May 19, 2023
Hey Radiant,
Yesterday was “The Feast of the Ascension.”
If my hunch is correct, not many of you marked the day with celebrations of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. (One wonders how you would celebrate — a balloon launch?).
The Ascension isn’t in the same elite Christian calendar category as Christmas, Easter, or even Pentecost.
Yet, the reality of Jesus’ ascension is foundational for our faith…and often downplayed and misunderstood.
N.T. Wright, the celebrated New Testament scholar remarks:
“Why has the ascension been such a difficult and unpopular doctrine in the modern Western church? It is that the ascension demands that we think differently about how the whole cosmos (heaven and earth) is put together.”
The Ascension helps answer crucial questions: where exactly is the resurrected Jesus and how exactly is he with us? More than that, as Wright suggests, it challenges our understanding of the nature of heaven and indeed, how heaven relates to earth.
But as we’ll discuss Sunday the ascension bring immense encouragement and hope. The ramifications of the ascension are really practical.
Not only that, but the Ascension kicks off the book of Acts — our summer sermon series.
Fittingly, Acts is action packed — and I’m excited to journey through this epic story together this summer. We are the beneficiaries of the bold witness of early disciples illustrated in Acts and we have a ton to learn from their example.
So join us this Sunday at 5pm. Btw — we’ll be hanging in the Courtyard for worship and dinner to enjoy the good weather. See the details below.
SUMMER CALENDAR (see below for details)
5/21 – Worship in the Courtyard – w/Hot Dogs and Tots
6/1 – Radiant Middle School Summer Event- 5-10PM!
6/6 – The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course Begins – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM
6/11 – Second Sunday Supper
6/23-24 – 24 Hours of Prayer. Kicks off with worship service at 5pm.
7/22 – Dad, Kids, and Catapults
8/3 – Trivia Night (details tba)
8/18-19 – The Missio Conference (a collaborative event with Covenant Grove and Modesto Covenant Church).
MAY 21 — COURTYARD WORSHIP AND DINNER
We are taking it outside! We are going to worship in the courtyard, and have some hot dogs and tots afterwards. Btw — this is the same Sunday as PorchFest in Modesto (1-5). Enjoy Porchfest then join us for worship and we’ll have dinner for you. Suggested donation of $3 for individuals, $10 max for each family.
STARTING JUNE 6 – EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY COURSE
We are pumped to be hosting the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS) course at Radiant! We will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 at Emanuel starting 6/6. This will conclude on 8/1 (no class on 7/4). Also, there will be a virtual option for those who are unable to meet in person each due to travel, etc. Invite some others and sign up by June 1 here: https://forms.gle/U1sgvED6GmPmpzVv7
MORE ABOUT EHS:
Pete Scazzero planted and pastored a church a growing church in Queens, New York City. But after 17 years he hit a wall. He realized that while he had experienced conversion to Christ he had never let Jesus deeply transform his heart and character. He was exhausted and not joyful about his life with God. His marriage was hurting and he was resentful about ministry. But Scazzero’s journey eventually led him to a spiritual revolution and a different way — one where he discovered the vital connection between emotional health and spiritual vitality.
The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course is the fruit of Scazzero’s journey. This is an 8 week course which includes video content and group discussion. Scazzero outlines his journey and offers a road map for a discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully transformative. Topics include how to identify emotionally unhealthy spirituality, how to grow your soul through grief and loss, and how to develop into an emotionally mature adult.
RADIANT MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER KICKOFF – 6/1
WHEN: Join us Thursday, 6/1 from 5-10PM for an evening filled with games, food, fellowship, and a movie!
RSVP: Text Ulisses at 209-541-8536
WHERE: 505 Chabot Avenue
Event is potluck style: please bring your favorite savory dish to share. And bring a friend. All are welcome.
DADS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
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. 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
