April 28, 2023
Hello Radiant!
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” – J.R.R. Tolkien.
Have you heard of Deborah? She was an “unlikely” Hebrew prophet and judge. Without much context or comment, Deborah enters the story of the Bible in the book of Judges.
It’s hard to categorize Deborah – she was a bold woman: a prophet, judge, and leader in a largely patriarchal era.
And she was a bulwark of bravery when Israel quaked. She led God’s people to military victory over a technologically advanced foe. Deborah is a reminder to us that God is happy to buck social convention to accomplish his purposes.
I am sure we can make a list of our disqualifications or inadequacies when facing a scary, daunting challenge. We tend to be good at that.
But God laughs. Deborah illustrates that it is our courage that is God’s currency.
Join us this Sunday at 5pm for a courage case study of Deborah.
We’ll continue to ask — God, where are you calling me to step out with courage? Another way of asking this is just to think about where you are experiencing fear.
Remember, courage requires the presence of fear (not its absence) — or else, it wouldn’t be courage.
CALENDAR (see below for details)
ONGOING – Home Churches
4/29 – Love Modesto Service Day
5/2 – Online Family Discipleship Workshop with Sarah Cowan Johnson
5/3 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM ELC
5/4 – Radiant Middle School Gathering 7-8:30PM
5/14 – Mother’s Day (No Second Supper this Sunday)
5/21 – Courtyard BBQ!
LOVE MODESTO 4/29
Love Modesto is tomorrow! We encourage you to plug in on a project that is meaningful to you. Volunteer here – https://lovemodesto.com/Volunteer
THIS TUESDAY! FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP WORKSHOP – 5/2
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 Sanctuary Church in 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. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/t12UNDnnPPJJB9Qv6
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY
Coffee, Donuts, Jesus — it’s a good combo. All guys are welcome to join us this Wednesday from 6-7AM at ELC.
RADIANT MIDDLE SCHOOL GATHERING
Radiant Middle School (6-8th grades) will gather on May 4th, at ELC from 7-8:30PM! It will be a sweet and fun time of connecting with God and each other
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
