God Has Decided
“And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” - Exodus 20:1-2
This coming Sunday our reading from the Old Testament is taken from the book of Exodus. God gathers the people of Israel at the base of Mount Sinai, shortly after rescuing them from slavery in Egypt under the rule of Pharaoh. We are familiar with the words that follow; they are often referred to as the 10 Commandments.
We often fall into the trap thinking that “keeping” the commandments of God will help us get on God’s good side or gain his favor somehow. Making a good attempt at trying to keep the 10 Commandments is at least the first step we must take in having a relationship with God, right? We do our best and God will do the rest. Makes sense, but we couldn’t be more dead wrong.
Notice that before God even speaks any words about “you shall” and “you shall not,” he’s already in a relationship with Israel, and they are in a relationship with God. It’s easy to skip over the verse that precedes the list of words that we call the “10,” but read the verse again; “I am the Lord your God.” These are amazing words of commitment and promise. God had already made a decision to be Israel’s God before Israel could even get a word out of their mouth. Before Israel could give their “amen” to the 10 words of God that followed, God already declared his decision for them; “I am the Lord your God.” And God proclaims his commitment to be the kind of God for them that is in the business of rescuing those who are in dire need, not able to rescue and deliver themselves out of their bondage.
God has made the same sort of decision for you, to be your God. How do you know that? He doesn’t gather you at Mount Sinai; but rather, he gathers you at the foot of another mountain, a hill actually, outside of Jerusalem, called Mount Calvary. Here, his Son, Jesus, died for you, bled for you, declared “it is finished” for you, and then rose from the grave for you. All of this God’s beloved Son did in order to declare to you that God has decided to be your God.
Just like Israel, it is only in the freedom of a loving relationship with the one true God, who has already made a decision for you, that we can then respond in faith and love to want to do the very things God has called us to do; not because we have to, but because we want to. You are loved by God in Jesus, and now you are set free to love God and those whom he has put into your life. Afterall, that’s what love does; it loves back and seeks to share that love with others. May the love of God fill our hearts and minds, in Christ 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 !
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We need volunteers for SATURDAY MARCH 13TH for our Church & School Family Service Day to help with campus clean up! Please join us if you are able. We have projects that people of all ages and abilities can help with, even if it's only for an hour! Refreshments will be provided.
Please come any time between 9:00AM -12:00PM
Here are some things we could use your family's help with:
- Repairing the Front Gate
- Paint Touch Ups
- Parking Lot Clean Up
- Cleaning marks off the drinking fountains
- Help with weeds and yard maintenance
- cleaning classroom/cleaning lunch tables
- Polishing Desks
- Removing smudges from door jams and light switches
- Cleaning up the Gym
Hope to see many of us participating!
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ALTAR GUILD POTLUCK LUNCH |
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March 14 at 12:00pm
This potluck lunch and meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Altar Guild and how to help out during services.
Please RSVP by contacting:
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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. 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: Jesus Raises What is Destroyed
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Elders
8:00am: John Henderson 10:30am: Steven Sarandis
Readers
8:00am: Joshua Scott 10:30am: Cynthia Cade
Altar Guild
(1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday)
8:00am: Heather Walton 10:30am: Cindy Sheek
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, March 7th at 9:15am for coffee and a time of study. We will be covering session 8 of our Christianity in America Course:
Evangelicals, The Religious Right, and The Modern Megachurch
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The Living Way Bible Study group meets every week through fall. The next study will be Tuesday, March 9nd, 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:
Easter Candy for Easter Eggs
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.
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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
- Prayers of thanksgiving for Karen Vargas and her Husband for recovery from Covid
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Prayers of thanks For Nancy Hubbard, neighbor of Judy Vega who is now cancer free
- For the Healing of Patricia and Christine, family members of Joan McMasters
- For Pastor Trevor- Diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer
- For Stephen Ramsay, diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
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 Members of The Week: |
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Kory and Beverly Andrew and Bonnie Weiss
Let us give thanks and pray for Kory & Beverly and Bonnie for the following:
Prayers for the Andrews:
- For Kory as he is preparing for retirement; for Jeremiah’s transfer to another duty station; for Beverly's Mom to remain in good health; that Justin would find good employment; for Beverly as she cares for her mom and family.
Prayers for Bonnie:
- For continued and improved health; especially regarding her back.
For Tim, her son, we are thankful for his care for Bonnie and ask God’s continued blessings in his life – to strengthen him in faith and use him as a blessing in the lives of others.
- For God’s continued blessings of his gracious love and care upon them during this day and the days ahead.
- For God to bless their work, their marriage, their extended families, and to make them a blessing to others.
- For God to continue to enrich them in faith to believe and live under the promises of God made to them in the Lord Jesus Christ – promises of forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation.
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✯✯ BLAST FROM THE PAST ✯✯
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1963: Prince of Peace Family Crusade:
in 1963 Prince of Peace launched a 5 day "family crusade" to reach out to members of the congregation and the surrounding community!
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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.
Email: PastorSheek@gmail.com
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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