Bethlen Almanac 1998 (Ligonier)
Kálvin Egyházkerület - Calvin Synod - Keleti Egyházmegye - Eastern Classis
PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church Perth Amboy, New Jersey Pastor. Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz, Bishop Emeritus Chief Elder: Joseph Koy 1997 was a blessed and peaceful year in our congregation. Besides our daily life, there was an outstanding event when we observed, family style, the 50th Anniversary of the pastor’s ordination into the Christian ministry on September 28th. Many thanks to all those who took part in helping to make this day a memorable one. Let us continue this report with showing the life of the congregation during the past year: With the exception of January 19th, due to inclement weather, worship services were held regularly. We had 50 English services and 5 bilingual services, a total of 55. The largest attendance was on September 28th when we observed the pastor’s Ordination Anniversary when over a hundred members and friends gathered together. Attendance at English services were 907, bilingual services 165, a total of 1,072. Holy Communion was administered 7 times with 172 partaking in the church and 8 taking Communion in their homes or in the hospital for a total of 180. The pastor and members took part in the community service on Good Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, the March 15th Program at City Hall Park and Our Lady of Hungary Church, and at the World Day of Prayer Service sponsored by Church Women United at St. John’s Orthodox Church. The pastor visited the sick and shut-ins in their homes and in the hospitals and nursing homes. Family and friends were also visited on request. Bulletins, Pastoral Letters and related material was mailed and made available to our members and friends. During the year, the pastor preached at other churches on 14 occasions. Our guest ministers were: Rev. István Nyeste who preached at one service; Rev. Dr. Ernest Racz who preached once; Rev. Albert Kovács preaching three times; Rev. August Molnár who participated in two services; Rev. Stephen Szabó who preached once, and Rev. Edward Hardwick who preached three times. Besides our regular day by day expenses, we made every effort to help others in need. Donations were sent to: Miskolc burned-down church $1,000; Church World Service $250; American Hungarian Foundation 53
