July 26, 2024
Dear Radiant,
Anybody else excited about the Olympics? I am stoked for opening day (today!).
Every Olympics I get sucked in to watching sports that I normally couldn’t care less about. Like the steeplechase: who thought that running through a puddle could be an Olympic sport? And who doesn’t like the hammer throw? Or rowing — (fun fact — I rowed for a year in college).
Part of my fascination is that these are the world’s best athletes on a global stage. They are incredible at what they do and they get to showcase their unique talents to the world in a contest that only happens every four years.
Oh, the pressure! Standing on your tiptoes on the diving platform ready to launch; the sprinter poised on the starting line, listening for the shot; that moment before unleashing that final archer’s arrow.
What significant moments!
But here’s the question I’d like to ask: what if you also have moments just as significant?
Of course, your audience may be quite a bit smaller, but it is not less meaningful.
I would argue, theologically, that your moments and your days drip with as much meaning in the eyes of God as any Olympian’s.
In Colossians, Paul shares the revolutionary message of the God’s kingdom that all of our actions, everything we do, can be done “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
He encourages the Colossians that whatever they do, they should “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
While I may not be a world class (or any class) triple jumper, I can offer whatever I do, with all my heart as an offering to the Lord.
It matters to God.
This means the next time I make a ham and cheese sandwich for my children, pay my utility bills, or sit with somebody who is in pain — maybe this is my moment, maybe this is my Olympics.
May God be glorified in the spectacular and the mundane.
See you Sunday at 5!
SUMMER SCHEDULE KIDS UPDATE:
*For the month of July we will have the Glow group (ages 0-3) but take a break for Shine and 45 degrees Rad. We’re excited to have them in service.
EVENTS CALENDAR
7/30 – Last Emotionally Healthy Relationship Class of the summer 6:30-8:30PM
8/18 – Morning Preview Service at Modesto Jr. College Recital Hall – 10AM
9/8 – Second Preview Service at Modesto Junior College Recital Hall – 10AM
9/15 – Home Churches Re-gather
10/4-10/6 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs *registration now open.
EXCITING PLANS…If you missed the town hall meeting a few weeks back — here are our slides from the evening that explains our thinking.
In short, we are excited to move forward with this experiment as we follow the Holy Spirit into mission and will plan on holding preview services at the MJC recital hall (1130 Stoddard Ave) on 8/18 and 9/8.
If you have any questions — I’m glad to field them. Team leaders will be reaching out soon to those who responded to helping on ministry teams for those dates.
UPDATES
UNITE CONFERENCE
We sent our first contingent of high schoolers to the Unite Conference in San Diego July 15-29 . It was great to hear that the conference went well and that it was powerful time of connection with God and each other. 
ALASKA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 7/20-7/27
John Fowler is joining a team from Modesto Covenant to do construction work at the Covenant’s college in Soldotna, Alasksa that serves native Alaskan young adults. Pray for John and the team!
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS OCTOBER 4-6 2024
BLESSED AND BROKEN: Jesus took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave the bread. These four words not only summarize the life of Jesus but are central to our spiritual lives as well. Join us for an unforgettable weekend with other women where we dive into what it means to live as chosen, blessed, broken, and given children of God. This conference is hosted at Mission Springs conference center in Scotts Valley, CA and will be a gathering of women from many Covenant churches in our region. Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
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
