All language subtitles for Its.Not.Like.That.S01E02.New.Voices.1080p.HEVC.x265.MeGusta

Previously,
on It's Not Like That...

I think I wouldn't have made it
through the summer

- without you.
- Me, too.

I'm overloaded
on widower sympathy.

Death trumps divorce.

Then Jenny died.
I knew I needed to make a change.

How do you think the kids are?

It's okay. It's not like
I'm gonna stop, no matter who did it.

You signed me up for online dating?

- You knew he was dating.
- I didn't, actually.

- Dad?
- Merritt.

Hey.

We are the Grace Community.

And today, oh, I need to lean
on all of you. I hope that's okay.

I don't wanna be alone.

You're not alone.

My lady.

Oh, a fine vintage.

Oh, boy, my house next week.

Yeah, please. It takes about a week
to clean this up.

Okay, uh, so that's all the kids.

Is it?

Are you...

- Oh, my gosh, that's so exciting!
- I know, I know, I know.

Oh! Oh!

- We're not telling people yet.
- Okay, fine,

- but I'm not "people."
- You're not "people."

What are these two plotting?

Probably that we all move in together.

I think Sunday dinner
is enough for now, right?

- I think you're right.
- Yeah.

Girls! Dinner time, let's go.

- Come on, ladies.
- Let's go, I got pizza!

Here we go, here we go,
here we go! We got some greens.

- Pizza!
- I'll grab the rest.

- Here we go.
- Yeah.

Oh, look at all this good stuff.
Mom, that's for you.

- Case...
- Got yours here.

- And you.
- And we have apples and carrots.

Okay?

You two need a napkin?

- Okay. Everyone, hands, hands.
- Penelope,

- we don't start eating until we say grace.
- Okay.

Everybody, can we hold hands, please.

Everybody, there we go.

Heavenly Father,
we are grateful for this meal.

We are grateful for the opportunity
to share this bounty together.

We are grateful for the fellowship
of friends and family.

And bless this delicious meal
made by Mom and Malcolm,

and Justin,

for us to all eat and enjoy when you all
come to my house every single Sunday.

And bless Dad, wherever he is
and whatever he's eating.

- In Jesus's name, we pray.
- Amen.

Red pepper flakes,
it's a really nice touch.

It's satire of a tutorial.

You know, so I'm on Khan Academy,
but I'm learning nothing from the teacher.

- Uh, Dad?
- Mm-hmm.

Tomorrow night, I'm getting boba
at the Halidom with Dakota.

Oh, you are, are you?

Okay.

Maybe Casey wants to join you.

Um... That's okay, I'm...

I mean, you can, if you want.

I'm fine with it.

Um, maybe, yeah.

- I think it sounds like fun.
- Hey, y'all.

Hey! Come in, come in, please.

- Are you hungry?
- Yeah, there's more burgers.

No, no, I'm good. Thank you.

- Hey, guys.
- Hey.

- Uh, Lori, can we...
- Oh, yeah, of course.

Oh, careful.

Uh, what's up?

Just wanna talk about the week.

Yeah, I wanna spend more
one-on-one time with Merritt and Casey.

Okay.

Wait, I don't, I don't mean,
like, custody or anything like that, okay?

All right.

I just wanna do more, like,
pick-ups and whatnot.

Pick-ups and whatnot?

Or whatever. I... Look, I just wanna see
if we can change the schedule

so I can spend more time with them, okay.
Smooth things over.

Okay.

Thank you. Great. Yes.

- Um... Can I be honest with you, though?
- Mm.

They hate the extended-stay hotel.

I'm staying there to save money, okay.
You know I got a deal with the hotel.

Okay, um, David,
I'm not trying to pick a fight with you.

Right? It's just, the reality is
the longer you stay somewhere temporary,

you know, you're giving them false hope.

That this isn't permanent.

And, you know, it is...

permanent.

This is what you wanted.

So you need to find a, a real apartment.

Place of your own.

