Bethlen Naptár, 1983 (Ligonier)
Holland Eredetű Református Egyház
194 BETHLEN NAPTÁR our own unfaithfulness. Perhaps the most critical years lie ahead of us, as the population of our town continues to decrease and the average age increases. We have to learn ever again to wait on the Lord and seek His will. We have much to be thankful for in the recent year. For the first time we joined in with the “Love Loaf” program of World Vision, and surprised ourselves with raising over $500 toward hunger relief. We are excited to participate again this year. We have been on a drive to completely insulate our church buildings, and have been able to raise the funds to install a complete set of storm windows as memorials, insulate the attics of our parsonage and sanctuary, and finish a couple thousand dollars worth of painting. Generous donors have also allowed us to place in each pew two copies of the Heidelberg Catechism and modern language pew Bibles. Since January the pastor has been able to make his way steadily through the cathecism, and use the answers as responsive readings in worship. We have initiated a new church school program and new curriculum. The Bible Way of the Christian Reformed Church, with which our teachers are very happy. It combines a complete training in the Bible along with ongoing instruction in the Catechism and Reformed faith. Once again our evangelism committee has been eager to set up a booth in the community fair, and through the use of free literature and gospels inform the public just what our church stands for. God has blessed us with two young people making confirmation, Karen Kankula and Kathleen Murphy. We have also welcomed to our fellowship two transfers, one Hungarian and one not. So the Lord blesses us even in the weakness of our struggle to serve Him, and our congregation continues to treasure its heritage while also striving to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in new directions. Of course, we have many hurdles. Youth work is never what we’d like it to be, and we can never generate a large enough group to build excitement. Our size also makes us unable to employ a full-time pastor, and the pastor’s activities are obviously less than a full time man’s. Worship attendance is another area we need to work on. But we have a good spirit in our congregation, and are open and willing to try new things. The congregation, even in hard times, supports the consistory by meeting increased budgets every year. Recently, in order to show their commitment to a nursery program for the church, the elders themselves volunteered to baby-sit during the service in order to get the ball rolling! Our ladies’ Friendly Circle works hard to contribute to the church through fund-raising and service, such as hosting eighty delegates of the local Classis. Their annual Election Day Stuffed Cabbage Supper is responsible for a higher voter turnout than our town has a right to expect! May God bless all of our congregations as we continue to hold aloft the great vision of the Reformed faith: “The Lordship of Christ over every realm of life.” May God grant that the “Rooster Church” of South River never fail to announce his Lordship.
