August 22, 2025
Dear Radiant,
My family is sitting at our kitchen table before school earlier this week. We ‘re having a great spiritual conversation.
(We’ve been trying our best to get into a family devotional pattern: it doesn’t always happen but it is sweet when it does. We use the Youversion app verse of the day, have a mini discussion, and pray for the day.)
The verse of the day was 1 Peter 5:8: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
We were chatting about how the devil tries to devour us– and about how his main tactic is to whisper lies to us.
So I asked my kids, “What lies do you think the devil speaks to us?”
John had an immediate, earnest, and simple answer: He says, “You can’t do it.”
That resonated with me. Yes, indeed. That is a lie that the evil one will use to try and devour us. I’ve heard that one quite a bit. It comes in different forms:
You won’t have the strength. You don’t have the resources. The problem is bigger than your ability to solve it. What’s the point of trying? You’ll end up in the same place or worse. In one way or another it is clear: you are not enough.
So we lose heart.
I’m certain the remnant of God’s people addressed in the book of Haggai would resonate with this. The would surely look upon the ruined and empty space that was supposed to again host the temple and ask, “How?!”
How could they be enough to complete this daunting project? This is too big, we are too small. We’ve never done this before!
This Sunday, we’ll see how God responds to his people, to us. This Sunday is about the scarcity of our “not-enoughness” meeting the abundance of God’s enoughness.
I am praying for a time of realism and hope as we consider how to be strong in the LORD even when our world lies in ruins.
See you Sunday at 10am!
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
Every Sunday – Pre-service prayer 9am at MJC
8/24 – NO YOUTH GROUP THIS SUNDAY
8/27 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
9/1-9/7 – Global Week of Prayer at Kingdom Coffee
9/14 – Roosevelt Park Post Church Picnic
Mid-September – Home Church Restart
9/19 – Trivia Night at Contentment
9/25 – The Alpha Course begins
10/3-10/5 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs Registration Open!
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY 6-7AM
Men gather this Wednesday from 6-7am at the ELC fellowship hall! We look forward to seeing you there, brother!
24-7 PRAYER WEEK SEPTEMBER 1-7
Radiant is excited to be part of the Global Week of 24-7 Prayer happening September 1–7, 2025—a unique opportunity for Christians around the world to pray day and night in unity, declaring God’s greatness together. In a time of instability and division, a united Church is powerful.
We’ll be hosting a 24-7 Prayer Room at:
📍 Kingdom Coffee
2401 E Orangeburg Ave, Suite 100
Modesto, CA 95355
Come take a prayer hour and be part of an unbroken chain of prayer all week long. As we pray, we encounter God and discover His heart for our people, our city, and our nation.
Special Gatherings
📅 Launch Night of Prayer – Monday, September 1 at 6:30 PM
📅 Closing Potluck Celebration – Sunday, September 7 at 6:30 PM
Both gatherings will take place at Kingdom Coffee and are open to everyone—whether or not you’ve signed up for a prayer hour yet.
📅 Dates: September 1–7, 2025
🔗 Sign Up: Scan the QR code on the flyer below or click here
Please share this email and flyer with your congregation, friends, and community groups. Invite others to take part in this global movement of prayer. Every person who joins will be praying alongside others from around the world! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me: Ulisses Vasquez – Organizer
📞 (209) 541-8536
HOME CHURCHES START MID-SEPTEMBER
Home churches are getting back starting in mid-September. 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!
THE ALPHA COURSE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 25
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! And more than that — dinner is included! Sign up here. The course will begin at 6PM at ELC on Thursday, 9/25.
TRIVIA NIGHT 9/19
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION
October 3-5 at Mission Springs Conference Center.
We spend our lives avoiding the wilderness. Yet it is often in the wilderness that we encounter the Lord’s provision, promises, and presence. We even read that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness. What can we learn from time spent in the wilderness? This special weekend is designed to be a transformative experience, offering countless opportunities to connect with other women and be refreshed.
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
Please join us for pre service every Sunday at 9am at MJC. We meet in the courtyard adjacent to our Children’s church classrooms.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
