Sunday, November 30 - Bulletin | Digital Bulletins | Arnolia United Methodist Church

God’s Presence Brings LIfe - “Daniel: The Fiery Furnace”

First Sunday of Advent

*Please stand in body or in spirit. Congregational responses are in bold and preceded by "All"

GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements

Invitation and Sharing of Peace

Peace be with you. And also with you.

Prelude Eye of the Storm Rejuvenate

Lighting of the Altar Candles

Call to Worship (Clergy Stuff)

LEADER: Come and hear the Word proclaimed!
ALL: We come with open hearts and minds.
LEADER: God transforms us as we listen and learn.
ALL: We rejoice in God’s liberating love!

Advent Candle Lighting (Clergy Stuff)

LEADER: Daniel spoke of the one coming with the clouds at the end of all things.
Jesus, you are the one who is coming. Your advent in our broken world is sure.
ALL: We light this candle in expectation of your coming among us.

Opening Prayer (Clergy Stuff)

ALL: God of deliverance,

Make us strong in our faith, unafraid to hold fast to your word, inspired to act on behalf of those in need no matter what resistance we might face. Walk with us, protect us, and liberate us to speak your truth in word and deed. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

*Opening Song His Eye is on the Sparrow ( TFWS 2146}

Why should I feel
discouraged?
Why should
the shadows come?

Why should my heart
be lonely
and long for heaven
and home,

When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)
I sing because I’m free,
(I’m free,)
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart
be troubled,”
his tender words I hear,
and resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;

though by the path he leadeth
but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)
I sing because I’m free,
(I’m free,)
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place
to sighing,
when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to him,
from care he sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
(I’m happy,)
I sing because I’m free,
(I’m free,)
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

LISTENING

Scripture Reading Daniel 3:1, 8-30

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Message for All Ages

Sermon “Daniel: The Fiery Furnace”

RESPONDING

*Sermon Song Abide with Me (UMH 700)

1. Abide with me;
fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens;
Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers
fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me.

Swift to its close
ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim;
its glories pass away;
change and decay
in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not,
abide with me.
I need thy presence
every passing hour.
What but thy grace
can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself,
my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud
and sunshine,
Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe,
with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight,
and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still,
if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross
before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom
and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks,
and earth’s vain
shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord,
abide with me.

Prayers of the People

God who was, and is, and is to come, we lift our prayers to you.

The Lord’s Prayer (spoken)

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Offertory Love, Joy, and Peace Chancel Choir

*Offering Response Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (UMH 94)

*Prayer of Dedication (Clergy Stuff)

All: Gracious God, you enrich our lives in big and small ways, materially and spiritually. Inspired by your generosity, we return these gifts to the work of the church: to enlighten and inspire, to care for those in need, and to act for justice. Bless these gifts to your service. Amen.

SENDING

*Closing Song Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (UMH 133)

What a fellowship,
what a joy divine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms;
what a blessedness,
what a peace is mine,
leaning on the
everlasting arms.

Refrain

Lean - - - ing,
(Leaning on Jesus,)