April 28th - Easter 5

PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH

Is called to know, love, and serve Jesus as Savior and Lord,

to share his healing and transformation with all people.

Services at 8am and 10am

10am is live streamed

Are you always learning? Are you always exploring? 

I have talked about continuing growth in my spiritual life, and today I want to talk about the way I have grown in my understanding and practice of ministry. Here are a few ways that I have grown in ministry that have become constants in how I have tried to “do church.” 

1.     I have come to believe that “Something is not quite right in this life. “When C.K. Chesterton was asked the question, “What is wrong with the world?” He responded, “I am.” How can I work at staying “right” with God? One way of staying right is by reflecting daily by asking the question given to me by Jesus, “How does Rand love God and how did he love his fellow human being?” That question has helped me realize that I can be part of what’s wrong with the church/world or what is right with the church/world. This observation has made me the king of the apologizers as I have recognized my shortcomings. In ministry to admit you made a mistake is the grace of God that healthy ministry can be built on.  The second reality is I know that I’m not the only person who makes mistakes. Relying on God’s grace myself for the times I have messed up can give me the ability to extend that same grace from God to others. That has helped me to grow in my understanding of others and compassion toward them.

2.     In our either or world, I can be both a giver and a receiver. I have spent years giving and serving my family, the church and community. To be honest sometimes serving has been injurious to my mental and spiritual well- being. As I began to realize that self-care was an important part of Jesus ministry, and began to practice it myself, personal healing took place. Self-care in ministry (ordained and lay) includes taking time off (sabbath keeping), making your family a priority, practicing physical and spiritual exercise, eating good food, enjoying good company, getting adequate sleep, and being able to say no or not now without guilt. Without self-care practices ministry is like a plant that does not get food or water. Where it may still be “there” it isn’t healthy.

3.     It's all about God as revealed in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Where I jokingly share with the staff “It’s all about me,” the way I know I have to do ministry is “all about God.” The God who created the world and blessed it. The Son who came to show us the way to live, and died so that might truly live, and the Holy Spirit, the giver of true life. Experiencing each aspect of the trinitarian God has been essential to my leadership at Prince of Peace. We don’t just have to experience “one thing about God” we are invited to experience the “fullness of God.” 

If you have a center, beliefs that direct your life, everything doesn’t necessarily become easier, but you at least can focus on the right things. May discovering and living God’s way always be your direction in life.

Father Rand

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW)

 invite your participation in our

WOMEN'S RETREAT

Sound of Your Voice

Slow the pace, turn down the volume, and listen for the voice of God

Saturday, April 27, 2024 - 9 am - 2 pm

Lunch included - cost $25.00

Reasoner Family Center

Speaker: Allison Sain

• Married, mother of 2 adult sons
• Educator and Youth Minister for over 30 years
• Spiritual Director
• Member of Ignatians West
• Loves sports & camping

There is still time to register!

Call or email the office or contact Sandi Totter directly.

May, June, July Forward Day by Day is now available in the Welcome Wagon or in the church office. Start your journey of discipleship by finding the page for the current day. Each page starts with a brief Bible verse. The texts put the reader in community with everyone else reading that text.

Worship and Discipleship

SUNDAY MORNING WITH THE PASTORS THIS Sunday, April 28 at 9 am in the Guild Room Fr. Brian and Fr. Rand will have “office hours” to hear your ideas, to field your curiosity questions, and to share things that are happening around the parish. We are hoping to make this a regular event. 

World Labyrinth Day: is Saturday, May 4^th at 12:30 at Prince of Peace. Our official walk together is scheduled for 12:30pm but you are welcome to walk the labyrinth any time. For more information please contact Chantel Zimmerman or Joan Floyd.

It’s KARAOKE time! The ECW is once again hosting karaoke night with KIKI Karaoke, and we don’t want you to miss this one, so SAVE THE DATE! Join us on Saturday, May 4^th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for a night of music, fun, and fellowship! Warm up your vocal chords, or come to encourage our singers. Drinks and some snacks will be available for purchase. Children welcome. RSVP to Patti Crawford or sign up at church.

