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.

Check out the latest newsletter for Prophets of Hope, our jail ministry program.

Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday - 13 April

10:30am, festival service in the sanctuary with Jazz on High

Maundy Thursday - 17 April 

7:00pm, service of Holy Communion in the sanctuary

Good Friday - 18 April

7:00pm, musical meditations and vigil in the sanctuary

Easter Sunday - 20 April

7:00am, daybreak service at Natural Bridges Beach

10:30am, festival service in the sanctuary with Chancel Choir and Brass

Bring a bell on Easter (10:30am) for the Resurrection Ring!

Don’t have a bell? Download a free app to your smartphone!

Second Sunday Student Lunches

April 13, 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.

If you celebrate an April birthday or just want some extra Sunday celebratory time, join us this Sunday, the 13th, 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

Celebrate!

The Floral Committee is asking the entire congregation to join us in creating a spectacular Easter display. Because the PUCC Easter morning service is always packed we are asking you to arrive early and bring flowers. There will be a large cross at the entrance to the Sanctuary and members of the Floral Committee will be there to accept the flowers you bring and to help you tuck them into the cross which will be moved to the front of the sanctuary at 10:15 as a reminder of God's gifts of Jesus, this congregation, renewal and transformation and hope.

Bring as few or as many flowers as you would like. Bring them from your garden or purchase a small bouquet. As with God's love, all shapes, sizes, varieties, and colors are welcome!

All flowers must be at church by 10:00. Any flowers arriving after that will be put into bouquets to adorn the patio as we rejoice together after worship.

CYF Family Stories for Lent

This week's story book for children and families is "I Wonder" by Annaka Harris. This story, with its beautiful illustrations, asks questions about the mysteries of the universe and encourages people young and old to wonder about things big and small.

You can find our reading of the book here: https://youtu.be/Fnekmm4U5jE

Holy Week is coming! This Sunday is Palm Sunday. We encourage families and young ones to arrive at church a tad early to participate in the Parade of the Palms! There will be palms and cloaks available for the procession. We hope to see folks there!

CYF will also offer videos for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday to help explain some of the themes of the season. Keep a look out in your emails!

Living Word: A Bible Intensive on Luke-Acts



Join Pastor Dave for a month-long Bible study, Wednesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:00pm, May 1 through June 5, in the church library. We’ll take a fast and focused look at the Christian story as told in the Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts, from the birth of Jesus to the birth of the Church. 

 

For those who are new to Bible study, this will be a good place to start, and long-time students of scripture will find in this study an invitation to “go deep.”

Persons interested in becoming members of Peace United Church of Christ are especially encouraged to participate. Our next occasion for receiving new members is Pentecost, Sunday, June 8.



For questions, or to say that you’ll attend, e-mail PastorDave@PeaceUnited.org.

Comprehensive Campaign - A Place for Peace

Thank you for making your pledges so promptly.

The Capital Campaign is very close to its $500,000 pledge goal and we plan to exceed this amount by June.

We hope to have $250,000 in the bank by June so we can sign a contract with painters. Bids are coming in from contractors with the goal of starting the painting work in June please so consider submitting your pledge payments as soon as possible.

The Annual Drive now has received 36 pledges with a total of $117,450. The puzzle picture is emerging!

The Comprehensive Campaign  is an invitation to support the church’s mission in three important ways.

• Capital Funds are for deferred maintenance and improvement of our facilities with a goal of $500,000. Donations are payable over three years.
• Annual Funds are pledged each year and are used for operating expenses including staff wages, all our programs, insurance, utilities and financial participation with mission partners like Prophets of Hope, COPA, AFC and UCC missions. The goal is 100 pledges and $300,000.
• Legacy Funds come from your designation of Peace United Church of Christ as a beneficiary in your will/estate plan and are used for projects that you designate or new initiatives such as upgrading AV technology.

If you did not receive a trifold pledge brochure in the mail, you can download a copy using this LINK



Karen Cozza

Observing Lent

As Lent calls us to reflection and renewal, the caterpillar enters the chrysalis phase, a place of mystery and transformation. Hidden from the world, it undergoes a miraculous change, surrendering its former self to become something new. This mirrors the call of Lent: a season of prayer and reflection as we enter into our own inner "chrysalis," letting go of conflict and embracing humility. 

As you watch the changing chancel display may you find yourself transforming.

The Floral Committee

April Featured Ministry: Stewardship

The Featured Ministry for April is Stewardship! This is our opportunity to let you know how fun and exciting stewardship can be here at Peace UCC.

Yes, we are asking for your pledges to the annual fund at this time. We hope to give the finance team the information they need to create the budget for next year. A part of that is reminding you, letting you know why you want to contribute to Peace UCC.

We have people stand up and tell why they appreciate being a member and supporting us. These members are amazing people. In fact, the more members I get to know the more amazing people I know. And yes, we have Sunday services which give us a time to pause in our busy lives, reflect on our spiritual needs, pray for peace and all the people we love, sing, and be in community. 

