mark: upside down kingdom

What if everything you thought you knew about power, success, and greatness was turned upside down? In the Upside Down Kingdom, Jesus redefines reality—welcoming the outcast, healing the broken, and calling ordinary people to an extraordinary way of life. Through the fast-paced, action-packed Gospel of Mark, we’ll explore the life and mission of the One who didn’t just teach the kingdom—He embodied it. Come discover a King who rules not from a throne, but from a cross… and calls us to follow Him there.

The Crown Comes Down [Part 1]

Pastor Chris Voigt

June 1, 2025

As a church family, we begin a new adventure through the Gospel of Mark this Sunday. This summer series which we've entitled Upside Down Kingdom, will take us on an exploration of Jesus' ministry through Mark's gospel. Mark uses the word "immediately" more than 40 times in this shortest of the four gospels. His writing is fast-paced and action-packed. So strap in and hold on!

The Crown of Grace [Part 2]

Pastor Chris Voigt

June 8, 2025

As we come to our study in Mark's gospel this week, we find Jesus engaging with the broken in His world. And the good news for them, and for us, is that He is more than capable of bringing healing and restoring wholeness to the sick, broken, and wounded places of our lives. Nothing is beyond His ability to unscramble.

New Wine, New Way [Part 3]

Pastor Michelle Snook

June 15, 2025

As we pick up our study in Mark's gospel this week, we find Jesus continuing to ruffle the feathers of the religious leaders. Jesus' way of doing things breaks all the rules of their religious game. And they are not happy about it. The old ways are just fine, thank you very much. There's no need to change things... or is there?

Redefining Family [Part 4]

Pastor Chris Voigt

June 22, 2025

We are about a quarter of the way through our summer study, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark. This week, we find Jesus picking teammates to be part of His inner circle. Except, He doesn't exactly pick the cream of the crop. Instead, it seems more like He's scraping the bottom of the barrel! Jesus chooses the rejected, the outcast, the traitor, and the skeptic. He surrounds Himself with those who have been passed over or left out - the ones who didn't quite measure up. And He invites them to belong. In doing so, He establishes a new kind of family - one where the misfits and marginalized can find a home. And so can you.

The Dirt on Discipleship [Part 5]

Pastor Chris Voigt

June 29, 2025

Whispers are subtle, gentle, subdued. But they can also be powerful... if you lean in and really listen!

As we come to our study in the gospel of Mark this week, we find Jesus interacting with His followers in a new way - a quiet, gentle and unexpected way. A way that was designed to make you lean in and pay attention. But not everyone was ready or willing to listen.

Graveyards, Daughters & Demons [Part 6]

Pastor Chris Voigt

July 6, 2025

“Expect the unexpected.” You've heard that said before, haven't you? And yet, we all seem to carry around a boatload of expectations... Expectations that people and things will do and go the way we expect them to do and go! And when they don't? Well, it can create a lot of chaos. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

As we come to our study in the gospel of Mark this week, we find Jesus continuing to break rules and shatter expectations in ways that rock people's worlds - in all the best ways.

When Faith Feels Familiar [Part 7]

Pastor Michelle Snook

July 13, 2025

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home." Dorothy Gale

That classic line from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, has become iconic - representing the familiarity and comfort of home. As Dorothy wakes up in her own bed at the end of the movie, still murmuring those words, it reinforces the meaning of coming back to a place of safety, where you are known, loved and welcomed. Dorothy has had her grand adventure, but there's nothing better than coming home and sleeping in your own bed again.

This week, in our sermon series, Upside Down Kingdom: The Gospel According to Mark, we find Jesus returning home after some extended traveling. But his experience of coming home is nothing like Dorothy's. Sure, Nazareth is familiar, but not safe; and Jesus is certainly not welcomed. His family and friends aren't exactly impressed by the boy from the 'hood, now that he's all grown up. And His teaching definitely rubs them the wrong way. Just who does He think He is?