CELTIC WORSHIP May 12^th Worship 10 am. We will celebrate an important part of our Anglican Christian spiritual heritage as we remember our connections with Saints Patrick, Aiden, and Brigit and worship with Celtic style music (strings and pipes will be used) and pray ancient Celtic liturgy in our morning liturgy. 

Pentecost Service: May 19^th Do you speak/ read a language other than English? Would you like to be a part of reading the Acts 2 passage in your native tongue as a part of the Pentecost Service May 19th? If so, please contact Fr. Rand and he can share you more information. rector@popwh.org. 

Across the US and Around the World is the theme of this year’s Pentecost brunch.  It will be held following the 10 am service on May 19th in the Reasoner Family Center. We’re inviting everyone to bring a favorite food that represents their city, state, or country. This is always a fun time to try out new food, enjoy old favorites, and fellowship together! Email Becky Wray if you would like to bring a dish.



Next Baptism: is scheduled for June 2^nd. If you, or someone you know is considering Baptism, please contact the office or one of the priests. Everyone is welcome!

Service

Health Ministry: Blood Pressure Screening is May 5^th following each service in the Guild Room.

Kathie Clark Scholarship: 2024 Graduating Senior Female

Senior girls who are graduating high school 2024, are invited to submit an application for the Kathie Clark Scholarship.

This scholarship, of up to $1,500.00, is awarded to a graduating senior who must meet the following criteria:

·       Is registered* to attend a post-secondary educational institution,

·       Demonstrates past and present involvement in the Prince of Peace Church community and social services that help those less fortunate.

·       Additional requirements are contained in the application.

Please contact the POP Office (818) 346-6968 to obtain an application form or for more information, call Rosemary Stewart. All completed applications are due no later than Friday, May 31, 2024

*We understand you may not have received confirmation from many educational Institutions at the time this application is due.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY: family@popwh.org   

We are moving along Route 66 (The Books of the Good Book) into the book of Acts.

Kids and families were given an assignment to practice reading Acts 2: 5-8 (The Pentecost Story), optionally in a foreign language.

We have also invited several parents and guests to read these verse in foreign languages. Come, Holy Spirit, Come! We have 3 E-words for the week: EQUIP, EMPOWER and EMBOLDEN.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is on JULY 8 – 12, 9-noon with optional Afternoon Camp until 3:30pm.

Register now for SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God. Space is limited! This is for entering Kindergarten to 5^th grade.

We have lots of Volunteer Opportunities for Adults and Youth too! Do you have sea stuffed animals you can lend us? Please contact Alma Fountain family@popwh.org if you have any questions or interested in help us prepare for this important Children and Families Ministry program. Click titles below for forms:

Camper Registration Form         Youth Volunteer Form   Adult Volunteer Form

Scouts Pancake Breakfast: Our own Troop 22 is making breakfast for us! The date is Sunday, May 5, the price is $8 per person from 8am to noon. Plan to enjoy a full pancake breakfast including sausage, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and juice before or after services and support our troop!

Stamp Out Hunger: The Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Sorting in the PoP parking lot will be on Saturday, May 18^th.  Volunteers are needed that day from 10-1pm to sort the food once it arrives at POP.  For more information, contact Debbie Decker at foodpantry@popwh.org.

'With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)

An Encouraging Prayer for a Friend

Dear Lord,

I pray for my friend right now.

I pray that you will help them with the struggles they are going through in this season. For you know exactly what they need in this moment.

Draw near to them and let them feel your presence.

Open their eyes, ears, and hearts to you.

Help them have the discernment to hear your voice

as you lead them in their next steps.

Speak to them as they read your word

and bring verses of encouragement and comfort to their attention.

I pray that you will calm any fear or anxiety they may be feeling.

Replace it with the confidence to obey your word and to trust you.

I pray that your guidance will be clear to them from this day forward.

In your name, I pray.

Amen.

- Author Unknown

April 21st prayer requests and thanksgivings have been compiled and are available here for your prayers and meditation. Updated prayer requests are printed on a WEEKLY basis.

• Please submit your prayer requests and thanksgivings in church on the yellow or blue prayer slips, OR by clicking here.

Prince of Peace Church

5700 Rudnick Ave,

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

+1 818-346-6968

office@popwh.org