UPSIDE DOWN/INSIDE OUT
February 21 – April 4, 2010 

Who is the Jesus we walk around with?   Ours is a culture of “do-it-yourself” spirituality.  We’re told to go ahead and make up your own God—create the Jesus you like and makes you feel good.   By placing ourselves at the center of our universe we force Jesus into our image, so rather than me becoming more like Jesus (which is the goal of discipleship), Jesus becomes more like me.  That’s the last thing I need.  I need the real Jesus to stand up in my life.  If my desire is to be more Christlike, then I need to know who Jesus is—and come to terms with the truth that he is not who I want him to be.  But who is the real Jesus who calls for me to follow Him? 

More often than not, the real Jesus shows up as a paradox of truth.  There’s tension in who he is, and it shows up in what he said and what he did.

We’ll spend the period preceding Easter known as Lent, exploring the gospels for clues as to who Jesus is, and in the process, my prayer is that we discover anew the Jesus who calls us to follow him today.

February 21 – “First Five”

            Our St. Andrew Drama Team will provide the sermon this morning with a piece called “First Five.”  Members of the cast will lead a discussion following the presentation, which asks, “Who are the LAST five people you would invite to your dinner table?”

February 28 – “Hard on Sin – Soft on Sinners”

            Jesus threw the book at the “good” people who were proud of their good deeds.  And he was merciful and kind to the sinner who knew they’d veered off course.  Whether it was the woman caught in adultery or the woman at the well, Jesus called sin “sin,” but was scandalous in his forgiveness and grace.  Luke 18:9-14

This morning the St. Andrew Singers, under the direction of Jim Berry, bring us that timeless classic “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.”

 March 7 – “Fulfills the Old – Is Doing Something Completely New”

            Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is about both the Old and the New.  Look for the paradigm shift when Jesus says “You have heard it said . . . but I say to you . . .”  While the old is not abolished, it is transformed into something very new.  Matthew 5:17-20

Join us for the celebration of communion at both services.  The St. Andrew Singers demonstrate the sermon message by singing an ancient Latin text set by a very contemporary composer.

March 14 – “Offers Grace – Demands Works”

            Readers or Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount despair that Jesus doesn’t lower the bar – he raises it to unimaginable heights.  Yet that same Jesus tells three parables about the depth of God’s grace in Luke 15.  Matthew 5:1-10, 17-20

The St. Andrew Singers will be singing a favorite spiritual called “Ain’t Got Time to Die” and the Drama Team brings us a convicting message in “Myrtle Fetschwanger Explains It All to You.” 

March 21 – “Live for Today – Be Ready for Tomorrow”

            How do we live engaged in life today, yet with one eye on eternity?  Jesus told his followers to pay attention to the day’s challenges and not worry about tomorrow, but told stories about people missing his return and the picture he painted wasn’t pretty.  He talked about his return, but discouraged his followers from fixating on the date and time.

This morning the Drama Team brings us a sketch about hamburger (you’ll have to see it!) and we combine the St. Andrew Singers and Festival Bells for a very prayerful music presentation.

March 28 – “Rules – Serves”

            The one in charge is at the top of the heap – that’s just the way it is. But in Jesus’ kingdom, the ones at the end of the line are first.  Jesus embodied the upside-down approach to power by going to the bottom and lifting the lowly up.  This is very confusing, even for his disciples who wanted the best seats in the house.  John 13-1-17

April 4 – “Death is What Brings New Life”

            The crucified Lord is the God who triumphs over death in Jesus’ resurrection!     1 Corinthians 15:50-57

Come celebrate the risen Lord with us!  The St. Andrew Singers will sing very special music and the Drama Team will once again bring us an outstanding Easter message with laughter!