The seasonal newsletter of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church

Prince of Peace, 5700 Rudnick Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Tel: 818-346-6968 Fax: 818-346-3349

Web: www.popwh.org

E-mail: office@popwh.org

 

Lent 2018

 

From the Rector

Lent

A Season of the Church year, Lent is the 40 day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter (excluding Sundays).  The purpose of the season is to renew and strengthen our spiritual lives.  We do this in worship together, but also individually as we choose how we personally want to observe this time.

 

Christianity offers a number of things to the world:

1. Belief in one God.
2. Worship of that God who created us and saves us from sin and death in Jesus.
3. Prayer to God primarily to seek his will.
4. Communion with God and with others.
5.  A path to follow which advances God’s agenda right here, right now.

 

The practices of these makes up what we call traditions.  We have numerous traditions in my household (things that we pass down from generation to generation).  Birthday celebrations, Advent/Christmas traditions with candles and calendars, trees and figurines, stories and toys. Thanksgiving and Easter feasts with special family dishes to enjoy with family and friends. These are things and events that Kathryn and I hope our children will also see as valuable and not just as obligation: coming together as family to celebrate relationships and bonds that are important and shared as members of the Reasoner family. Within this edition of the newsletter is a list of traditions that the church has held as very valuable for her members to experience and practice.

 

Might I be so bold as to suggest that you follow (to the best of your ability and with God’s help) the traditions of the church this season of Lent by self-examination, repentance, prayer, worship, fasting, service to others, self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word?  This is what the family of God does during this time.

 

Perhaps we can join together in a new way this year?

 

Peace as we enter the Lenten Season,

Fr. Rand

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The Season of Lent

History/Meanings/Traditions/Discipleship Opportunities

Lent comes from an Anglo-Saxon word Lencten, which means a time of the lengthening of days (in other words “spring.”)  Lent is a forty day period (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday (February 14) to the Saturday (April 1) before the Feast of the Resurrection (Easter).

 

The first historic mention of this period is mentioned in Christian writings about 100 A.D.  It began as a brief period of strict fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter.  The custom was probably taken over from Judaism as it was customary at that time for Jews to fast in preparation for Passover.

 

In the fourth century, as Christianity became a legal religion, some problems developed for the church.  One was that many new converts to the faith only partly understood it.  A necessity for extensive teaching and preparation for baptism candidates became the focus of Lent. 

 

Significance

The purpose of Lent today is to renew and strengthen our spiritual lives.  Through worship, self-examination, fasting, works of service, reading and meditating on God's Holy Word and prayer we are reminded again of the basic message of our faith: the love of God (exemplified by the sacrifice of his son, Jesus, on the cross), the forgiveness of sin and the new life promised to all who put their trust in the Risen Lord Jesus.

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Worship

Ash Wednesday: February 14

The Beginning of Lent:  A special worship service is celebrated calling the church (us) to a time of special devotion by “self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.”  A sign of the cross is traced on penitents’ (those who are sorry) foreheads as a sign of sorrow and as a reminder that, without Jesus’ salvation, we are dust and to dust we shall return. The ashes are usually made from burning Palm Crosses that have been returned or left over from the previous Palm Sunday.  Please join the Prince of Peace Community for Services on Ash Wednesday, February 14 at 6:30am in the Chapel and at noon and 7pm in the Sanctuary. You might want to look at your Book of Common Prayer (page 264) for the lessons, prayers, and actions that take place on this day.

 

Morning Prayer: 7am in the Chapel beginning Thursday, February 15

 At publication time, we are working on new ways to share Morning Prayer with the community of Prince of Peace.  If you are interested in joining us online, or by phone at 7am each day of the week (excluding Wednesday and Sunday) please send your email address to Fr. Rand at Rector@popwh.org.  You can do morning prayer in the Chapel with others from the parish on your way to work or from the comfort of your home or office.  Instructions on how to call or log will be emailed to you.

 

Men's Choir

Rehearsals will be held Thursday evenings at 6:30pm in the Family Center beginning February 15.  The Men's Choir will provide music for the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 31 at 8pm. All men are welcomed and encouraged to participate.  Boude Moore, 818-892-6590.

