May 17, 2024
Dear Radiant,
May is one of those hinge times in the calendar for many of us. Things get full and busy and fun and crazy and overwhelming as the school year ends and we transition to the slower pace of summer.
In the midst of the movement, take a deep breath and remember this: you are profoundly loved by God.
God loves you personally. It is not just general or generic in that God loves the world (indeed he does) — but rather he loves the world in so far as he loves each one of us. He sees you: your circumstances and chaos, your crowning acheivements and colossal failures.
And as he sees you — he loves you — desperately. He loves you so much that “while you were yet a sinner — Christ died for you.” Romans 5:8.
Take a moment, even right now, and come to the table he has set for you — give thanks and receive what he so wildly and freely gives. This is where life is found.
I like what Francis Fenelon prays:
“Is it possible to know you, dear God, and not love you? Your beauty, strength, grandeur, power, and goodness; your generosity, magnificence, and perfection of every kind—these are far beyond what any created being could understand. And what touches me in the depths of my heart is that you love me.”
—-
In this “hinge time” we have some new rhythms and a new course starting up — please take a look at the calendar below. The Emotionally Healthy Relationships course starts June 11. And don’t forget about line dancing tonight at Dying Breed — bring those friends along and have a great Friday night with some from the Radiant community.
We’re excited to welcome back Carlos Gonzalez to preach this Sunday! Carlos works for City Ministry Network and loves serving and equipping emerging leaders for service in the church and community.
Carlos and I try to grab coffee a couple times a year and last time we met was fascinated to hear about his time hanging with pastor and author Rich Villodas and others in New York as a part of the school of formation at New Life Fellowship. This is the church where Emotionally Healthy Spirituality began. I asked Carlos to share whatever the Lord put on his heart, perhaps relating to his experience as a cohort participant and leader.
I am excited to hear from Carlos this Sunday!
See you at 5PM!
EVENTS CALENDAR
5/17 – Line Dancing Social at Dying Breed
5/22 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
6/2 – Children’s Ministry Volunteers Meeting 3:30-4:30PM at ELC
6/4 – Home Church Leaders Think Tank 6:30-8:30PM at ELC
6/9 – Church at Enslen Park 3PM Baseball 5PM Worship 6:15PM Dinner
6/11 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course begins
LINE DANCING AT DYING BREED – 5/17
This Friday, May 17 at 6PM at Dying Breed Brewery in Oakdale! No experience necessary — come enjoy some community and try your hand (feet?) at some line dancing. Sign up here so we can plan accordingly. Questions? Contact Ellen Howell (209) 652-9332.
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY – 6-7AM ELC
See you there! All guys welcome!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEER MEETING – 6/2
We are pulling together Children’s ministry volunteers and teachers on Sunday, 6/2 from 3 3:30-4:30 at ELC. This is an important meeting for safety, best practices, and encouragement. If you are interested in volunteering you are MOST WELCOME!!! to attend.
HOME CHURCH THINK TANK – 6/4 – 6:30-8:30PM ELC
This meeting is for Home Church leaders and prospective leaders as we move into our summer rhythm. All who are interested are welcome. This is a chance to share ideas, best practices, celebrations, and challenges as we seek to create a network of communities of formation and mission in the way of Jesus.
CHURCH AT ENSLEN PARK – 6/9
Mark your calendars! We’ll play some softball, have a worship service, and eat together — all at Enslen Park – 501 Stoddard Ave. Softball starts at 3pm. Church 5pm. Dinner 6:15pm
EMOTIONALLY HEALTH RELATIONSHIPS COURSE
TUESDAYS, 6:30-8:30PM JUNE 11 – JULY 28 (8 SESSIONS)
*if you plan on traveling this summer — there a video streaming options for independently completing sessions you miss.
This powerful 8-week Course will equip you with practical tools to really love people in difficult situations and mature into an adult follower of Jesus.
The Emotionally Healthy (EH) Relationships Course has been developed over a 21-year period to directly address core biblical principles to guide you and others into an experience of discipleship that will deeply change your life. In the EH Relationships Course, everyone will learn 8 practical relationship skills to develop mature, loving relationships with others such as:
Stop Mind Reading and Clarify Expectations
Incarnational Listening
Climb the Ladder of Integrity
Clean Fighting
This will be a paradigm shifting course — sign up here.
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
