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 2012
Lent as Spring Training
As I write this, pitchers and catchers will be arriving at spring training facilities all over the States of Florida and Arizona in 18 days, 11 hours, 31 minutes (but who is counting). In case you didn’t know this, I love baseball.
For a while in my youth, I even played the game. There were several challenges with me growing up and playing the game. Though I loved it, I got to the point where what I really needed was a great coach to give me directions, to help me find the weak parts of my game and to help me focus on strengthening them.
As it went, I didn’t have great coaching. I did what I wanted to do and was good at, and ignored the things I didn’t like and was poor at. Do you know the result? I never went as far as I could as a baseball player. If I would have had a good coach, he would have instructed me to step in the batting cage and take 100 swings at a curve ball every day. As it was, by the time I got to high school I couldn’t hit my weight, which at that time was 135 lbs. Not a way to move forward to the major leagues.
At a young age, I thought what I needed was a new glove, or a new set of spikes, or a new bat……what I really needed was direction, teaching, coaching, lessons….however you want to say it.
In our Christian life, we need the same thing. We often do what we like, are good at, are comfortable with as far as living Christianity and we ignore the areas that we aren’t very good at, feel uncomfortable with, or would rather just ignore.
Lent is a time for Christians like spring training is for ballplayers; where we once again focus on the basics of the faith/game, receive coaching on prayer, fasting, works of service, worship, financial generosity to the poor. It is a time when we are called once again to a whole life with Christ, so we can grow in our faith and our experience of what the Lord calls us to do not just in Lent but in every day of our lives.
So, approach Lent like a ball player approaches spring training. See it as a time to receive good coaching, practice the fundamentals of the faith, and experience the fullness of life that God has prepared for those who love him. Prayer, fasting, worship, self denial, works of charity, giving... Where is your strength? Where is your growth area? Play ball? Exercise faith!!!!
Fr. Rand ✞
The Season of Lent
History/Meanings/Traditions
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 22) to the Saturday (April 7) 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 fasting, study, works of service, charitable giving and, of course, worship 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.
Ash Wednesday
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. Please join the Prince of Peace Community for Services on Ash Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30am and noon in the Chapel and at 7pm in the Sanctuary (child care is available at this service). 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.
Easter Triduum
The Easter Triduum begins on Holy Thursday (April 5) with the Lord's Supper, is continued through Good Friday (April 6) with the remembrance of the crucifixion and reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil (April 7).
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: April 5
At the Lord's Supper / Foot Washing / Stripping of the Altar, we remember the Last Supper and the command that Jesus gave us to “love one another as I have loved you.” Remembering that Jesus became a servant as he washed their feet at the Last Supper, the priest washes the feet of selected members of the congregation.
The evening will begin in the Family Center with an Agape (simple meal), a reenactment of the Maundy Thursday evening story and of course Holy Communion. Following worship there is a procession to the church where prayers are shared, songs sung, and the Altar is stripped bare, reminding us of the absence of Jesus (while he is in the tomb).
GOOD FRIDAY: April 6
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 be a drama reenacting the events and reactions to the crucifixion.
EASTER VIGIL: April 7
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.
Worship Schedule
Lent 2012
Morning Prayer:
Every morning in the Chapel at 7:30am from Thursday, February 23rd through Saturday, April 7th (except Wednesdays at 6:30am and Sundays.) Start every morning in Lent by focusing on God and offering Him prayers and praise. If you cannot attend the services in the Chapel, you can still do Morning Prayer by visiting www.dailyoffice.wordpress.com.
