Calvin Synod Herald, 1975 (75. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-07-01 / 7-8. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 7 them as they are content in staying behind the scenes and help to get things done. The one that must be prodded is the leaner, as many times they will stay on the sidelines and be the first to criticize but will never offer to do their share of the work. It is not enough to be merely a dues paying member as we look to you for other assistance also. What we would like to strive for is make followers from the leaners and more leaders from the followers. In this way we will be building and have a very strong organization. Leaners count only in the game of horseshoes. As church officers many negative thoughts and words come before us. We try to listen to all and whenever a decision is made we feel it is for the best interest of the church. Time and again you have all been invited to sit in on any of our Consistory meetings where many of the decisions must be made. Each of you know that the second and third Sunday in January is always our annual meeting. This year, please make it a point to be here and enter into the discussions. This would then make the work of the Pastor and Consistory much easier. The Pastor is here with us to handle our Moral and Spiritual needs and the laymen are to assist in the administrative affairs. This is outlined well for us in the Fifth Chapter of Matthew, Verses 14 through 16 as follows: “Ye are the light of the World. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” We to should take heed and light the way for those that wish to follow and have faith in ourselves in all doings. Our forefathers brought with them to this new land a dedicated spirit and devotion to God for which we should all be justly proud. These were truly the great laymen that helped build our many churches throughout this land. In speaking of heritage we should be thankful to them as we have something to cherish. It is just coming to be that even the Afro nations are going back in time to try and find out all they can about their heritage and it shows that they are very proud of it. We to should be equally proud because anyone with an ethnic background is striving for recognition. As we are approaching our 25th anniversary of the building of this Sanctuary, let us remember back to those that helped make this possible. Many are not with us today but their accomplishments will be always remembered. In 1949, we built this church and had a $120,000 mortgage loan from The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. This loan was repaid in just eight short years and we had a debt free church. This did not mean that we should become complacent, as many thought that with the church paid off, no further donations would be required. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a big building and it takes much to upkeep it. Expenses and inflation have hit us at the church just as it has to each of us in our individual homes. We need your financial assistance to keep moving forward, but there are things that money cannot buy, such as, happiness and contentment. I believe that when each of us enter into a place of worship, our cares are left behind us as we spend the hour or so in meditation with God. If we do not get this feeling then we should take inventory of ourselves and take the necessary corrective measures. We can count our blessings while admitting our shortcomings. Christ himself said “I am the way, the truth and the Life and no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” Here again we must stress the need for strong family ties with parental guidance. I would like to read a poem written by our daughter Karen when she was in the sixth grade and is a tribute to all parents. “Parents are two loving people God set on this earth to guide their children in the right direction to adulthood. They care for you when you are sick and unable to do some things. They try to teach you right from wrong and hope you will follow their examples. They buy you necessary things to keep healthy. They love you and care for you like you will someday do with your own children.” We were very proud when she brought this home and it shows that our children must be taught to respect their elders and with this teaching in the home and furthered in our Sunday School classes, we will help build a better society. Discipline is a source of love demonstrated by parents, even though the children will not think so when it is being applied. Today we are all aware of the fact that we are living in very difficult times, what with the hippies, radicals, the permissiveness of society and the dope pushers trying to change the young people in their most formative years. These people openly defy our laws, their parents, elders and anger our law enforcement officers with slurs and obsenities. These same individuals are seeking privileges without responsibility. This is something that angers all of us and without law and order, individual freedom cannot exist. Let us hope that our Judges will start imposing sentences that will make these people think twice before they commit an act of violence or some other crime. President John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” This phrase has been used many, many times with a few words being changed and I would like to change it to read as follows: “Ask not what your Church can do for you, but what can you do for your Church.” Let us all be faithhful leaders and followers and go forth with new determination, dedication and inspiration with our best efforts to continue the building of our church and work together towards this goal, as harmony is the strength and support of all institutions. “If God Be With Us, Who Can Be Against Us?” Amen. Elmer Vargo First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland ---------------» •+--------------------"Xrain up a child in the way he should go . . Be quick, O fathers, mothers, quick to speak The word of truth to these your precious ones, Who lift their clear eyes to you as they seek For guidance. Tell your daughters and your sons Of One who loves them even more than you: He who will be their guide a lifetime through. Make them acquainted early with the Word That tells His love of children; let them know The gentleness and goodness of the Lord Who will befriend them ever as they go Forward through life, then teach them to depend Upon Him as their truest, kindest Friend.
