To Live is Christ

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on our account. Convinced of this, I know I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:21-25)

These words hit home for me, especially the day after I attended the funeral of a dear friend who also happened to be my pastor, the Reverend Ron Hodel. Ron died in Christ; you and I live in Christ. He has gained; I now struggle with loss, along with his friends and family. 

Ron believed what the Apostle Paul penned - when he died, he would “be with Christ”, and for him “that is far better.” So here is Paul’s hope and Ron’s and ours; when you and I die, when we depart, we too will be with Christ! No doubt! And this is far better, to be sure. This is a comfort; this is what our faith clings onto; this is the end of the story for all of us who trust in Christ as our Savior: “to die is gain” because it means to “be with Christ.”

Yet now, today, you and I live. We live here amidst the joys, hardships, and sorrows that makes up life this side of heaven. Yet for Paul, choosing life here was his willing choice; not for his sake, but for the sake of others. I think this is the key to living life here and now in faith, even when our days may be tiresome, painful, and heavy with burdens. We choose to live now, this day, not for ourselves but for others. This is love in action, sacrificial love; the kind of love that seeks what is best for others than for ourselves. This is the love that the Son of God has for us that drove him to a cross giving up his life that you and I may live and die in Christ. When this is the focus of our faith – not on ourselves but on Christ, we begin to see how God has us here for a reason other than for our own benefit; God uses us to bless others with the gifts he has given us. It may be as simple as praying for others, giving a loving and encouraging word to another person, sharing a personal testimony to someone in need about how God has loved you and blessed you in Christ.

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus, for now we live; and we live in Christ, who is our hope, our comfort, and our joy, our forgiveness. While we have breath, may we live for others knowing that it has pleased God to have us here for now to be a blessing, a voice of the Gospel for another. This is the mark of living faith – faith being active in love. This was the mark of Ron Hodel’s life as a pastor, husband, father, brother, and friend. And like for Ron, when it is time, our Lord will keep his promise to bring us home into His presence where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

- Pastor Sheek

Don't forget about summer camp!

Sunday School is a great way for kids to keep in touch with their friends over summer! Talk to your fellow parents about arranging playdates for Sunday School. We would love to see a full class this summer! Please Email Ms. Kayleen for more information or if you have any questions: [email protected]

Please be sure you have contacted Audrey Lozada

about your partner!

Audrey Lozada: @ [email protected] 

Add to your daily routine with some inspirational spiritual reading! The church has many different devotional and prayer booklets 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 & Joshua Scott

10:30am: Randy Cade & Steven Sarandis

Readers

8:00am: Matt cooper  10:30am: Ron Jones

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 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,

June 19th at 9:15am 

for coffee and discussion.

Led By: Pastor Sheek

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:

Youth Room:

We will be working on redoing our youth room over the summer

and could really use a few of the items below!

Please click to see the amazon listings

These Bean Bags in School Blue

Pop-A-Shot Indoor Basketball Game

Bible Verse Wall Tapestry

Character Building Wall Art

Church:

Mini Water Bottles / Single Serve Punch Mixes

Garment steamer for tablecloths

Single-Serving Punch or Crystal Light Packets

Staples Gift Cards for Office Supplies

Postage Stamps

Donuts & Coffee Fund

Grade School:

KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM NEEDS

AAA batteries and Hot Dot Pens

1st GRADE

Click Here for 1st Grade Amazon Wish List



5th/6th GRADE

Apple TV Reciever

ALL GRADES

Donations towards tuition assistance

Preschool:

Child-Size Face Masks

Non-perishable Snacks and Small Waters

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 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.

•  Tom Olmos – Prayers for recovery from ongoing illness.

• 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 Jennifer Canning, family friend of Cindy Ottens, diagnosed with breast cancer.

• For Jerry Kistler, diagnosed with Cancer

• For improved vision for Alicia Ojeda, still recovering from eye surgery.

• For strength and perseverance for Kimmery Waddell during a difficult time. 

• For Vic Norca, suffering from cancer.

• For healing and strength for David Beard, father of Kelly Umali, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

• For Nick Latimer who has an upcoming surgery

• For Cynthia Cade for healing and strength.

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

Let us Pray for our Members of The Week:

 Deborah Moses and Diane Reando

Let us give thanks and pray for Deborah and Diane for the following:

• May our Lord continue to bless them with homes filled with faith and gracious love.

• May our Lord continue to care and provide for them, and direct their future according to His goodness and mercy.

• We give thanks for the many ways Deborah and Diane serve our church and school, and we pray our Lord will continue to give them a heart for service and to use them as blessings for others.