Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Leader: Advent begins with hope. Not wishful thinking, not optimism, but the deep trust that God is with us — even in the fire.
People: We light the candle of Hope, remembering that God’s presence sustains us in every trial.
Leader: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm, not because the flames were small, but because God did not leave them alone.
People: In every flame, every uncertainty, God’s hope holds us fast.
(The first candle is lit.)
Leader: Let this light remind us: God is already in the places we fear. God’s hope is stronger than any fire.
People: Come, Lord Jesus. Kindle hope in our waiting hearts.
Opening Hymn
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH 196
Prayer of Confession
God of hope, we confess that too often we bow to the wrong things. We bow to fear, to anxiety, to false promises of security. We bow to the pressures of this world instead of trusting your presence in the fire.
Forgive us when we choose comfort over courage and when we forget that you walk with us in every trial and every furnace. Hear now the silent confessions of our hearts…
—silent prayer—
Amen.
Words of Assurance
Leader: Take heart: the God who entered the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego enters our lives with hope that does not fail. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God, whose hope sustains us.
Passing of the Peace
First Reading:
Daniel 3:1 [2-7] 8-30
Sermon:
Faith in the Fire by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
Hymn of Response
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less UMH 368
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Response
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95
Offertory Prayer
God of steadfast hope, we thank you for your presence that strengthens us and for the courage you give in every trial.
Trusting in your faithfulness, we offer these gifts, and we offer our hands and hearts to share your hope with our community. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer
Announcements
Closing Hymn
What an Awesome God by Phil Wickham
Benediction
Said Each Week as A Communal Prayer:
Send to us all the people who feel unwanted and unloved in other places, and if they can't come to us, send us to them.
Postlude