December 30, 2022
Dear Friends,
I hope you are enjoying some post Christmas rest and some sweet time with family and friends. In old church language we call the 11 days following Christmas, Christmastide. So instead of the post Christmas blues — just think of this as another week of Christmas!
We’re kicking off 2023 with worship as a community. Join us this Sunday — we will gather this New Year’s Day, at 5pm.
I am particularly excited to be learning from Ulisses Vasquez who will be teaching this Sunday. Ulisses is our Youth Director and an all around (su-well) guy (inside joke — ask Uli).
Ulisses is a Modesto native, a UC Berkeley grad, and is a serious student of Mr. Rogers. He currently studying theology and ministry in the Covenant Church’s Ignite program.
NEW YEAR RESOLVES
Are you a New Year’s resolution person? This seems like a hot or cold thing — you either love doing them or totally resist them.
I am inspired by the words of Frank Laubach an incredible missionary and educator who one New Year made these lofty resolves:
God, I want to give You every minute of this year. I shall try to keep You in mind every moment of my waking hours….I shall try to let You be the speaker and direct every word. I shall try to let You direct my acts. I shall try to learn Your language.
What a resolve! I love this. What if we dared to make these sort of resolves?
Friends, may this New Year bring you new and fresh awareness of God’s love for you in Jesus Christ. And may His love flow from you to others in a dry and parched land.
ADVENT GENEROSITY
We had a goal of raising $2,000 to bless a local ministry (Youth for Christ’s ministry with incarcerated youth) and for the Mozambique Covenant Church — particularly a church in Nhangulo, Mozambique that needed to rebuild their building. We will be able to give above and beyond — giving totaled over $3700!
We recently learned that The Mozambique Covenant Church is going to able to build three church buildings because of your generosity. We’re going to write a blessing and encouragement for these churches in the weeks to come.
CALENDAR (see below for details)
1/1 – Sunday Worship 5PM
1/1 – Registration for Men’s Weekend opens
1/8 – Second Sunday Supper potluck following worship
1/15 – Home Church Communities restart
SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER JANUARY 8th
We are Our Second Sunday Supper is next week, January 8th. We are doing a Breakfast for Dinner Potluck theme. Bring your favorite breakfast dish — egg casserole, chilaquiles (please), bacon, donuts, etc. This is great time to get to know the Radiant Community and who doesn’t like Waffles on a Sunday night?
HOME CHURCHES WILL BE STARTING WEEK OF JANUARY 15th
Our Home Church groups are smaller communities that meet during the week where we learn to practice the simple way of Jesus. No experience required, all are welcome. We usually share a meal, read scripture, and consider what God is up to in and through our lives.
This is a great time to consider plugging into a home as we will restart groups in mid-January. If you are interested in learning about available groups and what group might be a good fit for you contact Zach at zach@radcov.org
MEN’S WEEKEND (4/21-4/23) REGISTRATION OPENS THIS SUNDAY
The Men’s Weekend at Mission Springs will soon be here, April 21st-23rd, 2023. Online registration for the Men’s Weekend opens this coming Sunday, January 1st at 6am! Early Bird Discount of $25 – register before February 15th!!!
We look forward to your joining us for a time of worship, fellowship and growing in your faith journey as we go ‘Back to Basics’. This is an event put on by our regional denominational conference.
More information and registration can be found here.
Also — John Fowler has four spots at his private cabin in Mission Springs for those interested in going. This will reduce your registration costs. Contact John at 209.345.5854
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 resources. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
Grace and peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
