June 30, 2023
Dear Radiant,
The older I get the more bewildered I am by the Jesus movement.
Bewildered in a good way.
Like, how did a rogue movement within Judaism became a world wide phenomenon? One that we are still participating in 2000 years later and 7,000 miles away from its start?
What a surprise that the story of Jesus, the one who died a shameful death on a Roman cross, would captivate the world!
What a surprise that the rich, poor, slaves, free, men and women of Roman Empire heard this story and believed that they too, could be included in the story of God through Jesus.
That their lives mattered to God. That they could be forgiven. That the tomb was empty.
But before “The Way” made the leap from being solely a Jewish movement to a multi-ethnic one — God had some work to do in the movement’s Jesus-following Jewish leaders.
There’s a fascinating story within a story.
Reasonable questions had to be asked: how could non-Jews be a part of the people of God? What does this mean for our purity? For God’s law? For God’s covenant?
These questions drove much of the content of the New Testament.
This week we’ll explore Peter’s encounter with God and with gentiles that answered at least some of these questions. This strange event would unleash a rapidly expanding movement among gentiles.
My hope is that as we explore this encounter it will lead to our own encounter with God and his vast, impartial love.
It might leave us a little bewildered too. Bewildered in a good way, of course.
See you this Sunday at 5!
(BTW — check out our redesigned website that just launched. April Newton did an awesome job)
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR (see below for details)
7/1 – Women’s Hike Postponed!
7/4 – Happy Independence Day! (No Emotionally Healthy Spirituality this week)
7/11 – Emotionally Healthy Spirituality 6:30-8PM
7/22 – Dad, Kids, and Catapults (RSVP by 7/15)
8/3 – Trivia Night (in support of World Relief)
8/18-19 – The Missio Conference (a collaborative event with Covenant Grove and Modesto Covenant Church).
9/29-10/1 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
HEY DADS – REGISTER BY JULY 15!
TRIVIA NIGHT – 8/3
Mark your calendars: Tuesday, August 3rd at Contentment Brewing Company. Test your knowledge, win prizes, raise money for local refugees as we raise money for World Relief Modesto. More info to come soon. This is a great event to invite friends to!
THE MISSIO CONFERENCE – 8/18-8/19
This is exciting. We are joining forces with our Covenant brothers and sisters at Modesto Covenant Church and Covenant Grove to go deeper in Christ and further in mission together. This will be a Friday and Saturday in-town conference shared across our three sites. This is all about creating space for the Holy Spirit to encourage, empower, and equip us for participating in God’s mission. Click here to learn more about schedule, speakers, and to register.
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS 9/29 – 10/1
Registration for our conference’s Covenant Women’s Conference is now open. This conference will take place at the beautiful Mission Springs Conference in Scotts Valley, CA. This will also be a weekend of encouragement, fellowship, and rich memory-building, all with one goal in mind, that you leave Mission Springs knowing that you are loved by God and your purpose is to love others. Click here to learn more about speakers and worship and to register.
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 resources, and commit to pray for one another. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
GIVING
Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
