Prince of Peace Anaheim | June 9, 2021
A Letter From Our Pastor

To Live is Christ

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on our account. Convinced of this, I know I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:21-25)

These are the words the Apostle Paul writes to the Christians at Philippi. They sum up his concluding thoughts after his struggle between whether he prefers to be with Christ by dying or to remain living for the sake of the ministry to which he has been called. Don’t forget, Paul writes these words from a prison cell and realizes that death is a real possibility. Like many of us, when death is a real possibility, we start thinking about what that will be like. Is death something we are afraid of? Are we confident about what will happen after we die? If given the choice, do we prefer to “just get it over with” or do we long to live here as long as we can?
After life’s struggles, are we tired and “ready to go home” or are we willing and able to continue to battle while we still have breath?

These are honest questions and real struggles. They are conflicting emotions and thoughts that we may have and others we know may have. Paul helps us to navigate through those times when we are conflicted about this life and the life to come. Paul admits that for him to die is the easier and more desirable way forward. These are not suicidal thoughts or thoughts that come from someone battling depression without any hope. These are rather words of hope and certainty. Paul knows that if and when he dies, he will “be with Christ”, and for him “that is far better.” So here is Paul’s hope and yours; when you and I die, when we depart, we will be with Christ! No doubt! And this is far better, to be sure. This is a comfort; this is what our faith clings onto; this is the end of the story for all of us who trust in Christ as our Savior: “to die is gain” because it means to “be with Christ.”

But for now, we live. We live here amidst the joys and hardships that makes up life this side of heaven. Yet for Paul, choosing life here was his willing choice; not for his sake, but for the sake of others. I think this is the key to living life here and now, even when our days may be tiresome, painful, and heavy with burdens. We choose to live now, this day, not for ourselves but for others. This is love in action, sacrificial love; the kind of love that seeks what is best for others than for ourselves. When this is the focus of our attention and energy, we see how God has us here for a reason other than for our own benefit; God uses us to bless others with the gifts he has given us. It may be as simple as praying for others, giving a loving and encouraging word to another person, sharing a personal testimony to someone in need about how God has loved you and blessed you in Christ.

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus, for now we live; and we live in Christ, who is our hope, our comfort, and our joy. While we have breath, may we live for others knowing that it has pleased God to have us here for now to be a blessing. And when it is time, he will keep his promise to bring us home into His presence where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). In the name of Jesus, Amen

 -Pastor Darrin Sheek


P.S. DON'T FORGET TO CLICK "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS EMAIL TO BE SURE YOU ARE SEEING THE FULL NEWSLETTER !

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATON NOW OPEN!
This Year's Theme: The Art of Star Fleet Academy!
Summer Camp registration has BEGUN! Registration forms available in the school office! Our summer day camp features 8 weeks of fun and adventure in the "new normal". Join the *Steam Dream Team* as we develop drafting skills with 3D drawings, discover how playing chess enhances critical thinking, develop problem solving skills with fun puzzles and riddles, learn science and culinary techniques through cooking, and explore math like never before!

PLUS:
Art Lessons
Movies
Sports
Tons of Games
AND Water Play and Skate Play Every Day!

Cost: $125 per week or $35 per day

School is out but we keep learning! Don't get left behind!
OPEN HOUSE AND SPRING LUAU PARTY!
Come join us for 10:30 Worship and stay for our Open House Luau at 12pm! We will have Food, Games, Bounce House, Music and Specialty Hawaiian Ice Cream! Check out the campus and celebrate the end of the school year with us!
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR BONNIE WEISS
The family of Bonnie Weiss welcomes you to join in celebrating the faithfulness of God and Bonnie's faith in her savior on Saturday, June 19th at 11AM here at Prince of Peace. The service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A LUTHERAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE WITH PASTOR JOHN PLESS
ABOUT THIS COURSE:
Pastors subscribe to the Formula of Concord along with the other documents in the Book of Concord because they are in agreement with the Holy Scriptures. In the ordination rite we pledge to perform all the duties of our office in accord with these confessions. This course will examine each of the articles of the last of the Lutheran Confessions, the Formula of Concord from the perspective of pastoral theology, asking the question what does pastoral ministry look like when justification by faith alone is the basis and boundary of our preaching, teaching, liturgy, and the care of fearful consciences?

Course will be hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Anaheim, CA on June 29th, 2021 - July 1st, 2021. Food, Drink and Fun provided!

FREE BOOKS FOR YOU!
The church often receives extra books and study materials that we would like to pass on to you. Please visit the literature table in the Narthex to see what we have available. Help yourself to anything that sparks your interest! 
Sunday Service:
Please Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship. Service times are 8:00am & 10:30am. We are looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!


Upcoming Service: Faith like a Mustard Seed
Elders
8:00am: Joshua Scott 10:30am: Steven Sarandis

Readers
8:00am: Carol Smallwood 10:30am: Randy Cade

Altar Guild
(1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday)
6:30am: Judy Vega 10:00am:Linda Henderson


Ways you Can Serve:
We are thankful for those who support our Divine Service every Sunday by filling much these needed positions. If you are interested in learning more about these roles, or how you can help during service,
Please Contact Pastor Sheek:
(949) 370-7198
Sunday School for Ages 4-12!
Sunday School is held Every Sunday at 9:15 in the school building and is open to all children age 4-12. Sunday school students enjoy a Snack, Craft and Bible lesson. Please encourage your children to try out Sunday School and maybe even bring a friend from the neighborhood!
Sunday Morning
Bible Study

Please join us this Sunday, June 13th at 9:15am for coffee and discussion as we watch Season 1: Episode 2 of The Chosen.
Tuesday Bible Study
The Living Way Bible Study group meets every week through fall. The next study will be Tuesday, June 15th, and will be on The Gospel of John at 9:30am. Everyone is Welcome! We will meet in person and continue to practice social distancing. We have plenty of space so everyone can spread out! In the meantime, you are welcome to read ahead to get acquainted with the scriptures.

