Latest News
All the news relevant to our church community
Join us in continuing to celebrate the Season of Easter on Zoom, Sunday mornings at 10:45 am Sunday! Fellowship Gathering begins at 10:30 am. Zoom Links to our Worship Services and our Small Groups can be secured by sending your contact information to us via this website.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, where the illnesses of our broken world continue to confront us, we celebrate the message of Easter which never ends! The healing grace of God in Christ is with us!
Here is a peek at the rest of April . . . .
We witness to our faith as we celebrate on this April 18th Sunday, not only Earth Day, but our care of Native American Ministries
We will reflect upon how God is opening up our minds to understand the needs of the crisis of our earthly strife and racial tensions, and how God is inviting us—calling us, really—to respond to the earth and our neighbors with kindness. Luke 24:36-48
You may be able to guess the focus of the Good Shepherd scripture we will use reading on April 25th … John 10:11-18.
We could all use a ‘Good Shepherd’ to care for us and guide us and be reminded of what can happen in our lives and our community/nation/world when we are not guided by a gentle, spirited soul … who is constantly having to remind us how to live.
Join us this Sunday, April 11, 2021, as Alice Ann Glenn joins us once again to share the message based on Acts 4:32-37.
Alice Ann reminds us that we are called, as Easter People, to do certain thing…care for those in need is just one example…and that not all the things we are called to do fall into our comfort zone!
May we continue the celebration of Easter … it isn’t just one day! It’s a lifetime!!
Healthy Blessings to you….
Zoom Access for Worship and Small Groups: send us your contact information via the ‘Contact’ tab on this website, and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Thank you for helping to grow in your faith by visiting our website!
Zoom Links for these Holy Week services can be secured by contacting us via the ‘Contact’ tab and sending us your contact information, at least one hour prior to the beginning of each service.
We began our Holy Week Journey with Palm Sunday on Sunday, March 28th. Often referred to as “Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem”, we waved palm branches on Zoom, and celebrated with beautiful music and the meaningful message of Mark’s version of the Palm Sunday story (Mark 11:1-11).
Take time to breathe in the message of new life this week . . . .
On Thursday, April 1st (no foolin’!), we gather at 7:30 pm to participate in our second annual Taize Service for Holy Thursday. This service helps us remember our journey of faith that began with the exodus of the Jewish Slaves from Egypt, escaping from the hardship of the Pharaoh…from Passover to the Promised Land. We conclude this meditative service with ‘The Last Supper’.
Good Friday at noon, marks the journey we all take to Easter. This service will combine familiar hymns and meaningful music with times for prayers and meditation/reflection time.
We will focus on the seven last phrases/words that Jesus spoke from the cross.
Be in this time with us, that you may find support and understanding are we seek to be a people who find God’s healing through grace!
We culminate our Holy Week activities with the glorious message of new life on Easter! Join us as we gather on Zoom at 10:45 am Sunday morning to witness to our faith! Fellowship Gathering begins at 10:30 am. Hear the familiar music of this season that carries us into the rest of the year … even in the midst of a pandemic, where the illnesses of our broken world continue to confront us! Still, the message of Easter is clear: we find healing grace through the journey we take with God in Christ!
In 2021, allow these days to become a Spiritual Season for Healing.
Traditionally, Lent begins with the Service of Ash Wednesday, where we confront our own mortality, and confess our waywardness to God within the community of faith, reflecting upon our life with Jesus during his journey of redemption. The color of the season is purple, reminding us of Jesus’ passion.
Lent traditionally begins with the Service of the Imposition of Ashes on the forehead, reminding us of repentance and reconciliation, the “giving up” of our ways which separate us/do harm to God, ourselves, our neighbors, and the environment. Preparation for the Christian Commitment through Baptism was made during this season, as well as an opportunity to return to the spiritual center of one’s core being.
Lent is the opportunity for you to have a “Spiritual Tune-up”, and to deepen your relationship with God and one another, to seek forgiveness, and to live toward the renewal of freedom found at Easter.
In this time of Pandemic, the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz is making changes to the Season of Lent for the purpose of safety. We are emphasizing our need, and the world’s need, for Physical and Spiritual Healing. We have offered ‘Lenten Bags of Healing’ which provide opportunities to focus on the nurture and healing of yourself and the woundedness of our world. We are inviting you to spend time each day to be part of God’s Healing Touch.