I know that's a popular phrase these days. Covid taught us the need and importance of community. Enjoy this April Month of focus on Stewardship when we will be sharing the additional aspects of our ministry.

You might find out something new about Peace UCC.

Faithfully, Lisa Hoesing, Stewardship Co-chair

Holy Tuesday

Beach Cleanup

at Natural Bridges

April 15 at 10 am

Calling all beach lovers! If you are ready for a little service, fellowship, and fun under the sun in God's creation, I hope you will join us for our first beach cleanup of 2025. We are caretaking the beach where quite a few of us have been baptized in this church, as an offering of love and gratitude before Easter.

We meet in the dirt parking lot past the ranger's station at 10am for a few words of welcome and orientation, and to distribute supplies. If you have work gloves like gardening gloves, you may wish to bring those. Likewise, if you prefer collecting trash in a bucket rather than a bag, you can bring one from home. Sun protection and closed toed shoes are recommended. We are usually only out there for an hour or so, but it's amazing to see the difference we can make as a group in that period of time!

Please let Lanakila Iesū know ahead of time if you're planning on joining in.

MAY GARDEN TOUR   

On the Saturday before Mother’s Day, May 10, 5 gardens of Peace United members are open for you to tour.

In Scotts Valley

• Suzanne McLean has a large garden with roses and orchard

In Santa Cruz

• Karen Cozza’s woodland garden is near Pasatiempo
• Chrissi and Stephen Brewer’s garden surrounds their Victorian house near downtown Santa Cruz
• Elizabeth Schilling and Ken Thomas’s garden in the Live Oak area has a New Zealand flavor

Near the harbor

• Tom and Maryse Postlewaite have a colorful patio garden 

This is a fund-raising event for Peace United to help with the budget deficit of $10,000 so tickets are required. Tickets are $50 a person or a carload for $120 and are available on Eventbrite using this LINK and after the church service. The entrance fee includes refreshments and a surprise at each garden. Gardens open at 11:00 am and close at 4:00 pm.

Visit Karen Cozza's woodland garden where colorful azaleas and rhododendrons nestle under a grove of redwood trees. Stroll along the stone path down to a viewing bench by Branciforte Creek. Up on the deck, join us for snacks and drinks and an overlook of the creek and trees.

For more info, Contact Karen kacozza@gmail.com

Vera Taylor’s Enduring Legacy

Vera Taylor was a beloved and active member of the Santa Cruz community, dedicating her life to education, creativity, and service. Alongside her husband, Art Taylor, she was deeply involved in the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz, now known as Peace United Church of Christ. An avid reader and lifelong learner, Vera found joy in sharing her knowledge with others.

Though they never had children of their own, Vera and Art were passionate about inspiring young minds. They introduced neighborhood children to their favorite hobbies—pottery, woodcarving, and weaving—and were dedicated volunteers in local schools. Their commitment to enriching the lives of others sparked a visionary idea: supporting young people in their pursuit of higher education.

In 1977, Vera’s legacy took a lasting form when she left a generous bequest of $250,000 to establish a scholarship program through our church. Over the past 47 years, this fund has grown tremendously, awarding more than $1 million in scholarships to nearly 50 students.



This program stands as a testament to Vera Taylor’s values, honoring her memory by fostering academic excellence, Christian love, and a deeper connection to the church community.

Loving God, keep us in the Amazing Grace that is ours through Jesus Christ, in whose Holy Name we pray

• For all who suffer illness and despair, and for our grieving.
• For Kwok’s family, in their grief, traveling to Taiwan for his father-in-law’s memorial.
• For choir members traveling to perform in Carnegie Hall.
• Continuing prayers for Chris Wellens, with melanoma complications.
• For Max, with Covid, and all students traveling in this season.
• For Stony and Beverly Brook, for Mary Lois Comesky and her husband Lynn.
• For all in cancer treatment, and their families.
• For Lynn and Bill Walton’s son Johnnie, needing heart treatment to get back on the kidney transplant list, and in need of new housing.
• Continuing prayers for USAID workers and their recipients suddenly without food.
• For federal government workers and the vital programs they support.
• For all who experience being the “least, lost, victimized and targeted," especially immigrants and their families, and the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans people.
• For those without housing in the richest country in the world.
• For the people of Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Israel, and all under threat of violence.

Prayers of gratitude

• For courage in the face of fear, hope in the face of despair, and faith in times of darkness.
• For our church members and friends who persist in peace and justice making, through their writing, phone calls, and protesting, and their work with COPA, AFC, and Prophets of Hope.
• For God’s forgiveness of human frailty and failure.

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

Sign Up to Be A Liturgist!

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.

Read More

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.

Small Groups and Ministries of Outreach

Use this link to find information about our various small groups and

ministries here at PUCC.