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Wednesday
March 25, 2026
THE HAPPENINGS
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for
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026
PALM SUNDAY
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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.
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Sunday:
8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Services
(The 10:00 AM service is livestreamed)
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REMINDERS:
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TONIGHT (Wednesday, 5:00 PM) is our last Wednesday evening Lenten Prayer Circle! Join us in the Chapel for a prayer service followed by Compline (Night Prayer). All are welcome!
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No Bible Studies on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday.
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Church Office will be closed on Easter Monday (April 6).
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Our next Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting for 2026 will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the Guild Room, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Come on by and enjoy wonderful fellowship! If you would like to learn how to knit or crochet, I’ll provide hooks, needles, a pattern, and yarn! Thank you! - Margie Pavlowsky
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BIG FILL ON PALM SUNDAY! Please bring candy for our Easter Egg Hunt! We need them by Palm Sunday, March 29. Join the fun and help fill 1,000 eggs! Look for a box for donations and a volunteer sign-up sheet on the table next to the coffee, this and next Sunday.
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MAUNDY THURSDAY FELLOWSHIP DINNER (Thursday, April 2) begins at 6:00 PM in the Family Center. If you plan on attending dinner, please sign up at church or by emailing or calling the Church Office (office@popwh.org). Worship follows at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. (You do not need to sign up for worship.)
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THE DEACON'S DEN
Throughout our Lenten journey this year, we have been asking the question that the Greeks asked Philip in John’s Gospel: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” This request signals a pivotal moment where Jesus’s mission extends beyond the Jewish people to the wider world, prompting him to declare, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” This, of course, sets him out on his final journey to Jerusalem.
On this “journey” Jesus first encounters Nicodemus, a Pharisee and keeper of the Law. He comes to Jesus in the dark of night, as he doesn’t want to be “seen” consorting with the enemy in broad daylight. Have you ever had a “Nicodemus” moment ... wanting to know about Jesus, but not wanting anyone to know you want to know? How do you handle that? There’s nothing wrong with coming to Jesus in the dark of the night, but one way or another you must reveal that experience in the bright light of the day.
Next, we meet the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman, whom Jesus should never have even encountered, let alone have engaged in conversation. But, having done so, Jesus empowers our first evangelist who goes back to her village and exclaim, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have done. He cannot be the Messiah, can he? They left the city and were on their way to him.”
Then we meet the man born blind who so desperately wants to see the light of day. And of course, Jesus, in his compassion, heals the man, but not without substantial objections from the “people in charge.” Oftentimes we also meet with objections from those who are supposedly “in charge”, because we may be speaking the truth to those in power. Have you experienced that? How did you deal with those objections?
And finally, we encounter Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead – an encounter that suspends our very narrow vision of the world and throws us into the cosmos of creation. Here, the Kingdom of God intersects with kingdom of the world, and the Kingdom of God prevails as it overcomes the kingdom of the world, which is death.
So, with that, we come to Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Now, where will you encounter Jesus during Holy Week? Will it be ...
- in a quiet moment at one of our morning services on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday at 8:00 in the morning?
- Or maybe at our Maundy Thursday service with a meal that Jesus may have had, followed by a service of foot washing and a stripping of the altar.
- Or perhaps as you sit in the chapel, watching with Jesus for one hour?
- Or then again, maybe on Good Friday at our noon service during our Solemn Collects.
- Or your encounter with Jesus may even come on Holy Saturday at 8:00 PM as we gather around the fire on the Porch of the church as we begin in the darkness of the Crucifixion ... and then celebrate in the light and joy of the Resurrection.
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” … Come and See!!
+Deacon George Packer
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ENCOUNTERING JESUS
The Gospel lessons in the Lenten lectionary have a common thread of encountering Jesus.
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On Lent V (March 22), in John 11, Jesus encounters Lazarus calling him forth to life restored that the Son of Man may be glorified.
THE GLORY OF THE SON
We would see Jesus, for the shadows lengthen
across the landscape of this mortal life;
we would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen
for the last weariness, the final strife.
We would see Jesus, the great rock foundation
whereon our feet were set with sovereign grace;
nor life nor death, with all their agitation
can thence remove us, if we see his face.
We would see Jesus, all that we are needing:
strength, joy, and willingness come with the sight.
We would see Jesus, pleading, dying, rising.
Welcome day, bid farewell mortal night.
The text of the anthem for Lent V is by A B Warner, a meditation on one’s own death and sure hope of resurrection. The original music by Boude Moore is an arrangement of the hymn tune Langham (#573 in our hymnal).
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John 12:21 quotes Greek visitors “We would see Jesus.” Jesus said to them “If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am there will my servant be also.” This verse is set to new music for the chant of preparation throughout Lent.
New Offertory anthems have been prepared for each of the five Sundays in Lent, as well as Easter, when we encounter the Risen Christ.
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ALTAR FLOWERS
No flowers during Lent; however, now is the time to make a donation toward our glorious Easter celebration! Please use the blue envelope in the pews to remember a loved one, thank God for His many blessings, or for any other thanksgiving you may have. The Altar Guild will again decorate the church for Easter with your kind donations!
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THE ALTAR GUILD NEEDS YOU!
The Altar Guild is seeking new members to join this vital "behind-the-scenes" ministry. This dedicated group prepares the sanctuary for worship with care, reverence, and attention to detail.
About the Altar Guild
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Purpose: To "set the stage" for worship services, including Sundays, weddings, baptisms, and funerals, while maintaining the beauty and order of the sanctuary.
