Bethlen Naptár, 1989 (Ligonier)
Az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyház
Támogatjuk a Bethlen Otthont, a múzeum és a levéltár építkezési terveit, résztveszünk szeptember elején az Országos Presbiteri Konferencián Ligonier, PA-ban, a helyi egyházak tanácsában, és a Vörös Kereszt révén évente többször véradási akciót rendezünk. Isten áldását kérjük Amerikában és a világban szétszórt testvéregyházainkra. Imában emlékeztünk meg rólatok és kérünk titeket, hogy ti is imádkozzatok érettünk. Vajha Isten megáldaná munkásságunkat az új esztendőben! Mr. Edmund Vig is Chief Elder, Mrs. Ethel Demeter is Assistant Chief Elder. We greet our Christian Brethren around the world in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! The year 1988 was for our church family one of change and one of growth. With the change came sadness when on August 28th, we bid farewell to Bishop Emeritus, Dezső Abraham and his wonderful wife, Margaret. It was a day of thanksgiving to God for the Abrahams’ more than 14 year of ministry here in Allen Park. Bishop and Margaret Abraham began their service to God and our congregation on June 1, 1974. Our church at that time was going through a very challenging period in its history. With the leadership of the Abrahams and through the commitment of church leaders and workers, a spiritual reawakening began and unity and harmony were restored. The Word of God was brough to bear upon the life of our church. On the „physical” side of church life much progress also was made, during the Abrahams’ 14 years. A new parsonage was built and paid for and the church mortgage was paid off. In 1981 we celebrated our 49th anniversary and in 1985 our 20th year in Allen Park. In addition our beautiful facility has been upgrated and modernized. All this work could not have been accomplished without pastor and people, dedicated individuals and organizations working together for the Glory of God. So it was with sadness that we bid farewell to the Abrahams, but it was also with a great deal of thanksgiving to God for them. We wish them many healthy, happy, busy years of retirement. May God continue to bless them! In June, our associate pastor, Imre A. Bertalan, was unanimously elected senior pastor by our congregation. He assumed this responsibility on October 1st. In the midst of pastoral change the life and work of our congregation continued in earnest. The worship of God con209
