November 22, 2024
Hey Radiant, We’ve landed at our service time and location decision. This was a tough one. If you were at one of last Sunday’s services you heard that beginning Sunday, December 8th we will be doing just one service at 10am at Modesto Jr. College’s Recital Hall — 1130 Stoddard Ave.
Here was our rationale: two services was proving a stretch for our volunteers and staff and, perhaps more deeply, we realized it’s important for us to be together! We realized that to do two services well would mean, in effect, two different churches and communities. While multiplication is great — we sensed we are not at the place quite yet for effective multiplication.
Of course, this brought up the question of which service we will be going all in on. This was a tough one too.
We decided that give 10am an all-in a shot after receiving feedback from many folks that was a more conducive time for gathering. We know that this doesn’t fit everyone well and it really is a bummer that this will impact some in our 5pm gathering. We are going to continue our agreement with MJC through May and see how things stand from there. For the time being, we will continue to use ELC for mid-week activities and keep some office space there. As a church plant, it’s crucial to stay nimble!
As I prayed about, the sense I got was that while times and locations are important, the most vital thing is that we continue to be place where people encounter the presence of Jesus. That’s our goal! And our mission remains the same — make disciples who practice the simple way of Jesus for the good of Modesto (and beyond)! I am excited about what is ahead for us as a community — new adventures await. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Btw — this Sunday evening will be a baptism service at ELC at 5pm. Let’s end these last two two service Sundays in style.
THIS SUNDAY…
I don’t have a metal detector but that doesn’t mean I don’t want one.
I would likely give one a good whirl if presented with the opportunity. There’s something exhilarating about the hunt for treasure — who knows what one may find!
In sense, aren’t we are all treasure hunters?
We are on a search for real treasure, that thing that truly satisfies our souls. Our soul’s infinite desire as a compass, we tell ourselves “it must be somewhere around here!” So we dig and search and scroll — yet the treasure proves elusive.
We are like kids with a treasure map that we can’t quite make out but convinced the loot is out there somewhere!
C.S. Lewis writes beautifully about this seemingly insatiable desire we all have:
“Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise….If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
This Sunday we tie up this little teaching series with Jesus’ parables about treasure in a field and the discovery of a fine pearl.
The kingdom is that otherworld treasure that Jesus seems to suggest is all around us, waiting to be discovered.
Excited to dig in and find some treasure with y’all at 10am and 5pm.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Ongoing — Home Churches — plug in now!
11/22 – TODAY – REGISTRATION OPENS FOR FRONTIER RANCH – See special link below.
11/24 – Baptism Service at 5PM Service
11/27 – Women’s gathering 6-7AM at ELC Fellowship Hall.
11/27 – Thanksgiving Eve Service w/ Emanuel Lutheran 7PM followed by pie social.
12/1 – Child Dedication Service at 10AM Service
12/3 – Rad YTH Night 6:30-8:30PM
12/8 – Radiant’s Third Anniversary Celebration Worship and Brunch: 10AM
12/10 – Rad YTH Christmas Party 6:30-8:30
12/13 – Rad YTH Youth Outreach with Redeemer Youth and World Relief
FRONTIER RANCH SUMMER CAMPS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Dates: Friday, November 22, 12:00 PM – Monday, November 25, 10:00 AM
Early registration is available through this link. General registration opens on December 1, 2024, and spots fill up quickly, so early registration is key!
GOSPEL MISSION WINTER CLOTHES DRIVE THROUGH 12/2
The next two Sundays we will be collecting new or lightly used winter coats, gloves, hats, for Modesto Gospel Mission’s ministry to those experiencing homelessness. You can bring them at 10am or 5pm — we’ll have a collection spot near the entry.
BAPTISM AND CHILDREN’S DEDICATION SERVICES 11/24 & 12/1
We 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.
WOMEN’S GATHERING – THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM
6am, this Wednesday ladies! At the ELC fellowship hall.
JOINT THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE WITH EMANUEL LUTHERAN – 11/27 @7PM
We 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 12/8 at 10AM SERVICECan you believe it’s been three years! 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. We will celebrate at the 10AM service and then walk over to ELC for a potluck brunch.
HOME CHURCH
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
