Tired Of The View?
Experience The Ridge!
Sunday Order Of Worship
10:30am

*Opening Song
Washed By The Water

*Welcome
Stewart McWhorter

*Worship Songs
Graves Into Gardens // Holy Water // Anchor

*Message: The Rev. Jimmy McIlrath
Series: Redo
Sermon: Getting Past The Past

*Announcements // Dismissal
Enter the New Year with Thanksgiving

 Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord! You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the Lord as you enter his temple.
Psalm 100:1-4, CEV

How will you start the new year? If last year was especially difficult or disappointing, it might be tempting to say goodbye and good riddance without a backward glance. But before you close the book on last year, consider taking a moment to reflect and be grateful.

Psalm 100 encourages us to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise—not because our circumstances are good, but because He is. There’s no better way to start the new year than to thank God for who He is and all He’s done for us.

Thank God for your home, your car, or the job you love. Tell Him you’re grateful for the air you breathe, your good health, or the family that drives you crazy. Tell Him thank you for giving you guidance and encouragement through His word in the Bible. And thank Him for sending His Son Jesus to die a death He didn’t deserve to give you the gift of eternal life that you could never earn. 

When we thank God, we’re recognizing His power, His presence, and His provision in our lives. It changes the way we perceive Him, and it changes the way we see our circumstances. Even when things are hard, it’s impossible to sit and wallow in all the negativity when you’re praising God. Giving God thanks forces us to turn from our inward pain and look up at Him. When our eyes are focused on Him, all we can see is His bigness, and it reminds us that none of our problems are too big for our mighty God. 

By praising God first, we change how we approach God. Saying thank you for what we have before asking for something else allows us to align our hearts with His. It helps us find a posture of humility and removes our sense of entitlement so that even if we don’t get what we ask for, we are reminded of His character, His promises, and His love for us. 

Starting a prayer by thanking God is a form of surrender. It’s a willing confession that it’s not about us, but it’s all about Him. It shifts our focus toward Heaven and deepens our affection for our God.

Take a moment to look at last year through the lens of gratitude. Tell God one thing you’re thankful for today, even if it’s something small. Maybe even commit to doing it weekly or daily. Write your list in a note on your phone, start a gratitude journal, or post it on social media so that you begin to more easily recognize His faithfulness in this new year.

*Living Changed: In The New Year
Current Message Series

Is it possible to start over in 2022?
What would it be like to have a "Redo" in the New Year?
Is
Message #1: Labels (Click Here)
Message #2: Forgiveness (Click Here)
Ridge Women's Conference

Join us this year for the "Thrive!" Women's Conference on Feb. 4-5th.

Here's what you need to know:
- Friday, Feb. 4th, 6:00-9:00 pm
- Saturday, Feb. 5th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
- St. Paul UMC, 2101 Wildwood Ave #1423, Columbus, GA 31906 
- $32.00 registration fee (scholarships are available for anyone needing assistance)
- No childcare provided

Registration link: Click Here
Marriage Retreat: Asheville, North Carolina
January 14th-17th, 2022

Information: click here.
In order to be good stewards of our resources, The Ridge will be emailing the 2021 giving statements.

Please email us if you would rather have one mailed to your address: clay@theridgecolumbus.com.

Thank you for all the ways you continue to support the ministries of The Ridge United Methodist Church. 
Let us know if you're interested in leading a study/email/prayer/dinner group this semester. Life is better in groups!

Message Series Archive
Previous Series: Click Here

Real Questions - Real Answers.

Sometimes we have questions about our faith that we're too embarrassed to ask ourselves. In this series, we'll talk through the questions that "your friend" might want to know.
Previous Series: Click Here
If we were created by God to feel, then all emotions are not bad. Perhaps, instead of repressing certain feelings, we should learn how to manage all of our emotions. Join us as we dive into Scripture and learn both the goodness of our emotions and importance of managing all of our emotions in a healthy way. 
Alaska // July 16th-23rd, 2022

More information and registration link: click here.
Growth Track - Zoom Meetings

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 (Coming Soon): 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 (Coming Soon): 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 (Coming Soon): Each of us is 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.
We
Our next dinner is scheduled for Wednesday evening, January 19th.

If you would like to be notified about when and where to meet us, send us an email and let us know. We'd love to have you!

Thank you for the support. If you'd like to give, click here.
Sunday Serve Teams
The church doesn't function without everyone getting involved and making it happen. Have you been thinking of volunteering? Now’s the perfect time to start!!

If you aren't on a serving team but would like to register: click here.
- Ridge Youth -
Upcoming Schedule

Sunday Night Youth
January 9 - 5:30-7:30 pm at the church office Suite E.
January 16 - 5:30-7:30 pm at the church office Suite E.
January 23 - No Youth Meeting (MLK weekend)
January 30 - 5:30-7:30 pm at the church office Suite E.

Breakfast Devotion (weekly when school is in)

Wednesdays from 6:50-7:30 am at the Bradley Park Chick-fil-A

Chicken and Jesus Middle School Breakfast (monthly) Coming Soon...

Questions? - Contact Nathan at 706-464-7548 or nathan@theridgecolumbus.com.
Our Ski Retreat is on for February 18-21 at
Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia!

Here's the link to REGISTER.
Here's the link to the INFO PACKET with details, packing list etc.
Visit winterplace.com to check out the slopes and opossumcreek.com to see our awesome accommodations!

As always, scholarships are available! m to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
Parent and Student GroupMe

We have a student and a parent GroupMe account to help keep everyone up to date on what's going on in student ministry. GroupMe is a group texting app that's a great forum for staying connected and asking questions. It can be muted, so you won't get notifications constantly. If you or your student would like to be added, just text or email Nathan at 706-464-7548 and nathan@theridgecolumbus.com.
RidgeRunners
Children's Ministry


January Theme - Friendship

This January at RidgeRunners our theme is Friendship, based on Luke 6:31: "Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Masks are encouraged, but not required, on Sunday morning. If you wish to send your child with a mask, we will support that and will require them to wear it while at RidgeRunners. Extra kn-95 masks are available in the greeting area near kid's check-in.

Hi, Parents!
We're ready to re-open our Pre-K room on the Turner Auditorium main hallway. Beginning this Sunday, children who are potty-trained through Pre-K5 should be dropped off in the upstairs hallway. Look for the banner outside their room. Infants through Toddlers will remain in the last classroom on the right. Kindergarten through Elementary will continue to meet in the gym. Check in at the hallway table just inside the Turner Auditorium doors. 


Online
If you're looking for some more online options for children's programming check out:

*Rightnowmedia.org: This is a free video resource for our church. Check out the kids' section (VeggieTales, etc.) and watch with the family! Registration link: click here.

*Ridge resources for Sunday morning activities/lessons. Just in case you missed out this weekend: click here.

Car Talk:
*How can you help someone who feels left out? (Invite them to do what you're doing or ask them what they would like to do.)
*Why does God want us to put others first? (He loves everyone.)
*Why does God want us to forgive our friends? (He has forgiven us and he wants us to have strong friendships.)


Memory Verse (learn it together):
Luke 2:10-11: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
Rose Hill Ministry:

The Ridge is in charge of feeding the homeless every second Tuesday of the month. All meals are served at Rose Hill Church on Hamilton Road.

Our next service date is January 11th.

Please email us if you would like more information: info@theridgecolumbus.com.

Tired of the view? Experience The Ridge!
Ridge Office: 5624B Whitesville Rd., Columbus, GA 31904