Evangéliumi Hírnök, 2000 (92. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
2000-12-01 / 12. szám
8. oldal 2000. december H V>ethes _______Baptist Retirement Home______ October at Bethesda The month of October had been a significant one here at Bethesda. But then, every month is significant. We operate our home on a day to day basis because, at our state of life, changes take place so quickly. We are an aged group of people and we give thanks to God each morning because we know not what that day will bring for us. Each morning and each evening is a gift from God. We have our joys, and we have our sorrows and we try to accept each situation with grace. We are still operating our Home with all rooms full. We do not have any problems in operating at full capacity. Our Home is neat and clean and we try to maintain a family atmosphere. Our meals are good and we have a full schedule of activities for our residents. We care for 21 men and 49 women. This is our family. In addition to own residents, we also have 30 employees. Thus, at times we have to tend to the joys and woes of 100 people. Sometimes this is pleasant and sometimes it is extremely difficult. But with the help of God, we manage. At the present time, we have more people from the Home attending, our worship services than ever before. For this we are thankful. We also try to keep every one busy with one activity or another. This helps our residents to pass the time of day without boredom. We take our residents out shopping. We take them out to dinner and to Concerts. We have other activities for them here at the Home. This keeps them happy and healthy. During the month, we had the privilege of hosting Kalman and Anna Marie Dobos, our missionaries from Austria. Our resident and church member enjoyed hearing how the word of God is being proclaimed throughout the far reaches of the world. We as a church body spend the greater part of our income on mission projects. Our missions outreach also extends into the efforts of our Convention since we contribute $1,000.00 each month for their programs. In addition to the above, we gifted our brethren in Chicago $50,000.00 to help purchase a church building. It was a joy for us to help them fulfill a dream of many years. God has blessed us and we are happy to be able to help in the furtherance of the gospel in whatever way we can. Our Home is still negotiating with possible purchasers. This is a long and complicated process and will take time and energy to affect a sale. We cannot report any positive results as yet, but we are still negotiating. We are awaiting God’s plans to take effect. As soon as we have something positive to report, we will advise you. In the meantime please continue us in your prayers. Ernest J. Kish The degrading of Christmas May we lift Christ high this Christmas season Satan assaults us every year in varieties of ways during the Christmas season. The very name Christmas bears the name of Christ. Christmas is about Christ. Christmas is Christ: the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ sent from heaven to earth to live a perfect life as the God-man. Christ - the lamb of God - sent to take away the sins of the world. But Satan assaults us. It is easy to forget that we are in a spiritual war every day, but we are. Below are just a few of the methods that Satan uses to attack us during the Christmas season. We name them merely to remind each of us of the spiritual warfare. Guard your heart and may Christ be lifted up, praised, honored and glorified - by the way that we live Christmas. Satan’s assault upon the Christian. Materialism: It’s easy to fall into the trap of excessive spending. Is Jesus glorified when we let our spending get out of hand? Does greater indebtedness bring honor to our Lord? Greater financial bondage can destroy our peace of mind. Busyness: It seems that every organization, institution, club, work place has a Christmas party, gathering, gift exchange. Generally, there are good intentions behind each one, but... Recognize that Satan desires to pull you in many directions and tear you away from your relationship with God and with your loved ones. Family get togethers: Satan can rip and tear as families get together - especially during the Christmas season. Family get togethers can result more in gift exchanges, busyness and eating. Christ can get left out. Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ. You may offend someone if you even want to read the Christmas story or pray before the meal. Spiritual warfare. Our quiet time: With the busyness, we can cut comers and neglect our devotional time with the Lord. Satan rejoices. What is the answer? The short answer is pray and ask God to help you conduct yourself in a way that will please and honor Him. Be careful, however, not to compromise and to allow ungodly standards to prevail. (AFA) What the Pastor expects of the Congregation Our Pastors are God’s messengers within a sinful world. He has been trained in biblical teachings and philosophy. He is a professional servant of God. As such, he should be respected by all of us. Being Baptist in belief, we all have arightto interpret scriptures as we may think. He also has that same right. We may differ in some respects, but we should be one in our basic understandings and learn to work together with one purpose. That is to spread the word of God to all people. In I Thes. 5:12 we read, "And we beseech you brethren to know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. " Our pastors expect our prayers for them and their families. The pastor has the same concern for his family that you and I have. He has a family to raise and educate. He has a need for daily sustenance. He is concerned for his congregation and at times becomes discouraged. A warm handshake or a nice comment indicating our concern for him could mean much to him. Our prayers will indicate our regard and concern for his well being. Our Pastors expect us to live in peace with one another. Dissension among us can affect both the physical and the spiritual life of the church. He expects us to be peacemakers within the congregation. In II Thes. 5:13 we read, “and be at peace among yourselves. ” Peace