Yeah, right, place of my own.

Yeah.

A bachelor pad. Bro hang.

Hmm, second home for your children.

Yeah, that, too.

- I'm kidding.
- Ha-ha-ha.

Okay. I will...
I'll text you their schedules.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Why don't you join us?

It's okay.

Okay.

- Uh...
- Maybe we can talk about what happened...

My cupcakes!

Five more minutes.

Hey, guys, anyone want a cupcake?

Go away, Justin.

But I made extra.

Dude, for breakfast?
No one wants the sugar.

I cannot wait until I'm in high school.

What've you got there?

What are you gonna do, huh?
You gonna do something?

I'll pray for you.

What?

Gonna add you to my prayers.

You think you're better than me?

You better pray, PK,
because one of these days,

I'm gonna find you
and I'm gonna kick your ass.

Dude, I'd take the week off if I was you.

Oh. Oh. Why? Why?

Okay.

Monica is definitely
moving to Texas,

so we gotta start a youth pastor search.

And your faith leaders lunch
is set for Thursday.

Malcolm?

Right. Thursday. Um, Monica, Texas.
Sorry, sorry.

Yeah, um,

so we gotta talk about some
of the comments that are on these cards.

Apparently, some folks felt
you were a little unsteady.

They wrote that on a prayer card?

Just a few.

Unsteady. Teetering. Raw.

But not in a bad way.
They were just concerned about you.

They're sending out their prayers.

Mm. Not this one.

Bring back Pastor Harris.

- I'm sorry, man.
- Don't be.

No, you, uh, you got that x-factor.

Look, you're country, I'm jazz,

Phyllis just likes her
some jazz sometimes.

Oh, Phyllis complains about everything.

She can go to the 11 o'clock service,

- that's why we have both.
- There you go.

I guess I really
gotta bring it this week, huh?

Oh, you bring it every week, always have.

And you get nothing but love
on our socials.

I'll take that.

Maybe, this week, we just don't put out
as many prayer cards.

All right,
so what is the key to a sweep single?

One knee is always what?

Off the ground.

That's right. So let's try it again.

All right, arms out front.

Shoulders squared,
don't rest on the knees.

You know the only reason she's doing this?

Is 'cause she wants to hook up with me.

Trevor!

Gail, um,
what do you think for the press kit?

Is this too aggro?

Not enough?

Oh.

Hey. Have you replied to Cup of Joe yet?

Coward.

The new Lori is on IRL Match.

She goes on dates. She meets people.

Cuppa Joe is employed.

Like you.

Educated, like you.

Divorced, like you.

And cute.

- Like me?
- Exactly.

Okay.

Except, this new Lori,
I don't know who that is?

I didn't ask for a new Lori,
I liked the old Lori.

I did, too. But here we are.

And I'd like to see you
have a little fun, like David.

Or like our big bald wall here.

What?

What aren't you telling me?

I kissed Malcolm.

- Your pastor, Malcolm?
- My friend, Malcolm.

Okay, your pastor friend, Malcolm.

No, my friend, Malcolm,
who is also my pastor.

And you're blushing.

Well, I-I didn't mean to.

I mean, I did, I did. I did mean to.

And it was actually, um...

It was actually amazing.

Or a terrible mistake.

And I honestly don't know which one.

How did this happen?

I... it was very impulsive.

It just kind of did.

I...

So, is this gonna be a thing?

No. No. No, no, we're not. Uh...

It's just, Malcolm and I,
we, we've been getting, like, closer

for a, a while now.

I mean, since Jenny died.

And I didn't feel that way before.

No, because they were in love,
and they were happily married,

and I was...

married.

But then, you know,
she passed, and David left,

and, and Malcolm and I,

we just started...

Vibing.

Helping each other.

And, like, figuring out
how to get through all of this.

And, yes, vibing, I guess. I...

Is that wrong?

Right.

- So, where's Mom?
- She's busy.

Yeah, I'm picking up the slack this week.

