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

October 27, 2023

Dear Pali Pres,

This coming Sunday I will be devoting my sermon to the topic of saints—those who have come before us and left their mark on our lives.  I am doing this in recognition of All Saints’ Day, which is coming up on November 1.  While originally a Catholic holiday, many mainline denominations also celebrate this day as a way for us to remember those who have passed and to give thanks to God for the way they have contributed to our lives and our world.  It is good, and important, for us to not overlook the gift of the people God has placed in our lives—family members, friends, coworkers, church members, neighbors, etc.—and the lessons they have taught us.

I encourage you to start thinking now of those special people in your life that have died.  Take a minute to pull out a picture of them, or to remember the way they smiled or sang a tune, or to call to mind a favorite or humorous story involving them.  Take a moment to really think about what you most appreciated about them, or something they said or did that made you thankful and happy. 

With the hectic pace of our daily lives it is often the case that we don’t take the time we should to remember the “saints” who have come before us.  That is why I am so grateful for this yearly reminder on our church calendar.   All Saints’ Sunday is a chance for us to all, as one community, to honor those whom we miss because of the unique way they blessed us and our world.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Matt

Trunk or Treat 2023

This Sunday, October 29th, 4pm to 5:30pm!

Let’s make this year’s Trunk or Treat just as spooktacular as 2022! All are infrighted to participate!

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and longtime church member, Mary Hagerth. We give thanks that she is at peace and with God. A memorial service and reception will be held at Pali Pres on Friday, November 17 at 2pm. Cards may be sent to:

664 Las Lomas Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Dear Pali Pres Family,

The Pali Pres chancel choir has a fun line-up of music in the upcoming weeks, including a mix of classics and modern tunes. As we approach the Advent season, we would like to expand our roster of singers for several fun projects. If you would like to join us, please contact me. Being in the choir is a wonderful way to serve the church, glorify God, and enjoy good fellowship. We have weekly Wednesday evening rehearsals from 7:30 to 9:30, and we rehearse briefly at 9:15 before service begins on Sundays.

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 choral staff members and volunteer singers and they can be great resources for you in terms of vocal training and sheet music reading skills.

In Christ,

Dr. Pierre Tang, Director of Music

October Session Notes from Your Clerk of Session

The Session held its October meeting on the 17th.  Here are some of the highlights of that meeting!

Julie Baczewski, our preschool director, applied for and received a grant from the Optimists’ Club. The $1,000 grant will be split between PPPS and the Children & Family Ministries.

Supper on Sunset, this year’s Falderol fundraiser, was a great success. $10,000 of the proceeds will be dedicated to improvement projects in Janes Hall and 10% of the proceeds will go to one of our mission partners.

Children & Family Ministries made a monetary donation (the proceeds of this year’s VBS) to Immanuel Presbyterian Church in support of the two refuge families that they have been housing at their church. The children are also continuing to help with the Brown Bag Ministry and packing lunches for distribution through the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.

The annual budgeting process for 2024 is beginning and elders are hard at work planning for a great new year.

The next Session meeting will be November 28. 

Sincerely,

Cynthia Block, Clerk of Session

Preschool News

An earthquake drill, The Great Shake Out, took place on Thursday, October 19th at 10:19am. We read the children a story entitled "Bunny in the Hold" to describe to them what they could do to be safe in case of an earthquake. During the drill the children got down and did their best to cover their necks and heads and hold on.

Fallderol Last Chance Auction Items and Parties!

A few of the Auction Parties have open spots and a few items are still available

1) Mah Jongg Party and Luncheon : Sat, March 16, 2024 - $30

2) Shanghai Poker Evening and Dinner : Fri evening, Feb 9, 2024 - $50

3) Hand ‘n Foot Card Party and Luncheon :  Sat, Jan 20, 2024 - $40

4) Bill Walker’s Scotch, Guinness & Scottish Food Party :  Sat, Feb 24, 2024 - $75 (only 2 spots left!)

5) $40 Gift Certificate to Vivian’s + earrings - $40

6) 3 sets of children’s clothing - $40 each

7) $100 Gift Certificate to Gornik & Drucker Men’s Grooming/Barber - $50

8) Calligraphy for holiday cards/invitations/etc - $50

To sign up for one of the parties or arrange to purchase one of the remaining items, email Nancy Gillette or Catherine Nadel.

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 Janice Larson!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Evelyn & Geoff Moyer for donating last week! This week’s flowers are brought to us by Pastor Matt & Mary Fish, in celebration of their 10th 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 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 on the saints in our lives, those who have died and have left a lasting and positive mark on our lives.  Be sure to join us!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Sun, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat

Sun, Nov 5: Stewardship Season begins

Sun, Nov 12: Sunday Funday on the Big Yard

Sun, Nov 12: Deacons Meeting

Mon, Nov 13: Church office closed for Veterans Day

Sun, Nov 19: Dedication Sunday

Mon, Nov 20: Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service

Sat, Dec 2: Pali Pres Christmas Party **Just Announced**

Sun, Dec 3: Congregational Meeting

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

-Psalm 116: 15