The
seasonal newsletter of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church
Prince
of Peace,
Tel:
818-346-6968 Fax: 818-346-3349
Web:
www.popwh.org
E-mail:
office@popwh.org
Advent
to Epiphany 2019
From the Rector
Fr. Rand ✞
When late November and December roll
around I feel more than a twinge of panic. Advent and Christmas services to
plan, pledges to get in, budgets to massage, new vestry leadership to call into
ministry, and that doesn’t touch the family events of tree decorating,
Christmas programs with the grand kids, buying just the right presents, and my
favorite Christmas juggling of who goes where/when for dinner and gift
openings. In Advent I’m usually just
trying to keep all my plates spinning.
The irony is that the Advent Season
(that begins Sunday December 1st) is about fasting; reflecting, and preparation.
The season of Advent—those four weeks that precede Christmas day—were set aside
by the Church to prepare our hearts and minds for the joyful Christmas season
to come.
There is a holiday song that sings
“we need a little Christmas”—but I need a lot of Advent.
As much as I’d like to, I can’t just opt out of the year rush in
favor of a more contemplative Advent. But adding Advent activities to our busy
schedules will clearly not resolve this tension either. None of us needs more
to “do.” However, if you’re looking for ways to infuse the practice of Advent
into what you’re already doing this season here are a few ways to practice
peacefully:
Acknowledge the
darkness.
The days are short and the nights
are long this time of year. There’s a reason we celebrate the light coming to
the world in December. Give yourself permission to acknowledge that there is
darkness outside and often in our own hearts. Give yourself time to reflect on
your year and be honest with yourself and God about the challenges the last
year presented.
Reflect.
The crazy-wonderful news of Advent
is that our promise as Christians is Jesus, the Light of the world, sacrificed
His life for us while we were still lost in darkness. Light the candles around
your house, plug in the tree, and reflect on how powerful even the smallest
light is. They don’t totally dispel the darkness, but they wonderfully
transform it. Acknowledge the traces of “light” you recognize in your life.
Serve.
Serving others is an important
aspect of this seasons, but if you’re already stretched too thin, it doesn’t
have to consume your schedule. If you have more money than time, consider giving
money to the ECW who provide gifts for people in our community who will go
without. More time than money? Volunteer one morning at the food pantry or the
community dinner, or stop by the neighbor’s house to say Merry Christmas. No
time or money? Remember that all this work you’re doing for friends and family
is a service to them. Pray for each person you’ll see this year before the
holiday reunions. Serve them when they’re in the same living room as you,
knowing it will likely be another calendar year before you see many of them
again.
Practice
Hospitality.
Invite a shut-in, a family who
recently lost someone, or an immigrant or refugee to join you for your
Christmas feast. Adding a few more plates and chairs won’t be much extra work,
and it might mean the world to the person you invite.
Fast. It’s hard to imagine fasting with all these cookies around
and parties to attend! But the spirit of Advent can be observed in ways that
simplify December life. Take a media fast for a few days (no TV for example, or
Facebook). Or choose one day a week to prepare just a simple dinner for your
family, like rice and beans—and reflect on how much bounty we have.
Listen to Music. Advent is already full of music. Occasionally choose an album that
reflects on Advent. Music can create a haven of peace in a chaotic season.
Celebrate. When Christmas Eve rolls around, celebrate. Worship! Our light has come into the world. Don’t rush
to take the tree down by January 1, but consider enjoying the quieter days that
end the year by keeping it up for the full 12 days of Christmas.
Whatever you do, don’t let
celebrating Advent add to your crazy December to-do list! By offering a slight
change of focus, Advent just might save us for a blessed Christmas.
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Rand+
Advent is Latin for "coming" and begins the Sunday
nearest November 30th, the start of the liturgical year for the church. The season comprises the four Sundays before
Christmas and is a season of hope for Christ's coming now and as a promise of
his second coming. This makes it a special time for spiritual renewal.
Traditions:
The liturgical
color for Advent is lilac or purple .Keeping of an Advent wreath is a common
practice in homes and one Prince of Peace celebrates each Sunday with a family
lighting the candle. It's circle
represents eternity and the four candles symbolize the gradual approach of
light that will forever dispel darkness. Together, we prepare the way of the
Lord.
Advent 2019
Wednesdays:
6:30am
– Holy Communion in the Chapel
This
service 1/2 hour long followed by a continental breakfast
Sundays:
December 1 - Advent 1
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10 am Children: Light Advent Wreath, Pageant practice
December 8 – Advent 2
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am
- Children: Light Advent Wreath, Pageant practice in class and after in Church
10am
- High School Youth Meeting
11am Middle School Youth Meeting
December 15 - Advent 3
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am
- Children' s Pageant & Party
10am
- Middle School Youth Meeting
11am High School Youth Meeting
December 22 - Advent 4
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
10am
- Children' s Pageant & Party
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve
5pm Family Service with
Holy Communion
10pm
-Festal Communion
Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day
9am Holy Communion
Sunday, December 29 - The First Sunday
after Christmas
8 and 10am – Holy Communion
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A Message of thanks from Boude
and Karen Moore
Steel Magnolias quotes,
Prince of Peace Church, the serendipity of seeing 11:11 -- these are all
reminders of our beloved Katherine. "Laughter through tears" was her
favorite emotion and that's how she'd want to be remembered. She would take it
personally if we weren't sad but she wouldn't want us to get stuck in grief.
