Rembrandt, Adorazione dei Magi, 1632-33
December 26, 2025
Dear Radiant,
Happy Christmastide! (Christmastime is actually a twelve day long season according to the church calendar).
Radiant will not be hosting a Sunday gathering on December 28, 2025. This Sunday the church will be scattered in homes, visiting family and friends, resting, or traveling. In fact, as always, church will be wherever you will be. Maybe gather some friends, make brunch, worship Jesus together. Perhaps take a morning to rest deeply in the LORD after a busy season. The encouragement is to set aside time and be intentional on the Lord’s day.
Here are some ideas and resources for 12/28:
1. Worship at another local church. It is a blessing to be a part of the wider body of Christ in Modesto and beyond. (Perhaps you will be drawn to visit Covenant Grove or Modesto Covenant Church, our “parent” churches that supported and helped plant Radiant!)
2. Conduct your own Home Church. Here’s a simple outline from a blogpost about family home church https://kristagilbert.com/how-to-do-family-home-church/
4. We love what’s going on with the worldwide 24-7 prayer movement.
- Here’s a thoughtful (and longish) sermon from Pete Greig from Luke 2:36-38: Anna and Simeon
- Lectio365 is a helpful prayer app – learn more about the app here. This is a guided prayer app with three prayer times per day.
- There is also Lectio365 for families – here is the 12/28 date.
4. From Ulisses: Here’s a taste of what our Radiant Youth group is learning and engaging with & a corresponding guide
5. Something different — traditional and beautiful:
From King’s College Cambridge: a service of Lessons and Carols. A traditional worship service with scripture readings and choral music. This is incredible. Enjoy.
6. Curate your own service: Pick a favorite preacher/teacher find them on Youtube or Spotify, read a Psalm aloud, read a selection from the New Testament and worship with some of your favorite worship songs.
7. Take a bible, some friends and do church outdoors on a hike. I like this idea!
Enjoy — we’ll see you back on January 4th at MJC – 10am.
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
12/28 – No Sunday Gathering – Church at Home!
1/5 – Sunday Worship 10AM at MJC
1/11 – Second Sunday Lunch and Membership Class @ ELC following worship.
RADIANT MEMBERSHIP TOWNHALL Q & A: FOLLOW UP
We are beginning the church membership journey at Radiant. This last Sunday we shared about the process and fielded questions. There are some resources on our linktree — take a look. Also, if you are interested in attending our first membership class or have any questions, you can indicate here. We are planning a lunchtime course on 1/11. This doesn’t commit you to membership but is a necessary step in the process for those interested.
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
There are some opportunities to serve in children’s ministry in 2026. Please contact Crystal Nicholson if God is leading you to explore serving in this area: (408) 802-7061
Upcoming Schedule:
12/28 – Resources will be posted on the linktr.ee/radcov
1/5 – Nursery (Glow class) Only
COMMUNITY NOTES:
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
PRAYER
Join us for preservice every Sunday at 9am at MJC near the children’s ministry rooms.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry! I emailed a year end giving update here if you’d like to take a look.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
