Dear Radiant,
This dates me a bit, but growing up, I loved the DuckTales cartoon and the wealthy miser Scrooge McDuck. I was also fascinated by Richie Rich, the world’s wealthiest child who could buy whatever he wanted.
The idea of unlimited wealth and the power to do anything totally gripped my imagination. Complete sets of Fleer baseball cards, a mountain of licorice, a chrome GT BMX bike…such were my dreams.
In honesty, the idea of vast wealth still captivates me, though my dreams have changed a bit. How about owning a baseball team, a private island, or a vintage Ford Bronco?
But I wonder if our fascination with money is less about the stuff and more about the money itself. The potentiality and power of money become a desire all their own. We are often more drawn to the allure of control and security than to the actual objects wealth buys. Money easily becomes an end in itself.
This is what the Bible calls “the love of money.” We begin to “Scrooge McDuck” our lives, swimming and rejoicing in our own money tanks, never realizing we have become locked inside.
The scriptures warn repeatedly and stridently against the power of Mammon. The apostle James is severe, even grotesque, in his warnings about the corrosive power of wealth in James 5. As wealthy Americans (and on a global scale, we all are), these words hit hard.
But there is, of course, a different way. In fact, there is a richer way, a way to live freely and generously that ripples outward into eternity.
More to come this Sunday at 10am!
Grace and Peace,
Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
8/12 – Men’s Group at ELC 6-7am
8/9, 16, 23 – Radiant Volunteer Draft Combine after church
8/16 – Church “It’s Official” Party at ELC,*New time 5-7PM
9/6-9/13 – 24-7 Week of Prayer at Kingdom Coffee
9/27 – Home Church “Praxis” Groups Begin
10/2-4 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
Radiant Volunteer Draft Combine is Coming…
Where 40 times and vertical jumps aren’t as an important as a humble desire to serve others. This is Radiant’s invitation to gather volunteers for the fall. More to come: Sundays August 9, 16, 23.
“It’s Official” Party – Radiant joins the ECC
*New Time! 5-7PM on Sunday Night. This is a congregational meeting. We are celebrating this major milestone as a church on August 16. We’ll share stories about God’s wild faithfulness and what this next means as we prepare for our congregational annual meeting where we’ll elect leaders, approve budgets meeting in December. Here, we will also share about membership for those considering membership at Radiant. All welcome! We are providing BBQ chicken — please bring a side to share.
Home Church Leaders Formation Group
Do you desire to grow as a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples of Jesus? This is what Jesus called us to do, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all people groups.” Zach and Jill are inviting those who are interested in making disciples of Jesus through the vehicle of leading a Home Church to join a three week training community (Aug 26, Sept 2, 9) to discern and perhaps prepare to lead a Home Church this fall. Reach out to Zach if interested (209) 497-3710.
Radiant Youth
Radiant Youth (6th grade through 12th grade) will meet at ELC at 5:47PM.
Subscribe to Radiant’s Youtube Channel
Hey friends, we are trying to improve our livestream game a bit and think that streaming on Youtube will serve our congregation better. To enable this, we will need 50 subscribers (we need 8 more!). You can subscribe here.
Women’s Conference at Mission Springs October 2-4
This fall’s theme, “Teach Us to Pray”, is centered on the Lord’s Prayer. Together, we will slow down and reflect on each phrase Jesus taught, discovering what it means to trust our Father, seek His kingdom, depend on His provision, and walk in forgiveness and surrender. This theme calls us not just to learn about prayer, but to be transformed by it. Through worship, teaching, and community, we will be renewed in our desire to pray boldly and live rooted in His presence. Join us for a weekend that promises to refresh your spirit, deepen your faith, and strengthen your connections with fellow women.
Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – Radiant has been formally adopted into the Evangelical Covenant Denomination. This happened on Friday, June 26 at the 141st Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. We’ll party later this summer as a congregation.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community 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!
“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
