Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
January 19, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Songs presented throughout the service include "Apocalypse Lullaby," "We Shall Be Known," and James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light," performed by the church's ensemble "3+1" (Jim Thornburg, Becky Heal, Nikki Blackburn Fuller, and Shelly Jenson).
Lay minister Brandon Checketts shares his evolving perspective on the month's theme of "equity," considering it not only in terms of addressing economic imbalances, but also through the lens of disparities in mental health and emotional well-being.
Rev. Monica Dobbins reminds us that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy calls us to volunteer in our communities, forging connection with others and upholding democratic values in the face of rising authoritarianism. Her meditation invites us into stillness and reflection on what makes us truly come alive, so that we can offer our unique gifts in loving service as a powerful form of nonviolent direct action.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon acknowledges the collective anxiety surrounding the re-inauguration of President Donald Trump, reminding us to be gentle with ourselves and each other. They cite Dr. King’s caution about economic injustice and the Black Panthers’ local breakfast programs as examples of how meaningful change can start at the neighborhood level when broader policy solutions falter. Rev. J calls on us to break free from fear by asking “How can we make pancakes?” — i.e., to offer concrete help where we live, thereby creating real, lasting impact in times of uncertainty.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "Apocalypse Lullaby" by Annabelle Chvostek (Canadian, b. 1973) and the Wailin' Jennys – performed by 3+1 (Jim Thornburg, Becky Heal, Nikki Blackburn Fuller, and Shelly Jenson)
05:19 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by 3+1
06:08 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:28 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:36 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 100, "I’ve Got Peace Like a River" – words and music by Marvin V. Frey (American, 1918-1992); led by 3+1
12:50 Lay Minister: Brandon Checketts
20:13 🎵 Interlude: "Apocalypse Lullaby" reprise – Jim Thornburg, guitar
21:12 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
27:28 🎵 Meditation Response: "We Shall Be Known" by Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker – performed by 3+1
30:43 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
31:18 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
32:22 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551); led by 3+1
33:10 Sermon: "Act Locally" – Rev. J Sylvan
49:03 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1020, "Woyaya" – words and music by Osibisa; transcribed from Ysaye M. Barnwell (American, b. 1946); arr. Jeannie Gagné (American, b. 1960); led by 3+1
50:55 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
51:33 🎵 Postlude: "Shed a Little Light" by James Taylor (American, b. 1948) – performed by 3+1
55:42 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
56:09 🎵 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
→ Political Issues: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYHuPiX5mNS_-rmW49aZ-Rc
January 19, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Songs presented throughout the service include "Apocalypse Lullaby," "We Shall Be Known," and James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light," performed by the church's ensemble "3+1" (Jim Thornburg, Becky Heal, Nikki Blackburn Fuller, and Shelly Jenson).
Lay minister Brandon Checketts shares his evolving perspective on the month's theme of "equity," considering it not only in terms of addressing economic imbalances, but also through the lens of disparities in mental health and emotional well-being.
Rev. Monica Dobbins reminds us that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy calls us to volunteer in our communities, forging connection with others and upholding democratic values in the face of rising authoritarianism. Her meditation invites us into stillness and reflection on what makes us truly come alive, so that we can offer our unique gifts in loving service as a powerful form of nonviolent direct action.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon acknowledges the collective anxiety surrounding the re-inauguration of President Donald Trump, reminding us to be gentle with ourselves and each other. They cite Dr. King’s caution about economic injustice and the Black Panthers’ local breakfast programs as examples of how meaningful change can start at the neighborhood level when broader policy solutions falter. Rev. J calls on us to break free from fear by asking “How can we make pancakes?” — i.e., to offer concrete help where we live, thereby creating real, lasting impact in times of uncertainty.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "Apocalypse Lullaby" by Annabelle Chvostek (Canadian, b. 1973) and the Wailin' Jennys – performed by 3+1 (Jim Thornburg, Becky Heal, Nikki Blackburn Fuller, and Shelly Jenson)
05:19 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by 3+1
06:08 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:28 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:36 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 100, "I’ve Got Peace Like a River" – words and music by Marvin V. Frey (American, 1918-1992); led by 3+1
12:50 Lay Minister: Brandon Checketts
20:13 🎵 Interlude: "Apocalypse Lullaby" reprise – Jim Thornburg, guitar
21:12 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
27:28 🎵 Meditation Response: "We Shall Be Known" by Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker – performed by 3+1
30:43 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
31:18 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
32:22 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551); led by 3+1
33:10 Sermon: "Act Locally" – Rev. J Sylvan
49:03 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1020, "Woyaya" – words and music by Osibisa; transcribed from Ysaye M. Barnwell (American, b. 1946); arr. Jeannie Gagné (American, b. 1960); led by 3+1
50:55 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
51:33 🎵 Postlude: "Shed a Little Light" by James Taylor (American, b. 1948) – performed by 3+1
55:42 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
56:09 🎵 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend entirely on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
→ Political Issues: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYHuPiX5mNS_-rmW49aZ-Rc
