SUNDAY PROGRAM – April 26, 2026
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, April 26, 2026
“When Love Looks Like Justice and Justice Looks Like Love”
Sunday Program – Welcome!
GATHERING MUSIC
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
GATHERING SONG
“Oh, I Woke Up This Morning”
Songleaders: Jyvonne Haskin, Sheli Cryderman, Sally Edgerton, and Sierra Lynn White
Julie Homi, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
RINGING THE BELL
Rev. Leslie Takahashi
PRELUDE
“Everyday People” by Sylvester Stewart
Julie Homi, piano
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
Linda Russell, Board Member
LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE
TIME FOR ALL AGES
“Maya & The Plastic Tide”
(Marena McGregor)
Marena McGregor, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
SUNG BLESSING
“As You Go” (Words: Suzelle Lynch, Music: Ruben Piirainen)
As you go may joy surround you, as you go, go in peace.
Know our love is with you always, as you go, as you go
Songleaders: Jyvonne Haskin, Sheli Cryderman, & Sally Edgerton
Julie Homi, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
Sierra Lynn White, djembe
WHY I COMMIT TO MDUUC
Linda Russell, Board Member
SUMMONING THE SPIRIT OF LOVE
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
“Creation of Peace” (Mark Miller)
Jyvonne Haskin, Music Director
JOYS & SORROW
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
MEDITATION SONG
Danos un corazon (#29 Las Voces del Camino)
Songleaders: Jyvonne Haskin, Sheli Cryderman, and Sally Edgerton
Julie Homi, piano
PRAYER
Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister
MUSICAL GIFT
“Draw The Circle Wide” (Mark Miller)
Sierra Lynn White & Jyvonne Haskin, songleaders
Julie Homi, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Mary Kelly Persyn, Board Member
OFFERTORY
Julie Homi, piano
Each week during the Offertory we light two pillar candles to acknowledge that we are living in a nation at war. The candles represent our wishes for all whose lives are endangered by the conflict, and our hopes for peace. While the offering is received you are invited to come forward and select a stone to place in the column of water representing our community life, sharing it as a sign of remembrance and hope. Feel free to watch and hold your intention as your stone settles into the water’s embrace.
DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING
MESSAGE
“When Love Looks Like Justice and Justice Looks Like Love.”
Ron Ahnen, Candidate for Ministry
CLOSING SONG
“Love Will Guide Us”
Songleaders: Jyvonne Haskin, Sheli Cryderman, Sally Edgerton, & Sierra Lynn White
Julie Homi, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
BENEDICTION
Ron Ahnen, Candidate for Ministry
POSTLUDE
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (Randy Newman)
Julie Homi, piano
_____________________________
NEXT SUNDAY SERVICE: Sunday, May 3, 2026 – “When Words Are Not Enough.“
Sometimes we can touch larger truths with greater dexterity through movement and rituals than we can through ideas and concept. Theologian Rita Nakashima Brock says this is because there is a limit to personal sincerity and sometimes in the world, we have to tap into larger truths when our most anchoring beliefs are shaken. Come and join Rev. Leslie Takahashi and Sierralynne White and Bill Wentz for a service focused on the ways ritual helps us embody greater truths.
Please join us for our virtual coffee hour after the service at: https://zoom.us/j/99389517494 or dial in (669) 900-9128 then enter Meeting ID: 993 8951 7494 #
Thanks to our AV Tech staff.
To Give or Pledge go to: https://www.mduuc.org/give
2025-2026 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Linda Russell, President
Andrew Oswald, Vice President
Mark Chase, Secretary
Elizabeth Dietsch, Treasurer
Andy Smith, Board Member
Jim Lincoln, Board Member
Kevin Hsieh, Board Member
Mary Kelly Persyn, Board Member
Patricia Craven, Board Member
board@mduuc.org
MINISTERS AND STAFF
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister / leslie@mduuc.net
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Associate Minister /rodney@mduuc.org
Marena McGregor, Director of Religious Education / marena@mduuc.org
Jyvonne Haskin, Music Director / jyvonne@mduuc.org
Jen Marsh Prink, Church Administrator / jenm@mduuc.org
Aiden McMahon, Ministerial Intern /aiden@mduuc.org
Brett Carson, Accompanist / brettcarson@mduuc.org
Ging Lee, Communications Assistant / ging@mduuc.org
Eric Chapot, Facilities Staff / eric@mduuc.org
Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister Emeritus
Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Community Minister
Rev. Meg Richardson, Community Minister
LIVING OUR VALUES
https://mduuc.org/living-our-values/
At Mt. Diablo UU Church we strive to bring to life our Unitarian Universalist values as we seek truth and work for justice and bridge the divisions that wound the human family. Please visit our “Living our Values” page to locate virtual and physical ways you can be a part in building a better world. If you have suggestions for items on this page, please email them to livingourvalues@mduuc.org.
Please consider taking 20-30 minutes of your day to review our Living our Values web page to participate in a number of cyberactivist activities that can collectively make a difference in our local and world communities. This week we have a number of Climate Justice and Racial Justice petitions and calls to action that could really use your help!