Sat, Oct 14: Fallderol Fundraising Auction, 5:30pm

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.

-Colossians 3: 23