She'd quip, "I think we should pray!" and then chortle when her Dad
snapped "I'd rather eat dirt!"
When we think of POP, we are filled with
gratitude for all the prayers for Katherine and for us. We are thankful for the
outpouring of loving-kindness, calls, cards and gifts which have comforted and
sustained us. To paraphrase Steel
Magnolias, we love you more than our luggage! When we see 11:11, we pause
and remember Katherine, and know that all of you who loved her so dearly do,
too.
God’s Blessing to You All! Because of your donations, 93 children will experience God’s Love
by receiving a Christmas Shoebox this year. Of these boxes, 80 were sponsored in our Adopt-A-Box
program, giving our own younger POP children a chance to learn about giving and
loving others. When these boys & girls receive their boxes, they are
invited to learn about Christ through lessons in a discipleship program. “And
do what you learned and received from me. Do what I told you and what you saw
me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
A Special Thank You!
To you our devoted Champion Teachers who lovingly donate one or more Sundays a
month to share God’s word with our POP children.
Champion
Leaders; Alma Fountain, Kevin Fountain, Patty Papps, Marge
Stanton, Richard Muniz, Nova Heiss, Karen King, & Patti Crawford. Preschool: Mike Pavlowsky & Margie
Pavlowsky
V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V
Many thanks to Barbara
Partridge for the years she has spent managing and working our vegetable
garden. At the September Vestry meeting
Barbara shared that she is stepping down from this ministry. The Vestry thanked Barbara for her work and
is dealing with what is the next season for the vegetable garden here at Prince
of Peace. Some ideas are to make it an
education center for children, or perhaps rent allotments to people in the
community. The Vestry would love to hear
from you about your ideas.
Next time you see her please thank Barbara for her years
of service.
Special thanks to Etta
Litterini for following up on all the bids and challenges with the
installation of our new A/C and heater.
By the time you read this the doors should be installed and the project
completed. Thanks also to Ron Workman for working closely with
the contractor saving us hundreds of dollars, and sharing his expertise with
this community.
New Ushers…..John
Mueller (10am head usher) and Larry
Totter (8 am head usher) have recruited a number of new people to help in
this ministry: Gustar Barrow, Gina and
Christian Pierce
Thanks to Charlotte
Doctor who after years of faithful service has decided to retire from Lay
Eucharistic ministry.
We welcome New Greeters to that ministry: Hadley
Tarentino and Rick Brinson!
Congratulations to our Vestry
Nominees…..o Diana Kajabago,
Dorothy Seguin, Jesslyn Bothwell , and Erika Wirkkala. Read their biographies an upcoming Happenings e mail.
This Christmas shopping season please use the Amazon Affiliates link on our web site
or connected to our weekly e mails. Each
purchase you make, a percentage of the purchase goes to support our ministries.
Prince of Peace benefits every time anyone goes through this Amazon Referral
link. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn
more than the Amazon Smile program you may be used to using. Please use the link on the website or on the
weekly Happenings email to begin your
shopping and then bookmark that page!
Thank you!
Ralphs
rewards… Register your Ralphs rewards Card online at www.ralphs.com When prompted for our organization name and/or NPO number, we
are: Prince of Peace Episcopal
Church NPO SB250
Individual
purchases will begin counting towards our organization within 72 hours of
registering the individual rewards Cards on-line. Every time you shop for groceries and swipe
your card, PoP automatically starts earning a rebate. If your you do not have
access to a computer, or just want to talk to someone, please call 1-800- 443-4438 or1- 800-660-9003
and Ralph's will be happy to register for you. Your personal information is
secure and will not be shared with anyone.
You will know you have successfully registered your Ralphs reward Card
when you see at the bottom of your Ralphs receipt At your
request, Ralphs is donating to Prince of Peace Episcopal Church.
Participation
in this program DOES NOT interfere with your individual fuel Reward.
You
may only register your card with ONE organization - we hope you will make it
PoP! You can change your registration online at www.ralphs.com
THIS PROGRAM IS BASED ON ANNUAL RENEWAL, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T REGISTERED
THIS CALENDAR YEAR, PLEASE DO SO NOW!
The next
Baptisms will be on Epiphany, January 12 at 10am. Contact the office at office@popwh.org for an application.
Discipleship
WINTER BIBLE STUDY - THE PATH
PATH Bible Study resumes on Tuesday, January
7th with morning and evening meetings in the Guild Room. The morning session is 9 - 10:30am and the
evening session is 7 - 8:30 pm. each Tuesday through March 3rd. Please let the office know asap if you need a
book. Returning participants will continue in the PATH book from the fall
session.
