I’m with the DJ | January 16th (with correct daily devotions from last week)

Here’s a note from Pacific Palisades Community United Methodist Church…

Supporting California Wildfire Victims: How You Can Help

The recent wildfires in California have devastated families and communities, leaving many with nothing. As a faith community, we are called to respond with compassion and tangible support. Here are ways you can help:

1. Donate Directly to the Church

Palisades United Methodist Church is providing immediate assistance to individuals and families affected by the fires and working toward eventual reconstruction.

Give Here

2. Contribute to the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Fund

The United Methodist California-Pacific Conference is coordinating relief efforts for all fire-impacted communities in Los Angeles.

Donate Here

3. Support UMCOR’s Disaster Relief Efforts

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is providing critical aid for wildfire recovery across California. Your donation ensures essential resources are delivered to those most in need.

Donate to UMCOR

4. Send E-Gift Cards to Support Families

E-gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Target, Grubhub) are being collected to meet immediate needs. Send e-gift cards to palisadesmethodist@gmail.com, and they will be distributed to community members who have lost homes and belongings.

Thank you for joining us in providing hope and healing to wildfire survivors. Every prayer, donation, and act of support makes a difference.

Take-Home Sheet for Notes and Devotions

Sermon Title: Call. Be. Bless.

Notes from Sundays sermon

Key Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Main Takeaway:
The season of Epiphany is about God’s light breaking into our world, revealing who God is and calling us to live out our faith in bold, tangible ways. John the Baptist challenges us to:
1. Call it what it is – Name sin and brokenness with honesty and courage.
2. Be a beacon of safety – Point others to Jesus through our words and actions.
3. Bless others – Reflect God’s love and grace by intentionally serving and lifting others.

Sermon Highlights:
1. Call It What It Is (Confronting Sin and Brokenness):
• Transformation begins with honesty. Naming sin isn’t judgment—it’s the first step toward healing.
• Repentance is visible—it changes how we live and engage with others.
• Reflection Question: Where in my life or community do I need to speak truth?
2. Be a Beacon of Safety:
• Like the Greek fisherman who guided refugees to safety, we are called to guide others to Jesus.
• Offering safety and hope is an active choice—it requires stepping into the waves.
• Reflection Question: Who in my life needs refuge, hope, or guidance, and how can I help?
3. Bless Others:
• Jesus’ baptism reveals God’s love, and John’s role reminds us we are vessels of blessing.
• Small acts of kindness and intentional love reflect God’s grace.
• Reflection Question: How can I intentionally bless someone this week through encouragement or service?

Devotions for the Week

Use these daily prompts to reflect on how you can live out the message of Call. Be. Bless.

Day 1 – Call It What It Is
Read: Luke 3:7-9
Reflection: Think about an area in your life or community where brokenness persists. Ask God for the courage to name it and begin working toward healing.
Prayer: Lord, give me the wisdom to see sin for what it is and the courage to speak the truth in love. Transform my heart and guide my actions.

Day 2 – Bearing Good Fruit
Read: Luke 3:10-14
Reflection: John told people to act in ways that reflect repentance—sharing, honesty, and justice. What “good fruit” is God asking you to bear in your daily life?
Prayer: Lord, help me to live out my faith through actions that reflect Your love and justice.

Day 3 – Be a Beacon
Read: Luke 3:15-16
Reflection: Consider the Greek fisherman’s example of stepping into the water to guide and carry others. Who in your life needs a beacon of hope, and how can you point them to Jesus?
Prayer: Jesus, You are the light in my life. Help me reflect that light to others who are lost, afraid, or searching for peace.

Day 4 – Step Into the Water
Read: Isaiah 43:2
Reflection: God promises to be with us when we pass through the waters. Where is God calling you to take a risk and step into the waves to help someone in need?
Prayer: God, strengthen my faith as I step into uncertain places to help others. Let me trust that You are always with me.

Day 5 – Bless Others
Read: Luke 3:21-22
Reflection: Jesus’ baptism was a moment of revelation and blessing. Reflect on someone in your life who needs a blessing—an encouraging word, a helping hand, or a listening ear. How can you intentionally bless them this week?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with Your love. Use me as a vessel to share Your grace and kindness with others.

Day 6 – Reflect God’s Light
Read: Matthew 5:14-16
Reflection: You are called to be a light in the world. Where can you bring light into someone’s darkness this week?
Prayer: Lord, may my actions reflect Your goodness and light, so others may see You through me.

Day 7 – Trust and Act
Read: James 2:14-17
Reflection: Faith is alive when it is accompanied by action. Reflect on one way you can live out your faith this week by calling out brokenness, being a beacon, or blessing someone.
Prayer: Lord, move me from intention to action. Let my faith be visible in how I love and serve others.

Reflection Questions
• Where is God calling me to confront sin or brokenness in my life or community?
• Who in my life needs hope or guidance, and how can I point them to Jesus?
• How can I intentionally bless someone this week in a way that reflects God’s grace?

