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

September 22, 2023

Dear Pali Pres,

Last Sunday was a special day in the life of our church! We not only came together in a spirit of fellowship and joy for our Fall Kickoff, but we also welcomed seven new members into our Pali Pres family.

If you were with us in church—or watching via livestream—you know that the reception of new members into a Presbyterian church involves a special worship liturgy. I have included a portion of that liturgy here in my blog as a reminder to us all of what it means to be members of the church:

You come to us as members of the one holy catholic church, into which you were baptized, and by which you have been nurtured. We are one with each other, sisters and brothers in the family of God. We rejoice in the gifts you bring to us. As you join with us in the worship and service of this congregation, it is fitting that together we reaffirm the covenant into which we were baptized, claiming again the promises of God which are ours in our baptism. Hear these words from Holy Scripture: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the One who called you out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Membership in Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church (or any Presbyterian church) is rooted first in our identity as God’s people. It is through our baptisms that we are first brought into the family of God. It is only through this original membership that we can then be received as members of a particular church.

Our new members, like all our members, are given gifts for serving the church. To put it another way, we have been given an original identity as a member of God’s family (through our baptism), then called to a specific church where we can live out the fruits of that identity in community with others who are doing the same.

This is a beautiful design for our life together as God’s people. Whether we remember our actual baptisms or not, we are still called to remember our first identity—our first membership—is into God’s kingdom. With that foundation in place, we then live fully into our calling through the individual church. And it is all a gift from God!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

Celebrating Fall Kickoff 2023!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Fall Kickoff such an outstanding success!

Last Sunday, the Sunday School Children teamed up with the Mission and Outreach Committee to prepare 24 lunches for the Brown Bag Brigade/Pacific Palisades Homelessness Task Force, to encourage our homeless neighbors. The 8-year-olds and up made PB&J sandwiches, while the younger kids decorated brown bags with stickers, and together they assembled the lunches complete with juice boxes, fruit, and other goodies. The message was: Jesus fed the hungry 5,000, meeting both their spiritual and physical needs and as followers of Jesus we will try to do the same! We pray that we can help make a difference in someone’s life by sharing the love.

At all stages of life, planning to ensure our wishes are carried out and that our loved ones are in good hands in the event of the unthinkable, is vital. Families with children should consider preparing a will or trust to name guardians for their minor children, and planning for their financial futures, just in case. Families who prepared wills and trusts when children are young, should revisit their prior estate plans in light of the changes in their children’s ages and needs, as well as their changes in financial position. You are not alone if facing this subject seems daunting and emotionally taxing. However, pressing ahead to plan and reevaluate your estate plan is always a good idea and will provide some measure of peace about this difficult subject.

Presented By

Cynthia Eriksson, Professor & Dean at at Fuller Seminary & Lauren Van Vranken, Psy.D. student at Fuller Seminary

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 everyone who helped make the Fall Kickoff such an amazing success! This week's goodies are brought to us by Sylvia & Jon Boyd!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to our Deacons for donating last week! This week’s flowers are brought to us by the Singh Family, in celebration of Mary Friend’s birthday (mom and grandma)!

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 we will reflect together on one of most dynamic images of God found in the Old Testament. What does it have to teach us about God today? Be sure to join us in worship to learn more!

Pledge Update

Year to Date Actuals: $210,465.72

Year to Date Budget: $211,500

Pali Pres relies on your consistent giving to meet our regularly scheduled expenses. Thank you to everyone who is able to give!

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

Save the Dates

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

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

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

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

Sun, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the LORD’S offering by fire; and you shall do no work during that entire day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God.

-Leviticus 23: 26-28