Views from The Ridge 3.28.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This week…
Tuesday, March 28, 6:30-7:45pm: Life Group - John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 29:
10am— Women’s Wednesday Fellowship (see your email for all the details)
7pm— Youth Group Study Hall hosted by the Stirmans (232 Harmon Dr.)
Saturday, April 1, 8am-1pm: Grand Opening of One Another Coffee Trailer (read more below)
Sunday, April 2:
9:15am— Roots Children’s Gathering and Life Groups (see hall signs for current offerings and meeting locations)
10:30am— Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: “Hands”
Text: Luke 23:44-49
4:30pm— Supper Church
Stations of the Cross (thru Easter Sunday, April 9)
Upcoming…
Friday, April 7 - Saturday, April 8: Youth Retreat
Saturday, April 8, 10am: Second Saturday Storytime
Sunday, April 9: Easter Worship Service on the Lawn
Weakness in Numbers
Riley Stirman
When I was rereading Luke 14:25-33, I noticed something that I found odd.
In this passage, Jesus tells the crowd of people following him that they need to earnestly consider the cost of being his disciple before they follow him. He warns the level of commitment he's looking for will make it seem as if his followers hate their families and even their very own lives. And he tells two short parables about how foolish it would be for people to pursue a large endeavor (like building a tower or going to war) without first planning if they were able to.
It struck me that this was, quite possibly, the last time in human history that a religious figure was trying to turn people away from their movement.
Every other prophet, teacher, preacher, or missionary that I know of has been concerned with spreading their ideas so that their movement gains momentum with other people. Because in the formula that has been nearly universally applied throughout time, success equals large numbers.
Jesus never seems so concerned with numbers. In fact there are many times just like this where he seems to be fighting off other people. Mark 4:11-12 makes it sound as if Jesus teaches in parables specifically so that other people don't understand who he is and what he's doing. In Luke 4, during Jesus's first public proclamation, he makes the crowd so angry that they try to drive him off a cliff. Multiple times when Jesus heals people, especially in the book of Mark, he strongly warns them not to say a word about him.
I know we're supposed to take as many cues from Jesus as possible. I do, however, have a strong suspicion that if during my interview I said that my main goals were speaking incomprehensibly, ticking people off as much as possible, and driving hordes of people from our church, I likely would not have been a top contender for the position.
I think there are two reasons that Jesus is doing this, and I feel we have a lot to learn from both.
First, Jesus paints a bleak picture about how rough it's going to be for his followers, and he wants to make sure that people are ready. Jesus doesn't mince words. He says that his followers will be beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, and killed. This isn't for the faint of heart, and it certainly wouldn't do to advertise this as a "here's what Jesus can do for you!" movement. To be in, you've got to be all the way in.
Second, Jesus has WAY more faith in God than we do. That's just the simple truth of it. In our minds, if we get enough people to buy into a movement, it's a success. If people don't engage with it, it's a failure. But don't forget that one of the first things Jesus preached to his people was, "the kingdom of God has come near." The rest of his ministry is built on the unwavering conviction that God is doing something, that that something is incredibly close, and that God is going to get his way whether people get on board or not.
As it turns out, attendance isn't a reliable indicator of long-term success. The only way to ensure that we succeed as a church is if we are uniting ourselves to God's long-term plan. And if we run into trouble along the way, we should take solace in the fact that we're in some pretty good company there.
Jesus always tended to do things completely backwards simply because he trusted deeply in the good news he came to preach. If God is for us, who or what could stand against us? Maybe it's time we rethink what success looks like in God's church.
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Psalm 23:4
Tuesday: Psalm 73:26
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 12:7
Thursday: John 11:4
Friday: Romans 14:8
Saturday: Psalm 31:5
Something’s Brewing…
Sunset Ridge’s Charis Collective welcomes everyone to the grand opening of the new coffee trailer, One Another Coffee, this Saturday, April 1st from 8am-1pm!
One Another Coffee will offer locally roasted coffee, handmade organic syrups, locally sourced pastries and tacos, sustainably produced single-use products, and a discount for those who bring their own reusable tumblers and mugs.
All profits of One Another Coffee will go towards supporting the creation and maintenance of Charis Park at Sunset Ridge, a neighborhood gathering space that will open in 2023.
One Another Coffee will be open weekdays 7am-1pm and weekends 8am-1pm, and will be closed Thursdays. We can’t wait to see you around the trailer soon!
Charis Park Update
We are beyond thrilled to announce that we have our construction permit for Charis Park at Sunset Ridge! After months and months of waiting it’s finally here.
Our construction partners Agave Designs are ready to get to work and you can expect to see some big changes at the parking lot site beginning very soon.
We will host a groundbreaking ceremony in May to celebrate this momentous occasion and can’t wait to spend time with you there!
Prayer & Care Ministry
One of our priorities as a community is caring for one another. The Pastoral Care Team heads up that effort with weekly Zoom prayer meetings, prayer vigils, personal (one-on-one) prayer, card ministry, visitations, and communion delivery visitations. If you would like to be involved in this ministry or would like to request prayer/care, please reach out to hello@sunsetridgechurch.org.
Pictured here: Shirley Sanders welcoming Mary Lee Embry for a recent afternoon visit.
Foundation Update
The Sunset Ridge Church of Christ Foundation is designed to extend the ministries of the congregation beyond its routine operations. The Foundation will accept requests for funding through Thursday, April 6, 2023. Please note that requests made to the Foundation must be specific to Missions, Education and Benevolence Ministries of the Sunset Ridge Church of Christ; no other requests will be considered.
To apply, you must pick up a 2023 Application in the church office (application forms will not be mailed, emailed or faxed). After completing the Application, follow the submission instructions listed on the Application form. Application forms from prior years will not be accepted.
Sunday Volunteers
Thank you to each person who has been serving in our Sunday morning worship and hospitality! Below is a video showing how to submit unavailability, how to see the roster for a service you’re scheduled for and resources you might need, and how to set volunteer preferences. If you would like to access the platform we use, you can follow this link. We are so grateful for this community and the ways we are able to serve each other!
Directory Update
The Lockridge Family 1714 Encino Rio, SAT 78259 (same phones)
Prayers & Praises
Ellen Kiser, Geraldine Kiser’s daughter, is doing well following surgery.
Jeff Mankins’ grandmother, Lou Mankins, suffered a stroke last weekend. She’s in a Lubbock rehabilitation facility.
We Extend Sympathy To: The Thorne Family on the death of Elaine Thorne last weekend. A graveside service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in April (date to be determined). Condolences may be sent to: Gregg & Melissa Thorne 24103 Vecchio SAT 78260 and Brad & Belen Thorne 2303 Woodway, Round Rock, TX 78681
God, we gather in gratitude, thankful for the ways you seek to revive us! Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts work together to praise you in this hour. Grant your Spirit to move our hearts and inspire each of us to share your steadfast love with all whom we encounter. Help us to join in giving only what is good, not only today, but every day. Amen