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What To Expect This Sunday

Opening Song : You Say

Welcome

Worship Songs : Yes I Will // Reckless Love // Do It Again

Announcements // Offering

Message : The Rev. Jimmy McIlrath

Series : Habits // Title: Habit #3

Prayer and Dismissal

Habits for 2020

Flourish In Prayer

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

Matthew 6:9

Sometimes, when we pray, there is a tendency to just rattle off some words and ask for the things we need. Or, maybe we offer up a quick, passing prayer for someone else in need. In those moments, prayer can be just about “doing” it, and can often feel empty and impersonal.

Have you been there?

Thankfully, Jesus modeled perfectly for us how we should approach God in prayer when He taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9 (above). Prayer is about relationship and intimacy with God, our holy and awesome Father. It is an invitation we are given as followers of Jesus! We have received the Spirit of adoption into the family of God; we are children of God and we, too, can cry out to Him as “Abba, Father”.

This is an invitation to engage God as Father. Our perfect heavenly Father, who loves, accepts, and longs to be in relationship with us. And like Jesus, the choice to pull away and create space and time to just be with Him, unrushed and quiet, allows us to sit in His presence, hear His voice, and receive.

Yes, God is holy, awesome, all-powerful and vast. Yet, He is also completely aware and in the details of our lives. High and lifted up, yet close and longing to be with us. In humble surrender we will find peace, joy, and hope as we come to Him in prayer. Ask God to help you reset your awareness of His presence and of His desire to draw near to you today.

-Passion Publishing

Current Series

Small disciplines = big results.

Change isn't easy, but it isn't impossible, either. Your future self is a result of the decisions you make each day. In this series, we'll see how a few small habits can change how you see yourself today and can transform you into the person you want to be in the New Year.

Women's Retreat

February 28-29, 2020

Do you ever feel like you’re the only one facing a particular choice or situation? In her book, CHOICES, Tecia Jane (author, speaker, teacher and founder of Choosing Him Ministries) explains how we can connect our lives with the people of the Bible and pursue a personal and contagious faith. We are thrilled to have Tecia as our featured speaker at The Ridge Women’s Retreat. Please join us as she talks about how our choices, the good and the bad ones, can be used by God to have a huge impact on His kingdom.

The price to attend the retreat includes three meals, Saturday activities, and a T-shirt.

Stay-the-night option - $85 per person.

Sleep-at-home option - $65 per person.

*Deadline to register is February 16th.

Registration link: click here

RidgeRunners

January Theme - Wisdom

Hi, Parents!

We all want to raise great kids who make great choices. This month, we want to help your kids learn how to make wise choices when it comes to their words, friends, and actions.

Car Talk:

*Which is harder for you? To make wise choices with your words or with your actions? Why?

*Describe a friend who makes wise choices. What have been some of their wise choices?

*When have you recently made a wise choice? (Everyone shares)

Memory verse (learn it together):

"For the Lord gives wisdom: from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

Ski Retreat

REGISTRATIONS DUE NOW!

Get ready for Winter Ski Retreat, February 14-17, 2019

at Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia!

We will experience two full days of skiing and one optional night ski, plus a trip sledding or caving on Sunday. Winterplace is one of the East's best ski resorts featuring 8 beginner runs, 6 intermediate runs, 4 advanced runs, terrain park, and a snow tubing hill! Winterplace is a big step up in snow quality and slope options from the resorts in North Carolina or Tennessee.

We’ll also spend time meeting together for three worship and devotion sessions where we’ll grow closer to one another and focus on how we can grow in Christ as a group. Travel time will be about 9 hours each way. We will stay 12 miles away from the slopes in super cozy accommodations called The Cabins at Pine Haven (check them out here!) .

Click HERE to register online

and

Click HERE for the info packet and release forms.

Student Ministry

This Sunday: Capture the Flag

on The Ridge Land

Burgers and brats will be provided for dinner

(veggie burgers available)

Drop-off is at 5:30 pm and pick-up is at

9:30 pm. (2201 Smith Rd.)

Students should wear black, camouflage and other dark colored clothing they DON'T mind getting ruined. Long pants or leggings are recommended to avoid getting scratched up in the woods.

