Sunday Program- July 30, 2023

Mt.  Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday, July 30, 2023

“Courage, My Friend-
A Living Tradition Honoring Our Past While Moving Us Forward”

Sunday Program - Welcome!

GATHERING SONG
#188, “Come, Come, Whoever You Are”

These words of the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, a leader of the early Sufi movement in Islam, were set to music by the Rev. Lynn Ungar

PRELUDE
“Improvisation”
Brett Carson, Piano 

WELCOME
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Justice Minister
Mark David Watanabe, Board Representative

GREETING ONE ANOTHER

LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE 

Each week we light a chalice, which has become a symbol for Unitarian Universalists and our engagement in the world.

Holly Ito

TIME FOR ALL AGES
“The Web We Weave”
Marena McGregor

SINGING THE CHILDREN TO ACTIVITIES

As you leave this friendly place, love give life to ev’ry face,

may the kindness that you learn light your hearts ‘till you return.

CALL TO WORSHIP
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister

CONGREGATIONAL SONG
“Just as You Are” (Lea Morris)
Marena McGregor

JOYS AND SORROWS
Rev. Rodney Lemery

MUSIC MEDITATION
#1008, “When Our Heart Is in A Holy Place”

This hymn was composed by Joyce Poley, a longtime leader among Unitarian Universalist musicians.

MEDITATION
Linda Russell

MUSICAL OFFERING
"Confidence" from Songs Without Words, Op. 19 No. 4 (Felix Mendelssohn)
Brett Carson, Piano

CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Davina Smith, Board Representative

OFFERTORY
“Reflections” (Thelonious Monk)
Brett Carson, 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 

“To the work of this community, in transforming ourselves and our world, we dedicate ourselves and our offerings.”

1st REFLECTION
“Honoring our Past”
Marjorie Wallace

RESPONSE
“Be gentle” by Lea Morris
Marena McGregor

2ndt REFLECTION
“Recognizing our present”
Mark Chase

RESPONSE
“Be gentle” by Lea Morris
Marena McGregor

3rd REFLECTION
“Hoping for our future”
Lynn Baskett

RESPONSE
“Be gentle” by Lea Morris
Marena McGregor

CLOSING REMARKS
“Courage my friend”
Rev. Rodney Lemery

CLOSING SONG
“Courage my friend” by Unknown
Marena McGregor

Adapted from the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement, sung as protesters were being taken to jail and as a way to learn people's’ names in the jail cells.

BENEDICTION AND EXTINGUISHING THE CHALICE
Kate Lenhardt

POSTLUDE
“Moment's Notice” (John Coltrane)
Brett Carson, Piano

_____________________________

NEXT SUNDAY:
NO SERVICE!
IT IS OUR SUMMER HIATUS WEEK!

Please join us for our virtual coffee hour at after the service at: https://zoom.us/j/811493869 or dial in 669 900 9128 then enter Meeting ID: 811 493 869 #

Thanks to our AV Tech staff:
Liam Takahashi, Hector Tanabe and Clare Solstice

To Give or Pledge go to:
https://www.mduuc.org/give