A question you don’t hear every day, but that is what popped into my thoughts after reading John 20:19-31.

We must take a step back to understand Thomas’ reaction. Thomas was despondent after Jesus’ death, and who wouldn’t be? They all were. They had been following him for 3-4 years, watched him perform miracles, heal the sick and lame, raise people from the dead! And then Jesus is crucified…a horrible, traumatic death.

If we go back a little farther in the Gospel of John, we read that John and Peter are told by Mary Magdalene that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. They run there and see the tomb, confirm it is empty, see the linen clothes and the face covering in the tomb—John believed!

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus catches up with two disciples (Cleopas, and ???); they were kept from recognizing Jesus. As they were walking and talking, they were amazed that he (Jesus) did not know of the recent events in Jerusalem. Jesus interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:25-27).

As they got closer to Emmaus they urged him to stay with them. Because it was evening the roads would get dangerous.  He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them…AND THEIR EYES WERE OPENED, and they recognized him…and he vanished. Only then did they admit/understand that their hearts burned while he talked about the Scriptures. Not like heartburn from bad food…burning like desire for more TRUTH. 

For BELIEF!

They rose and returned to Jerusalem, found the eleven telling them “The Lord has risen indeed…!”

Now, let’s go forward to later that evening. Mary had seen the risen Lord; John, and Peter had seen the grave clothes (and face covering); Jesus had appeared on the road to Emmaus.  There was a lot to talk about! As they were discussing this, Jesus appears.  Imagine their surprise. First, the door was locked…They were behind a locked door because they were afraid.  Afraid because they were followers of Jesus…afraid because they did not want to suffer the same fate.

Jesus enters and brings Peace…Gives Peace…and then He sends them…to forgive sins (or retain them). He breathed on them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then the Holy Spirt opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. NOW THEY BELIEVE!

In Luke, again He questions their unbelief,  “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:36-40, NRSV).

What would it take for them to BELIEVE? They were witnesses to the miracles and the crucifixion. How could He be alive?

Jesus shows them his hands and feet, lets them touch him so they CAN BELIEVE, and then, does a very human thing…He asks for food and eats.

Thomas missed the first visit so when the disciples tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” he does not believe. Hence the name Doubting Thomas.

But can you blame him?  The others had seen Jesus! He had breathed on them and they had received the Holy Spirit!  They definitely had an advantage.

Let’s think again…WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO BELEVE?!?

Best friends, with whom Thomas has been for several years, tell him that they have seen Jesus.  He doesn’t believe them. How could it be true? The other disciples didn’t initially believe (or understand) when Jesus told him that he must die and will return in three days, so why should Thomas believe? But they had witnessed so many miracles that Jesus performed. Saw him walk on water and feed 5000 from 5 loaves with 12 baskets left over, feed 4000 with 7 loaves and 7 baskets left over, and raise people from the dead!

Although we were not witnesses to these miracles or the resurrection, we have a Bible! A written account of Jesus, not to mention, Adam and Eve, Noah, David, and more. Once we receive faith from the Holy Spirit, we are able to acknowledge the Truth of the Gospel and start living a new Life in Jesus!  Know Christ. Grow in Christ. Live Like Christ, Serve Like Christ, Share Christ, Have Fellowship with other Christians, and Lead others to Christ!

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

Pastor: Peace be with you, Sammy.

Sammy: Peace be with you, too, Pastor. Hey, Pastor?

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: We say, “Peace be with you” during church, and Jesus says “Peace be with you a lot.” Today he said “Peace be with you” to his disciples.

Pastor: All of what you said is true, Sammy.

Sammy: So what does “Peace be with you” mean? I hear this phrase every Sunday, but I just don’t get it. I don’t go around greeting animals at the farm saying, “Peace be with you” to them. And when I go to the farmer’s market, the farmers don’t say, “Peace be with you” to each other. I hear a lot of “Good morning!” and “How are you?” and “What’s up?” but not ever “Peace be with you” until I come to church. So what does it mean and why do we say it?

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Boys and girls, what does “Peace be with you” mean?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you for all of the wonderful answers. Sammy, “Peace be with you” is a very special phrase. “Peace be with you” is a blessing. We are asking God to give a blessing of peace to others, and we are praying for peace between us and our neighbors. Church is a great place to share peace. But we can share peace with each other anywhere we go.

Sammy: That makes sense to me. I like that I can share peace with my friends and neighbors. 

