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

June 7, 2024

Dear Pali Pres,

I am very much looking forward to this coming Sunday, which is Music Appreciation Sunday. Setting aside a special Sunday once a year to delight in the gift of music (and delight in the gifts of our Chancel Choir and Contemporary Music Band) is a tradition we began last year here at Pali Pres. As you may recall, the 2023 theme was “Make a Joyful Noise” (from Psalm 100) and was a wonderful worship service in celebration God’s gifts of joy and gladness.

This year, we have selected “Songs of Peace” as our theme. As Pierre, Anthony, Pastor Grace, and I began planning for this Sunday a few months ago we immediately settled on this theme as a way for our church to speak to the conflict and division we see throughout our broken world right now. As people of faith and followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to pursue peace in our individual lives, pray for peace in our world, and promote peace in any way we can. Our vision in preparing this Music Appreciation Sunday was to help gather us together in unity for the sake of peace, which God so desires for this world. While this Sunday may not be as “celebratory” in nature as last year’s service, I trust it will be a deeply touching and meaningful time of worship and reflection.

I do you hope you will join us as our choir, section leaders, and band (along with a string quartet) lead us in a variety of selections designed to reinforce our commitment to peace. We will also celebrate the sacrament of Communion together and a special offering will be taken up in support of our music ministry (you may give online by clicking HERE.)

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

A Warm Pali Pres Welcome To Our New Member, Jenna Fite, and Her Family!

Pali Pres Prodigals: Wanted Dead or Alive

PPP (7 - 0): 11

IKAR (2 - 5): 8

That day Herod and Pilate became friends - before this they had been enemies…

It’s getting a little lonely at the top for our church softball team, the undefeated Pali Pres Prodigals, as it is apparent they have become that proverbial paladin with the target on their back. Every team in the league - no matter what their win count - is well aware that playing ‘spoiler’ to an undefeated season is sometimes just as good as going undefeated in itself. The knives are out.

Through Herculean effort, IKAR came close to playing spoiler this past Monday, but the Prodigals held on tight… except for a few dropped balls here and there. In all fairness, pardons to the Prodigals must be passed along, as this is the second game which came after two consecutive weeks off and the rust was thick.

Nearly every inning saw a lead change, until the bottom of the sixth when the Prodigals hit a “sweet” spot in lineup. Seeing our husband and wife duo of Ashly (preschool teacher) and Dave Olson cross the plate in heroic fashion to ice the lead was a very “sweet” sight indeed.

Take yourself out to the ballgame next Monday, June 10th, and enjoy some fun and fellowship at our annual Family Picnic! Details are below!

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

- Lefty Grove

Pali Pres Elder Nominations for Election on June 16, 2024

The Nominating Committee, after much work and prayer, is nominating the following individuals to be elected as elders for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2024: David Wood, Lynette Shishido, and Bill Walker.

The election will be held at our Congregational Meeting on June 16, immediately after worship. All members and friends of Pali Pres are encouraged to attend (though only members may vote).

CLICK HERE to learn more about those being nominated to serve as an Elder!

Youth/Student Ministry Interested Parties Meeting - This Sunday, June 9th

Are you interested in helping build a Student/Youth ministry here at Pali Pres? If so, the Children and Family Ministries (CFM) Committee invites you to a conversational meeting on June 9th after worship in the youth room. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts and hear ideas on the development of this very important ministry that is close to many hearts and minds. Please direct any questions to Lucy Garcia, CFM Director.

Congratulations Jaco!

Pastor Grace and Pierre Tang had the honor of traveling to Carmel, California on Memorial Day weekend to officiate and direct the music for Jaco Wong’s wedding.

Jaco Wong was our Director of Music here at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church for many years, and moved to Northern California to be closer to his mother during the pandemic.

We are also excited for him and his bride, Tanya!

It was a beautiful day, and all of the music arranged by Jaco.

Join us for a baby shower after worship on Sunday, June 30th for Will Saunders and his wife Reena, who are expecting their first child in August! All are welcome!

Let’s celebrate and surround Will (our beloved Office & Operations Manager) and Reena with our love, prayers and good wishes!

CLICK HERE to view their registry. Donations for a group gift can be sent to Lynn Anderson or Vidda Brough.

If you have any questions, please contact Vidda Brough.

Thank you, Joshua and Emily!

With joy and mixed emotions, I share with you the news that our tenor staff singer, Joshua Nash, alongside his girlfriend, Emily Chase, will be relocating to Nashville, TN, and moving on to the next step of their professional journeys. Their last Sunday with us will be this coming Sunday, June 9. As you heard from this past Sunday’s service, Josh sang a beautiful solo with our Chancel Choir. Emily teaches in our Sunday School program and sings occasionally with our chancel choir. Their service to our church family is invaluable, and I hope that you join me and the Chancel Choir in sending them your prayers and best wishes.

-Dr. Pierre Tang, Director of Music

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 Hanna Fairchild for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Jan Gong!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Sharon & George Browning for providing last week’s sanctuary flowers! This week’s sanctuary flowers are the gift of Pastor Matt, in appreciation of our amazing musicians and vocalists!

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

This Sunday is all about peace, including the sermon (which will be more of a brief homily this week). Join us as we celebrate Holy Communion and gather together on Music Appreciation Sunday for “Songs of Peace.”

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Sunday, June 9th: Music Appreciation Sunday

Sunday, June 9th: Communion Sunday (moved from June 2nd)

Sunday, June 9th: Youth/Student Ministry Interested Parties Meeting

Monday, June 10th: Church Softball Picnic

Sunday, June 16th: Congregational Meeting (after worship)

Tuesday, June 18th: Session Meeting

Wednesday, June 19th: Campus Closed (Juneteenth)

Sunday, June 30th: Saunders Family Baby Shower

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

-Psalm 149: 1-3