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 22 – Ash Wednesday
Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes:
6:30am – Chapel
Noon – Chapel
7pm – Sanctuary
Sundays:
February 19 – Last Epiphany “The Last Week: Jesus Journeys to Jerusalem”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
February 26 – Lent 1: “The Last Week: Teaching in the Temple”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am – Pretzel Sunday
March 4 – Lent 2: “The Last Week: When Will You Return? The Final Judgment”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
March 11– Lent 3: “The Last Week: Lepers/A Grateful Woman/ A Traitor”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
March 18 – Lent 4: “The Last Week: The Last Supper”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
March 25 – Lent 5: “The Last Week: The Cross”
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
April 1 – Palm/Passion Sunday
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am – Service begins at the Family Center with the Palm Sunday Procession
Holy Week:
Thursday, April 5 – Maundy (Command) Thursday
Noon – Holy Communion in the Chapel
6:30pm – Family Center: Agape meal, Communion; Sanctuary:
Stripping of the Altar;
Chapel: Watch with me one hour vigil (9pm until noon Good Friday)
Friday, April 6 – Good Friday
Noon – Prayer Book Good Friday Liturgy in the Chapel
7:30pm – Good Friday Liturgy in the Sanctuary:
Saturday, April 7 – Holy Saturday
8pm – Easter Vigil: Service of Light, Lessons, Christian Initiation/Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Communion
Sunday, April 8 – Feast of the Resurrection/Easter Sunday
8 and 10am – Festal Communion/Flowering of the Cross
Reminder: The two services are identical. Seating is easier to find at 8am
Sunday, April 15 – Second Sunday of Easter
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am – Blessing of the Animals
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Lenten Sermon Series: The Last Week of Jesus’ Life
Fully one third of the gospel stories are about the final week of Jesus’ life. This Lent we will visit those Gospel stories (in chronological order) that tell the teachings and events Jesus shared with his disciples during his last week. The series is based very loosely (on the process but not the conclusions) on a book titled: The Last Week of Jesus by John Dominic Crossin.
Each week the emphasis will be on: What kind of King is Jesus? What is his kingdom like? And what does he expect of his followers?
February 19 Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem
February 26 Teachings in the Temple
March 4 When will you return? Judgment Day
March 11 Lepers/ a grateful woman / a traitor
March
18 The Last Supper
March 25 The Cross
April 1 Palm Sunday
Parish Family Notes
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Sponsored by: The Prince of Peace Youth Group Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6 – 8pm in Taylor Hall Adults: $5 Children age 4 – 12: $4 Children under age 3: no charge
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Education Opportunities in Lent
Opportunities for Christian growth are not just for Lent at Prince of Peace. Alpha, Anglican way, Bible Studies, and Small group studies go on all year. If you are a part of one of those learning communities, keep it up. If you aren’t, there is an opportunity for you to join a small group for 6 weeks during Lent (beginning the week of February 23rd). Groups are being hosted in parishioner’s homes in the evenings (7-8:30pm) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and in the afternoons (1-2:30pm) on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The series is entitled Mudhouse Sabbath from a book of the same title. In this DVD series, the author, Lauren Winner, (a convert from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity) shares numbers of the things she misses from Jewish practice because they were so much a part of Jesus’ life. We miss out on so much because we don’t understand the practices that shaped Jesus’ spiritual life. She challenges listeners to learn about these practices and in new ways incorporate them into Christian practice. The topics covered will be Sabbath Keeping; Hospitality; Prayer; Fasting; Mourning; and Doorposts.
To sign up please call the office at (818) 346-6968 or sign up on the patio after worship.
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Outreach Opportunities in Lent
Outreach Offering
During the Christmas season, we share wonderful gifts of charity and love with the world through our outreach offerings, however during Lent (which emphasizes the disciplines of self examination, prayer, fasting, and self denial) we don’t take up a collection to help our neighbors in need. That is about to change!
On two days during Lent, Palm Sunday (April 1) and Maundy Thursday (April 5) we will be taking a collection to be divided between two ministries (one international and one local).
The international ministry is called Nets for Africa. It provides mosquito nets for children in Africa (the lack of which causes malaria and the death of over 1 million people per year). The cost of a net is $12.
The local ministry is the Dubnoff Center and we are helping them with seed money for one of their fundraisers this year The Gospel Brunch at the Hollywood House of Blues set for April 15th.
Envelopes and mite boxes will be available on Ash Wednesday (February 22) and throughout Lent for you to use to donate to these worthwhile ministries.
