What's New at Peace | August 28

Worship This Sunday

August 30, 10:30 am

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Exodus 3:1-15

I Am!

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

2026-27 Pledges Have Reached a Critical Juncture

Despite a very strong start to our 2026-27 pledge season, pledges to Peace United have stalled over the last month. With a goal of reaching $270,000 in pledges this year, we find ourselves about $14,000 short of meeting this goal. Reaching our $270,000 pledge goal is critical because it would allow the church to operate on a balanced budget. Anything less would be a deficit which means we'd have to draw from our already low reserves.

The annual budget was approved at our Annual Congregational meeting with the caveat that it would need to be adjusted downward if we did not meet our pledge goal by the September Council meeting.

Should we not reach this pledge goal, the Finance committee will present a budget with cuts to our already lean budget for the current year.

If you have intended to pledge, we urge you to make pledging a priority this week. And if you have already pledged, please consider increasing your pledge to help us close our budgetary gap.

With renewed focus on closing our $14,000 gap, we continue to have faith that our Peace United community will rally together to fully fund our needs for this year.

We also continue to honor all the ways/initiatives we move as a community. We are blessed to be able to do so much, beyond our “budget”.

CHANCEL CHOIR BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 6:00-8:00, SANCTUARY

EVER WANT TO SING? JUST COME AND BRING YOUR VOICE!

ADDED TO OUR PROGRAM:

-Voice Class

-Recitals

-Music Reading Classes

-FallFest: Broadway Sing-Along and Line Dancing: community invited

Advent Season: Christmas Eve will feature A CEREMONY OF CAROLS - BRITTEN - JENNIFER CASS, HARPIST

Good Friday: REQUIEM - GABRIEL FAURÉ - with ORCHESTRA AND ORGAN

FURTHER INFORMATION: CONTACT Cheryl Anderson, Music Director: cheryl.anderson270@gmail.com or 831-277-9017

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AT REHEARSAL!

colorful-letters-forming-word-peace_53876-31436 image

Acronym Games!

From stewardship- just for fun- we're proposing a little game that you can all join in on.

It's a chance for you to help us expand our usage of those most important words like Peace and United and Church.

Can you make an acronym out of the name of our church? PEACE

To make an easy acronym, make a word that starts with each letter of our name. Example: (Please Eat All Crinkly Edges.)

Send your acronyms in to me: Lisa Hoesing at

Lisasuehoesing@gmail.com

You can see all the wonderful creative entries next month in the Enews!

The Vera Taylor Fund is proud to support these students on their educational journeys. This week, meet Jonah and Judah.

Jonah Blackburn — University of Utah · Pre-Med / Neuroscience

Jonah is a pre-med student at the University of Utah who works as a medical assistant in the Cognitive Neurology Division at University of Utah Health. That experience sparked his interest in the overlap between neurology and psychiatry, especially how changes in the brain affect memory, behavior, personality, and emotion. He is drawn to complex conditions such as Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia, and traumatic brain injury, and to the diagnostic precision that biomarkers and neuroimaging can offer. Now joining a neuroscience research lab, he is building skills in MATLAB, statistics, and data analysis. His long-term goal is to become a physician who unites clinical reasoning with deep neuroscience understanding.

Judah Mulder — Loyola Marymount University · Marketing & Entrepreneurship

Judah is entering his second year at Loyola Marymount University, pursuing a double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. He works on campus as an Events Assistant at the College of Business Administration and was proud to be selected for Delta Sigma Pi, one of LMU's professional business fraternities. Outside the classroom, he spends most of his time outdoors, with a love for surfing, snowboarding, playing spikeball, and all things automotive. Looking ahead, Judah hopes to either launch a business of his own or build a marketing career in the sports industry, combining his entrepreneurial drive with his enthusiasm for competition and the active lifestyle he enjoys.

Stay tuned next week for more bios!

Peace Brewery Group had a great gathering last week!

The Brewery Group gathered on August 24 at Discretion Brewing in Soquel. Join us next month at a different location!

