The Berthoud Bugle: Freedom
- berthoudfoursquare
- Jul 1
- 8 min read
Volume 2025: Edition 39
Food for thought: Freedom in Christ
Hello everyone. We thank you for your love and support for our Church and our family. Please continue to pray for our church, our pastor and his leadership, and our church leaders that we may continue to share the word of God. We are so blessed and grateful for the growth in our church, the ability to share our messages and newsletters with our viewers, and the strengthening of our church family and viewers as a congregation and as individuals. We strive to bring encouragement and connection through this newsletter, which we will continue to post every 1st of the month. So, we hope you will continue to learn and grow in God's word with us. Also...
Happy Fourth of July, everyone.
May you all have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. Enjoy the memories and moments made this weekend. Take a moment to reflect on the reason we can celebrate this weekend. So many lives have been lost to build and sustain this nation we live in. So much blood was and is shed for the freedoms and rights we can display daily and enjoy. During this celebration of Independence, remember the fallen men and women who have served and those who are currently serving at home and abroad. Thank them and thank God that He blessed this nation with men and women willing to sacrifice their own freedoms so that we can enjoy all that comes with that ultimate sacrifice.
When you stop and reflect on the joy of this holiday weekend, and the family and friends you get to create new memories and memorable moments with, remember that every day we have on this earth, regardless of if it's a holiday or not, is a daily reminder of the grace and freedom we have through our Savior, our king, and our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who gave you the freedom from being a slave to sin and a slave to this world. The one who gave you the breath of life. The one who saved all humanity from itself.
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God:
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
(Romans 6:14-18)
Freedom comes at a cost. Like all the men and women who died for our country, so that we may have the rights and freedoms to celebrate on these occasions, our Lord paid the ultimate sacrifice and price to save all mankind. He gave us freedom from having to carry the burden of perfection in fulfilling God's laws and statutes. Freedom from the bondage of sin. Freedom and guidance from the powers and devices of the evil one who dwells and walks back and forth in this world. Freedom from the yokes on our necks, the burdens, we carried alone. Freedom in the breaking of the shackles of death in sin to offer us eternal life through Him and Him alone.
He is, was, and always will be our freedom.
Jesus came to save the world. He came to save me and you from all the sin in our past, present, and future.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
(John 3:16-17)
Thank God for making a way. For creating men and women who would be Christ- like, and sacrifice all that they are for a little piece of hope and freedom. To protect the weak and vulnerable not only in our great nation but around the world. God made us in His image that we might shine our light, which he put in each of us, to brighten a world that is tearing itself apart:
"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;"
(Genesis 1:26)
Thank the God of the heavens and earth for His mercy and everlasting love. Thank you for the freedom we have in you, my Lord. The freedom from dying in our sins and having an opportunity every breath we take to walk in your ways.
It’s not an easy path, but life has shown us, like this holiday weekend is showing us, that everything comes at a cost, in which you paid. What are we willing to give up for the right to be free through you?
Q&A with Pastor Stevie:
Question 1:
This is obviously the month to reflect and celebrate the freedoms we all have, thanks to the brave men and women who have served, are currently serving, and have given their lives for the freedoms we get to share in everyday life. How do we as believers, show gratitude and thanks to the men and women of this great country?
As believers, we need to show gratitude towards the sacrifices men and women have made for the service of this great nation we live in; it’s because of their sacrifices we have the freedom of religion and the freedoms that we all take for granted. There was a huge price that was paid for you and I, it’s like the sacrifice Christ made for each and every one of us from the bonds of sin.
Question 2:
This is our 249th year celebrating our independence and freedom to live as a free and new established nation. This country has its ups and downs from within. As followers of Christ, we are to love one another. So, with that being said, in a time of so much division within our country, how do we (how must) we show that love for God is first and foremost, God, country, and family?
I believe people have taken the freedoms that we have for granted, not realizing the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for the freedoms that we have in this nation. We forget what respect is, and how easily it is to respect one another even in our differences. It is very sad that Christ taught us to respect and love one another even when we disagree, and yet, we live in a falling world where God is absent in the home and schools, and in government. This is what happens. We all as Christian’s need to learn respect and watch our words.
Question 3.
A little off topic but still relevant to the topic in a way 🙂: As we take time out of our busy lives to celebrate with one another and enjoy the freedoms we all have, what is one thing that comes to mind personally for you when it comes to major holidays like this one?
The 3rd question means a lot to me because I see the sacrifices in my own family; for one, both of my son in laws serve this great country we call the United States. I have one son in law in Germany, away from his daughter and wife, serving this country so that people like you and I have the freedoms to live the life we were granted under the Constitution of the United States.
Then I have another son in law stationed in Hawaii, also away from their family. My daughter is stationed there with him. It’s been very difficult not having them around, and it’s a very hard sacrifice they've both made. It’s a great honor to have them serve this great country.
One in the Army, and the other in the Marines. I thank them both for their service. I wish everyone could see the sacrifices these men and women make on a daily basis.
I am also proud of coming from a family full of servicemen. I have an uncle that was a marine, another in the Air Force, and my own father served in the Air Force. So, yes, I have lots of respect for the military of this country and the sacrifices that each and every one of them make.
Thank God for men and women who are not afraid to fight and protect our freedoms that we have today, that I know are taken for granted.
As this newsletter continues to grow and expand, please don’t be afraid to let us know if you are in need of prayer or support. And feel free to share your stories, your testimony, or just a quick question in the comments section below any of our links. We truly want to hear from you and do what we can to help because we are meant to be here to love, encourage, and support one another.
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 service and stay tuned for our coming newsletters and updates at church, at bible study, on Facebook, on our YouTube Channel, on the Wix App, and on the website.
Upcoming Events:
Special Prayers:
Pray for Monica, Gloria ,and their Family for guidance
Continued prayer for Mary Bachicha
Continued prayer for the Salazar Family
Continued prayer for Jax and the healing and strengthening of his body
Continued prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Bangladesh Education Program. Pray for the provision of all necessary resources to support this program and for their ministry.
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: Courage and Compassion
Begg, Alistair. Truth for Life- Daily Devotions
Verse of the Week:
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
(John 8:36)
Announcements:
Summer is finally here, and with it comes our burrito sale season! Weather permitting, we will have a burrito sale on July 5th from 8 AM to 1:00 PM. For further details, updates, and future dates, please follow us on Facebook.
On Saturday Morning, July 12th @ 7 AM, we will be having a clean-up day both outside and inside the church. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. If you would like to help us in any way, please sign up on the Church Bulletin board or feel free to email or message us.
This is your reminder that we will be having a fellowship meeting after the first or second Sunday service of every month. This meeting is an opportunity to have fun together and get to know one another as a church family. If you have any ideas and would like to lead a fellowship meeting, please sign up on the Church Bulletin board.
We have been printing and mailing our newsletters to our subscribers for the past couple of months. If you haven't received the newsletter physically and would like to join our mailing list, please sign up below.
We would love to send out the newsletter personally to every member as well as pray for and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries together as a church family. We are asking for all of our members to fill out the member information card either in church or through the mail after they've received their mailed newsletter.
Questions?
For any questions or suggestions regarding our newsletter please email berthoudfoursquarechurch@gmail.com
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