Volume 2024: Edition 23
Food for thought: Teamwork
Hello everyone. We would like to thank you for your love and support during this difficult time in our Church and in our family. It has been very hard, but it is also a time of growth in our church and the strengthening of our faith. We strive to bring encouragement and connection through this newsletter that 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.
" For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
(Romans 3:23)
TEAMWORK:
Cooperative effort by members of a group or team to achieve a common goal.
Work done by a team, as distinguished from that done by personal labor.
Work done by a number of associates, usually each doing a clearly defined portion, but all subordinating personal prominence of the efficiency of the whole.
The opening verse might not make much sense at this time, but it will, as you continue to read and follow along. As you, the reader, might already know, this isn’t a typical newsletter.
Instead, it has evolved into a monthly testimony, guided by the Holy Spirit. I’ve been led, each month, to share testimonies paired with relevant verses, reflecting on different topics.
So why did I mention teamwork? It relates my personal journey over the past two months. As I write this, tomorrow marks two months since my dad and our church’s Senior Pastor was called home. In these two months, I have tried to fight a battle that I can’t win. It's not due to a lack of family support, conversations with loved ones, or time spent on my knees in prayer. In fact, I have prayed more than ever have before. The problem is me.
And for some reason, or let’s call it perfect timing, a story was suggested to me from my wife and daughter - a story about aspen trees. Yes, that’s right, a story about a tree. Once I heard the story, I did what I always do: I dived into learning about similar stories. What I discovered was that this aspen tree story was so much larger than a monthly “food for thought” topic. In fact, not only do aspen trees share this incredible story, but many different types of trees and animals do as well. As simple as it might seem, the connection between trees and animals, not only to each other but also to their surrounding environment, makes these stories more amazing. When I heard all the similarities in so many different stories, I was shocked because they all link back to mankind.
The story, at first, seems simple and basic. The tree spreads out to make more trees, as all other branched out trees do. They form a community around each other and continue to spread out until they have no more room to do so. Through this community, linked together by their roots, the tree knows when one of the connecting trees is sick and hurting. Because of this, the trees won’t grow to full maturity unless two things happen:
The tree lets the weaker one die off for the good of the group.
The tree sacrifices itself for the weaker one to survive, allowing it to continue to spread out and live.
This is the same case with some animals, believe it or not. We grow up hearing about “only the strong survive” and “survival of the fittest”, but that’s not the truth. The truth is that compassion and teamwork are why we survive. I know I’m no expert, and I understand that there are views that say the exact opposite from experts. However, after reading and hearing story after story with a similar theme I know what my heart and mind, through the power of the Holy Spirit, are telling me…
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
(Matthew 7:7)
You can’t do this (life) on your own. You can’t turn to yourself for wisdom. You can’t heal yourself. You need help. You need fellowship. You need community. You need a Savior.
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
(John 3:17)
After reading and listening to the story of the aspen tree and other related stories, I found myself reflected in each narrative. I saw myself as the weak link, trying to grow while unintentionally weakening those around me. I also saw myself like an injured wolf, placed in the middle of the pack, relying on others for protection, but slowing the group down. I saw my life reflected in the stories of how trees and animals do what they can to keep their community protected.
As I attended church, engaged in praise and worship, and listened to the Sunday morning messages, I found confirmation of what I had been feeling and thinking. It became clear to me that I cannot take on this journey alone, and I have no control over the world’s actions.
“The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.
(Genesis 2:18)
And all this time, I’ve been trying to heal, carry, take on, and control the world around me all by myself. I thought I was strong enough to bear this burden, believing I could fight this world alone. I lost sleep over my own fears, thinking that I can beat this through willpower alone. My own pride and stubbornness led me to believe I was the only one capable of handling it all. I failed to see how my actions were causing division in my own family and pushing away those who cared for me, all because of my selfish pride.
I was like the vine suffocating the healthy tree from growing, the animal slowly draining the well-being of the group, and the man who refused to open up, bringing those around him down. Little did I realize, all along, the group was doing everything they could to support me and keep me standing tall.
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."
(Proverbs 28:26)
“Be still, and know that I am God."
(Psalm 46:10)
A quick reminder: in a time of distress and anxiety, just stop. Take a deep breath and remind yourself you are never alone. You have everything you need around you. Just take a minute to open your eyes and heart, Let the people in your life help you grow. Share your sorrows.
I know time heals all things, but I also know that sharing your pain and talking to family, friends, and most importantly, spending time in prayer, ultimately leads you to the place you’ve been yearning to be…at peace.
"Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly."
(Psalm 102:1-2)
Trust in God. His plan is perfect.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I and him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
(John 15:1-7)
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 the Chavez family for the birth of their daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughter Aryana.
Pray for the safe return of Pastor Stevie and Susan from their trip in Hawaii
Pray for Cynthia Gerber for healing and guidance.
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.
Special Moments:
Congratulations to Gina Chavez for the birth of her daughter Aryana this past week! We pray that you and baby will be blessed with health and love in this gift of life.
"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."
(Psalm 139:13-14)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
(James 1:17)
Weekly Devotional: Lean on God
“Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow; but, if we are wise, We know that there’s always tomorrow.” These are words from the hit single written by Bill Withers in 1972—the song “Lean On Me”.
The rest of the song says:
Lean on me, when you’re not strong, And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need Somebody to lean on.
Just call on me, brother, when you need a hand, We all need somebody to lean on I just might have a problem, that you’d understand We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear, That you can’t carry I’m right up the road, I’ll share your load, If you just call me.
They’re great words of help, because there are times when we need someone to rely on—someone to stand by us in difficult times, giving support and strength we don’t have. Life is full of uncertainties. We are faced with decision after decision, day after day. Wouldn’t it be nice to know every detail of what lies ahead? The reality is that we don’t always know what’s coming up, and we may say to God: God, are you sure you know what you’re doing? Do you really have everything under control?
Proverbs 3:5-7 says: “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgement. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. Don’t ever think you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil”. An older translation says, “Lean not on your own understanding”. Even though we have a natural tendency to try to understand and make sense of circumstances and situations, it’s great to know we don’t have to understand everything—nor can we.
God’s ways are higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Scripture says we are, “not to lean or depend on our own understanding.” Tragedies have occurred when people have done that.
The Bible tells us we can rely on God. Psalm 37:5 says, “Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help”. In fact, Proverbs 28:26 is more to the point: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool”. God our Heavenly Father is always there to lean on. He is not asleep—that’s why we say we can trust him. The word ‘trust’ means to attach oneself to, confide in, feel safe, be confident, be secure or rely on. Imagine a person seeing a sturdy chair, agreeing that it is strong and steady, but refusing to sit on it. Does that person really trust that chair? It is only when one rests his or her full weight upon the chair that genuine trust has been shown. To trust in is to lean on.
Witts, Chris. “Leaning on God — Morning Devotions.” Hope 103.2, 10 July 2021, hope1032.com.au/stories/faith/devotions/2021/leaning-on-god/. Accessed 1 Mar. 2024.
Verse of the Week:
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Announcements:
We are very excited to let you know that you can now give offering or donate to the church through the church's new Venmo account @berthoud4square. You can scan the QR code above for the Venmo. We will also be getting a card reader for donations and payments during Burrito sales, which will start back up when the weather is warmer.
Pastor Stevie and Susan are in Hawaii, so the visiting hours for church will be closed until March 19th when it will be reopened for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Finally, with Easter Service being at the end of this month, we ask for any volunteers to take one of the seven words to be presented on the morning of Easter. We also ask for any volunteers to help prepare the Easter Brunch that will be served after service. If you would like to volunteer for either or both of these, please speak to Pastor Stevie or to Taylor after service.
Questions?
For any questions or suggestions regarding our newsletter please email berthoudfoursquarechurch@gmail.com or call (720)466-0951
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