What's New at Peace | July 31

Worship This Sunday

August 2, 10:30 am

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Genesis 32:22-31

Blessed with a Limp

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

Meet A New Member: Mary!

A Peace-Extravagant-Welcome to Mary Coneway, who joined our Church in June! Mary has been attending long enough to have helped with Sunday Socials clean-up, to have enjoyed Welcoming Tables suppers, as well as frequenting Sunday worship services.

Mary moved to Santa Cruz from her family home in Texas to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law here in Santa Cruz. She happily resides at Dominican Oaks.

While visiting her son Casey and wife Kate at UCSC faculty housing, Mary overheard Eli Gilbert practicing his clarinet. She asked Ingrid Parker (Eli’s mother) where she could hear more, so Ingrid steered her to 900 High Street!

Mary grew up attending Pilgrim Congregational in Milwaukee, so felt at home with our church culture. As a retired Occupational Therapist, it seems fitting that Mary enjoys participating in a wide variety of activities. She especially enjoys groups offered by our public library system, such as arts and crafts, computers, museum excursions and jazz. When asked what inspires her about our church, she was quick to respond, “I love the Welcoming Tables. I see wonderful things happening in them.” Mary also enjoys living here: “Santa Cruz is the most wonderful city I’ve lived in as an adult.”

Continuing our theme of FREEDOM, this week we are reading "The Wall in the Middle of the Book" by popular British children's author Jon Agee. Endorsed by Amnesty International, this story celebrates freedom of movement and thought.

In the book, a little knight explains how a wall keeps him safe from the other side of the book. However, by the end of the story, he learns that the other side isn't so scary after all.

This story teaches us that we should all be free to move around and connect with others. When we let go of our fear of people who are different from us, we are free to become our best selves and build an authentic community.

You can find this week's story video here: https://youtu.be/KRtLGJc8Wqg

A reminder: There will be Sunday School this Sunday!

Please note the following upcoming dates:

-August 2: Sunday School

-August 21: Kids' Night Out (6 - 8 p.m.)

-August 23: Sunday School

-September 6: Sunday School

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, 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

Prayers of comfort for Nick Piediscalzi's family and thanksgiving for his long and good life.
For Lisa’s grandson Dustin, living with cancer, and Darrell Johnson, in a care home.
For Kwok's mother-in-law, living with dementia and his sister-in-law, going through cancer treatment.
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.

Prayers for our Communities, Country and the World

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 our Peace Village housing project for all the good that will come from it when it’s completed.
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 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).

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.