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

September 15, 2023

Dear Pali Pres,

This past Sunday, Pastor Grace, Elder Cynthia Block, and I held a New Member Class for those in our church community who felt led by God to explore membership here at Pali Pres. It was a meaningful time of fellowship, sharing and hearing people’s faith stories, and delving into the ministries and history of our church. We also spent considerable time discussing what it means to be a Presbyterian and reflecting together on the PCUSA Brief Statement of Faith, which is a very rich and theologically relevant document for our church. Last but not least, the class looked at the commitments and vows of being a member. While I plan to write more about the nature of church membership in next week’s blog, I want to share with you today a bit about the people who will be joining our church this coming Sunday:

Dr. Pierre Tang is, of course, our fantastic Director of Music. But did you know that Pierre is also an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Ensembles at Pepperdine University? Originally from Hong Kong, Pierre loves Cantonese worship songs and Japanese pop songs in addition to classical music!

Rev. Dr. Mel Knight is a retired Presbyterian minister who has two grown children and resides in Topanga. His previous church was St. Peter’s By-the-Sea in Palos Verdes.

Londy Chavez works as Mel’s caretaker who has been accompanying him to church on Sundays. In attending the new member class with Mel last week, she too felt the call to join! Londy is originally from Guatemala and is the proud mother of four children, ranging in age from 13 to 21.

Becky Voelker is a retired realtor who comes to us from Calvary Church here in the Palisades. Becky has two grown children and likes reading, sailing, and singing. She enjoys the Pali Pres choir and being in a faith community with people her age.

Katie, William and Meredith Brown began attending Pali Pres shortly after VBS, where Meredith was a youth helper. Residents of Baldwin Hills, the Browns are thrilled to have found Pali Pres and look forward to getting to know our church better.

Let’s keep the soon-to-be new members our prayers and offer them a warm Pali Pres welcome!

Pastor Matt

A Few Special Reminders for Fall Kickoff

Parking: The parking lot will be cut in half. The exit will be blocked off. We ask that the remaining parking spots be utilized only by those with limited mobility. If you do not have mobility limitations, please park on the street. It is also a perfect day to walk to church!

Salad & Cookies: We are still in need of volunteers to bring salads and/or cookies. Please bring them to the Janes Hall kitchen.

Sneakers/Pickleball: We will have two pickleball courts set up. Bruce Brough has coordinated with a local pickleball aficionado who will be monitoring and giving instruction. Bring you sneakers if you want to play!

Family Corner

The Children and Family Ministries will be present at the Fall Kickoff and this year will feature a Face Painting and Balloon Animal Making Artist. We decided that instead of the usual bouncy house/slide, we would make the experience more engaging and interactive for families with these two activities. We will also be hosting the games. Come out to the small grassy area and enjoy a game of corn hole or connect four. Don’t miss our contests for both children and adults including watermelon eating, water balloon toss, and pickleball. Please invite your neighbors and friends!

Presented By

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

Preschool News

Pali Pres Preschool kicks off another preschool year!

Our preschool started with lots of excitement (and a few tears) as children were brought to their new classrooms for the 2023/24 school year. We had the Youth Room open with coffee, muffins, fruit and open arms as new parents were welcomed by the administration, as well as from some of our newly formed Social Committee members, after dropping off their children for the first time to preschool.

Our teachers were ready and excited for the new year to start and gathered their new students and showed them the routine and schedule for the preschool day. The children enjoyed being inside the classrooms, on their patios, and especially enjoyed playing on our Big Yard.

For the first time this year we are offering a nap room for those little ones who need a rest from the activities during the day. We have also extended our preschool day until 3:30p. Chapel will begin on September 20th and after school classes started this week.

Please enjoy some pictures from the first few days of school and keep the preschool, children, and teachers in your prayers.

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 Lillie Singh for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by the fine folks at In-n-Out Burger!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Sharon & George Browning for donating last week! This week’s flowers are brought to us by our Deacons, in celebration of our Fall Kickoff and all the joy we will have together as a community!

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 light of our Fall Kick Off celebration, we will explore the theme of community. Be sure to join us for worship and stay after for all the festivities!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

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

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

-Matthew 18: 18-20