Magyar Egyház, 1963 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1963-02-01 / 2. szám
\ 8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ of our fathers expressed by the Heidelberg Catechism. If it is not “alive,” it should be awakened. One of the characteristics of the Reformed concept of church is this: the theological and ecclesiastical statements and formulations of the past should be re-examined from time to time in the light of the Scriptures and in harmony with the faith of our fathers. In this anniversary year of the Heidelberg Catechism, this honest and serious question should be faced: Are we really a people living and believing according to the tenets of the time honored Catechism of our fathers? A WORLD FREE FROM HUNGER . . . An appeal for special prayers and intercessions for the World Freedom From Hunger Week which starts March 17 has been issued by Dr. W. A. Visser ’t Hooft, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. The appeal made in a letter to the organization’s 201 member churches called upon them to encourage their congregotions to mark Sunday, March 17, as a day of prayer for the hungry and for the work of the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization, which is sponsoring the world-wide observance. Enclosed with the letter was a suggested “Prayer for the Hungry” written by the German church leader Dr. Martin Niemoller, who is one of the WCC’s six presidents. Dr. Visser ’t Hooft’s letter asked the churches to step-up their own programs to aid the hungry and to support the programs of local and national councils of churches to this end. It further appealed to them to “do all you can to see that the practical help which Christians give should flow through church channels and in support of inter-church agencies in your country”. Church World Service of the National Council of Churches is the U. S. co-operative inter-church aid agency. “The fact that more than half of the people of the world are living on a diet below the accepted standards of nutrition needed for maintaining full health is an indictment of those nations which have more than enough and to spare and a challenge to the Christian conscience,” Dr. Visser ’t Hooft wrote. A PRAYER FOR THE HUNGRY Prepared by Dr. Martin Niemoeller, Germany, a president of the World Council of Churches. Almighty God, whose blessed Son had compassion on the multitudes when they were hungry and gave them to eat and who has promised thy blessing upon those who give food to the least of thy children, hear our prayers this day for the hungry in the world of our times. We are mindful that all men can only live — as we do — through thy grace and if they are granted the daily bread for which our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us to pray. In penitence we confess that enjoying thy bounty and grace we think too often of ourselves and forget the multitude that have nothing and starve. So we pray that thy love may awaken in us the response of love and charity that we may recognize him who is hungry as being thyself seeking our devotion. Teach us that, even in plenty and abundance, we are poor without thee and that as we owe our life to thee we cannot live it without sharing with them who are in need. Help us therefore to a sacrifice of service. Bless the plans and operations of the Food and Agricultural Organization and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign and the churches’ cooperation in it, lead men into constructive brotherhood and give to thy children that new earth in which men shall hunger no more. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. The Churches Working Together THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES The Churches Working Together for a Christian America A new booklet telling the human story of the programs of the National Council of Churches at home and abroad has just been released. Pointing up actual case histories and presented in narrative form, it is designed for the information of members of its 31 member communions and their friends. Copies at 150 each, with special rates for quantities, may be ordered from: Office of Publication and Distribution: National Council of Churches 475 Riverside Drive, New York 27, N. Y.
