Family Fosters 100 Children

Becoming an Innovative Church!

We believe that Pasadena Presbyterian Church is in a season of dreaming. Who are we? Where have we been together, and how are we called to move forward now? How is God stirring our hearts and minds?

As part of our ongoing mission and call, we want to be Sacred Space for the City. And in that posture toward the people and neighborhoods around us, we are curious about innovative forms of ministry and mission that are happening within our larger Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination and in other churches and community groups. We are also interested in questions being asked around us - by those who have a faith commitment and by those who do not.

We have much to learn from everyone!

Here are some news stories and blog posts. We hope that they will call us anew to be an innovative, creative church that meets the needs of people around us!

Taize Movement Brings Throwback Appeal to U.S.
Los Angeles: Nun Cultivates 'Good Seeds' at Juvenile Jail
Photographer's Ministry With the Poor

Festival Day! Trilingual Worship and the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers

This Sunday will be a very special one at Pasadena Presbyterian Church!  We are having trilingual worship with Korean, English, and Spanish Language Ministries at 11:00am.  We invite all of you to participate in our multicultural expression of worship and friendship.

After worship, we will have a meal and hold our Annual Congregational Meeting in Fellowship Hall.  You are invited to learn about the wonderful ministries that are happening at PPC.


And then it's time for games and fellowship!  We will build our relationships together by playing games and socializing on the PPC Patio.

Finally, we have a very special treat at 4:00pm.  You are invited to hear the voices of Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, who have toured since 1968 delivering to the world the history, beauty, and sheer majesty of the Negro spiritual.  Dr. McNeil has dedicated his life and career to education and to the performance of the spiritual as concert music.  The ensemble will perform traditional and contemporary spirituals and gospels as well.  Concert works by other African American composers will highlight the concert.  Free Admission (a $20 donation is suggested).

Violence in Syria (Some Graphic Images)

In these days of grave violence, our prayers are with the people in Syria.  Lord, have mercy. . .

Young Adults in the News!

As a young adult community, we want to stay aware of the particular gifts that young adults bring to our world as well as the particular challenges that young adults face. We are curious to learn about culture and trends among young adults. Here are some recent news stories and blog posts that concern young adults: 


A Letter From an Exhausted/Exasperated Young Person Who Has a Complicated Love/Hate Relationship with the Church (Part One)
A Letter From an Exhausted/Exasperated Young Person Who Has a Complicated Love/Hate Relationship with the Church (Part Two)
Young Adults' Hesitance is Reshaping Home-Buying Market

Remembering Rodney King

We were sad to learn yesterday that Rodney King has died at age 47. At this difficult time, we remember his family and his friends, all those who knew and loved him. And we also consider this nation and Los Angeles County, remembering Rodney King's life and the difficult days we faced together twenty years ago after his attack and the riots that followed.

We offer some news stories and reflections today:

What Rodney King Said During One of His Final Interviews
Rodney King, Whose Beating Led to LA Riots, Dies
Rodney King Seen as a Catalyst for Policing Change
Rodney King Timeline: Life After the Los Angeles Riots

Father's Day: Prayers of the People

Holy God,

You are among us in large ways – always beyond us, always before us, always loving us with love as high as the heavens.  And you are among us in ways so near.  You are closer than our very breath. 

You, like a mustard seed, found in the ideas that spring forth from a sermon.

You, found in the laughter of children.

You, found when someone from our church family smiles at us and we know we belong.

You are with us – Beyond and Near.

You are Father and Mother to us.  As we remember this Father’s Day, we give thanks, and we offer prayers.  We are grateful for men who raised us – for those who tucked us into bed at night, for those who taught us so many lessons throughout our lives.  We are grateful for grandfathers who delight in the laughter of their grandchildren.  We are grateful for men of many ages – brothers, friends -- who teach us about faith.  We give you thanks that we are all invited to give birth and life to one another. 

 We honor people for whom Father’s Day is a difficult– for fathers who have lost a child or a grandchild, for those who never knew their fathers, for those who lost their fathers through death, for those who are estranged, for those whose fathers are ill, for those whose fathers have lost their memories, and for those whose fathers are serving overseas in the military.  We trust you as our Father to hold those difficult memories and feelings to yourself and to redeem them.  We believe.  Help Thou our unbelief.

And today, as a community of mothers, fathers, children, brothers, and sisters, we pray for those who are suffering, those among us and those across this world. . .

. . . for those who are grieving

. . . for those who are unemployed or underemployed

. . . for those who are filled with spiritual questions that won’t leave them alone.

. . .for those who know hunger in a way we’ve never experienced

. . . for immigrants who live in fear

. . . for children who are bullied at school

. . .for the people of Syria who fear death at every turn

We are connected to these people, and we believe that in some way, our very prayers give birth and life to them through your Spirit.

We honor you today.  We give you thanks.  We pray for this world’s healing.  And as your children, we are bold to pray even now the prayer that Jesus taught us, saying. . .

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.  Thy Kingdom com., Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever.  Amen.