“Woman, Behold Your Son”

John 19:25-30 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Woman, behold you son – the mother of Jesus, who once held and gazed into the life-filled eyes of her baby son wrapped in swaddling clothes, now beholds her son naked hanging from a criminals cross. His eyes now fading in death, his blood soaked hair matted against a swollen, beaten and barely recognizable face. 

Mary, who was declared the favored one of God must feel like she is the most cursed among women. The one who was told that the Lord is with her must now feel abandoned.  Was she not told by Simeon, who took baby Jesus up in his arms, that he would be a light for the Gentiles and a glory for Israel? And did not the angel Gabriel announce to her that the Lord God would give to her son the throne of his father David? Now look at him; falsley tried, brutally beaten and now hanging among despicable criminals; his glorious throne a cross and his royal crown made of thorns.

 Yes, this is Mary’s Jesus; The one who caused her cousin’s child to leap in her womb. This is her same child who foreigners visited bringing gifts fit for a king and bowing in worship before him.  This is her son who amazed those he sat with in the temple when he was just a boy; he had such promise. Jesus, who at her request, transformed well water into fine wine; even though his hour had not yet come.  But now it has arrived. His hour has come, for this he was born, for this very hour is why he came. 



Yes, this is her Jesus, and this is your Jesus. Behold the one born for you. Emmanuel, God with us, who has come to save you from your sins. As Mary looked upon her son, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. It is finished...for you! 

-Pastor Darrin Sheek

LWML SPRING EVENT FOR ALL WOMEN!

APRIL 16TH

If you have never heard of LWML and it’s historic mission ministry to our Lutheran partners, and / or would like to find a place to serve your church and the worldwide Lutheran community, we have some info for you.

Any woman is eligible to join us!

We would like to find who would be interested in participating in our own LWML

If you are the least bit curious: email Cindy Sheek at cindysheek0@gmail.com or text her at 949-378-3371.

Since our dear sister Elaine Kercher passed last year, there has been no one to represent our congregation with LWML. So we are in need of women to step up and get involved. If this is your desire at any level, contact Cindy.

More info on LWML can be found here: https://www.lwml.org/home

New 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.

Elders

8:00am: John Henderson

10:30am: Randy Cade & Steven Sarandis

Readers

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

Altar Guild

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

8:00am: Judy Vega   10:30am: 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

Children's Sunday School

No Sunday School on Easter Sunday, Please join us instead for our Pancake Breakfast and festivities!

Sunday Morning

Bible Study

No Bible Study on Easter Sunday, Please join us instead for our Pancake Breakfast and festivities!

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:

Church:

Small Water Bottles

SEEDS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR OUR STUDENTS

$40 provides 1 hour counseling session for one student

FIELD TRIP FUNDING FOR DC

Please help our 7th/8th graders be able to attend this important trip

KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM NEEDS

Hot Dot Pens

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

Donations towards tuition assistance

Preschool:

Non-perishable Snacks and Small Waters

Youth Room:

Pop-A-Shot Indoor Basketball Game

Bible Verse Wall Tapestry

Character Building Wall Art

Legos or Make-it Blocks

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!



• We pray for our amazing staff, teachers, students, and families at Prince of Peace that our Lord will bless, direct, and encourage them as they serve Him each and every day in the different ministries here at Prince of Peace.

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

• We 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.

• For John and Linda Henderson for recovery and care.

• For continued healing and strength for David Beard, Father of Kelly Umali.



• For Harry Cypher, for continued healing during rehab.

•  For Brian Zeilenga, for employment and family

• For Cynthia Cade for healing and strength.

• For Jeff Adams, friend of Paul Brehm, for recovery and healing from surgery

• For Warren Carr, for strength and healing.

•  For Angela Zeno, friend of Helen Tabris, waiting for a donor for a heart transplant.

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.