This is my last chance to share a sermon with you. After four years in ministry with you, this is the last time I will stand in this pulpit and preach. And it just so happens, on this, my last Sunday with you, that we are assigned for our text the story of Elijah and Elisha.

We’ve been following Elijah for the last few weeks now. He is one of the greatest prophets in the history of Israel. He has performed many miraculous signs among the people. He has declared the word of God. But his prophesy has also gotten him in some trouble. He has offended the king and queen of Israel by preaching against their idolatry, to the point that he has had to flee for his life. Elijah has finally had enough of being a prophet. It’s too much stress for him, too much controversy. He is ready to retire.

Last week I was at our church’s Annual Conference. All the pastors and lay members from all the United Methodist churches in Oregon and Idaho got together in Salem to worship together, to discuss important issues, to learn, and to prepare the church for the future. This year’s theme was Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Embracing Change.

Now, some of you may be wondering what Embracing Change has to do with church. After all, many of us have been taught that God is never-changing, age to age the same. And if we believe that, we may also believe that the church should be never-changing, age to age the same — like we sing in the Gloria Patri: as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.