September 23, 2023
Dear Friends,
Have you noticed that little extra edge of anger in the air? We are all feeling a bit crispy.
We see this in subtle physical cues: a slight expression of contempt on a face, a hardened posture standing in the grocery line, that hint of annoyance in one’s voice.
Then it erupts in the strangest of places — parents screaming at a well meaning youth soccer referee, a belligerent airline passenger, or in a scary road rage incident on the highway.
There is data to back this up. Gallup, amazingly, polls anger and other negative emotions — these have trended up, year over since 2007. This wasn’t just a pandemic thing.
In many of us, there is a deep well of anger just under the surface, ready to erupt. Perhaps you feel this — sometimes our own angry reactions surprise ourselves.
Of course, this is not good. Personally, anger leads to broken relationships and can harden into contempt. Socially, anger manifests as polarization and institutional dysfunction. At its ugliest, anger leads to violence.
This Sunday we’ll examine the reality of anger in our lives through the lens of Jesus’ famous sermon on the mount.
Jesus provides a startlingly strong warning against anger and offers us a beautiful and different way of being the world when strife strikes our hearts.
See you tomorrow at 5pm!
EVENTS CALENDAR (see below for details)
Home Churches are now in session!
9/26 – The Alpha Course Preview 6-8PM
9/29-10/1 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
10/6 – Youth All-Nighter
10/8 – Second Sunday Potluck
11/3-11/5 – Fall Middle School Retreat
11/12 – Second Sunday Chili Cook-off
THE ALPHA COURSE – BEGINS THIS TUES. SEPTEMBER 26 
The Alpha Course is returning!
What is Alpha? Alpha is a series of conversations about things we all question in life: Why do bad things happen to good people? What’s the purpose of life? What’s next?
It’s for those exploring Jesus, for those who are skeptical, for those who want to be refreshed. It is an 10 week course, but you are welcome to come to the first gathering to check it out, no commitment required. This is a great community to invite friends who are exploring faith — all questions welcomed If you’re looking for a judgment-free space to ask hard questions, share your own opinion, or even just observe, there’s a place for you. Sign up here.
HOME CHURCHES ARE NOW IN SESSION
Radiant Home Churches are communities of discipleship in the way of Jesus and are foundational to our life as a church. If you are not currently in a home church, or would like to try a new Home Church, please fill out this interest form, and we’ll follow up with you as the groups take shape. You can also directly reach out to the leaders listed below and they will get you connected. 
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL RETREAT
Nov. 3-5 2023 at Mission Springs Conference Center, Scotts Valley, CA
These weekends are known for being wonderful places of connection for our students, a space to encounter God, and include ridiculously fun activities like 9 square, crafts/ board games, and even a zipline! Contact Ulisses Vasquez (209.541.8536) for more information and more details.
UPCOMING SECOND SUNDAYS – THE CHILI COOK-OFF IS COMING BACK!
We’ll have our Second Sunday Supper on 10/8 following our service. This will be a potluck supper — so bring something to share and enjoy time with the Radiant fam! On 11/12 we’re doing a chili cook-off contest. If you would like to bring chili – please let Laura Fowler know – fowlercsr@gmail.com
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 a
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry. Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings.
Grace and Peace,
Zach
