Views from The Ridge 10.25.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week
Wednesday, October 25, 10:00am Women’s Wednesday Fellowship
Saturday, October 28, 6-8pm Young Adult Group at Gregg & Kelly Alba’s
Sunday, October 29
9:15am Life Groups, children’s Roots gathering, teen gathering (see website for more info)
10:30am Worship in the Chapel (Easy for You to Say - Philippians 4:4-13)
4:30pm Chapel Worship
6-7pm Parent Group: Every Season Sacred
6-7pm Youth group gathering in the fellowship hall
Upcoming…
Sunday, November 5 Supper Church Thanksgiving Feast (see “Around Our Community” below)
Take Up Your Cross
-Riley Stirman
What does it look like to reflect Jesus? How can we be people who model his life, death, and resurrection?
I think we should take Jesus at his word that whoever wants to follow him should deny themselves and pick up their cross (Matthew 16:24). Jesus was very frank with his people that following him was never about power. Following him meant getting in line on the death march. From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus knew that his was a one-way trip to the cross. And those who want to be his followers need to be aware of such realities.
There is power in knowing that death is a necessary part of the Christian life. We know that our savior entered every part of human existence - even death itself - and in so doing made our human lives holy. Now it's up to us to pursue death, as strange as that sounds. We eagerly seek to put to death all the things that hold us back from living out our true identities as children of God.
We put to death our shame and our hopelessness. We put to death our lust for power, status, or wealth. We put to death our need for control or victory or notoriety. We die a thousand deaths over and over again as the stubbornly sinful human pieces of our very selves are refined and stripped away. And somehow, some way, by the power of the Spirit, despite all these deaths we must die, we are raised to new life (Romans 8:13).
This is what we've all signed on for. It doesn't sound like the most fun, but only in allowing ourselves to die can we allow the Spirit to raise us to new life - a life of renewal, wholeness, and joy.
Wherever you are on your Christian "walk," it's never a bad idea to remember exactly what it is you're walking towards: a cross. But praise be to God that the cross is never the end. Because of Jesus, we may have hope that out of death comes life. Out of misery comes rejoicing. And out of nothingness comes abundance.
May God grant us the courage and the strength to continue walking.
Men’s Retreat
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, November 18th, all men in our community are invited to join us for a one-day retreat from 11 AM to 8 PM. Dick Ihfe has generously offered to host us out at his house. We’ll use this day to get to know each other better, to listen to the Spirit and to each other, and to ponder the question “Who am I?” The cost is $30 per person to help offset the cost of food, but please don’t let cost be an obstacle to joining - we’ll be happy to work something out with you. To RSVP or if you have any further questions, contact Riley Stirman at riley@sunset-ridge.org
Around Our Community
One of our friends and neighbors, Scott Skordahl, has offered to help us throw a Thanksgiving feast for Supper Church on Sunday, November 5th. We will be preparing this meal together and sharing it around tables. In order to help us plan for the correct amount of food, please RSVP to riley@sunset-ridge.org if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!
AGAPE MINISTRY
The Agape Ministry will hold their 25th Anniversary Celebration with a catered luncheon on Saturday, November 4th from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Crossroads Church (8102 Midcrown, 78239). There will be a fashion show featuring items from The Fig Leaf thrift store and a silent auction with a variety of attractive items. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased from Joann Thompson.
Through the end of October, please continue to bring your non-perishable food items (canned goods, cereal, and peanut butter are especially appreciated) and place them in the boxes in the Fellowship Hall.
Praises & Prayers
We express sympathy to the family of Marge Lee, who passed away October 19. A graveside service was held October 24 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
