Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
April 20, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan's Easter and Earth Day sermon urges listeners to reject fatalism about climate change and instead embrace a message of hopeful realism, arguing that while the future may be challenging, humanity is capable of progress and problem-solving — and young people deserve to grow up with that truth. Drawing from personal experience, cultural stories like Star Trek, and Christian tradition, Rev. J contends that perfection is not required for meaning or redemption.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
01:00 🎵 Prelude: "Gentle Arms of Eden" by Dave Carter (American, 1952-2002) and Tracy Grammer (American, b. 1968) – J Sylvan, guitar & vocals; Sue Buzzard, violin & vocals
05:27 🎵 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
06:14 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:21 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:21 🎵 Opening Hymn: "Take Up the Song"– words and music by Carole Etzler Eagleheart (American, b. 1944) and Brenda Chambers (American, b. 1954); David Owens, piano
12:29 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
12:52 Lay Minister: Brandon Checketts
22:03 🎵 Interlude: "The Beginning of the Partnership" by Stephen Warbeck (British, b. 1953) – David Owens, piano
24:34 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
30:30 🎵 Meditation Response: "Garôto" by Ernesto Nazareth (Brazilian, 1863-1934) – David Owens, piano
32:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
32:55 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
34:00 Sermon: "You Get What You Get" – Rev. J Sylvan
55:06 🎵 Closing Song: "Here Comes the Sun" – words & music by George Harrison (English, 1943-2001); David Owens, piano
57:03 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
57:35 🎵 Postlude: "Allegro" by Marianna von Martines (Austrian, 1744-1812) – David Owens, Kurzweil Mark 10 digital keyboard
59:10 🎵 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 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
April 20, 2025 service for the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Rev. J Sylvan's Easter and Earth Day sermon urges listeners to reject fatalism about climate change and instead embrace a message of hopeful realism, arguing that while the future may be challenging, humanity is capable of progress and problem-solving — and young people deserve to grow up with that truth. Drawing from personal experience, cultural stories like Star Trek, and Christian tradition, Rev. J contends that perfection is not required for meaning or redemption.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" by David Owens
01:00 🎵 Prelude: "Gentle Arms of Eden" by Dave Carter (American, 1952-2002) and Tracy Grammer (American, b. 1968) – J Sylvan, guitar & vocals; Sue Buzzard, violin & vocals
05:27 🎵 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
06:14 Welcome & Announcements – Rev. Monica Dobbins
08:21 Chalice Lighting – Rev. Monica Dobbins
09:21 🎵 Opening Hymn: "Take Up the Song"– words and music by Carole Etzler Eagleheart (American, b. 1944) and Brenda Chambers (American, b. 1954); David Owens, piano
12:29 Introduction of the Lay Minister – Rev. J Sylvan
12:52 Lay Minister: Brandon Checketts
22:03 🎵 Interlude: "The Beginning of the Partnership" by Stephen Warbeck (British, b. 1953) – David Owens, piano
24:34 Meditation – Rev. Monica Dobbins
30:30 🎵 Meditation Response: "Garôto" by Ernesto Nazareth (Brazilian, 1863-1934) – David Owens, piano
32:13 🎵 Song of Gratitude: # 1010, "We Give Thanks" – words & music by Wendy Luella Perkins (Canadian, b. 1966); led by Rev. J Sylvan
32:55 🎵 Doxology: "From All that Dwell Below the Skies" – words: composite based on Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); melody: "Old Hundredth" from Genevan Psalter (1551)
34:00 Sermon: "You Get What You Get" – Rev. J Sylvan
55:06 🎵 Closing Song: "Here Comes the Sun" – words & music by George Harrison (English, 1943-2001); David Owens, piano
57:03 Benediction – Rev. J Sylvan
57:35 🎵 Postlude: "Allegro" by Marianna von Martines (Austrian, 1744-1812) – David Owens, Kurzweil Mark 10 digital keyboard
59:10 🎵 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 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
