1 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:28,790 Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. 2 00:00:31,350 --> 00:00:38,430 Bless you. Please, please calm down. 3 00:00:38,430 --> 00:00:44,960 You bunch of, I don't know what you know, you bunch of wow, 4 00:00:45,560 --> 00:01:00,090 honestly, thank you. Didn't think I had any more 5 00:01:00,090 --> 00:01:01,810 tears in me actually, but here we go. 6 00:01:05,170 --> 00:01:08,490 Last week was my proper last sermon 'cause I preached for 35 7 00:01:08,490 --> 00:01:11,490 minutes. I've only been given 10 minutes, 8 00:01:12,170 --> 00:01:14,690 which is a bit dangerous because, well, you know, I have 9 00:01:14,690 --> 00:01:18,240 a habit of going over as you know, but in the short time in a 10 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:21,120 moment, I'm going to invite up my better half, my beautiful 11 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:23,760 wife, Steph. But yes, we're is right. 12 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,880 But before I do that, I just want to share some thoughts and 13 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,440 some words. Firstly, I actually just want to 14 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,120 say thank you to the wonderful John and Debbie Wright, our 15 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:36,560 national Directors Vineyard. Can we just honour these guys? 16 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:44,880 Thank you for being here. Steph and I have just been so 17 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,760 blessed by your support and your love and your friendship these 18 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,560 past seven years. We've had some good times 19 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:51,760 together. And thank you for being here on 20 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,280 our on our last Sunday. And I want to say as a movement, 21 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,680 we are so blessed to have John and Debbie as our leaders. 22 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:02,160 I am so grateful to God for them and their faithfulness to the 23 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,960 Lord and their passion for him and his church. 24 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:07,120 And can we just give them another hand, please? 25 00:02:10,759 --> 00:02:15,040 We love you guys. Bless you Well, church, here we 26 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:19,480 are, our final Sunday with you as your pastors. 27 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,440 And I appreciate this has probably felt like the longest 28 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,600 goodbye ever, which I'd like to apologize for. 29 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,440 Everything seems to be the last of. 30 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:32,240 And it's hard to put into words really, truly what this journey 31 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,640 has meant to us as a family. You know, 13 years ago, Steph 32 00:02:35,640 --> 00:02:38,800 and I with two young girls and Steph was preggers with Daniel 33 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,480 of preggers. Check me out, Walk through those 34 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,240 doors. And here we are 13 years later, 35 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,440 a little bit more grey hairs, but what a journey it's been. 36 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:52,840 I look around the room at all of you guys and I recall the 37 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:57,000 stories that we've shared, the highs, the lows, the ways we've 38 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:00,200 seen God move. And I want to say from the 39 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,640 bottom of my heart, Steph and I and the family will carry you in 40 00:03:03,640 --> 00:03:07,280 our hearts always. And we will be forever grateful 41 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:11,520 for the privilege, honestly, the privilege and joy it has been to 42 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:14,200 be your pastor for this season. Thank you for letting us love 43 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,320 you. Thank you for letting us lead 44 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:18,920 you. I'm so grateful to God for this 45 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:22,440 opportunity. But today, as I end, I don't 46 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,120 want to make this about looking back. 47 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:31,360 Rather, I want to spend a short time looking ahead because while 48 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,880 we are moving on and soon you will have the wonderful Chuck 49 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:36,560 and Taron Freeland, our next senior. 50 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,840 Why do you stand, guys? Come on, please stand. 51 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:49,320 Here they are. You know, Steph and I are so 52 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,680 grateful for you, too. We love you guys and we're just 53 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:53,440 so excited for you in the church. 54 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:58,680 And you know, as I said, as we move on, what this moment 55 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,800 represents for us is this a reminder that one thing that is 56 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:06,480 constant is change. Why, I hear you ask. 57 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,240 That's a very good question. Thank you for asking it. 58 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:15,440 Because God and his Kingdom is always on the move, Amen? 59 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,120 And we, we are a people on a journey. 60 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:25,000 We are a movement on the move. And at Verso, we will always be 61 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,960 a church captured by the Great Commission to extend His Kingdom 62 00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:33,080 as we make Jesus known to a world around us. 63 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,400 Amen. And so I want to leave you with 64 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,920 three reminders. Every preacher loves a three. 65 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,560 I did have 9, but I didn't have half an hour. 66 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:48,000 So you know, there we go. Are you ready for the first one? 67 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:54,000 Well done #1 is this the more of God, the best yet? 68 00:04:55,920 --> 00:05:00,800 Ephesians 320 says this now to him who is able to do abundantly 69 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:05,080 more then all that we ask or think according to the power at 70 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,120 work within us. Listen Church, don't be lulled 71 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,560 into the belief that the best days are behind you. 72 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:17,800 God has even more always. His Spirit is still at work, His 73 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:23,360 promises are still true, and He has not finished with you yet. 74 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:29,360 Listen, Church, you've seen him move how we have seen him move 75 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,920 together these past seven years so powerfully in our midst. 