Views from The Ridge 11.15.22
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This week…
NOW thru Monday, November 21: Camelot Christmas Giving Campaign (information and links just below)
Wednesday, November 16, from 7-9pm: Youth group Gratitude Meal hosted by the Stirmans (232 Harmon Dr.)
Thursday, November 17, at 1pm: Pastoral Care Team Meeting in the Library
Sunday, November 20:
9:15am— Fall Life Groups & Roots Children’s Class
10:30am— Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: “This Is Our Story”
Scripture: John 20:1-30
4:30pm— Outdoor Worship on the lawn
Upcoming…
Sunday, November 27 - Sunday, December 18: Honest Advent Book Study in Life Groups
Wednesday, November 30, at 10am: Womens’ Wednesday Fellowship
Friday, December 2, 5-7pm: Teen Service Project - Set Up for Affordable Christmas
Saturday, December 3: Affordable Christmas at Camelot Elementary (adult & teen volunteers needed!)
Sunday, December 11: Holiday Lunch (sign-up sheets in the Foyer & Fellowship Hall)
Christmas Giving Campaign
An Affordable Christmas for Camelot Families
Join us in spreading the love and joy of Christmas in a way that is honoring and dignifying to all people! We’re partnering with Camelot Elementary families to provide affordable Christmas gifts for 100 children at the school. This is only possible with your help—here’s how it works:
Purchase toys through the Amazon Wishlist / Make a donation via online link (choose one option, or both!)
We’ll set up a ‘Toy Store’ at the school for the parents to shop
Caregivers will choose 2 gifts per child at price points of $2 and $4
They will be able to wrap and take gifts home with them to give on Christmas
Give Time to Serve on December 2nd & 3rd
Lots of ADULT & TEEN VOLUNTEERS are needed to help at Camelot Elementary to set up the ‘Toy Store’ at Camelot Elementary on Friday evening, December 2, and to assist the families coming to shop for gifts (and wrap the gifts) on Saturday morning, December 3.
If you can help out either day, please let us know.
“Why?”
Riley Stirman
Julian lived her entire life in the bustling city of Norwich towards the end of the 14th century, a city second only to London in commerce and agriculture. As far as we know, she lived for the majority of her life as an anchorite (essentially a religious recluse) at the church in town.
Throughout her life, she was surrounded by religious zeal. The city of Norwich boasted a cathedral, multiple monasteries, two different Church hospitals, and an abbey. Julian was far from the only one living as an anchorite. The church, and the surrounding countryside, was littered with cells where people lived in simplicity in pursuit of dedicating their lives to God.
Julian was also surrounded by turmoil and suffering. She witnessed multiple outbreaks of the Black Plague that may have killed up to half of the population of the city. She was alive during the Peasants' Revolt where the city was eventually overwhelmed by a burgeoning rebel army - later this would end in numerous public and very graphic executions. And she faced serious illness at age 30 that, for a time, left her blind and almost completely physically numb.
It is because of this illness that history remembers Julian of Norwich at all. Her sickness spread rapidly and completely. Her case was such that the parish priest came on May 8th to administer the last rites of the Church to her, anticipating that her death was imminent.
As part of these rites, the priest held a crucifix over the foot of her bed. But as she gazed at the figure of Jesus, something changed. She saw the small wooden body begin to bleed. And over the course of the next day she would receive 16 different spiritual visions from Jesus.
Julian was completely recovered from her illness on May 13th. She would go on to live another 43 years.
Julian would go on to publish her account of these 16 visions of Jesus under the title Revelations of Divine Love. This book, while largely unknown within her lifetime, is now the oldest surviving book in the English language that we know was written by a woman. And she is subsequently remembered as a master of Christian contemplation and spiritual living.
In the Thirteenth Revelation, Julian asks Jesus a question we've likely all asked him: Why? Why all the pain? Why all the evil? Why all the suffering? Not only had she seen the brutal impact sin had on her city, but also after looking inward, she became convinced that it was sin that prevented her from longing wholeheartedly after her savior.
"Often I wondered why by the great foreseeing wisdom of God the beginning of sin was not hindered; for then, I thought, all should have been well."
She does raise a good point. It seems God could have prevented this . . . right? What do you have to say for yourself, Jesus?
In his response, Jesus avoids giving a straight answer so masterfully, it's enough to convince me that it is indeed the same guy we read about infuriating the Pharisees:
"It is truth that sin is the cause of all this pain. But all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."
That's it. That's the answer Jesus gives to maybe one of the biggest questions we have as we watch the world fall apart around us.
There's an important lesson on faith here. We may never understand. We may not ever fully grasp the why. And if God parted the heavens and told us his exact reasoning that we suffer on account of evil in the world, it's likely that we wouldn't follow in the slightest. All we can do is trust that God still sees us in pain and is actively working to make all things right.
I invite you to rest in this truth this week. As we go through pain and loss and suffering, as we wrestle with the darkness in the world, and as we wonder what's going on, God is still God. God is still good. And he is still working.
All will be well. All will be well. And all manner of things will be well.
Daily Bible Readings
Monday: John 21:25
Tuesday: John 20:30-31
Wednesday: Luke 24:27, 30-32
Thursday: Psalm 78:1-4
Friday: Joel 1:2-3
Saturday: Romans 15:4-6
Covenant Renewed in Worship Together
This past Sunday, we spent time in service celebrating and reminding one another of the commitments we have with God, each other, and this church. Click here to watch the Covenant Renewal Worship Service via our YouTube channel.
Pictured at the top: Those present were able to sign the covenant to symbolize their rededication. If you were not able to be physically present and want to add your name, please let us know.
During the special service we were given the opportunity to fill out the Covenant Survey, which details different ways to connect and serve in and around our community. If you did not yet have a chance to respond to the survey, please do so by the end of November so that we can organize volunteer schedules for the coming year! Click the button below to begin.
Praises & Prayers
We Extend Sympathy To: The Threlkeld Family on the death of former member, Lal Threlkeld on November 11. Services are pending.
Former member Lindy Short is doing very well following a recent knee surgery.
We had such a chilly and fun Family Morning this past Saturday. It was such a gift to spend time with our young friends!
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
