PazNaz Update | September 15, 2026
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Pastor Aaron Gregory
“A New Kind of Family”
Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9
Quotes from the Sermon
“The Messiah’s own self-giving love as the radical model for the husband’s vocation to serve his bride. So we learn about marriage by thinking of Messiah and church; but we learn even more about Messiah and church by thinking about marriage. Heaven and earth; Gentile and Judean together; the body building itself up in love; and now female plus male in marriage. The mystery revealed. The Bible in miniature. Tinker with it at your peril.”
“Within this Christian vision for marriage, here’s what it means to fall in love. It is to look at another person and get a glimpse of the person God is creating, and to say, “I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, ‘I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!’” Each spouse should see the great thing that Jesus is doing in the life of their mate through the Word, the gospel. Each spouse then should give him- or herself to be a vehicle for that work and envision the day that you will stand together before God, seeing each other presented in spotless beauty and glory.”
Challenge for the Week
Choose one place this week, home, work, or school, and ask: “What would it look like for me to live like Jesus here?” Then do one thing differently.
Rhythms of the Church
These include any single or recurring event from one of our ministries at PazNaz.
Join us for Common Table! Dinner is served at 5:00 pm, followed by classes at 6:30 pm. Below, you’ll find the menu, sign-up information, and a list of our current classes and groups.
September 16 Menu:
Chicken Fajita Tacos, Beans, Salad, & Dessert
Dinner is served on Wednesdays, 5:00–6:15 PM.
$7 with a reservation by Tuesday at 4:30 pm | $9 after Tuesday or at the door.
First-time guests (who don’t currently attend PazNaz) eat free with a reservation by Tuesday afternoon.
How to reserve:
Reserve on Sunday at the Welcome Center
Call the church office at (626)351-9631
Click this button to reserve and pay online (Note: Be sure to show your confirmation at the check-in table)
Common Table Classes Fall 2026
Book Group: The Book of Love, by Richard Beck
Led by Dr. Brad Strawn | The Pepper Tree, Ramirez Room
If you would like to learn and discuss how to read the Bible well, join Pastor Brad as he walks through the book "The Book of Love." The author offers a bold and compassionate reimagining of how we read the Bible. Drawing from personal experience, theological insight, and psychological depth, Beck challenges the fear-based, legalistic interpretations that have long dominated many Christian traditions and invites us to approach Scripture through the lens of love--God's love for humanity and our call to love one another. If you would like to join this group, please register and purchase a book as soon as you can.
Resident Aliens Living in a Foreign Culture: At Home with Jesus – Out of Sync with the World
Led by Dr. Walker Railey | Reed Hall, 248
This class will focus on how Christ uses us as disciples to live faithfully and forcefully in a hostile and secular culture: serving as Christians, sharing the virtues of the Kingdom of God. Informed by the writings of Karl Barth, Stanley Hauerwas, John Howard Yoder, General Superintendent Scott Daniels, and Methodist Bishop Wil Willimon, this class will focus on the biblical, ethical, theological and practical realities of Christianity 101.
Grief Support Group
Led by Pastor Darwin Ng | Reed Hall, 247
The PazNaz Grief Support Group provides a safe space with support, care, and teaching as you journey through grief.
Oasis (Special Needs and Disabilities)
Led by Gretchen Moss | Reed Hall, 246
For teens and adults with special needs, Oasis Bible Study is a night of fun and fellowship! Contact Gretchen Moss at gretchenmoss66@gmail.com.
Wednesday Prayer
Led by Mike Eggehorn | Lee Chapel
Gather for prayer for PazNaz and other concerns.
At the Table - Women of Faith
Led by Kimberly Marsh and Marlene Moncada | Gilmore Hall, South
Join our women’s book study, Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Who We Are in Christ. Together, we will dive into biblical truth, silence the lies of insecurity and build a deep, supportive community that is rooted in Christ. Your true identity changes everything. Come grab a seat at the table!
Men’s Breakfast
Join us on Saturday, September 19, in Gilmore Hall for a morning of fellowship, food, and encouragement. Come early at 7:30 am for coffee and connection. Breakfast starts at 8:00 am. Our morning topic will be “Ready, Get Set, Wait!” To sign up or for more information, contact Mike Eggehorn at mike.eggehorn@gmail.com.
Women in the Word Fall Study
In this eight-session Bible study, author and theologian Katie J. McCoy will guide us through the Book of Deuteronomy, an invitation to abundant life found through faith-filled devotion to the Lord alone. This series begins on Tuesday, September 22 at 9:30 am in Gilmore Hall. ChildCare is provided. Zoom options are available. For more information, please contact Darlene G. Weaver at darleneGweaver@gmail.com.
Widow’s Breakfast
Our Widows' Breakfast is a wonderful opportunity for women to fellowship, encourage, and connect. Join us on Friday, September 25, at 9:00 am at Panera Bread for a relaxed morning of conversation and community. We would love to see you there! For futher information, contact Kathy Symons at (626)437-8114. Address: 3521 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena.
