Fighting the Good Fight

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s good to know what you are getting into when deciding on a vocation. I remember in high school taking a college and career class. We would explore different professions, finding out the educational requirements as well as the job description for a particular occupation. I’m not sure if the job of “pastor” was included on the list we could choose from. If it was or wasn’t, you could not find any better job description for a pastor than the one given to Titus by the Apostle Paul. 

The pastor only has one job: hold firm to the Word of God and faithfully hand it over; that’s the job description. We know there are other responsibilities a pastor has, but if they fail in their primary duty, does anything else really matter? 

“Hold firm to the trustworthy message as he has been taught.” Thank God for all those who have put the Gospel into our ears. Thank God for all the pastors and teachers who have been true and faithful voices of his Word. This is why Paul encourages a young pastor named Timothy to guard the Gospel that was entrusted to him, so he may hand it over to others who will faithfully pass it on as well. It is easy to lose sight of the job description for both pastors and parishioners. Paul knows this, so he is persistent with young pastor Timothy to fight the good fight, wage the good warfare, and do not neglect the gospel of Christ entrusted to you.

Hold firm! Declare and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the duty of a pastor, to be a faithful voice of Jesus. And you can be sure the Devil will do all he can to tempt pastors to deviate from their primary calling. Timothy needed Paul, and he needed the support of his congregation to be strengthened to carry out his duties faithfully. So let us too be a source of encouagement and strength to those who are called to be servants of God’s Word. Pastors need our prayers and need our support to continue to fight the good fight. As we do this, we too find ourselves in battle striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel. Help us Lord, we pray.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

-Pastor Darrin Sheek

Calling all Men! We are starting a study just for you!

NEW! Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study

~Once a Month~ STARTING APRIL 20TH

We have a new bible study starting for men that we would love for you to check out! Saturday (4/20) at 9:30am in the Fellowship Room. For more information please contact Matt Cooper @ mcooper1979@yahoo.com

Pastor's Book of the Month:

Finding God in the Darkness

-  by Bradley Gray

"Suffering engulfs our lives in an unavoidable darkness, leaving answers and explanations obscured like a sorrowful fog. The gospel of Christ, however, gives us something infinitely more valuable than answers or explanations. Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment is not an attempt to decode or decipher every nook and cranny of sorrow and suffering. It is a journey wherein faith, hope, and love are unexpectedly found along the way, in the midst of darkness. Much to our surprise, that’s where God shows up, too."

Purchase a copy from the link below:

Free Books/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.

Upcoming Events:



• Pacific Southwest District Convention - 6/ 7-9 /24

Convention held in Rosemead. Registration has started and going through May 1. If anyone is interested details can be found on the website: psdlwml.org

Annual P.O.P. Angel's Game! Get Your Tickets Early!

This month our congregation is supporting

LCMS Synodical Missions - Together In Missions

Today, the LCMS trains, sends and supports called and appointed career, long-term and short-term missionaries throughout the United States and in various countries around the world where there are mission stations, partner churches, schools or mission relationships. We are sponsoring Rev. Carlos and Deaconess Danelle (Putnam) Schumann and their work in the Dominican Republic.

Update & Event from February's Mission of the Month:

Please help us continue to assist Lutheran Braille Workers

Elders

8:00am: John Henderson

10:30am: Randy Cade & Steven Sarandis

Readers

8:00am: Kim Violette  10:30am: Randy Cade

Ushers

8:00am: Matt Cooper 10:30am: Randy Cade

Altar Guild

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

8:00am: Judy Vega 10:30am: Linda Henderson

Children's Sunday School

9:15am: Matt Cooper

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

Sunday Morning

Bible Study

Please join us Sunday, April 14th at 9:15am for coffee and discussion.

Led By: Pastor Sheek

Topic: "Faith That Shines in Culture"

Saturday Morning

Women's Bible Study

Join us on our journey through the New Testament Saturdays at 9:30 in the Board Room. For more information, please contact Kim Violette @ 

violettefamily5@gmail.com

NEW! Saturday Morning

Men's Bible Study

~Once a Month~

STARTING APRIL 20TH

We have a new bible study starting for men that we would love for you to check out! Saturday 4/20 at 9:30am in the Fellowship Room. For more information please contact Matt Cooper @

mcooper1979@yahoo.com

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!

Youth Group

YOUTH GROUP TODAY! 3:30-6:00PM

Youth Group meets every Wednesday after school in the Youth Room (located upstairs next to the 7/8 grade classroom)

Meet up with Zion Youth Group This Friday! (6-8 grade)

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:

AMAZON WISH LISTS:

YOUTH GROUP

Click here for the Youth Group Amazon Wish list

KINDERGARTEN

Click here for the Kindergarten Amazon Wish List

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

~SEEDS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR OUR STUDENTS~

$40 provides 1 hour counseling session for one student

Donations toward tuition assistance

Donations toward Field Trips

Church:

Single-serving crystal light packets

Small water bottles

We thank God that our congregation remains healthy! We pray for everyone's continued health and strength as we move forward!

•We pray for our school staff and all of our students and families that God has placed in our care here at Prince of Peace Lutheran School, this year. We pray for continued good health for our staff to continue their dedication, commitment and love for the families and students that God has placed in our school. We are so thankful for their loving service each and every day. We keep our school & staff in our prayers daily.

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

•We thank God for all the new and returning families at our school this year. We continue to pray for and welcome new families & students throughout the school year.

•We pray that members at Prince of Peace 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 Cynthia Cade for healing and strength

•For Warren Carr, for strength and healing

•For Robin Biringer for continued care and healing

•For Bob Sheppard for care and healing during treatment for prostate cancer

•For John Henderson for continued healing and strength 

•For Roman, Thanksgiving for improved kidney function and for continued healing

•For Sharon Walter, sister of Lynn Zeilenga, for comfort and healing from illness

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.