Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
January 11, 2026 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City: a _Star Trek_ theme, a new, relationship-centered stewardship model, and a call to imagine and work toward a vision of a better future.
Lay minister Lee Shuster reflects on how perfectionism can disguise fear of judgment or vulnerability, leading to procrastination and unfinished work under the guise of high standards. He invites us not to abandon excellence, but to notice when care becomes delay and to choose honest, imperfect action as a way forward.
Rev. J Sylvan introduces the _Star Trek_ themed 2026 pledge drive as an invitation to move beyond scarcity toward deeper connection and mission. Special guest Kay Crider explains the new stewardship approach to the pledge drive as one grounded in personal connection and mutual listening, affirming that every pledge matters and celebrating the church's role as a beacon of inclusion, care, and courage in the wider community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins shares her own experiences as both a recipient and a steward in this model, illustrating how relationship-based conversations about giving build trust, break taboos around money, strengthen community bonds, and invite joyful participation rather than pressure.
Rev. J's sermon then expands on the _Star Trek_ theme, urging the congregation to reclaim the practice of envisioning positive futures as a necessary act of resistance and creation.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Prelude: Star Trek: The Original Series theme by Alexander Courage (American, 1919-2008) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
02:19 🎵 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
03:06 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
04:34 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:46 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
07:18 Lay Minister: Lee Shuster
11:57 🎵 Interlude: Star Trek: The Next Generation theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
13:56 Introduction of Kay Crider – Rev. J Sylvan
16:26 Introduction to a New Stewardship Model – Kay Crider
21:48 🎵 Response: Star Trek: Voyager theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin
23:28 Reflection – Rev. Monica Dobbins
29:16 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
29:58 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from _Genevan Psalter_ (1551)
31:11 Sermon: "To Boldly Go" – Rev. J Sylvan
54:22 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1064, "Blue Boat Home" – words by Peter Mayer (American, b. 1963); music by Rowland Hugh Prichard (Welsh, 1811-1887)
57:17 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
58:07 🎵 Postlude: Star Trek: First Contact theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
1:00:53 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:27 🎵 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
January 11, 2026 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City: a _Star Trek_ theme, a new, relationship-centered stewardship model, and a call to imagine and work toward a vision of a better future.
Lay minister Lee Shuster reflects on how perfectionism can disguise fear of judgment or vulnerability, leading to procrastination and unfinished work under the guise of high standards. He invites us not to abandon excellence, but to notice when care becomes delay and to choose honest, imperfect action as a way forward.
Rev. J Sylvan introduces the _Star Trek_ themed 2026 pledge drive as an invitation to move beyond scarcity toward deeper connection and mission. Special guest Kay Crider explains the new stewardship approach to the pledge drive as one grounded in personal connection and mutual listening, affirming that every pledge matters and celebrating the church's role as a beacon of inclusion, care, and courage in the wider community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins shares her own experiences as both a recipient and a steward in this model, illustrating how relationship-based conversations about giving build trust, break taboos around money, strengthen community bonds, and invite joyful participation rather than pressure.
Rev. J's sermon then expands on the _Star Trek_ theme, urging the congregation to reclaim the practice of envisioning positive futures as a necessary act of resistance and creation.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:59 🎵 Prelude: Star Trek: The Original Series theme by Alexander Courage (American, 1919-2008) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
02:19 🎵 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
03:06 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
04:34 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
06:46 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
07:18 Lay Minister: Lee Shuster
11:57 🎵 Interlude: Star Trek: The Next Generation theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
13:56 Introduction of Kay Crider – Rev. J Sylvan
16:26 Introduction to a New Stewardship Model – Kay Crider
21:48 🎵 Response: Star Trek: Voyager theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin
23:28 Reflection – Rev. Monica Dobbins
29:16 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
29:58 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from _Genevan Psalter_ (1551)
31:11 Sermon: "To Boldly Go" – Rev. J Sylvan
54:22 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 1064, "Blue Boat Home" – words by Peter Mayer (American, b. 1963); music by Rowland Hugh Prichard (Welsh, 1811-1887)
57:17 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
58:07 🎵 Postlude: Star Trek: First Contact theme by Jerry Goldsmith (American, 1929-2004) – Sue Buzzard, violin; David Owens, piano
1:00:53 Closing Words – Rev. J Sylvan
1:01:27 🎵 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