Pastor: Something else that is really important about the Gospel reading for today is that Jesus gives his disciples the Holy Spirit. 

Sammy: That’s an incredible gift!

Pastor: Yes, the Holy Spirit is a gift Jesus gives us now. When we follow Jesus, we get to experience the peace of the Holy Spirit.

Sammy: I like that. Peace be with you, Pastor.

Pastor: Peace be with you, Sammy. Boys and girls, we are going to pray, and then I would like you to say, “Peace be with you” to someone on your way back to your seat. Let’s practice. Ready? Peace be with you. Nice job! Let’s bow our heads and fold our hands. Dear Jesus, thank you for your peace. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sammy: Peace be with you.

Pastor: Peace be with you.

One thing we can know for sure – no matter how far the ELCA goes, it will not stay there.  It will only get worse. 

HERE is a link to a list of articles that we have written regarding the ELCA covering the period of time between the 2022 and 2025 Churchwide Assemblies along with a summary of the major points from each of these articles. 

We begin with a Review and Evaluation of the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.  This is the gathering that called for the creation of a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church and a reconsideration of the 2009 human sexuality social statement, including the whole issue of bound conscience.  We then have two articles regarding the formation of the Commission entitled, “Once You Know the Makeup You Know the Outcome.”

Next we have links to several articles regarding recommendations that came to the 2025 Assembly as a result of actions taken by the 2022 Assembly –

An Analysis of the First Set of Recommendations from the Human Sexuality Social Statement Reconsiderations Task Force

An Analysis of Constitutional Amendments that came from the Church Council to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly

Videos from the Lutheran Congregational Support Network showing the ELCA’s Quest for Greater Control

An Analysis of Recommendations 1 and 7 from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church

We then conclude with a Review and Analysis of the 2025 Churchwide Assembly and information showing how the organizers of the triennial ELCA youth gatherings are working relentlessly to groom ELCA youth in LGBTQIA+, transgender, and non-binary ideology.

The ELCA Constitution requires the Church Council to inform synods of recommendations it will be bringing to the Churchwide Assembly six months prior to the Assembly.  So I do not know how much we will know about the 2028 Assembly before early 2028.  During the three years prior to the 2025 Assembly I was struck with how little we were informed regarding the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.  They were amazingly non-communicative and non-specific in the written summaries of their meetings.  So I am not hopeful regarding how much we will know about what will be coming to the 2028 Assembly until six months before the Assembly. 

The 2025 Assembly did not go as far as many feared it might go in terms of remaking the ELCA.  The 2028 Assembly might be the time when that happens.  As we become aware of anything specific, we will keep you informed. 

Will the provision for bound conscience be eliminated?  Will the ELCA say that there is no place for traditional views on marriage and human sexuality and those who hold them?

What will be the recommendation of the Secretary of the ELCA regarding the motion for a revised process for the fast-tracking of constitutional amendments that come from the floor?

Will those who are determined to make DEIA mandatory for congregations prevail? 

What will be the shape of and what will come from the “mutual accountability measures and compliance incentives” that are being developed to make dismantling racism central in all parts of the ELCA?

Will the authority of the Bible, the Great Commission, and the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins through faith in the risen Christ have any place in the ELCA?  

We will keep you posted. 

Jeffray Greene’s recent devotional on Mark 12:1 was thoughtful and helpful. It reminded me that everything we have belongs to God and that we are called to be faithful stewards. That is true and important. But it also helped clarify where much modern theology, especially within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has begun to drift away from the heart of the Gospel.

In Mark 12:1–12, Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard. A man plants a vineyard, builds it up, and entrusts it to tenants. When he sends servants to collect fruit, they are beaten and killed. Finally, he sends his son, and they kill him as well. Jesus is not primarily teaching about wealth or fairness. He is teaching about rejection, specifically, the rejection of God’s messengers and ultimately His Son.

The focus of this passage is clear: God is the owner, we are stewards, and humanity has failed. The problem is not that people failed to distribute resources equally. The problem is sin, rebellion against God and rejection of Christ.

This is where we must be careful. Much modern “social justice” theology shifts the focus away from sin and Christ and toward human systems and historical grievances. It often teaches that we must repent not only for our own sins but also for the actions of past generations. It suggests that justice requires correcting the past through social or economic means.

But Scripture does not teach this.