Upcoming Sundays:

*Mexican Night at Guadalajara - Jan. 26

*STUMC - Feb. 2

*Confirmation/STUMC - Feb. 9

Middle School Small Group:

*Sunday mornings following announcements at the 10:30 service

High School Breakfast Groups:

*Tuesdays - Wynnton Rd. Chick-fil-A (7:15 a.m.)

*Wednesdays - Northside (in Sr. cafeteria at 7:30 a.m.)

*Thursdays - Harris County (in K-1 at 7:30 a.m.)

Do you want to help your student understand and claim their faith? We want to help your family with that, so we're inviting you to be a part of Confirmation this year!

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a Christian formation class about understanding and claiming your faith, designed especially for middle school students, though older students who have not been through confirmation may also participate. The Ridge currently holds our class every two years. At the end of the process, students will have the opportunity to publicly profess faith in Christ; be either confirmed, rededicated or baptized depending on their history; and officially join the church.

Who should participate in confirmation?

Any student who has not been through a confirmation class is invited to participate. The class will be focused toward middle school students, but we can adapt it for older students. Students should take confirmation when they are at a point that they are exploring their own faith and beginning to take ownership of it. The class is beneficial for both students who have already and have not yet professed personal faith, been baptized, etc.

What will Confirmation look like at The Ridge?

Our confirmation class will include adult coaches, small groups, a retreat and the opportunity for students to publicly profess their faith, join the church, and be confirmed, baptized or rededicated (depending if they were baptized as an infant, as a believer or not yet). The confirmation ceremony is the ultimate moment we're working toward in the class, but it is optional and up to each student and their family. It can only be the student's choice to profess faith and be confirmed, rededicated or baptized.

Our class will run from the kickoff luncheon on February 2 to Confirmation Sunday on May 10 (Mother's Day) and will include 6 Sunday afternoon meetings with adult coaches, the retreat April 17-19 at Lake Junaluska, NC, and a service activity - TBA.

What is required to participate?

Cost to families is $100 for each student for the whole class. The Ridge covers a large part of the expense for the class to keep the burden on families low. Meals, the retreat, supplies, etc. are all included in this price. Scholarships are available If this amount is a hardship in any way.

Confirmation will be fun and meaningful. It is a serious and important process that requires commitment from families.

Attendance at all 6 Sunday afternoon meetings and the retreat is required with one absence allowed (no exceptions made for sports, extra-curricular activities, etc.). Make-up sessions will be arranged for classes missed.

Confirmation doesn't happen in a vacuum and is intended to help integrate a student into full participation in the Body of Christ. It's like an on-ramp to faith participation and growth as a young adult. Because that's the goal, attendance at youth activities, especially Sunday nights, is strongly encouraged as part of the process and after the conclusion of the class. If we fail to connect your student to an enriching environment where they can continue to develop their faith, then we've missed the whole point!

Click HERE to register!

Marriage Retreat

This year, our theme is CLOSER - because everything in marriage either brings you a step closer or farther apart. We want to help couples choose to take a step closer.

Our past four marriage retreats have been amazing, and we have every reason to believe that the next one is going to be the best yet!

Dates: January 24-26, 2020

Place: Fort Mountain Retreat Center (Chatsworth, GA)

Happy Birthday To You

Mark your calendar for the big Sunday. More info coming soon.

This Spring

Whether you’re looking for a new church or you’ve been coming for a while, growth track events are designed to kick start your spiritual growth by providing clear and simple principles that will challenge you to go farther and faster in your faith. These events happen each quarter and cover a wide range of topics. Join us as we learn how to become a member, the basics of our Christian faith, how to discover your spiritual gifts and much more!

Church 101 (March 1st) : This class is a basic introduction to our church family. Join us as we explain who we are and what we believe. We will answer questions about our unique mission and vision. You will also have an opportunity to become a member of our church. Registration link: click here .

Essentials 201 (March 22nd) : This class provides the tools necessary to help each believer become a spiritually mature disciple of Jesus Christ. Join us as we learn principles and tips that will help you grow and connect with others at our church. Registration link: click here .

Discovery 301 (April 19th) : Each of us are a masterpiece, placed on this earth for a unique purpose. Join us as we learn more about our particular personality and gifts through a series of assessments. We’ll also learn how to use those gifts for God’s glory. Registration link: click here .