76 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,640 But hear me when I say you haven't seen everything yet. 77 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,720 You've tasted his goodness, but there is more to come. 78 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,600 You've seen the miracles, we've seen the healings, we've seen 79 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:49,280 the freedom. But that is just the start. 80 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:53,840 You've watched as we've grown, as as we've extended our reach 81 00:05:53,840 --> 00:05:57,120 to reach the lost. But that's only the start. 82 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:01,320 And so my encouragement to you as we leave is simply this. 83 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,120 Keep pressing it. Keep seeking Him. 84 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:09,480 Keep expecting Him to do immeasurably more than you could 85 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:14,920 ask or ever imagine. Because God is seeking a people 86 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:19,240 who are walking by faith, not by sight. 87 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:24,960 And listen, God is always a rewarder of those who diligently 88 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,040 seek Him. Hebrews 11/6. 89 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,880 I wanted to share this. The best is yet to come. 90 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,080 There were promises on this house that have yet to be fully 91 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:38,520 fulfilled and we are excited for what is coming next. 92 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:45,360 I said 3 Didn't I #2 love and serve one another? 93 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:49,680 Jesus, His own words. John 1335 He said this. 94 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,880 By this all people will know that you are my disciples. 95 00:06:54,920 --> 00:07:00,880 If you have love. Jesus made it plain the way. 96 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:05,320 The world will know you belong to Him by your love for one 97 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,720 another. Notice he didn't say by your 98 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:15,520 building, by your exploits, by your programs, by the sermon, or 99 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:18,280 by the music. All good though they are and 100 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:23,280 have their place. But how will the world know that 101 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:27,760 we are his? By loving. 1 So can I ask, 102 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:35,760 Forgive quickly, serve humbly. Honour one another above 103 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:38,880 yourselves. Carry each other's burdens as 104 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:42,360 you already do. Cry with one another when there 105 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:46,000 are tears. Laugh with one another when 106 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,400 there is laughter. Let us continue to make this 107 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:53,320 place a place where anyone who walks through these doors at 108 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:58,760 Saint Albans, doors at Hatfield or the doors at Hemel, a place 109 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,000 where people feel the love of God, the love of Christ, even 110 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,120 before they hear a single word spoken. 111 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:09,400 Let your love friends, be louder than your words. 112 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,720 Let your serving be the sign to the world that Jesus is alive. 113 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:20,520 In this church family, we first love for one another and I want 114 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,800 to say thank you for loving Steph and I as well. 115 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:35,960 And as I bring this plane to land, Please ensure your 116 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,559 seatbelts are fastened and your tray tables are up. 117 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:46,800 We may go in for a bumpy landing #3 keep Jesus at the center. 118 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:52,880 Keep Jesus at the centre of it all. 119 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:58,840 Hebrews 12/2 says look into Jesus founder and effect. 120 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:06,960 Jesus is our foundation. Jesus is our hope. 121 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,600 Jesus is the one who started the work in you, not the leader, 122 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,760 Jesus. And he will bring it to 123 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,280 completion. As the leadership transitions, 124 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:28,120 as seasons change, as the future unfolds, always keep your eyes. 125 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:34,240 I want to encourage you in this next three months as we 126 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,720 transition and we have the wonderful team here leading and 127 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,520 they're going to do a fantastic job. 128 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:44,080 And as we prepare for January the 11th when we celebrate, 129 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,400 we'll be celebrating from a beach in Australia watching you 130 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:51,160 online, but we'll be there watching as we Commission the 131 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,800 wonderful Jack and Taran to lead in that time. 132 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:59,480 Don't get distracted, don't lose sight of your first love. 133 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:04,640 If you'll keep Jesus at the centre, This church, this church 134 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:08,640 always thrive. How do you do that? 135 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:13,400 You surrender it all to Him. You lay your life down for Him. 136 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,120 Why? Because He laid his life down. 137 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:19,280 You know, it says in Romans 12/1. 138 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:23,320 Brothers and sisters, in light of God's mercy, in light of all 139 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:27,400 that He has done for us, offer yourselves as a living 140 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:31,640 sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, because that is your 141 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,320 worship. You know words. 