Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
December 28, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on the New Year’s pull toward fresh starts and self-improvement, ultimately questioning perfectionism and the Unitarian tradition’s inherited mantra of “onward and upward forever.” Drawing on history, nature, and her own life, she argues that constant progress can become a burden, and that growth must be balanced with acceptance, rest, and love for who we already are. She invites the congregation to practice "dissolutions" instead of resolutions – letting go of unrealistic expectations and making space to simply be whole as they are.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Prelude: "Für Alina" by Arvo Pärt (Estonian, b. 1935) – David Owens, piano
03:21 🎵 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
04:12 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
05:56 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:59 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 1, "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door" – words by Louis Untermeyer (American, 1885-1977); music by Robert N. Quaile (Irish, 1867-1927); David Owens, organ
09:25 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
12:25 🎵 Meditation Response: "We All of Noble Birth" – a piano fantasy on a Christmas tune; David Owens, piano
15:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
16:32 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
17:37 Sermon: "New Year's Dissolution" – Rev. Monica Dobbins
31:19 🎵 Ritual: "Dissolving the Old Year to Welcome in the New"
36:11 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
37:38 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 391, "Voice Still and Small" – words & music by John Corrado (American, b. 1940); David Owens, piano
39:23 Benediction – Rev. Monica Dobbins
40:06 🎵 Postlude: "Prelude in C major" by Paul Sheftel (American/Italian, b. 1933) – David Owens, piano
42:12 Closing Words – Rev. Monica Dobbins
42:39 🎵 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
Tristan Moore, 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
December 28, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. Monica Dobbins reflects on the New Year’s pull toward fresh starts and self-improvement, ultimately questioning perfectionism and the Unitarian tradition’s inherited mantra of “onward and upward forever.” Drawing on history, nature, and her own life, she argues that constant progress can become a burden, and that growth must be balanced with acceptance, rest, and love for who we already are. She invites the congregation to practice "dissolutions" instead of resolutions – letting go of unrealistic expectations and making space to simply be whole as they are.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Prelude: "Für Alina" by Arvo Pärt (Estonian, b. 1935) – David Owens, piano
03:21 🎵 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
04:12 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
05:56 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:59 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 1, "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door" – words by Louis Untermeyer (American, 1885-1977); music by Robert N. Quaile (Irish, 1867-1927); David Owens, organ
09:25 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
12:25 🎵 Meditation Response: "We All of Noble Birth" – a piano fantasy on a Christmas tune; David Owens, piano
15:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. Monica Dobbins
16:32 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
17:37 Sermon: "New Year's Dissolution" – Rev. Monica Dobbins
31:19 🎵 Ritual: "Dissolving the Old Year to Welcome in the New"
36:11 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
37:38 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 391, "Voice Still and Small" – words & music by John Corrado (American, b. 1940); David Owens, piano
39:23 Benediction – Rev. Monica Dobbins
40:06 🎵 Postlude: "Prelude in C major" by Paul Sheftel (American/Italian, b. 1933) – David Owens, piano
42:12 Closing Words – Rev. Monica Dobbins
42:39 🎵 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
Tristan Moore, 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