Closing Thought:

Whether we are responding to the needs of wildfire victims or working to break down boundaries in our own communities, the Spirit empowers us to live boldly into God’s mission. May we go forth to break boundaries, build hope, and proclaim good news with courage and love.

If you’d like to learn more or share how you’re living into God’s mission, feel free to connect with us. Together, we can embody the hope and healing of Christ in the world.

As we lean into 2025, please remember to turn in your generosity cards. Your generosity makes everything we do together possible, supporting the ministries that help us to be a beacon of love, hope, and respect in our community.

Click here to fill out your pledge card

Whether you join us in person or online, we look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

In grace and peace,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | Epiphany

Epiphany: A Season of Revelation

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday, we step into the season of Epiphany—a time of light, clarity, and discovery. Epiphany reminds us that Christ’s light has come into the world, revealing God’s love and calling us to live as faithful disciples.

Our Scripture reading this week, Luke 3:1-22, introduces us to John the Baptist, a prophet who lived on the edges, spoke truth to power, and prepared the way for Jesus. His message challenges us to reflect deeply on how we live out our faith and respond to God’s call in our lives.

As we prepare for worship, I invite you to spend time with this passage and reflect on these questions:

1. Where is God calling you to be honest about sin or brokenness, either in your own life or in the world around you?

• John’s call to repentance reminds us that transformation begins with truth. What areas of your life, relationships, or community need the light of Christ to bring healing and renewal?

2. How can you point others to Jesus this week?

• John was a beacon, guiding people to the One who could truly save. What practical ways can you reflect Christ’s love and hope to those who are searching or in need of direction?

3. What does it mean for you to live as God’s beloved?

• In Luke 3:22, God declares Jesus as His beloved Son. How does knowing you are deeply loved by God shape the way you see yourself and bless others?

Take time this week to pray and meditate on these questions. Let them guide your heart as we gather for worship and begin this season of revelation together.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue to grow in faith and light.

Grace and peace,

Pastor DJ

As we lean into 2025, please remember to turn in your generosity cards. Your generosity makes everything we do together possible, supporting the ministries that help us to be a beacon of love, hope, and respect in our community.

Click here to fill out your pledge card

Whether you join us in person or online, we look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

In grace and peace,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | New Year, New Beginnings: Join Us for Communion on January 5th

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I’m reminded of the beauty and power of new beginnings. Each January, we have an opportunity to pause, reflect, and refocus on what matters most. This year, we invite you to start your journey with us at our special Communion service on Sunday, January 5th, at 10am.

This past Christmas Eve was a powerful reminder of the light of Christ that continues to shine in our lives and community. The glow of candlelight, the voices lifted in song, and the joy of sharing in worship together created a moment of sacred beauty. It was a reminder that, even in the darkest nights, God’s light and love are always with us.

As we enter 2025, we’re holding onto that light and looking forward with hope and anticipation. God is doing something new in and through us as a church, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.

Our January 5th Communion service is the perfect way to begin the year by centering ourselves on God’s presence and grace. Communion reminds us of the deep love of Christ—a love that unites us, sustains us, and calls us to live with purpose. Whether you’re a long-time member of our congregation or someone looking for a place to reconnect with God, this service is a beautiful opportunity to step into the new year with faith and hope.

The new year is also a time to reflect on the ways God has been at work in our lives and our church. Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible moments of connection, service, and transformation. From the Abundant Grace Free Market to our vibrant Christmas Eve celebration, God’s love has been evident in countless ways.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for all that 2025 holds. As Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God is always at work, creating new opportunities for growth, renewal, and hope. On January 5th, let’s come together to celebrate God’s faithfulness and dedicate this year to following where God leads us.

We hope you’ll join us for this special service. Bring your questions, your hopes, and your prayers as we share in the sacred meal that reminds us of Christ’s unending love. Together, let’s begin the new year with gratitude and anticipation for all that God has in store.

We’ll see you on January 5th!

With hope and gratitude,

Pastor DJ

And as we look forward to 2025, please remember to turn in your generosity cards. Your generosity makes everything we do together possible, supporting the ministries that help us to be a beacon of love, hope, and respect in our community.

Click here to fill out your pledge card

Whether you join us in person or online, we look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

In grace and peace,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | Hope is worth the risk

The Risk of Hope

Hope is a funny thing. It’s often painted as soft and easy, but if we’re honest, hope can feel like one of the riskiest things we do. For anyone who has experienced loss or disappointment, hope can feel downright dangerous. What if it doesn’t work out? What if we’re let down again? Sometimes, it feels safer to guard our hearts and keep our expectations low.

But the stories of Mary and Joseph in this week’s scriptures challenge us to see hope differently. Their hope wasn’t flimsy or naive—it was resilient, risky, and bold. It’s the kind of hope that chooses to believe in what God is doing, even when it feels uncertain. It’s the kind of hope that takes action, even when it feels easier to do nothing.

