Views from The Ridge 4.16.25
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
Worship
Sunday, April 20 Easter Celebration
Brunch 10 AM in Fellowship Hall (RSVP to attend or bring a dish)
Worship 11 AM in Sanctuary
Cascarón Egg Hunt 12:30 PM in Charis Park
Main Passage: Luke 24:1-2
All are welcome to celebrate Easter together in this special service in the Sanctuary.
Watch previous sermons here.
Baptisms this Sunday
Baptism is a sacred and joyful step in the journey of faith, and we would be honored to walk with you as you consider it. If you’re ready to be baptized, we invite you to register for baptism this Sunday.
Once you register, a member of our ministry team will reach out to you personally. And if you have questions or would simply like to talk more about baptism—now or in the future—please don’t hesitate to connect with Scott, Den, or Jess.
Discipleship
Kids Ministry Easter Sunday
Kids will start with their families at brunch, then head to Roots for a special time of learning about Christ’s resurrection. After the sermon, they’ll return to worship for communion. Please note our new single check-in station outside the 1st–2nd grade Roots room.
Tuesdays
Scott Heare’s Office
Limited spaces, contact Scott to join a group
7 AM Men’s Discipleship Group
8:30 AM Men’s Discipleship Group
Wednesdays (beginning April 23rd)
Chapel Classroom
Contact Den to join this group
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM High School (9th-12th Grade) Fellowship & Discipleship Group
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 18th, Office Closed for Good Friday
Saturday, April 19th, Charis Park
9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market
10 AM - 11:30 AM, Soil Blocking and Seed Starting Workshop
Tuesday, April 22nd, 9 AM , Earth Day Good Acres Roundtable
Every Wednesday, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM, Open Studio Painting (beginning April 23rd)
Every Saturday in Charis Park, 9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market
Beyond Sunday
Putting the Word into practice this week
THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE
Den Slater, Pastor of Belonging, Sunset Ridge Church of Christ
In his sermon, Scott reflected upon Palm Sunday from an intriguing perspective. As the people of first-century Jerusalem prepared for the Jewish Passover, the city was bursting at the seams with a huge influx of people who came for the celebrations. Amid the crowds, Roman soldiers patrolled and watched for any political unrest that might need to be quieted. Some of the Jewish leaders were nervous about the crowd’s excitement over Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem (Luke 19:39), and they asked Jesus to calm the people who were making a scene. The perspective of those nervous leaders was clearly not the same one held by the shouting people.
Meanwhile, back in our own century, Sunset Ridge’s high school youth group met right before Scott’s sermon, and we had a conversation about palm trees. Palm trees (and their branches) have been a symbol of Jewish identity since before Christ, and the Gospel of John refers specifically to palm branches being waved during Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem. This gave our youth group an opportunity to discuss group symbolism. We wound up talking about their schools’ mascots, and since the youth group was small this past week, only three critters were mentioned–a bobcat, a mule, and a dragon. One of the teens mentioned that the size of his school’s mascot suit was small, and the sizing needed to be considered whenever a person was selected to wear the suit. If the person were too tall, the costume would have human arms and ankles sticking out, which probably wouldn’t make for a very intimidating bobcat, mule, or dragon!
Pairing this student conversation with Scott’s sermon, I began to reflect about the “mascot” suits we all adopt in our own lives. Jesus knew that this entry into the city would mark his last Passover celebration with his disciples, but as he watched the throngs of people wave their branches, he did not celebrate. Scott reminded us that Jesus wept as he entered Jerusalem; the people did not recognize the “things that make for peace,” and that seems like a sound reminder for us today. Many wonderful opportunities are available for us to show solidarity with other groups, but declaring unity with other groups requires vigilance. We never want to wear ill-fitted suits! We are—first and foremost—created to be representatives of God’s love for all people. In claiming unity with some, do we ever inadvertently disturb our harmony with others? A sweet invitation for us this week, then, may be to keep a loving watch upon our loyalties. We are only recognizable as people of warmth and safety when we persistently embrace the things that make for peace.
Grace & Gratitude
Prayers of the People
Joe Harber has moved and would appreciate cards and visits. Please contact our office for his updated contact information.