So we can all bond.

I was telling your sister she can't let
this Trevor guy push her around

in front of the squad like that.

Yes. Yep.
Dad, I already texted Merritt, okay,

so we can just drop it now, please.
Thank you.

Dad's right.

You gotta call that kid out, Casey.

It'll only get worse if you don't.

You know, Merritt, I was thinking,
what about basketball?

- What about basketball?
- Well, instead of wrestling.

You're a junior now.

Extracurriculars matter more than ever.

Son, it's time for you to start thinking
about who you wanna be.

Basketball's more of a team sport.

- That could...
- I don't wanna play basketball.

Okay. That's cool.

Cross country?
You know, just you and the road?

Why does it always have to sports?

It doesn't. I'm just... I'm just trying
to think of something you like.

You mean what you like.

Can you pull over?

No, it's, it's Flora.

- Hey, Flora, you want a ride?
- Uh...

No, we're good.
We're gonna walk from here, right?

Yeah. We're...

Thanks, David, yeah, but we're gonna,
we're gonna walk.

Call me, okay?

Adios, Dad.

You know he just thinks you and Mom
are going through, like,

a midlife crisis, right?

That you guys could still
get back together?

Really?

Is that what you think?

No.

Hi.

Oh, hey.

Um, sorry, are you
in the middle of something?

- No, I'm... Uh-uh.
- Okay.

Can we talk?

Always.

- I just... I wanna say...
- Okay.

I'm your pastor.

I'm a pastor, I'm your pastor.

Uh, I bring more than just myself
to this equation.

And...

- I'm sorry if I crossed a line.
- No, no. No, you didn't.

You didn't.

No, we, we were both feeling... Uh...

But it was a mistake, Malcolm. Um...

Look, I don't know if what happened
between us was because I'm lonely,

or you're lonely,

or because I miss Jenny,

or you miss Jenny, or, or...

Because you were just so comfortable.

We are so... comfortable.

You know, but we're all so close.

Our families. Our kids.

You and I, we made a promise to each other

to keep the routines, all of that, going,

but, like, it's so fragile.

And I don't wanna up-end any of it.

I get it, um...

- Yeah, I get it. I get it.
- Right.

And your friendship.

Like, your friendship is...
it's everything to me.

And I can't imagine not having it.

And I j...

- Like, to, to risk...
- Mm.

All of that.

I just, um...

Right?

Right?

We can't.

Yes.

- Yes, I know. Um...
- Yeah.

There are so many reasons...

why we can't.

Malcolm?
Men's prayer group in 15.

Like, men's prayer group.

Like men's prayer group.

All right. Thanks.

Bye.

Is it cool
that I'm walking with you?

Yeah.

As long as you don't make me
carry your backpack

like you did in fourth grade.

- I did that?
- Yeah.

Sorry.

It's cool that we have English
together this year.

Yeah, Watson. Hate that guy.

So, why are you walking with me?

I had to get out of that truck.

My dad, he just kept going off
about wrestling.

Like, sorry you don't get
to live vicariously through me anymore.

He's like, what about this sport?
What about that sport?

What are you...
what are you gonna do instead?

I don't know.

And I'll get it all over again
when I get home.

The two of them.

They split up
and now I have to hear everything twice.

Sorry. Trauma dump.

Anyway, uh, thank you for saving me.

Yeah.

Totally planned it.

So, what are you going to do instead?

Something to piss him off.

Oh, speaking of trauma dump,

I've got therapy.

Do you have to go?

Actually...

No. I don't.

We can provide it to you furnished
or unfurnished.

- It's a little more expensive...
- Furnished.

And it's just you on the lease?

Just me.

Okay. Merritt. I'm going.

Uh, Casey is out,
and your dinner is in the fridge.

Do I look okay?

Yeah.

Thank you for that.

I love you.

- Lori?
- Yeah.

Uh, Cuppa Joe?

Yeah, yeah. Uh, wow, uh,

been regretting that choice
for a while now.

