Magyar Egyház, 1959 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-02-01 / 2. szám
8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH YOUNGSTOWN, WELCOME It is a great privilege and joyful duty to report to the fellowship of our beloved denomination that the Hungarian Reformed Church of Youngstown, Ohio has decided at its annual congregational meeting to join the fellowship of our Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Almighty God answered the prayers of our hearts and the Holy Spirit led the brethren of Youngstown to take this very important decision. In behalf of the whole constituency of our Church I wish to extend our heartfelt welcome to our dear fellow servant in the Lord, the Reverend Alexander Marton, to the chief elder, elders and to all the members of this fine Hungarian Reformed Congregation on the North American continent. Blessed be the name of the Lord for his mercies! May our Lord guide and strengthen the faith and life of our Youngstown Church. The Reverend Alexander Marton is a highly talented spiritual leader among the Reformed Hungarians in this country and now our denomination will be greatly benefitted by his experience, knowledge and Christian faith. The Youngstown Church has always been an example of Christian fellowship. We rejoice at this great occasion that they have joined our communion. Let this mercy of God be appreciated by all our Churches. Let us give thanks to the Lord in our services and welcome our Youngstown brethren with open arms and loving hearts. Bishop Zoltán Beky PROGRAM OF ELDERS’ CONFERENCE Perth Amboy, N. J. March 1, 1959 2:00 2:30-3:00. 3:00-3:30 3:30-4:30 4:30-5:30 5:30 6:00 Registration Opening Devotions, Opening of Conference Address on the General Theme of the Conference, “Eldership-Leadership” Workshops Participants will discuss the role of elder in six workshops: 1. “The Elder at the Board Meeting” 2. “The Elder As An Evangelist” 3. “The Elder As A Trustee” 4. “The Elder and the Teaching Ministry” 5. “The Elder at the Worship Service” 6. “The Elder and the Church at Large”. Report of Workshops and Discussion Recommendation concerning the organization of a classis-wide Elders’ Association Adjournment, Hymn, Benediction The Conference will be followed by a fellowship dinner. The Conference will be conducted in both, English and Hungarian. Separate English speaking and Hungarian speaking workshops will be set up. All elders are invited and urged to attend including past elders not active at present on the Board of Elders of their congregation. Other interested church members are also welcome. LENT “ARE YOU ABLE TO DRINK THE CUP THAT I AM TO DRINK?” As Jesus asked this of his disciples, so he asks us this Lenten season. We wish that it would not be necessary for us to live under such a solemn shadow in these 40 days, as it is not like us to be mindful of sadness. ,We want to be happy. We put gloomy thoughts out of our minds, as though that solves everything. But this is what we MUST do in Lent. Jesus did not want to suffer pain and agony. He did not want to die. He prayed in the garden, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The cup of bitterness was his to drink. And he drank it, as was his duty. It is no more pleasant for us. But we do not have to suffer His pain. Can we, in this holy season, foreswear some of our pleasures in remembrance of His great love for us, and drink at least a little of the cup of bitterness and sadness? Imagine how you would feel if that nail in Jesus’ hand would be in one of your hands, as you waited for the hammer to come down and drive it past your bones and through the flesh. It is no pretty thought. It is not as pretty a symbol as the glittering cross on some church altars. Yet, for you, he willingly suffered this. Can you share in memory his suffering — saddening, but luckily for us painless? Make these days holy, solemn and loving. Permit Lent to be a turning point in your life. Worship your beloved Saviour every Sunday and during the week. Tell the Lord how much you love Him and sincerely appreciate what He has done for you. And prove it, by giving him a sacrifice of your time, by godly living in your daily life, and by speaking every word as His saved child ought to speak. It is not easy, but “Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” A chance for you to do so, to prove it is here. Take it! Albert W. Kovács
