Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
February 16, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, featuring live music performed by the Trash Pandas.
Lay minister Henry Whiteside reflects on humanity’s interconnectedness, from our shared origins in stardust to our biological and social need for community. He warns that modern conveniences, economic shifts, and personal screens have eroded our social bonds, leading to increased isolation.
Susan Allman speaks about how her experiences with the Quaker community taught her that stewardship was not just about financial contributions, but about fostering connections and a sense of collective responsibility. She explains that she gives to First Unitarian Church with the aim of helping sustain and expand an inclusive community where love and justice can thrive.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon addresses the importance of rest, not as mere recovery for work, but as a true purpose of life, challenging the capitalist and Aristotelian views that prioritize productivity over well-being. Rev. J encourages the congregation to embrace rest as an act of resistance, urging them to reclaim attention, joy, and presence amidst the noise and distractions of modern life.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "We’re Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes – vocals: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner, Matt Esko, Iris Lander; guitar: Wylie Lander
03:20 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
08:09 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
09:45 🎵 Opening Song: "Turn! Turn! Turn!" – words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; music by Pete Seeger (American, 1919-2014); as performed by the Byrds; led by Grace & Matt Esko
13:03 Lay Minister: Henry Whiteside
20:05 🎵 Interlude: "Dancing Nancies" by Dave Matthews Band – vocals: Matt Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander; drums: Iris Lander
24:52 Loving Kindness Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
30:29 🎵 Meditation Response: "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac – vocals: Grace Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander
35:30 Why I Give – Susan Allman
42:25 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
43:11 🎵 Offertory Music: "Lenny" by Double Trouble & Stevie Ray Vaughan (American, 1954-1990) – guitar: Wylie Lander
46:04 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
47:13 Sermon: "Enjoy the Noise" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:47 🎵 Closing Song: "Modern Love" by David Bowie (English, 1947-2016) – vocals: Rosie Lander; backup vocals: Grace and Matt Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander; keyboard: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner; drums: Iris Lander
1:05:11 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:06:33 🎵 Postlude: "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes – vocals: Matt Esko; electric guitar: Wylie Lander; drums: Iris Lander; keyboard: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner
1:09:32 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:10:04 🎵 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.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
February 16, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, featuring live music performed by the Trash Pandas.
Lay minister Henry Whiteside reflects on humanity’s interconnectedness, from our shared origins in stardust to our biological and social need for community. He warns that modern conveniences, economic shifts, and personal screens have eroded our social bonds, leading to increased isolation.
Susan Allman speaks about how her experiences with the Quaker community taught her that stewardship was not just about financial contributions, but about fostering connections and a sense of collective responsibility. She explains that she gives to First Unitarian Church with the aim of helping sustain and expand an inclusive community where love and justice can thrive.
Rev. J Sylvan's sermon addresses the importance of rest, not as mere recovery for work, but as a true purpose of life, challenging the capitalist and Aristotelian views that prioritize productivity over well-being. Rev. J encourages the congregation to embrace rest as an act of resistance, urging them to reclaim attention, joy, and presence amidst the noise and distractions of modern life.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "We’re Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes – vocals: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner, Matt Esko, Iris Lander; guitar: Wylie Lander
03:20 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
08:09 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
09:45 🎵 Opening Song: "Turn! Turn! Turn!" – words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; music by Pete Seeger (American, 1919-2014); as performed by the Byrds; led by Grace & Matt Esko
13:03 Lay Minister: Henry Whiteside
20:05 🎵 Interlude: "Dancing Nancies" by Dave Matthews Band – vocals: Matt Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander; drums: Iris Lander
24:52 Loving Kindness Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
30:29 🎵 Meditation Response: "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac – vocals: Grace Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander
35:30 Why I Give – Susan Allman
42:25 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
43:11 🎵 Offertory Music: "Lenny" by Double Trouble & Stevie Ray Vaughan (American, 1954-1990) – guitar: Wylie Lander
46:04 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
47:13 Sermon: "Enjoy the Noise" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:47 🎵 Closing Song: "Modern Love" by David Bowie (English, 1947-2016) – vocals: Rosie Lander; backup vocals: Grace and Matt Esko; guitar: Wylie Lander; keyboard: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner; drums: Iris Lander
1:05:11 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:06:33 🎵 Postlude: "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes – vocals: Matt Esko; electric guitar: Wylie Lander; drums: Iris Lander; keyboard: Ruby Butterworth-Wegner
1:09:32 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:10:04 🎵 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.breezechms.com/give/online
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