Oh, no, it's really cute.

Not what I was going for, but, uh,

you know what, I don't...
I don't know what I was going for.

Uh, Joe is fine.

- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Uh, Joe. Got it.

It's nice to meet you, too.

Oh. Okay.

I'm sorry. I... I'm really nervous.

Um, and, also,

you, you look younger
than your profile pictures.

And, I mean, you know,

that's supposed to be
the other way around.

- Right?
- Um, I don't know.

First of all, thank you,

but, uh, don't be nervous.

I've done this lots of times,
and it only gets easier.

You know what? That...

That didn't quite come out right. Um...

You look wonderful, by the way.
Really should've led with that.

Thank you.

Hang on.

Oh, um...

Oh, that's all right.
I mean, work can be quite...

Oh.

Um, or my kids, you know,
always seem to...

need something.

Okay. Done.

That's from me.

It's just an idea I had
since we're both nervous.

It is my, "End of the night.

It was a great time.

We had an awesome date.

And I can't wait to see you again" text.

Okay.

I just thought if I send it now,
it takes off all the pressure,

because we already had a good time.

- Oh, we did?
- Oh, we totally did.

Mm, it seems like it.

I just figured we'd cut
to the, uh, end and work backward.

Okay. Mm.

Look, in all seriousness,

you seem great, and I get it.

I'm your first since your divorce.

You're out with some strange dude

instead of being home with your kids.

It's whatever you need tonight.

Well, I mean, it, it seems like
we had a lot of fun dancing.

Dancing? Mm.

- That's a, that's a great idea.
- Oh.

Guys.

Guys. Guys, get in.

Mm. No. No. No.

Yes.

Dudes.

What?

No. Dudes.

Are they looking at us?

- Don't stare, Mika.
- I'm not.

That's Dean. His brother Miles
is friends with my brother.

They go to Woodman.

Should we go over there?

Shouldn't they come to us?

Casey, why don't you go over there
and pin one of them?

Dakota, don't.

No, Casey's awesome.

I heard you joined wrestling,
'cause you wanted to hook up with Trevor.

Now, you get to wrestle him,
like, every day.

Is that true, Casey?

- That's so embarrassing, Casey.
- Are you serious?

Guys, stop.

Relax. We're just saying
that Casey can teach us some moves.

They would love it.

That is so funny.

Casey, come on.

I just got a message from Dr. Collins.
You skipped your appointment today.

I didn't feel like going.

Well, that's not an option.

Dad...

I need a break.
I've been going for over three years,

and I'm not saying
it hasn't helped, it has, but...

I found scissors in your room, Flora.

Under your bed.

Okay.

It's not what you think, don't overreact.

I had to make a stupid timeline
for AP Euro.

That's all. I wasn't hiding them.
I was just using them for that.

For real.

- Flora.
- No, Dad, I...

I get why finding the scissors scared you.

I know that I freaked you
and Mom out when...

I cut myself that one time,

but it's not like I tried to kill myself.

Sorry. I'm sorry.

I swear I wouldn't do
anything like that again.

Especially now.

I mean, you have to know that.

You know how your mom felt about therapy.
How I feel. It is such...

- an important tool, and I promised her.
- I know,

but it's, it's just the same thing
week after week.

And I if you wanna know
what I was doing instead?

I was hanging out with a friend.

I was having fun.
I mean, that's what you want, right?

You lied to me, Flora.

No, I... I didn't.

Not really.

You wanna walk away from therapy,
you already walked away from the church.

- One has nothing to do with the other.
- I just think being there

- would help you figure out everything...
- Dad!

It doesn't!

Being at church actually makes it worse.

Okay? I just can't. I can't right now.

And I need you to stop asking me.

I hope you're happy.

N-Not really.

I invited Casey, okay,
just like you asked me to.

- Thank you.
- And then she got upset and then took off.

Why? What happened?

Nothing happened. She just...

She just freaks out over everything.