 

The Sunday Lessons

            First Sunday- February 18:            Mark 1:9-15

                                                                        Jesus Baptism and Temptation in the Wilderness

            Second Sunday- February 25:      John 1-:1-13            

                                                                        Jesus the Good Shepherd

            Third Sunday- March 4:                  John 13:1-17

                                                                        A New Commandment

            Fourth Sunday- March 11:             John 6:4-15              

                                                                        The Feeding of the Five Thousand

            Fifth Sunday- March 18:                 John 12:30-33

                                                                        Jesus Predicts His Death

            Palm Sunday- March 25                 Matthew 21:1-11

                                                                        Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

 

Easter Triduum

The Easter Triduum begins on Holy Thursday (March 29) with the Lord's Supper, is continued through Good Friday (March 30) with the remembrance of the crucifixion and reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil (March 31).

 

The Season of Lent technically ends on Thursday of Holy Week. Then the Church remembers the death and resurrection of Jesus during the Easter Triduum. These three days are the most important time of the Church year.

 

MAUNDY (command) THURSDAY:  March 29 at noon and 7:30pm

We remember the Last Supper and the command that Jesus gave us to “love one another as I have loved you.”  The evening will include foot washing and Holy Communion. 

 

GOOD FRIDAY: March 30 at noon and 7:30pm

On Good Friday we remember the death of Jesus. According to an ancient custom, communion is not celebrated on this day or before the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The Good Friday liturgy will be shared at noon (Book of Common Prayer page 276).  The evening service will include Solemn collects done by choir in various styles. 

 

EASTER VIGIL: March 31 at 8pm

On Holy Saturday, the Church gathers to celebrate the Easter Vigil. The celebration of the Easter Vigil begins at 8pm in the darkness.

 

The Easter Vigil has four parts: (Book of Common Prayer page 285) The Service of Light; the Liturgy of the Word; the Liturgy of Baptism; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

 

During the Service of Light, all the lights in the church are turned off and a fire is prepared outside the church. Then the fire is blessed and the Paschal Candle is lighted from the new fire. The candle is carried into the dark church. It is a sign of Christ, the Light of the World, who has overcome the darkness of sin and death. The lighted Paschal Candle provides the only illumination. Then, as the liturgy of the word is shared, more candles are lit after each reading until the church is awash in candlelight.

 

During the Liturgy of the Word, the story of God's great love for us is proclaimed in readings from the Old Testament, developing God’s work of salvation among the Jewish people.

 

During the Liturgy of Baptism, those who have been preparing for Baptism and their godparents are called forward. The candidates are baptized and the newly baptized and community of faith await their sharing in the Eucharist.

 

The Easter Vigil concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist. This is a joyous sharing in the sacrificial meal of Jesus Christ, Lord and Risen Savior.

 

EASTER Sunday: April 1 at 8am and 10am

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead.   Easter is a movable feast. That is, the date of Easter is not fixed but is determined by a system based on a lunar calendar.  Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox (usually on March 21) The date of Easter can range between March 22 and April 25 depending on the lunar cycle.  Like Christmas, Easter itself is a period of time rather than just a day. It is actually a seven-week season of the church year called Eastertide, the Great Fifty Days that begins at sundown the evening before Easter Sunday (the Easter Vigil) and lasts for six more Sundays until Pentecost Sunday.

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Self Examination

Tuesday Evening Lenten Series

Pilgrimages of Faith: Experiencing God More Deeply in Uncertain Times.”

Our Lenten Evening series this year is entitled: “Pilgrimages of Faith: Experiencing God More Deeply in Uncertain Times.”  You are not alone if you have ever been faced with a hardship or challenge and wondered: “Where is God in this situation?”  We want to fully experience God’s presence always! But how can we draw nearer to God when God seems far away?  This teaching series will explore and celebrate the many streams of Christian Spirituality that can light the path of our personal journeys to a deeper experience of, and more confident trust in God.  We will also reflect on the ways that, just as we go through stages of growth in our physical and emotional lives, we also pass through stages of growth in our personal pilgrimages of faith.  We will reflect on how it is possible to get “stuck” in our journeys, and explore spiritual practices that can help us to thrive.  The Gospel of Luke provides a wonderful foundation to guide us.  Luke structures his narrative around Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem and the Cross, while illustrating the stages of faith His followers experience as they accompany him.  We also will celebrate the faith journeys of women and men who can be examples for us, while celebrating our own walks with God.  Please join us for a soup supper and study beginning Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30pm, and continuing each Tuesday in Lent. Childcare is available upon request.  Please contact the office at (818) 346-6968 or office@popwh.org. 