Outreach Trip to LA Regional Food Bank pm Saturday, March 3
Join us as we carpool from Prince of Peace (meet at 7:30 am.) to the LA Regional Food Bank on Saturday, March 3. Registration at the Food Bank is from 8:30 am to 8:50 am the volunteer project is from 9 am to noon.
We will help with other volunteers in assembling food packages in the Feed the Soul While Helping Feed the Hungry event that day. The Food Bank is located at 1734 East 41st St., Los Angeles, Ca, 90058. Parking there is limited hence the need to carpool.
Minimum age requirement is 14 with no exceptions. If the volunteer is under 18 years old he/she needs to present a valid picture ID that shows his/her date of birth.
A Waiver and Release of Liability form must be completed by each volunteer. These forms will be available on March 3 as we meet at POP morning.
Safety requirements include: no open-toe, no open-heel or high heel shoes, flip-flops or sandals.
For further information contact Chuck Wathen at 818-341-5897 or e-mail at tigerjay502@sbcglobal.net.
A View From the Pew
The Lord’s Prayer
Every week we say the Lord’s Prayer as part of the service, but how many of us just say it without thought? The Lord’s Prayer is only in two gospels: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Most of us grew up saying the traditional or King James Version of the prayer. (The one with the now unused second person pronoun thy) As an English teacher and a lover of language, I miss this pronoun in our everyday life. The personal pronoun you just does not cut it for me which is why I do not like the contemporary version of the Lord’s prayer. It doesn’t sing. The pronoun “thy” is possessive. It specifically refers to God the father’s will being done and not my/our will. “Your” is the modern day version but it is not pointed enough for me.
When we say the Lord’s Prayer, we are inviting God to come to us. We are asking God to be a part of our everyday lives and help us. We also recognize that God is beyond or scope “who art in heaven, hallowed be they name.” It is also important to recognize that God is neither male nor female even though we refer to him as male. God is beyond gender. God’s name is holy and unknown to us. We cannot gaze upon God because it would be too much for us mortals. Next we ask that God’s kingdom come to earth as in heaven, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” It is up to us to create heaven here on earth. We are calling on God to help us with this endeavor.
In the prayer we are also asking God to forgive our sins, trespasses and or debts depending on the translation. Either way, we not only ask to be forgiven but also for the strength to forgive others. Last, but not least, we ask God to protect us from temptation and to deliver us from evil, but what kind of evil is not clear. Is it the devil, is it the everyday grind or is it just the evil in the world? I do not know. I just know that I need God to protect me from what ever “it” is. This year during Lent, maybe we should all say the Lord’s Prayer from the heart instead of just our memory.
Kendall A. Childs✞
Children & Families Ministry
family@popwh.org (818) 346-6968 ext. 25
Lent is a special time when you can help your child understand the importance of prayer and turn their thoughts to God. We realize that our lives are filled with many responsibilities and finding family prayer time is a real challenge. We can start in small ways and build up to where not praying throughout the day would feel unnatural to your child. The simplest place to start is at meal times. Give a simple thanks, it can even be done while waiting in the car in a fast food line. There are many brief, good prayers in our Book of Common Prayer as;
Give
us grateful hearts, our Father, for all your mercies,
and make us mindful of the needs of others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bless,
O Lord, your gifts to our use and us to your service;
for Christ's sake. Amen.
We spend so much of our time in a car with our children. We can make it a practice to say a prayer at the beginning or end of an errand. When we ask our children how their day has gone we will have cause, with our child, to send up a prayer of thanks or need. There are countless times during a day a prayer can be said with a child and by doing so even very youngest child will come to understand the importance of prayer.
Another way we can turn our children’s thoughts to God is to place symbols for Lent around our home or possibly on a special table. Our child will then be curious and inquire about the items. A crucifix can bring a discussion of the sacrifice Christ made for us. A simple bowl of water can remind our child of their baptism. You can even place a photo of their baptism or their baptismal candle when they were sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever on the table. A bowl of sand can be used to remember God sent his only son to earth for us, or the desert was where Jesus preached his lessons. And, of course, a Bible, which holds God’s words to us.