And I mean,
you can't do that with these girls.

- They're really important to me.
- Okay.

Have you talked to Casey?

- No. No, no.
- Maybe you should try...

No, Dad, okay.

It's just different, okay.
We're different.

- And this is my boy on his first birthday.
- Aw.

And right here is New Year's.

- He loves a good party hat.
- Yeah.

My nieces love dressing up Drukus,
but I think he loves it more.

Hm-mm.

- Aw.
- He's basically my son.

Yeah.

Oh, sorry, that's mine. The human child.

Um,

Joe, I really had so much fun.

You made this very easy.

Hey, if, uh, if you need to go,
it's, it's all right.

Yeah.

- Kids come first.
- Yeah.

And dogs.

Um, I'd really like to do this again.

Maybe you're not supposed to say that.

You saw my text.

We are definitely doing this again.

Good night.

Good night.

Oh, sweetie.

What happened?

It's Trevor.

He said the only reason
I signed up for wresting

is because, because I like him.

And everyone thinks that.

And at the mall they were all just
laughing at me, and Pen was, too.

- No.
- Just for a second.

I'm sorry.

I know she's really been
going through something.

What? Mom, no.

No. All she cares about is being popular.
Okay. So don't defend her for that.

I'm not. I am not excusing her.

All right? I hear, I hear you.
I hear you. I hear you.

I'm just done with her.

Okay.

I mean, w...

Why is she like this?

Why?

I think she's just trying
to figure out who she is.

You know, and...

Also, I... I think she's scared of you.

I think they all are.

Why?

Because you don't care
about being popular.

You care about just being you,

and they don't know what to do with that.

I know that sucks right now,

but as you get older,

being different...

is a good thing.

Your hair looks really nice.

Thank you.

- See you, kiddo.
- Bye, Case!

Have a good day!

Hey, look who's up this early.

- I know, right?
- Uh-huh.

Just thought I'd pitch in more.

Step up my dad duties.

Good for you.

It sounds like
it was a late night for Lori.

Someone had a date.

Oh.

She did?

Already. Wow.

It's weird, right?

- I mean, we're both on apps now.
- Mm.

Hopefully, we don't bump into each other
at the same restaurant.

Hey, who am I to be jealous, right?

Yeah. Yeah, right.

- Right.
- Anyways, I forgot to mention,

there's this woman in my office, Sarah,
she's our accountant.

She's, like, in her 40s. She's lovely.
Kinda quirky. Single.

Told her about you.

- She's really interested.
- No, no.

No, uh, you saw me at the bar
the other night,

I'm not ready to go on a date. No.

No. I don't think
I've ever even been on a...

I mean, Jenny and I,
but that wasn't even a...

It was more like a courtship.

You know, so, uh, thank you.

Thank you very much, but no.

Okay. No problem, man.
I just thought I'd put it out there.

No, no.

I know that this creative writing unit
isn't for everyone.

So I wanna thank you
for your first writing assignment,

"What I'm most looking forward to
in this class."

Delighted to know that so many of you
are here because you have to be.

But I consider you folks
a personal challenge.

So, I had these made.

A little practical inspo.

From now on,

when you write,

I want you to, actually, write. Not type.

I'm old school.

Okay. Your brains...

Pen to paper. Call me a Luddite.

Look it up, that's how I roll.

There's a tactile process
to the early stages of creativity.

I want this to come
from your minds and your body.

I want you guys to get real.

So, this week, your assignment is to write
about something that is uniquely you.

Something that defines you.

And it can be any form.

It can be a poem.
It can be a story. It can be an essay.

Just be honest.

- What the...
- Are you enjoying this?

Let me up.

What, and spoil your fun?

No, 'cause I think you're the one
who wants to hook up with me, Trevor.

Definitely not the other way around, okay?

For all of you. Got it!

Because I can take down
every single one of you!

Okay, Soto,
I think you've made your point.

They actually wrote all that?

They were worried about me.

They want the old Pastor Malcolm back,
I guess.

