Our Father in heaven, what a joy it is to know that You abide with us at all times. Lord, You are always as close to us as the Spirit that abides within our hearts. And Lord, this means that on an occasion such as this, and in a worship service such as this, that we can rest in the truth of this fact, that the Lord Jesus Christ, right now, rules and reigns, and that He has, by His grace, chosen men for the purpose of going into the vineyard and laboring, going into the field and harvesting, and that Father, tonight, we celebrate one of Your great providences in setting aside yet another worker for the extension and the glory of Christ's name. Father, we pray that You would be pleased tonight as we look into Your Word, as we submit ourselves to Your instruction. And we ask Father, that You would guide us in the way of all truth. We pray it in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.