March 15, 2023
Hey Radiant,
This journey to the cross this lent has been hard for me. I am tired. I am ready for it to be over.
As we have dwelled with Jesus in his betrayal and his pain and his suffering, I find myself wanting to move on, to turn to the end of the story. The happy part.
Of course, that’s what we tend to do — we avoid and look for shortcuts. Who likes to dwell on such a sad and harsh series of events? What’s the point of journeying with Jesus in the dark parts?
In reality we have (and will have) dark chapters too. We need to know that there is a God who knows what we know. A personal God who knows us personally.
Here’s the good news about the hard part of the story: in Jesus Christ, God enters into the pain and suffering we all experience in some shape or form.
This means we can find him there. Bizarrely, pain can be a pathway to God.
As Corrie Ten Boom (in the midst of a Nazi concentration camp) found:
“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.
Of course, this doesn’t make our suffering “easy.” If it was easy, it wouldn’t be suffering, it wouldn’t be a pit.
But as we walk with Jesus in his suffering shows a God who is here with us in the hardest places. This makes all the difference.
And that’s why it’s important we make this journey.
The journey to cross continues this Sunday (Saint Patrick’s Day). See you at 5!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Home Churches are now going! Jump in one!
3/17 – Radiant High School (during service)
3/21 – Rad YTH Night 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
3/31 – Easter Sunday Service 10:30AM Brunch 11:30AM service
4/13 – Women’s Tea 10AM-12PM
4/19-21 – Men’s Conference
4/27 – Love Modesto Service Day
MEN’S CONFERENCE 4/19-21 at MISSION SPRINGS
**MAKE SURE TO SIGN-UP. 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. 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
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.
NEW CHILDREN’S CHURCH RHYTHM
4th and 5th grade will have children’s church every Sunday starting this Sunday. We are always looking for volunteers and teachers.
EASTER 2024
Easter is just a few weeks away. We will celebrate this resurrection of Jesus, the hinge-point of history, with joy and praise (and brunch). Our service will be at 11:30AM this year — spread invites wide and far. This service will be preceded by a shared brunch with Emanuel Lutheran Church at 10:30AM.
WOMEN’S TEA – SAT. 4/13
Join us as we sip on tea and listen to Laurie Short as she redirects us toward hope, perspective and a new way of seeing a world full of detours. May we begin seeing our stories with new hope. This is a great event to invite friends to. When: Saturday, April 13th 10am-12pm
Cost: $15
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