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Duties: Preparing and clearing the altar for services, caring for sacred vessels, linens, vestments, polishing silver; and changing hangings and colors according to the liturgical season.
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Commitment: Members serve in teams on a rotating schedule, often one week per month, including Saturday morning preparation, Sunday services, and holy days. A monthly meeting is also held to discuss and coordinate upcoming needs.
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Training: No prior experience is necessary. Training is provided, and new members are supported by experienced guild members.
This ministry is open to both men and women who feel called to serve God in a quiet and meaningful way. If you enjoy preparing for celebrations and working behind-the-scenes, or would like to learn more about the traditions of the Episcopal Church, we warmly invite you to consider joining us.
To learn more or express interest, please contact the Church Office.
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LENTEN LABYRINTH PRAYER
Walking the labyrinth is a practice of spending time with God. You are invited to scan the QR code for a Lenten Prayer and walk slowly, pray simply, and listen deeply during this season.
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LENTEN OUTREACH
The Prince of Peace Outreach Committee has selected the Ahi Arab Hospital in Gaza City as the recipient of our 2026 Lenten offering. Ahi is owned and operated by The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which operates several schools and other health facilities, including the Hospital. For decades, this hospital has provided essential medical services to its community and is now one of the few fully operational hospitals left to serve the entire population. Nearly 99% of Gaza’s population now lives in poverty and cannot afford medical care. Your belief in healthcare as a human right enables Ahli to continue offering services without cost, ensuring that financial hardship does not determine who receives treatment and who goes without. For more information, please visit afedj.org.
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To donate, scan this QR code; go to https://secure.myvanco.com/YGJC/campaign/C-YGK4; or write a check to Prince of Peace and write "Lenten Offering" in the memo line.
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Prayer of the Week:
Prayer of St. Francis
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
CAMP ABIDE: STAYING CLOSE TO JESUS
This Sunday in our Lenten Sunday School series, Camp Abide: Staying Close to Jesus, we will take a special journey through Holy Week—walking with Jesus from Palm Sunday, through the Last Supper, and all the way to the joy of Easter morning. Through interactive storytelling and hands-on activities, children will experience the most important events of our faith in a meaningful and memorable way.
Our “One Thing” for the week is: When we stay close to Jesus, we realize that Jesus is the Bread of Life who makes us complete. As we reflect on Jesus’ love and sacrifice, we’ll help children understand that true joy is found in Him alone.
Join us as we continue our camping adventure of faith, drawing closer to Jesus every step of the way!
God bless you and all the children Jesus entrusted in our care!
Blessings,
Alma Fountain
Prince of Peace Children and Family Ministry is dedicated to be a safe place to GROW in faith, have fun in fellowship, live the Word and share God’s love.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Our Vacation Bible School (VBS), Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God, will take place July 13–17 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Children will journey through a vibrant rainforest setting as they discover who God is through engaging Bible stories, hands-on activities, music, and fun each day.
Now is the perfect time to invite friends and family – many are already planning their summer activities! Share the postcard invitation image included in this article and help spread the word so more children can join this unforgettable week.
We are also building our VBS Team and would love for you to be part of it! There are many ways to help with planning and preparations for this BIG week. Please contact our VBS Planning Team – Joyce and Bill Prescott, Patty Papps, and Alma Fountain – at family@popwh.org.
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MEASLES UPDATE
Ann Lowe
Recently Los Angeles County experienced an outbreak of measles related to international travel. This disease spreads via airborne droplets (talking, coughing, and sneezing). The infected individuals visited several public places, which prompted health warnings for people who were unvaccinated to monitor for symptoms of measles.
Since there are ongoing outbreaks in the US and internationally, it is worth it to review whether you are immune to this disease:
- People born before 1957 are assumed to have immunity to measles, because it was such a common childhood disease at that time. This means you are at least 70 or older.
- People born between 1957 and 1967, (59-69 years old) are not assumed to be immune, because there wasn’t an effective vaccine at that time. These individuals need to contact their primary care provider about getting the modern MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccine.
- Individuals born in 1968 to the present (58 and younger) who received the MMR vaccine, are considered immune.
Adults who do not know their immunity status should discuss this with their primary care provider. There is a simple blood test to determine if you are immune. The CDC recommends 2 doses of the vaccine for adults who are not already immune.
| | If you're interested in attending this event, please click here for the Reservation Form (a downloadable PDF). Thank you for supporting the Community Helpers of San Fernando Valley! | | |
LOOKING TO GO DEEPER INTO YOUR CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LIFE?
(Order of the Mustard Seed)
A number of years ago I was wondering if there was more to being a disciple of Jesus than I had experienced. My wondering, searching and prayer led me to The Order of the Mustard Seed, a New Monastic Community. You can read more about new monasticism by clicking this link.
The Order of the Mustard Seed is a part of the 24/7 Prayer Movement. Some of you are familiar with this movement, having participated in the Prayer Course, the Lectio Divina Course, the Unanswered Prayer Course, or the How to Have a Quiet Time Course, most of which are taught by Pete Grieg, founder of the 24/7 Prayer Movement.
Each year the Order opens itself up to people who want to explore becoming part of this movement, and the Season of Exploration is officially open! If you would like more information about The Order of the Mustard Seed please feel free to contact me (randreasoner@gmail.com) or you can click this link (register here) to sign up for an information session with the Order.
May this season of Lent be one of growth and discovery for you.
Grace and Peace,
Rand Reasoner+ OMS
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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.
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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.
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