Views from The Ridge 6.27.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
June 25-28: Bear Week (Youth Service Week)
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
10am— Card Ministry & prayer in the Fellowship Hall
11am— Lunch gathering at Hearthstone Bakery (3920 Harry Wurzbach Rd.)
Sunday, July 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: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Text: Matthew 21:28-32
4:30pm— Supper Church
Upcoming…
Tuesday, July 4: Our campus, including the church office, will be CLOSED
Wednesday, July 5: Look for our Views From The Ridge Newsletter in your inbox on Wednesdays beginning July 5
Saturday, July 8: Second Saturday on the lawn
July 9-14: Middle School Students to MPulse Camp at ACU
Much-Needed Closure
Riley Stirman
In my sermon on Sunday, I preached about the parable of the unforgiving servant, where a man has his incalculably large debt forgiven by a king but then abuses another man who owes him a much smaller sum. At one point I was talking about some of the many small, petty grudges that I have held onto at some point in my life.
One such small, petty grudge was perpetrated by a young felon man named Daniel, who insidiously, with great malice aforethought, stole my balloon after a birthday party. I'm clearly over it, but I admit it made me angry for much longer than it should have.
Jesus's words in his parable challenge us to extend forgiveness not as a condition based upon our neighbor's repentance, but as an ongoing response to God's loving forgiveness that he heaped upon us. We won't always get the satisfaction of someone coming to us and expressing their sorrow at the ways they caused us pain. Sometimes the bitterness we hold onto has no satisfying conclusion; we have no choice but to hold on forever or make the decision to begin the journey of forgiveness.
Or so I thought.
Imagine my surprise when I opened my front door on Sunday afternoon to find a balloon fluttering on my porch - not a soul in sight. The balloon was tethered to a card. Inside was the following hauntingly beautiful message.
"Riley: I was wrong. I hurt you, and I am sorry. I hope you enjoy this balloon. Sincerely, Daniel."
Sometimes God moves hearts in ways we don't understand. And sometimes people in your congregation know how to elicit a massive belly laugh from you. Either way, I'm immensely grateful. And I hope I can someday become the kind of person who passes on generously what I have received so undeservingly, even if it's as simple as someone putting in extra effort to make me smile.
Let's be those people who receive joyfully, give graciously, and laugh loudly. I promise that'll turn some heads.
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Mark 1:15
Tuesday: Micah 4:4
Wednesday: Mark 2:17
Thursday: Ezekiel 18:21
Friday: Romans 2:4
Saturday: Luke 15:7
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: July 16, August 20, September 17
Wednesday Outdoor Worship dates: July 19, August 23, September 20
Prayers & Praises
Please continue to pray for our Teens who are serving around our community this week.
Kacie Fry, Kyle Fry’s sister, will begin a third round of radiation treatments soon.
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
