Dear Radiant,
James isn’t interested in a faith that operates in the abstract. James knows that faith must move from our heads to our hearts to hands or else its just talk.
His language is strident: religion that doesn’t translate into a different way of life is “worthless.” Religion that doesn’t include looking after widows and orphans isn’t pure.
In a world that is, in large part, synthetic, lived through screens, and often distracted, James challenges towards an incarnational faith, a faith that puts flesh behind its beliefs.
An incarnational faith shows up, takes the time to listen to others, is present to those hurting, those on the margins.
In this way, we practice the way of Jesus, the one who became flesh for us, who came near, entered in, was present.
I wonder what it looks like to put flesh on your faith today?
Maybe this means putting faith into where your flesh is today, simply becoming present and paying attention to the place you are, the people you are with, the work you are called to?
As Teresa of Avila wrote:
“Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
What a grand (and intimidating) calling to make ours today.
Grace and peace,
-Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
7/12 – Sunday Worship
7/12 – Radiant Youth – “Park Hopping Night”
7/14 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course
7/15 – Men’s Group at ELC 6-7
7/19 – Lego Build Day (following church)
8/16 – Church “Adoption” Party at ELC
10/2-4 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
Lego Build Day – July 19
Join us for some Lego fun on Sunday, July 19 after service. Our very own Bryce Gilham, a Lego Educator, will lead us in a time of building fellowship one brick at a time. We’ll be doing Mosaics, Free Builds, and Robotics. All welcome!
Radiant Youth
Join us this Sunday, July 12th for a “Park Hopping Night.” We’ll meet at ELC at 5:47PM.
RadCov Kids
Our children’s ministry director, Crystal Nicholson is stepping away from children’s ministry this July and August as she helps her grandmother navigate recovery from a serious car accident. This has been an incredibly full season for Crystal and we want to free her up to be present to family at this time. Moreover, we realize that this is an opportunity for us as a church to do re-imagining when it comes to developing and sustaining our growing children’s ministry. More to come on this! Please keep Crystal and her family in your prayers, as well as our Radcov kids ministry!
*Reminder, for the month of July, only our “Glow” (ages 0-4) classroom will be open. All other children are welcome in service. We will have materials for them to engage with during the service in the welcome area.
World Relief Volunteer Opportunity
Support local refugee youth through a youth summer program. Contact Ulisses Vasquez @ [email protected] for more information.
Women’s Conference at Mission Springs October 2-4
This fall’s theme, “Teach Us to Pray”, is centered on the Lord’s Prayer. Together, we will slow down and reflect on each phrase Jesus taught, discovering what it means to trust our Father, seek His kingdom, depend on His provision, and walk in forgiveness and surrender. This theme calls us not just to learn about prayer, but to be transformed by it. Through worship, teaching, and community, we will be renewed in our desire to pray boldly and live rooted in His presence. Join us for a weekend that promises to refresh your spirit, deepen your faith, and strengthen your connections with fellow women.
Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – Radiant has been formally adopted into the Evangelical Covenant Denomination. This happened on Friday, June 26 at the 141st Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. We’ll party later this summer as a congregation.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community 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!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
