Views from The Ridge 08.09.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Wednesday, August 9 7-8:30 PM End-of-Summer youth group (slip-n-slide and kickball)
August 12, 9:30-11:30 AM Second Saturday
Sunday, August 13
9:15 AM Life Groups, children’s Roots gathering, teen gathering (see website for more info)
10:30 AM Seasons Sunday (“Paying Attention” - Luke 16:19-31), Baby Blessing & Back-to-School
4:30 AM Chapel Liturgy & worship
Upcoming…
Wednesday, August 23, 6:30 PM Sunset Worship
Saturday, August 27, 7 PM Young Adult group
Learning To See
Riley Stirman
Last Sunday, Riley Mankins powerfully challenged us to reconsider that every facet of our lives belongs not to us but to the God who graciously gives to us. If we begin to reevaluate the world through this lens, everything changes. We give more freely, we love more boldly. Maybe most importantly we remember that our brothers and sisters are fellow recipients of God's grace, not our competitors for a limited commodity.
One way I think we can begin to practice seeing the world this way is to pray a prayer of surrender. Doing this will serve as a regular reminder that we are not the main characters in the story of the world. Instead, we exist wholly dependent on the God who created us.
My favorite prayer of surrender is the one written by John Wesley, often called the Covenant Prayer. This week, I challenge you to pray this prayer once or twice a day. Then pay attention to how the world changes in front of your very eyes.
"I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
You are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven.
Amen."
Around the Community
We had 15 kids at our most recent Kids’ Night Out last week. We had a great time playing games and doing crafts, and many of the young parents took the opportunity to have dinner out together. A BIG thank-you to all the volunteers who offered their time and talents to that event! Mark your calendars for our next one coming up in November.
We are excited to share that our Executive Director & Pastoral Leader, Jess Lowry, has been invited to participate in the H. E. Butt Foundation’s Narrative Change Faith Leaders Cohort.
The Narrative Change Cohorts bring groups of San Antonians together for a series of learning sessions over a 15-month period. Participants engage with San Antonio’s history and current realities of social, racial, and economic inequity through learning resources, immersion experiences, roundtable discussions, reflective workshops, walking tours, and meals together.
As friendships develop within the cohort and between community members that are met along the way, their hope is that relational bridges can be built across zip codes and sectors to create a more whole version of our city.
We’re so grateful to H. E. Butt Foundation for the work they are doing to strengthen our community and are honored to be a part of it.
Prayers & Praises
Bob Doty, Julie Mankins’ father, has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will undergo further evaluation.
Chuck Franzke is under the care of hospice. No calls or visits at this time, please, but cards or notes are welcome.
Carol Gerhardt is hospitalized and undergoing testing.
Do you follow us on Instagram? Find our Daily Bible Readings in our stories, and updates throughout the week in our feed.
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
