|
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.
| |
|
8am and 10am services
The 10am service is live streamed on YouTube!
| |
|
The Deacon's Den
I read a rather startling, but perhaps not surprising statistic the other day: Despite the world's overall emotional health taking a positive turn in 2023, a recent survey shows loneliness affects more than 1 in 5 people worldwide — which can lead to serious health concerns. 1 in 5 people! According to the Gallup survey out last Wednesday, about 23% of people said they felt loneliness "a lot of the previous day." Those who reported feeling lonely often felt things like physical pain, worry, sadness, stress, anger and anxiety.
"Loneliness is this feeling that there is a mismatch between the quality of social life that we have and the one that we want," according to psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma. "We can be in a room full of people and feel lonely, but it's this feeling that subjectively, people don't understand us, people are not with us." Dr. Varma said loneliness is "a medical problem" that should be taken very seriously. "It's the equivalent of having somebody smoke 15 cigarettes per day, and we know that it affects our mind and our body. It predisposes us to anxiety and depression. It increases our risk by 30% for heart disease and for stroke, and for dementia, it’s 50%, and 60% for premature mortality.”
And here we are, the first week in Advent, the beginning of the “Christmas Season”, when we all should be experiencing the joy and anticipation of the holidays and the coming birth of Jesus, but for many people, people we know, the season simply exacerbates the empty feeling of loneliness and sadness. Eileen Graham, an associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University School of Medicine, suggests that, as a culture, we need to do a better job of getting out of our individual shells and start looking outward. “We have to reach out and cure it for each other,” she said. “Try to identify ways that you can help other people feel like they are meaningfully connected.” Your clergy and vestry here at Prince of Peace have taken that suggestion to heart and will be visiting members of our parish family who may very well be experiencing a certain loneliness and sadness, especially at this time of the year.
And what about you? If 1 in 5 people is experiencing loneliness, we all must know someone who is lonely and would love a visit from us. Perhaps instead of mailing out all your Christmas cards, why not choose a couple of people on your list you know who would love their card to be delivered in person. Give them a call and maybe take them out for coffee or a bite to eat. For them, there is no greater gift than the gift of connection. Light that Advent candle in their life through the wonderful gift of human connection. As our folk apostles, Peter, Paul, and Mary, tell us in their song, Light One Candle, “Light one candle to bind us together with peace as the song in our hearts. Don’t let the light go out; let it shine through our love and our tears.” It’s the light of our Advent Wreath, and it’s a light we must keep aflame through the blessed gift of connection.
AMEN!
| |
|
PoP’s Advent/Christmas Outreach – Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina (Asheville)
The situation in the diocese:
• Churches closed for repairs
• Parishioners living in tents
• Teen suicides rising
• Parishioners experiencing PTSD symptoms
Where? In the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the level of hardship and trauma remains high. Winter is coming to the Great Smoky Mountains. Power and water are not fully restored. Damaged churches are sharing space with other churches. Mental health needs are skyrocketing.
PoP’s Advent/Christmas Outreach will go directly to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Use the QR code above or this link (https://secure.myvanco.com/YGJC/campaign/C-YGK5) to donate. Please give generously.
| |
|
Advent Study: Our four-week Advent study is being held after the 10am service in the Youth Room. Rev. Peace and Cara Gordon will be inviting discussion on
Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be
on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This is a great way to prayerfully prepare for the Savior's birth. At the start of each session, we'll be serving a light lunch. It isn't too late to participate, as each lesson is independent, so please join us – and bring a friend!
| |
|
LA Rams Visit Food Pantry! On 11/19, the Los Angeles Rams came to the Food Pantry to serve their community, bagging & distributing food for our clients and packing Thanksgiving bags!
Thanks to all of them for an outstanding day!
| |
|
Prayer of the Week
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces
to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people,
walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
(Henri J.M. Nouwen)
| |
|
Diocesan Discernment Year for Ordination: As you may remember from Fr. Brian’s ordination process, he spent a year at another parish to confirm his calling to ordained ministry. We are pleased to welcome Cathy Gero, who will be doing the same as our Diocesan Discernment Year 2025.
Cathy joined us at Prince of Peace this past Sunday, December 1. She will be here about 8 hours a week (including Sundays) through August 1, 2025.
The goal is to get a different perspective on ministry from that of her home parish, St. Stephen’s in Santa Clarita. Cathy will be involved in various aspects of ministry. We welcome the opportunity to help the Diocese and Cathy discern her call for ordained ministry.
| |
|
Playground Rededication: On Sunday, November 24, our playground was officially rededicated.
Monty Jenkins, Marufu Bahingire, Kevin Fountain, and Dan Nelson (not shown in this photo) received certificates in appreciation for their work on the Playground Refresh Project.
Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen!
| |
SUNDAY SCHOOL: In this season of Advent, Sunday School will focus on the TRUE Christmas message. We are learning what is the Christmas Story, who are characters in this story, and why is this story very important to us. Why do we celebrate Christmas? This Sunday, we will examine the message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary and to Joseph.
We are also practicing for the Christmas Pageant! Please plan to come to church on Dec. 22 at 10am and be a part of our Christmas Pageant.
God bless you and all the children Jesus entrusted in our care!
Blessings,
Alma Fountain
| |
Condolences to the family and friends of Ted Stanton. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at Prince of Peace Saturday, January 25 at 10:30am with a reception following in the Reasoner Family Center. May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him.
| No Bake Bake Sale – Thank You! Our no bake/bake sale was a huge success! A special thank you to Pastor Kathie for including her jewelry in the sale, and to Nova Heiss and Rosemary Stewart for decorating those lovely pumpkins. We hope that you enjoyed them. Thank you again for always supporting our Scholarship Fund! ECW Board | |
Meet the 2025 Vestry Candidates
Four people - Ann Lowe, Kevin Fountain, Lydia Lee-Chin, and Pat Parks - have been nominated to serve in the Vestry. Click here to read their autobiographies.
| Church Manners: If you wear lipstick to worship, the Altar Guild requests that you please remove it before using the common cup. Cleaning the linens that are used to wipe the chalice is becoming problematic. Thank you for your assistance to make our work easier and possible. | |
Common Cup for Communion: There has been concern shared about the common cup for communion. There are three ways to take communion and they are all personal choices for you to make: 1) Eat the bread and drink from the cup; 2) eat the bread only and walk past the cup; or 3) keep the bread in your hand and hand it to the LEM to dip it for you. We can no longer permit self-intinction (self-dipping) for sanitary reasons. | Secret Prayer Partners: Just a reminder – the Christmas/Reveal luncheon is this Saturday, December 7, at 12 noon in the Reasoner Family Center. Remember to put a clue as to your identity on the outside of your gift and put your name on the inside. Looking forward to seeing all of you! | |
|
Christmas Flower Donations: The Altar Guild is planning flowers and trees to adorn our worship at Christmas time. Your generosity will add beauty to our Christmas celebrations. Any amount is appreciated. Donations can include a special remembrance for a loved one or an appreciation for God's gifts. These will be published in the bulletin on Christmas Eve.
All remembrances need to be into the office by December 18th to be included in the bulletin. You may use the holiday envelopes in the pew rack, email the PoP Office at office@popwh.org, follow this link (https://secure.myvanco.com/YGJC/campaign/C-Z8KT), or use the QR scan code above to give electronically. Thank you!
| |
|
December 1st 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.
| | | | |
