Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
December 7, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan's sermon traces the winding journey of Leonard Cohenβs "Hallelujah" from obscure, spiritually layered poetry to Christmas-season love ballad, exploring how modern culture shifts sacred longing into the realm of romantic desire.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 π΅ Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:56 π΅ Prelude: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Canadian, 1934-2016) β Rev. J Sylvan, vocals & guitar
04:09 π΅ Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" β words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
04:56 Welcome & Announcements β Rev. J Sylvan
08:41 Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
10:02 π΅ Opening Hymn: # 390, "Gaudeamus Hodie" β words: traditional; music: Natalie Sleeth (American, 1930-1992); led by David Owens and the Vocal Ensemble
16:10 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
19:09 π΅ Meditation Response: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Canadian, 1934-2016) β The Cohen Vocal Ensemble: Nikki Blackburn Fuller, Alison Christiansen, Will Cvetko, Lissa Lander, Ron Mildenhall, Caryn OβMalley, Mark Smith, Sloane Wall, Connie Wilkerson, Janine Wittwer; with David Owens, piano
22:13 π΅ Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" β words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
23:40 Share the Plate: Sageland Collaborative β Leslie Loeffel
26:23 π΅ Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" β words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:28 Sermon: "Hallelujah Is Not a Christmas Song" β Rev. J Sylvan
42:44 π΅ Closing Hymn: # 34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" β words by Hal Hopson (American, 1933-2025); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
45:00 Benediction β Rev. J Sylvan
45:33 π΅ Postlude: "A piano styling gift wish to you all" β David Owens, piano
48:01 π΅ 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
π First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
β Website: slcuu.org
β Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
β Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
β YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
π All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
β Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
π¬ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
β youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZZLSGAsaNRV_DKPrN2PUh8g
December 7, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan's sermon traces the winding journey of Leonard Cohenβs "Hallelujah" from obscure, spiritually layered poetry to Christmas-season love ballad, exploring how modern culture shifts sacred longing into the realm of romantic desire.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 π΅ Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:56 π΅ Prelude: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Canadian, 1934-2016) β Rev. J Sylvan, vocals & guitar
04:09 π΅ Introit: # 188, "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" β words adapted from Rumi (1207-1273); music by Rev. Lynn Ungar (American, b. 1963); led by David Owens
04:56 Welcome & Announcements β Rev. J Sylvan
08:41 Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
10:02 π΅ Opening Hymn: # 390, "Gaudeamus Hodie" β words: traditional; music: Natalie Sleeth (American, 1930-1992); led by David Owens and the Vocal Ensemble
16:10 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
19:09 π΅ Meditation Response: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Canadian, 1934-2016) β The Cohen Vocal Ensemble: Nikki Blackburn Fuller, Alison Christiansen, Will Cvetko, Lissa Lander, Ron Mildenhall, Caryn OβMalley, Mark Smith, Sloane Wall, Connie Wilkerson, Janine Wittwer; with David Owens, piano
22:13 π΅ Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" β words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
23:40 Share the Plate: Sageland Collaborative β Leslie Loeffel
26:23 π΅ Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" β words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:28 Sermon: "Hallelujah Is Not a Christmas Song" β Rev. J Sylvan
42:44 π΅ Closing Hymn: # 34, "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire" β words by Hal Hopson (American, 1933-2025); music: traditional English melody; David Owens, Estey pipe organ
45:00 Benediction β Rev. J Sylvan
45:33 π΅ Postlude: "A piano styling gift wish to you all" β David Owens, piano
48:01 π΅ 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
π First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
β Website: slcuu.org
β Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
β Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
β YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
π All of First Unitarian Church's programs depend on the generous contributions of our members and friends.
β Donate: slcuu.breezechms.com/give/online
π¬ Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
β youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZZLSGAsaNRV_DKPrN2PUh8g
