What's New at Peace

Worship This Sunday

April 12, 10:30 am

Second Sunday of Easter

John 20:19-29

For fear of the Christians!

Sermon by Pastor Dave

For those unable to join us in person, there will be a live videocast of the worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Go to the church's website, or use one of the links below.

If you miss the live service, you can find it archived on YouTube.

Watch on YouTube

Sunday Bulletin

Watch on Facebook

Visit our website for more information about what's happening at PUCC

Second Sunday Student Lunches

April 12, right after worship, we will hold our monthly luncheon for college students and young adults (18-26). Free food, friends, music and games sometimes, and always a good time. We’ll get started around Noon in the “Upper Room” of the Education Building.

For additional information, contact PastorDave@PeaceUnited.org.

Thank you for your many contributions to the beauty of Resurrection Sunday!

The Worship Enhancement Committee

Sunday Socials:

Elegantly Simple

Our Sunday Socials will switch to Beverages Only as a post-Easter nod to volunteer ease.

Stop by the Kitchen Hallway from 10 - 10:25 a.m. and after worship for tea, coffee, decaf or filtered water. Enjoy conversation on the patio or lounge with a cup in hand. Then off to lunch without an appetite-stifling sugar high!

— Congregational Support Committee

If you celebrate an April birthday or just want some extra Sunday celebratory time, join us this Sunday, the 12th, for Birthday Blessings

during Worship. We want to honor YOU!

These Friends Have April Birthdays:

Lee Daher, Wayne Shada, Roger Bowers, Stephanie Rosenbaum, Maryse Postlewaite, Anna Hackenbracht, Judah Mulder, Stoney Brook, Ken Thomas, Kate Grishaw-Jones, Sarah Shane-Vasquez, Matthew Elliot

Please join our Council Meeting next week, via zoom, on Thursday, April 16, at 6:00pm. This is a beneficial meeting to learn more about the current issues and witness the decision making process of our vibrant church community.

For the link, contact Tony Augimeiri at moderator@peaceunited.org

Use the following link:

CLICK HERE

Meet Derek Johnson: a Lover of Music

You may have already met and introduced yourself to Derek Johnson, one of Peace’s newest members. You might have seen him sitting in the front row on the left with his mother, Lois Lawson. You may also have had the opportunity to meet and talk with him at the after service gathering. Derek describes himself as gregarious — this being as he says, “This is my super power.'

Derek loves music and shared that the music at Peace is his “ice cream”. Music connects him with the world and with the Spirit. He loves playing the guitar and singing. His joy and contentment is apparent as he talks about busking in Salinas and in Santa Cruz. His favorite places to play music are Pacific Avenue, the wharf in Monterey and the bookstore in Salinas.

He spends three weeks out of the month with his mom, here in Santa Cruz. The other week he lives in a boarding house in Salinas. He loves movies and when I asked him if he had a favorite genre, he joyfully said all kinds of movies.

Derek has lived in a variety of places in his lifetime. All of his siblings and his parents are Santa Cruzans. He noted that his siblings were born at the hospital on Soquel, the original hospital where Ristorante Italiano was. He was born in Illinois. He lived for a number of years in Alaska, Oregon and Washington. He joyfully shared that he has been a Christian for 25 years and enjoys worshipping at Peace. Look for Derek after service sitting at the patio enjoying the company of fellow worshipers.

CYF Theme: Earth Month

April is Earth Month!

As we focus on our planet and how we can be good stewards, we are sharing "A Very Big Problem" by Rabbi Amy-Jill Levine and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Both Levine and Sasso create wonderful spiritual children's books, both together and individually.

In this week's story, different animals and elements argue about which things are most important to God. Is it the rain? Is it the sun? In the end, everyone realizes God's love is for everyone and that we are all made to work together!

You can find this week's story video here: https://youtu.be/J1APiA_4tJI

Upcoming Dates:

Friday, April 17: Kids' Night Out (6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Sunday, April 19: Family Worship/Sunday School

Friday, April 24: Family Game Night (6:00 - 8:30 p.m.)

Blessings,

The CYF Team

Piano by Moonlight: Candlelit Evenings of Rest and Reverie

Solo piano music by our own Aidan Santa Cruz every Tuesday night at 7:00 to 9:00 at Peace United. Aidan is heart centered and plays free improvisations inspired by classical, jazz and spiritual traditions.

