Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 God’s Christmas Gift To Us But the angel said to them (the shepherds), “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been bom to you; he is Christ the Lord . . .” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14. Recently I saw a catalog and in it a decorative sign for the family room: “Lord, let there be LOVE in our hearts, JOY in our lives, and PEACE in our home.” Who would disagree with this aspiration? Please read a part of the Christmas story quoted above. In these few words we find two of the requested gifts, namely JOY and PEACE. Would it be a miracle this Christmas that what God offers us in Christ and what we wish to have would be the same? When the generous intention of the giver and the real need of the receiver match in the Christmas gift, we are fortunate. If Christmas is the time to express our good wishes, then we pray that you will be blessed with whatever your need the most; health and strength, being gainfully employed and sufficient income, peace of mind and friendliness around you, harmony in your family and understanding among your neighbors, at last but not least, love that originates from Christ’s birth and salvation that is granted through His death. No love, friendship, and trust will be complete without mutual and reciprocal kindness and devotion. To give and receive, to ask and appreciate, to achieve and remain humble, to work hard and pray faithfully are complementary. At Christmas the divine and the human, the physical and the spiritual, the visible and the mysterious were joined to make our lives richer, happier, and purer. May you and your beloved ones experience a spiritually uplifting Christmas and new year. May we individually and together enjoy happiness, success, and peace. With best wishes and brotherly love, Rev. Alexander Jalso First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead Munhall, Pennsylvania Summer Collegium June 25 - July 3, 2008 The Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations, is now accepting applications for the Summer 2008 event, which will take place at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, from June 25-July 3, 2008. This nine-day, all expenses paid conference for clergy and their spouses or partners is open to those who pastor small congregations (100 or fewer average Sunday attendance) and are committed to small church ministry. Singles and non-ordained pastors are welcome to apply for the one of the 25 openings. The conference consists of keynotes and workshops on all aspects of small church ministry, with a special emphasis on worship and preaching. Keynotes include Tony Pappas, who has written extensively on small church life, and Peter Bush and Christine O’Reilly, authors of the new book Where 20 or 30 are Gathered: Leading Worship in the Small Church. John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland will be our music leader. This is an ecumenical project sponsored by the Lilly Endowment Inc. Applications may be downloaded from our website, www.vts.edu/education/collegium, or contact Marilyn Johns (mjohns@vts.edu or 703-461-1760); applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2007. Thank you very much, and please contact me if you have any questions. Marilyn Johns, D. Min. Project Manager, The Summer Collegium Virginia Theological Seminary 3737 Seminary Road •Alexandria, Virginia 22304 703-461-1760 Online Resources Christian Observer Internet Links/Blogs Manassas - http://manassas-va.blogspot.com Edwin Elliott Sermons - Full Bible Sermons: http://fullbiblepulpit.blogspot.com Bob Williams “Blogeek” - Paleohuguenot: http://paleohuguenot.blogspot.com Presbyterians Weekly News - http://presweek.blogspot.com Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC) http://hrim-trac.blogspot.com Robert LaMav Blogs Sabbath School Weekly - Teacher http://sabbathschoolweekly.blogspot.com Sabbath School Weekly - Student http://sabbathschoolstudent.blogspot.com Lex Rex Deo - http://lexrexdeo.blogspot.com Christian Citizenship/Christian Politics and Statesmanship http://christianpands.blogspot.com Bible Studies 107- http://biblestudiesl07.blogspot.com Hanoverian Blogs C. Huckaby - Bible Story Telling http://biblestorytelling.blogspot.com R. Bacon - Full Bible Update http://fbpminister.wordpress.com R. Bacon - Old Testament Readings http://otreadings.blogspot.com Other Blogs Reformed Blogs - Around the Neighborhood: http://reformedblogs.com/ Faith and Action - http://www.faithandaction.org/index. cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=45
