May 26 2023
Dear Radiant,
I’ve been resonating with a song called “Refiner” by Maverick City Music.
I am arrested by these lyrics:
I’ll be a living sacrifice for you
You’re a fire
The refiner
I wanna be consumed
“I wanna be consumed.” Really?
That sounds a little scary. Maybe a bit fanatical?
But in my heart of hearts, I know I am meant to burn for God. Just like you.
I never feel more alive than when I sense God’s loving nearness.
When I offer my life as a living sacrifice to God I am, paradoxically, more free than ever.
His presence is both our comfort and our fuel.
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. We remember and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. He came as fire!
We rejoice in the glorious reality of God dwelling in us because of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
This is a gift, simply to be received by trust in Jesus.
So may that fire be kindled in us this Pentecost. We are going to create some space for His fire to burn in us.
One last point — I should not fail to mention. The beauty of God’s fire is that it’s not just for us. As theologian Tom Smail puts it: the Holy Spirit is the “giving gift.” Fire spreads.
I marvel that the Spirit’s first act in the believers is a miraculous act of language translation that others might know of the goodness of God.
As we learn to “run” on God’s love and power, we realize it is not a gift to hoard but a treasure to share with all — even with those very different from us.
So, let’s gather around the fire this Sunday — all are welcome.
We’ll see you at 5pm!
SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR (see below for details)
6/1 – Radiant Middle School Summer Event- 5-10PM!
5/31 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
6/6 – The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course Begins – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM
6/11 – Second Sunday Supper
6/23-24 – 24 Hours of Prayer
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).
STARTING JUNE 6 – EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY COURSE
We are pumped to be hosting the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (EHS) course at Radiant! We will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 at Emanuel starting 6/6. This will conclude on 8/1 (no class on 7/4). There will be childcare! Also, there will be a virtual option for those who are unable to meet in person each due to travel, etc. Invite some others and sign up by June 1 here: https://forms.gle/U1sgvED6GmPmpzVv7
MORE ABOUT EHS:
Pete Scazzero planted and pastored a church a growing church in Queens, New York City. But after 17 years he hit a wall. He realized that while he had experienced conversion to Christ he had never let Jesus deeply transform his heart and character. He was exhausted and not joyful about his life with God. His marriage was hurting and he was resentful about ministry. But Scazzero’s journey eventually led him to a spiritual revolution and a different way — one where he discovered the vital connection between emotional health and spiritual vitality.
The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course is the fruit of Scazzero’s journey. This is an 8 week course which includes video content and group discussion. Scazzero outlines his journey and offers a road map for a discipleship with Jesus that is powerfully transformative. Topics include how to identify emotionally unhealthy spirituality, how to grow your soul through grief and loss, and how to develop into an emotionally mature adult.
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY 6-7AM – 5/31
Coffee, Donuts, Jesus — it’s a good combo. All guys are welcome to join us this Wednesday from 6-7AM at ELC.
RADIANT MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER KICKOFF – 6/1
WHEN: Join us Thursday, 6/1 from 5-10PM for an evening filled with games, food, fellowship, and a movie!
RSVP: Text Ulisses at 209-541-8536
WHERE: 505 Chabot Avenue
Event is potluck style: please bring your favorite savory dish to share. And bring a friend. All are welcome.
24 HOURS OF PRAYER – 6/23-6/24
“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.
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