Please do contact Richard Muniz (trpaine13@yahoo.com) or Paul Bishop (paulddb@yahoo.com) for more information.
Outreach Updates
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POP’s West Valley
Food Pantry and OUTREACH Opportunities Advent at the Food Pantry As our clergy is so fond of telling us, this season is
a time of preparation. At the Pantry we are working hard to feed almost 4,000
people this month AND have enough toys for 1,000 children. The number of
people in need always rises at the end of the year but this year has been an
exceptional challenge. In the last 10 months the hungry in our neighborhood
have increased by 25%. We need your
help to feed the hungry and pass along the joy of Christ’s birth with new toys
for our client’s children. How can you help? 1. Toys,
sports equipment, or gift cards for children ages 7 to 17 are the most needed
items. Our Pantry Toy Giveaway Event will be on Dec. 14th. If
you’d like to assist in providing a happy Christmas to these children who are
victims of poverty, please bring these items to the Pantry by Dec. 12th.
2. Donate
food. Breakfast cereals, peanut
butter, tuna, or holiday foods are always needed and welcome. 3. Volunteer!
We need help each morning in processing the food coming to the Pantry from
our local grocery stores and donation events. 4. DONATE!
Now that you’ve made your annual POP pledge, please consider making a
donation to the Pantry to help us meet the needs of those less fortunate in
our community. We are so blessed with food, shelter, clothing and
love. We at the Pantry thank God for all your support and assistance, and the
ability to help so many here on our Prince of Peace campus. With thanks and blessings, Debbie Decker Pantry Executive Director & POP Outreach Coordinator |
family@popwh.org
(818) 346-6968
This Advent Season our children will be learning the meaning of Advent
and lighting our Advent wreath during class each week.
‘The New Star’
Our Prince of Peace
children will be presenting a Christmas pageant called; ‘The New Star’ on Sunday, December 22nd at the
10am service. We will be rehearsing Sundays, Nov. 24, December 8 & 15.
Please make sure your child attends the practices, so they will feel
comfortable performing.
EXTRA SPECIAL REHEARSAL after
the 10am service on Sunday, Dec. 15th. Please plan to attend! This
helps your child understand how to move during the play and gets them more
comfortable being at the altar.
Christmas Pageant & Party Our POP children
will be presenting; “New Star” a Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 22nd,
during the 10am service. All children
must arrive by 9:15 am & proceed to Taylor Hall. After the pageant our
children will have a Christmas party in the Upper Hall.
Parents, to
make this Christmas Party special,
please bring one plate of the
following for Each of your
children; *Last
names A-R please bring 1 doz. Sandwiches. *Last
names S-Z please bring 1 doz. cookies
No
peanut butter or nuts please, several children have allergies. Thank you!
Beginning January 5th, 2020
Our
Prince of Peace children will begin a six week series called ‘The Fruit of the
Spirit’ that centers around six impactful stories that will guide your child in
new discoveries about God and their faith.
They
will learn a new Bible story for each Fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace,
goodness, patience, kindness, self-control, faithfulness & gentleness.
Save the Date
Family ‘Pretzel’ Sunday, February
23rd Begins 9:30am for breakfast.
Lent
is a season of Prayer and Devotion. Just as the early Christians did, your
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.
Children
& Families Ministry Schedule
December
01 Light
Advent Wreath, Pageant practice, Advent 1
08 Light
Advent Wreath, Pageant practice in class, Advent 2
15 Light
Advent Wreath, Pageant practice in class & after in Church
22 Christmas Pageant & Party, Advent 4
29 No
Classes, Have a Happy New Year!
January
06 Classes
Begin 10am, Fruit of the Spirit, Teachers
Meeting 9am
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Youth Ministry
Greetings Youth and
Families:
|
We are looking forward
to the Advent & Christmas Seasons! The annual Christmas party will
be celebrated in January near the end of the 12 Days of Christmas, and on
Sundays we will continue with our Forma curriculum through the end of this
year and into 2020. Here is the schedule through January: Day
School Section Middle High Dec 8
both classes at 10AM Dec
15 10AM 11AM Jan
5
11AM 10AM Jan
19
10AM 11AM In addition, we have
several Spring activities planned, including Shrove Tuesday Dinner, help with
the Annual Food Pantry / USPS Stamp Out Hunger drive in May, and fun
fellowship activities like movies and bowling. All High and Middle
Schoolers are welcome to join us!
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Contact
Dave at youth@popwh.org for
more information.
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PeacePrints Editorial Info Submissions
for the Epiphany Newsletter, 2020 The
submission deadline for Epiphany edition
of PeacePrints is Sunday, January 15,2020.. Please e-mail items covering
February, 2020- Lent, March1, 2020 to Ann
Gillinger at office@popwh.org. Please call Ann 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.
Thank you! Editor:
Ann Gillinger |