Calvin Synod Herald, 2010 (111. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 on October 31, we observed Reformation Sunday with Holy Communion at both Hungarian and English services. HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH - Woodbridge, NJ and JOHN CALVIN MAGYAR REF. CHURCH - Perth Amboy, NJ - The two congregations have officially merged! Our first joint worship service was held on Labor Day Sunday in September. We noted that Labor Day Sunday was a very appropriate time to join the labors of our hands to build the Kingdom of God together. On September 12, the Congregations joined in commemorating the September 11, 2001 events with a very touching service. Following the worship service the members of the Woodbridge Congregation extended an invitation to the members of the John Calvin Church for a Fellowship Time and our Pastor made introduction of the members to each other. It was an up-lifting feeling to see the membership worshipping together - church was almost full. We look forward in working together in peace and understanding in serving Christ, the head of the Church. THE BETHLEN COMMUNITIES - Ligonier, PA We hosted the Central Classis Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 2. Speaker and discussion leader for the meeting was Dr. RobertA. J. Gagnon, professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Gagnon spoke on the theme: Spirituality According to the Gospel of John. On Friday evening, October 22-Saturday, October 23, Central Classis hosted a retreat on Spiritual Growth. The retreat was open to all Calvin Synod folks along with members of other denominations. Lodging and meals were provided. Dr. Gagnon addressed the retreat. His themes were Spirituality According to Paul and Spirituality According to the Gospel of Mark. There was ample time for meditation and discussion and we are thankful to God for the opportunity to come together to grow in His name. For pictures and a report of the Classis Meeting, please see inside. Compiled by Tünde Garai SAVE the DATE! November 13-14, 2010 - Hungarian Reformed Youth Annual Bonfire! This is an opportunity to remain connected with the friends we made at Youth Camp and spend time with Jesus. Saturday: games, fun, pizza, fellowship and bonfire 6:30 - 11PM. Sunday: Worship at 10:30 AM followed by lunch of Chicken Soup and Walkin’ Tacos. Hotel: LaQuinta Inn, 6161 Quarry Lane, Independence Ohio 216-447-1133 (same as last year). You must make your own reservations by Nov. 1. Room rate is $55+ tax. Group name is HRC Bonfire. Bonfire will be at Casa Da Smith (Kathy and Drew Smith’s house) Cost is $15 per person. Don’t forget to RSVP to Kathy Smith by Nov. 1 - kasc4@aol.com July 17-23, 2011 - Youth Camp! Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. □ The Word Became Flesh Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ in the Calvin Synod “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth ” John 1:14 The Christmas message is about Christ. Christ is the meaning of Christmas. God came into the world, bom of a virgin, in the person of Jesus Christ. Other religions claim that they honor and believe in Jesus Christ but they ignore God’s revelation in the Bible of who Jesus is. The Apostle John points out over five truths concerning the Word made flesh, and then contrasts two different responses. “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ” “Jesus” was the name Joseph was told to give the child by the angel of the Lord because it means “Savior.” “Christ” was the title that referred to the long-awaited king of the Jews who would give victory to the people and bear the government of the world on his shoulders. When Andrew, Peter’s brother, told him that he had met Jesus he said, “We have found the Messiah. ” John 1:41 He is the Savior and King. Christ existed as God and with God before He was bom as a man on Earth “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ” John 1:1 There have always been sectarian groups who have resisted the mystery implied in these two phrases: “the Word was with God,” and “the Word was God.” This is part of the truth which we know as the Trinity. This is why we worship Jesus Christ and say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God. ” John 20:28 John called Him the Word Logos “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ” John 1:1 Why was he called “the Word?” God did many mighty deeds in history, but he gave priority to the Word. All that is not God was created through the Word-Logos “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. ” John 1:3 In the text we can find five truths about Christ. 1. He is Jesus Christ, Savior and anointed King. 2. He is God, the second person of the Trinity. 3. He is the Word God in communication, God expressing Himself. 4. He is the Creator of all things. 5. “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ” John 1:4 All life originates in the Word. That is obvious because, as we have seen already, he is the Creator of all things. So first, Jesus gives life and then that life becomes light. The other way that the life Jesus gives relates to the light is not that it enables us to see, but that Jesus himself is the Light that is seen. That’s what verse 14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. ” And that is what Jesus prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory. ” John 17:24 And that’s what he claimed when he said twice, “7 am the Light of the world. ” John 8:12; 9:5 The five truths about the incarnated Word are: 1. He is Jesus after he is made flesh: Savior and God-anointed King of all. 2. He is God: He was with God and is God. 3. He was called the Word (Logos) Logos: God in communication, expressing Himself. 4. He is the Creator: “All things were made through him, and without him Continued on page 4
