Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-09-01 / 9-10. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Future of Calvin Synod Continued from page 3 not forget the blessings which are promised to us as followers of Jesus as it was summarized by John Piper about Matthew 10: the blessing of being sent by Christ - “Behold, I am sending you ... ” (verse 16), the blessing of being given words by the Spirit of God - ‘ ‘ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ” (verses 19- 20). the blessing of experiencing God’s fatherly care - "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ” (verse 20b), the blessing of salvation at the end of it all - “But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ” (verse 22b), the blessing of belonging to Jesus’ household (verse 25b), the blessing of knowing that the truth will triumph - “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ” (verse 26), the blessing of having a heavenly Father who sovereignty rules the smallest details of life (verse 29), and the blessing of being valued by God — “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (verse 31) Our ministry needs to bring witness of God’s glory and His salvation in Jesus Christ. It must be our confession of faith in words and in deeds. We received the order along with the promise, “Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. ” Matthew 10, 32-33 My hope and joy is that God’s love can restore and strengthen us. My vision for the future of Calvin Synod is promising. In the past few years’ congregations in Hawthorne, Norridge, New York, and Cleveland elected pastors with callings from God. They are dedicated, faithful, and obedient to the Lord, and their enthusiasm is refreshing. Many of our pastors and church leaders are also faithful in the places where God gave them the opportunity to serve. Blessings, future, and life for Calvin Synod are in connectedness, faithfulness, and obedience to God. (Romans 8:34-39) If we are disconnected, disobedient to God, and unable to love and respect each other, we can be greatly harmed. It can result that we will lose our “saltiness.” So, let us renew and restore our covenantal relationship with God and with each other. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. ” Matthew 22:37-40 Yours in His Service, Bishop Poznan New Bethlen Residences Underway On Speedtrack Floors have been leveled and poured for many of the twentyfour new residences at Bethlen Communities. By mid August the carpenters had set up the walls of the first units, framed out the interior partitions, and were ready for the roof trusses. With favorable weather the contractors have moved dirt by the truckload and changed the sloping hillside below Bethlen Home, the nursing and rehabilitation center, to a series of steps for the twelve levels of double building pads. The floor for the first building was poured in the beginning of August, and one foundation after another was laid. By the end of the week more than half of the foundations were laid and concrete blocks stacked for the next pours. The cement trucks hauled in load after load with the concrete spreaders perspiring in the ninety degree plus heat. Most of the rain that fell came at the end of the day or on the weekend, so little time was lost. Kalassay Drive, the main entrance to the campus, was closed for several weeks, with traffic diverted behind the nursing home complex. But that ended early in August and the way cleared for removal of the hill. In the works is a new location for the road between the Home and the lower level buildings. New Residents Signing Up The line is building for the first residents of the new cottages. Several families delayed moving to Bethlen’s homes, preferring larger quarters. Each unit will have two bedrooms and two baths, large living & dining area, kitchen, laundry area, and an extra wide garage, all on one floor. Several add-ons. as a patio, are also available. Three plans for financing the move are also offered, with an initial payment and modest monthly charges, which amortize the building’s cost and maintenance. If someone vacates the home, for personal reasons or even passes away, a rebate is scheduled according to the years of occupancy. Call 724-238-2235 for information. Heritage & Chapel Improvements The Bethlen Heritage Center and the Chapel are also the sites for separate important projects. The obvious one is the new parking lot alongside the Center and close to the Chapel, with a new set of steps for the latter. In the Center, work is underway on the second floor to develop a wellness area in the front of the building and a Museum and Archives area for the larger rear area. The archives committee is looking for all kinds of material related to the lives of Hungarian Reformed churches, their members, and good neighbors. Rev. Albert W. Kovács eg bo
