August 9, 2024
Dear Friends,
Do people ever really change?
Some say “no.” They say (and we might really believe) we are who we are and its more a matter of getting used to this than any grand plan of self-improvement.
Sure, we can put a religious veneer on things and that might help our perspective a bit, but deep down, we remain the same. There’s a ton of ugly evidence in the news headlines and in our everyday experience that church folks struggle with same failures and fragility as everyone else.
But I say (with a hint of defiance) “yes, people can change.”
I still believe that following Jesus can transform your life.
I’ve seen it and I’ve experienced it. Of course, change is messy and non-linear and often through failure.
I believe that God is a lot more interested in who we are becoming than we are.
Jesus in his life and ministry announces the availability of love and power that can transform the depths of our heart and change our lives. His good news is still good as hundreds of millions of people will bear witness to.
But this is the rub: life change takes responsible action on our part to. Transformation is not automatic nor merely transactional.
It will (usually) not be overnight. Change is often slow and steady like small green shoots from the soil. But God, rest assured, is at work.
We are starting a new series — People Change: How the Way of Jesus Can Transform Your Life. I hope you don’t hear a cliche self-improvement advert in this title. This is far deeper and less formulaic.
This is an invitation to a life-long transforming friendship with Jesus. This is an invitation to the way of Jesus.
But this Sunday we’ll begin with the all-important preliminary question when it comes to life change: “do you want to change?” I mean, really change?
Excited to dig-in with ya! See you at 5pm.
*Real quick — Second Sunday Potluck this Sunday! Bring something to share after service!
*Spread the word — our 10AM service preview is next Sunday morning!
EVENTS CALENDAR
8/11 – Second Sunday Supper – Mexican Food Potluck
8/13 – Joyce Fallquist Memorial Reception – 1PM at ELC
8/14 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC WE’RE BACK!
8/16-17 – 24 Hours of Prayer
8/18 – Morning Preview Service at Modesto Jr. College Recital Hall – 10AM
8/22 – Rad Yth Night 6:30-8:30PM at ELC!
9/8 – Second Preview Service at Modesto Junior College Recital Hall – 10AM
9/15 – Home Churches Re-gather
10/4-10/6 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs *registration now open.
SPREAD THE WORD!
We’re getting excited about the 10AM service experiment. It’s getting close! This should be a cool chance to prayerfully invite friends, family, neighbors, to something new. Our preview services will be next Sunday 8/18 and 9/8 at at the MJC recital hall (1130 Stoddard Ave.) at 10AM. Radiant exists to be a place the unchurched and dechurched can encounter Jesus. Let’s see what God is up to by joining together on mission.
*Reminder — in addition, we’ll have our normal 5PM services at ELC.
Btw – here’s another, more social media friendly image to share:
SECOND SUNDAY POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY
Hey, bring something to share for after service! We’ll eat and socialize and hang. It is a mexican food theme this Sunday: “buen provecho!”
MEN’S GATHERING
We’re back on guys! This Wednesday at 6AM — this is always good! ELC fellowship hall.
24 HOURS OF PRAYER – AUGUST 16-17
In lead up to our 10AM preview service, we are going to pray for 24 hours straight. We’ve done this in the past — but we are going to do it a little bit different this time. Instead of gathering at ELC, this will be a decentralized 24 hours of prayer. This means people will sign up for a slot to pray and pray from the own homes, or walking in their neighborhoods, or wherever the Lord leads them. But we’ll start and end together: we will begin the 24 hours with a gathering for prayer on Friday, 8/16 from 5-6PM at the Mission House: 505 Chabot Ave. We will end our time by gathering at the MJC campus Recital Hall for prayer from 4-5PM on Saturday evening.
No experience necessary — we learn to pray by praying. Enjoy some time with the LORD and pray for his kingdom to come and his will to be done in Modesto as in heaven. More details and resources will be provided once you sign up.
FALLQUIST MEMORIAL RECEPTION – AUGUST 13 1PM
We will host a memorial reception to the celebrate the life of Joyce Fallquist on Tuesday, August 13th at 1PM. The reception will be held in the Emanuel Lutheran fellowship hall.
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS OCTOBER 4-6 2024
BE SURE TO SIGN UP — SPACE IS RUNNING OUT!
BLESSED AND BROKEN: Jesus took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave the bread. These four words not only summarize the life of Jesus but are central to our spiritual lives as well. Join us for an unforgettable weekend with other women where we dive into what it means to live as chosen, blessed, broken, and given children of God. This conference is hosted at Mission Springs conference center in Scotts Valley, CA and will be a gathering of women from many Covenant churches in our region. Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
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
