January 19, 2023
Dear Radiant,
We are continuing our Renewing the Soul series this Sunday digging into the topic of “breaking free of family sin patterns.”
Yep, this is a crunchy topic. Becoming aware of how your family of origin has shaped you can be a difficult and squirmy journey.
It’s one of those things that’s challenging because we are so close to it. It’s like asking a fish what water is like.
In another sense, it’s difficult because for some of us this means revisiting trauma or painful memories. Moreover, we also rightly want to honor our families and it feels sort of wrong to examine its shortcomings.
However we feel about family, it is undeniable that we are profoundly shaped by them. This includes shaping the way we walk with Jesus as his disciples.
As pastor and writer, Pete Scazzero likes to say, “Jesus may be in your heart, but Grandpa is in your bones.”
Becoming aware of the ongoing impact of our family and its history on our lives and those we know and love with is a ripe opportunity for growth and transformation.
The good news is that Jesus is with us, as members of his new family, we don’t have to be afraid of our own family tree.
He is growing something new in us. Our best future and our soul’s health comes from a honest and sober look at our (and our family’s) past.
So much more to say!
See you Sunday at 5pm!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Home Churches are now going! Jump in one!
2/4 – Rad YTH Park Day 3:30-4:45
2/4 – Children’s Ministry Parent Meeting (with childcare) 3:30 – 4:30 PM at ELC
2/11 – Nacho Normal Sunday (Superbowl Sunday) – 1PM Worship Service
2/24 – Inner Healing Prayer Workshop 9AM-4PM
3/31 – Easter Sunday Service
4/13 – Women’s Tea
4/19-21 -Men’s Conference — registration opens 1/1/24
YOUTH PARK DAY
Calling all 6-12th graders to join us for a fun time at Roosevelt park February 4th, 2024! We will have 9-square, a volleyball net, gaga ball, football, soccer with pizza provided. We would love to get some help from our church family for donated snacks and drinks. Feel free to bring others to this event, a great opportunity to invite others. 2:30-4:45pm. Come join us for a great time to hang out and be together! Let me know if you have any questions or want to donate some items. Contact Youth Director- Ulisses Vasquez at 209-541-8536. Please let me know if you know your youth is going!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PARENT MEETING – 2/4
Radiant has been blessed with a ton of kids! We love this and want to steward this crucial ministry well. We are holding a parent meeting for those with kiddos in our ministry. We want to hear from you how we can support you and your families in this season of our church plant, and dream a bit together about what the next chapters hold for Radiant kids. We get some tea heated and will meet from 3:30-4:30 on Sunday, February 4 in the ELC fellowship hall. Naturally, childcare is included.
NACHO NORMAL SUNDAY
Hey, the Superbowl is on 2/11 at 3:30. Like last year, we have decided not to compete with it. From a missional and communal perspective, we think its important that people are with family and friends on this bizarrely important cultural event. So we are having a Nacho Bar and church at 1pm. See you then (and hopefully the 49ers in the Superbowl).
HOME CHURCHES ARE GETTING AFTER IT!
Radiant Home Churches are communities of discipleship in the way of Jesus and are foundational to our life as a church. If you are not currently in a home church, or would like to try a new Home Church, please fill out this interest form, and we’ll follow up with you! Groups has just recently started, so it’s an optimal time to jump in.
YOUTH GROUP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Be a part of pouring into the next generation! Our youth group is need of volunteers and we’d love to chat with those interested. Contact Ulisses Vasquez 209.541.8536 for more information.
INNER HEALING PRAYER WORKSHOP — SATURDAY, 2/24
Jesus is with us always bringing us into healing and freedom. Inner Healing prayer is a means for inviting Jesus into the pain, trauma, and anxiety that we carry. On Saturday, February 24th from 9-4pm we will host a prayer ministry training workshop for those interested in learning how to invite the healing presence of Jesus into their own lives and the lives of others. We will have a guest facilitator, Laura Thiel. Laura has led prayer workshops across the world as a staff member with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Mark your calendar — this will be a transformational time. Suggested donation is $15 (we’ll include lunch). You can sign up here.
MEN’S CONFERENCE 4/19-21 at MISSION SPRINGS
Join us for a weekend of impact, challenge, and fun as we spend time in worship, fellowship, and growing in Christ. Our hope is that the men at the conference would feel empowered to rise up and seek out God despite feelings, circumstances, or situations. Register here, starting Jan. 1st. Also — the Fowlers have generously opened up their Mission Springs cabin and have room for ten. Let John know if you are interested. 209.345.5854
FRONTIER RANCH
The Covenant Church operates a phenomenal summer camp in the Santa Cruz mountains. There are week long options for 4-6th graders and 7-9the graders. Registration opened on 12/1. Spots will fill quickly. Scholarships available from the website. Register here.
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,
