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.

How does some peace and quiet sound right now? Could you use some dedicated time to do the nurturing things you love, and feel the support of your community? Is there something you need to let go of, or something new you're contemplating? Saturday, December 7th will be a wonderful day of quiet retreat here at Peace, with the company of friends to warm your heart as you tend to the needs of your spirit. 

We'll have optional times of prayer and music in the sanctuary, a morning expressive arts class for those who would like to join in, lunch and dinner to enjoy in stillness, and plenty of time and space for everyone to nurture themselves. Bring what you need for whatever your planned activities are - your pillow to nap in the lounge, your yoga mat to stretch out, those art supplies that have been collecting dust, or that book you've not found time to finish reading. 

There is *no cost to participate* - your presence is your best contribution. If you'd like to attend, please contact Lanakila (lanakila@lanakilamusic.com). We're also looking for folks who would take joy in preparing simple vegetarian-friendly dishes for our communal lunch and dinner, so if the kitchen is your happy place, let Lanakila know!

Second Sunday Student Lunch - Dec. 8

Classes finish up this week and the weather is turning colder so, before folks scatter for the holidays, let’s gather for a bowl of hot soup and some savory conversation! College students, recent grads and young adults (we don't 'card') join Pastor Dave and Luke Shepherd (and Lucky the Dog) for our Second Sunday Student Lunch this Sunday right after worship. Along with standard sandwich/salad stuff (and cookies, of course) there’ll be a big pot of Pastor Dave's favorite homemade vegetable soup.

We had a really good group in November and can expect our gathering this month to be a congenial respite from the pressures so many feel at this time of year.

There’ll be a beautiful service for this Second Sunday of Advent, so do join for worship at 10:30am and then migrate over to the “upper room” for lunch a few minutes before noon.

If you celebrate a December birthday or just want some extra Sunday celebratory time, join us this Sunday, the 8th, for Birthday Blessings 

during Worship. We want to honor YOU!

These Friends Have December Birthdays:

Janet Reed, Lillian Thomas, Beverly Brook, Nick Blackburn, Tom Beckett, Jordan Zell, Jim Howley, Peggy Kelly, Todd Wipke, Qun Qun Koo, Roger Erickson, Melodee Kistner, Sharon Bailey, Liz Klotz-Chamberlin, Susan Shane, Speed Leas, David Bush

Christmas Poinsettias

We are joyfully continuing our tradition of

decorating our sanctuary for the Advent season with beautiful poinsettias. As has been customary in the past, if you would like to designate a financial gift in honor or memory of a loved one, we will print those designations in the Christmas bulletin. 

You can send donations in 2 ways:

By check sent to the office

• Please include "Memorial/Milestone Fund" in the memo line and a note about who or what is being remembered or honored



Through our PayPal (linked here)

• Please select "Memorial/Milestone Fund" from the drop-down menu
• After entering your donation amount, choose "Write a Note" and enter the details about who is being remembered or honored. Your words will be printed in the bulletin

Welcome New Members: the Carlin Family

Danielle, Dan, Luca, and Lily Carlin feel their move to Boulder Creek from San Diego this year is the result of one miracle after another. Danielle attended our church (First Congregational) as a teen, sang in the choir, and befriended Cathy Sarto, a PUCC pillar! Matt Broadbent officiated at her and Dan’s wedding. Her parents (loving grandparents now!) live in Ben Lomond, and other friends and family have recently moved to the area, creating for the Carlins a ready-made community, even before connecting with Peace UCC. The family was active in Mission Hills UCC, which was also an Open and Affirming church — a necessity for the Carlins.

Dan works from home. Danielle was a high school English teacher before stepping into mothering and home-schooling Luca, first grade, and his toddler-sister Lily. The family has already connected with our CYF, and lit the 2024 advent candle of Hope in our

worship, wearing adorable matching winter sweaters. Danielle has joined our Chancel Choir. Dan is interested in connecting with our men’s group, as time permits.

The family’s first service with us was our Home Coming Sunday this fall. Luke Shepherd sang “What a Wonderful World,” which has special significance for Dan and Danielle. The Carlins felt sure: “This is a place where my kids will know the love of God.”

By Jane Heyse, the Carlin Family’s Peace Bridge

The Christmas Project

Overwhelming Generosity



For those new to this program, at this time of year we work with other community groups to provide holiday gifts for farmworker families in Pajaro Valley – at a time when the farming season is on a bit of hiatus and therefore revenue is low. One of the highlights of my holiday season is participating in delivering the gifts to the families. It’s a wonderful time of community.

If you would like to join us, we will help deliver gifts on Sunday, December 15. The timing is always a bit sketchy, but we will meet at the San Andreas Community, 295 San Andreas Road, Watsonville at 1:00. Two large trucks will bring the gifts and after five minutes of orientation we take large gift bags to each family. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted with a plate of tamales or dessert pastries. After we finish at San Andreas, the next spot will be Murphy’s Community. This place is special because our gifts usually go to these families. At each place there might be a lunch gathering at their community room, so don’t have a hearty breakfast. To facilitate carpooling, we will have a sign-up poster on Sunday.

Anna Hackenbracht at koohack@comcast.net

CYF December Theme: Hope, Peace, Joy & Love

The month of December offers us the opportunity to consider how Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love are part of our lives. 

Reflect each week with these questions: 

How do I recognize...?

How do I give…?

How do I receive…?

Our next Family Sunday is December 15th. During service, we will lead the children in a beeswax candle-making project provided for us by Elizabeth Schilling. Thank you, Elizabeth.

Our next Kids’ Night Out will be on January 17th, with Family Sunday following on January 19th. 

If you are a volunteer for the CYF ministry or you have any questions, please reach out to cyf@peaceunited.org.

Faithfully yours,

Ingrid and Maryse

Co-chairs of CYF

Family-Friendly Caroling Party!

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, December 20th at 5 pm to sing Christmas carols around the piano with Luke Shepherd!

Bring your friends, enjoy a snack, and a mug of mulled cider.

For those who can join, we will head out at around 6 to sing holiday cheer to our homebound friends.

Santa hats and jingle bells are provided!

Thank you from Gray Bears Healthy Food Program and the Floral Committee

The Peace United congregation shared our abundance with amazing generosity during the Fall food collection and chancel display. It was a challenge for the Floral Committee to move each week's contributions from the basket in the narthex to the abundance display on the chancel.

We delivered more shelf-stable food than we did last year - over 300 pounds. And there was a contribution of a Costco gift card for $500.

Thank you for being God's hands to those in need.

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

• Continued prayers for Jane Heyse’s sister Chris, in Hospice care, for Nick Piediscalzi’s, for Lynn & Bill Walton’s son Johnnie and for Lynn’s friend Sharon, and for Lisa Johnson and her grandson Dustin.
• For immigrants and transgender people.
• For family and friends dealing with physical and mental illnesses, addictions, and disabilities.
• For the many who grieve losses: departed loved ones, health problems, lost dreams.
• For people worldwide affected by natural disasters.
• For victims of gun violence and for those who fight against it.
• For those who are incarcerated and their families, and for all without housing.
• For the people of Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Ukraine.

With gratitude

• For those who share their time and talents decorating our sanctuary and caring for our buildings and grounds.
• For hope in the face of despair, faith when there’s doubt, and light dispelling the dark. 
• For all who speak God’s message of justice and all who choose to act with love.

Thank You, in Jesus’ Holy Healing 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.