Mary’s Risky Hope

In Luke 1:46-55, Mary responds to the angel’s announcement with what we now call the Magnificat—a song of joy and praise. But let’s not romanticize this moment. Mary was a young woman, probably a teenager, in a society that had little room for unmarried pregnant women. Her “yes” to God wasn’t just a spiritual decision; it was a social risk. She was risking her reputation, her relationships, and even her life.

Mary’s hope wasn’t passive. She didn’t simply wish for things to work out; she acted on her trust in God. She believed that the child she carried would fulfill God’s promises and bring hope to her people. Her faith didn’t erase her fears, but it gave her the courage to move forward anyway. That’s the kind of hope we’re called to embody—not a hope that denies reality, but one that trusts God enough to take a step forward, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

Joseph’s Courageous Choice

In Matthew 1:18-25, we see Joseph faced with his own risky decision. When he learns that Mary is pregnant, he plans to quietly end their engagement. By doing so, he could avoid scandal and protect his own reputation. But then an angel visits him in a dream and tells him to stay with Mary, to name the child Jesus, and to trust that this extraordinary situation is part of God’s plan.

Joseph could have walked away. He had every reason to take the safer, simpler route. But instead, he chooses hope. He chooses to believe in the angel’s message and in what God is doing through Mary. That choice changed everything—not just for him, but for the entire world. His decision reminds us that hope isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice. It’s a decision to believe in the possibility of God’s work, even when it’s messy or inconvenient.

Hope as a Spiritual Practice

Hope gets a bad rap sometimes. It’s easy to dismiss it as wishful thinking or something for people who haven’t lived through hard times. But what if hope isn’t about ignoring reality or brushing off pain? What if hope is a spiritual discipline—a muscle we can strengthen through practice?

For some of us, hope feels hard because we’ve been hurt. Maybe we’ve been disappointed so many times that it feels safer to keep our guard up. For others, the weight of the world—violence, oppression, injustice—makes hope feel naive or even impossible. But Mary and Joseph remind us that hope isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about trusting in God’s ability to work through us, even in the messiest, most uncertain moments.

When hope feels out of reach, we can lean on the hope of others. Maybe you’re carrying a heavy burden this season, and you don’t have the energy to hope right now. That’s okay. As a community, we can hold hope for one another. Our collective expressions of hope—through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply showing up—can be a lifeline for those who are weary.

Becoming Hope-Bearers

In a world that often rewards cynicism and pessimism, choosing hope is a radical act. It’s easier to say, “Nothing will ever change” or “Why bother?” But the world doesn’t need more cynics. It needs people who say, “It can be better,” and then take steps to make it so.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that hope is at the heart of the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph’s hope brought Jesus into the world—the hope of all humanity. Now it’s our turn to carry that hope forward.

This week, let’s ask ourselves: Where is God calling us to take a risk for hope? Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who feels forgotten. Maybe it’s advocating for justice or standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular. Maybe it’s simply letting go of cynicism and daring to believe that God is still at work in our lives and in the world.

Hope isn’t easy. It’s vulnerable and risky, and it asks something of us. But it’s also powerful. When we practice hope—when we trust God and take action—we become part of the story God is still writing. This Advent, let’s choose hope. Let’s carry it into the world, not just for ourselves but for those who need it most.

After all, hope doesn’t just change us—it changes the world.

And as we look forward to 2025, please remember to turn in your generosity cards. Your generosity makes everything we do together possible, supporting the ministries that help us to be a beacon of love, hope, and respect in our community.

Click here to fill out your pledge card

Whether you join us in person or online, we look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

In grace and peace,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ

Weekly Message: Living Together on Uncommon Ground: Respect

As we journey through our worship series Do Unto Others, we’re diving deeply into how we can be people of kindness, respect, and compassion—even in a world that seems to pull us apart. This week, we continue with a focus on “Respect,” a foundation for living together on the uncommon ground of God’s grace.

Each time we gather to study scripture, we explore how our spiritual ancestors navigated the challenges of division in their own times. Together, we discover how their experiences can guide us today, teaching us to interact through the lens of respect. Our scripture for this Sunday, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, reminds us of our deep interdependence. Paul’s words show us that humanity was made to help and rely on one another, with each of us playing a vital role in God’s creation. When we recognize this connection, we see our relationships and responsibilities differently, as part of God’s ongoing work in the world.

Will we choose to respect our dependence on one another, honoring the unique ways each person reflects the Body of Christ? This week’s message is an invitation to consider how we can do that together.

This Sunday, we will also gather around the table to celebrate Communion, reminded of the grace and unity we share in Christ. Let this be a moment of reconnection with God and with one another.

And as we look forward to 2025, please remember to turn in your generosity cards. Your generosity makes everything we do together possible, supporting the ministries that help us to be a beacon of love, hope, and respect in our community.

Click here to fill out your pledge card

Also, don’t forget to join us this Saturday for our Annual Holiday Fair at church!

Whether you join us in person or online, we look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

In grace and peace,

Pastor DJ