142 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:38,560 Love is not words only. It is a life and obedience to 143 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,760 Him. My my encouragement to you is 144 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:48,360 this lay it all down for him. That's the best place to be with 145 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:50,000 that I am. God bless you. 146 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,160 Let me invite Steph up to join me. 147 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:26,080 Come up, Steph. Oh gosh, you prepare yourself, 148 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,040 but you never quite know how it's going to feel when you get 149 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:29,960 up here. But thank you for that beautiful 150 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:31,600 applause. It means so much. 151 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,840 Gosh, where to start? Haven't got much time. 152 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:40,480 So just really touching what Mark said, you know, coming 153 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:44,760 through the doors 13 years ago, almost 13 years ago, we, we knew 154 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:46,840 we'd arrived home. We both said to each other, this 155 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,560 is going to be our home. But gosh, we didn't know then 156 00:11:49,560 --> 00:11:52,080 what God would have in store for our journey here. 157 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,560 And we're just so grateful. I'm just looking around the room 158 00:11:55,560 --> 00:11:58,520 now and looking at all these beautiful faces. 159 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,440 Many we've journeyed with, many I've prayed with. 160 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:03,840 It's been a privilege and an honour. 161 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,200 And Mark and I leave here more richer than when we came through 162 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,040 those doors. And we're so, so grateful to 163 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:13,280 God. We want to thank you for loving 164 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:17,880 us, for releasing us so beautifully with such grace. 165 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:21,720 Because it's not been easy, but you've chosen to, to do that and 166 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:23,520 you've really blessed us in that choice. 167 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:27,440 So we wanna thank you. I've written down notes, but I'm 168 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,160 not one to read from notes, as you know. 169 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:31,040 I like to just speak from the heart. 170 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:36,160 So I'm gonna, oh, I asked the Lord for a word, 'cause you 171 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,440 know, I love to give words. And I've struggled actually. 172 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:43,120 But this morning during the worship, when the sound went a 173 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:46,560 bit funny, I was like, OK, Lord, you're doing something, you 174 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:49,480 hear? And immediately he gave me a 175 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:53,880 picture of all of you and us on a battlefield. 176 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:57,800 And there was multitudes, multitudes of us. 177 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:01,160 And in this beautiful picture, Mark and I actually, and the 178 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,640 kids were taken out and it was almost like we were being taken 179 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:08,760 away to rest. And I continued looking at this 180 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:11,160 picture, and I could see drummers drumming. 181 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,080 I could see the messengers running backwards and forwards 182 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:19,480 along the lines. I could see people watching on 183 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,160 the walls looking out for the enemy. 184 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,120 And I saw Chuck and Taryn being bought in to lead at the front. 185 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,280 And some of you have been called to lead just behind them. 186 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,640 And I just want to encourage you that this is you are going into 187 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:32,720 an exciting season. This is not the end. 188 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,000 You've been called as a mighty army and warrior for the King of 189 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,560 Kings and he wants you to continue on. 190 00:13:39,560 --> 00:13:41,800 He wants those that have been called to drums, they continue 191 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,920 drumming, those that have been called to bring the messages up 192 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,280 and down to those who are at the front and those to watch out for 193 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,200 the enemy to watch. I wanna ask the Lord to bless 194 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,960 you that you would continue in that journey and that you will 195 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,080 continue with might and power. And we will be watching. 196 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:00,840 Well, from the beach in Australia. 197 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:04,800 Don't be jealous. I'm just saying. 198 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:07,480 Which is gonna be amazing. We are. 199 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:09,720 Yeah. We're looking forward to that. 200 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,240 But no, on a serious note, I pray the Lord would bless you 201 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,040 and that you would know the strength of the Lord in this 202 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,240 season and in these three months, as Mark said, when we're 203 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,080 not here, that you would be a blessing to those that have 204 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,760 stepped in to lead you and to walk alongside you. 205 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,000 So many thank yous. I love you all and we thank you 206 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,520 all, but I just want to thank my children really quickly. 207 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:33,480 Where are they? One there, two over there. 208 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:38,760 Lucy, Ellie and Daniel. Good luck. 209 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:50,000 Stand up, stand up. God bless them. 210 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,640 We thank God for our beautiful children and you know it hasn't. 211 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:57,040 It's not a choice they made. We made the choice for them and 212 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,320 they've been amazing. It's not been easy, but I really 213 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:03,600 believe the Lord's got some great things ahead for all three 214 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,760 of you because of your faithfulness to us and because 215 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:09,840 he's seen the sacrifice. So I'm really excited to do the 216 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,600 journey with these kids. We're looking forward to this 217 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:16,600 next season with you for the joys for the for for so much, so 218 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:18,400 much is coming. So many good things for all of 219 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,240 you. Yeah. 220 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:24,080 So this is my final for you and I'm gonna hand over to you. 221 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:25,440 Am I rambling on? Oh, you're. 222 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:26,720 Doing looking at me like, no, I'm not. 223 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:28,160 This is beautiful. It's wonderful. 