The Whole Truth of Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday, millions of Christians around the world will attend a service where these words are spoken over them, “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return” while ashes are marked on their forehead in the sign of a cross. The words spoken are God’s words to Adam after his fall into sin (Gen. 3:19). They are words of curse and consequence to follow him and follow all of his children after him from birth all the way to the grave.
Ashes throughout Scripture carry with them a two-fold meaning. They remind us of our mortality, as we recall the words of God spoken to our first parents. They also served as an outward sign of an inward repentance often times accompanied with wearing sackcloth, so our Lord says, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:13).
So, are we but dust and only to dust shall will we return? Are we to sit in a pile of ashes wearing nothing but sackcloth to show our sincere repentance? Yes and no. This the half-truth of Ash Wednesday; it all depends what lens you are looking through. We are but dust, and this is true. God created Adam out of the dust of the ground; but we can’t stop there. God personally breathed into him the very breath of life and created Adam in His image. We are more than just a pile of chemicals; we are God-made, God-breathed living chemicals bearing the image of our creator. We are to repent, no doubt; after all, we are sinners and are called to recognize that fact and to confess it. Yet even repentance, like life being born out of dust, is a gift from God, and that repentance leads us to Christ.
You see, Jesus makes all of the difference, doesn’t he? He is the whole truth of Ash Wednesday. Apart from Jesus, are only hope would be to return to the dust from which we were created. Without Jesus, our repentance would be left hanging for there would be no forgiveness to cover us and no peace with God to return to. Yet because of Christ, the very God who pronounced a curse upon Adam also gave a promise, one day a descendant of Adam and Eve would be born to put to death the Devil and the curse. God became dust in Jesus Christ, He sanctified our dust, He redeemed our dust, and now gives us the promise of a new resurrected body that will never return to the dusty ground ever again. In Christ, our sins are covered, removed, gone, done away with never to return to condemn us. Those ashes on Wednesday find their answer on a black Friday and a resurrection Sunday.
Jesus makes all of the difference. That is why those ashes put onto your forehead are in the shape of a cross. Lenten season begins with a cross and finds its completion on a cross and finally leads us to an empty tomb. It is good to be reminded of who we are and what our final story would be without Jesus; and it’s even better to be renewed in our faith knowing who we are, what we will be, and where we are headed in Christ. So, are we only dust, and to only dust shall we return? Not in Jesus! In Him, dust never had it so good. Welcome to the season of Lent.
-Pastor Darrin Sheek
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Join us for our Ash Wednesday services Tonight February 17th at either 4pm or 7pm. This service begins our 40 day journey through the season of Lent, helping us to reflect on our need for a savior leading us all the way to the foot of Jesus' cross on Good Friday and His empty grave on Easter Sunday.
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Please pick up your End of the Year Donation Summary from your designated church mailbox in the Narthex. If you do not have an assigned mailbox and would like one, please let the Church Secretary know. Thank you! |
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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. Please help yourself to anything that sparks your interest! |
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Please Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship. Service times are 8:00am & 10:30am.
We continue to ask that congregants please practice social distancing, wear masks if desired, and be seated 6 ft apart. Hand Sanitizer will be available in the back for everyone to use. We are looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!
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Upcoming Service: The Temptation of Christ
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Elders
8:00am: Joshua Scott 10:30am: Randy Cade
Readers
8:00am: Darrik Sheek 10:30am: Ron Jones
Altar Guild
(1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday)
8:00am: Kelly Umali 10:30am: Cynthia Cade
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
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Sunday Morning Bible Study |
Please join us this Sunday, February 21st at 9:15am for coffee and a time of study. We will be covering session 6 of our Christianity in America Course:
The Fundamentalist/Modernist Controversy
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The Living Way Bible Study group meets every week through fall. The next study will be Tuesday, February 23rd, and will be on The Gospel of Acts 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.
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Wednesday Night Bible Study
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Wednesday Night Bible Study will resume after Lent. Instead, please join us for our Soup Supper and Service. 6pm Wednesday nights through Lent. |
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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 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:
Instant Punch
Postage Stamps
Lysol Wipes
Donuts & Coffee Fund
Preschool:
Child-Size Face Masks
Non-perishable Snacks and Small Waters
Grade School:
New Office Chair for Ms. Steinert
Staples Gift Cards
Field Trip Fund
STEM Lab Equipment
Tuition Help
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We are once again live streaming our 8:00 am service to our YouTube Channel. 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!
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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 all those separated from their families, friends, church family, and work during this health crisis, and for those suffering from Covid -19 across the globe.
- For all those unemployed or under-employed, that their daily needs be met.
- 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 their 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 Nancy Hubbard, neighbor of Judy Vega who is suffering from Liver Cancer
- For the Healing of Patricia and Christine, family members of Joan McMasters
- For Cheryl Lynn Gielow, for good results on her pending medical tests
- For Claudia Moreno (friend of Will) who has Stage 4 cancer
- Prayers of thanks for Karen Vargas, John Henderson’s sister, who has recovered from Covid and prayers of healing for her Husband who is now ill with Covid.
- For Pastor Trevor- Diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer
- For Stephen Ramsay with Lymphoma
- Jamie’s Grandmother, in the hospital recovering from a stroke-friend of the Carrs.
- For strength and healing of Albert Ojeda III just diagnosed with chronic heart failure
If you would like to add a prayer request to this list, feel free to reply to this email or contact the church.
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Let us pray for our Member of The Week: |
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Lisa Gilbertson and Arlene Tan
Let us give thanks and pray for Lisa and Arlene for the following:
- For continued health, especially for Lisa, and pray for continued peace and comfort over the loss of their mother/grandmother.
- For the strength of faith to continue trusting in the Lords' goodness and faithfulness during these days.
- May God continue to use Arlene and Lisa as a blessing in the lives of others.
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✯✯ BLAST FROM THE PAST ✯✯
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1950s Newspaper article:
Future Home of Prince of Peace!
POP had just purchased our 4 acres of land! Read the full article for the amazing contributions our founding members put forth to ensure the longevity of our church!
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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! |
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Pastor Sheek And Our Elders |
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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.
Cell #: (949) 370-7198
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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.
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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.
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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.
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PRINCE OF PEACE NEEDS YOUR HELP TOO!
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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
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