Views from The Ridge 07.10.2024
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week
Saturday, July 13 Second Saturday
9am Yoga
10:15am Storytime
10:45am Postpartum and Foundational Core Workshop
Sunday, July 14
9am Worship in the Sanctuary (Riley Stirman preaching: Ephesians 1:1-14)
10:15am Formation time for all ages
Adult class series: Practicing The Way
Teen formation: The Chosen
Children’s formation: Godly Play
11am Worship in the Chapel (Scott Heare preaching: Mark 6:14-29)
Watch previous sermons here, and listen to this month’s worship inspiration here.
Tuesday, July 16, 9:30am Storytime on the lawn
Wednesday, July 17, 11am Open court
Upcoming
Monday, July 22-Thursday, July 25 Bear Week– Service week open to incoming 6th graders through graduated seniors. Sign up by emailing Chelsea today.
Interested in what’s scheduled for our campus at large? Please consider subscribing to Goodness Weekly.
Around Our Community
This week two of our teens– Whitney and Ellery– are at MPulse, a camp for middle-schoolers at Abilene Christian University. They are making new friends and growing in their faith, and we can’t wait to hear all about it when they return.
A Message of Gratitude
Riley Stirman, Preaching Minister, Sunset Ridge Church
For those of you who weren't with us on Sunday, Chelsea and I shared some bittersweet news. After months of prayer and discernment, we've decided to move back to Abilene, Texas, beginning in August. I have accepted a job in Residence Life at Abilene Christian University, and I hope to do some adjunct professor work as well. Chelsea will work on finishing up her graduate degree. And we'll both be closer to our families.
I'm the type of person that is usually pretty anxious through a transition. It's always hard. There is so much that is unknown. There are so many details to take care of. And it's hard to confront the sense of loss that inevitably accompanies any sort of change.
What makes this change even harder is all the people that make Sunset Ridge a special place. I have never experienced a place where people were so ready to love us. From the literal moment we began, we've been treated with the utmost love and appreciation. Each of you have been a part of making this an amazing place to live in community. As Chelsea said in our announcement Sunday, this is a church that, because of all of you, is incredibly easy to love. And incredibly difficult to think about saying goodbye to.
Words could never adequately express the appreciation we feel for this church. You have welcomed us. Encouraged us. Comforted us. Forgiven us. Extended grace to us. Fed us. Hugged us. Prayed for us. Each of you have, in your own way, been such a blessing to us. And it is this that gives me such confidence for the future of Sunset Ridge.
Even in transition, our God remains the same. Yesterday, today, and forever. God has called the people of Sunset Ridge to be a light to the surrounding community, and I am sure this will continue. As this beautiful church continues to do amazing things that we never thought possible, I hope you know that you will have at least two indefatigable cheerleaders rooting you on every step of the way from Abilene.
"To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." - Jude 24-25
This message was shared during worship this week and is available to watch here.
Update From Our Leaders
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Riley & Chelsea Stirman as they announce their move back to Abilene Christian University.
While their departure is bittersweet, we understand and support their decision to pursue new opportunities that will further their missions and spiritual growth. Their presence and gifts will be missed here at Sunset Ridge. Their last Sunday with us will be August 11. We will host a send-off breakfast that morning at 10:00; please come to bless them and wish them well.
We are working together with Jess Lowry, our Executive Director to make a plan for filling these positions. In the meantime, our worship services and our family ministry will be carried out by our staff and volunteers.
Please join us in praying for our beloved church, the mission that God has given us, and Riley and Chelsea’s transition. We are confident that God’s provision and God’s guidance will be with us all, every step of the way.
Praises and Prayers
Joel Nobles, Joann Thompson’s son and Clay Thompson’s brother, is experiencing complications from surgery that will take several months to heal.
A Request From Camelot Elementary
Our friends over at Camelot Elementary are in need of some help as the school year begins. As you know, we partner with Camelot to provide Snack Paks for children who struggle with food insecurity, affordable Christmas gifts for Camelot families, teacher appreciation, and more throughout the school year. Camelot’s Family Specialist Landy has asked for the following help:
“Next year, the community partner that has traditionally provided us with brand-new uniforms will now only be able to supply polos. As a result, we are seeking additional support to meet our needs. The Amazon wish list has only uniforms listed, and the Target wish list has uniforms and school supplies listed. We gratefully welcome and appreciate any contributions, even if they are not listed on the wish lists.
Thank you so much for all your support and everything you do for our school.”
A Liturgy for Friendship
Adapted from Liturgies For Hope by Audrey Elledge and Elizabeth Moore
O Christ, I rejoice in the deep satisfaction of friendship,
In the unceremonious familiarity of being known,
In the freedom to be no one other than myself.
Thank you for these signs of grace
The ease of conversation,
The spontaneous eruption of laughter,
The safety of silence,
The relief of finding our way each to one another.
Let me never see friendship as commonplace
But as a rare and lavish gift.
Oh Lord who extends the arm of kinship to all who desire it,
This is the greatest joy of friendship–
To freely abide in the company of one who loves us.
May we know this intimacy with You first and foremost
And with humble bravery allow ourselves to be known.
Amen.