Contact Susie Land if you have questions or want to be on the reminder email list - susietrip@gmail.com.

Calm in the Storm

This month, as we focus on the story of Jesus calming the waters, we are discussing ways to find calm in our own lives. When we feel nervous, anxious, excited, or overwhelmed, it is helpful to know how to calm down and find inner stability.

Our last story in this theme is Happy: A Children's Book of Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards. This story helps teach us ways that we can be mindful in our daily lives. Mindfulness practices can help us when we are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. They help us come back into our bodies and the space we are in and get out of our busy minds! Happy, with its whimsical illustrations set in nature, will teach us ways to notice and be grateful for the things and people around us.

You can find this week's story video below.

Piano by Moonlight: Candlelit Evenings of Rest and Reverie

Solo piano music by our own Aidan Santa Cruz every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:30-9:30 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 updates and more information(like cancellations!) please check out the Facebook group linked here and/or contact Aidan directly: 831-428-2368, aidanfpsc@gmail.com

Save the Date!

Saturday, October 17 will be Peace Village's inaugural FALL FEST! This event will celebrate the community we build here at Peace and invite others to join in! We'll have live music, performances, vendors, food, games, and other fun, seasonal activities!

Mark you calendars so you don't miss it!

Did you miss last week's sermon?

You can find sermons and full worship videos on our Peace UCC YouTube Page. Follow us on YouTube so you're always up-to-date!

Dave's sermon from last week is below:

Did you know that by following Peace on social media and interacting with our posts (liking, commenting, and sharing) you can help other, like-minded people find Peace? You can also find information about events, fun glimpses of things happening at Peace, worship videos, and other news!

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 our family members, friends, and loved ones who are incarcerated. May they find hope and may our system move toward transformational justice.
For each of us having all manner of health challenges. May there continue to be research that helps cure and alleviate the health problems that continue to challenge our world today.
For those struggling with mental health issues and addiction. May resources be made available and affordable so that people can get the help they need.
For D's sister, who is facing challenges right now.
For the families of those who are incarcerated. May they know that they are cared for and seen on their journey.
For Lisa’s grandson Dustin, living with cancer, and Darrell Johnson, in a care home.
For I's son and mother.
For D's family.
For C's cat, who may be sick. May he be well during her time away.
For Fernando, who may face deportation in the coming months, and for his family and community. Prayers for his attorneys as they try to ensure that Fernando can remain with his family in the U.S. and continue to build his life here.
For Kwok's mother-in-law living with dementia, and his sister-in-law going through cancer treatment.
J prays for more volunteers to come to the jail and bring incarcerated people a message of hope and revitalization.

Prayers for our Communities, Country and the World

For those traveling to foreign places to build a future. May we create a world where people can thrive in their communities and in which immigration is not criminalized.
For an end to violence and war. May our country and leaders choose the path of peace and nonviolence. May those in mourning for loved ones lost to violence and war find comfort.
For immigrants and their families, everyone in custody, and those experiencing being targeted, oppressed, and dealt with unjustly. May we see God's love flowing through all people and protect our communities.
For all affected by natural disasters and human violence, terror, war and displacement, especially the children.

Prayers of Gratitude

For those who dare to speak truth to power and defy unjust systems. May we all find the bravery to resist injustice and amplify voices that are unheard.
For the good things happening in this church and our wider communities. Gratitude for those who bring hope and chart better paths forward.
For peaceful protestors all over the county, country, and world. May we continue to stand up for our values.
For all who give much of their time and talent to our church, and for those who pledge.
For Fernando's attorneys, family, and community as they support him and each other during these uncertain times.

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).

Find Friends and Activities @ Peace!

At Peace United, there are many opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, helping with events and socializing. To help you find a group that you might be interested in joining, our Ministries, Committees, and Groups booklet has been updated. It describes each group and lists the chairperson and their contact information and members. Everyone is welcome so come join us....

You can download our updated booklet HERE.

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
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.