{"id":343568,"date":"2024-10-03T12:38:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T16:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/?p=343568"},"modified":"2024-11-08T10:09:45","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:09:45","slug":"highlights-of-a-sunday-to-return-to-the-fold-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/highlights-of-a-sunday-to-return-to-the-fold-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlights of \u2018A Sunday to Return to the Fold\u2019 Event"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On<strong> Sunday, September 29th<\/strong>, across the USA and all over the world, the Lord Jesus received His sheep into His sheepfold, and there was a feast in Heaven. Many who have been unchurched and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">also many who<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> have turned away from God, returned on this day and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">were received<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with open arms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At every location of<strong> The Universal Church<\/strong> worldwide, a special event took place<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">great<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> celebration, the <strong>Sunday to Return to the Fold.<\/strong> In Brooklyn, NYC, <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/birafonseca.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bishop Joshua<\/span><\/a><\/span>, with the congregation, welcomed those returning, prayed for them, and read the following words of the Lord Jesus:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em>\u201cCome to Me, all\u00a0you\u00a0who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.\u201d (Matthew 11:28)<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>The Good Shepherd<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bishop Joshua then shared a video that illustrates the care of the good shepherd to his sheep:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/HCqXWwj61Ws?rel=0;controls=0;showinfo=0&amp;modestbranding=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><strong>\u201cI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.\u201d (John 10:11)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bishop Joshua then shared these words,<\/span><em> \u201cWhen the Lord Jesus said this, He had not died yet. But now, the good news is, Hallelujah, He died already for us! He died on the cross for you. He will gather the sheep with His arms and carry them in His bosom.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Those present <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">were able to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> see the testimony of Mr. Solomon, who was a lost sheep. He turned away from God after suffering a major disappointment in his love life.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> However, through<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the prayers and faith of his mother, he returned to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">God&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> sheepfold and decided to prioritize his salvation and the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-343575 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-300x168.png\" alt=\"\u201cGod has restored me twice as much in every way. I am now happily married, but overall, my spiritual life has not been the same; it's been restored. Now, I no longer fear death. I no longer fear anything.\u201d (Mr. Solomon)\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-1536x859.png 1536w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM-318x178.png 318w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.18.13\u202fAM.png 1654w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\u201cI had the Holy Spirit as a priority in my life. It was the toughest thing to do: to give up the desire and the will. I wanted to show God that nothing I had was more important than Him in my life, that I would rather be broke and have the Holy Spirit and feel rich inside of me than have any material stuff and feel empty and lonely. I wanted to receive the Holy Spirit. That day, I was just more concerned about worshiping God, praising Him, and being thankful. And the next thing I knew, I was just filled. I was so happy. I had never felt so happy. I had never felt so relieved, so peaceful. I just remember being so full of joy. I remember just feeling so fired up inside. It was just this uncontrollable joy and peace. And that fire began to burn inside of me again to serve God and win souls. God has restored me twice as much in every way. I am now happily married, but overall, my spiritual life has not been the same; it&#8217;s been restored. Now, I no longer fear death. I no longer fear anything.<\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><em>\u201d<\/em> \u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(Mr. Solomon)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>One of the Widely-Known Psalms<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bishop Joshua mentioned a Psalm <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> widely known<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> among several religions and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">beliefs<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> that many associate with prosperity.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> However, he explained that, although well-known, many <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are those who<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> do not truly comprehend the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">deeper<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> meaning described in Psalm 23: the relationship of care and trust between the shepherd and his sheep.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>\u201cThe\u00a0Lord\u00a0is my Shepherd; I shall not\u00a0want. He makes me to lie down in\u00a0green pastures; He leads me beside the\u00a0still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name\u2019s sake.\u201d (Psalm 23:1-3)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-343584 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-300x169.png\" alt=\"\u201cKing David, before becoming a king, used to work in the fields, taking care of the sheep. King David was a shepherd, a boy tending the sheep and calling each sheep by name.\u201d (Bishop Joshua)\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM-318x179.png 318w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.54.52\u202fAM.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The bishop explained,<\/span><em> \u201cKing David, before becoming a king, used to work in the fields, taking care of the sheep. King David was a shepherd, a boy tending the sheep and calling each sheep by name. Now, when talking about himself, he made the Lord his Shepherd when he said, in other words, \u2018The Lord is my Shepherd, just as I am the shepherd of these animals. The Lord now is my Shepherd. I shall not want. Just as I take the sheep to the green pastures, the Lord makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters,\u2019 because this is what King David used to do for his sheep. Now I imagine he would say, \u2018If I do that for my sheep, my Lord, that is my Shepherd, will you do much more for me.