224 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:29,320 Yeah. We we can actually lock the 225 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,440 doors and keep people in the room for as long as we want. 226 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:33,360 Keep you in. I'll pass back to Mike. 227 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:35,920 Well. That bless you that that's it 228 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:39,240 from from us for now, but we'll probably be back pop up back on 229 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,280 the stage in a moment. But we're going to invite up the 230 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:43,040 wonderful John and Debbie. So let's give them a hand as 231 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:46,120 they come to the stage. Give them a mic. 232 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:00,700 I think I'll manage with this. It's OK, Richard. 233 00:16:01,820 --> 00:16:03,580 Thanks. So anyway, we're really 234 00:16:03,580 --> 00:16:06,780 delighted to be with you today, participating in what is really 235 00:16:06,780 --> 00:16:09,920 quite a a key moment in the life of this church. 236 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:14,800 Debbie and I were present seven years ago when Christopher 237 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:19,400 Slain, who planted and LED the church here for three decades. 238 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:23,000 They handed on the baton of leadership to Mark, and it's 239 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,760 been just a really a joy to watch on from the sidelines and 240 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,920 see what the Lord has done under his leadership and with Steph 241 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,840 since then. Over these last seven years, 242 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:39,440 Mark and staff have pastored and taught and cared for and loved 243 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:44,200 those of you in this room, many more beyond, as well as those of 244 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,640 you, you know, sort of watching virtually or in the other two 245 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,720 sites. And it's been a wonderful thing 246 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:54,320 for many of you. They've envisioned and shaped 247 00:16:54,320 --> 00:17:00,280 this church and its ministries, not least Verso Care, showing 248 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:04,520 the love of Jesus in practical ways, verse in music, crafting, 249 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:09,000 recording homegrown songs and events like Love Your Street, 250 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:13,200 where I'm told you carried out over 1800 hours of actions, 251 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,319 reaching out to your neighbors and friends. 252 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:20,480 And as a church, you've expanded beyond these walls into sites in 253 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,119 surrounding towns. Under their leadership, this 254 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:29,680 church has thrived. Debbie and I love Mark and 255 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:31,960 Steph. I've particularly got to know 256 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,800 Mark over recent years, especially through the lunches 257 00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:37,040 that we have had together every few months. 258 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:41,720 He's driven up to Nottingham again and again, discussing life 259 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:46,120 and ministry and church health and church growth. 260 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:53,320 I appreciate his passion, his energy, and his desire to learn 261 00:17:54,120 --> 00:18:01,280 and to grow as a husband, father, leader and pastor, and 262 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,800 his desire to be obedient always to the Lord's leading. 263 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,520 Marcus Steph, you have faithfully served the Lord in 264 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,320 the assignment He gave you 7 years ago. 265 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,920 You have fulfilled your ministry here. 266 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,920 You've run with perseverance. You just refer to the same 267 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:25,040 chapter, this leg of your race with your eyes fixed on Jesus. 268 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,600 You've run with perseverance. And as you continue to follow 269 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:32,040 his lead in whatever the next leg of the race holds for you 270 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:36,320 and your family, we trust He will continue to bless you and 271 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:40,920 many others through you. And we want to pray blessing 272 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:46,480 upon you both, and Lucy and Ellie and Daniel with gratitude 273 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:50,720 for all you've poured into this church and to ask his blessing 274 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:53,800 for the next leg of the race that he's marked out for you. 275 00:18:54,720 --> 00:19:00,720 We also join you in praying for His continuing blessing on Verso 276 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:04,280 Vineyard as you as a church, continue to press into your 277 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:09,640 calling to create spaces and places for people to encounter 278 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:14,160 Jesus here in Saint Albans, in your neighborhoods, your 279 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:16,880 workplaces, your schools, on your streets or anywhere you 280 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:20,080 find yourselves. To continue to serve God and 281 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:24,760 each other in this church. To work alongside each other, to 282 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:28,000 pray for each other, to grow in your discipleship, and to love 283 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,880 and care for those in need. In other words, to continue to 284 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:34,600 partner with God in extending His Kingdom. 285 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,720 Chuck and Taran, who will be picking up the baton from Mark 286 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:43,480 and Steph in January, are exceptional leaders. 