Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 35 minutes ago
November 26, 2023 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. The Reverend J Sylvan's sermon notes their own evolving perspective on Thanksgiving, initially rejecting it due to its colonialist associations but now learning to appreciate it for its focus on gratitude, especially in contrast with the consumerism associated with American capitalist Christmas. The importance and challenges of practicing gratitude and remaining present in our everyday lives are discussed.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" – music by David Owens
00:57 🎵 Prelude: "Gavotte" from French Suite No. 5 in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach (German, 1685-1750) – David Owens, piano
02:29 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
03:19 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
10:21 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
11:59 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 123, "Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade (American, b. 1935)
14:20 Lay Minister: Kathryn Anne
21:10 🎵 Interlude: "The Ash Grove" (Welsh folk song) – David Owens, piano
22:30 Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
32:05 🎵 Meditation Response: "The Ash Grove" (reprise) – David Owens, piano
32:31 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
33:15 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
34:45 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies"
35:40 Sermon: "Finding Gratitude" – Rev. J Sylvan
52:29 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 317, "We Are Not Our Own" – words by Brian Wren (English, b. 1936); music by David Hurd (American, b. 1950)
55:48 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
56:41 🎵 Postlude: "My Life Flows On in Endless Song" by Robert Lowry (American, 1826-1899) – David Owens, piano improvisation
1:00:51 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:10 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
🙏 We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbDnrbE194WlV7b_q-9iZs0
November 26, 2023 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. The Reverend J Sylvan's sermon notes their own evolving perspective on Thanksgiving, initially rejecting it due to its colonialist associations but now learning to appreciate it for its focus on gratitude, especially in contrast with the consumerism associated with American capitalist Christmas. The importance and challenges of practicing gratitude and remaining present in our everyday lives are discussed.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" – music by David Owens
00:57 🎵 Prelude: "Gavotte" from French Suite No. 5 in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach (German, 1685-1750) – David Owens, piano
02:29 🎵 Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" – words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
03:19 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
10:21 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
11:59 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 123, "Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade (American, b. 1935)
14:20 Lay Minister: Kathryn Anne
21:10 🎵 Interlude: "The Ash Grove" (Welsh folk song) – David Owens, piano
22:30 Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
32:05 🎵 Meditation Response: "The Ash Grove" (reprise) – David Owens, piano
32:31 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
33:15 Offertory – Rev. J Sylvan
34:45 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies"
35:40 Sermon: "Finding Gratitude" – Rev. J Sylvan
52:29 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 317, "We Are Not Our Own" – words by Brian Wren (English, b. 1936); music by David Hurd (American, b. 1950)
55:48 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
56:41 🎵 Postlude: "My Life Flows On in Endless Song" by Robert Lowry (American, 1826-1899) – David Owens, piano improvisation
1:00:51 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:10 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
🙏 We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbDnrbE194WlV7b_q-9iZs0
