Closing Worship: The Joy of Full Surrender

The 2019 Annual Conference came to a stirring end in Closing Worship. A choir from St. Mark’s in Charlotte led those gathered in moving worship, an offering was collected for Hurricane Relief efforts in Alabama-West Florida and North Carolina and Bishop Leeland preached a powerful message on “The Joy of Full Surrender.” The newly elected Western North Carolina Conference delegation was commissioned and Bishop Leeland prayed over them:  
 
O God, as you anointed leaders and called prophets of old, lead us to recognize our true representatives and authentic leaders: men and women who love your people and can walk with them, who feel their pain and share their joys, who dream their dreams and strive to accompany them to their common goal. In your fire, with your Spirit, embolden and commission these representatives of the Western North Carolina Conference to transform our discernment, to serve your people, and to bring real glory to your name. Amen.