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

December 8, 2023

Dear Pali Pres,

It was such a joy to begin the Advent journey with many of you last week in worship. The beautifully decorated sanctuary, the Advent Candle Lighting, the music, the reading of the Annunciation passage…it was a great start to this holy season. As we make our way towards Christmas Day, we mark these days with intentional waiting and hope. In fact, the word Avent comes from the Latin word “adventus” meaning “coming” or “arrival.” We are, indeed, in a season of hopeful expectation for Christ’s coming.

While we prepare for the Second Sunday of Advent, I am mindful of two important and noteworthy dates that make up this week. First, this past Wednesday (December 6th) was the feast day of St. Nicholas, a 4th Century bishop from what is now Turkey. (Feast days are special days set aside on the calendar for each canonized saint in the Catholic Church in which saints are remembered with special services and prayers.) St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors, who was notorious for his generosity. In many parts of the world, on the evening of December 5th, children put their shoes outside their front doors. During the night, St. Nicholas fills the shoes with presents such as sweets, fruit, and nuts. The character of Santa Claus developed out of this tradition, as did the custom of hanging stockings near the fireplace (instead of braving the cold weather outside).

Also, today marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. This eight-day celebration commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple (“Hanukkah” means “dedication”) by the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish fighters who held out against the larger Syrian army, who had invaded and captured the holy site. As you probably know, the story goes that there was only enough oil to light the temple’s menorah for one night. But miraculously, the oil lasted for eight! You can learn more about Hanukkah by clicking here.

May this holy season be continually filled with joy, hope, and new discoveries for you as you make your way to Christmas and the coming of our Lord!

Happy Advent,

Pastor Matt

An Invitation this Advent

There is a palpable sense of anticipation and joy that comes with Advent. It is a time of reflection and preparation, and marks the beginning of cherished Christmas festivities. But in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, there exists an opportunity for people to come together and pause.

We will receive this opportunity on this Sunday at 2pm for our Christmas Recital. In the sacred space of our beautiful sanctuary, the power of music is made known. In the embrace of Christmas music, we can experience both reverence and joy. I wholeheartedly believe that a Christmas recital in our church during this sacred period can be a beacon of light, guiding all of us on a journey of reflection and spiritual awakening. This recital can serve as a reminder that, despite the challenges of the world, there is a source of unwavering hope that transcends time and circumstance.

Please join us this coming Sunday afternoon (and invite a friend or two!), as the recital becomes a communal celebration, reinforcing the reality that, especially in the spirit of Christmas, we are all interconnected members of a larger family of faith. In the sweet embrace of our Christmas recital, I pray that you may find solace, inspiration, a little joy, and a profound connection to the timeless message of the baby Jesus and the hope He brings.

I hope that I will see you there!

To God be the glory,

Pastor Grace

Family Christmas Card Collage

Hello Hello Pali Pres! We invite you to bring your Christmas photo card and pin it on the bulletin board at the entrance of the sanctuary.  Throughout the season we will add to the bulletin board and create a beautiful collage of all beloved church family!

Beech Street Cafe & Pali Pres Preschool

Beech Street Cafe and Pali Pres Preschool would like to invite you to dine in or order to go on December 15th from 11:30am-4pm. Mention Pali Pres Preschool to your server and 10% of all proceeds come back to the preschool!

Pianist Needed for Las Posadas - December 17th

Attention all Pali Pres church members and friends! We are in need of a pianist for Las Posadas! Unfortunately, our house musicians are all unavailable on December 17th and we need a pianist to play, “Away in a Manger” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. Please contact Lucy Garcia if you are interested!

A Very Merry Christmas Party

Thank you to everyone for making our Christmas party this year such a wonderful event for fellowship and celebrating the Advent season together!

Special thanks to Caroline Nick, Pastor Grace and our entire team of party elves: Bill and Pat Moran, Maggie Mann, Correne Gichuru, and Charlie Park!

Thank to you Joan Kaczorowski, Lyla Corrales, and Sylvia Boyd for our beautiful dessert table as well, and to Esther Alva, Tove Hoch, Bill Walker and Dylan Jackson for our entertainment!

Please CLICK HERE to see more photos of the special evening.

Join the Pastors for an Advent Book Study! It’s Not Too Late To Join!

If you missed the first two sessions, no problem! You can still join us!

Pastor Matt and Pastor Grace invite you to ready your heart for Christmas by joining a conversation around the wonderful book, “Stay Awhile: Advent Lessons in Divine Hospitality.” 

Classes are held via Zoom from 6:30-7:30pm on Wednesday evenings (Dec 13th, and 20th).

Please purchase a copy and bring it with you to the Zoom room each week.  The Amazon link is below.

RSVP to Will Saunders in the church office if you plan on attending.  We hope to see you there!

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 Pat & Bill Moran for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Lynette Shishido & Shelley Wagner!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

This week’s flowers are in celebration of this Sunday’s Christmas Recital!

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

Someone once said, “patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” As we wait together this Advent season, what can God teach us about patience? Let’s find out together this Sunday! Hope to see you there!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Sun, Dec 10: Christmas Recital & Sunday Funday

Mon, Dec 11: Women’ s Cookie Exchange

Sun, Dec 17: Las Posadas

Sun, Dec 24: 10am Service, 5pm Service (Family Friendly), 9pm Service

Mon, Dec 25 - Wed, Dec 27: Office Closed

Sun, Dec 31: Christmas Carol Sunday (In-Person Only)

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

-Psalm 46: 10