SUNDAY PROGRAM – May 3, 2026
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, May 3, 2026
“When Words Are Not Enough”
Sunday Program – Welcome!
GATHERING MUSIC
Brett Carson, collaborative pianist
GATHERING SONG
“Breathe, You Are Alive” (Sr. Annabel Laity)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
SierraLynn White, songleader
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
RINGING THE BELL
PRELUDE
“Popular Melody” from Lyric Pieces, Op. 12, No. 5 (Edvard Grieg)
Brett Carson, piano
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
Mary Kelly Persyn, Board Member
LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Associate Minister
TIME FOR ALL AGES
“About Roses”
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
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
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
SierraLynn White, songleader, djembe
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
WHY I COMMIT TO MDUUC
CALL TO WORSHIP
Aiden McMahon, Intern Minister
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
“Come, Sing A Song With Me” (SLT #346)
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
Sierra Lynn White, songleader, djembe
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
JOYS & SORROWS
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Associate Minister
MEDITATION SONG
“I Know This Rose Will Open”
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
SierraLynn White, songleader, djembe
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
RITUAL OF THE STONES
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
MUSICAL GIFT
Dances of Universal Peace
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY
“Improvisation”
Brett Carson, 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
HOUSE OF PRAYER
“Dances of Universal Peace”
SierraLynn White
RITUAL OF HOLDING
Rev. Rodney Lemery, Associate Minister
RITUALS AREN’T SCARY
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
CLOSING SONG
“Peace Be With You and With You Peace”
Jyvonne Haskin, songleader
SierraLynn White, songleader
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
BENEDICTION
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister
POSTLUDE
“Walkin” (Miles Davis)
Brett Carson, piano
Bill Wentz, bass
_____________________________
NEXT SUNDAY SERVICE: Sunday, May 10, 2026 – “She Who Is.”
Culturally, we have a long history of defaulting to masculine language when speaking, both about people and about God. What lessons can we learn from feminine images of the divine, and how can they apply to people of all gender identities? Join Intern Aiden McMahon as he explores the intersection of gender and religious imagery.
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!