Or maybe they need
to get used to the new one.

Whoever that is.

You know, I...
I thought it would be easier.

Going back. I thought that,
you know, once I got up there,

everything would be fine.

At home, too. And with the kids.

Oh, you'll never doubt yourself more
than as the father of teenage girls.

- True.
- Take it from me.

Maybe it'll just take you
a little bit longer.

- You know?
- You know, my dad used to say,

"Your favorite preacher may be a trumpet,

but, son, you might be a clarinet."

Turns out, I'm a tuba.

Problem is, Malcolm,
your voice has changed.

Yeah, and our faithful,
they look to us to lead.

With an unwavering capital L.

Their worlds are chaotic
and complicated and trying,

and they come to us
for stability, for security.

We're their constant.

And you ask them for comfort.

You scared them, man.
You let them behind the curtain.

Right, so, basically, what we're saying
is I am their rock, right.

I'm always on, 24/7, I can never mess up.

Exactly.

Got it.

I kissed my wife's best friend.

Or she kissed me. We kissed.

- Wow.
- Lori?

It... it was in the moment.

I wasn't thinking.
It's not gonna happen again.

But I can't stop thinking about it.

Or her. And now,
I don't know how to undo it.

Well, you can't.

I mean, look,
I know you and Lori are close.

The fact that you're willing
to take a step forward, that's good.

Just my opinion,

maybe choose a woman
from someone else's church.

Hey!

Penelope, isn't that your brother?

Fight! Fight! Fight!

I don't wanna fight you, Hannigan.

No one's asking you.

Fight! Fight!

Maybe we can talk this out,
man to man.

Fight! Fight!

Violence is never the answer.

Stop talking.

I'm not afraid of you.

Ooh!

- Hey...
- Hey!

Come here!

- You okay?
- I think so.

- I can't feel my toes.
- All right, listen to me.

If you touch him one more time,
I'm going to bury you.

- Got it? I said, got it?
- Got it.

Hey, hey. Come on. It's okay.

Thanks, Casey. I was gonna...

What? Laugh at him with your BFFs?

- It's okay.
- No, Justin, it's really not okay.

All right? Let's go.

Flora! Hey, wait up.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Watson is so cringe, right?
- Yeah.

I mean, he's trying.
Too hard, but he's, he's trying.

Everything okay?

- My dad got a new apartment.
- Ooh.

That is a lot of capitals
and exclamation points.

- Yeah, right?
- Mm.

This is what he does.
He's always upselling.

Pizza! Movie night! Ice cream!

Don't look at the divorce, look over here!

You should write about that
for Watson's class.

Mm... Nah, I was thinking
I'd get real with ChatGPT.

Mm.

What are you gonna write about?

Maybe this.

Oh.

Did you do that?

A few years ago.

I-I knew something happened,
but I didn't realize...

Yeah, nobody knows,
outside my family and my therapist.

I guess now you.

I used to have these panic attacks
in middle school.

And I went down this wormhole online
where these girls would...

hype each other up about...

Yeah.

My therapist would say
I was looking for control.

I haven't done it again.

It's just hard, because...

a pastor's daughter is not supposed
to have problems like that.

So, then, if I write about it now,

will that freak my dad out? Like...

He so desperately needs
everything to be nice and neat,

which I get, but...

I am so not.

Watson will eat that up.

You should definitely write about that.

So, what are you gonna do?

Mm.

Hey! Merritt. Merritt!

What is happening?

Merritt bought a drum set!

Yeah, I can hear, I can see and hear that.

Yeah, well, you wanted me
to replace wrestling, so...

With drums?

I'm a drummer now. I'm teaching myself.

Oh, yeah, man. That's so cool.

Wait, why did you stop?

It's fine. I'm tired.

Oh. Okay.

Well, hey, I just came by to, you know,

grab the rest of my things
for my new apartment.

It's moving-in day, guys, you know.

Hey, Cone Zone for anyone
who wants to help me load my truck?

