December 19, 2025
Dear Radiant,
To love is to risk.
In a world that so often meets love with indifference or rejection, the temptation is not to love at all.
We suppose we can keep ourselves safe by developing a protective layer, a hardened outer shell.
But this is a worse fate than the risk of love itself.
C.S. Lewis named this danger with haunting clarity:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
How, then, do we find the courage to love vulnerable in a dark and cynical time?
The apostle Paul offers a surprising answer: “Put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
This strange armor of light is different: this armor is designed for self-giving.
This armor enables us to love because we know that we are loved, to risk because we know that we are ultimately safe.
This Advent, we’ve been learning about hope in the night. When we love as Jesus loves, we incarnate hope and light breaks through the darkness.
Friends, this armor is there for you, and for any who dares to love. The question is, will we put it on?
See you this Sunday — the fourth in Advent! — at 10AM
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
12/21 – Post service drinks and craft!
12/21 – Radiant Youth Christmas Pary
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service 2PM @ELC
12/28 – No Sunday Gathering – Church at Home!
1/5 – Sunday Worship 10AM at MJC
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – 2PM at ELC
ADVENT FUN!
During Advent we are going to be creating some space after service for folks to hang out enjoy some hot beverages. We’ll have some crafts and activities for all ages as well. Here’s what is coming up:
Dec 7 – Christmas swag or table deco and hot cocoa/cider
Dec 14 – Family crafts and card making
Dec 21 – Cookie decorating
RADIANT YOUTH
NO CHURCH ON SUNDAY, 12/28
We will not be gathering on Sunday, 12/28, but be back on Sunday, January 5th. We will be providing some worship resource and links to stuff we like for folks to worship at home/with friends.
RADIANT MEMBERSHIP TOWNHALL Q & A: FOLLOW UP
We are beginning the church membership journey at Radiant. This last Sunday we shared about the process and fielded questions. There are some resources on our linktree — take a look. Also, if you are interested in attending our first membership class or have any questions, you can indicate here.
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
There are some opportunities to serve in children’s ministry in 2026. Please contact Crystal Nicholson if God is leading you to explore serving in this area: (408) 802-7061
Upcoming Schedule:
12/28 – Resources will be posted on the linktr.ee/radcov
1/5 – Nursery (Glow class) Only
COMMUNITY NOTES:
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.
PRAYER
Join us for preservice every Sunday at 9am at MJC near the children’s ministry rooms.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry! I emailed a year end giving update here if you’d like to take a look.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
