Mayoral Inauguration 2021

Thank you

First let me say thank you to

State Rep. Cara Pavalock-D’Amato

State Rep. Whit Betts

Sate Senator Henri Martin

For being here this evening.

Thank you to Mayor Jeff for asking us to host his inaguration and inviting me to pray at its closing.

Congratulations to all of our elected officials here tonight and to Mrs. Jolene who was not able to make it out.

I’d also like to thank the previous administration for their willingness to serve the people of Bristol. As the pastor of Liberty Baptist I want to say publicly that we have prayerfully supported Mayor Ellen and will continue to prayerfully support Mayor Jeff.

As Mayor Jeff has said, we need more God and less government.

What does that look like though?

1 John 4:7–16 KJV 1900

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

In light of this scripture I’d like to say I that I agree we need more God. We need more love for each other. No matter what side of the aisle you find yourself on, God loves you. As a believer in God and follower of Christ, I love you.

Mayor Jeff, city council, and all elected officials here, it is my prayer that your terms are filled with the love of God for your fellow man and He blesses your time in office as you seek to be servant leaders of your community.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father thank you for your mercy and grace. We praise you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. We thank you for salvation being by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Thank you for making salvation attainable to all mankind through Jesus. Thank you for not having our works be part of our salvation but only faith in you. As your word says without you we can do nothing and apart from you we are nothing.

As this evening comes to a close I pray you will allow today be to the beginning of great terms for these elected officials. I pray for them to have wisdom from you on how to be servant leaders in this community. I ask you to fill them with your Spirit as they seek to love Bristol as you love Bristol.

As Jesus came and died for us with a sacrificial love, may they sacrificially love you and their neighbors. Please protect them physically, emotionally, and spiritually as they endeavor to serve you and this community. Be with their families as they spend long days and weeks in service to Bristol. Help them to make time for one another and not neglect their first ministry, their home.

God I pray for all citizens of Bristol tonight to endeavor to seek peace and unity amongst each other in our desire to see Bristol flourish. Lord I ask that you allow us to come together on what we can and respectfully disagree on what we can’t.

Lord help each of us here to serve this community through action with love no matter who holds office.

I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen