Palos Plans - October 2026
The autumn leaves aren't the only thing changing...
If you're here you've already noticed that Palos Plans has a whole new format! This is a first attempt at a new look and feel, so expect other changes and adaptations in the coming months, and please share your feedback. You can leave a (public!) comment at the end of this post or send an email to Tamara. Positive feedback and constructive criticism are both welcome.
Ministry Team Messages
Worship When Life Is Hard
This September did not go the way our family expected.
Steve's ankle injury and emergency surgery brought uncertainty, changed plans, and plenty of moments when we simply didn't know what the next few days or weeks would look like. And in the middle of all of that, I noticed something.
I kept singing.
Not because everything was okay. Not because I wasn't worried. But because I needed to be reminded of what was still true.
At different moments, I found myself singing songs like How Great Thou Art, Homecoming, and Peace Be Still. Songs I have sung many times suddenly carried a different weight. The words weren't just lyrics on a screen anymore. They became prayers.
That's one of the gifts God gives us through worship.
We sometimes think worship is the response we give God when life is good. We sing because we're joyful, grateful, and celebrating His blessings. And we certainly should! But worship is just as important… maybe even more important… when life is hard and the future is uncertain.
Worship reminds us that while our circumstances may have changed, God has not.
He is still good. He is still faithful. He is still sovereign. He is still worthy of our praise.
That's why, when life gets difficult, one of the worst things we can do is pull away from worship and from the church. Those are often the moments when we need both the most.
Our family experienced that firsthand last month. We have been incredibly blessed by the prayers, encouragement, concern, and love poured out by our church family. There is something powerful about knowing that when you don't have all the words to pray, other people are praying for you.
Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." That's what the church is supposed to do. Sometimes we're the ones helping carry someone else's burden. And sometimes we have to be willing to let others carry ours.
So if you're walking through something difficult right now, don't wait until life gets better to worship.
Come to church. Stand with God's people. Sing even when the words are difficult to get out. Worship in your car. Put on a worship song while you're making dinner. Sing the songs that remind you who God is. And don't be afraid to let your church family know that you need prayer.
Worship doesn't always change our circumstances, but worship reminds us who is with us in our circumstances. And when we don't know what tomorrow holds, we can still worship the One who does.
Katie Sherrill
Interim Director of Worship & Productions
Steve's ankle injury and emergency surgery brought uncertainty, changed plans, and plenty of moments when we simply didn't know what the next few days or weeks would look like. And in the middle of all of that, I noticed something.
I kept singing.
Not because everything was okay. Not because I wasn't worried. But because I needed to be reminded of what was still true.
At different moments, I found myself singing songs like How Great Thou Art, Homecoming, and Peace Be Still. Songs I have sung many times suddenly carried a different weight. The words weren't just lyrics on a screen anymore. They became prayers.
That's one of the gifts God gives us through worship.
We sometimes think worship is the response we give God when life is good. We sing because we're joyful, grateful, and celebrating His blessings. And we certainly should! But worship is just as important… maybe even more important… when life is hard and the future is uncertain.
Worship reminds us that while our circumstances may have changed, God has not.
He is still good. He is still faithful. He is still sovereign. He is still worthy of our praise.
That's why, when life gets difficult, one of the worst things we can do is pull away from worship and from the church. Those are often the moments when we need both the most.
Our family experienced that firsthand last month. We have been incredibly blessed by the prayers, encouragement, concern, and love poured out by our church family. There is something powerful about knowing that when you don't have all the words to pray, other people are praying for you.
Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." That's what the church is supposed to do. Sometimes we're the ones helping carry someone else's burden. And sometimes we have to be willing to let others carry ours.
So if you're walking through something difficult right now, don't wait until life gets better to worship.
Come to church. Stand with God's people. Sing even when the words are difficult to get out. Worship in your car. Put on a worship song while you're making dinner. Sing the songs that remind you who God is. And don't be afraid to let your church family know that you need prayer.
