It’s finally here! Tomorrow at 3:00pm, St. Peter’s presents “It’s Cool in the Furnace”. Come to worship that morning, then return to the Sanctuary for the performance where you’ll learn about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their run-in with King Nebuchadnezzar.
Director’s Note
It has been incredibly fulfilling to work together with the people of St. Peter’s to put on this production. The conversations and questions sparked by this interesting story have been even more fulfilling. In addition to learning the music and movement, the children and youth have learned about doing the right thing even when it’s the hard thing to do. We’ve all learned a little something about leaning on God in the tough times and praising God when things are going well.
As always, with something of this magnitude, there are too many thanks to dole out. Without the help of many behind the scenes, tomorrow’s production would have been impossible. Specifically, thanks to the Church Musical Task Force (Leslie McCarthy, Donna Aho, Bob and Patti Courtois, Nancy Beauregard, Jordan Lambert, and Jill and Jeff Pretz), adult leaders (Tom and Lori Weaver, Joy Hosler, and Ashley Miller), A/V crew (Bob Preston and Dave Tilley), band members (Erik Teichmann, Jimmy Moshos, Matt Armitage, Bret Sassaman, Jody and Gordon Allen), and the assistant director (Mason Emmert). Without these resourceful people, and many more not mentioned, this weekend’s production would have been impossible. Thank you!
Synopsis
This is the story, told mostly from Daniel’s point of view, of how King Nebuchadnezzar forces Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and their community to move from Judah to Babylon. At first the King seems to be a good King, allowing the displaced community to live the ways of their religion. Things heat up when the King has a dream, eventually causing him to set up an idol for all the people of the kingdom to worship. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, along with their community, refuse to worship the idol stating the would only worship the one true God. In a rage, Nebuchadnezzar throws the three young representatives into a fiery furnace only to find four people in the furnace walking around as if they are unharmed. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith in God is rewarded richly and Nebuchadnezzar’s response to this turn of events is a lesson in humility and self-control.
