Views from The Ridge 6.20.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Wednesday, June 21: Sunset Worship Series - summer monthly outdoor worship (details below)
5:45-6:30pm— Story Swap (Scott’s Pizza Open 5-9pm)
6:30-7:30pm— Worship on the Lawn
7:30-9pm— Youth-led Teen Night (Bring a friend or two!)
Sunday, June 25:
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: “Forgiveness By The Numbers”
Text: Matthew 18:21-35
4:30pm— Worship in the Chapel
6pm— “Bear” Week (Youth Service Week) begins - All incoming 6th - 12th graders are encouraged to participate
Upcoming…
June 25 thru June28: “Bear” Week (Youth serving in various ways at our campus and with ministry partners around our city)
Tuesday, June 27:
9:30am— Storytime on the lawn
6:30-7:45pm— Life Group - John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 28: Women’s Wednesday Fellowship
Where Is Thy Victory?
Riley Stirman
"When today we long for God to act, to put the world to rights, we must remind ourselves that he has already done so, and that what we are now awaiting is the full outworking of those events [Calvary and Easter]. We wait with patience, not like people in a dark room wondering if anyone will ever come with a lighted candle, but like people in early morning who know that the sun has arisen and are now waiting for the full brightness of midday." - N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Many historians agree that the functional end of World War II was D-Day on June 6, 1944. The Allies managed to establish a large ground presence in France where they would begin to sweep eastward towards Germany. Though no one knew it at the time, this successful invasion spelled the end for Nazi Germany.
The actual end of the war, however, is recorded as September 2, 1945, after Hitler's death, Germany's surrender, and successful peace negotiations with Japanese officials. This is just shy of fifteen months after D-Day.
Sometimes it feels like God is still in a desperate fight to the death against evil. And sometimes, if we're honest, it sure feels like evil is winning. It can be difficult to reconcile our belief that God is all-loving and all-powerful with the reality of suffering we witness and experience firsthand.
I believe that the parable of the weeds, like many other passages in the Bible, was written to address concerns like these. Unlike what we may think, Jesus says that the presence of evil doesn't mean that God is unable or unwilling to help us. Jesus tries to put this in eternal perspective for us, showing us that God can and will sort out the issue when his kingdom has come to full maturity.
On the cross, the forces of sin and evil were dealt a death blow. They may or may not realize it, but with Jesus's resurrection, their time is drawing to a close. What we're waiting for is not victory, but - as N.T. Wright says - the full outworking of that victory. There are still loose ends to tie up as God's Kingdom sweeps eastward from Normandy, but the war has already been decided handily in God's favor.
It's one of the hardest things to remember, but I urge you to try: God is present in the waiting. God is present in the suffering. God is present even when it seems otherwise.
The sun has arisen, the darkness is fleeing, and we will all dwell together in the light. Praise God.
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Colossians 2:13-14
Tuesday: Joel 2:13
Wednesday: Matthew 5:41-42
Thursday: John 8:7
Friday: Ephesians 4:32
Saturday: Matthew 18:21-22
Sunset Worship Series
This summer we will move our monthly outdoor worship service from the third Sunday to the following Wednesday evening. Join us for our music-focused worship experience inspired by the week’s liturgy. It’s easy, relaxed, and especially kid-friendly. We’ll start at 5:45pm with a time to tell our stories and listen to neighbors tell theirs. As an added bonus, Scott’s Pizza will be open!
There will be no Sunday afternoon worship service on: June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17
Wednesday Outdoor Worship dates: June 21, July 19, August 23, September 20
Directory Updates
Mary Lee Embry has a new phone number: (830) 331-9728.
Prayers & Praises
We Express Sympathy To: The Harp Family on the death of Necia’s aunt, Lou Ann Scott Swallows. Services were held on June 17.
Please pray for our Trustees and Shepherds as they assume new roles and responsibilities of leadership.
We are so grateful to have three Junior Summer Interns who are already helping with Storytime and other events: Welcome Luca Lowry, Shelby Nyman & Sarah Stone.
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
