Message From the Pastor - Upside Down | Stories of Jesus that Changed the World

This fall, we begin a new worship series: Upside Down | Stories of Jesus that Changed the World. Jesus’ parables often took the familiar—seeds, meals, money, families—and turned them inside out to reveal God’s surprising ways of grace. They invited listeners then, and they invite us now, to see the world differently. 

Over four weeks, we’ll hear:

• The Sower (Luke 8:4–15): God’s kingdom begins with generous scattering. 

• The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13–21): In the end, it all goes back in the box. 

• The Yeast (Luke 13:18–21): Small actions can transform the whole. 

• The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32): Both wanderers and stay-at-homes are invited to the table. 

These parables are more than stories; they are invitations to live with open hands, generous hearts, and eyes ready to see God at work in surprising places. They remind us that God’s kingdom looks nothing like the world’s expectations—power is redefined, love stretches beyond fairness, and even the smallest act can become a holy sign of transformation. 

Celebration Sunday | September 14 

We’ll launch this new series with Celebration Sunday on September 14, a joyful day for all ages. Worship will include a Blessing of the Backpacks for children, reflections from our youth mission trip, and a look ahead at adult Faith Formation opportunities. Our band will lead us in music, and after worship we’ll share food, fun, and fellowship together. 

The softball team will be grilling brats and burgers as a fundraiser (thank you, team!). Kids can enjoy the Bounce House and games in the gym, while the rest of us enjoy reconnecting as a community of faith. 

Just as Jesus’ parables drew people of all ages and backgrounds together in new ways, Celebration Sunday reminds us that we belong to one another in Christ. 

An Invitation to Serve with Children 

One of Jesus’ most upside-down declarations was, “Let the children come to me.” In a world that often overlooked them, he placed children at the very center of God’s kingdom. 

This fall, we have opportunities to do the same. We are seeking volunteers for Children’s Church on Sundays and Super Wednesdays (K–5th Grade). The role is simple: be present, be welcoming, and engaging with kids. Resources, support, and leadership (me, for the interim) are provided. 

Serving with children is also one of the most beautiful intergenerational gifts of the church. In God’s upside-down kindom, wisdom doesn’t just flow one way. Adults bring encouragement and support, while children tug us toward wonder, laughter, and curiosity. When we walk together across generations, we discover that faith is not only taught but caught—shared in stories, smiles, and small acts of love. 

By showing up, we scatter seeds of faith—and we help create the kind of community Jesus envisioned: upside down, surprising, and full of grace. 

Blessings, Donna