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. When daily life gets so busy that you don’t know where to begin, 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 or week 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 faithful productivity to 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 season of Lent, we especially reflect on those particular events, why Christ willingly went through them, and what they mean for us. They are of first importance to God, who sent his son to accomplish the most important things; he died for you, he was buried for you, and he rose for you. Come join us, as together we will again be helped to keep our faith on “the main thing.” As we gather for worship over the next few weeks, the “first things” will be kept first and foremost – they are the most important things: Christ died and was risen for you! You are forgiven and free in Jesus.  Amen. 

-Pastor Darrin Sheek

Please Join us TONIGHT

for our second Soup Supper of Lent!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR FAMILY SERVICE DAY!

We need volunteers to help with campus clean up SATURDAY, MARCH 25th for our Church & School Family Service Day! 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.

Come any time between 9:00AM -12:00PM

Here are some things we could use your family's help with: 

• Paint touch-ups
• Parking lot clean up
• Gardening/Yard maintenance
• Cleaning lunch area and tables
• Removing smudges from door jams and light switches
• Cleaning up the gym

Hope to see many of us participating!

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 before planning an informational event with the President of our Pacific Southwest District, Joann Spears.

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 Kirchner 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: Linda Tietjen   10:30am: Elaine Gihring

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

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!

Sunday Morning

Bible Study

Please join us Sunday,

March 12th at 9:15am 

for coffee and discussion.

Led By: Pastor Sheek

Topic: Unlocking Christ in the Old Testament

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:

Mini Water Bottles / Single Serving Punch Mixes

SEEDS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

$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 Warren Carr, for strength and healing and God’s continued blessings upon him and his family.

• For John and Linda Henderson for recovery and care.

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

• For Cynthia Cade for healing and strength.

• For Carl, friend of the Vega’s, for comfort and healing from back surgery

• For Harry Cypher, for healing after being hit by a car.

• For Brian Zeilenga, for employment and family

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

• For Ms. Maria and our preschool during this last leg of our accreditation process. Please pray that all things are prepared and ready for the visiting committee. We will be welcoming them to Prince of Peace the first week of April. We thank our Lord for the great ministry of our preschool.

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.