Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
September 14, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan reflects on the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, lamenting the growing normalization of political violence and warning against both online nihilism and the toxic “culture war” narrative that dehumanizes opponents. Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, they urge the congregation to resist hatred, even toward those whose views they find harmful, and instead choose compassion and mercy as the truest measure of neighborliness. Rev. J's sermon ends with a call for bravery in practicing love and healing relationships, so that communities may resist division and nurture dignity and respect.
In his homily, lay minister Lee Shuster reflects on how his Methodist upbringing gave him a foundation of belonging, service, and openness to the wider world, and how Unitarian Universalism later built on those roots, offering him inclusivity, the freedom to grow even further, and a community where love and justice remain central.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:56 🎵 Prelude: "The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon (American, b. 1941) – David Owens, piano
03:39 🎵 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
04:28 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
08:30 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
10:19 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 146: "Soon the Day Will Arrive" – words by Ehud Manor (Israeli, 1941-2005); music by Nurit Hirsh (Israeli, b. 1942)
12:51 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
13:18 Lay Minister: Lee Shuster
18:55 🎵 Interlude: "Prelude" Op. 13, No. 3 by Alexander Scriabin (Russian, 1872-1915) – David Owens, piano
20:24 Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
25:34 🎵 Meditation Response: "Soon the Day Will Arrive" (reprise) – words by Ehud Manor (Israeli, 1941-2005); music by Nurit Hirsh (Israeli, b. 1942); David Owens, piano
26:07 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
26:49 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:58 Sermon: "The Good Samaritan" – Rev. J Sylvan
53:39 🎵 Closing Song: "Blowin’ in the Wind" – words & music by Bob Dylan (American, b. 1941)
56:48 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
57:27 🎵 Postlude: "Impromptu" (excerpt) Op. 19, No. 1, by Howard Hanson (American, 1896-1981) – David Owens, piano
59:37 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
59:56 🎵 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 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
September 14, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan reflects on the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk, lamenting the growing normalization of political violence and warning against both online nihilism and the toxic “culture war” narrative that dehumanizes opponents. Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, they urge the congregation to resist hatred, even toward those whose views they find harmful, and instead choose compassion and mercy as the truest measure of neighborliness. Rev. J's sermon ends with a call for bravery in practicing love and healing relationships, so that communities may resist division and nurture dignity and respect.
In his homily, lay minister Lee Shuster reflects on how his Methodist upbringing gave him a foundation of belonging, service, and openness to the wider world, and how Unitarian Universalism later built on those roots, offering him inclusivity, the freedom to grow even further, and a community where love and justice remain central.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:56 🎵 Prelude: "The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon (American, b. 1941) – David Owens, piano
03:39 🎵 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
04:28 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. J Sylvan
08:30 Chalice Lighting – Rev. J Sylvan
10:19 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 146: "Soon the Day Will Arrive" – words by Ehud Manor (Israeli, 1941-2005); music by Nurit Hirsh (Israeli, b. 1942)
12:51 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
13:18 Lay Minister: Lee Shuster
18:55 🎵 Interlude: "Prelude" Op. 13, No. 3 by Alexander Scriabin (Russian, 1872-1915) – David Owens, piano
20:24 Meditation – Rev. J Sylvan
25:34 🎵 Meditation Response: "Soon the Day Will Arrive" (reprise) – words by Ehud Manor (Israeli, 1941-2005); music by Nurit Hirsh (Israeli, b. 1942); David Owens, piano
26:07 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
26:49 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
27:58 Sermon: "The Good Samaritan" – Rev. J Sylvan
53:39 🎵 Closing Song: "Blowin’ in the Wind" – words & music by Bob Dylan (American, b. 1941)
56:48 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
57:27 🎵 Postlude: "Impromptu" (excerpt) Op. 19, No. 1, by Howard Hanson (American, 1896-1981) – David Owens, piano
59:37 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
59:56 🎵 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 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
