Calvin Synod Herald, 1975 (75. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-07-01 / 7-8. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD THE LAYMEN AND HIS CHURCH My message today is entitled “The Laymen and His Church” and the closing verse of the Scripture this morning gives us excellent guidance along these lines — “If God Be With Us, Who Can Be Against Us?” Dr. Szabó and my Fellow Church Members. In the past we have had some very distinguished laymen speaking to us on Laymen Sunday. I feel very humble as I stand before you today and express my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity of addressing you this morning. Laymen Sunday is observed by most of our churches today and this is to signify the importance of the laymen in the congregation. This was given much publicity in our newspapers yesterday and laymen were to deliver the message of the day in many churches. Whenever recognition and praise is given to any of our Church members, we are all equally proud and rejoice with them. During the Labor Day weekend, the presbyters and ministers from all over the United States meet on common (CONTINUED FROM PAGE FIVE) one hope with one ministry around one table. He calls all believers in Jesus to respond in worship together, to accept all the gifts from the Spirit, to learn from each others’ traditions, to make unity visible on earth. 18. Christ places baptism in the world as a seal of his covenant people, placing them in his ministry, assuring them of the forgiveness of sins. God knows those who are baptized in his name, guiding his Church gently to lead us, calling us back when we go astray, promising life amid trials and death. 19. Christ places his table in this world. He takes up our bread and wine to represent his sacrifice, to bind his ministry to our daily work, to unite us in his righteousness. Here Christ is present in his world proclaiming his salvation until he comes, a symbol of hope for a troubled age. VII. OUR HOPE IN THE AGE TO COME 20. God saves the world through Jesus. Those who call on his name will have life. His hand reaches out beyond those who say “Lord” to the infants who live in the atmosphere of faith, even to the farthest stars and planets — all his creation. The boundaries of his love are not known, his Spirit works at the ends of the world before the Church has there spoken a word. 21. God will renew the world through Jesus. He will put all unrighteousness out, purify the works of men’s hands, and perfect their fellowship in himself. He will wipe away every tear; death shall be no more. There will be a new heaven and a new earth and his creation will be filled with his glory. OUR PRAYERS Come, Lord Jesus: We are open to your Spirit. We await your full presence. Our world finds rest in you alone. RPS—June 1975 ground in Ligonier, Pa. at The Bethlen Home. I say common ground because our Hungarian Reformed churches are found to be consisting of three groups: Presbyterians, The Hungarian Reformed Church in America and our church which belongs to the Calvin Synod of The United Church of Christ. Even though we are in three groups, it is the one time in the year when we can get together and discuss the many problems that confront us all. The speaker at the Ministerial Meeting this year was the President of Hope College in Hillsdale, Michigan in the person of Dr. Eugene Osterhaven. His message was very inspiring and he stated that one of the textbooks used for the theology students is “The March of Truth” written by our own pastor, Dr. Szabó and I am sure is in the homes of many of you members. He also said that this book has been translated into the Dutch language for use in the churches in Holland. We were very pleased to hear of this recognition given to our pastor and church. Our church is visited by many outside groups from around the city as well as outside the city. These groups consist of students in art and architecture who have come to see this masterpiece. Also visiting us are many confirmation classes that view the stained glass windows and get the explanation to their meanings. The Masonic brethren of our church worship with us each year on St. John’s Day which is recognized by all Masons and they attend church in a body. We have been very fortunate the last two years when we have had the officers and members of Woodward Lodge #508 participating in our services and honoring us with their presence as they could have chosen any other church throughout the city. Many of us have outside activities and belong to either the Masonic order, community or service organizations. One of the most important tasks of all of us as laymen is to work for our church through one of our many organizations and we solicit your membership into any you might wish to join. Our Women’s Guild and Churchmen’s Brotherhood just elected new officers for the ensuing term last week. They will be installed at the November meeting and it is very important that the membership give them their support and help them whenever called upon to do so. Join with them in becoming involved in the affairs of your church. We have the Sewing Club, two ladies groups that make noodles and doughnuts and if you feel you are musically inclined the choir is waiting for you. The old saying, “United We Stand and Divided We Fall” has a deep meaning with us in this instance. Billy Graham once said that no one is really argued into the Kingdom of God. This does not mean, however, that one should discourage any seeker after truth, for after he has found the answer to his questions, he will still find himself faced with the biggest problem of all — His Moral and Spiritual Need. In any organization the membership is usually made up of three types of laymen: (1) Leaders, (2) Followers, (3) Leaners. Not all of the members want to be leaders but they certainly are good followers and pitch in and do the lion’s share of the work. Any organization is truly thankful to
