June 23, 2023
Hey Radiant,
This week’s sermon text is Acts 9 has me reminiscing a bit…
Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was the topic of my first ever public sermon.
I was asked to speak at a campus gathering at my college.
I was a senior and I had no idea what I was doing.
I was so nervous. May palms were sweaty and my throat dry. I had a given a practice talk to a few friends and the angsty looks on their faces suggested I was in trouble.
But I couldn’t resist the opportunity to tell people about the good news of Jesus that had come to mean so much to me.
I thought the story of Saul’s conversion was the perfect story to testify to the unrelenting love of Jesus, who breaks into our story, our journey when we least expect it, even when we are dead set against him. Saul was literally on his way to persecute the church of Jesus when Jesus meets him.
Maybe these searching college students could experience God’s grace and goodness too!
I even added some special wrinkles to my talk. I remember giving out a piece of chocolate to every attendee, asking them to savor it in order to taste and see that the Lord is good. Pretty good move, eh! Maybe I should bust that one out again?
Honestly, I am not sure how the talk went. It felt like a victory to survive it not disintegrate into a puddle of fear.
But that’s what an experience of God’s grace does — it changes our carefully curated plans for living and makes us risk for the sake of love.
Like it did for Saul.
Which makes me wonder for us…
I wonder what plans you hold that God has been disrupting? I wonder where God wants to bring you new vision? Bring you new revelation of his love?
I’m still excited to share about it this surprising, unrelenting love of God — but no promises on the chocolate.
We’ll see you Sunday at 5PM!
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR (see below for details)
6/22 – Radiant Middle School Gathering – 5-10PM
6/23-24 – 24 Hours of Prayer
6/27 – The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM
6/29 – Radiant High School Gathering 5-10PM
7/1 – Women’s Hike at Table Mountain
7/22 – Dad, Kids, and Catapults
8/3 – Trivia Night (details TBA)
8/18-19 – The Missio Conference (a collaborative event with Covenant Grove and Modesto Covenant Church).
9/29-10/1 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
24 HOURS OF PRAYER – 6/23-6/24 – STARTS TODAY!
“Where there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing prayer.” – Andrew Murray
We are back at it again. Prayer as been VITAL to our journey as a church. We are creating space for prayer — praying as a church for 24 hours straight. We’ll begin Friday at 6PM at ELC and end with worship on Saturday night from 5-6PM. All are welcome. Prayer is learned by praying and we are all still learners. Sign up for a prayer slot here. There are still slots open!
RADIANT HIGH SCHOOL MEETING – “SUMMER NIGHTS!”
Radiant High Schoolers are gathering on Thursday, 6/29 from 5-10PM. Big $5 for pizza — this will be a summer time hang — board games, some Bible Study, and other fun shenanigans.
WHERE: 2041 Dora St. (Manny’s house!)
RSVP: Text Ulisses at 209-541-8536
WOMEN’S HIKE – JULY 1
From Gracie Crew: Hey all! We’ve solidified the Women’s Hike date for July 1st. We will still hike Table Mountain and are planning to go early to beat the heat, let’s plan to start hiking at 8am. Contact Gracie Crew is you are interested (209) 996-5161
DADS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS 9/29 – 10/1
Believe or not, registration for our conference’s Covenant Women’s Conference is now open. This conference will take place at the beautiful Mission Springs Conference in Scotts Valley, CA. This will also be a weekend of encouragement, fellowship, and rich memory-building, all with one goal in mind, that you leave Mission Springs knowing that you are loved by God and your purpose is to love others. Click here to learn more about speakers and worship and to register.
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 resources, and commit to pray for one another. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
GIVING
Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
zach@radcov.org
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
