November 8, 2024
Dear Radiant,
Let’s turn a page.
Let’s turn from the hurry, noise and contention of an election to the slow, quiet, and hidden.
I’m ready for that — not in avoidance– but in knowledge that God is also at work away from the bustle.
Jesus invites us to look again, not as the world looks at things, but with a perspective that pierces that ordinary. He says in so few words, “prepare to be surprised — things are not as they seem.”
Mustard seeds, a long forgotten and buried treasure, the slow growth of a farmer’s field: Jesus says such things are like the kingdom of God.
So I wonder what’s under the surface in our lives? Things waiting to be broken open and discovered, like rocks that turn out to be geodes.
So in this little three week series we are considering the overlooked things, the small things, the hidden things — boldly believing that God is at work, perhaps especially so, in those places in our world .
See you at 10AM or 5PM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Ongoing — Home Churches — plug in now!
Ongoing — The Alpha Course Thursdays 6PM at ELC
11/12 – Service Times Discussion Space – 7-8PM at ELC
11/13 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
11/24 – Baptism Service
11/27 – Thanksgiving Eve Service w/ Emanuel Lutheran 7PM
12/1 – First Sunday in Advent and Child Dedication Service
12/8 – Homecoming Sunday for Radian’t third anniversary.
ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF — THE RESULTS ARE IN — LET’S GO TO THE BOARD.
That cook off was a spicy blast and all the chili’s were incredible. Thanks to everyone who provided food! Here are the winners. Brian Lien (1st place) Jake and Elizabeth Oxenrider (2nd place) Kyle Tanuma – (3rd place). Well done!
TWO SERVICE EXPERIMENT FEEDBACK WANTED
We are almost seven weeks into our two service experiment and are curious how it has been for you. We went into this process with the hopes of discerning what service times/ locations/ configurations would be best for Radiant as we seek to make disciples of Jesus in Modesto. We (Zach and the Vision Team) are aiming to decide on the path forward around Sunday November 17th.
Here is what we are deciding between:
1) Keep doing the 10AM at MJC and 5PM at ELC services as we’ve been doing over the past six weeks.
2) Go back to 5PM services only at Emanuel Lutheran Church (this would go into effect on 12/8).
3) A single 10AM service at Modesto Jr. College’s Recital Hall (this would go into effect on 12/8).
This is a big decision for us and we will take into account feedback from everyone: ministry team leaders and volunteers, staff, new attenders. There are a couple of ways for you to provide feedback.
- fill out this feedback form.
- share at your Home Church (HC leaders will share what they’ve heard)
- attend one of our feedback/sharing meetings: Wednesday 11/6, 7-8PM at Zach and Jill’s house — 1128 Mills Ave., Tuesday, 11/12 7-8PM at ELC’s fellowship hall.
- Of course, you can always feel to reach out to Zach or any other Vision Team members (Grace Gilham, Victor Chen, Anna Hatton, Luis Bautista, Cindy Femino) to share.
Please pray for our church in this time — we are really grateful for what God is doing in our community and excited about what will be next, but we know that any decision we make will also bring its own challenges.
WOMEN’S GATHERING – THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM
6am, this Wednesday ladies. At the ELC fellowship hall.
BAPTISM AND CHILDREN’S DEDICATION SERVICES 11/24 & 12/1We are excited about new life in our community (babies being born!) and new life in Christ (people deciding to follow Jesus and be baptized). We are planning a baptism service on 11/24 (tentatively) at 5PM and a child dedication service on 12/1. If you are interested in either please let Zach know – 209.497.3710.
JOINT THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE WITH EMANUEL LUTHERAN – 11/27 7PMWe are sharing in a short service of gratitude and Thanksgiving with Emanuel Lutheran Church on Wednesday, November 27 at 7PM. Pie fellowship to follow (what a combo: Pie and Fellowship!). That means bring a pie to share afterwards if you want.
RADIANT THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND HOMECOMING CELEBRATION 12/8.Can you believe it’s been three years! It seems like longer and shorter to me. We are going to give God thanks for his three years of work in this church plant and ask for him to do even greater things than these. We want to spread the invites wide and involved everyone who has been involved in any way in our story. More details to follow, but mark your calendar for 12/8/2024!
NEW RIPON HOME CHURCH – THURSDAY 6PM
*Phil and Elisa Krueger are hosting a Ripon Home Church at their home on Thursdays from 6-8PM! They can be contacted at 209.681.3045
Home churches are just beginning this fall. Radiant Home Churches are communities of discipleship in the way of Jesus and are foundational to our life as a church. Here’s a list of home churches. Each leader would be glad to connect with you. 
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 UPDATE
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry! Here’s the link to online giving.
October Giving:$16,066
October Budget: $15,900
Grace and Peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
