Views from The Ridge 5.23.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Tuesday, May 23: Tuller Life Group postponed until next Tuesday, May 30.
Wednesday, May 24, 7-8:30pm: Youth Group - Snack Pak delivery at Camelot Elementary School
Meet at the church at 6:45 for a ride, or at Camelot (5311 Merlin Dr.) at 7pm
Dinner out afterwards
Sunday, May 28: Senior Sunday
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: “The Scariest Thing in the World”
Text: Daniel 3:1-30
4:30pm— Liturgy & Worship in the Chapel
Upcoming…
Monday, May 29:
Church Office closed for Memorial Day
6:30pm— Young Adults Supper Group - Poolside Cookout hosted by the Frys (11 Sunset Court)
Tuesday, May 30, 6:30-7:45pm: Life Group - John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, May 31, 10am: Women’s Wednesday Fellowship
Card ministry and prayer time in the Fellowship Hall
Lunch outing at Julian’s Italian Pizzeria & Kitchen (6462 N. New Braunfels Ave.)
Saturday, June 3:
10am— Groundbreaking Celebration for Charis Park at Sunset Ridge
8pm— Family Night at Toyota Field (5106 David Edwards Dr.) - Contact Riley Stirman (riley@sunsetridgechurch.org) to reserve your San Antonio FC Soccer game tickets.
All Will Be Green
Riley Stirman
I really enjoy dystopian post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows. Maybe it's the reminder of the strength of the human will to survive, maybe it's the intense storytelling, or maybe it just makes me feel extra good that I get to sit on the couch while people are fighting for their lives. Either way I tend to really enjoy the stories that are told about what happens after our societies collapse.
There's something that most of these pieces of media have in common, at least visually. Usually, to show the passage of time, the camera will sweep over shots like roads that are falling to pieces, grand concrete buildings that are overgrown with ivy, trees sprouting from inside rusted-out cars, etc. Think of the iconic shot at the end of the original Planet of the Apes movie: the statue of liberty lies disintegrating in the sand on the shoreline.
I like the idea that if we leave the world to its own devices, nature and greenery and growth will eventually overwhelm the efforts that we made to subdue them. I like the idea that there is an inevitable path in human history not toward concrete, rebar, and parking lots, but toward life, air, and beauty.
When I was reading about Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar's experience of being turned into a wild beast so that he will recognize God's hand on him, I found one commentator, André LaCocque, who says that this story functions as a reversal of the creation story in Genesis. Instead of a person being "very good," Nebuchadnezzar is, well . . . bad. Instead of bearing the image of God, he has come to believe that he is himself a god.
God's solution is a fascinating one, one that flies in the face of the common notion that humanity is ever evolving, becoming more civilized as time goes on. Instead of helping him evolve into a higher plane of humanity, he goes backwards in the days of creation, turning him into an animal-like creature. And it is as an animal that Nebuchadnezzar lifts his eyes heavenward and praises God.
When we think of progress, sometimes we think of flying cars, sleek buildings made of glass and steel, or new modes of communication. But I think God's idea of progress sometimes look like a reversal, a coming home to his original plan for creation. In Revelation 21 and 22, John describes a vision of the new Jerusalem coming down to the earth. Inside the opulently adorned city is the new Eden, with the River of life flowing down the streets. On its bank stands the tree of life that produces fruit every month of the year.
At the end of all things, God will not do something new and unexpected. Instead he will bring us all home, back into the garden, where we will enjoy perfect harmony with each other and with our Creator. May we all rejoice in the inevitability of God's good creation.
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Tuesday: I Kings 18:21
Wednesday: I Corinthians 8:5-6
Thursday: Joshua 24:15
Friday: Acts 17:24-25
Saturday: Habakkuk 2:19-20
Honoring Our High School Graduates
We will recognize our graduating Seniors from the Class of 2023 during our worship service on Sunday, May 28. Our graduating Seniors are: Shelby Nyman, Natalie Stone, and Reese Stephens. Each will have a table set up in the foyer so that you can learn about them as well as leave gifts or cards, if desired. We look forward to celebrating with them as a community.
Prayer & Care Ministry
One of our priorities as a community is caring for one another. The Pastoral Care Team, known also as Prayer & Care Ministry, 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.
Prayers & Praises
This past Sunday we marked our church anniversary in the same way most families do— by coming together for a big, wonderful meal!
It was a beautiful day of celebration and we want to thank everyone who worshipped with us, brought food, or helped before, during or afterwards.
As we embark on our 75th year, we are excited for all of the ways, both traditional and innovative, that we have an opportunity to continue this loving, welcoming, faith-filled community.
If you have been away from this home for awhile, we extend an invitation to join us again soon! You are family, and you are so loved and welcomed here!
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