PazNaz Youth FallNighter
PazNaz Youth is teaming up with New Naz to host a night of fun at Six Flags Friday-Saturday, September 25-26. There is still time to sign up. It’s going to be epic!
MomCo Launches at PazNaz September 30!
PazNaz Care
Here you will find ways to pray, resources, serving, and giving opportunities.
Prayer List
Judy Barr, Kathy Blake, Sam Bowers, Vance Bowers, Byron Buttes, Armando Castaneda, Aubrey Castro, Carl Divens, Cody Divens, Norman Durazo, Jim Dusserre, George Eastis, Lilia Echeverria, Vivian Fithian, Joyce Forsee, Fabian Gavilanes, Shirley Gillette, Letty Gochez, Joel Goodwin, Ares Gregory, Arnitra Harris, John Hansen, Sandy Hausner, Anita Lim, Pat Lindgren, Sara Lopez, Robert Machulla, Laura Miranda, Trudi Mullen, Davion Olgtree, Jerry Port, Linda Preston, Steven Randall, Abby Regan, Al Rivera, Ken Rozelle, Annie Sakamoto, Doug Sakamoto, Stephen Salmons, Walter Seetal, James Siebels, Helen Spencer, Berta Street, Nan Tirado, Jerry Todd, Pat Todd, Carol Wagstaff, Dan Whitaker, Larry Wilson, Victor Valencia, Kevin Young
Global
Haiti, Middle East, Nepal, Nigeria, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Venezuela
Local
Rebuilding of the Altadena Fountain of Life Church of the Nazarene
In Memoriam
Long time member Bill Slattery passed away on July 28 at home at age 92. His memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 19, at 1:30 pm in Lee Chapel with a reception to follow in Gilmore Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mark Slattery Memorial Scholarship Fund (MNU Foundation, 2030 E College Way Olathe, KS 66062)
Brian London, son of former senior pastor H.B. London, passed away on August 31. Brian grew up at PazNaz. Memorial details to follow.
Opportunities for Prayer
Early Christians - PazNaz’s weekly prayer group, meets in person on Fridays at 7:00 am in Reed Hall, Room 247. Please contact Jakob Kanis at Jaapkanis@hotmail.com or (626)692-1751 for more information.
Sunday Morning Prayer - If you would like to spend time in prayer for our church and the greater Pasadena community, join with others in Reed Hall, Room 247, at 8:30 am on Sunday mornings. For more information please contact Isolina Gaus-Hoyt at medardagaus@gmail.com.
Helping Hands currently provides groceries to over 700 families each week and a team of faithful volunteers is needed to keep the distribution system running smoothly. If you are interested in serving, please contact Jim Yang at jwyang57@gmail.com or click the Serve Form button in the section below.
Distribution Team - Fill grocery bags, direct traffic, check in families, and load groceries into cars of community members as they drive by to pick up food.
When: Wednesdays from 8:00 am–12:00 pm
Where: PazNaz Helping Hands area
Warehouse Team – The Warehouse Team unloads food boxes from the truck, transports them to the warehouse, and then stores food in an organized manner.
When: Tuesdays from 8:30–11:30 am
Where: PazNaz Helping Hands area
Interested in Serving at Church?
We would love your help. If any of these areas interest you, click the button below to fill out the serve form.
Behind the Scenes – Are you handy with a hammer or have a skill in painting? You could serve in the “invisible spaces” of the church! Contact Melody Bundy at mbundy@paznaz.org for more information.
Cart Drivers - Drivers are needed to help people with limited mobility get from the parking lot to the Sanctuary. Please contact Pastor Darwin Ng at dng@paznaz.org for more information.
Church in the Park - Volunteers are urgently needed to help the Church In The Park ministry team with food preparation, distribution, and clean-up. People of all ages are welcome to get involved. For more information or to get connected with the ministry, please contact Godwin Shen at godwinsh@gmail.com or Vanessa Hadikusumah at gpiggy@gmail.com.
Media Team - Are you interested in volunteering as part of the Media Team? We need camera operators, photographers, and more. Contact Pastor Mateo Meares at mmeares@paznaz.orgfor more information.
Kitchen Help - If you enjoy cooking or serving food, please conciser serving on the Common Table kitchen crew on Wednesdays, 3:00-6:30 pm.
Welcome Team - A team of people is needed to make sure everyone feels welcome on Sunday mornings. Contact Melody Bundy at mbundy@paznaz.org for more information.
Give to PazNaz
We are grateful for the continued faithfulness of those who support PazNaz with their tithes and offerings. If you would like to give to the church, you can do so using any of these five ways:
Place your offering in the offering plates that are passed during the 9:30 am Sunday morning worship service.
Give online at: paz.nz/give
Text a dollar amount to: 626-727-9631
Drop off your tithe at the church office: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Mail your check to: First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
