Views from The Ridge 6.6.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Thru Saturday, June 10: Youth and Youth Sponsors on Wilderness Trek in Glorieta, New Mexico
Wednesday, June 7: Middle School Movie Night (for details contact our Family Ministry Intern, Riley Mankins)
Sunday, June 11: Leadership Transition 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: “In The Fields”
Text: Luke 8:4-15
4:30pm— Liturgy & Worship in the Chapel
Upcoming…
Tuesday, June 13: Our weekly Storytime on the lawn returns for the summer (Tuesday mornings at 9:30am)
Sunday, June 18: Happy Father’s Day! (No afternoon worship service)
Wednesday, June 21: Summer Outdoor Evening Worship
June 25-28: Youth Group Work Week - All incoming 6th-12th graders are encouraged to participate
Why A Park?
This week we ceremonially broke ground at Charis Park. It’s overwhelming to me to think about all of the little things that came together to make this possible.
When Taylor was giving her closing remarks at the event she shared that we’ve heard people say: “This is crazy! Do you know how much that piece of property is worth? It isn’t going to make any money, what kind of investment is this?” Sometimes I’ve heard people say, “What does a park have to do with Jesus?”
All of these questions are valid, the concerns are real.
And the question, “Why a park?” That one is my favorite.
I was visiting with a new neighbor after the groundbreak. He shared that he had no religious experience whatsoever, but he heard me speak of care for the earth, love for our neighbors, and building community, and responded, “These are all of the things I care about, too.”
That put into words what I’ve experienced as my biggest lesson so far this year—when we categorize people as others, when we focus on how we’re different, when we push people away in judgment, we miss the reality that we are far more connected than we realize.
In Rohn’s poem he wrote the words: “…we and them no longer apparent”.
The answer, for me, is to get closer in. To listen more intently, to look for the ways that each person in front of me is uniquely and beautifully made in an appreciative inquiry instead of a divisive judgment.
I think Charis Park might be one place where that can happen—a natural place for connection and community.
So—why a park? Because we belong to one another and the earth, and we need to be reminded of that.
This week we kick off the Summer of Stories. You’ll hear preaching on the parables in our morning and evening services, and we’ll host some special storytelling events throughout the summer to be able to share stories with one another.
I invite you to get closer in with someone this week. Look for the ways you are connected instead of othering the person. I can’t wait to hear what you learn.
Love, Jess
Our friend, neighbor, and poet Rohn Bayes wrote this beautiful poem for our groundbreaking. Rohn gave us permission to share with you.
charis / grace - beautiful words”
parking lot into park - beautiful action
neighborhood collective - beautiful vision
people loving one another - wow / revolutionary
sky above and earth below we gather here with the trees - blessed
we the people bless each other as we are blessed
the grass will grow and the flowers will sparkle in this garden and mounds of earth will shape the space where children play /
couples will marry and join together here in this place united in the garden
traffic may come and traffic may go up and down the hill but at the center of this celebration no cars will groan
we will take residence / we will attend instruct and learn in this sacred space / for a little while we will find peace in a busy world and give thanks to those who built it / with kindness and compassion from the garden of their heart they offer this to us / we and them no longer apparent
collected gracefully together our dogs at our side to guide us we come here to pray in whatever voice it is we pray in and make graceful gestures to the trees and the sky the earth our mother and to one another
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Psalm 143:6
Tuesday: Matthew 7:16-17
Wednesday: Matthew 9:36-37
Thursday: I Corinthians 3:6-7
Friday: Romans 12:1
Saturday: Galatians 5:22-23
Directory Updates
Mary Lee Embry has moved closer to her family. Our dear Mary Lee now resides at Heritage Place of Boerne, 120 Cross Point Rd. #407 Boerne, TX 78006.
Prayers & Praises
Please pray for our Youth and their adult sponsors who are experiencing Wilderness Trek in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico and for everyone’s safe return home this weekend.
Thank you to every individual who helped with the public groundbreaking event for Charis Park at Sunset Ridge—those pictured here, yet so many others too! THANK YOU!
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
