February 27, 2025
Dear Radiant,
Which criminal are you?
One criminal hung on the cross and insulted Jesus, mocking him:
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Luke 24:39.
The other criminal saw Jesus and somehow beheld a king, asking “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42.
These criminals are the archetypal human responses to suffering and our sin. We are either hardened by it or softened by it. We can become callous or we can become malleable clay.
The difference between the two This is a great mystery.
But the good news is that we get to choose what to do when we find ourselves on our proverbial cross whether by our own guilt or by life’s circumstances. Do we acknowledge our reality and our guilt and our pain and choose to look outside ourselves to God for help?
Or do we blame others, even blame God?
Again, the irony is that being crucified alongside Jesus meant salvation for the penitent criminal. For the other criminal, it did not.
Here’s what is sobering: their proximity to Jesus didn’t guarantee their ability to acknowledge him as king, it was their heart that mattered.
So our cross can be a new beginning. Our deepest suffering can lead to our ultimate liberation even if we aren’t sure how.
If we listen there — we just might hear the surprising and comforting words of Jesus: “Truly I tell you…..”
See you this Sunday at 10 AM.
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
Ongoing: Home Church!
2/28 – Sergio and Samantha baby shower 2-4PM at ELC
3/1 – Radiant Youth 5:47PM
3/4 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
3/8 – Second Sunday Lunch at ELC
3/8 – Radiant Youth Hike Event at Dos Rios State Park 1:30PM
3/22 – Prayer and Worship Night
4/5 – Easter Sunday at Radiant
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS (INITIAL ROUND WERE DUE 2/21 )
What a great response for our initial charter membership applications! We are celebrating this initial group of applications and will be reaching out to follow up soon. If you did not get a chance to apply and would like to become a member at Radiant, you can find resources and the application on linktree. We will be holding another membership class later this spring.
HOME CHURCH COMMUNITIES 
If you are interested in joining a Home Church feel free to reach out to one of the leads listed above.
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
There are some opportunities to serve in children’s ministry in 2026. Please contact Crystal Nicholson if God is leading you to explore serving in this area: (408) 802-7061
RADIANT YOUTH
We’re back: 6-12th Graders! Join us for Youth Group this Sunday at 5:47PM at ELC!
On March 8 we are have a collab event with Cornerstone Youth in Turlock and going on a hike at Dos Rios State Park. This will be at 1:30PM and we will meet at the ELC Parking Lot.
SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH MARCH 8
Join us for food, community, connection. We’ll have burritos, taco salad, and gather at ELC following the service on March 8. $3 per person, $10 max per family.
COMMUNITY NOTES:
MEAL TRAIN
There is a meal train for the Kruegers. Elisa will be having surgery with a 4-8 week recovery and would really appreciate some meals while she’s recuperating. Shed even like some visits too to pass the time. Sign up at this link. Https://mealtrain.com/1r5475
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY IS HERE…NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!
Financial Peace University is a nine-week class that’s helped nearly 10 million people learn step by step how to pay off debt, invest wisely for their future, give with outrageous generosity. This nine week course started on Feb. 12 and meets on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm at ELC Fellowship. Sign up here. Questions? Contact Rob Shank (209) 610-5459.
HOPE AFTER DIVORCE BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN
Began on February 19th ends April 2nd. If you have been through a divorce, are going through divorce, or are simply wondering how God views divorce you are welcome to join this group. We will be using Kay Arthur’s Bible Study guide: “Finding Hope After Divorce.” This group is for women only and will go for seven weeks. If interested or have questions contact Kristy Asire, [email protected], (209)261-4229. Dinner will be provided!
SAMANTHA AND SERGIO BABY SHOWER
This is co-ed on February 28th @ ELC 2-4PM
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.
PRAYER
Join us for preservice every Sunday at 9am at MJC near the children’s ministry rooms.
GIVING UPDATE
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Giving update
Tithes and Offerings received January 1 – February 27th: $29,746
Budgeted Tithes and Offerings January – February: $36,667
“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
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
