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The clarification is that yes, this is my last message as pastor for preaching and vision

after 32 and a half years, and no no it's not the last message probably.

I'm done March 31st and Jason begins my role on Wednesday morning at 12.

And he will be installed January 20 and then there's a farewell service for me

April 14 so if you wonder how that all plays out, that's the clarification.

The invitation is one of the most amazing gifts that you could give to Jason,

besides the two you've already given him,

namely a 98% vote on the first ballot

and then a 97% vote on the second one three months later.

You have confirmed by your God-given action his call from God to fulfill the role of pastor for preaching and vision.

And the gift you could give him is to meet this year's budget. And I mean that. I think of

myself in his shoes and what it would mean to be catapulted into the new year, my first year, with this church for the

first time in what, ten years maybe, having met its budget.

You're this close.

You're closer than you've been in a decade

to meeting our budget.

So that would be sweet.

Let's pray.

So Father in Heaven, it has been for me, one of my greatest joys to stand in this pulpit

as the pastor for preaching and vision for these 32 and a half years.

...