|
View in Browser
THE HAPPENINGS
at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church
in Woodland Hills, California
NOVEMBER 30, 2025
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
| | |
PRINCE OF PEACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Is called to know, love, and serve Jesus as Savior and Lord,
to share his healing and transformation with all people.
| | |
Worship at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
10am service is livestreamed on YouTube
| | (*links on the website should be updated before end of day each Thursday) | | |
THANKSGIVING CLOSURES: The Food Pantry and the Church Office will both be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving. We wish all of you a joyous and blessed holiday!
| | |
A THANKSGIVING PSALM
Psalm 100
1 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
2 Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4 For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
| | |
BRIAN'S BLOG: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We truly have so much to be thankful for. As our communion prayer say, it is a right and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to God. And, I might add, to give thanks to one another for the ways our lives are enriched by all the good people who call Prince of Peace their home.
The care and hospitality shown to Bishop Ed during his visit with us last Sunday stands as a shining example of what a church can be. So let’s take a moment to acknowledge with gratitude all whose service makes Prince of Peace a special place. It is a long list, from the Altar Guild to the LEMs to the Ushers and Greeters, to the Lectors who share God’s Word. We’re thankful for all who pray for us and with us. We are especially grateful for our acolytes. Let’s give thanks to the Episcopal Church Women for hosting the bake sale, and to Pastor Kathie and Wyatt for sharing their talent and art. We are grateful for the ones who tend the gardens and grounds, and keep watch over our campus. And thanks always to the musicians and choir singers, and to Boude our Music Director for the beauty and depth they bring to our worship.
And above all, we give thanks to the Lord for the goodness and blessings that God showers on us in this church community. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
| | STEWARDSHIP 2026: Pledge envelopes are in the Narthex for those who have requested them. If you have not submitted your pledge, please do so as soon as you can. This allows us to accurately plan for the coming year. Turn in your pledge card, or visit our church website, www.popwh.org, click "Giving," then "Pledge Card." | |
COME TO THE ADVENT BIBLE STUDY!
What: An old-fashioned Bible Study looking at the Incarnation story in each of the Gospels.
When: Immediately after each service (8:00 and 10:00) during Advent – November 30, December 7, 14, and 21.
Where: Prince of Peace Community Center (Pantry Building).
| | |
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER (LEM) TRAINING
One more LEM training sessions is available Saturday, December 6 at 10:00 AM, for about an hour. Please note that LEMs are required by the Diocese to be licensed, and this training is necessary for licensing. If your schedule does not permit attendance and you wish to serve as a LEM, contact Father Brian or Deacon George to make alternative arrangements for the training. Thank you for serving!
| | |
CATHY GERO UPDATE: We're happy to report that our friend Cathy Gero has been given approval to continue her journey to ordination to the diaconate! Congratulations, Cathy!
| | |
Thanksgiving
for all the holy moments we have experienced:
for words spoken,
for kindnesses given,
and for blessings in abundance!
Amen.
(Diana Shirley)
If you would like to submit a Prayer of the Week,
please send it to Cara Gordon at cara7890@yahoo.com
Thank you!
| | |
ADVENT/CHRISTMAS INGATHERING 2025
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light"
As we enter the holy season of Advent, your Prince of Peace Outreach Committee reflected again on our dear Brothers and Sisters at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Altadena, and their continued suffering since the devastating loss of their beautiful church home and school campus during the Eaton Fire. The Advent/Christmas season for St. Mark's Church community will find them celebrating this holy season (and as they have the past 10 months), at their “long-term worship home,” St. Barnabas in Eagle Rock.
Because there is still such an unimaginable need by our friends in Altadena, during this season of anticipation and preparation for Christmas, we are reaching out to our Prince of Peace family to prayerfully consider your year-end gift that will go towards the rebuilding of their community.
Because of your faithful support, we are especially aware of how our shared generosity can help the St. Mark’s Church community. Thank you!
“When the light of Christ promises to guide us through any darkness we may face”
Please watch your mail for the Advent/Christmas envelope, and look for the glass ingathering jar in the church aisle, beginning this Sunday, November 30, 2025.
| | |
RESPONDING TO HURRICANE MELISSA
Episcopal Relief & Development is in close contact with our partners, including local dioceses and agencies in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, as Hurricane Melissa continues to cause widespread devastation throughout the Caribbean region.
With wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 29 as a Category 5 storm. The storm is the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s history and one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record. Causing major damage to public infrastructure, Hurricane Melissa has left approximately 77% of the island without power and displaced more than 6,000 people.
A precise death toll and full understanding of damages are still difficult to determine as many areas remain inaccessible. However, severe flooding and landslides, dangerous storm surges and upwards of 30 deaths have been reported across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.
“Our local partners are assessing the needs of their community as the damage and long-term effects of this disaster become clearer,” said Eric Weaver, Director of Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We stand by, ready to support them and the communities they serve as we learn more about the extent of damages and how best to target our response.”
Please pray for the people impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond.
| | |
SECRET PRAYER PARTNERS REVEAL PARTY! Mark your calendars now - the Reveal Party for our Secret Prayer Partners will be held Saturday, December 6 at 12 noon in the Reasoner Family Center!
| |
PARISH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Prince of Peace musicians will help us prepare for Christmas with a musical celebration on the evening of December 7 at 5:00 PM in the Reasoner Family Center. The Prince of Peace choir will be featured, accompanied by Cello Trumpet and Positiv Organ. Handbell ensembles Alchemy, Jubilate, and Tintinnabulation will play both familiar and new carols. Festive lights will illuminate a holiday table of hors d'oeuvres to start and cookies to finish. Between musical selections, several parishioners will share their Christmas traditions. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar, and please RSVP here: https://www.wixforms.com/f/7396301149717922850
| COME TO THE NEWCOMERS LUNCH! If you are new to Prince of Peace, please make plans to join us for a Newcomers Lunch on December 14 after the 10:00 AM service in the Guild Room! RSVP to Dave Dumas in the Church Office (818-346-6968 or office@popwh.org). | |
COLLARS FOR AFRICA: Ugandan Priests, those that are retired and those still active, need round collars. They are from Ankole Diocese in Western Uganda. Please make checks payable to Prince of Peace with "Clergy Collars" in the memo line, or give online at https://secure.myvanco.com/YGJC/campaign/C-YGKA. Donations must be received by December 14. Thank you!
| JOB OPENING: Prince of Peace is seeking a Director of our Children and Families Ministries. A full description of the job is available on the Church website (www.popwh.org) at the "Jobs" tab. Please prayerfully consider if you are called to this ministry. Please email your cover letter and résumé, with "Children's Ministry" in the subject line, to jobs@popwh.org. | |
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW)
BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
The ECW has two positions open on its Board:
1) President: Self-motivated individual to plan and organize events, with the ability to conduct meetings, which are held one afternoon per month. A large part of our focus is the Kathie Clark Scholarship.
2) Recording Secretary: Take minutes at monthly meeting, transcribe, and keep records for future reference.
This is an opportunity to build community and grow in Jesus Christ. If you are interested in taking this step, please contact Sandi Totter (818-620-6632 or sandi@novaca.com).
| |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Help Wrap Gifts for Many Mansions Families
Prince of Peace is once again partnering with Many Mansions, an affordable-housing nonprofit serving families in our local community. This holiday season, you are invited to help bring joy to children by volunteering to wrap gifts after their families have selected a special present.
Event Details:
Dates: December 16 & 17, 2025
Location: Many Mansions "Gift Store"
2726 E. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
There are multiple time slots available. Your time and care will make a meaningful difference!
Sign Up to Volunteer
Visit the link below to choose your preferred volunteer time:
https://www.mobilize.us/manymansions/event/867963/
In addition, donations will be accepted for grocery cards to selected families (make checks payable to Prince of Peace with "Many Mansions" in the memo line), or give online at https://secure.myvanco.com/YGJC/campaign/C-YGK8.
Learn more about Many Mansions at www.manymansions.org
Thank you for helping share the joy of the season!
| | |
This week's 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 on the "Submit a Prayer Request" button at the bottom of this page.
| | |
PRINTED COPIES OF "THE HAPPENINGS"
A small number of printed copies of The Happenings are available in the Welcome Wagon outside the church on Sunday mornings, or upon request. Please contact Christine Lehman in the Parish Office (comm@popwh.org) if you need additional copies.
| | | | |