The Bible is clear that each person is responsible for his own sin. In Ezekiel 18:20, we read: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.” This means guilt is not passed down through history in a political or social sense. We all share in original sin (Romans 5:12), but we are not held accountable for specific historical acts committed by others.

At the same time, Scripture also teaches that we are saved by grace alone. As it says in Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This is the heart of Lutheran theology. We are not saved by what we do, whether that is moral effort, social activism, or attempts to correct past wrongs. We are saved by what Christ has done for us.

This is where the distinction between Law and Gospel becomes critical. The Law shows us our sin. It tells us what God requires and reveals that we fall short. As Romans 3:20 says, “Through the law comes knowledge of sin.” But the Law cannot save us. It can never be satisfied by our efforts.

This is what was rightly observed in the response to the devotional: no matter how much we do, it is never enough. We cannot give enough, repent enough, or fix enough to make ourselves right with God.

That is why we need the Gospel.

The Gospel is the good news that Christ has done what we could not do. He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again. His work is complete. As Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). There is nothing we can add to it.

This is also clearly taught in the Lutheran Confessions. The Augsburg Confession states in Article IV: “Men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith.” This is not just one teaching among many—it is the center of the Christian faith.

Good works do have a place. Lutherans affirm that faith produces good works. As Martin Luther wrote, “Faith is a living, busy, active thing.” But these works flow from faith. They do not create it, and they do not save us.

This brings us back to the issue with modern social justice theology. When the Church begins to emphasize social or historical repentance as necessary for righteousness, it risks turning good works into a new form of law. It places burdens on people that Scripture does not place. It binds consciences where God has left them free.

This does not mean that Christians should ignore injustice or fail to love their neighbors. On the contrary, we are called to serve others in love. But we do so as those who are already forgiven and free in Christ, not as those trying to earn forgiveness or correct history.

History itself is complex. Human beings have moved, settled, and fought over land for thousands of years. No group is without fault. But more importantly, Scripture does not call us to resolve all historical wrongs. It calls us to repent of our own sins and trust in Christ.

God is still at work in the world, even through flawed people and nations. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “God works all things together for good for those who love Him.” This does not justify sin, but it does remind us that God’s purposes are greater than human history.

In the end, the Church must remain focused on its true mission: proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. When it shifts that focus to political or social agendas, it loses its center.

The answer is not found in human systems or ideologies. The answer is found in Christ alone. In Him, we have forgiveness, life, and salvation.

In Christ,

Paul Flemming

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

[Enter Bartholomew (we use a bunny puppet)]

Bartholomew: Good morning!

Sammy: Hello, Bartholomew! Happy Easter! 

Bartholomew: Happy Easter, Sammy! Hi Pastor! Happy Easter!

Pastor: How are you holding up, Bartholomew?

Bartholomew: I’m doing great. Last weekend was so much fun. I got to hide eggs for boys and girls all over the place. Did you all find some eggs? What did you find inside the eggs?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers.

Bartholomew: I hid a lot of eggs–you guys found some really good ones. I wonder–did any of the adults find leftover eggs with the lawnmower? I try to leave some eggs in extra-challenging places so the moms and dads can have fun finding them too.

Pastor: I found a few lying around here and there. You are definitely good at your job, Bartholomew.

Sammy: Pastor, why does Bartholomew hide eggs? I mean, chickens lay eggs, not bunnies.

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Bartholomew is a bunny, and bunnies are symbols of new life. Eggs are symbols of new life, too.

Bartholomew: That’s right! And each Easter, I hide eggs around to remind boys and girls that Easter is not about the Easter bunny or eggs or chocolate. Easter is about Jesus. Jesus is risen, and we get to celebrate new life in him.

Sammy: I missed seeing you last week, Bartholomew. I wish you could have been here for worship on Easter. It was a beautiful day.

Bartholomew: You know, Sammy, Easter is more than just one week. We have an entire season in the church year dedicated to Easter. It is fifty days long.

Pastor: Get knowledge, Bartholomew. Easter begins on Easter Sunday and ends on Pentecost.

Bartholomew: When you are as old as I am Pastor, you know a few things.

Sammy: How old are you, Bartholomew? 

Bartholomew: I think I have been hiding eggs for children for about four hundred years now.

Pastor: You are definitely older than me, then.

Sammy: Me too.

Pastor: Let’s say a prayer together. Dear Jesus, thank you for the season of Easter. Help us to deepen our faith in you. Thank you for new life. Amen.

Sammy and Bartholomew: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! It’s almost, Easter, Pastor!

