March 23, 2023
Dear Radiant,
My yard is a bit out of control. With all the rain, weeds are abundant. As soon as we get a break in the weather, I’ve got some work to do.
The thing that gets me about pulling weeds is that it’s slow work. If I take a garden hoe to the planter — I’d surely kill an azalea or injure some lantana.
The best solution is to hand pull the invaders.
This slow, gentle work is not unlike the slow, gentle work of God in our hearts.
We’ve been discussing developing an “ecosystem of discipleship” at Radiant. Considering how to lean into this desert time as an opportunity recalibration in the way of Jesus.
We believe that in Jesus, God invites us into a flourishing, whole life. This life is not easy but it’s empowered by God’s grace. The life is intentional. It requires both solitude and community; vulnerability and margin.
But, we’d be naive to think we won’t face resistance when we seek to follow Christ.
Jesus used the analogy a farming sowing seed to illustrate the types of resistance his kingdom encounters. Some seeds fall on hard ground, others in rocky, shallow ground, some is choked by thorns and weeds.
So how can we create an effective ecosystem of discipleship given the reality of resistance?
As always, Jesus shows us the way. While resistance is a reality — nothing can compete with the power of God. The seed the good Farmer sows will “produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
Join us at 5pm! (Garden gloves optional).
CALENDAR (see below for details)
ONGOING – Home Churches
3/23 – Radiant Middle School 7-8:30 PM (at ELC)
3/26 – Baptism Interest Meeting
3/25 – Women’s Tea 10AM – 12PM
3/26 – Radiant High School “Open Gym” Gathering 12-2 PM
4/9 – Easter Brunch 10:30 AM and Worship 11:30 AM
4/16 – Bike to Church Sunday
4/21-23 – Men’s Weekend at Mission Springs
4/29 – Love Modesto Service Day
5/2 – Family Discipleship Workshop with Sarah Cowan Johnson
WOMEN’S TEA – 3/25 – 10AM – 12PM.
(OVER 70 WOMEN HAVE REGISTERED BUT WE HAVE A FEW MORE SPOTS! TEXT JILL at 209-497-3720 ASAP IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME)
What’s the state of your soul?
Perhaps it’s exhausted because it’s lost its focus, it’s running in circles, you can’t seem to catch a break, you’re constantly transitioning from one thing to the next. Perhaps it’s longing for comfort, embrace, or love and grieving in ways you never imagined. Perhaps it’s drowning in subtle-shame because you can never seem to do enough or be enough. Perhaps it’s in a place of freedom and joy – whatever the state…friends…we invite you to come. Come and enjoy time together, time away from all the “to-dos” of life vying for our attention. A moment away from all the subtle-silent things that are weighing down our souls that we may not even be aware of. You are invited March 25th from 10-12pm to make space in your life to remember that you are seen and you are safe and you are secure by the God who created you.
HIGH SCHOOL OPEN GYM – SUNDAY 3/26 – 12-2PM
This is exciting! Radiant High Schoolers are gathering for some basketball. We are hosting an Open Gym for High Schoolers at Modesto High School, Sunday March 26 from 12-2PM! Invite any high schooler you know. Contact Ulisses Vasquez with any questions: (209) 541-8536
BAPTISM INFORMATION MEETING – SUNDAY 3/26 – AFTER WORSHIP
Have you placed your trust in Christ but not been baptized? I encourage you to prayerfully consider baptism. We are planning on a baptism service during Easter worship this year. We’ll have an information meeting (no commitment required to attend) following worship this Sunday. We will meet in Zach’s office about 6:30pm. Email zach@radcov.org if you are interested or have questions.
NEW TIMES FOR EASTER BRUNCH AND WORSHIP – 4/9
10:30AM BRUNCH – 11:30 AM WORSHIP
He is Risen Indeed! Spread the word and invites: we will meet at 11:30AM (at Emanuel Lutheran) to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. Additionally, we’ll have an Easter brunch before worship at 10:30AM with ELC. For the brunch, it’s our job to some varieties of breakfast casseroles. Please text Laura Fowler at if you can bring one – 209.606.4640
LOVE MODESTO 4/29
Love Modesto is coming! We encourage you to plug in on a project that is meaningful to you. As a church, we’d like to highlight two opportunities with local ministries we have partnered with. World Relief is hosting a supply drive for newly arrived refugees. Youth for Christ is doing some training for those interested in volunteers in the Juvenile Detention center.
MEN’S WEEKEND (4/21-4/23) REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Men’s Weekend at Mission Springs will soon be here, April 21st-23rd, 2023. 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 some 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.
FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP WORKSHOP – 5/2
Mark your calendars. We are really excited to host a family discipleship workshop led by Sarah Cowan Johnson, author of Teach Your Children Well. Sarah is a Covenant pastor, trainer, and writer from Providence, R.I. This will be an online workshop designed for our Radiant Covenant community on Tuesday, May 2nd from 5:30-7PM. There is no cost to this event. More details to follow.
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
GIVING
Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry.
Grace and peace!
Zach