This season, our POP children are on prayer adventure called “Prayer Safari”. We are helping our children understand the importance of prayer. They are learning that in the Bible God promises that He hears every prayer and that their prayers will be answered. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9. Please help our children by praying with them every day. God bless you!
Champions Calendar
February
19 10 am Safari Prayer & Nursery
26 Annual Pretzel Sunday - children preschool through 5th grade will be making pretzels during the 10am service. We hope you will enjoy this Lenten gift lovingly created by God’s kids at Prince of
March
04 African Presentation by Tomusange
11 10 am Safari Prayer & Nursery
18 Children’s homily- (K-5) begin in church, Safari Prayer & Nursery
25 10 am Safari Prayer & Nursery
April
01 Palm Sunday: 10am, meet together with your family outside the Family Center to join in the Palm Procession. Children in Preschool and Kindergarten through Grade 5 will then proceed to class. Join in The Big Fill in Taylor Hall (the upper hall) following the 10am service where we’ll fill 1000 plastic eggs in preparation for the Easter Egg Hunts!
08 Happy Easter! Easter Egg Hunts after 8am & 10am service, Lil’ Lambs Nursery will be open Easter Sunday providing loving childcare during the 10am service. Flowering the Cross – Children are invited to bring a flower to the 8am or 10am service and come forward to “flower the cross” in celebration of Easter.
Youth Ministry
Youth News
TRANSITIONS
This year has been a year of transition for the Youth Groups of Prince of Peace. Over the past few years, a strong group emerged due to the leadership of Lisa Michael. Personal reasons prevented her from continuing in the position of Youth Director.
The bonds formed in the group were strong and helped the youth move forward in their spiritual journey and in their relationship to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I know they have the resilience, and by God’s grace, will move forward while honoring the bonds they have formed with each over the years.
Change is never easy and this has been a painful time for the Youth Group members. Please pray for our youth and me as we begin again. Plans have been made for events and curriculum: a little study and prayer and a whole lot of fun. By God’s grace, we will move forward while cherishing the past.
The curriculum being used is Journey to Adulthood (Episcopal) and Sticky Faith ( Fuller Youth Institute).
Middle School Youth meet at 4:00PM in the Youth Center on Sundays.
High School Youth meet at 6:30 PM in the Youth Center on Sundays.
A parents meeting will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 11:00 AM in the youth center to discuss events requiring parent participation.
Upcoming Events:
February 19: Tim Sabourin presents the last session in Mindfulness/ High School
February 21: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Fundraiser / Middle and High School. PLEASE SUPPORT US!
Wednesday Homework Club
Will meet from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Youth Center.
Blessings,
Tory Riihimaki ✞
Youth Director
661-406-5116
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Planned Giving
“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God love a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” II Corinthians 9:6-8
What would the West Valley be without the Food Pantry? What would the families and the children in Uganda do without the many ministries here at Prince of Peace? What would your children do without the Homework club? What would we do without Alpha? Or the Music Ministry? What would Woodland Hills be like without Prince of Peace Church? How would your life be different without Prince of Peace? I know my life would be empty. I am planning to leave a portion of my estate to Prince of Peace so that it can continue to do the Lord’s work in this community and the world at large. During Lent we will be presenting a workshop on Planned Giving. There are many opportunities to help Prince of Peace to continue its mission and ministries. If Prince of Peace is an extension of your family and has been a comfort to you and your family during your lifetime, then how will you help Prince of Peace after you are no longer here? If you would like more information about Planned Giving, please contact Kendall Childs, childskendall628@gmail.com or Simon Frost, frostsimonr@gmail.com. More information is coming about Planned Giving.
Kendall A. Childs✞
Stewardship Chair
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PeacePrints Editorial Info Submissions for Easter Newsletter, 2012
The submission deadline for the Epiphany edition of PeacePrints is Sunday, March 20. Please e-mail items to Katherine Geeslin at office@popwh.org or put articles on a disk and leave them in the “Office Administrator’s” box in the Church office. Make sure to include a printed copy of your article. 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 |