Come to meditate, relax and let go...on pillows, on the floor, or seated. All are welcome. Suggested Donation - $15-25

For more information please check out the Facebook group linked here and/or contact Aidan directly: 831-428-2368, aidanfpsc@gmail.com

Sadao Watanabe (1913 –1996) was born and raised in Tokyo, and is famous for his biblical prints rendered in the mingei (folk art) tradition of Japan.

We received this picture titled “Beggar and Saints” from Tony Phillips, a former member of Peace United Church of Christ and active member of the choir. It is displayed in the narthex of the sanctuary.

The subject matter of Watanabe's prints is exclusively the gospel. He placed biblical subjects in a Japanese context and used the folk art approach. Watanabe used handmade paper crumpled by hand, squeezed and wrinkled to give a rough quality to the prints. He only used traditional organic and mineral pigments which is one of the characteristics of folk art.

While his prints are exhibited in the Vatican Museum, the British Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, he preferred that his prints hang in the ordinary places of life: "I would most like to see them hanging where people ordinarily gather, because Jesus brought the gospel for the people".

Peace Garden Tour Postponed to 2027

Our next garden tour will be the Saturday before Mother’s Day in May 2027. Plan ahead and save the date

Karen Cozza -kacozza@gmail.com,

Holy One, keep us in the Amazing Grace that is ours through the spirit of Christ, in whose Loving Name we pray

Prayers of Healing and Faith and Continuing Prayers for our Community

For Jim’s niece Dana, and the other residents, whose care facility in Maui was made uninhabitable by recent torrential rains.
For Marie Grace, and Peter, as she faces cancer surgery in late April in North Carolina.
For Grant’s and for Lynn’s recovery from surgeries, for Scout, Maya, and Scout’s family in Minnesota
For Peggy Kelly, who moved near her son, for Lonna and Dennis, living at Sunshine Villa, and for Valkyrie, who also moved away.
For Nick Piediscalzi, in hospice care, for Paula’s broken ankle, for Lisa’s grandson Dustin, living with cancer, and Darrell Johnson, in a care home.
Comfort for Earle’s, Raneta’s, Lynn & Bill’s, Nancy’s, Kwok’s, Aidan’s, Susie’s, Nancy’s and Ken’s families and for all of us who grieve lost family and friends.

Prayers for our Communities, Country and the World

For courage to oppose wars and leaders motivated by greed and preying on fear.
For those in mourning for loved ones lost to violence and war.
For water and food, healthcare and housing for all.
For immigrants and their families, everyone in custody, and those experiencing being targeted, oppressed and dealt with unjustly.
For all affected by natural disasters and human violence, terror, war and displacement, especially the children.

Prayers of Gratitude

For our Peace Village housing project for all the good that will come from it when it’s completed.
For scientific and miraculous healings of bodies, minds and spirits.
For peaceful protestors all over the country and world.
For all who give their time and talent to our church, community, and world.
For trust in God and each other, courage when facing fear and injustice, hope in times of darkness, and for the Light of Christ in our hearts and minds.

In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!

You may request prayers by emailing Prayers@PeaceUnited.Org,

calling Lynn Walton (600-7343), or calling the church office (426-2010).

We Want to Hear Your Voice

We would love to have you as a liturgist (reader) in one of our Sunday morning worship services. It's a wonderful way of serving!

Sign up for a Sunday to read live and in person and we'll connect with you by e-mail on the Tuesday prior, sending all the information you'll need for getting ready.

If you'd like to give it a try, click on this link to choose a date.

Watch Out For Scammers

Peace United staff and leaders will never solicit you by e-mail or text message, asking you to purchase or send gift cards or electronic funds for any purpose. Contact the church office if you have any concerns about emails you may receive.

Office Hours!

Monday through Friday, from 9 am - 2 pm staff are in the office, attending to the business of our church: monitoring e-mail, answering telephones and/or responding to messages, working on the dozens of different projects and connections that keep our ministry moving forward.

If you plan to come into the office, please call ahead to schedule a time when we know someone will be in to assist you. You can reach us by e-mail using the list below or by phone, 831-426-2010.

Pastor, the Rev. David Pattee - pastordave@peaceunited.org
Facilities Manager, Aaron Abeyta - facilities@peaceunited.org
Office Manager, Devon Obert - office@peaceunited.org
Bookkeeper, Susan Robinson - bookkeeper@peaceunited.org

Pastor Dave works from the church office, Monday through Thursday, and most weeks will have office hours on Saturday too, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday is his day off. In case of emergency, the pastor is available by cell phone, 773-255-8095. If you would like to schedule a meeting or would like to "drop by", please contact us via email using this link to make an arrangement.