Views from The Ridge 4.11.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Tuesday, April 11, 6:30-7:45pm: Life Group - John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 12, 7pm: Youth Group hosted by the Stirmans (232 Harmon Dr.)
Sunday, April 16:
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: “Communion”
Text: I Corinthians 11:17-24
Upcoming…
Tuesday, April 18, 6pm: Leadership Information Session (Fellowship Hall) - meal and childcare provided
Please submit questions or topics for conversation by emailing Anthony here by Sunday.
Wednesday, April 19, 7pm: Youth Family Dinner (All Youth Group Families—please save the date!)
Wednesday, April 26, 10am: Women’s Wednesday Fellowship
Friday, April 28, 6:30pm: Young Adult Supper Group - Fiesta party hosted by the Gilberts
Presence
Chelsea Stirman
When I was in college, I had the opportunity to visit Athens, Greece, during my semester studying abroad. Walking through the Parthenon, there are remnants even today of temples built to the different Greek gods worshiped in that day. The grandeur and beauty of the buildings contrasts sharply with the rugged terrain reclaiming the land. What was most striking to me, though, was that there was no temple to my God in this place. Not even a small crumble of an altar remained to capture the presence of my Creator.
It’s here, at the famous Mars Hill, where Paul gives his famous sermon found in Acts 17. He tells them that, though they’re very religious, it’s a good thing they left an altar to an unknown god, because it celebrates the one true God, Creator and Giver of Life. Our God does not live in a temple made by human hands and he certainly does not live in a grave. His presence is too vast to be contained by anything we can construct here on earth. A temple or church could only ever be a shadow of the beauty of dwelling in God’s presence.
Standing on the top of Mars Hill is a chance to look around and see what heaven will look like. Revelation 21 describes an image of what God’s new creation will look like, complete with the obligatory pearly gates, streets of gold, and jewels spilled everywhere, but the most beautiful part of all is what it’s missing. Verse 22-23 says, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of the Lord gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Just like the Garden of Eden, the new creation is one where we finally get to dwell wholly with our Creator. Because of the resurrection of Christ, our future is one spent living by his light. If the joy of Easter and resurrection feels fragile to you this year, this tiny piece holds the truth that we can cling to. In the grittiness of the broken world, find pockets in your life to practice God’s presence. Dwell with your Creator. Sit under a tree. Tend to your garden (whatever part of new creation it may be!) as you wait with hope and expectation that, as C.S. Lewis says, “there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: I Corinthians 11:26
Tuesday: Matthew 16:18-19
Wednesday: Colossians 3:16
Thursday: Matthew 18:19-20
Friday: Acts 2:46-47
Saturday: Luke 15:31-32
Sunday Volunteers
Thank you to each person who has been serving in our Sunday morning worship and hospitality! Below is a video (with audio) 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!
Prayers & Praises
Mary Lee Embry is in Methodist Hospital. No visitors at this time, please.
We worshipped and enjoyed a beautiful Easter morning out on the lawn. Thank you to all who helped plan and participate in our combined service.
Our teens had a great in-town retreat this past weekend and even helped set up for our Second Saturday activities. We are so grateful for all the ways we got to connect with one another!
TODAY, ground was officially broken to begin work on our new park! We can’t wait to see how the parking lot is transformed!
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