287 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:48,880 They work closely with Debbie and me as our as two of our four 288 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:53,800 associate national directors and our truly extraordinary people. 289 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:59,800 We are very confident that they are called and well equipped to 290 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:03,160 lead you into the wonderful future that God has designed for 291 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,280 you. Today is a significant moment in 292 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:12,720 the life of this church. As Mark said last Sunday, there 293 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,480 are, of course, mixed emotions. On the one hand, there is 294 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,080 gratitude, which they feel for you. 295 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,760 And I would add, you feel for them. 296 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,800 And there's sadness for Mark and Steph as they leave this 297 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,280 wonderful church which is so dear to them. 298 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:34,480 And there is sadness for you as you say goodbye to your dear 299 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,760 pastors. There's also excitement for what 300 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:41,600 God is going to do through Chuck and Taran and you all in the 301 00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:45,160 next chapter. You may be sad to be saying 302 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,880 goodbye to Mark and Steph. You may be reflecting on the 303 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:52,040 past with gratitude. You may be excited about Chuck 304 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,040 and Taran joining you and leading into the future. 305 00:20:55,040 --> 00:21:00,800 It's entirely normal to feel a range of emotions at the same 306 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:06,480 time. 1 doesn't exclude another. Being thankful for the past, 307 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:10,720 grieving the loss of your beloved pastors Mark and Steph, 308 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:15,080 and celebrating with expectation as you enter this new season 309 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:19,520 with Chuck and Taran are all healthy parts of processing a 310 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:25,600 significant change like this. Today is a moment to remind 311 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:31,200 ourselves that this church, like every expression of the body of 312 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:35,400 Christ around the globe, is God's church. 313 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:38,280 I find this perspective really helpful. 314 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:45,400 Senior pastors, whether that is Chuck and Taran, Mark and Steph, 315 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:51,360 or Chris and Fliss before them, are simply assistant pastors 316 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:56,400 under shepherds to the Great Shepherd, the Lord whose church 317 00:21:56,400 --> 00:22:01,400 this is, and with him at the head and those he is called to 318 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,720 lead. Chuck and Tara in this case, 319 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,480 responding as they have in obedience. 320 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:10,800 We have every confidence that this church will continue to 321 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:15,120 thrive into this new season, just as we have every confidence 322 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:20,080 that Mark and Steph and their family as they step out in 323 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:24,480 obedience will thrive in Australia and that the Lord has 324 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:26,640 gone before them into their new season. 325 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:31,720 I loved Mark's exhortation to you last Sunday that he's 326 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:36,880 touched on again today. Don't shrink back. 327 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:42,480 Press in and press on. God has not finished with you 328 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:49,440 and the best is yet to come. We're going to be joined by 329 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,960 Richard and Claire, Max and Lissie and Debbie, and I'm 330 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,920 guessing must be Mark and Steph if we're laying hands on them. 331 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:20,720 Thank you. We're actually oh, no, they're 332 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,440 not going to, but never mind. That's fine. 333 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:24,240 I was wondering whether the children wanted to come up. 334 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:26,920 But it's perfectly all right to be who you are. 335 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:32,360 Oh, Daniels coming. Hey, Daniel and oh, they are 336 00:23:32,360 --> 00:23:34,560 well done. Well done. 337 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:41,120 You know, it's it's it's hard. It's hard being pastors, kids. 338 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:45,240 Our own boys remind us they're in their 30s and they remind us 339 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:48,080 all the time how hard it's been to be passed as kids. 340 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:51,680 There is a unique challenge, but there's also blessing, and 341 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,920 that's why we want to play blessing on all of you. 342 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,560 As you move to Australia, I want to invite you to extend your 343 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,960 hands to reach out because it is significant. 344 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:02,920 The Bible tells us to lay hands on one another. 345 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,160 We can't all touch them, but we are going to be laying hands on 346 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,760 them and we're going to be welcoming the presence of the 347 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,200 Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit. 348 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:17,080 We recognise that this is a moment when God the Father, Son 349 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:21,640 and Holy Spirit watches on. This is a significant moment in 350 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:25,800 the life of this family as a church and this family, this 351 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:33,160 family who have been together called not just to be here, to 352 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:35,360 be involved in leading the church. 