This week's sermon explores the story of Joseph and Mary through the lens of human fear and societal pressure. Pastor Eric highlights how Joseph chose to defy cultural and religious expectations of honor and shame by offering solidarity with Mary—upon finding out she is pregnant with a baby that is not his— rather than subjecting her to public disgrace.
True faithfulness and hope are defined here not as the absence of fear, but as the courageous choice to accompany the vulnerable and share in their risks. By drawing parallels to the modern struggles of marginalized groups, Pastor Eric urges us to reject isolation and act with love amid uncertainty.
Ultimately, the message serves as a call to mutual support, suggesting that God’s work is realized through communal partnership rather than solitary heroism.
