Glen Oak Community Church has the opportunity to have a Sunday service televised and the pressure of having to write a five-star sermon is taking its toll on Eric, who holes himself up in his study. Annie realizes she cannot handle so many problems on her own, which include Simon's new career goal and Lucy failing a class. Hearing of the chaos Eric's father—"The Colonel" — arrives from New York and uses old-style military teamwork to restore order in the household. Eric's sermon is interrupted when a mint gets stuck up Ruthie's nose, and she is taken to the hospital.

Lucy faces a tough decision when she finds that her ex-boyfriend, Jimmy Moon, and new boyfriend, Rod, are vying for her affection. Meanwhile Annie and Eric set a bad example for the participants of a marriage-counseling group at the church.