THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

Good evening, it's good to see you here tonight. In the 17th century,

John Bunyan wrote a book called The Pilgrim's Progress. And for a very long time, for centuries in fact, it was next to the

Bible, the best -selling book in the English language. It tells a story of how

Christian makes his way from the city of destruction to the heavenly city. And it is a great story.

It used to be taught in our schools, or at least read through in our schools. And it's still a great, great book that explains to us how you make the pilgrimage from the city of destruction to the heavenly city.

So, our kids have been working on this for a long time. And I am excited to see how they're going to show us

The Pilgrim's Progress. So before we start, let me pray, and then the kids will take us on this journey.

Alright, let's pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for your goodness to us.

And Lord, we thank you for the scriptures which describe for us what life is on the way to the heavenly city.

And so we pray for these kids tonight, our kids, as they seek to show us what the

Bible says about that journey. We're thankful for them. We're thankful for these that are here tonight.

And we pray, Lord, that they would not merely enjoy this, but that they too would see this great message.

Thank you now, in Jesus' name. Amen. Pilgrim's House As I walked through the wilderness of this world,

I came upon a place where there was a den. There I lay down to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed a dream.

I saw a man clothed in rags, his face turned away from his home, a book in his hand, and a great burden on his back.

I looked in, saw him open the book and read. As he read, he wept and trembled.

Unable to contain his grief, he broke out in a lamentable cry. What shall

I do? In this plight, he went home and tried to conceal his grief, not wanting his wife and children to see his distress.

But he could not be silent. Finally, he poured out his heart to them. My dear wife and beloved children,

I am told that this book, that this day will be burned by fire from heaven.

We will all perish unless we find some way of escape. His wife and children were amazed and frightened, not that they believed him, but because they thought he was losing his mind.

Since it was toward evening, they urged him to go to bed, hoping that a good night's sleep might settle his mind.

The night was as troublesome as day. He was so restless he couldn't sleep, but spent the whole night in sighs and tears.

Good morning, Christian. How are you feeling? Then he repeated his fears from the previous day, but they refused to listen.

His family and friends do not understand him. They try to console him and ridicule him and ignore him.

Pilgrim prays to God for compassion on all of them. For several days, he walks in the field, sometimes reading his book and sometimes praying.

But always in distress, as he read, he cried aloud, What must I do to be saved?

I saw a man and an evangelist come to him. Why do you cry?

Sir, I read in this book, but I never faced the judgment.

If life is so full of trouble, why are you not willing to die? It might be better. Because I know that if you blow a person down on me,

I am afraid that when I die, Pilgrim, it will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall sink into hell.

If you are in such trouble, why do you say it? Because I do not know where to go. Then the evangelist gave him a book on which were the words,

Leave from the wrath of the come. But where must I go? Do you see that mirror gate?

No. Do you see that shining light? I do see the still light. Fix your eyes on the light, go straight toward it, and you will find the gate.

When you knock on the gate, you will be told what to do next. The road is long and hard,

O God, But I know I will find The light at the horizon,

For you will be my guide. So many dangers lie ahead,

But you will see me through. The book which you have given me

Tells me this is true. The thrill of the spawn!

In my dream I saw that the man, Obedient to his evangelist's words, began to run. Before he had gone far, his wife and children began to call after him to his room.

Prisoner, come back! Stop! Stop! Two neighbors, obstinate and pliable, ran after him and brought him home by force.

Christian, for that was his name, spent some time encouraging them to go with him. Come with me,

Obstinate. Come with me, pliable. You guys are crazy and full of empty words.

Come with me, pliable. Let's go home. No, Obstinate. I think

I'll stay. We do know the way Christian got him. Both of you are crazy.

Beyond this way is a narrow gate. When we get there, someone will tell us which road we must take. And so they journeyed on, discussing what

Christian had read in the book. There is an eternal kingdom where death shall not enter and we shall live forever.

That's wonderful, but how would you get to this eternal kingdom? The word of that kingdom states that in this book, that whoever asks it will be freely given to him.

Okay, let's hurry. You're next. I cannot go fast because of this burden on my back. Then, in my dream,

I saw that they drew near to the slough of this pond, a very mired bog in the middle of the plain.

Visibly talking, and evenly set their way, they both fell, suddenly leaving the bog. In this mire, they were wallowing around, so their clothes were covered with mud.

Because of the burden on his back, Christian began to sink. How did we get into this mess?

Truly, I do not know. Oh, is this the happiness of which you spoke? If we haven't had such a bad beginning, who knows what danger we shall run into.

If I get out of this with my life, you may possess that brave man along for all I care. And at this, five of them ran, struggling desperately.

She climbed out of the mire on the side where they had fallen, and left them to struggle and slow to spawn below.

Poor Christian dragged himself to the side which was nearest to the narrow gate, but he could not climb out because of the burden on his back, and he began to sink again.

Then I saw in my dream that a wounded pup came along. Hey, what are you doing here? The man in the bandage told me to yonder near a gate, that I may be delivered from the wrath of the sun.

As I was on my way, I fell in. So why do you look? There are stone steps there in the mire, for which you may cross them safely.

I was too early to be cleared away, but took the nearest way. That is why I fell in. How much did you give me, ma 'am?

Thank you, Christian, by the years. You pulled him out and set him on solid ground. Since the road from the city of destruction is this way, why is the bog not floated, so that travellers may go there safely?

This mire you make will not be easily rendered, as the man becomes aware of the sun, although all the dreads that fill his heart sit out here.

That is why I told you to slowly be silent. The Way to the

Gate Christian went on his way, walking by himself.

Along the way he met a worldly wise man. Christian, listen to me. That man of Daniel's doesn't know what he is talking about.

There is an easier way to rid of your burden. Come with me to the village of Moravia. A man named

Legality will help you get rid of your burden. He will tell you what to say, what to do, even when to eat.

Then all you have to do is obey. It is easy. Can't anyone keep the perfect law of God?

So Christian jerked out of the mire away to go to... The Way to the

Gate So Christian jerked out of the mire away to go to Mr.

Legality's house for help. When he reached a high hill, he saw an overhanging cliff that threatened to crash down over him with flashes of lightning coming out of the hill.

Christian, feeling the burden even heavier, feared for his life. About this time, the evangelist who had been keeping watch came near.

Christian, what are you doing here? I don't know. Christian, you must believe what you have read in the book.

Rolly Watts, the man who has been to cross with Jesus, was silly and stupid. She has taken him out of the way of death.

I was a fool to disobey the wise man and forsake the true way. And with that, the evangelist pointed

Christian again to the narrow gate, warning him not to be fooled again. Christian followed the road carefully and came to the narrow gate.

He saw written above the words, Not the gate shall be opened unto you. So he went up and knocked.

At last, a solemn woman named Goodwill opened the gate. Hello, can I help you? Please, I am a poor person from the city of destruction.

I am on my way to Mount Zion. It is there I may deliver you from the wrath of the Lord. All you can hear is shrieking.

You should just sleep in peace. Then, in the distance from the city is the

Devil's castle. He watches all those who pass through it and shoots arrows at them. Some unfortunate people

I killed never made it to Zion. Who brought you here? Then Christian described all that happened on the way.

I will shoot the next road you must take. Look before you. Do you see that straight road? It was built by prophets of old by Christ and his disciples.

Follow it and you will come to the interpreter's house. Knock on her door and she will show you many wonderful things.

The road is long and hard,

Lord. Our burdens weigh us down. But soon we'll find our burdens lie buried in the ground.

An empty cross, an empty tomb hides our sin from view.

The book which you have given tells us this is true.

The Interpreter's House And so I saw that Christian set out to walk the straight road.

When he reached the interpreter's house, he knocked again and again. At last, someone came. My name is

Christian. Can I speak to the mistress of the house? Are you the mistress of the house?

Yes, I am. Please tell me about your brother. Good Lord sent me on this straight road so that you may help me understand this road of salvation.

My name is Henry, I am the servant of the interpreter of the house. My name is Henry Christian. What are the things that help you understand this road of salvation?

And in the hall they saw a figure of a man holding out his hands as if to plead with men. His head was lifted toward heaven, the world behind his back.

This hand can transform people and cause them to be born again. Go to him and find him, the stars of the world behind his back.

The interpreter next showed Christian a large room that was full of dust because it had never been swept. After that, they looked at it for a moment.

The interpreter called for a man to sweep. Young servant, would you please bring me a broom and sweep this room?

It is so dusty. As he swept, the dust rose and such was that Christian was almost choked.

William, may I? Miss, bring me water and sprinkle this room. The room was swept clean.

What does this mean? The hall is a hall of men.

The citizen just as they found him, he that thinketh this dream that he hears in the law, should not pour water and sprinkle it, it is the gospel.

The law rives and increases sin in the soul. As the screen pushes the fruits of the gospel coming, sin is vanquished and it will be clean and fit for the kingdom of God to inherit.

In my dream, I saw the interpreter take Christian by the hand and lead him into a little room where two children sat.

The name of one, Passion, and the other, Patience. Passion seemed quite discontent, but Patience was very quiet.

Why is Passion so discontent? Passion has been told to wait until next year for his best things. He doesn't think that's what he expects or how happy.

Patience, of the men of the world. Then I saw someone bring

Passion a bag of toys and candy and pour it at his feet. Laughing triumphantly at Patience, he picked up all the toys and candy.

But in a short time, he had wasted it all and had nothing left but broken toys. Passion is the figure of the men of this world.

Patience, of the men of the world to come. Passion was all his pleasures now and was not willing to wait.

Life after death. And as Passion's curse had came to destroy the rest of the way, so would be the face of the happiness of this world after death.

And Christian was led to many other rooms, learning many other lessons. A strong man who would oppose us, a man caped by his wilfulness and selfish desires, and the one not ready for judgment.

Remember these spiritual lessons, Christian. Godspeed. May the Creator always be with you. May he guide you to the city.

Now let the ancient words impart. Ancient words will change your feelings and change your world.

We have come for his open arms. We'll let the ancient words help.

Now trust. Now I saw in my dream that Christian traveled a highway that was fenced on either side by a wall called

Salvation. Christian ran, but with great difficulty, because the burden on his back.

As he ran, he came to a high place. On top stood a wooden cross and an empty grave.

As he came up to the cross, his burden fell away and rolled into the empty grave, and I saw it no more. He has given me rest,

I have sorrow, and my heart is dead. Thanks be to God. Jesus, you come on the cross to take my burden from me.

It rolled into the open tomb.

Now I'm forever free. Jesus, what you bore was wrath that was spent for me.

How can I describe such love as you have for me?

Jesus, you hung on the cross to give me raiment so new.

You took the bread with shame,

O Savior, faithful and true. You now call me, and I gladly call you

Lord. And if there be any good in me, it's only because of you.

Jesus, you hung on the cross to put this role in my hand.

You placed your mark on me, for you

I stand. Savior, take my heart and make me what you will.

May your praise be ever on my tongue, till my heart lies cold and still.

May your praise be ever on my tongue, till my heart lies cold and still.

Peace be with you. Take off your dirty shirt,

I will clean it for you. Don't forget to leave this on your menu.

Take off your dirty shirt, I will clean it for you. Don't forget to leave this on your menu.

Christian gaily marches on, back on the road to salvation.

The Pilgrim Way Christian sees three people lying on the edge of a cliff with chains about their legs.

You are in danger. What are your names? Simple. Sloth.

Do you not see you are in danger?

You are hanging on the edge of this cliff, and I see no body. Come with me, and I'll help you with your chains.

We see no danger. Walking a bit further,

Christian meets two women tumbling over the wall, entering the path. Who are you, and what are you doing climbing over this wall?

My name is Formalist, and we come from the land of my praise. We are on our way to the

Celestial City to seek fame and fortune. But the Lord of the Celestial City says you must enter by the narrow gate.

Our way is short, and besides, this is a customary for our country to enter this way. You came in by the narrow gate.

We climbed over the wall, yet we are all traveling along the same road. It is the same road, but I walk by the way of the

Lord. You walk by the way of your own hearts. You are already counted as thieves by the Lord of the

Way. The pair made no answer except to say, Well, we will go our way, and you go yours.

So they went on every man his own way. They soon came to the

Great Hill of Difficulty. Here there were also two other roads, but the narrow one went straight to the top.

Christian starts up the hill, Formalist and Hypocrisy go separate ways and disappear forever. I look in again and saw

Christian climbing the Hill of Difficulty so steep at times that he was on his hands and knees.

Have I made a mistake? Partway up he found a bench and laid down. Pulling out his book he read for a bit, but falling asleep he dropped his book.

What do we have here? A pilgrim who is falling asleep? Perhaps there is a sign where we read about the

Proverbs. Let's sing and see if she wakes up. Go to the end, O sluggard, see how she works all day.

And she doesn't even have a captain to tell her what to do. But she works hard anyway.

Go to the end, I am the sluggard. Tell me, don't she?

Hello, Blair, are you a meditator?

Go to the end. Christian, are you on your way?

Before it gets too late. Thank you, Wolf. I see it's getting late.

I know the dark. Suddenly, to his surprise, he meets two men coming down. The name of one is

Timorous, the other is Mistrust. Hey, you are going the wrong way.

I saw two healing lions. There is nothing but death there. But this is the only way to eternal life in a special city.

We must go on. Not us. Christian is visibly shaken and feels for his book.

Oh no, I must go back.

I cannot find my book. I cannot enter this special city without it. Not finding it, he heads down the hill.

Thank you, Lord. You are my comforter. You are my comforter.

My carelessness and sloth have caused me to cover this path three times now in the dark.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

I will trust in you. I will trust in you.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God's Word, I pray.

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. I will trust in You.

I will trust in You. When I am afraid,

I will trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise.

When I am afraid,

I will trust in You. I will trust in You. I will trust in You.

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose

Word I praise. I saw in my dream that he hurried to the palace, hoping to get lodging there for the night.

But before he had gone far, he entered a narrow passage and saw a short distance ahead, two lions flying in front of the gate.

Now I see the dangers that must have frightened him, mistrust and timorous. When he took help, he walked up to a great ghost -like creature.

To hear this has to be a faith. If you stay in the middle of the path, they can't hurt you.

And I saw Christian walk the path, fearfully going ahead. And I saw in my dream that Christian was safe and slept.

And I saw the watchman ring a bell. A girl named Escrushion took Christian by the hand, questioning him.

She found that he was a true pilgrim and invited him to stay. This is prudence, this is piety, this is charity, and this is faith.

Come in, you are blessed of the Lord. I saw in my dream that Christian was safe and slept.

Next morning he was shown the records which gave the family history of the

Lord of the Hills. He used the

Alpha and Omega. The records proved their worth.

Be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.

Put on the floor, like you can take your stand, against the devil's schemes.

Put on the floor, in His place.

And your feet, when you lift them, ready for peace.

Take up the shoes of the faith.

Be brave, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.

Put on the floor, like you can take your stand, against the devil's schemes.

Take up the shoes of the faith.

Take up the shoes of the faith.

And I saw in my dream that as they wished in God's feet, they all reminded him to be praying on all occasions with every kind of prayer and request.

You are a child of a young man who really is a Christian. Thank you. Thank you all.

You have been so helpful. Have there been any other travelers on this road?

Yes. It was not too long ago.

Well, did you know her name? She said her name was April. But she is from Montana.

I must get you up with her. Apollyon and the

Valiant of Humility. A Christian did not find his friend.

Instead, he found himself in a solitary valley called the Valley of Humiliation. Perhaps the worst is over.

No sooner had he said this, he saw a stalking toward him, a foul fiend. He was a towering shape, at least nine feet tall, and the closer he got, the more hideous he became.

He had scales like a fish and wings like a dragon, and out of his belly came smoke and fire. As in a dream,

Christian knew his name. Apollyon. Where are you coming from?

The city of destruction. I thought so.

I am your prince. Why are you running away? You belong to me. But I have given my allegiance to another.

He is the king, even of you. But you are not true to him. I have watched you.

You fell in the slew of this one. You slept. You forgot your book.

You think only of yourself. All of that is true, but the king in my story is merciful and ready to forgive.

I hate your king. I hate him.

I hate his people.

I hate his wife. And I will not lose you.

Come with me. I will double your wages. But your wages are death, Apollyon.

I cannot come with you. Then prepare to die. I saw Apollyon straddle the whole path, and so began a fearsome battle.

The words of my lord say, Do not go with me, my enemy.

Though I have fallen, I will rise. May he cover my case and establish my right.

May he cover you, my enemy, with shame. And I saw in my dream that Christian picked up his sword, his right hand, and struck

Apollyon on the low. He then delivered me and my lord and my king.

And I saw a Christian slump over, wounded and exhausted. He who would valiantly be against all disaster, let him in constancy follow the master.

Their slow discouragement shall make him once relent.

He is first appointed to be a pilgrim.

This Lord thou dost defend, us with thy spirit.

We know that at the end shall life inherit.

No foe shall stand in his way. No foe shall stand in his way. Though he with giants fight, he will make good his right to be a pilgrim.

Now Christian went on his way till he came to a little hill in a valley. Seeing Faithful ahead of him, he cried out,

Wait, wait, wait for me. I do not. I am afraid. I feel that a dragon is behind me.

Christian, feeling very sure of himself, because all he had been through was thoroughly annoyed, he began to run to catch up.

But as happens to all of us when conceit begets a tug at our heart, he stumbled and fell amongst the stones.

Christian, are you all right? Yes, just wounded in the spirit, Faithful. Pick me up and tell me how you fared since the last time

I saw you. And I saw the two of you traveling along together, both going into adventures, both praising the

Lord of the country for the strength and health of the entire community.

Christian, do you see that man? Yes, that is my old friend Evangelist. Peace be with you, my friends.

How have you fared since I last saw you? And I saw them both. Tell of that that had happened to them along the way.

How glad I am that you have met with Charles, for that you have been victorious. An irreproachable crowd awaits you, so keep on going.

The city is still ahead. Say our faces like Flint and look well to your own hearts. You have all the power of heaven and earth on your side.

Tell us, Warren, is there still more danger ahead? Yes, my children, you have much to resist. Great danger is ahead and one will die.

Be faithful unto death and the King will give you the crown of life. And I saw in my dream that at that moment

Evangelist went on his way. Which of the two of us do you think he met?

I don't know, but we must go on. There is nothing for us to do.

Yes, Christian, the Lord will give us strength. And so they traveled on, coming to that city of Vanity Fair, where, as Evangelist had said, they met great trouble.

Here they met people moving about who were selling themselves their cheap wares. The pilgrims stood out because their clothing was plain and modest, and their speech was kindly and full of truth.

And they turned away from all that the merchants tried to sell. Well, what do you intend to buy?

We seek to buy all that is cheap. And where do you intend to buy it? We go to the central city of all that exists.

Such a place doesn't exist. Fools, fools, you are only fools.

Christian and Faithful answered so kindly that some in the crowd were divided and began to fight each other.

Christian and Faithful were taken into custody, beaten, and taken to the judge in chains. There were questions and cues like,

Judge, hate them. Anything to say against these two vagrants?

Please come forward. These two keep saying that everything we say or do is wrong.

They condemn all the noble things we say or do. Should I continue? Stand aside and we will hear from you later.

Next. These two fools say that our religion is in vain and that none of our worship can please

God. These two, these two say that none of our worship can please

God. They say that we are all condemned. Then they saw so many others rise up in anger.

You heretics, you rebels, you hate everything that we have. You want to take it all away?

And I saw that the crowd carried Faithful away and beat her and stoned her and finally left her for dead.

I saw a beautiful chariot come down from above and Faithful carefully put in it and drawn away immediately to the gates of the

Celestial City. She was safe, she was safe.

And I saw that in great confusion Christian was joined by Hopeful. Come with me,

Christian, come with me. And the two went on their way to a pleasant river.

They drank the sparkling water and slept safely in the green meadow. The weary ones found rest.

Looking for ease. Well, should we go on with her?

I'm sure we will. I really hate being this frivolous. Yes, we must go on.

We've had a good rest. Look, do you see that path?

I think it runs parallel to the narrow way. Yes, let's take it. And I saw them blissfully walking on till they met a woman named

Vain Confidence. Hello, my name is Hopeful. This is Christian. What is your name?

Vain Confidence. Where are you going? The last shelter.

So this is the right path. That is where we are going. But night came and the sky grew dark.

The sky grew dark and Vain Confidence missed the path and fell into a deep pit. Are you alright?

Are you alright? All they heard were groans.

They searched for her but they couldn't find her. And by now they were very lost and very afraid.

It began to rain and thunder and lightning flashed. Coming to a little shelter they lay down.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

Doubting Castle Now Christian and Hopeful had fallen asleep on the grounds of the

Doubting Castle, which is owned by the dreadful Giant Aspair. Walking up and down the next morning,

Giant Aspair caught sight of Christian and Hopeful. What are you doing on my grounds?

You are trespassing and coming with me. Then the Giant drove them to this castle and locked them in a dungeon and left them there for three days without food or drink, only stones to sleep and foul air to breathe.

I've seen a way out, Hopeful. I know, but we must not despair. What? I found two trespassers on the grounds the other day and threw them in a dungeon.

You must beat them. The dungeon is not enough. Beat them another day. And so the next morning, the

Giant beat Christian and Hopeful till neither of them could help themselves or even turn over on the floor, but they endured it all without a word.

The next night, Giant was asking his wife for advice. Why is he still alive?

Well, they have nothing to live for. You must tell him to make an enemy of himself. You're holding me out of this place is death, so you might as well destroy yourselves.

I'll leave this place so you can make it quicker. And so, maybe he's right,

Hopeful. I've seen a way out. We must be brave. Who knows, maybe he forgot to leave the door open.

We cannot take our own lives. And so they continued together another day in the dark.

Another day in the dark, at night, the Giant again talked to his wife.

Are the prisoners dead? Their table arose. Then you must take them to the castle yard.

So Up got the Giant again and took the prisoners to the castle yard. He showed them the skulls and bones of the other ones who had trespassed there.

These were pilgrims just like you. They also trespassed upon my grounds, and in ten days

I tore them to pieces. I'll do the same to you. And he threw them back into the dungeon. Hopeful, I cannot go on,

Hopeful. It's dark. I'm hungry and so thirsty. We must be brave and bear up.

Remember all the Lord has done for us. Remember how he has always been our help.

He will help us again. Remember, I do remember.

I was given a key called Thomas that was forged along the way. Perhaps it will fit in the door.

Please, try it. And I saw that the key fit. Christian was weak, but slowly the key turned and the gate opened and they were free.

The Lord is my shepherd.

Moving as quickly as they could away from the castle grounds, the two were met by shepherds.

Look, slow down. You are safe here.

Rest a little. And come with me. We know where you are going and you can see if you like.

Look, Hopeful, the celestial city is a -going. Oh, thank you, kind shepherds.

And so they continued on. Look, Christian, the celestial city.

I see. Do you see? I see.

Well, look, do you see that dark river? We must be crossing to get over to the celestial city.

Yes, Christian, I believe so. But the Lord will guide us through. He has helped us this long way.

Come, we must cross over. Thank you. The book which you have given me tells me this is true.

The book which you have given me tells me this is true.

Though grim and hopeful, cross the river and reach the celestial city.

The book which you have given me tells me this is true.

Though grim and hopeful, cross the river and reach the celestial city. The book which you have given me tells me this is true. And leading your spirit till the work on earth is done.

Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names,

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, O Lord's dinner slave.

Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your

Son, And leading your spirit till the work on earth is done.

When I stand in glory, I will see its face,

And there I'll serve my King forever in that holy place.

Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your

Son, And leading your spirit till the work on earth is done.

Wow, all those personalities at work was really something, wasn't it? Wow, that was great, and I hope you enjoyed that, and I hope you learned a few things.

And maybe you're asking, and maybe you ought to ask yourself, which one of those characters am I? All right, think about that for a minute.

But we want to invite you in the back for some refreshments, and maybe you could talk to the kids, and tell them what you think, which is good.

So let's stand, and we'll be dismissed with prayer, all right? Father, thank you for the work that all the adults and all these children did.

Thank you that they worked together. They worked together on truth that comes from the

Scriptures, the truth of the Gospel. Lord, we thank you for their parents and their patience and their help.

Now, Father, we just want to thank you for what we have in Jesus, for the salvation that is free, but at the cost of your

Son. We're thankful that as pilgrims we can, with all the dangers and all the dangerous people we meet, yet know that you will walk us to the celestial city.

Thank you again for our children, for their work, and for your

Son, in Jesus' name, amen. You're dismissed.