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. 

Sammy: I cannot wait to see all of the kids looking for Easter eggs. 

Pastor: It’s a great time of year for hunting for eggs, Sammy, but that’s not what Easter is about.

Sammy: That’s right. It’s about celebrating the return of chocolate eggs and bunnies to the store. I just love chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, cream eggs, and all of the different Easter treats.

Pastor: That’s not what Easter is about, Sammy.

Sammy: Oh. Well I guess it’s about the Easter bunny, right? Seeing the Easter bunny at the mall or at our church.

Pastor: No, Sammy. That’s not what Easter is about, either. Boys and girls, do you know what Easter is about?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Oh I get it! Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. He died on the cross and rose again after three days. That’s what Easter is all about. Easter is all about Jesus.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Easter bunnies and chocolates are wonderful, but they are not the reason for Easter. Easter is all about Jesus, God’s Son. 

Sammy: So what is going to be special about Easter at church?

Pastor: Easter is a time of baptism, renewal, and joy. We are going to have bells, trumpets, special music, and a special Gospel reading.

Sammy: You know, Pastor, I really like Jesus’ promise to us in this reading today. 

Pastor: I do too, Sammy. Jesus says, 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

Sammy: Jesus shows us exactly this with Lazarus and with how he raises from the dead, too.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. One day, all of us will live with Jesus in Heaven forever. Let’s pray: can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for Easter. Thank you for creating us. Thank you for being our God. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

…was the last time in the Pulpit,
The last time serving Holy Communion,
The last time preaching the love of Christ,

Then I am humbled to have been
Called to serve Your People, Lord.
I count it all joy!

Thank you, Lord, for Your Holy Word.
I know you were there, Lord of Mercy,
In that Country Church.

You were there in the faith of the people.
In the music.  In the liturgy.  In Holy Communion.
All is good. I have been so blessed.

+

If now is the time to step back
to enjoy Your Stillness, O Lord,
To embrace Prayer as a Call to
Ministry in my Sunset years…

…To Pray for a Revival in Your Church
With tears of Gratitude in My Heart,
Thank You for the Years.

+

I pray for Wisdom, Lord.
I ask not to be that Old Pastor
Tripping and Falling 
On the Church Steps. Again. 

I ask for Clearness of Mind, 
Not to be irrelevant.
Mis-speaking the words, 
Repeating myself; Staying too long. 

If it is Your Will, let your servant gently
fade away as Your Light Shines On
Brighter and Brighter into the future. 

Lord, please bless the time remaining:
Bless My Family.  If now is the time
to step back, it was all worth it.  

With Gratitude in My Heart, 
All Glory be to the Triune God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  
Amen and Amen.

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Hey, Pastor! Guess what?

Pastor: Oh boy. Here we go.

Sammy: Guess what!

Pastor: What happened, Sammy?

Sammy: There are new babies coming to our farm!

Pastor: There are? That’s great news!

Sammy: I found out from Farmer John that we have lambs, baby goats, chicks, piglets, and foals coming soon.

Pastor: That’s a lot of babies.

Sammy: Yes it is. I am excited but a little nervous, too. It’s been a while since I’ve been around little baby animals. What do you think I could do to help with the new babies? You guys seem like you know how to take care of animal and human babies.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is it like to have a new baby around? What are some things Sammy can do to help with the new babies on the farm?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are great answers. I am going to try my best to help Farmer John with the new animal babies on the farm. I cannot wait to meet them–they are going to be so cute!

Pastor: Sammy, speaking of babies, Jesus is talking in the Gospel today about being born again.

Sammy: That’s silly, Pastor. We can only be born once.

Pastor: Not according to Jesus.

Sammy: He knows better than me, but can you please explain how someone can be born again?

Pastor: Well, first we are born as babies. Our mamas give birth to us. And then we are born again when we are baptized into the family of God.

Sammy: Oh so it’s like we are born two times!

Pastor: Exactly! We are born to our mamas, and then we are born by the Spirit.

Sammy: Why do we need to be born again by the Spirit?

Pastor: God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we could be saved. We all sin, but Jesus didn’t come to tell us we are bad, he came to earth to rescue us because he loves us. When we say we believe in Jesus and we are baptized into Jesus’s family, we are born again by the Spirit.

Sammy: That’s a gift, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for new life in you. Thank you for rescuing us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Matthew 4:1-11

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

Pastor: Hey Sammy, how are you doing?

