wop4-21 (med res) - Peace Camarillo

april 4/1 Maundy Thurs. 4/2 Good Friday 4/4 Easter Sunday 4/8 Jr Hi mini golf 4/13 SuperTuesday 4/20 Church Council

may 5/7 F&FF 5/9 Mother’s Day 5/11 SuperTuesday 5/18 Church Council 5/30 Trinity Sunday 5/30 Confirmation

june 6/4 F&FF 6/8 SuperTuesday 6/14 Many Meals 6/15 Church Council 6/20 Father’s Day 6/22 Jr Big Bear trip

Happy Easter 2021!(cont ’d next page ☞)

Hello Hallelujah’s! It’s been 40 days since we’ve shouted Praise the Lord! in the original Hebrew tongue (46 days counting the 6 Sundays in Lent). But the wait is over - and so is the battle!

Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

I love how the festive Easter hymns so clearly proclaim it: “Now, all the vault of heaven resounds”: “This is the feast of victory for our God!”

This year, we especially have felt the weariness of our Lenten journey. It’s been over a year of lock downs. People we have loved have since gone home to be with the Lord in glory. And we finished this solemn year off by being tight-lipped about our Hallelujah’s. But wait, you say, the pandemic’s not over yet…

Words of Peace Newsletter

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No, this pandemic is not quite over. That’s true. But that in no way detracts from our Easter celebration of new life in Jesus’ Name. And let’s not give one inch in letting it.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33) That’s a promise. What makes us think that the pending resolution of this current coronavirus pandemic would change that fact? There will be other forms of tribulation that God’s children will have to face on their pilgrimage through this desert of countless sorrows. There most likely (but hopefully not!) will be other pandemics within our own lifetime. Our age is not special in that regard. Pestilence, famine, poverty, wars and disease plague every generation to one degree or another. But the mistake of our generation often times is to put all our eggs in the basket of science. Science, we falsely believe, has all the answers and will deliver us from such evils. But if there is one thing this pandemic has taught us it’s that science does NOT have all the answers. Over half a million COVID-related deaths in the U.S. alone have sobered us from that vain imagining. Even fully vaccinated nations will still know death by “natural causes” and the sadness that accompanies the inevitable loss of love ones the world over. Neither science, nor anything else on God’s green earth, can deliver us from the power of that great enemy - death. Yet…

Yet Jesus has the audacity to finish that above quote from John 16:33, “In this world you will have tribulation…But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Who talks like that?! Better yet - who backs up talk like that, when He says, to cite another example, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up again in three days” (John 2:19)? Who can say, “Lazarus, come out!” and the dead actually obey His voice? Jesus, that’s Who! Let your heart be glad.

When Jesus makes an outlandish claim, like “I have overcome the world,” He’s actually selling Himself short. For anybody else that claim would be a delusion;

for Jesus, it’s actually an understatement. For Jesus has not only overcome this world, but He has also singlehandedly conquered death and the grave and, for good measure, given the devil and all his infernal legions the boot. That’s right. In one fell swoop, Jesus made a public spectacle of His enemies, triumphing over them by the power of His cross (Colossians 2:15).

Who dare keep their trap shut in the face of such sublime victory over our most bitter enemies: sin, death, the devil? Who can hold back the Hallelujah’s? I say, let ‘em fly: “Let shouts of holy joy outburst.”

That last quote is from the exultant Easter hymn, “The Strive Is O'er, the Battle Done” (see also the adjacent quote box).

The history behind that hymn is illustrative. The great renaissance composer (and influence to none other than J.S. Bach), Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), wrote the tune for it, “Victory.” Palestrina, himself, was no stranger to plagues. He lost his brother, two of his sons, and his wife in three separate outbreaks of the plague (1572, 1575, and 1580, respectively). Yet, that did not deter him, in the end, from penning this most triumphant of Easter hymns that has found its way into our Lutheran hymnal today (LSB #464).

That’s because the only hope Palestrina had to see his loved ones again is the same hope we share today - the only true and sure hope that the world has ever known or will know: Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. We can put all our eggs, hopes and dreams in that basket! And He’s coming again to culminate His kingdom that knows no more tears, no more death. His death is the death of death. Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed!

(cont ’d from previous page)

- Pastor Mike

The pow'rs of death have done their worst,

But Christ their legions hath dispersed.

Let shouts of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

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Spring Time great for the Great Outdoors !

Like our outdoor worship that we have been enjoying of late

on Sundays at Peace, so the outdoor theme continues for our Peace youth, as

well. Cold February allowed for a timely snow trip, while sunny March weather made a local

day hike too inviting to pass up. So, some senior high & college students joined friends from our sister church, Christ the King, and hit the Newbury Park

trails. Eight miles later (and few more photos to add to our picture album), we were well exercised and a little more appreciative of the beauty of God’s green earth.

APRIL COMING ATTRACTIONS FOR YOUTH:

April 2 - Grade schoolers invited to Good Friday services 12 & 7pm in lieu of F&FF this month

April 4 - Easter Egg Hunt for babies to 6th grade (after 10:30am outdoor Easter service)

April 8 - Outdoor fun with Jr High youth at Golf ’n’ Stuff Ventura (1:30pm)

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Open for Business!

As the latest COVID spike eases, and the threat levels begin to dip from purple to red, and then to orange and maybe even yellow, you can see the signs popping up everywhere - “OPEN”, “Yes, We Are Open!”, “Open for take-out or delivery”, “Now Open On-line and In-Person”. People are so anxious for everything to open up again, so that we can all “get back to normal”.

As we look forward to Easter and beyond, Scripture reminds us that God has used an “open-for-business” sign or two as well. In three of the four Gospels we read how, at the very moment of Jesus’ death, the massive curtain hanging between the Holy place and the Holy-of-Holies in the Temple was torn asunder, from top to bottom! The Holy-of-Holies had always been forbidden to enter, except for the High Priest, who was granted entry once a year, after elaborate cleansing rituals, in order to make the yearly atonement for the people on Yom Kippur. The priests took this prohibition so seriously that they would fasten a rope around the High Priest’s ankle, that in case the man would collapse or die in the LORD’s presence, they could recover the body without violating the sanctity of that space. But now, in one motion, the LORD had changed everything. The torn curtain is a symbol of complete direct access to God being granted through the death of the Messiah. No more intermediaries standing between us and the LORD, no more trembling because of the depth of our sinfulness before the Holy One.

And then God left the door open! The stone was rolled away from the tomb, as our now-risen Savior came forth to declare that death could not hold Him, and that He was the firstfruits of our salvation. Because we are now forgiven, even death has nothing to be frightened about. “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.” (Romans 6: 6-8) Now that is something to worship about!

Speaking of worship, because there are still health protocols in place, we will be holding our Easter celebration outside to allow the most people to attend with the fewest constraints. After that Sunday, we will be going back to our three regular services inside, but we will be limited as to the number of people we can safely accommodate with social distancing and masks in place. For those who are not yet comfortable with indoor attendance, we will offer outdoor seating on the patio adjacent to each service.

What does a torn curtain and the empty tomb tell us? God has been, and will continue to be, open for business: Seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day - two bent knees or one bowed head – no waiting! Peace in Christ,

- Your Elders

An Announcement Some May Have Missed:

At the January Voters' Meeting an announcement was made that the Parking Lot Loan was paid in full. We are very grateful to multiple Donors who made this a reality during this difficult time. God has truly blessed this congregation in so many ways and we are so very thankful. Donations continue to be made to the Debt Fund. Since we have no debt, the Church Council has voted to move all donations made after the loan payoff to the Capital Improvement Fund. If you have made donations to the Debt Reduction Funds and have questions on this, please call Linda Johnston 805-484-4610.

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PRAYERS FOR HEALING & COMFORT:

Ashley (Sandi Stepp’s niece), Lili Baehr, Robbin Brand, Terry Breckinridge, Marshall Denninger, Bill Fitch, Bruce Fraser, Beverly Gandy, Larry Goesch, Ken Haugrud, Helen (friend of Carol Yung), Damon Hermann, John Hollenbeck, Vicki Hutter, Karen Johnson, Judy (friend of Schultze family), Dale Larson, Dawn Logan, Rich Medina, Mrs. Mai, (friend of Greg Olewiler), Ryan Scott Morrison, Olivia (Taylor’s granddaughter), Gene O’Neal, Jim Pedersen, Ann Marie Ramirez, Joanne Riccardi, Lil Rodriguez, Tim Schmidt, Shane Shelton, Joyce Snow, Llewyn Rae Spencer, Gertrude Stenke, Leslie Stenke, Ashley Stephen, Bev Toro, Earl Totten, Carol Yung, Dave & Sue Zinger.

