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

June 28, 2024

Dear Pali Pres,

Last week the world lost one of the greatest—if not THE greatest—baseball players of all time. Willie Mays died at the age of 93 after living a long and full life as the “Say Hey Kid.”

Mays’ list of accomplishments as a Hall of Fame baseball player is unmatched. He was a two-time MVP (1954 and 1965), a 24-time All-Star (he won the All-Star Game MVP in 1963 and 1968) and won 12 Gold Glove Awards in center field. He led the league in home runs four times and stolen bases four times. He had a career .302 batting average and 660 home runs (6th all-time) and played in four World Series. In the 1954 World Series he made “The Catch” which is widely considered the greatest defensive play in baseball history. AND he did all of this while missing nearly two full seasons in the prime of his career while serving in the military.

As one of the first African-American superstars in baseball, Mays broke down racial barriers and inspired generations of young people to pursue their dreams. Mays will always be remembered for how he embodied the values of hard work, perseverance, and humility.

As I reflect on the amazing life and career of Willie Mays, I am reminded of a story I once heard about Mays when he was a very young player. Well before he was a household name, Mays struggled to find his own approach to the game of baseball. He was a huge admirer of the great New York Yankee, Joe DiMaggio. Mayes studied everything about DiMaggio’s game…his stance at the place, his swing of the bat, his running style on the basepaths, everything. In fact, Mays imitated DiMaggio so much that he wasn’t letting his own talent take over. The results were far from Hall of Fame caliber. Mays’ DiMaggio-inspired approach just wasn’t working.

Finally, one of his coaches pulled him aside and told him, in no uncertain terms, “Stop trying to be like DiMaggio or like anybody else. Be yourself. God has given you great ability." Mays took his coach’s advice and the rest, well, is history.

As much as I admire the great Willie Mays and model my church softball game after him (yes this is a joke—feel free to laugh), I am reminded of his coach’s wise advice. God has made each of us just as we are, with gifts and talents to offer this world in our own unique way. We need not try to be anyone else (not that we can anyway), but simply are called to be ourselves—fully ourselves—and offer that gift to God and this world trusting it will be a blessing to others.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Matt

Our Sanctuary Has New Carpet

We are excited to announce that new carpet has been installed in the sanctuary! Thank you to the Buildings & Grounds Committee and everyone who helped make this happen!

CFM Visits Immanuel Presbyterian

Members of the Children & Family Ministries Committee and others from Pali Pres visited Immanuel Presbyterian Church over Memorial Day weekend to take part in their Migrant Family Ministry. They brought food, gifts, and fellowship to encourage families in need. To learn more about their visit, the families they met, and their stories, please follow this link.

Join us for a baby shower after worship this Sunday 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.

Pali Pres Prodigals: Shalom & Softball

Prodigals (10 - 0): 17

Adat Shalom Chaverim (2-6-1-1): 6

‘Adat Shalom Chaverim’, the Synagogue against whom the Prodigals teed off last Monday, translates to, “Congregation of Peace & Friends.” As we congregated on the field, peace and friendship proved abundant that day.

Before every interfaith league softball game, both teams meet in the center of the field, as a selected member of the home team leads everyone in prayer. This week’s prayer was led by Steve Schneider from ASC. He solemnly poured out his heart as he referenced the atrocious scene that took place outside of Adas Torah Synagogue this past Sunday. In the broader context of the proliferation of antisemitism, their pain was clear and present.

However, Steve did not end on a dour note. Instead, he pointed out how blessed we all were to be outside, in the fresh air, amongst friends, moving our bodies and living life, as we got to share in America’s Pastime. A shared sadness was washed away and replaced by peace and hope.

Adat Shalom was actually very close to forfeiting due to a lack of players, but they managed to rally at zero hour and put a team together so that the game could go on. Their perseverance allowed us all an arena of temporary respite from the pains of the world. If we all persevere through suffering and endeavor to congregate around the goodness in life, peace and friendship just might prevail.

Join us next week as the perfect season hangs in the balance!

Pali Pres Prodigals vs. Univ. Pres Bible Ninja Warriors

Monday, July 1st, 7:15pm, Field One

“…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

-Romans 5: 3-5

Please save the date for the Pali Pres Church-Wide Estate Sale on Saturday, August 24th!

Donations will be accepted beginning on Sunday, August 18th. Please save your treasures to donate to this important fundraiser.

If you would like to be on the volunteer committee, the next planning meeting is in late July.

If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Nadel, Nancy Gillette, Lyla Corrales or Stephanie Hubsch.

Summer Youth Events at Pali Pres!

Teen Gatherings: Starbucks in The Village with Ms. Lucy on Sunday, July 28th.

Preteen Gatherings: Starbucks in the Village with Ms. Lucy on Sunday, June 30th and July 21st.

Beach Day at Will Roger’s State Beach: July 28th at 3PM

Vacation Bible School: Counselors Wanted! August 5-9th

Vacation Bible School Training Day & Luncheon: August 4th

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The human mind plans the way but the Lord directs the steps. -Proverbs 16:3,9

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 Lynette Shishido for last week's refreshments! This week's goodies are brought to us by Jenna Fite!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

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!

— Pali Pres Summer Sermon Series —

Exploring the Parables of Jesus

Join us each Sunday as we delve into Jesus’ parables, discovering anew the powerful impact they are meant to have on our everyday lives.

This Sunday: What can we learn about the parable of the weeds that grow among the wheat?

Give to Pali Pres

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

Save the Dates

Sunday, June 30th: Saunders Family Baby Shower

Thursday, July 4th: Campus Closed (Independence Day)

Sunday, July 7th: Sunday Funday

Sunday, July 14th: Elder Installation

Sunday, July 14th: Deacons Meeting

Sunday, July 28th: Church Beach Day

Saturday, August 24th: Churchwide Estate Sale Fundraiser

When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

-Numbers 30: 2