Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
February 23, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, with music performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir under the direction of David Owens.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne reflects on her journey from seeking independence to embracing interdependence, shaped by personal hardships—including the loss of her husband and physical injuries—and the invaluable support she received from family, friends, and her community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins’ meditation reflects on the intricate interconnectedness of life, from the microscopic workings of the human body to the awakening of spring. Monica invites us to embrace wonder and awareness of the countless unseen forces that sustain us.
Rev. J Sylvan reflects on growing up in a pre-smartphone era, when the internet was full of potential for connection but hadn’t yet shaped our expectations for instant information and constant stimulation. Lamenting how our dependence on immediate answers and algorithm-driven content has diminished serendipity, deep thought, and wonder, Rev. J urges us to reclaim our attention in order to more fully experience joy, love, and life.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Choral Prelude: "Waitin' for the Light to Shine" from the 1985 Broadway musical 'Big River' – words & music by Roger Miller (American, 1936-1992); arranged by Mark A. Brymer (American, b. 1957); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; Tom Goodwin, stand-up bass; Bob Berger, banjo; David Owens, piano & conducting
04:05 🎵 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
05:00 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:06 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
10:15 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 1074, "Turn the World Around" – words & music: Harry Belafonte (American, 1927-2023) and Robert M. Freedman (American, 1934-2018); arr. by Jason Shelton (American, b. 1972); David Owens, Kurzweil; John Major & Jim Thornburg, percussion
16:15 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
24:58 🎵 Choral Interlude: "A Joyful Mozart Canon" from 'Vesperae De Dominica', K. 321, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austrian, 1756-1791) – new music, words, and arrangement by Jean Anne Shafferman (American, b. 1953); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; David Owens, Kurzweil/conducting
26:40 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
32:09 🎵 Choral Response: "Earth Song" – words & music by Frank Ticheli (American, b. 1958); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting
35:21 Pledge Campaign Update – Rev. J Sylvan
37:21 Why I Give – Liz Weight
42:11 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
42:55 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
44:04 Sermon: "Wonder" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:14 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 139, "Wonders Still the World Shall Witness" – words by Jacob Trapp (American, 1899-1992, minister of First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City from 1930 to 1941); tune: "In Babilone" from 'Old and New Dutch Peasant Songs and Country Dances' (c. 1710); David Owens, Estey pipe organ
1:05:16 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:05:47 🎵 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
🌎 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 entirely 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-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
February 23, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, with music performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir under the direction of David Owens.
Lay minister Darlene Thayne reflects on her journey from seeking independence to embracing interdependence, shaped by personal hardships—including the loss of her husband and physical injuries—and the invaluable support she received from family, friends, and her community.
Rev. Monica Dobbins’ meditation reflects on the intricate interconnectedness of life, from the microscopic workings of the human body to the awakening of spring. Monica invites us to embrace wonder and awareness of the countless unseen forces that sustain us.
Rev. J Sylvan reflects on growing up in a pre-smartphone era, when the internet was full of potential for connection but hadn’t yet shaped our expectations for instant information and constant stimulation. Lamenting how our dependence on immediate answers and algorithm-driven content has diminished serendipity, deep thought, and wonder, Rev. J urges us to reclaim our attention in order to more fully experience joy, love, and life.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Choral Prelude: "Waitin' for the Light to Shine" from the 1985 Broadway musical 'Big River' – words & music by Roger Miller (American, 1936-1992); arranged by Mark A. Brymer (American, b. 1957); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; Tom Goodwin, stand-up bass; Bob Berger, banjo; David Owens, piano & conducting
04:05 🎵 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
05:00 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:06 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
10:15 🎵 Opening Hymn: # 1074, "Turn the World Around" – words & music: Harry Belafonte (American, 1927-2023) and Robert M. Freedman (American, 1934-2018); arr. by Jason Shelton (American, b. 1972); David Owens, Kurzweil; John Major & Jim Thornburg, percussion
16:15 Lay Minister: Darlene Thayne
24:58 🎵 Choral Interlude: "A Joyful Mozart Canon" from 'Vesperae De Dominica', K. 321, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austrian, 1756-1791) – new music, words, and arrangement by Jean Anne Shafferman (American, b. 1953); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; David Owens, Kurzweil/conducting
26:40 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
32:09 🎵 Choral Response: "Earth Song" – words & music by Frank Ticheli (American, b. 1958); performed by the First Unitarian Chancel Choir; David Owens, conducting
35:21 Pledge Campaign Update – Rev. J Sylvan
37:21 Why I Give – Liz Weight
42:11 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
42:55 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
44:04 Sermon: "Wonder" – Rev. J Sylvan
1:02:14 🎵 Closing Hymn: # 139, "Wonders Still the World Shall Witness" – words by Jacob Trapp (American, 1899-1992, minister of First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City from 1930 to 1941); tune: "In Babilone" from 'Old and New Dutch Peasant Songs and Country Dances' (c. 1710); David Owens, Estey pipe organ
1:05:16 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
1:05:47 🎵 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
Kristina Pappas, Audiovisual Technician
🌎 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 entirely 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-J6FZbbZvVRdb9M9HKzqT9D3pFC
