Note from Lisa – Where I am
Each month, I provide a glimpse of where I am worshipping and visiting to share the Presbytery’s work and service with everyone. I rely on translation services to address my limited language skills. I’m grateful for the support these services provide, but I understand how often they are lacking. Most of the time, I’m able to understand enough to get a deep sense of what is being said. For the most part, I appreciate being able to experience worship in a variety of languages and styles.
On August 16, I preached at First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. What a beautiful sanctuary. The worship leaders were very supportive and helpful. It was good to meet the congregation that spiritually nurtured Veronica Ota, who was ordained at FPCA on September 19. First Presbyterian was our closest church to the fires that devastated the Altadena community. Although they sustained smoke damage, their building survived the devastation that surrounded them. A beacon of hope for years, FPCA remains a faithful community today.
On August 23, I attended two worship services at San Marino Community Church: the traditional and contemporary services. The Rev. Jessica Vaughn Lower preached at both services, and I was impressed with how her sermon was crafted to meet the needs of two different congregations. Her focus on Luke 13:10-17 reminds us that Jesus sees us even when we don’t feel seen, that Jesus confronts us when we don’t see those in need, and encourages us to see and care for them.
On August 30, I joined the congregation at First Presbyterian Church, Pomona. Holding fast to Calvin’s desire for weekly communion, this worshipping community meets at the table weekly. In addition, they share a bounty table after the service where people bring food to share with the community. I was fed in spirit and in body.
The praise team led inspiring praise and hymns in both English and Spanish. The Rev. Adam Donner gave an inspiring sermon on Luke 6:6-11, emphasizing that goodness comes from God and encouraging us to radiate God’s goodness to those around us. We were reminded to take the opportunities before us to share God’s goodness.
Finally, on September 13, I joined the good people of Good Shepherd Taiwanese Church in Monterey Park for an inspiring service centered on forgiveness. My AI translations do not translate Taiwanese as well as they translate Mandarin Chinese, and I am grateful for the English copy of the sermon provided by the Rev. Ming Hsu. Pastor Hsu’s sermon focused on the need to forgive continually, reminding us that the pain we experience in this life from the wrongs done to us does not compare to the love and care we will receive in heaven. He illustrated the cost of forgiveness amid recurring grief, and the need for us to surrender our pain to God again and again, and to rely on God’s grace to keep on loving. He ended the service with the prayer known as the Prayer of Saint Frances. The praise team inspired us to sing praise to God, and the choir presented us with a prayerful offering of song.
I look forward to seeing you in worship. Please let me know the best times to visit with you.
Please continue sending pictures of your sanctuary and people to the Presbytery office to help us make our new webpage more vibrant.