SUNDAY PROGRAM – MARCH 29 2026
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, March 29, 2026
“Songs of Resistance and Joy”
Sunday Program – Welcome!
GATHERING MUSIC
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
GATHERING SONG
“We Are Not Afraid” (Lu Aya of The Peace Poets)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
RINGING THE BELL
Crystal Loutzenhiser, Worship Associate
PRELUDE “Peace Train” by Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
Mary Kelly Persyn, Board Member
GREETING ONE ANOTHER
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
REGATHERING SONG
“Rise Up” by Urban Voices Project
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE
TIME FOR ALL AGES
“Lead With Love” by Melanie DeMore
Marena McGregor, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
SUNG BLESSING
“As You Go”
(Words: Suzelle Lynch, Music: Ruben Piirainen)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
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
WHY I COMMIT TO MDUUC
Mary Kelly Persyn
CALL TO WORSHIP
“Why We Sing”
Jyvonne Haskin, Music Director
SINGING TOGETHER #1
“La Esperanza Está Aquí” (Lu Aya of The Peace Poets)”
“#1030 “Siyahamba”
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
JOYS & SORROWS
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
MEDITATION SONG
“I Am Free In My Body” by Ríomas Amini
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
Phoenix Dover, Worship Associate
SINGING TOGETHER #2
“Our Power” (Rena Branson) & “One Body” (Matt Murdoch)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Linda Russell, Board Member
OFFERTORY
“People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
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
WHY WITNESS?
Crystal Loutzenhiser, Worship Associate
SINGING TOGETHER #3
“Ánimo/Courage” (Spanish translation: David García Saldaña)
“Peace Chant/We Resist” (Mark A. Miller)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
Pop-Up Choir
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING AND WITNESSING?
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
CLOSING SONG
“#108, My Life Flows On In Endless Song”
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sean Potts, djembe
Pop-Up Choir
BENEDICTION
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
POSTLUDE
“Freedom” by Jon Baptiste
Julie Homi, collaborative pianist
NEXT SUNDAY SERVICE: SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026 “We Rise: An Easter Celebration”
Join us for this service of joyful celebration of the ways that new life can spring from old. Just as the rich humus of that which has gone before provides the nourishment and energy for the sprig and the sapling, we celebrate the ancient traditions which we recast anew each generation. This will be a service with the gifts of music as the MDUUC Chalice Choir shares their gifts and we will also hear the voices of our children! Followed by our ever-joyful Easter Egg Hunt, this is a community tradition not to be missed.
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!