What do you say?

Oh, our old vinyls.

I'm sorry, but I actually
have homework. So...

Yeah, we haven't even
eaten dinner yet, so...

Yeah, okay. No, I get it.
You got homework.

Hey, guys, I promise,
you're gonna love the new place.

They'll come around.

You guys. No, hold up.

I... Go help your dad.

Please.

We're hungry.

No. Dad is not the bad guy. All right?

Whatever happened between us,
he is still your father.

And at some point,
you need to let him off the hook.

Thank you, honey.

I don't know why I should
let either of you off the hook.

Hey.

You okay?

Yeah. You know, couple bruises.

Okay, look,
I'm really sorry that I let you down.

Okay? I kind of froze.

Flora says that we have
to stick together, and...

I got scared.

How do I make him stop?

Pro tip, dude?

Next time, don't say
that you're going to pray for him.

Just pray for him.

Okay? It eliminates
the target on your back.

I think Casey's such a badass.

Yeah. She is.

If anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come.

The old is gone, the new is here.

Corinthians speaks to my heart
this morning.

What's old is gone.

But I'm called to new.

As we are all called to growth,
to change, to be more like Him.

Justin's a better audience.

Justin's great,
but I want my toughest critic.

You're gonna be great.

But I'm still not coming on Sunday.

You can watch the live stream.

How about this?

More compromise.

On therapy.

I will still see Dr. Collins,

but just once a month.

Every other week.

- Fine.
- Deal.

I was thinking that

writing could be...

a good outlet for me.

- Writing?
- Yeah.

Hey. Your mom would love
that you're using that.

Yeah.

I just started, but...

I'm gonna keep it with me.

Mr. Watson said that sometimes, you can
get hit with an idea, like a feeling,

and you don't want the moment
to pass you by before you can...

- get it out.
- Mm.

You know?

Yeah, I do.

Jesus specializes in making things new,
especially our voices.

Christ calls us to new.

The new is here.

Amen.

When I first came to this church
and saw my future father-in-law preach,

I knew this was the place for me.

This place made new

when Pastor Lucas
and his small but mighty congregation

came to this sanctuary.

I knew this was my home.

It still is.

Now, I know some of you
were worried about me last week.

Some of you were very worried about me.

Like call-it-in worried.

So, I wanna assure you that I am fine.

I'm different.

Immeasurably different.

But I'm so very blessed
to be with you in this moment,

to lead you in worship.

Last week, I asked if I could lean on you.

Maybe not in so many words,
maybe in too many words.

But this week, I'm reminded that we are
all leaning on our Lord, our Rock,

and His unchanging love.

Amen.

In our church, we welcome all
who hold Jesus in their hearts,

wherever they may be in their journey.

No matter their background,
their size, their shape, or their voice.

My voice, friends,
may sound different to you today.

Maybe it's a little quieter.

Maybe it's unfamiliar.

It's a little unfamiliar to me.

But it is certainly new.

And this new voice, my voice,

is deeply rooted
in the enduring word of God.

Amen.

And the unshakable rock
upon which we all stand.

Amen.

Don't worry.

Just because our parents
want us to be friends,

doesn't mean we still have to.

Hey.

- Are you okay?
- Yes.

But I need to say something.
Are... are you alone?

Yeah.

Um, this might not be fair,

and I hear you
about everything you said about us,

about our families,
about how complicated things are.

Look, I've never
had a friend like you, Lori.

And you're right,
we can't be together for all the reasons,

but I wanna be truthful with you.

The other day,

Flora said to me,
sometimes, you get this feeling,

and you just,

you can't let that moment pass you by,
you have to get it out.

And I can't go to sleep tonight,

or maybe ever,

without telling you.

When we kissed...

Kissing you...

I haven't felt that alive in a long time.

I just wanted to say that.

And now, we can... move on.

Forward, like we were.

Okay.

- Okay. Yeah.
- Good.

- Good night.
- Good night.