MAY 5- Easter 6

PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH

Is called to know, love, and serve Jesus as Savior and Lord,

to share his healing and transformation with all people.

Services at 8am and 10am

10am is live streamed

The Deacon’s Den

Abiding In God’s Love

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

the darkness deepens;

Lord, with me abide;

when other helpers fail and comforts flee,

help of the helpless, O abide with me.

                                                                                         Henry Francis Lyte

The hymn quoted above is a favorite of mine. The poem was composed by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) in 1820 while visiting a dying friend. It’s reported that Lyte was staying with the Hore family in County Wexford and had visited an old friend, William Augustus Le Hunte, who was dying. As Lyte sat with the dying man, William kept repeating the phrase "abide with me…". After leaving William's bedside, Lyte wrote the hymn and gave a copy of it to Le Hunte's family. It’s thought that the inspiration for the poem comes from Luke 24:29 in which the disciples asked Jesus to abide with them "for it is toward evening and the day is spent". But I suspect otherwise.

In John’s Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells his disciples that as the Father has loved him, he has loved the disciples, so abide, dwell, become a part of that love. We usually think of the phrase “Abide with me” as meaning “stay with me,” but perhaps a more accurate meaning would be “dwell with me” or “be with me.” In other words, “be a part of me,” enter into my being and become a part of me. Thomas Merton writes in his book Honorable Reader

“The true Christian rebirth is a renewed transformation, a ‘passover’ in which we are progressively liberated from selfishness and not only grow in love, but in some sense we ‘become love.’ The perfection of this new birth is reached where there is no more selfishness, there is only love.”

Merton goes on to say in New Seeds of Contemplation that love is his true identity. Selflessness is his true self. Love is his true character. Love is his name. “Love one another as I have loved you.” The hymn tune was composed by William Henry Monk (1823-1889), known as “Eventide” and it was first performed as a hymn at the funeral of Henry Francis Lyte on November 20, 1847. “Thou on my head in early youth didst smile, And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.”                AMEN.

Deacon George+

May, June, July Forward Day by Day is now available in the Welcome Wagon or in the church office. Start your journey of discipleship by finding the page for the current day. Each page starts with a brief Bible verse. The texts put the reader in community with everyone else reading that text.

Worship and Discipleship

World Labyrinth Day: is Saturday, May 4^th at 12:30 at Prince of Peace. Our official walk together is scheduled for 12:30pm but you are welcome to walk the labyrinth any time. For more information please contact Chantel Zimmerman or Joan Floyd.

It’s KARAOKE time! The ECW is once again hosting karaoke night with KIKI Karaoke, and we don’t want you to miss this one, so SAVE THE DATE! Join us on Saturday, May 4^th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for a night of music, fun, and fellowship! Warm up your vocal chords, or come to encourage our singers. Drinks and some snacks will be available for purchase. Children welcome. RSVP to or sign up at church.

CELTIC WORSHIP May 12^th Worship 10 am. We will celebrate an important part of our Anglican Christian spiritual heritage as we remember our connections with Saints Patrick, Aiden, and Brigit and worship with Celtic style music (strings and pipes will be used) and pray ancient Celtic liturgy in our morning liturgy. 

Pentecost Service: May 19^th Do you speak/ read a language other than English? Would you like to be a part of reading the Acts 2 passage in your native tongue as a part of the Pentecost Service May 19th? If so, please contact Fr. Rand and he can share you more information. rector@popwh.org. 

Across the US and Around the World is the theme of this year’s Pentecost brunch.  It will be held following the 10 am service on May 19th in the Reasoner Family Center. We’re inviting everyone to bring a favorite food that represents their city, state, or country. This is always a fun time to try out new food, enjoy old favorites, and fellowship together! Email Becky Wray at  if you would like to bring a dish.



Next Baptism: is scheduled for June 2^nd. If you, or someone you know is considering Baptism, please contact the office or one of the priests. Everyone is welcome!

Service

Health Ministry: Blood Pressure Screening is THIS SUNDAY, May 5^th following each service in the Guild Room.

Kathie Clark Scholarship: 2024 Graduating Senior Female

Senior girls who are graduating high school 2024, are invited to submit an application for the Kathie Clark Scholarship.

This scholarship, of up to $1,500.00, is awarded to a graduating senior who must meet the following criteria:

·       Is registered* to attend a post-secondary educational institution,

·       Demonstrates past and present involvement in the Prince of Peace Church community and social services that help those less fortunate.

·       Additional requirements are contained in the application.

Please contact the POP Office to obtain an application form or for more information, call Rosemary Stewart. All completed applications are due no later than Friday, May 31, 2024

*We understand you may not have received confirmation from many educational Institutions at the time this application is due.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY: family@popwh.org   

We are full speed ahead in Route 66 (The Books of the Good Book)! Kids will learn how God grew the early church despite obstacles on every side. Our Bible Story is Acts 9:1-20, The Conversion of Saul - The road to Damascus led to a life changing experience. When Saul was changed to Paul, it was much more than a name change. Everything about his life was different. Because of this change, Christian churches were born.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is on JULY 8 – 12, 9-noon with optional Afternoon Camp until 3:30pm.

Register now for SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God. Space is limited! This is for entering Kindergarten to 5^th grade.

We have lots of Volunteer Opportunities for Adults and Youth too! Do you have sea stuffed animals you can lend us? Please contact Alma Fountain family@popwh.org if you have any questions or interested in help us prepare for this important Children and Families Ministry program. Click titles below for forms:

Camper Registration Form         Youth Volunteer Form   Adult Volunteer Form

Scouts Pancake Breakfast: Our own Troop 22 is making breakfast for us! THIS Sunday, May 5, the price is $8 per person from 8am to noon. Plan to enjoy a full pancake breakfast including sausage, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and juice before or after services and support our troop!

Stamp Out Hunger: The Letter Carriers’ Food Drive Sorting in the PoP parking lot will be on Saturday, May 18^th.  Volunteers are needed that day from 10-1pm to sort the food once it arrives at POP.  For more information, contact Debbie Decker at foodpantry@popwh.org.

A Song of Ezekial (Ezekial 36:24-28)

I will take you from among all nations;

  and gather you from all lands to bring you home.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you;

  and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.

A new heart I will give you

  and a new spirit put within you.

I will take the stone heart from your chest

  and give you a heart of flesh.

 I will help you walk in my laws

  and cherish my commandments and do them.

You shall be my people,

  and I will be your God.

April 28th prayer requests and thanksgivings have been compiled and are available here for your prayers and meditation. Updated prayer requests are printed on a WEEKLY basis.

• Please submit your prayer requests and thanksgivings in church on the yellow or blue prayer slips, OR by clicking here.

Prince of Peace Church

5700 Rudnick Ave,

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

+1 818-346-6968

office@popwh.org