SUNDAY PROGRAM – MARCH 22 2026
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, March 22, 2026
“Chiaroscuro”
Sunday Program – Welcome!
GATHERING MUSIC
Brett Carson, collaborative pianist
GATHERING SONG
“62, Lo, The Earth Awakes Again”
Brett Carson, piano
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
RINGING THE BELL
PRELUDE
“Le Matin” (Yann Tiersen)
Brett Carson, piano
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
Andrew Oswald, Board Member
GREETING ONE ANOTHER
Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister
REGATHERING SONG
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE
Unison
We light this chalice to remind ourselves
To treat all people kindly
To take good care of the earth
To live lives full of goodness and love
And to be the best people we can be.
TIME FOR ALL AGES
“Finn and the Tremendously Deep, Definitely Terrifying, Probably Dangerous Dark”
Marena McGregor, DRE
SUNG BLESSING
“Children’s Blessing” (First UU Nashville Youth Choir)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Brett Carson, piano
May your mind be open to new learning, may your lips bring truth into the world
May your hearts know love, and your hands do the work of justice,
as you go your way in peace, as you go your way in peace
WHY I COMMIT TO MDUUC
PERSPECTIVE ON THE EQUINOX
Chris Brecheen
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
”Shine On Me” (Traditional African-American Spiritual)
Brett Carson, piano
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
JOYS & SORROWS
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
MEDITATION SONG
“Peace Unto You” (Rev. Lindasusan Ulrich)
Brett Carson, piano
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
MEDITATION OR PRAYER
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Associate Minister
MUSICAL OFFERING
“This Is Me” (Benj Pasek & Justin Paul)
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Mark Chase, Board Member
OFFERTORY
“Allah-O-Akbar” (Abdullah Ibrahim)
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
Mark Chase, Board Member
MESSAGE
“Chiaroscuro.”
Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister
CLOSING SONG
“Anthem” (Leonard Cohen)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Brett Carson, piano
BENEDICTION
Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister
POSTLUDE
“Night and Day” (Cole Porter)
Brett Carson, piano
NEXT SUNDAY SERVICE: SUNDAY, MARCH 29 – “Songs of Resistance and Joy.”
In this service we celebrate the way that singing has become a powerful tool of expressing our joy in resistance. This will be a joyful service of song and rhythm and movement. With Rev. Leslie Takahashi and our music director Jyvonne Haskin!
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!