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Fasting

Fasting has been one of the traditional Lenten practices.  Sometimes this is directed toward food (giving up a certain food, or giving up a meal throughout the season).  Others choose to give to God a behavior or substance that has a hold in our lives.  It is also a time when many Christians take on a new positive course of action such as spiritual reading, bible study, worship, giving to charity and hands on service.

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Charity and Works of Service

Outreach/ Lent and Easter Offering

Clean Water (Episcopal Relief and Development)

Water is essential for life.  But the quality of the world’s fresh water resources is threatened by improper sanitation, agricultural runoff and lack of treatment facilities, as well as, disasters and environmental changes.  Every 15 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease. 

 

In parts of the world where women and girls bear the primary responsibility for finding and collecting water, degradation and scarcity of this precious resource is an even greater challenge.  Often, young girls can’t go to school because they have to walk for miles to find fresh water for cooking, bathing, drinking and other critical needs.

 

Episcopal Relief & Development is committed to ensuring that safe and clean water is accessible even in the most rural communities.  In partnership with local organizations, we support communities in developing clean sources of water. Your gift helps empower communities to create safe and clean water sources by:

Please use the water bottle in the middle aisle of the church for cash donations, write a check payable to Prince of Peace with "ERD - Clean Water" in the memo line or use the Easter Offering envelopes to give generously.  Thank you!

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Reading and Meditating on God’s Holy Word

Bible Study- Hosanna: A Spiritual Journey through Holy Week

9am Wednesday Mornings in the Guild Room beginning February 21

9am Sunday Mornings in the Chapel beginning February 18  

Explore the main texts in all four Gospels and in Paul’s writings that deal specifically with the last week of Jesus’ life and His resurrection.

Topics:

            Holy Week Begins!

            Thursday Night

            Friday

            From death to New Life From Paul's Perspective

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Prayer

Stewardship of Creation Brochure

Each day, an action that you can practice will help you learn about the valuable resources of the earth we steward and lead us to care for “this fragile Earth, our island home.”  This resource will be available in the Narthex (entrance to the church) or the Welcome Wagon.

 

Devotional Book

"Sacred Readings for Lent 2018"  Roman Catholic in origin and wonderfully rich in content, this booklet asks you each day in Lent to read a Gospel lesson, note what you think and feel, listen to Jesus, and ask God to show you how to respond today. Available in the Narthex (entrance to the church) or at the Welcome Wagon.

 

Forward Day by Day

An Episcopal Publication that gives you a daily scripture reading, a reflection, and a question on how you can move forward in faith. Pick up the February-April edition at the Welcome Wagon

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Worship Schedule

Lent 2018

Morning Prayer:

Every day (except Sunday) in Lent beginning Thursday, February 15 in the Chapel at 7am (Wednesdays at 6:30am). Please email Fr. Rand at rector@popwh.org for instructions on how to participate from home.  You can also visit www.dailyoffice.org for daily lessons.

 

Wednesdays: 

6:30am – Holy Communion in the Chapel

This service is ½ hour long followed by a continental breakfast.  A great service for commuters who want spiritual refreshment for the middle of the week.

 
Wednesday, February 14– Ash Wednesday

Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes:

6:30am – Chapel

Noon – Sanctuary

7pm – Sanctuary

 

Ashes To Go.  Teams will be on the northeast corner of Topanga Canyon and Ventura Boulevards from 8am to 6pm offering the imposition of ashes to anyone and everyone who stops by.  Contact George Packer for more information at cresrealty@gmail.com.