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Wednesday Night Bible Study will be held tonight June 9th at 7pm. We will be studying the letters of Apostle John. See you there!

Special thank you to the congregant that donated the funds for Ms. Steinert's new Office Chair!

Please check out our church bulletin board for some items needed by our teachers and church staff. Our giving tree is an opportunity for our congregation to support our church, school and preschool. Please choose a blossom and turn it in to either the church or school office with a donation towards your selected item, or feel free to donate the item outright if it's something you already have!
Please check back frequently for new items.

Here are some items we are in need of so far:

General:
VBS funding
Postage Stamps
Lysol Wipes
Donuts & Coffee Fund

Preschool:
Child-Size Face Masks
Non-perishable Snacks and Small Waters

Grade School:
2 Refrigerators for the Gym Kitchen (Used is fine!)
Staples Gift Cards
Field Trip Fund
STEM Lab Equipment
Tuition Help

We are happy to be able to live stream our 8:00 am service to our YouTube Channel for those that would like to view from home. You can find a link to our services and other videos on our channel. Please Subscribe to our channel using the YouTube icon below, and click the 'Notifications Bell' to ensure you are alerted every time we post a new video. Thank You!
We thank God that our congregation remains healthy and so far, free from the Covid-19 Virus! We pray for everyone’s continued health and strength as we move forward!
  • For our staff, teachers, students, and families at Prince of Peace, that our Lord would sustain them all through these days as we strive to continue and support the mission of our church and school.

  • Pray for continued student enrollment at Prince of Peace School and Preschool and outreach efforts into the community.

  • Members at Prince of Peace to grow in faith and love for one another, willing to give of our gifts and talents within the congregation, serving and sharing Christ with our neighbors, family, and friends.

  • Tony and Donna Beltran – Prayers for family members recovering from Covid

  • Tom Olmos – Prayers for recovery from ongoing illness.

  • Linda Olmos - Prayers for strength and peace during a difficult time

  • For Stephen Ramsay, we give thanks for Stephen finishing his chemotherapy and pray he continues to respond well to treatment.

  • For the continued improvement of health for Albert Ojeda Jr.

  • Prayers for Matt Cooper & family: God’s blessings and care upon Matt and his children.

  • Ciara Donnelson-Loken, for continued healing and full recovery of her injured ankle and foot.

  • For the family of Arlene Tan's aunt, the Uy family, fighting Covid in Manila

  • Lisa Gilbertson for continued health and recovery

  • For the Family of Bonnie Weiss, for comfort, peace and hope after her passing.

  • For Baby Jane, infant daughter of Pastor Trevor, suffering from a life threatening disease

If you would like to add a prayer request to this list, feel free to reply to this email or contact the church.
Let us pray for our Member of The Week:
Deborah Moses

Let us give thanks and pray for this member for the following:

  • May our Lord continue to bless the lives of Deborah and her family, as they live in faith and under God's grace and care

  • May our Lord strengthen her in faith as they continue to serve our Lord in various ways.

  • May our Lord grant her health and healing of any ailments.

  • May God continue to use her as a means of blessings for others through her vocation, and may our Lord continue to bring others into her life to bless her.  
✯✯ BLAST FROM THE PAST ✯✯
Early 1970s: Pioneer Day!
The children dressed up and built a Teepee to learn about the Native Americans and Pioneers on this day sometime in the early 1970s.
Have any vintage POP photos or Memorabilia? Please bring them by the Church office so we can share it to our 'Blast from The Past' section and add a copy to our church archives!
✯✯✯
We Are Here For You!
Pastor Sheek And Our Elders
Pastor Sheek and our Board of Elders continue to pray for you and are here to support you during these trying times. Pastor Sheek is available any time and can be reached via email or his cell for continuing support.

Email: PastorSheek@gmail.com
Cell #: (949) 370-7198

Our Board of Elders have been reaching out and are hard at work to keep our flock in contact during this transitional time of distancing.

Staying in The Loop!

  • We have been working hard to update our member contact information. We now have our printed Church Directories, which you can pick up either in your designated mail box or at the church office.

  • Our goal is to send out a new “News and Updates” email to all of our members every week. This email highlights important upcoming events for both the church and school. You can even check out the scripture readings for upcoming Sunday Services ahead of time! Please be sure to check your emails every week.

PRINCE OF PEACE NEEDS YOUR HELP TOO!
During this time of uncertainty, your continuing support is as important as ever! There are several options for you to give this month to help our church succeed and grow in the challenging times ahead. Please consider pledging a donation on our secure donation page which can be found on our website or simply by clicking the Donate Now button below. You can also mail a check or drop off a donation to the church office at :

1421 W Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92802

Church Office Hours:
Monday -Thursday
9:00am -2:00pm