March 1, 2023
Dear Radiant,
This week we are with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. And while the olive orchard might be pleasant, Jesus’ circumstances are anything but.
He is in excruciating anguish here as he awaits betrayal by a close friend and his impending, torture, crucifixion, and death.
It’s fitting that Gethsemane means “oil press” in Aramaic (Jesus’ native language). That’s what happening here. The weight of the world and its sin is pressing down upon Jesus in unimaginable ways.
Like his inner circle of disciples, we are invited to keep watch and pray with Jesus, and learn from him as he faces, head on, the coming pain and suffering.
The reality is that we all have (or will have) our own personal Gethsemane. As much as we’d like to think that we can somehow skirt by it — suffering awaits us all.
But Jesus shows us the way forward when we’re being pressed. It is the way of trust and abandonment to Abba, Father – who is with us always, even in agony.
The good news is that with the pressing come transformation, just like pressed olives bring forth olive oil.
Jesus shows us that not all is lost. In fact, this is just the beginning of the renewal of all things where we receive “the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3
But for there to be oil — pressing must come first.
See you this Sunday at 5PM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Home Churches are now going! Jump in one!
3/3 – Newcomer’s Pizza @Zach and Jill’s after church
3/3 – Radiant Middle School (during worship)
3/3 – UNITE Info Meeting
3/7 – RAD YTH NIGHT 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
3/17 – Radiant High School (during
3/31 – Easter Sunday Service
4/13 – Women’s Tea 10AM-12PM
4/19-21 -Men’s Conference
4/27 – Love Modesto Service Day
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.
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
NEWCOMER’S PIZZA
If you are new or new-ish to Radiant, Jill and I would love to have you over to our house for pizza. Newcomer’s pizza will be on March 3rd, following our worship gathering. We’ll share a bit more the vision and mission of Radiant and the Covenant denomination and get a chance to hear from you, answer any questions you might have. Email Zach – zach@radcov.org – to let him know you are coming. Kids welcome!
MEN’S CONFERENCE 4/19-21 at MISSION SPRINGS
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
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
