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Worship This Sunday
May 3, 10:30 am
Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 14:1-14
Divine Design
Sermon by Pastor Dave
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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.
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Peace Village neighborhood meeting!
The Peace Village Housing Management Committee invites everyone in the congregation to attend a zoom neighborhood meeting where people can learn more and ask questions about the modified plan for Peace Village.The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30pm on Thursday, April 30th. The link for it is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86819460446, or when logged into Zoom, you can use the Webinar ID: 868 1946 0446.
Sibley Simon, our developer, will introduce the project at the event, which is organized by the City as part of its project-approval process.
It will be important for Church members to participate, to show our wide support for Peace Village. We hope you can take part!
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The Vera Taylor Scholarship Committee is accepting applications from church members for scholarships for 2026-2027.
You can learn more about the program here: https://www.peaceunited.org/verataylor
Who can apply?
If you are a full-time student or planning to become one, and have been a member of Peace United Church of Christ for at least one year, you are eligible to apply for the Vera Taylor Scholarship.
Qualifications:
Attend a college or university or an accredited vocational school, such as culinary arts, dental hygiene, or the like, in an undergraduate or graduate-level program.
For Mini-grants to learn or enhance skills and strategies for church or community outreach activities by taking training in a program that leads to a certificate or degree for such things but not limited to Hospice, elder care, child care, working with homeless persons or prisoners, crisis hotlines and counseling, English as a second language, and immigration support.
Where can I find an application?
Please contact Tammy at VeraTaylorRep@gmail.com to get a link to the online application.
DEADLINE for applications is WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2026
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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
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Artwork at Peace United - Linde B. Martin’s Works
Have you wondered about the tryptic of vibrant purple canvases behind the organ? These art pieces were done and donated to Peace United by Linde Martin. She was a well-known artist from Santa Cruz and frequent participant in Santa Cruz Open Studios for many several years.
Born in West Germany in 1930, she moved to California in 1953 and lived in Santa Cruz from 1961 until her passing in 2010. Over the years, her art work has evolved through many stages. “Art is a reflection of the soul, so it grows with you," she has said.
Her unconventional art is not the traditional painterly style, but in her words, ”What I do is hold energy for split seconds on a canvas.” Martin applies paint directly without first mixing colors and uses long knives to make swirls or sweeps as she channels energy directly on to the canvas. She views this creative energy as a universal force.
For Linde Martin “creativity and art are about sharing. Both the viewer and the painter create together.”
“I use abstract painting as a language to communicate our shared experiences and to bring us together as one. The abstraction on the canvas really exists somewhere on this Earth, and we can recognize it. Some people, standing before an abstract painting, will know immediately 'what is it,' while others will take longer to recognize it. And of course, they are seeing their own personal symbols and images.”
Linde said: “I invite you to go into the canvas, and into yourself to see and experience all the wonder, beauty, emotion, and spirit that are there. Even the greatest art is just poor imitation of the divine in the end we have to go to the true source.”
Linde Martin LLC joined Fine Art America where you can view many of her works: Fine Art America
You can view a video as she explains and demonstrates her work on YouTube at this link: Linde Martin on YouTube
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Children, Youth, and Families: Family Worship Sunday
This week is a communion Sunday and Family Worship!
Communion is a reminder that we are all loved by God and welcome to take our place at the table. God's love is for everyone and we are all part of God's family.
This week's storybook helps us remember that truth! This week we're reading "You Will Always Belong" by Matthew Paul Turner, a great writer of positive and inclusive Christian picture books. This story follows a young boy and is a logging affirmation of his (and everyone's!) place in the world as he follows his passions and finds his people. This book reminds us that we are all made to belong in this world and when we know and believe that, we can flourish and become our most authentic selves.
You can find this week's story video here: https://youtu.be/dk8KZOTEVOI
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How Do You Open and Close the Curtains
in the Sanctuary?
We use a Garrocha! Thanks to Roger and Bonnie Bowers, we now have a long pole to reach those tall curtains to open or close them. For your information, a Garrocha is an equestrian tool originally used in Spain to herd cattle and is now incorporated into equestrian competitions.
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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
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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 Scout, Maya, and Scout’s family in Minnesota, where Scout’s father Tim passed away Saturday.
- 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 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.
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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).
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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.
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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
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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 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.
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Small Groups and Ministries of Outreach
Use this link to find information about our various small groups and
ministries here at PUCC.
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Peace UCC Facilities Calendar
To view our availability or request space on our campus click here!
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Our conference staff and the offices have
moved to a new address. The new address is
1320 Willow Pass Rd., Suite 600, Concord, CA 94520
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Find out more about global ministries here.
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Get a daily devotional here.
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