Sammy: I am ready for Spring, Pastor.

Pastor: I am, too, but we still have several more weeks of Winter. 

Sammy: We do. I know.

Pastor: Wouldn’t it be great if we could just melt all the snow?

Sammy: Yes it would.

Pastor: And wouldn’t it be great if we could just have warm spring breezes and sunshine?

Sammy: I would really like that. And fresh grass, too! But you, know, Pastor, winter has a purpose and the seasons are a part of God’s plan for creation.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. 

Sammy: I mean, as much as I would love to have new spring grass and feel the warm sun on my wool, I am going to try my best to enjoy the last few weeks of winter.

Pastor: Great perspective, Sammy. It’s tempting, though–to just think about willing winter away. 

Sammy: What does tempting mean?

Pastor: Tempting means that you feel pressure to do something that you shouldn’t do.

Sammy: Oh you mean like eat extra oats out of the oat bin?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: Or go in the Pastor’s office and hide somewhere and yell, “Surprise!”

Pastor: Definitely.

Sammy: Or let a whole bunch of mice in the church?

Pastor: Sammy, let’s focus. You know, Jesus was tempted, too.

Sammy: Did he want spring to come, too?

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus is fully God and fully man, and he felt hungry, just like we do.

Sammy: I understand that. I’m always hungry. 

Pastor: Being hungry is okay, but because Jesus is the Son of God, he was tempted to make his own food.

Sammy: Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. Men can make food, too, Pastor. I know you can cook–I’ve been to your house. 

Pastor: That’s not what I mean, Sammy. Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread.

Sammy: Stones? Like rocks on the ground?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: That’s silly. Why would he do that?

Pastor: Jesus is God–he is Lord of Creation and can do anything. But he was asked by someone to turn stones into bread so he could prove who he is. 

Sammy: Why would Jesus need to prove he is God? All throughout scripture, people who encounter him just know by the power of the Holy Spirit. They trust him, and they believe.

Pastor: And that’s what we are called to do today, too. We are called to believe in Jesus. 

Sammy: How did Jesus stop being tempted?

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. We all are tempted to do wrong things. Jesus gave us a great example of how to resist temptation: He quoted scripture. 

Sammy: That’s why it’s important to know your Bible verses.

Pastor: Indeed it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads to pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to rescue us. We praise you and we love you. Thank you for helping us stay strong when we are tempted to do wrong. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Pastor, I have a question.

Pastor: Okay Sammy. Go ahead. 

Sammy: So the apostles go up the mountain with Jesus right? 

Pastor: Yes they do Sammy.

Sammy: And when they get to where Jesus was, they saw Jesus in all his glory with Moses and Elijah. 

Pastor: You are on track so far. 

Sammy: And then they hear the voice of God. 

Pastor: Sammy, are you just going to recite the passage we just read or are you going to ask me your question?

Sammy: Excuse me pastor, but I said I had a question.

Pastor: I’ll be quiet now Sammy. 

Sammy: If the apostles saw Jesus in all of his glory. Why were they afraid of Jesus? 

Pastor: Well Sammy, Seeing God is quite the scary thing. 

Sammy: It is? 

Pastor: Yes it is, even when Angels come to see people on earth. The first thing they tell them is be not afraid. 

Sammy: Why is that. 

Pastor: Because just seeing an angel is very different than anything else in this world. Seeing God is even scarier. When Israel reached Mt. Siani, God set a whole mountain on fire, and blew trumpets. As said anyone that approached him on the mountain, without being called up like Moses was, would die from the sight of God. Once the apostles heard God’s voice. They thought their life was in danger. 

Sammy: But why would they be afraid of dying just by seeing God? I thought that would be a good thing. 

Pastor: It would be a good thing, but because we sin and do bad things. We can’t look at God. We can’t even approach him. Because sinners cannot approach God. 

Sammy: But how do we approach God then?

Pastor: Because Jesus died and rose again Sammy. Jesus died to forgive our sins so we could be with God again. Just like our first parents were: Adam and Eve. 

Sammy: Oh I see pastor. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was all about reconciling God and humanity. And because Jesus died and rose from the dead. We don’t have to be afraid. 

Pastor: Exactly Sammy. I hope I answered your question Sammy. 

Sammy: You did Pastor.  

Pastor: Let’s pray everyone. Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down from heaven and living on earth. Thank you for revealing yourself to us so we can approach God without fear. We love you. Amen.