Volume 2024: Edition 22
Food for thought: A New Beginning
Hello everyone. We would like to thank you for your love and support during this difficult time in our Church and in our family of members. It has been very hard, but it is also a time of new beginnings.
On December 28th, 2023, the Lord called our Pastor home. He was not only our pastor, but he was a leader, a mentor, a counselor, a friend, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a brother and most importantly he was a man of God.
This isn’t goodbye; but we shall see you again Pastor Steve. As long as we believe, put all our faith in Christ, let our God lead our path, and follow His commandments:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39)
We too shall enter the presence of Our God.
A place where: "(He) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
(Revelation 21:4-5)
Pastor Steve (Esteban) Salazar served 34 years as the senior pastor and leader of the Berthoud Foursquare church. Our Pastor Loved his God with all his heart and soul, and he served his congregation, his community, and the many visitors that walked through the doors of the Berthoud foursquare church over the years with the Love and kindness that Our Lord would want us all too do, faithfully and with open arms.
We Love you and we Thank you Pastor Steve for your dedication, your love, your kindness, and your faithful teaching of the word of God.
Please continue to keep Pastor Steve’s wife, family, congregation, and many friends in your prayers during this very difficult transition.
"Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. "
(Psalm 139:12)
As we move forward into a new chapter in our church, we welcome and introduce our new Pastor and Leader, Pastor Steve (Esteban) Salazar Jr. and his wife Susan, and their children, Alyssa and Latrail Thompson, and Nicole and Damian Ponce.
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."
(Luke 5:8-11)
May God put His Loving arms around Pastor Steve Jr. and his family. May He bless his ministry, bless his family, give our pastor the strength, understanding, patience, love and kindness he needs to lead our church. And as a church, may we be there to support our Pastor and his family as they take on the leadership and burdens of the many that walk in the doors of God’s Holy place, and into his family’s presence. Lord, watch over our pastor and his family, put your Holy Spirit upon them and guide their ways. In Your Holy name, Amen.
"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”"
(Psalm 96:4-10)
And with that, a new beginning and a new ministry begins. We will not forget the work of Pastor Steve (Esteban) Salazar Sr., we will honor him by continuing what he had passed on; and with his son continuing the work of our LORD Jesus, the next chapter begins.
May you all be blessed and be guided by Our LORD and Savior.
We are grateful to have you with us as readers, church members, and interested guests and we are always open to any suggestions and volunteers for our website, newsletter, and future activities. We hope to see you at our Sunday services and stay tuned for our coming newsletters and updates at church, at bible study, on Facebook, on the Wix-App, and on the website.
Upcoming Events:
Special Prayers:
Pray for Pastor Steve’s wife, family, congregation, and many friends during this very difficult transition.
Pray for Gloria and Monica and their family for God's guidance and strength
Pray for the Bibles we are sending to Kenyan Children and Youth that the lord provides a way for them to be sent .
Pray for our Newsletter that we can continue to write through the Holy Spirit
Pray for our Pastor and our church that we may be blessed to continue to grow and share the word of God.
Weekly Devotional:
The Plans He Has
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
(Jeremiah 29:11)
The Lord has a marvelous plan for our lives. It begins with a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. God blesses our lives when we desire to become all that He has planned for us. We tend to think of prosperity and success from a worldly point of view, but the Lord is referring to eternal prosperity, the intangibles that this world cannot begin to offer. The apostle Paul said it best in
2 Corinthians 4:8-9:
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
When encountering difficulties, it may be hard to believe that God has good plans for you. The future may look dismal. All hope may be lost. You may just be hanging on by a thread. That is the very time you need to remember the truth. God cannot lie. He will be faithful in your life. God has already gone before and prepared the way. Believe it. Let's strive to become what God has planned, knowing that there is a blessing at the center of His will.
Rayburn, J. (2014). Be Still and Know. Barbour Publishing.
Verse of the Week:
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
Announcements:
We are excited to let you know that we are opening the church for members and visitors during the week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday's from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We will also be starting a new study for Bible Study this coming week with a new teacher leading the study. The time and location will be the same. As for this newsletter, we will be continuing to post every 1st of the month, so we hope you will continue to learn and grow in God's word with us.
Questions?
For any questions or suggestions regarding our newsletter please email berthoudfoursquarechurch@gmail.com or call (720)466-0951
Commentaires