Views from The Ridge 1.24.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This week…
Tuesday, January 24, 6:30-7:45pm: Life Group, John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 25:
10am— Women’s Wednesday Fellowship in the Fellowship Hall
7-8:30pm— Youth group hosted by the Stirmans (232 Harmon Dr.) Please note the new time!
Sunday, January 29:
9:15am— Roots Children’s Class and Life Groups (see hall signs for current offerings and meeting locations)
10:30am— Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: “Craving Something New”
Text: Numbers 11:4-30
4:30pm— Liturgy & Worship in the Chapel
Upcoming…
Wednesday, February 1, 7pm: Youth Family Dinner in the Fellowship Hall (all Youth families welcome)
Sunday, February 5, 4:30pm: Supper Church
Sunday, February 12, Noon: Waffles & Worship
“Gods And Dogs”
Riley Stirman
I've long suspected that there are significant parallels between God leading his people and us trying to walk a distracted dog. I'm positive I've said several things in exasperation to my dog that God has said in reference to me.
"Don't go that way, you'll get hurt buddy."
"Take it easy, we'll get there soon!"
"Eating poop isn't good for you."
Things like that.
Say what you will about dogs, but they don't much have a sense for what we might call the big picture. My dog doesn't know that if he keeps eating his stuffed animal he'll get another intestinal blockage, he just knows he wants to shred it to pieces. He doesn't know that those cats do in fact have claws, he just sees a fun animal he wants to chase.
My dog is never happy when I don't let him do what he wants. He thinks I'm being mean, I think. But I don't know how to explain it to him that I just know better. If he goes his way and does whatever he wants, he'll be dead in a week or less.
Now think for a moment about the last time God didn't give you what you wanted.
It's easy for us to get frustrated when we don't get our way. But I have to wonder if we also don't have much of a sense for the big picture. Maybe God knows something about the path we want to take that we don't know. Maybe he's trying to take us somewhere better and we just won't stop tugging against him. Maybe what we're yearning for is actually slavery, not the Promised Land.
It's hard to acknowledge that we don't know everything, but there's also freedom in it. There are going to be no shortage of frustrations, disappointments, and tragedies in our lives. But our God tells us that he cares for us and he is still leading. And one day we'll have the ability to look back and see with utter clarity that our setbacks were reminiscent of gentle corrections from a loving father.
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Exodus 3:8
Tuesday: Exodus 15:13
Wednesday: I Kings 18:37
Thursday: Judges 7:2
Saturday: Exodus 14:14
Did you know that you can also find our daily scripture readings on Instagram?
Follow us on Instagram @ sunsetridgechurch
Note Received
We send our love and gratitude for the wonderful care we constantly receive from our Sunset Ridge family. How does anyone make it through tough times without the love and support that we have in you. The past two years have been especially difficult and without your prayers, cards, calls, and food provided, we would be so much worse than we are. Our beloved mother, Dazel Ball, slipped peacefully into God's arms carried on your prayers. We love you for it! May God's richest blessings be on this loving family at Sunset Ridge.
Lynn & Randy Rutland, Risa Alonso Rutland and family
Prayers & Praises
We Express Sympathy To: Joann Thompson and family on the death of Joann’s sister, Mary Estes, on January 23. Services are pending.
Kyle Fry’s sister, Kacie Fry, is scheduled for surgery on February 2.
Bill & Gail Jackson’s granddaughter, Contessa Wilson, is hospitalized following surgery.
A special thanks to Melanie Fry for arranging a fun night of bowling (pictured above) which was enjoyed by 18 young adults from our community. And we appreciate our ministers and staff as they’ve been working diligently making plans and preparations for all of our community in 2023!
We are so very thankful for our Media Team volunteers! Pictured below are Mike Nyman and Linda Pedde, who, along with John & Suzanne Suk, regularly sacrifice their time and talent to run our sound system and worship slideshow. We are tremendously grateful for how they serve our church family.
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
