March 21, 2025
Dear Radiant,
It’s a lovely time of year — with birds singing bright lengthening days, and the green growth of spring. It’s like the earth is coming back to life with a joyful song.
But I wonder if it feels like springtime growth in your own heart? Seasons of soul winters and barrenness are a reality of life. There are times when we feel like a tree without leaves or ground that refuses to yield forth its crop. Even as creation proclaims newness of life — our lives may feel anything but new or flourishing. Perhaps we feel the opposite, like we are stale and stagnate.
In this week’s gospel text (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus speaks of fig tree that is not flourishing. It is not simply producing fruit and the owner is tempted to rip it out and keep it from wasting soil.
But Jesus speaks hopefully of a tender gardener who will patiently attempt to bring forth fruit from the tree.
The good news is that this tender gardener, Jesus himself, longs to bring growth and fruit to us when our branches are bear.
This Sunday we’ll consider what it means to repent (aka rethink our plans for living) and submit to the gardener’s care, trusting that spring for our souls will indeed one day come.
As Charles Spurgeon reminds us: “Don’t you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter? Then, have hope! Hope forever, for God will not fail you!”
See you Sunday at 10AM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
3/25 – Radiant Youth Night 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
3/26 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
3/29 – Ellie and Colton’s Wedding! 4:30 at ELC
4/6 – Prayer and Worship Night at the Riley’s 6:30-8PM
4/12 – Women’s Tea 10AM-12PM
4/20 – Easter Sunday 10AM
4/26 – Love Modesto Service Day
4/27 – Newcomer’s Pizza 12-1PM
5/2-4 – Men’s Conference at Mission Springs (registration now open)
RADIANT YOUTH NEW GATHERINGS AND LENT READINGS
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY
Men! You are up! This Wednesday from 6-7AM at ELC’s fellowship hall for a time of community and prayer.
COLTON AND ELLIE ARE GETTING MARRIED! – MARCH 29 
To represent the body of Christ coming together in unity, Ellie Gundlach and Colton Reed would be honored to have their church family attend their wedding ceremony. Scheduled for March 29th at 4:30, anyone is invited to witness their vows and take part in communion. They hope to see you there!
PRAYER AND WORSHIP NIGHT AT THE RILEY’S – APRIL 6
We are going old-school Radiant style — back to packed out living rooms and back yards for worship and prayer. Sunday Night, 4/6 – 6:30-8PM at the Riley’s. 1128 Mills, 95350.
WOMEN’S TEA – APRIL 12
You’re Invited to the 4th Annual Radiant Women’s Tea…
Join us for a morning of connection as we gather over a cup of tea. Come and enjoy yummy treats, delicious tea, lively, conversations. Fill your cup with renewal. Sign up here.
EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 20 
EASTER BRUNCH DETAILS – We are going to be joining Emanuel Lutheran for an Easter Brunch following services. They bring fruit and pastries and Radiant is responsible for bringing breakfast casseroles and juice. We need at least 10 breakfast casseroles. If you are willing to bring a special breakfast casserole or a bottle of juice that morning, please text Laura Fowler at (209) 606-4640. They will need to be dropped off at ELC before our morning service.
LOVE MODESTO SERVICE DAY – APRIL 26
It’s that time of year again! All are invited to jump in to serve our city on 4/26 as we Love Modesto. For this city wide service day — volunteer sign ups are now open. You can sign up here.
NEWCOMER PIZZA – APRIL 27
If you are newer or newish to Radiant and would like to learn more about our story, what we believe and how we practice it — Jill and Zach would love to have you over for some pizza. Not only are we excited to share about the church — but we are excited to get to know you too. Kids most welcome!
We’ll meet at our house — 1128 Mills Ave at 12pm on Sunday, April 27. Sign up here to let us know who’s coming and so we can get enough pizza.
MEN’S CONFERENCE 5/2-5/4
Join us for a weekend of impact, challenge, and fun as we worship, fellowship, and grow in our faith journey in beautiful Mission Springs. It is guaranteed to bless your soul. Our hope is that the men at the conference will feel empowered to rise up as husbands, fathers, and men of faith. Despite their feelings, circumstances, or situations, they will seek out God. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deed. REGISTER HERE STARTING FEB. 1st.
NEW? GETTING PLUGGED IN…
HOME CHURCH – Is where the really good stuff happens as we grow as disciples of Jesus. You can fill out the form here if interested.
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
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
