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

November 15, 2024

Dear Pali Pres,

“You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

The above quotation is just one of many beautiful, powerful reflections from St. Augustine of Hippo. Widely considered the most influential theologian in the history of Christianity (outside of the biblical writers, of course), Augustine was born this week—November 13th to be exact—in 354 in North Africa. Augustine wrote more than 90 books in his lifetime, including Confessions, which is one of the first autobiographies in all of literature.

The theological principle that God’s grace alone, and not human effort, is the root cause of salvation originated with Augustine. His writings continue to have an enormous impact on the universal church, especially in the areas of sin, grace, and forgiveness.

As we celebrate Augustine’s birthday and his great contributions, I thought I’d share some other wonderful thoughts of his. Enjoy!

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”

“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.”

And perhaps one of my favorites:

“O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet.”

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt

Mission & Outreach Update

The Mission & Outreach (M&O) committee is pleased to announce a contribution of $9,920 to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) fund, thanks to a $3,000 donation from M&O and an additional $6,920 in generous donations from our congregation. This donation will support vital aid and relief efforts for those impacted by recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through PDA, these funds will provide emergency assistance, long-term recovery, and tangible support for the affected communities. Thank you to everyone who contributed to help bring hope and healing to those in need.

Quarterly Stewardship Update

Through the first fiscal quarter of 2024-2025 (July 1 – September 30), members of PPPC’s congregation were thankfully faithful in fulfilling their pledge commitments. With our traditional fall Stewardship Campaign rescheduled to Spring 2025 in preparation for the next fiscal year (July 2025 – June 2026), those who pledged for 2024 are asked to extend (and hopefully increase) their pledge commitments through June 2025.

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. Click here for “Charitable Donation of Securities and Transfer Instructions.” For questions or more information about this opportunity, email Finance/Stewardship Elder, George Browning.

Thank you for your continuing generous support of our church as we transition to a new fiscal year and diminished dependence on our Preschool for its financial contribution to the coverage of our operating expenses and mission commitments.

Preschool Food Drive to Benefit Westside Food Bank

November 6th - November 20th

Please help our preschool in this great cause! Come by the preschool or church office between 8am and 4pm (M-F) or anytime on Sunday mornings and drop off the following items in the collection barrel:

Peanut butter (in plastic), canned foods (soups, vegetables, tuna, pork and beans, stews/meats, fruit), dry goods (pasta, beans, lentils), mac & cheese, instant soups, hot & cold cereals, fruit juices and baby foods (glass is ok for baby food, otherwise, no glass please)

Angel Tree Giving Opportunity

It's that special time of year!

Once again the church is working with Angel Tree to provide gifts to the children of incarcerated parents. Gift request tags are available at a table as you enter the church. Gifts/gift cards of $25-$30 are appropriate. Please bring all wrapped gifts to the church with the tags attached by no later than Sunday, December 8 so that they can be delivered in plenty of time for Christmas.

Thank you, as always, for your love and care for these families in need!

Yours in Christ,

The Mission Committee

A Successful Day of Service

Pali Pres youth and friends visited the residents at The People Concern Shelter (TPC) in Santa Monica to serve them lunch last Sunday! Everyone was super happy to be there and our friends at TPC enjoyed the Panda Express lunch provided with the generous donation from our Mission and Outreach Committee.

Sip & Socialize: Temporary Date Change

The Senior Ladies Tea & Faith Fellowship will see a temporary date change in November. It will be held on the third Tuesday (Nov 19th) at 1pm. Margaret Keene will be hosting as we move forward and continue this ministry which was created by Linda Grant.

Join us for this three-week series on gratitude and thanksgiving:

Week #1 (Sunday, Nov. 10)—“Being Thankful in All Circumstances”

Week #2 (Sunday, Nov. 17)—“Being Thankful in Our Hearts & Minds”

Week #3 (Sunday, Nov. 24)—“Being Thankful in Our Actions”

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 Lyla & Cindy Corrales and Sylvia Boyd for last week's refreshments! This week’s goodies are brought to us by Staci & Clay Mitchel!

Sunday Sanctuary Flowers

A BIG thank you to Sylvia and Jon Boyd for last week’s sanctuary flowers. This week’s bouquet is the gift of Lyla & Cindy Corrales, in loving memory of our church family friends who have passed away. 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!

Give to Pali Pres

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

Upcoming Children & Youth Events

Sun, Nov 24th: Middle & High School Breakfast & Bible Study 10AM Pali Pres, Little Chapel

Sun, Dec 1st: Kids Christmas Sing Along in Worship

Sun, Dec 8th: Las Posadas - Volunteer Opportunity: Sign up to be part of this wonderful Christmas pageant in either the production or the planning and executing of the festivities. Complimentary tacos! Petting zoo! Pony rides!

Save the Dates

Sun, Nov 24th: Saint Andrew’s Sunday

Mon, Nov 25th: Interfaith Worship Service at Corpus Christi

Thu, Nov 28th - Fri, Nov 29th: Thanksgiving Holiday; Campus Closed

Sun, Dec 1st: First Sunday of Advent; Sunday Funday

Fri, Dec 6th: Pali Pres Annual Christmas Dinner

Sun, Dec 15th: Christmas Recital

Mon, Dec 16th: Women’s Cookie Exchange and Potluck

Sun, Dec 22nd: Christmas Caroling at Atria

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

-1 Peter 4:10