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

May 3, 2024

Dear Beloveds,

The accepted definition of a pilgrim is “one who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.” For six days last week, I was a pilgrim in every sense of the word. Words cannot begin to describe what I experienced, but I will make a meager attempt here, and I look forward to sharing what God showed me last week with you in my upcoming sermons.

I took a week of study leave to walk the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James, and walked the last 100 kilometers to reach the great cathedral in Santiago. It is said that this location is one of the three most visited religious sites for Christians, the other two being Rome and Jerusalem. My traveling partner was one of my youth group students when I was a Youth Pastor over 30 years ago; she has grown up to be a wonderful, wise woman and one of my closest friends.

The pilgrimage is a journey that challenges not only the body, but the soul, and I was so grateful to experience this meaningful and fulfilling adventure. The day started each morning with breakfast, and then a trek for hours until the day’s end, walking through the stunning landscape of Galacia, Spain. We did not encounter another sojourner on the path until the 4th day in; it was a beautiful and silent trek that led us through streams, rocks, and forest. The only sounds were the songs of birds.

Each step of the Camino is infused with the knowledge that so many have gone before, hoping for redemption or illumination; it was a time of deep prayer and meditation. Never have I felt so profoundly close to God and God’s creation as I have in this past week.

The physical challenges of the Camino are undeniable, as each day, one carries a backpack, walking sticks, facing the weather and all your thoughts, prayers, and emotions. But amidst the sheer exhaustion, there was a wonderful sense of liberation and peace that accompanied each day, as we relied on the simple markers in the road to lead the way. It was truly a remarkable opportunity to strip the worries and weight of everyday life away and to focus on just the next step on the path. We had two first days of blazing sun then the rest of the week was cold, rainy, and foggy, and every day brought a new and different challenge to face—but each step was a joy.

The Camino is truly a journey of self-discovery, connecting with God, and connecting with oneself. I could not help but be filled with awe and wonder about all the souls who travelled the same road before me.

Last week was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life; I was stretched mentally, physically, and spiritually-- and I am so grateful for it. I hope to go next year for my study week once again, and I hope that I will keep the lessons from the Camino in my heart every day.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace

Click HERE to see more of Pastor Grace’s spiritual trek!

Pali Pres Service Opportunity though Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity has invited our church to take part in a service opportunity on Saturday, May 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (approximately). We will volunteer at their “ReStore” home improvement thrift store and donation center located at 1071 South La Brea Ave. Tasks will include stocking store shelves, creating decorative displays, unloading trucks, pricing inventory, cleaning/organizing, and performing minor repairs. Please contact the church office or Pastor Grace if you’re interested in rolling up your sleeves and serving the Lord at the Habitat ReStore! Space is limited.

Pali Pres Inquirers Class - Sunday, May 19th

Are you curious about the history and ministries of Pali Pres? Are you interested in learning more about our Presbyterian tradition and beliefs? If so, please join us for our Inquirers Class on Sunday, May 19. The class will be led by Pastor Matt and Pastor Grace and held in two parts: from 8:45am-9:45am, then after church from 11:15am-12:45pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Contact Pastor Matt for more information and to RSVP.

Quarterly Stewardship Update

Through the first quarter of 2024, our congregation has been faithful in fulfilling their pledge commitments with giving only a little behind budget. For those who planned to pay their pledges on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, we extend a gentle reminder if you find you’re a little behind and your resources permit you to catch up.

If you haven’t already done so, reimbursement to the church of the $48 per capita tax paid on each member’s behalf to Presbytery would be very welcomed so that our resources may be directed to church programs and current operating expenses. Note “Per Capita Tax Reimbursement” on your check or pay on our website by clicking here.

With the stock market experiencing significant gains in recent months, you may be unaware of the tax benefits of contributing appreciated marketable securities to the church. Not only will you benefit by a tax deduction equal to the full market value of the stock when contributed, but you will avoid federal capital gains tax if you held the stock for at least one year. For more information about this opportunity, email Finance/Stewardship Elder, George Browning.

As a reminder, our regular fall stewardship campaign is rescheduled to Spring 2025 as we transition from a calendar to fiscal accounting year on July 1, 2024. Future operating budgets will be for the 12-month period, July 1 – June 30. But this fall we will be asking those who pledged for 2024 to extend (or increase) their pledge commitments for an additional 6 months (through June 30, 2025).

-George Browning, Finance/Stewardship Elder

Pali Pres is Hiring a New Custodian

Unfortunately, Dennis Moran is no longer a part of our staff here at Pali Pres. We are thankful for Dennis’ contributions to our church and preschool for the past 2+ years and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Pali Pres is now in search of a new custodian (roughly 35 hours per week) to assist Enrique. If you know of anyone who may be qualified and interested, please contact the church office at mail@palipres.org.

Pali Pres Vacation Bible School

Get ready for an awesome week of fun, games, and learning about the Bible at Vacation Bible School 2024 at Pali Pres!

August 5th - 9th, 9am to 2pm

Preschool through 4th Grade program

Middle Years - Counselors in Training

Upper Years - Camp Counselors

Learn more and sign up HERE today!

Celebrating the Life of Vahi Simonian

Our dear friend and former pastor, Vahi Simonian, went to be with the Lord on April 29, 2024. May God bless the Simonian family in their time of mourning. There are no plans for a memorial as of yet. Cards and condolences can be sent to:

2726 Porter Ave, Altadena, CA, 91001

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 Staci Mitchel for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Dave Kidd & Evelyn Moyer, followed by the Ladies Tea!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

This week’s sanctuary flowers are the gift of Sylvia Boyd, in remembrance of her mother, Neva Arslan, on her birthday.

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

The old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” But does that apply to the life of faith too? Join us on Sunday as we explore together!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Sunday, May 5th: Ladies’ Tea (SUNDAY FUNDAY CANCELLED)

Monday, May 6th: Pali Pres Prodigals Softball

Saturday, May 11th: Habitat for Humanity ReStore Service Event

Sunday, May 12th: Graduate Sunday, Sing-Along, and Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 19th: Inquirer’s Class

Monday, May 27th: Campus Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

Saturday, June 1st: Nancy Van Vlack memorial, 1pm

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

-Philippians 4: 8-9