 

Sundays:

February 18 – Lent 1: Jesus Baptism and Temptation in the Wilderness
8 and 10am – Holy Communion

10am – Pretzel Sunday

 

February 25 – Lent 2: Jesus the Good Shepherd

8 and 10am – Holy Communion

 

March 4 – Lent 3: A New Commandment
8 and 10am – Holy Communion

 

March 11 – Lent 4: The Feeding of the Five Thousand

8 and 10am – Holy Communion

 

March 18 – Lent 5: Jesus Predicts his Death

8 and 10am – Holy Communion

 

March 25 – Palm Sunday : Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

8 and 10am – Holy Communion

10am – Service begins at the Family Center with the Palm Sunday Procession

 

Holy Week:

Wednesday, March 28
6:30am – Holy Communion

 

Thursday, March 29 – Maundy (Command) Thursday

Noon – Holy Communion in the Chapel

7:30pm – Sanctuary: Foot Washing, Communion, Stripping of the Altar 
Chapel: Watch with me one hour vigil (9pm until noon Good Friday)

 

Friday, March 30 – Good Friday

Noon – Prayer Book Good Friday Liturgy in the Chapel

7:30pm – Good Friday Liturgy in the Sanctuary:

 

Saturday, March 31 – Holy Saturday

8pm – Easter Vigil: Service of Light, Lessons, Christian Initiation/Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Communion

 

Sunday, April 1 – Feast of the Resurrection/Easter Sunday

8am–    Festal Communion

10am – Festal Communion/Flowering of the Cross

 

Sunday, April 8 – Second Sunday of Easter

8 and 10am – Holy Communion

10am – Blessing of the Animals

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Parish Family Notes

 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

6 – 8pm

in the Family Center

 

$5 suggested donation.  All proceeds will benefit the Youth Group.

 

 

Thank you to our retiring Vestry members, Gary Palmquist, Gary Slemaker and Paul Bishop for all they have shared on behalf of this community.  Thank you for your service and God bless you in new areas of ministry.

 

Welcome to our new Vestry members, Elizabeth Bates, Lynn Gilson, Ann Lowe and Katie Palmquist.  Ann Gillinger will serve as Sr. Warden, Patty Papps as Jr. Warden and Elizabeth Bates as Clerk.

 

Congratulations to Debbie Decker who was recently honored in a ceremony at City Hall as an "Impact Maker to Watch in 2018" in recognition of the significant impact she has made to our community and to our city.

 

Save The Date: Palm Sunday, March 25 for DAYS FOR GIRLS - PATIO SALE Fundraiser.   Includes Candy and Baked Goods; Succulents gardens; Antique sales and More!! We will need your help to make this a success. Watch for more details during the coming weeks.  All proceeds go to purchasing materials and items to make sustainable hygiene kits for Days for Girls. Thank you for your continued support of this ECW project.

 

The Next Baptism will be at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 31 at 8pm.   If you are interested in the Sacrament of Baptism for yourself or are inquiring for someone else, please contact the parish office at 818-346-6968.

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Children & Families Ministry

family@popwh.org (818) 346-6968

 

What Can My Family Do During Lent?

+Think about Jesus.  +Help others.  +Pray for your family. 

+Pray for others.  +Try to be more like Jesus.

 

We pray that your family has a blessed Lent,

Linda & the Champions Teachers

 

An Lenten Event for Your Family

Sunday, February 18 at 10am

Your whole family is invited!

Lent is a season of Prayer and Devotion.

Just as the early Christians did, our children will begin their Lenten season by making pretzels for the congregation. We do this to remind ourselves how important prayer is. The dough is formed into the shape of two arms crossed in prayer.

 

 

Collecting Candy & Mini Toys – We are collecting candy and small toys that will fit into plastic eggs for our hunts on Easter. There will be a box by the donut table or it can be placed in the preschool room. THANK YOU!  Please - no peanut butter or nuts.

 

The Big Fill will be in Taylor Hall on Palm Sunday, March 25 following the 10am service. All are welcome to come and stuff plastic eggs with candy and small toys that we will use for our Easter egg hunts on Easter morning. Come & Join the FUN!

