Bethlen Almanac 2000 (Ligonier)
Keleti Egyházmegye - Eastern Classis
BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA Grace Hungarian United Church of Christ Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Pastor: Rev. Dr. Sándor Mészáros Chief Elder: Bertha Barna Since the foundation of our congregation, the Word and the hymns resound in two languages every Sunday, for which our people are grateful. Unfortunately, there are no other bilingual pastors in the area, therefore, soul helping service to our elder members is performed no differently in our mother language than to the congregation’s other members. The attendance of our church service is quite good but due to health problems at times many are unable to attend. The pastor’s service in visiting the sick and hospitalized is essential due to the fact that he is an evening chaplain in the neighboring large hospital. There is no Hungarian in our area whom he has not looked up and provided spiritual guidance. Numerous area and regional pastors have been welcomed guests and have provided pastoral services while the pastor has been in Hungary. Our annual dinners and events are always blessed with success for which we are very grateful for the ladies of the Mary Molnár Society. Of course, when needed, we were always helped by the men. We had numerous bus excursions, a March Hungarian Flag Raising Ceremony in our City Hall, and in September we had a special Ecumenical Millennium Celebration followed by the Ordination of the Hungarian King Saint Ladislaus Knights. Our church building kept in good shape. Our annual income and expenses were $30,000. In 2000, we had 10 funerals, 2 weddings and 3 infant baptisms. The pastor continues to be a lecturer at Penn State University, supplying every Sunday the Philadelphia Hungarian Reformed Fellowship, and is a hospital chaplain. Our present pastor has served our people here in Bethlehem for 20 years, and he is ready for retirement. All our services are joyful. Dr. Sándor Mészáros, Pastor 31
