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. As we journey through Holy Week, 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 for our services this week as together we will again be helped to keep our faith on “the main thing.” As we gather for worship, 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

Pastor's Book of the Month:

Romans: A Devotional Commentary

-  Bo Giertz

Known as the “C.S. Lewis of Sweden,” Pastor Bo Giertz takes readers through Paul’s letter to the Romans; pointing to God’s grace in Christ and forgiveness for the sinner at every turn.  Pastor Giertz unerringly reveals the fountain of good news in every Romans passage through  commentary, by thoroughly dissecting each passage, and through devotional, as he keenly directs readers to comforts won for them by Christ crucified in all His saving glory.

Purchase a copy from the link below:

Holy Week and Easter Services

New 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

Lutheran Bible Translators

Millions of people are without Scripture in their own language. Lutheran Bible Translators has partnerships on the continent of Africa, the Middle East, Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and the United States, working towards Bible Translation, Deeper Engagement, and Greater Capacity. Discover their story and how you can partner with Lutheran Bible Translators to put God’s Word in their hands.

Elders

8:00am: John Henderson

10:30am: Randy Cade & Steven Sarandis

Readers

8:00am: Cindy Sheek  10:30am: Pastor Sheek

Ushers

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

Altar Guild

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

8:00am: Kelly Umali 10:30am: Cynthia Cade

Children's Sunday School

No Sunday School

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

No Sunday School for Easter Sunday! Please join us instead for our pancake breakfast located in the gym.

Saturday Morning

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

Children's Sunday School

No Children's Sunday School

Please Join us instead for our Children's Easter activities and Pancake Breakfast

Youth Group

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

NO YOUTH GROUP OVER EASTER BREAK

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



Our Youth Group is open to students and friends in 7-9th grade!

FOR MORE INFO PLEASE EMAIL: YOUTH@PRINCEOFPEACEANAHEIM.ORG

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

•For Matt Cooper, recovering from knee surgery

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.