As you journey through this season of renewal, may you reflect upon the light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ during these 40 days and nights, remembering how Jesus spent time in prayer and contemplation, resisting the temptation to follow his way rather than serving God and neighbor, healing, and teaching.
The Monterey Circuit Area United Methodist Churches have provided a Virtual Ash Wednesday Service (see link below) for your use.
May God’s Healing Touch Be Yours in this Pandemic Lenten Journey.
Pastor Jay K Pierce
United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz
“. . . the star . . . stood over the place where Jesus was . . . and there was joy!” ~~~ Matthew 2:9-10, adapted
Click the link below to view the Coastal Clergy Statement of Solidarity :
In the midst of poverty … pandemic … and political crisis … the Light of God still shines.
You get to choose how to respond.
I pray that you will help shine God’s Light which will outshine the systems of oppression . . . to help ease conflict and bring comfort where hate has found residence.
May Comfort be your Glad Tidings of Justice and Peace.
Love, Pastor Jay; United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz CA
“A Child is born to us . . . Wonderful Counselor … Mighty God … Eternal Creator … The Long-Expected One of Peace.” ~~~ Isaiah 9:6
“Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” ~~~ Luke 2:19
We have been most fortunate in this “Shelter In Place … Covid 19 Year”, to be able to walk our dogs in our neighborhood three times a day. Each walk grants us an opportunity to experience some kind of ‘newness of life … encouragement of live with health, beauty, and grace…an opportunity of shalom’!
The ‘street art’ has been amazing; yards that have been brought back to life, bear-hugs in the window, signs that remind us to be kind, to thank one another – especially those on the front line of service, a call to respect one another in our diverse land, black lives matter, life is precious, and the amazing chalk drawings that have been created! Hopscotch … untold animal creations … and this Christmas Tree.
In the silence of that oh holy night so long ago … we remember the most amazing life that was born. In the midst of a census … a couple forged untold danger and found respite in a cattle stall. A young mother gave birth to a child who would grow up to be persecuted for his belief. Yet his parents taught him to care for all … not just for some. That night … in the midst of intolerance … love was truly born!
We celebrate that night in the midst of our own tragic circumstances. May we remember that LOVE is the greatest equalizer on earth. Without Love … life is not worth our breathing. Remember that first breath of life that Christmas night … the pain of Mother Mary … the anxiety of Father Joseph … the warmth of the Light of God. May we never forget. May LOVE ALWAYS WIN. May our fractured world find healing.
May you be touched by the light of that Christmas night … and may you reach out to your neighbors far and wide with that warm light of love. Give Thanks … Be Grateful … Let Love Guide Your Every Gesture. And be the Love of Jesus God intended you to be from the very beginning.
Prayer for Christmas (Johann Rist, 1641; translated by Fred Pratt Green, 1986) : Come, dearest child, into our hearts, and leave your crib behind you! Let this be where the new life starts for all who seek and find you. To you the honor, thanks, and praise, for all your gifts this time of grace; come conquer and deliver this world, and us, forever.
Jay P., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~~~ Luke 2:6-7
The Manger Scene (pictured above) has been a part of my Christmas experience for my entire life. It was given to my mother from her boss at that time (Rear Admiral Edward Hutchinson) shortly after the birth of my older sister in 1944. An important part of ‘Decking the Halls’ each year for my family was setting up the Manger Scene. My sister and I would carefully position each of the manger pieces in what we considered the proper spots. Of course, we continued to reposition them throughout the Christmas season – sometimes using them to re-enact the various parts of the Christmas story. The figures were much loved by we two little girls. Needless to say – all this love took a toll on the pieces which my Dad with great patience and love glued and re-glued various parts of the pieces (the lambs’ legs especially!) throughout the years. My mother gave the Manager Scene to me several years after I moved to California because she knew how much it meant to me.
Each year as I set up the Manger Scene I remember the story of the birth of Jesus, reflecting on how much God loves us, sending us Jesus to spread the message of love. A special Christmas song always comes to mind as I arrange the pieces in the stable:
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, love be yours and love be mine;
Love to God and neighbors, love for plea and gift and sign.
It’s all about Love! Amen.
Trish N., United Methodist of Santa Cruz