353 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,200 We pray. Incredible blessing on Mark and 354 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,640 Steph. We thank you and we thank you 355 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:45,520 for all of you, this family, for the sacrifices that you've made, 356 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:50,000 for how you have looked to Jesus through the buffetings, even the 357 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:54,120 blessings. But now we also recognise that 358 00:24:54,120 --> 00:24:58,880 you are being obedient in saying yes to go to Australia. 359 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:03,480 And Lord, we pray for this family as they set off in that 360 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:08,960 obedience, as they run the next leg of the race that you have 361 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:13,800 set before them, that you have prepared a place for them that 362 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,920 you know the the family, the community of faith that you'll 363 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,040 surround them with. You have prepared that. 364 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:23,040 Lord, may you settle their hearts as they venture forward. 365 00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:26,200 Protect them on the journey across the vast ocean. 366 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:33,080 May they land in peace and joy. May they go out in peace. 367 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:36,960 May they go forward in joy, in love, in hope. 368 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:42,280 Lord, we pray for work, new business ventures, whatever 369 00:25:42,280 --> 00:25:45,520 comes of that, whatever you have for all of them, Lord, school, 370 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:47,640 but they may settle in the schools. 371 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:52,480 All of you, Daniel, Lucy, Ellie, that you may settle in your 372 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:53,880 schools. Well, that you may have 373 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:57,000 wonderful friends. Lord, we pray right now for best 374 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:01,920 friendships, for friendships in clubs and and friendships in 375 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,880 church. May what you have done here, the 376 00:26:05,880 --> 00:26:09,800 blessing that this church has been part of, may you be blessed 377 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:13,200 or may you reap a harvest that you don't even know you're going 378 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:15,560 to reap. But what you have sown here, may 379 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:19,160 you reap a harvest that turns around and blesses you as well 380 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:22,720 in Jesus name. In Jesus name. 381 00:26:30,860 --> 00:26:35,100 And just a picture in a similar sense of that, just this image 382 00:26:35,100 --> 00:26:39,880 of Mark, Steph and the kids jumping onto a boat and sailing 383 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:42,080 off to sea. And there's sadness in that. 384 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:45,520 There's sadness for us as we see them disappear off into the 385 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:49,440 distance and, and for them as they watch us disappear off into 386 00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:51,880 the distance. But Father, I do thank you that 387 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:55,040 you have prepared this journey for them, that this is a journey 388 00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:58,280 of luxury. This is a journey of the finest 389 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:00,000 caliber. And Lord, we ask that you would 390 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,680 give them rest, that you would give them peace, that this will 391 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:07,080 be a time of restoration, a time of reflection, and a time of joy 392 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,440 as a family. And Father, I thank you that no 393 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:13,920 ships sail without a destination in mind. 394 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,600 And Lord, I thank you that you've gone ahead of them, that 395 00:27:16,600 --> 00:27:18,480 you've prepared the port to receive them there. 396 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,560 There are people, there are things that are waiting in 397 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:24,960 expectation for the halvagines to arrive, arrive. 398 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:28,160 And the Father, you have gone before them in all the areas 399 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:31,440 that they were just prayed. And Lord, those promises are 400 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:35,320 firmly in your hands. So the Lord, we ask that these 401 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,400 guys would just sense and receive and experience that 402 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:42,720 peace and all its fullness, that this next journey, Lord God, 403 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,160 will be a time where you bring them closer. 404 00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:50,920 The time whether you bring them just as one, as one family, as 405 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:55,360 one mind, as one spirit, as you move in them and amongst them 406 00:27:55,360 --> 00:27:57,640 and through them. In the name of Jesus, we ask, 407 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,840 bless them. We're the richest of Verso 408 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:03,640 blessings we send them. Thank you, Lord Jesus. 409 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:10,200 Amen. I, as I prayed for you this 410 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,240 week, and I have shared it a little bit with your mum and 411 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:18,560 dad, kids, but I had a really strong image of waves and this 412 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:21,720 season where you're the wave has been crashing on the shore here 413 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:25,600 at Verso and you've poured yourself out on this, on this 414 00:28:26,040 --> 00:28:27,760 beach. We're going with the beach 415 00:28:27,760 --> 00:28:30,760 theme, Mark. But I, the, the image was that 416 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:33,720 the, this season has been about now drawing back into the ocean 417 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:37,400 as a wave draws back out. And, and in that drawing, it can 418 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,680 feel scary and you can feel like, where am I going? 419 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:43,000 Where am I being pulled? And kids, I know that this time 420 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,920 is it's tough. It feels many things and and 421 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:49,800 hard in many ways. But in the drawing back what the 422 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:51,760 world is doing, he's forming a new wave. 423 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:54,000 And there's that moment when you're in the ocean where you're 424 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:56,280 drawn back out and suddenly you catch the new wave and it's 425 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:59,520 suddenly you're like laughing and you're celebrating and 426 00:28:59,520 --> 00:29:02,880 enjoying what is to come. And I see that as an image of 427 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:05,160 the future. Like in this, in these days and 428 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:07,040 weeks, it's going to feel a bit like you're being drawn out and 429 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:08,240 where are we going? Where are we going? 