December 6, 2024
Dear Radiant,
It’s hard to believe it has been three years since Radiant’s first preview service!
The lead up to the service was kind of intense. There was a ton of work to prepare for the service — bulletins to be printed, a worship band to pull together, hospitality to extend to visitors, a follow-up plan, children’s ministry.
We didn’t really know what we were doing (do we now?).
What kind of coffee do we buy? What about name tags? QR codes?
It was funny, we did all this work — then the week of the service I remember thinking, “oh yeah! I need to write and prepare a sermon too!”
But our core team pulled it off beautifully. People came, we grew as a church, and started a new chapter in the journey, from home churches to now public gatherings.
Of course, that was just the beginning. I remember thinking, “oh man, we’re going to have to do this every week! What did I get myself into?”
More than our own efforts making a difference, over the last years we’ve experienced the abundant grace of God! We have grown in our love for God, each other, and the world God loves. This is God’s doing.
We’ve witnessed new commitments to Christ, baptisms, healing, service to those on the margins in our city and world, growth as healthy disciples of Jesus, a ton of laughter and joy — all amid the challenges of starting a new church in post-pandemic America.
From a core team of three dozen, Radiant has grown into multi-faceted ecosystem of discipleship and mission that has touched hundreds. I am thinking here of our Sunday Gatherings, our scattered Home Churches, our Radiant Youth Community, the Alpha Course, our Men’s and Women’s Gatherings, Children’s ministry, our Mission House, our ministry teams — let alone the organic ways the church manifests itself in day to day life.
But I believe we’re just getting started. At three years — we’re still like toddlers in our development.
We’ve learned some things but have a long way to go. We’ve realized how deep our need of the Holy Spirit is. We know that people are hungry and that Jesus is the answer. Jesus is still making us his disciples and sending us out with his love and power.
We want to go deeper in Christ and further in mission.
We long to see more disciples transformed by the love of Jesus. We long to see marriages and families and communities ablaze with the light of Christ. We believe we are on a multiplying mission of developing and sending out disciples of Jesus for the good of Modesto and the world.
Not because we are particularly special — but because “those who look to God are radiant, their faces are never covered in shame.”
So this Sunday we will take a moment to remember, reflect, and share stories — God is so good!
We will meet at 10AM at MJC for worship (no 5pm service) and after worship will head over to ELC for a potluck brunch in the fellowship hall.
*Technical note: You can drop off their dish at ELC before service. Otherwise, bring after service to the kitchen. We’ll start the potluck around 11:30ish.
Some early photos:
EVENTS CALENDAR
10AM SERVICE ONLY STARTING 12/8/2024
12/8 – Radiant’s Third Anniversary Celebration Worship and Brunch: 10AM at MJC followed by brunch at ELC.
12/10 – Rad YTH Christmas Party 6:30-8:30
12/11 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
12/13 – Rad YTH Youth Outreach with Redeemer Youth and World Relief
12/18 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service at ELC 2PM
ADVENT DEVOTION AND GENEROSITY
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent (the four weeks before Christmas). As in years past, we will hold a special offerings during this season to bear witness to the love of Jesus locally and around the world.
LOCAL FOCUS:
Supply drive for newly re-settled refugee families with World Relief. You can find a list of needed items here. Bring supplies to a Sunday Gathering.
GLOBAL:
Give clean water to a community in Mozambique in partnership with the Mozambique Covenant Church. We’ve partnered with Mozambique Covenant Church before are excited to continue this partnership. Here’s a description of the need:
With a presence in over 540 communities, Life for Mozambique is committed to bringing
clean water to needy and thirsty people. Our goal is to bring a clean water well to
every Life for Mozambique community. A water well will mean: More time for kids in school, less time for women collecting water, more time for earning an income, and better health. Clean water is basic, it’s foundational. It’s something we envision flowing in each and every one of our communities.
Some other facts: 53% of Mozambicans don’t have access to clean water. 6th worst ranked country for clean water access. 3 hrs per day spent collecting water.
Here’s the giving link for giving clean water (select “wells for Mozambique” from the drop down menu).
ADVENT SCRIPTURE STUDY NEXT THREE WEEKS
Matt and Martha Miles are inviting people to the Isaiah Advent study. It will be at their house, 3117 Maplenut on Sunday nights at 7pm till Christmas. Contact Martha Miles with any questions: 510.978.1934
UPCOMING RADIANT YOUTH EVENTS
WOMEN’S GATHERING – THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM
6am, this Wednesday ladies! At the ELC fellowship hall.
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.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry! Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
