PazNaz Update | September 22, 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Pastor Aaron Gregory
“What Are You Wearing?”
Ephesians 6:10 - 6:24
Quotes from the Sermon
“Our war against the three enemies of the soul is not a war of guns and bombs. It’s not against other people at all. It’s a war on lies. And the problem is less that we tell lies and more that we live them; we let false narratives about reality into our bodies, and they wreak havoc on our souls.”
“The small private or personal struggles that we face are part of God’s larger ongoing battle. So the underlying point is that the death and resurrection of Jesus not only won the primary victory but also redefined the battle. The real enemy is not the Syrians, the Greeks, the Romans or any other pagans, then or now. It is death itself, the chaos-monster that is determined to obliterate God’s good creation. When humans worship idols, and sin as a result, they give away their proper image-bearing power to the forces of darkness. That happens when people think they have to defend the gospel itself, or something called ‘Christian Civilization’, by force of arms. No: if you fight fire with fire, fire always wins. The resurrection demonstrated that on the cross Jesus defeated sin itself. The ongoing battle is then to be fought by renewed humans, holding the line, defending the new creation which Jesus has launched.”
Challenge for the Week
Choose one thing that is forming you away from Jesus and replace it with one practice that forms you toward Jesus.
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:
Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad, and 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 Praise and Prayer
Led by Mike Eggehorn | Lee Chapel
Gather for worship and 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!
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 this 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.
MomCo Launches at PazNaz September 30!
BroCo ALSO Launches On September 30
While MomCo is an official nationwide ministry, BroCo is officially PazNaz’s thing! We don’t want our dads to feel left out, so we’ve launched a ministry just for them! BroCo will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, coinciding with the MomCo schedule. Our first gathering will be Wednesday, September 30! This fall, we’ll be going through a video study of Live No Lies by John Mark Comer. Each BroCo gathering will include dinner, fellowship, and time to grow together in faith. We’d love to see you there!
Oasis Talent Show
Your favorite event of the year at PazNaz has almost arrived! Join us Saturday, October 17 at 6:00 pm in Lee Chapel for the 4th Annual Oasis Talent Show, presented by our Special Needs Ministry! Come celebrate the gifts and talents of our Oasis community with music, skits, and more — all in the spirit of this year's theme: everyone has a seat at the table. Free admission, all ages welcome, refreshments to follow. We can't wait to see you there!
PazNaz Youth Fear Factor
Calling all junior high and high schoolers! Get ready for one of Pastor Hudson’s all-time favorite events: Fear Factor! Join us for eating challenges, friendly competition, prizes, and plenty of fun. Come ready to compete, cheer each other on, and maybe step outside your comfort zone! We’ll see you Sunday, October 25, at 6:00 pm in the PazNaz Gym.
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, Christina Curtis, Emily Denney, 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, Margaret Street, Nan Tirado, Jerry Todd, Pat Todd, Carol Wagstaff, Walter Ware, 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
Bryan London grew up here with his Father H.B. London, our former senior pastor (1984-1990). His memorial service will be on Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 am in Lee Chapel.
Christina Wobser Reed’s memorial service will be on Saturday, October 17, at 10:30 am. She is the granddaughter of Wes and Eleanor Reed, after whom Reed Hall is named.
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.
Wednesday Evening Praise and Prayer - Gather in Lee Chapel at 6:30 pm for worship and prayer for PazNaz and other concerns on Wednesday evenings. For more information contact Mike Eggehorn at mike.eggehorn@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
