Views from The Ridge 6.3.26
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Watch previous sermons here.
Wednesdays
Join us Wednesday evenings for High School Formation Time from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in Room 220. Open to all students in grades 9 - 12, this weekly gathering includes food, fun, and meaningful group discussions as we grow together in faith and community. Contact Den to join the group.
Sundays
Worship
9 AM, Chapel, Acapella
11 AM, Sanctuary, Instrumental
10:15 AM, Bible Class & Discipleship for All Ages
Fellowship Hall
Between the Words: A gathering between our community’s two worship times where we unfold the facets of weekly Scripture together. Each week stands on its own; come as you’re able. Adults and teens welcome.
BEMA Podcast Discussion group
Room 220
BOYS 5th - 7th Grade, Formation Study w/ Bryan Wolfe
GIRLS 5th - 7th Grade, Formation Study w/ Den Slater
Roots: Children’s Discipleship through Godly Play
Bible Story Focus this Week: The Calling of Matthew
Key Verse: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26Room 102, PreK - Kindergarten
Room 122, 1st - 2nd Grade
Room 209, 3rd - 4th Grade
Sunday Setlists
What if worship started before Sunday morning? Listening to these songs during the week can help build familiarity and allow the words to begin forming our hearts before we sing them together.
This Week’s Setlist
All 2026 Songs
Community Connections
Taco Ministry Volunteers Needed
Every Sunday morning from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, a wonderful group of volunteers gathers in the church kitchen to make tacos that are distributed each Monday through Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM)—and we'd love for you to be part of it!
This long-running ministry has become a beloved weekly tradition, and with some of our volunteers traveling this summer, there's never been a better time to jump in. Whether you can spare a full hour or just a few minutes, you are welcome! Come as you are, show up anytime, and we'll have an apron and a spoon ready for you. Join us as we share God's love through this simple, joyful, and meaningful act of service.
Spurs Finals Watch Parties at Charis Park
The Spurs are in the Finals, and we're celebrating with our neighbors! Join us at Charis Park for watch parties as San Antonio takes on the New York Knicks for a championship. Doors open at 7 PM with tip-off at 7:30 PM for Games 1 - 5: Wednesday June 3, Friday June 5, Monday June 8, Wednesday June 10, and Saturday June 13. If the series goes longer, we'll keep you posted! Food and drinks are welcome—just leave the outside alcohol at home. Come hang, cheer loud, and let's bring that trophy back to San Antonio together. Go Spurs Go! (Weather permitting for all events.)
Upcoming Community Events
Every Saturday, 9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Charis Park
Wednesday, June 3, 7 PM, Spurs Watch Party, through Game 5 (if necessary) on June 13th, weather permitting
Saturday, June 6, First Saturday Market: Artists & Creatives + Mindfulness Programming (Yoga 9am + Fitness for Longevity 10:15am), 9 AM - 1 PM, Charis Park
Sunday, June 7, Children’s Church Service, Sundays through July 27th
Saturday, June 13, Second Saturday Kids Market, 9 AM - 1 PM, Charis Park
Friday, June 19, Juneteenth, Office Closed
Saturday, June 20, Third Saturday Market: Gardening + Workshops, 9 AM - 1 PM, Charis Park
Sunday, June 21, Father’s Day
Saturday, June 27, 11 AM - 1 PM, Flower Power Watercolor Wellness Workshop, The Art Room | Cost: $15, Supplies Included, Limited to 8 participants
Saturday, June 27, Farmers Market Mercado + De Boca En Boca (Bilingual Storytime + Activities), 9 AM - 1 PM, Charis Park
Friday, July 3, Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day
July 7 - 10, 9 AM - 12 PM, Vacation Bible School, Kinder - 5th, “Growing with God and Caring for Creation,” Sunset Ridge Church
Beyond Sunday
Being Sent…Here?
Hunter Bates, Worship Leader & Administrator, Sunset Ridge Church
Sometimes all it takes is another person's perspective to help you see your own life in a new way.
Last month, I met a fellow worship leader, Jeremiah, who was visiting San Antonio from California. As we talked about the winding paths that led us into worship leadership, he shared that there was a time, while attending worship leadership school, when he had a very low opinion of the local church. He believed his calling was to become a missionary.
While I've never felt a strong pull toward missionary work, I could certainly relate to the underlying assumption: that there must be something bigger, somewhere beyond here, that God is calling me to.
After all, the Great Commission begins with the word "go," not "stay": "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19).
The thing is, I am married, quite happily, with two young and very dependent children. My wife Taylor and I have built a life here, with jobs, friendships, and a church community we love. The mobility I once had simply isn't available to me in the same way anymore. At times, that can be a source of frustration.
But Jeremiah's perspective helped me see things differently.
During his visit, he was struck by the ways our church connects with our neighbors through Charis Park, the coffee trailer, and our nature-based preschool. What stood out to him wasn't a ministry program or outreach strategy. It was the simple fact that people were finding belonging, connection, and community in ordinary ways.
His observations reminded me that I have roots here too. Perhaps those roots are not an obstacle to God's calling, but one of the ways I am able to participate in it.
Maybe being sent isn't about distance after all.
This summer, our staff is reading a book called Unreasonable Hospitality, which argues that hospitality begins with paying attention. You can't care for people you don't notice. You can't love people you don't see.
As I reflected on that idea, I was struck by how closely it resembles the way Jesus moved through the world.
It's easy to forget that nearly all of the recorded events of Jesus' life took place within about 65 miles of his hometown of Nazareth.
He traveled, but he moved at what some have called the "3 mph speed of love." Jesus moved at the speed of relationship. He noticed people others overlooked. He welcomed interruptions. He made time for conversations that seemed insignificant to everyone but the person standing in front of him.
It also brought to mind a piece of wisdom Scott shared this past Sunday, one that was passed down from his father:
"You never lock eyes with another human being who doesn't matter to God."
Perhaps that's where being sent begins.
Not with crossing an ocean, but with noticing a neighbor.
Not with looking farther away, but with paying closer attention to the people already around us.
Truthfully, moving at the speed of relationship is challenge enough for me these days—to be fully present, to notice people rather than rush past them, and to see each person as someone who matters deeply to God.
In this stage of life, I think I'll keep focusing on doing a better job of that. I've still got a long way to go.
Prayers of the People
Janie Corona, Theresa Whigham’s sister, is hospitalized.
We express sympathy to the family of Bettye Mack, who passed away June 2. Arrangements are pending.