FOR ALL MILITARY: Jeremy Bronner, Jacob Chiles, Daniel Gross, Michael Hanson, Davis Kelly, Brian Miller, Kevin Palos, Stephen Volpei, Amy Waddell, Lucas Wentlandt and also remember their families.

CELEBRATIONS IN

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

Keith & Diane Hedrick 4/6Tom & Linda LaJeunesse 4/26Rick & Bonnie Gatling 4/28David & Sandra Miller 4/28

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…!

Karen Johnson 4/3Nancy Nipstad 4/7Rick Poore 4/9Cole Supple 4/11Carole Morrison 4/12Kylie Scherbert 4/13David Stafford 4/13Shirley Kinnon 4/14Dave Hutter 4/15Matthew Geib 4/16Tina Gingerich 4/17Sandi Stepp 4/19Carla Lacy 4/21

Michelle Lourenco 4/22

Dick Mahlke 4/23

Sarah Taylor 4/23

James Miller 4/24

Tami Ullerick 4/25

Pastor Rob 4/25

Sue Zinger 4/27

Karen Raso Foote 4/27

Janice Swanson 4/27

Ken Haugrud 4/29

Gene O’Neal 4/30

Kevin Krumdieck 4/30

PRAYERS FOR HEALING & COMFORT:

Ashley (Sandi Stepp’s niece), Lili Baehr, Robbin Brand, Terry Breckinridge, Marshall Denninger, Bill Fitch, Bruce Fraser, Beverly Gandy, Larry Goesch, Ken Haugrud, Helen (friend of Carol Yung), Damon Hermann, John Hollenbeck, Vicki Hutter, Karen Johnson, Judy (friend of Schultze family), Dale Larson, Dawn Logan, Rich Medina, Mrs. Mai, (friend of Greg Olewiler), Ryan Scott Morrison, Olivia (Taylor’s granddaughter), Gene O’Neal, Jim Pedersen, Ann Marie Ramirez, Joanne Riccardi, Lil Rodriguez, Tim Schmidt, Shane Shelton, Joyce Snow, Llewyn Rae Spencer, Gertrude Stenke, Leslie Stenke, Ashley Stephen, Bev Toro, Earl Totten, Carol Yung, Dave & Sue Zinger.

FOR ALL MILITARY: Jeremy Bronner, Jacob Chiles, Daniel Gross, Michael Hanson, Davis Kelly, Brian Miller, Kevin Palos, Stephen Volpei, Amy Waddell, Lucas Wentlandt and also remember their families.

Cheryl and Fred Sanders

New Address:

9000 East Manly Drive

Prescott Valley AZ 86314

mailto:[email protected]

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APRIL 2021Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

28 10:30 AM Traditional Service Outside 1:30 PM New Life Christian Fellowship (FH)

29 30 8:30 AM Men's Bible Study via Zoom 10:00 AM Women's Bible Study

31 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study via Zoom 6:00 PM High School Bible Study

1 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service

2 12:00 noon and 7:00pm 12:00 PM Good Friday Services

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4 EASTER SUNDAY 10:30 AM Traditional Service Outside 1:30 PM New Life Christian Fellowship (FH)



8 1:30 PM Jr High Mini Golf

9 6:00 PM Confirmation

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11 Traditional Service 8:00am and 11:00am 9:30 AM Praise Service 1:30 PM New Life Christian Fellowship (FH)



15 16 6:00 PM Confirmation

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19 20 8:30 AM Men's Bible Study via Zoom 10:00 AM Women's Bible Study 7:00 PM Church Council Meeting



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Holy Week Schedule: Please join us

April 1, 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service April 2, 12:00 noon Good Friday Worship Service

April 2, 7:00 pm Good Friday Worship Service

Easter Sunday 10:30am Outdoor Worship Service (Easter egg hunt following service)

Documents

wop4-21 (med res) - Peace Camarillo