Views from the Ridge 8.9.22
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This week…
Tuesday, August 9: 7pm— Youth group at the Stirmans’
Wednesday, August 10 at 9am: Coffee & Games at Rose Hip Coffee
Saturday, August 13:
9am-1pm: Back to School Market
7pm: Youth Group Pool Party
Sunday, August 14:
9:15am— The Art of Neighboring adult Bible class in the fellowship hall & Roots children’s gathering time in the Kids’ Worship Room
10:30am— Worship Service in the sanctuary
Sermon: Faith Works (John 4.46-54)
Back to School Blessing
4:30pm— Charis Liturgy and Worship
Upcoming…
Tuesday, August 16 at 9am: Story time on the lawn
Friday, August 19: Outdoor Worship on the lawn
Wednesday, August 31 at 10am: Women’s Wednesday Fellowship (formally the Ladies Bible Class)—Indoor Picnic in the fellowship hall
bring wipes or tissues for Camelot teachers
RSVP to Patti or Sylva
Sunday, October 2: Covenant Renewal Service
“Speak For Yourself”
Riley Stirman
The story of the woman at the well in John 4 is really one that's told in a few different parts. On Sunday, I preached part one and a little of part two: the woman's experience with Jesus, and the disciples' reactions to seeing him with her. The story culminates with part three, though - the woman spreading the news about Jesus.
After a very strange conversation, the woman leaves her water jug (perhaps because she's now tasted the living water and will never thirst again), rushes back into town, and tells anyone who will listen that she thinks she found the Messiah.
Verses 39-42 then tell us three things: the Samaritans believed because of the woman's words, the Samaritans asked Jesus to stay with them, and many more Samaritans believe because of Jesus's words.
This woman became the first missionary to ever spread the good news of Jesus outside of Judaism. And she was a massive success.
When I preached on the story about Jesus gaining his first disciples, I mentioned that I really wanted that story to give me a model for discipleship. I wanted to come away from those stories with an easy formula for spreading the Good News, but that's not quite where the Gospel leads you. Turns out I just needed to wait for this story.
I think that's exactly what John is trying to do here. He's showing that there is a set pattern to spreading the Good News. It's easy enough to understand, but much more difficult to actually do.
First, this woman had an authentic encounter with Jesus, and her life was changed by it. Something about sitting in the presence of Jesus resonated so much with her that she had to do something about it.
Next, she told people about Jesus and offered an invitation. "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did." And verse 39 tells us the people believed in Jesus because of the woman's report. Perhaps it's possible for us to bring people to faith just by dwelling on our encounters with Jesus.
Then, the people invite Jesus to dwell among them. They gather as a community to bring Jesus into their midst. This is crucial, because his presence and his message led many more to believe. Their faith didn't depend on the woman because they had invited Jesus to stay in their midst.
Finally, notice what the people said to the woman in verse 42. We don't believe just because of your words. We have heard for ourselves. And we know that this man is the Savior of the world.
I don't think I could ever write a sermon any better than that.
I don't know where you fall in this process. Maybe you're still working on experiencing Jesus, and that's okay. Maybe you're working hard to bring others to Jesus, and that's great too. Either way, we need to remember this one simple truth:
People need to hear the voice of Jesus for themselves.
He's the Savior of the world. It’s probably best to sit back and let him speak for himself.
Daily Bible Readings
Monday: Psalm 13.1-6
Tuesday: Jonah 2.7-9
Wednesday: Job 42.1-5
Thursday: I Corinthians 1.22-23
Friday: Mark 2.3-4
Saturday: I Kings 17.21-24
Fall Youth Group Plans
Parents and teens— please fill out this survey to help determine what our fall calendar will look like!
An Opportunity for Spiritual Growth
Click here to register for the Walk to Emmaus!
Praises and Prayers
Please pray for teachers, school staff, and students as they begin the school year.
During Storytime last week, we read Maybe Something Beautiful about how art can revitalize a neighborhood. Our neighbor Laura shared about the real neighborhood in San Diego that the book is based on, and we made a “mural” to decorate our space! We love our community!
Care for Our People
We are putting together two teams to provide care for the people around us. Our pastoral care team will be focused on offering spiritual support and consideration for our immediate congregation. Our community care team is more outwardly-focused, concerned with the more tangible needs of our neighbors in the Charis community. If you’re interested in joining either of these teams, click the links above to connect to the team coordinators!
Covenant Renewal Process
This fall, we will go through a process of reaffirming our commitments to each other, this community, and to God. Our covenant here at Sunset Ridge is one that offers a tending of one’s soul and meaningful discipleship and asks for an intentional involvement with our vision and where we hope to grow as a church. We want to strengthen relationships with one another and explore ways of serving faithfully together in different areas of our church. This is also a season of reminding one another what we believe and why we are here in this particular place at this particular moment.
If you would like more information about this process or would like to get connected, please contact chelsea@sunsetridgechurch.org.
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
