This is my last blog.  Today is the end of my career as a full-time Pastor.  These are interesting words to write.  Today marks an ending but also marks new beginnings for us all.  Tomorrow will start a new phase for Marsha and I and for JOY congregation.  It will be different for us all.  Some of it we will not like: we will miss each other as weekly worshipping friends a lot!  The relationships that have been built here over the last few years will change.  But… there is one constant for us all, one person that unites us from a distance, ONE who is life for us.  Yes, I am talking about Jesus.  Jesus took 12 varied people and made them the Apostles.  Jesus took people from all walks of life and helped them see themselves as God’s people.  Jesus took 400 or so in the Ocala area and made them JOY congregation.  If Jesus did it, it must be right and good.  This does not change tomorrow.  God holds the Church, the People, in the hand of love always all places.  This does not change tomorrow.  And God loves YOU.  This does not change tomorrow.    I have been blessed with ministry at JOY.  In 2002 my feel and enjoyment of Ministry was renewed by JOY.  And tomorrow, I still will feel that blessedness.  Thank you all for reading these blogs, and for begin a part of my life.   You are more loved than you know.  In Via de Christo we have a saying: “God loves you and so do I!”  This is most certainly true.  Today read, the basics: John 3:16-17 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!  (And so do I)

Pastor Ed