Wade and Rochelle Burleson

This is a transition for Wade Burleson and for EChurch@Wartburg, Wade will preach his last sermon on 12/24. He and I have talked about the future. I spoke of some ideas that I have had and he agreed with me. I cannot say anything until I know for sure. We may have a series of sermons from several people. Hopefully, I will get this together by the New Year.

Wade has been a longtime friend. He has been a tireless advocate for abuse victims in the SBC. He was the first to make motions for a database. He also is an advocate for women in ministry. He has been a kind friend and he knows I may still contact him with questions. I am thankful to Emmanuel Enid for supporting TWW. I’m not sure I would have done this without their support. Please pray for the Burlesons in this transition and pray for EChurch as I try something different. I am so grateful for my friend, Wade, and his wife Rochelle.

A Celtic Prayer from the Carmina Gadelica

Thanks to you, O God, that I have risen today,
to the rising of life itself;
may it be to your own glory,
O God of every gift,
and to the glory of my soul likewise.
O great God, aid my soul
with the aiding of your own mercy;
even as I clothe my body with wool,
cover my soul with the shadow of your wing.
Help me to avoid every sin,
and the source of every sin to forsake;
and as the mist scatters
on the crest of the hills,
may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.
Amen

A Prayer on Mercy by Viet Dietrich

Lord God, heavenly Father,
you are merciful
and through Christ you promised us
that you will neither judge nor condemn us,
but graciously forgive us all our sins
and abundantly provide for all our needs of body and soul.
By your Holy Spirit
establish in our hearts a confident faith in your mercy
and teach us also to be merciful to our neighbor,
that we may not judge or condemn others,
but willingly forgive all people,
and judging only ourselves,
lead blessed lives in your fear;
through your dear Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.
Amen

A Prayer for Endings and Beginnings link

Dear Father, I thank You for being with me throughout every season of my life, whether they are endings or beginnings.
I thank You for Your word, which reminds me that there is a time for every purpose under heaven.
I praise You for what You have ended in my life because I know You have a plan for something new and wonderful.
I rejoice in Your plan, and submit to Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2     a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Please scroll to the 23-minute mark to begin the introduction

A Benediction for the Burlesons and for all of us: Number 6:24-26 NIV 

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Amen