\u2019 Once you give your life to Jesus, or you return to His sheepfold, He leads you to the green pastures. He works with you in a way that you are going to miss nothing, lack nothing, as long as He is your Shepherd, as long as you are His sheep.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>\u201cYea, though I walk through the valley of\u00a0the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You\u00a0are\u00a0with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.\u201d (Psalm 23:4)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Do Not Leave the Good Shepherd&#8217;s Care<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-343585 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-300x169.png\" alt=\"\u201cKing David was looking after the sheep as a shepherd. He was rescuing those who fell into holes.\u201d (Bishop Joshua)\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM-318x179.png 318w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.55.18\u202fAM.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The bishop also encouraged those already inside <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">God&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> sheepfold to stay with Him at all times,<\/span><em> \u201cKing David was looking after the sheep as a shepherd. He was rescuing those who fell into holes. When the sheep is out there, it doesn&#8217;t know how to defend itself. Don&#8217;t try it. Don&#8217;t think, \u2018I can handle it.\u2019 You can&#8217;t. A sheep is very innocent. A sheep cannot defend itself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The bishop <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">then<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> added,<\/span><em> \u201cThe shepherd has a piece of stick, a piece of a stick to rescue the sheep, and David used to do it. Then he probably thought, \u2018If I make the Lord my Shepherd, His rod, His staff will comfort me, will lead me.\u2019 Now imagine if that sheep did not have a shepherd. Imagine you without the Shepherd, without Jesus!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>\u201cYou\u00a0prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You\u00a0anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.\u201d (Psalm 23:5-6)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-343578 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-300x168.png\" alt=\"Highlights of \u2018A Sunday to Return to the Fold\u2019 Event\" width=\"374\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-1536x861.png 1536w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM-318x178.png 318w, https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-11.26.47\u202fAM.png 1755w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/>Bishop Joshua recalled the example of Mr. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Solomon&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> testimony and added,<\/span><em> \u201cThis testimony shows what you should do. You who are returning today, let go of your past, what you did, what you did not do. Forget about even those days in church. Let us make this day special. Mr. Solomon said that he got delivered again, he was baptized again, and he prioritized the Holy Spirit. And he received the Holy Spirit, and because God does not do anything halfway, he&#8217;s married again. He is serving the Lord because the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning inside of him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Return to the Fold, the Lord is Waiting<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you have turned away from God, like Mr. Solomon, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">you<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> desire to return to the Lord, do not wait another day. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The doors of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Universal Church<\/a><\/span> are <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/post\/chain-of-prayer-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">open daily <\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with daily<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> prayer services, one-on-one free spiritual counseling available, and a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">main<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> service <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">on <strong>Sundays<\/strong><\/span><strong> at 10 AM.<\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> All are welcome regardless of religion or background. Come as you are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For more information on locations, please call <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"tel:18883324141\">1-888-332-4141<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>or text 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/contactus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact form (click here)<\/a>.<\/span> For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church, you may also connect to our\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/ulfn.org\/virtualchurch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Virtual Church<\/strong>\u00a0via Zoom Conference<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Watch the Service in Full<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/CH-ONtP6kEY?rel=0;controls=0;showinfo=0&amp;modestbranding=1\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; On Sunday, September 29th, across the USA and all over the world, the Lord Jesus received His sheep into His sheepfold, and there was a feast in Heaven. Many who have been unchurched and also many who have turned away from God, returned on this day and were received with open arms. At every [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248,"featured_media":343577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[323,6063,20],"tags":[189,6123],"site":[],"class_list":["post-343568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-school-of-faith","category-life-transformation","category-real-life-stories","tag-salvation","tag-sundays"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/343568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=343568"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/343568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":344528,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/343568\/revisions\/344528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/343577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=343568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=343568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=343568"},{"taxonomy":"site","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/site?post=343568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}