Calling All Easter Bunny Helpers! If you or your family would like to help with the Easter Bunny’s decoration of the lawn, putting out Easter Eggs, or helping with clean up, please contact Linda at family@popwh.org  Even bunnies can use help!

 

Easter Sunday, April 1 children are invited to bring flowers to “Flower the Cross” at the 10am service only.  There will also be Easter Egg Hunts after each service with paper bags provided. We will have an area for children under 4 years and an area for 4 years and over.

 

Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, April 8, on the patio at 10am.  All children are invited to bring their loving pets or a favorite plush animal for a blessing. There will be no Sunday School classes at 10am.  

 

Linda Sawyer

 

Calendar

February

18        Lent 1: Pretzel Sunday, All Invited to make Lenten Pretzels

25        Lent 2: 1 Kings, God Give Solomon Wisdom, Communion in Church

 

March

04        Lent 3: Ezra & Nehemiah

11        Lent 4: Esther, Communion in Church  

18        Lent 5: Psalms, Proverbs

25        Palm Sunday: Begin on Lawn for Procession, The Big Fill, Lenten Lesson

 

April

01        Easter Sunday Egg Hunts after 8 & 10am services

08        Easter 2:  Blessing of the Animals, Nursery only, No classes

15        Easter 3:  Job 

 

Related image

Looking Ahead:   Vacation Bible School: July 9-13, 2018

Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus"

Venture onto an uncharted island where kids are rescued by Jesus! Anchor kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through every storm in life. They'll learn to hold onto God's promises when they are lonely, they worry, they struggle, do wrong, and feel powerless.

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Youth Ministry

Youth Group Calendar:

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper- Tuesday, February 13.  Contact Marc Miller at youth@popwh.org to find out how you can help.  We need a set up crew, cooks and servers!  This is a great way for the youth group to raise money for future mission trips.  Parent volunteers are welcome too!!

 

Sunday Morning Meetings: continue to be on Sundays at 10am in the Youth Center.

 

Friday Night Fellowship: from 7pm - 9pm in the Youth Center. Meet for either a movie or game night (and definitely food!).

 

Guitar Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm - 8pm in the Chapel.  Marc Miller will be teaching guitar to anybody who shows up: youth or adult. It'll be group lessons and you have to bring your own guitar. During the last half hour at least, he will be playing praise and worship songs and anyone can come for that and sing along!

 

Contact Marc at youth@popwh.org for more information.

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View From the Pew

From the Sr. Warden

As the New Year begins, I realize that I, like many of you, am  in the middle of things.  Yes, a new year is a fresh start, but it is also a continuation of the commitments we have made and the decisions which guide our actions.    The New Year is an anniversary of sorts, of the next steps in our determination to live out the gospel as it is revealed to us at this time.  And, at this time, I am very blessed --  to be in this place, with these people, doing the things we all do to advance His kingdom.

 

Many of you know that I am temporarily sitting in our dear Katherine's chair each week trying to help the office run without the person who actually makes the office run!  From schedules, to bills, leases, contracts,  and salesmen;  toilets and sinks always needing attention;  and wonderful volunteers, parishioners, and pantry workers; things being fixed and those being triaged until later, our amazing Office Administrator is one talented lady who truly does it all!  Her indomitable spirit and her amazing sense of humor, inspire us all.

 

Beginning this year as Senior Warden, my goal is to assist our inspirational Father Rand.  Who knew it would include this up close and personal look at the life and times of the whole church family!  From where I am temporarily sitting, all is well, we are richly blessed, and each of us makes up the richly varied, and spirited-filled parish we call Prince of Peace.  May we experience a holy Lent as we prepare for the glorious  anniversary of His Resurrection

Ann Gillinger

 

PeacePrints Editorial Info

Submissions for Easter Newsletter, 2018

 

The submission deadline for the Easter edition of PeacePrints is Sunday, March 18. Please e-mail items (for April 1 - May 20) to Katherine Geeslin at office@popwh.org. Please call Katherine at (818) 346-6968 with questions. PeacePrints welcomes expressions of all views. Articles should be brief and are subject to editing. The author must be identified. Thanks!

 

Editor: Katherine Geeslin