Worship doesn't always change our circumstances, but worship reminds us who is with us in our circumstances. And when we don't know what tomorrow holds, we can still worship the One who does.
Katie Sherrill
Interim Director of Worship & Productions
Changes for PCC Kids Primary Class
We are excited to share a couple of new changes that we will be starting in the PCC Kids Primary Class this October!
1. Students will split into two age groups for part of PCC Kids time.
We hope these changes will be a positive addition to the PCC Kids curriculum and help our kids learn more about God in ways that are engaging and age-appropriate! Parents and guardians, please talk with your child about these new changes before Sunday so they know what to expect this weekend.
Thank you so much for your support and for helping make PCC Kids a wonderful place for our kids to learn and grow! We are so excited for all that is ahead!
Tara Goral
Director of Children's Ministries
1. Students will split into two age groups for part of PCC Kids time.
- 3–5 year olds: Craft Room
- 1st–5th graders: Big Room
We hope these changes will be a positive addition to the PCC Kids curriculum and help our kids learn more about God in ways that are engaging and age-appropriate! Parents and guardians, please talk with your child about these new changes before Sunday so they know what to expect this weekend.
Thank you so much for your support and for helping make PCC Kids a wonderful place for our kids to learn and grow! We are so excited for all that is ahead!
Tara Goral
Director of Children's Ministries
Caring Ministries Updates
The Never Betters will have their monthly lunch this Sunday, October 4 after worship service. Bring a sack lunch and join them for fellowship and fun. Depending on the weather, they will meet on the front lawn or in the choir room downstairs.
The Stephen Ministers are now halfway through their training course, which will continue to run every Thursday evening through mid-November and will culminate in a special commissioning on November 15. Please pray for those who are in training, as well as our current Stephen Ministers and SM Leaders, as they all grow together during this special time of training and team-building.
The PCC Deacons are always available to assist with meals; in-home communion visits or fellowship visits; help with transportation and errands; hospital visits; prayer for anything and everything; and more! If you are in need of prayer or assistance, reach out to Jill Long to get connected with a deacon who can help.
The Stephen Ministers are now halfway through their training course, which will continue to run every Thursday evening through mid-November and will culminate in a special commissioning on November 15. Please pray for those who are in training, as well as our current Stephen Ministers and SM Leaders, as they all grow together during this special time of training and team-building.
The PCC Deacons are always available to assist with meals; in-home communion visits or fellowship visits; help with transportation and errands; hospital visits; prayer for anything and everything; and more! If you are in need of prayer or assistance, reach out to Jill Long to get connected with a deacon who can help.
Featured Events This Month
Volunteer Opportunities
PCC Kids Ministry
If you read Tara's ministry message above, you know that we are working to separate our PCC Kids Primary Class (currently ages 3-11) into two age-appropriate classes; Pre-K (3-5 year olds) and Elementary (1st-5th Grade). This will ensure a more age-appropriate learning and play experience for all of the kids. In order for this to be successful longterm, we need more volunteers. There is no prior experience required, and you do not need to plan or create any curriculum - all materials and lesson plans are provided! Just show up ready to lead and have fun! Background checks are required. If you're ready to help, contact Tara Goral.
Social Media & Marketing "Think Tank"
A unique volunteer opportunity for anyone with experience, skills or interest in marketing and social media content creation! We are seeking two more individuals for a "think tank" group this fall with the intention of developing a social media and marketing strategy for PCC, to be implemented beginning in 2027. The group will meet 3-4 times in October and November, with dates and times to be determined based on group availability. If you're interested or want to know more, email our Director of Communications and Ministry Support, Tamara Marsh.
Autumn in the Park - Thank You!
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who came out on a dreary Saturday to walk in the parade or serve in our booth. It was a wonderful day with many special moments - including some beautiful one-on-one prayers shared with community members, many of whom had never had any interaction with PCC before that moment. We pray that God was able to work through our shared joy, prayers and interactions throughout the day to lead them and others closer to Jesus.
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