April 5, 2024
Dear Radiant,
How sweet it was to remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! He is risen indeed!
The story is just beginning at Easter — like the sun rising over the horizon, the resurrection cracks open up a new human reality available to us — a life with God, in the power and love of Jesus, through the company of God’s Spirit.
This is a “here and now” life that lasts forever. And this is a life that we get to live together. I wonder if that part exciting or scary to you?
Our next teaching series is about this “life together” made available in Jesus.
The New Testament depicts a communal life that is so richer and deeper than the individualizing and isolating way of life now dominating the American landscape (even the religious landscape).
So we are doing to do some work on what is means to be family in Christ. To be clear, this isn’t just for idealized “nuclear” family folks.
This is for singles, for widows and widowers, empty nesters.
For those overwhelmed parents with mountains of laundry waiting to be folded.
For the grandma whose kids and grandkids moved away.
For those trying to remember the joy and purpose of their marriage.
For those learning to celebrate and embrace singleness.
For those who are lonely and trying to figure out community.
This is for those who want to open their tables to others.
This is for those who wonder what part they get to play in this people we call church.
This is for those who wonder if a church community could ever be trusted again.
The beautiful mosaic, cross generational, multi-ethnic of the family of Jesus, has room for you.
Whatever season or situation of your life, I am excited to rediscover this with you. (It will likely be a bit messy.)
See you Sunday at 5PM at ELC.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Home Churches are now going! Jump in one!
4/10 – Guys Gathering ELC 6-7AM
4/13 – Women’s Tea 10AM-12PM
4/19-21 – Men’s Conference
4/27 – Love Modesto Service Day
4/28 – Bike to Church Sunday
5/12 – Guys Serve Dinner
5/17 – Line Dancing Social at Dying Breed
BAPTISM OR RE-AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Last Sunday, I invited you to consider baptism (if you haven’t yet been baptized) as a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. I also mentioned the opportunity to re-affirm your faith in Christ through a public declaration before the church. If you sense God leading you to either of these — I’d love to connect with you. You can fill out this form in response.
WOMEN’S TEA – SAT. 4/13
Join us as we sip on tea and listen to Laurie Short as she redirects us toward hope, perspective and a new way of seeing a world full of detours. May we begin seeing our stories with new hope. This is a great event to invite friends to.
When: Saturday, April 13th 10am-12pm
Cost: $15
Register here.
MEN’S CONFERENCE 4/19-21 at MISSION SPRINGS
**MAKE SURE TO SIGN-UP. Join us for a weekend of impact, challenge, and fun as we spend time in worship, fellowship, and growing in Christ. Sign up here.
LOVE MODESTO SERVICE DAY – 4/27
Let’s love our city and our neighbors by participating in Love Modesto on 4/27. Some of us are going to join in on the Youth for Christ project in South Modesto. You can sign up for that project here or find a list of projects here.
BIKE TO CHURCH SUNDAY – 4/28
Time to bust out the bicycles and cruise over to church on 4/28. Rumor has it we will have Paletas for Pedalers (and everyone else). Some might meet at the Virginia corridor at O’Brien’s at 4:30 and cruise over from there.
HOME CHURCHES ARE GETTING AFTER IT!
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! Groups has just recently started, so it’s an optimal time to jump in.
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
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