430 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:10,760 And then the Lord's going to turn the wave and you're going 431 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:12,680 to ride it. And there's going to be new joy 432 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:16,680 and fresh goodness of the Lord to experience together as a 433 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:19,280 family. But I also sense, Mark and 434 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:23,160 Steph, that that wave isn't just for your family. 435 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:27,800 But actually, I think there's something of this moment where 436 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:31,480 you've sensed the quiet revival that we've talked about here in 437 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:33,880 England. And I, I, I feel like there's 438 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,680 almost like, oh, where do we want to go? 439 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:37,240 Do we want to be here to experience it? 440 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:40,720 And I feel like I just want to prophecy over you that you will 441 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:44,120 take the goals of you have experienced in this moment and 442 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:46,560 you are going to take it to land it on the shores of Australia. 443 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:49,920 And so Father, I want to prophecy over them in this 444 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:52,840 moment that you will do abundantly more than they could 445 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:57,440 ever imagine that we send them out into the nations to with the 446 00:29:57,440 --> 00:30:00,320 Great Commission is their Commission directly from you to 447 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:05,640 make disciples in Australia and to lead people to you in new 448 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:08,280 ways. So God, I just pray that this 449 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:10,800 isn't the end. This is just a bigger wave that 450 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:14,440 is forming through them in the workplace in church and whatever 451 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:17,840 that looks like. But it would be full and good 452 00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:21,120 and joy filled and immeasurably more than we could ask or 453 00:30:21,120 --> 00:30:28,280 imagine just. Going to oh, hi guys. 454 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:36,280 You know, I've been reflecting on sometimes we talk about how 455 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:40,480 we can't choose our family, but you guys have been family that 456 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:45,120 we chose. And I just want to thank you, 457 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:48,440 Max and I both want to thank you for welcoming us into your 458 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:53,400 family and kids. How you've loved on my kids, and 459 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:58,640 you didn't have to do that, but you've shown such grace and such 460 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,480 generosity, which you've learned from your parents. 461 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:05,440 And there is just such gold in you that is still to come out. 462 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:08,960 And I just feel the sacrifices that you have made, like what 463 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:12,240 everybody's already said that you were going to see. 464 00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:14,000 You're going to see gold from it. 465 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:15,840 All right. I'm looking at you, Ellie. 466 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:19,160 I feel really drawn to you. The Lord is not done with you 467 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:20,680 yet. There's more to come for you. 468 00:31:20,680 --> 00:31:23,040 And I know you've had your struggles and your battles, but 469 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:27,600 the Lord says, I see you rise up, my beloved child, and you 470 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:31,920 are a woman of no compromise. And that is going to be a weapon 471 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:35,080 for the Kingdom. But I pray, I know all three of 472 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,640 you, I just declare and prophecy over you that you are Kingdom 473 00:31:37,640 --> 00:31:41,400 children that are going to make a difference in this world. 474 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:47,520 And then Mark and Steph, my brother and sister, I was just 475 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:51,000 as I was praying for you, I just felt you've lived a life of 476 00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:54,960 humility. And I got James 4 verse 6, which 477 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:58,000 says God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 478 00:31:58,400 --> 00:32:02,400 And Proverbs 22, humility is the fear of the Lord. 479 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:04,520 And I just, I want to speak that over you. 480 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:07,240 I feel like that is a verse the Lord is calling you into greater 481 00:32:07,240 --> 00:32:11,680 humility because he wants to bless you, because he wants to 482 00:32:11,680 --> 00:32:14,760 empower you and to always remember that. 483 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:19,240 And then I had it while Matt and I were praying, I had a picture 484 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:22,080 of an arrow. And it was like, you know, in an 485 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:26,480 arrows, it's on its direction and it's being kind of slowed 486 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:30,320 down by the drag. And I felt like you are both 487 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:34,720 that arrow and interestingly, scientifically, a heavier arrow 488 00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:37,360 has more momentum. And there's something about when 489 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:40,520 you 2 unite and minister together, just seeing you on the 490 00:32:40,520 --> 00:32:43,080 platform before you are a force to be reckoned with. 491 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:46,440 And the impact that you have is incredible. 