Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
May 17, 2026 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, with music performed by Carl Johansen on violin & viola and David Owens on piano.
Lay minister Cathy Chambless reflects on the life experiences, moral awakenings, and relationships that gradually shaped her personal truth and values, leading her toward a life of social conscience and Unitarian community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins offers a prayer calling us to recognize humanity’s deep connection to the Earth and to renew our commitment to caring for the planet.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon explores the two contrasting creation stories in Genesis, arguing that their contradictions are intentional invitations to embrace paradox and the "in-between" spaces of human understanding rather than forcing reality into rigid binaries. Drawing connections between ancient scripture, philosophy, and modern society, Rev. J suggests that wisdom arises not from claiming absolute truth but from holding multiple truths in tension with openness and humility.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "Bethena" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
03:04 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from a poem by Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
03:58 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:11 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:05 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 38, "Morning Has Broken" – words by Eleanor Farjeon (English, 1881-1965); music from an old Gaelic melody; David Owens, piano
10:52 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
11:28 Lay Minister: Cathy Chambless
18:55 🎵 Interlude: "Solace" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
21:55 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
24:15 🎵 Meditation Response: Mvt. II ("Très lent et calme") from the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Francis Poulenc (French, 1899-1963) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
28:43 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
29:17 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
29:24 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
30:28 Sermon: "Creation Stories" – Rev. J Sylvan
51:37 🎵 Closing Hymn: "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell (Canadian, b. 1943); David Owens, piano
54:43 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
55:24 🎵 Postlude: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen (American, 1905-1986); arr. David Owens – Carl Johansen, viola; David Owens, piano
59:55 🎵 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 Technician
Palmer Pattison, Video Editor
🌎 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 on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZZLSGAsaNRV_DKPrN2PUh8g
May 17, 2026 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, with music performed by Carl Johansen on violin & viola and David Owens on piano.
Lay minister Cathy Chambless reflects on the life experiences, moral awakenings, and relationships that gradually shaped her personal truth and values, leading her toward a life of social conscience and Unitarian community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins offers a prayer calling us to recognize humanity’s deep connection to the Earth and to renew our commitment to caring for the planet.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon explores the two contrasting creation stories in Genesis, arguing that their contradictions are intentional invitations to embrace paradox and the "in-between" spaces of human understanding rather than forcing reality into rigid binaries. Drawing connections between ancient scripture, philosophy, and modern society, Rev. J suggests that wisdom arises not from claiming absolute truth but from holding multiple truths in tension with openness and humility.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "Bethena" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
03:04 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from a poem by Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
03:58 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:11 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:05 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 38, "Morning Has Broken" – words by Eleanor Farjeon (English, 1881-1965); music from an old Gaelic melody; David Owens, piano
10:52 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
11:28 Lay Minister: Cathy Chambless
18:55 🎵 Interlude: "Solace" by Scott Joplin (American, 1868-1917) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
21:55 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
24:15 🎵 Meditation Response: Mvt. II ("Très lent et calme") from the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Francis Poulenc (French, 1899-1963) – Carl Johansen, violin; David Owens, piano
28:43 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
29:17 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
29:24 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
30:28 Sermon: "Creation Stories" – Rev. J Sylvan
51:37 🎵 Closing Hymn: "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell (Canadian, b. 1943); David Owens, piano
54:43 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
55:24 🎵 Postlude: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen (American, 1905-1986); arr. David Owens – Carl Johansen, viola; David Owens, piano
59:55 🎵 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 Technician
Palmer Pattison, Video Editor
🌎 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 on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZZLSGAsaNRV_DKPrN2PUh8g
