May 31, 2024
Dear Radiant,
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,”
The Irish poet William Butler Yeats wrote these haunting lines in 1919. His poem “The Second Coming” captured the sadness, confusion, and despair of his generation.
Europe was just emerging from the catastrophe and massive death of World War 1. The Spanish Flu pandemic had wreaked havoc right on its heels. Yeats himself had almost lost his wife to it.
People, accustomed to a hopeful vision of a steadily improving future, were rocked. They were listless — even at the prospect of anarchy.
What happens, they asked, when “the center” no longer holds and the beautiful edifices we’ve built crumble?
The reality is, we all need a center from which to live. It is not a matter of if, but what our center is.
So what is your center? Where is the place from which you live? Your foundation? Your rock?
Building our life on a faulty center, whatever it may be (career success, our appearance, material prosperity, new experiences, social progress) is merely a prelude to “things falling apart.”
The prophet Elijah 3000 years ago spoke to a people whom had forgot their center in God. There were idolatrous — building their lives on things that are not God. And things fell apart.
Elijah, fiercely and courageously, called them back to their rock, their firm foundation, the center that holds: God.
Elijah’s call echos down the millennia to us too — “whom will be out center?”
Psalm 62 answers resolutely. I want to sing this song.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
We continue our “Weird like Elijah” series this Sunday.
We’ll see you Sunday at 5!
EVENTS CALENDAR
6/2 – Children’s Ministry Volunteers Meeting 3:30-4:30PM at ELC
6/4 – Home Church Leaders Think Tank 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
6/5 – Men’s Morning Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
POSTPONED 6/9 – Church at Enslen Park
6/9 – Second Sunday Supper Potluck
6/11 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships course begins
6/13 – SUPER RAD YTH NIGHT 5-10PM at ELC
10/4-10/6 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs *registration now open.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEER MEETING – 6/2 3:30PM at ELC
We are pulling together Children’s ministry volunteers and teachers on Sunday, 6/2 from 3 3:30-4:30 at ELC. This is an important meeting for safety, best practices, and encouragement. If you are interested in volunteering you are MOST WELCOME!!! to attend.
HOME CHURCH THINK TANK – 6/4 – 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
This meeting is for Home Church leaders and prospective leaders as we move into our summer rhythm. All who are interested are welcome. This is a chance to share ideas, best practices, celebrations, and challenges as we seek to create a network of communities of spiritual formation and mission in the way of Jesus.
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM ELC
All men welcome! See you there.
SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER
Potluck on June 9 following worship! Bring something to share!
EMOTIONALLY HEALTH RELATIONSHIPS COURSE
TUESDAYS, 6:30-8:30PM JUNE 11 – JULY 28 (8 SESSIONS)
*if you plan on traveling this summer — there a video streaming options for independently completing sessions you miss.
This powerful 8-week Course will equip you with practical tools to really love people in difficult situations and mature into an adult follower of Jesus. The Emotionally Healthy (EH) Relationships Course has been developed over a 21-year period to directly address core biblical principles to guide you and others into an experience of discipleship that will deeply change your life. In the EH Relationships Course, everyone will learn 8 practical relationship skills to develop mature, loving relationships with others.
This will be a paradigm shifting course — sign up here.
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS (SCOTTS VALLEY) OCTOBER 4-6 2024
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 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