492 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:50,520 And Mark, you are such a man of precision and you are such a man 493 00:32:50,520 --> 00:32:53,280 of no compromise. And the Lord delights in that. 494 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:59,400 And Steph, the warrior that you are, where you have stood on the 495 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:02,200 sidelines and you have championed your husband and 496 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:05,480 guys, the things that you have been through that you haven't 497 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:09,760 made public, but the sacrifices that you have made, the Lord 498 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:13,360 sees that. And Steph, I was also reminded 499 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:18,800 of when you first went into the pastorate team and I was looking 500 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:22,800 at that Proverbs first about the virtuous wife and how often we 501 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,280 kind of. Look at the at. 502 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:28,600 Virtue you kind of like nice girl that you know is really 503 00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:32,160 polite and sweet and TS and crosses their TS and dots their 504 00:33:32,160 --> 00:33:34,560 I's. But actually the Hebrew word for 505 00:33:34,560 --> 00:33:39,000 it is hail, which means strong, mighty warrior. 506 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:42,480 And you are a seer and you are both truth speakers. 507 00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:44,680 And I want to bless that in this world where there's so many 508 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:46,760 compromises. You are truth speakers. 509 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:49,560 And then just one more thing. Sorry, I know I'm going on a 510 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:53,960 bit, but I love you so much. I had the word safe space as 511 00:33:53,960 --> 00:33:55,720 well. And that can kind of sound 512 00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:59,440 quite, you know, generic. But I was as I was reflecting on 513 00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:02,840 on it more, I was thinking, not all safe spaces are what we 514 00:34:02,840 --> 00:34:04,640 think. You know, in the world. 515 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:06,880 When the war was happening, people hid in the London 516 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:09,719 Underground. When David was hiding from the 517 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:13,159 king, he hid in a cave. It was a safe place, but it was 518 00:34:13,159 --> 00:34:16,400 uncomfortable. And I just feel like you guys 519 00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:20,920 create a safe place to have uncomfortable conversations with 520 00:34:20,920 --> 00:34:23,840 people, but they feel safe because they know that they are 521 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:26,400 loved. And you call out what is right 522 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:30,600 and you call out what is wrong. So although the circumstances 523 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:35,000 feel uncomfortable, you guys are a safe haven and a safe place 524 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:36,719 for people. So I really want to affirm you 525 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:38,840 in that. Thank you Jesus. 526 00:34:46,560 --> 00:34:51,480 Yeah, market staff, Lucy, Ellie, Daniel, thank you so much for 527 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:54,000 the last seven years. And as I was praying earlier 528 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:59,280 this this week, I just asked the Lord to just to give me like a 529 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:02,840 picture about your ministry the last seven years. 530 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:06,240 And I just got this beautiful picture for you. 2 standing 531 00:35:06,240 --> 00:35:12,080 here, having a really full sack and just handing out tools to 532 00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:14,800 people. And it's almost like you have 533 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:22,560 enabled so many people to start ministries from youth to mission 534 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:26,600 to the different sides. And the Lord is so proud of 535 00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:28,720 that. That has come through that. 536 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:32,600 And I just want to say thank you that you have enabled people, 537 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:38,440 you have released people, you have really given them backing 538 00:35:38,440 --> 00:35:41,160 and hope. And after all these last days 539 00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:43,680 and weeks, you know, like again and again, I'm just hearing 540 00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:47,440 people saying, you know, Mark was in my corner and he just 541 00:35:48,240 --> 00:35:51,120 just encouraged me. He just cheered me on and 542 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:54,880 stuffed the same with you. So I just want to say thank you 543 00:35:54,880 --> 00:35:57,280 for both of you for releasing so many people. 544 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:01,440 Thank you that the Lord is working through you and 545 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:03,280 everything that was birthed out of this. 546 00:36:04,160 --> 00:36:07,440 And I just want to like Echo, my wife, Lizzie, you know, God sees 547 00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:11,080 the sacrifice that you have done and that you've gone through the 548 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:14,680 last seven years and so much beauty has has just come out of 549 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:17,280 this. So Lucy Alley, Daniel, thank 550 00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:20,080 you. Thank you also for just being 551 00:36:20,080 --> 00:36:23,560 the children and going through them with them and not as you 552 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:26,240 just go and as we just send them off. 553 00:36:26,240 --> 00:36:28,400 Father, will you bless them? Will you cover them? 554 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:31,960 Will you just cover them from head to toe and your blessing? 555 00:36:32,720 --> 00:36:36,240 Will you give rest and peace and joy and just excitement for the 556 00:36:36,240 --> 00:36:38,760 next season? Thank you for everything that 557 00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:41,280 they have done. Thank you Jesus. 558 00:36:47,390 --> 00:36:52,350 We just as a gathered people want to express gratitude to 559 00:36:52,350 --> 00:36:57,150 Mark and Steph, Lucy, Ellie, Daniel, gratitude for all that's 560 00:36:57,150 --> 00:37:00,230 got on in these many years, the 13 years, but also particularly 561 00:37:00,230 --> 00:37:03,430 in the last 7. And as you get on an airplane 562 00:37:03,430 --> 00:37:05,470 and fly. Our prayer is that you would 563 00:37:05,960 --> 00:37:10,840 look back with rejoicing and fulfillment and a sense of well 564 00:37:10,840 --> 00:37:14,680 done for the way you've poured your lives out in this 565 00:37:14,680 --> 00:37:17,040 community. And we bless you. 566 00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:24,880 May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep 567 00:37:24,880 --> 00:37:30,760 your hearts, Lucy, Ellie, Daniel, Mark and Steph in the 568 00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:34,760 knowledge and love of God and his dear Son, our Savior Jesus 569 00:37:34,760 --> 00:37:38,480 Christ, and the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the 570 00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:45,520 Holy Spirit be upon you as a family this day and for always. 571 00:37:47,360 --> 00:37:47,520 Amen.