Keeping the First Things First

“Keep ‘the main thing’ the main thing.” Have you ever heard that expression before or ones like it? Or perhaps, “keep your priorities straight.” I need to remind myself of sayings like these when life gets a little chaotic or overwhelming or when I think about plans for the future. It is helpful to stop and think, “what is the main thing, the one thing I must get done?” It helps to clear out the clutter and all the less important items that are pulling on you and demanding your attention. 

“Keeping first things first” not only helps give clarity and direction when overwhelmed but having that mindset when entering into the day, a week, or even a new year simply helps us to keep our priorities in their proper place making sure the most important stuff is at the top of our to-do list. This attitude gives proper order to our day and assures the appropriate focus of our check-lists. 

The Apostle Paul had his priority list too, for his ministry and for the church. What Paul preached and what he taught reflected what he held as the most important of all things. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 

These events and the significance of what these events mean for sinners was of “first importance” to Paul, and they are for you and me. During this past season of Christmas, we especially reflected on the particular events of Christ’s birth. We considered the questions of why Jesus was born in the first place and what does his birth mean for me? The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are of first importance to God, who sent his son to accomplish the most important things; he was born for you; he died for you; he was buried for you; and he rose for you. Come join us as together we enter into the new year being helped to keep our faith on “the main thing.”  As we gather for worship, the “first things” will be kept first and foremost – they are the most important things for you and me: Christ died and was risen for us!  We are forgiven and free in Jesus.  Amen. 

-Pastor Darrin Sheek

Pastor's Book of the Month:

On Any Given Sunday:

The Story of Christ in the Divine Service

- Michael Berg



This volume aims to teach the Divine Service to both the lifelong worshipper who was never taught why the church does the things the church does on Sunday mornings and the curious observer of this ancient tradition.

It is divided into two parts. Part One: A Story of the Divine Service is a story of a young married couple encountering Christ’ s forgiveness at a church service and finding the ability to forgive each other. Part Two: The Life of Christ in Poetry and Prose explains the life of Christ as told in the classic Divine Service. It is the hope that this book helps teach this beautiful but under-appreciated jewel of our Christian heritage.

Purchase a copy from the link below:

VOTERS MEETING!

JANUARY 28th @ 12pm

We will meet in the fellowship room after our 2nd worship service to conduct the first voters meeting of 2024. Please attend if you are able, we will be going over the past year as well as what is coming up for 2024. Thank you! 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 VOLUNTEERS!

We appreciate those who serve to support our ministries here at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Anaheim. We want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our church. Please join us for a hearty breakfast and fellowship:

THIS Saturday, January 13th from 9am - 10:30am.

We also wish to invite anyone who may be interested in volunteering for Usher, Greeter, Reader, AV tech, Altar Guild, or Children's Sunday School Teacher during the coming year.

Would you like to help teach Sunday School?

Please attend our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast January 13th

or Email: Church@princeofpeaceanaheim.org for more info!

New 2024 Church Directory

We have a new Member Directory! Please pick your copy up from your church mailbox.

Thank You!

New Books/Devotions Available in the Narthex!

Add to your daily routine with some inspirational spiritual reading! The church has many different devotional and prayer books to choose from at our free literature table, located in the Narthex. We receive new editions every few months so be sure to check back frequently.

Upcoming Events:

• Undie Sunday - 2/11/2024

LWML is collecting new underwear or socks for men, women, girls and boys. 

• Spring Celebration Sunday - 3/10/24

hosted by Christ Lutheran Church in Brea from 1pm -3 pm . More details to follow.

• Pacific Southwest District Convention - 6/ 7-9 /24

Convention held in Rosemead. Registration has started and going through May 1. If anyone is interested details can be found on the website: psdlwml.org

Our congregation is supporting

Lutheran Heritage Foundation

and the mission of Rev. Albert Chai this January.

Thanks to LHF translates, thousands of people in more than 90 countries and 145 languages, have come to faith in Christ because they’ve been able to read books like The Good News About Jesus or Luther’s Small Catechism in their own languages.

LHF has published the catechism in more than 110 languages with dozens more requested. In the past decade, LHF has published and distributed over 1,300 titles and 3 million Lutheran books to pastors, seminary students, missionaries and churches – all at no cost to them. Give to the LHF mission today.

Elders

8:00am: John Henderson

10:30am: Randy Cade & Steven Sarandis

Readers

8:00am: Kim Violette  10:30am: Randy Cade

Altar Guild

(1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday)

8:00am: Cindy Sheek 10:30am: Shavonia Wilson

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 Morning

Bible Study

Please join us Sunday, January 14th at 9:15am for coffee and discussion.

Led By: Rev. Tilahun Mendedo (Lutheran Bible Translators)

Saturday Morning

Bible Study

Ladies, please join us Saturday at 9:30am This study will help us gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story through all of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a brief summary of an Old Testament book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This is a perfect time to join us if you have been considering it! If you don't yet have your study guide,

please email Kim Violette @ 

violettefamily5@gmail.com

Children's Sunday School

Children's Sunday School

Children's Sunday School is held Every Sunday at 9:15am 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!

Next Youth Group: January 17th, 3:30-6:00PM

Youth Group meets every Wednesday after school in the Youth Room (located upstairs next to the 7/8 grade classroom)



Our Youth Group is open to students and friends in 7-9th grade!

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 into 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!

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

AMAZON WISH LISTS:

YOUTH GROUP

Click here for the Youth Group Amazon Wish list

KINDERGARTEN

Click here for the Kindergarten Amazon Wish List

1st/2nd GRADE

Click Here for 1st/2nd Grade Amazon Wish List

3rd/4th GRADE

Click Here for 3rd/4th Grade Amazon Wish List

ALL GRADES

~SEEDS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR OUR STUDENTS~

$40 provides 1 hour counseling session for one student

Donations toward tuition assistance

Donations toward Field Trips

Church:

Single-serving crystal light packets

Small water bottles

We thank God that our congregation remains healthy! We pray for everyone's continued health and strength as we move forward!

•We pray for our school staff and all of our students and families that God has placed in our care here at Prince of Peace Lutheran School, this year. We pray for continued good health for our staff to continue their dedication, commitment and love for the families and students that God has placed in our school. We are so thankful for their loving service each and every day. We keep our school & staff in our prayers daily.

•We give thanks to God for the love and financial support from the congregation as we continue to see His blessings each day in our ministries here at Prince of Peace.

•We thank God for all the new and returning families at our school this year. We continue to pray for and welcome new families & students throughout the school year.

•We pray that members at Prince of Peace 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.

•For Cynthia Cade for healing and strength

•For Brian Zeilenga, prayers for he and his family.

•For Warren Carr, for strength and healing while undergoing treatment

•For Robin Biringer for continued care and healing

•For Bob Sheppard for care and healing during treatment for prostate cancer

•Don and Glenda Bevans for strength and continued care for Don

•For John Henderson for continued healing and strength 

•For Christina Carr for employment

•For Sharon Walter, sister of Lynn Zeilenga, for comfort and healing from illness

•For Roman, for recovery from covid and kidney failure.

•For Brett, friend of Alan our organist, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer

•For Magdalena for good health and help in finding a job

•For Marcia for peace and comfort after the passing of her brother

If you would like to add a prayer request to this list, feel free to reply to this email or contact the church.

Our Board of Elders have been reaching out and are hard at work to keep our flock in contact during these challenging times.

• We have been working hard to update our member contact information. if you would like a Church Directory, please stop by the church office so we can get you one.

• 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.