December 20, 2024
Dear Radiant,
I like how Eugene Peterson puts it in the Message translation:
“The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.”
John 1:14 MSG
John the Baptist indeed prepared the way of the Lord, but how ready could we ever really be prepared for Jesus — the word made flesh!
Jesus arrived both hidden and glorious, God with us in the ordinary and lowly.
He moved into the neighborhood, fully one of us, understanding and healing us from the inside out. He become flesh — not in theory or temporarily — but by joining his glory to ours.
So this Sunday, we will behold the mystery of the Lord Jesus again, trusting that one who came to dwell among us, still yet is to be found: in our own neighborhoods, in our own homes, in our own hearts.
Here is “one-of-a-kind” glory and transformation!
See you Sunday at 10AM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
10AM SERVICE ONLY STARTING 12/8/2024
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service at ELC 2PM
12/28 – Sunday Worship 10AM at MJC
Mid-January – Home Churches restart
1/26 – Newcomer’s Pizza 12:00-1:00PM at Zach and Jill’s
CANDELIGHT SERVICE – 12/24 2PM AT ELC
Join us at 2pm on Christmas Eve for a family candlelight service as we celebrate Christmas. For this gathering we’ll meet at 324 College Ave. UEmanuel Lutheran Church).
SPECIAL ADVENT SCRIPTURE STUDY NEXT THREE WEEKS
Matt and Martha Miles are inviting people to the Isaiah Advent study. It will be at their house, 3117 Maplenut on Sunday nights at 7pm till Christmas. Contact Martha Miles with any questions: 510.978.1934
ADVENT GENEROSITY
LOCAL FOCUS:
We are doing a supply drive for newly re-settled refugee families with World Relief. You can find a list of needed items here. Bring supplies to a Sunday Gathering. We will have an area near the welcome table where you can drop off things.
GLOBAL FOCUS:
Give clean water to a community in Mozambique in partnership with the Mozambique Covenant Church. We’ve partnered with Mozambique Covenant Church before are excited to continue this partnership. Here’s a description of the need:
With a presence in over 540 communities, Life for Mozambique is committed to bringing
clean water to needy and thirsty people. Our goal is to bring a clean water well to
every Life for Mozambique community. A water well will mean: More time for kids in school, less time for women collecting water, more time for earning an income, and better health. Clean water is basic, it’s foundational. It’s something we envision flowing in each and every one of our communities.
Some other facts: 53% of Mozambicans don’t have access to clean water. 6th worst ranked country for clean water access. 3 hrs per day spent collecting water. Here’s the giving link for giving clean water (select “wells for Mozambique” from the drop down menu).
GETTING PLUGGED IN….
NEWCOMER PIZZA – If you are newer, newish with us, we’d love to get to know you a bit. We’re relational here — so Jill and I like to invite you over for post-church pizza on 1/26 at 12pm. Sign up here.
HOME CHURCH – Is where the really good stuff happens. They are on hiatus right now but these smaller communities will reconvene in mid-January. 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
YEAR END: Help us end 2024 strong! Our budget goal for 2024 is $190,800 and giving so far has totaled an incredible $182,900 — 96% of our budget. 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
