March 13, 2025
Dear Radiant,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus’ words from the cross are profound and poignant.
They give voice to his ache and bewilderment as he bore the weight of human sin, shame, and alienation from God.
These words also raise questions: what does it mean for Jesus—God incarnate—to experience forsakenness by God?
This is a deep mystery, a profound paradox. Yet it is through this mystery that beautiful redemption through Jesus comes to us.
As theologian Jurgen Moltmann puts it: “God is forsaken by God so that he can become the God of the God-forsaken.”
But there is more to these words than this.
Jesus is citing the first verse of Psalm 22—a psalm that begins in lament but weaves its way toward resilient hope. Might these words of lament also carry seeds of hope?
So these words speak both to those who need empathy in their abandonment and to those who desperately need to hold on to hope.
Isn’t that all of us?
There is so much more to say. See you this Sunday at 10 AM.
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
Ongoing: Home Church!
3/18 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
3/22 – Prayer and Worship Night 6-8PM
4/3 – Good Friday Service
4/5 – Easter Sunday at Radiant 10AM (egg hunt for the kids)
4/19 – Park Day Potluck Picnic at Roosevelt Park
4/25 – Love Modesto Service Day
4/25 – Radiant Adoption into the Pacific Southwest Conference at University Covenant Church, Davis
5/2 – Women’s Tea (mark the calendar!)
5/10 – Baptism Sunday (with Mother’s Day treats)
RADIANT YOUTH THIS SUNDAY NIGHT
Join us this Sunday at 5:47PM at ELC. 
PRAYER AND WORSHIP NIGHT
Set aside some time on March 22, Sunday Night to worship God and seek his face in prayer. We’ll gather from 6-8PM (feel free to drop whenever able). There will be moments of worship, silence, and prayer. All ages welcome. We’ll meet in the sanctuary at Emanuel Lutheran Church (324 College Ave).
EASTER SUNDAY
Easter Sunday at Radiant 10AM! Great chance to pack it out for the resurrection, invite family and friends.
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
*We need about 150 plastic eggs with candy (must be wrapped) for this — if you are able to bring a dozen or two eggs, please let Crystal know.
HOME CHURCH COMMUNITIES 
If you are interested in joining a Home Church feel free to reach out to one of the leads listed above.
COMMUNITY NOTES
LOVE MODESTO SERVICE DAY
Love Mo! Sign up to serve and demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way this city wide service day! Sign up here.
ELC WORKDAY 3/21 – 9AM
Our friends at ELC are holding a campus clean-up, beautification day. They’d love any help they can get. Feel free to drop by for a little or long as you would like. 9am-12pm. (We currently rent space for youth and gatherings like Alpha, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, and FPU).
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT
This is an exciting moment for the church — Radiant is being adopted into the Evangelical Covenant Church this summer. It begins by Radiant being adopted into the Pacific Southwest Conference this April 25 at the Conference annual meeting in Davis, CA. In June, we will be adopted into the larger denomination on the 25th in Scottsdale, AZ. Anybody up for a roadtrip? We’d love to have anyone from Radiant join us — talk to Zach if interested.
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
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
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
“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
