Magyar Egyház, 1965 (44. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1965-08-01 / 8-9. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 hymns of old praised Him. He calls us to Himself each Sunday so that the faith of the fathers may become revitalized in the lives of the children. The burning bush will only continue to burn as long as this precious faith remains dear to us. He doesn’t tell us exactly who He is—He only says “I am that I am.” This is your complete consolation and a terrible threat to the careless, unbelieving man. “I am,” but “I am more” than you can ever imagine about me. If you are weak, I become your strength; if you are poor, I am your wealth; if you have trouble, I am your consolation; if you are sick, I am your healer; if death is near, I am life to you. I am goodness, love, wisdom; I am all you need. Through the temple of the burning bush, God says that your prayers and your cries have reached Him and with pity and sympathy He hears and sees the misery of His people and promises deliverance. He doesn’t send an army, only the sweet comfort that “Certainly, I will be with Thee.” This promise is more valuable than any army. At this time of dedication may we learn this lesson that the God of the burning bush, the God of life, the Lord Jesus Christ, again and again kindles the flaming bush, stops man on his life’s way and calls him by name and says “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest,” The bush begins to flame and God speaks. “I am the God of your fathers, I see your affliction, I am not an indifferent God, I am pained with your pain, your sorrows are mine. I went to the cross that I might deliver you and lead you to your eternal home. I will send you forth from this church to heal wounds, to dry tears, and to love in mv stead, that the earth might be made more beautiful. Do not fear, I never will cease to repeat that I am wbh you in your joy, in your sorrow, in life and in death because I am your deliverer God and your redeeming Lord.” Lord, may we always hear in this church that Thou art with us, and may Thy servvants declare Thy name so that all may know Thee because “This is eternal life, that they may know Thee and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.” I remeber seeing many times on the old church seals in Hungary the dear symbol, the burning bush. The unconsumed burning bush signifies the church which goes through the fires of suffering, but is not consumed because of God’s protecting presence. Lord, God, we have built this beautiful church to be the eternally burning bush of our souls. Holy Spirit, enkindle within this sanctuary, Thy heavenly flame. Speak, Lord, from this burning bush to all the generations to follow. When we have heartaches, call us to thyself. Speak to us quietly that our souls might find all the peace, comfort, hope, love and blessing here that we need. As long as the bush burns, God is sneaking. Continue to look to this flame in your everyday life. Take off your shoes for the place where you stand is holy ground. May it every be holy ground. Amen. GREETINGS to the meetings of the Presbyters' Association, the Ministerial Association, the Bethlen Home and the Supreme Council of the Reformed Federation to be held during the Labor Day week in Ligonier. May the discussions and the resolutions serve the welfare of our Hungarian Reformed people in America, but first and foremost the glory of God. At this Critical Hour in a Changing World. . . The Executive Committee of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches met at Baguio City, Philippines, from June 24-29. The following message to all member churches was drawn up by the Committee. We of the Executive Committee of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, meeting for the first time in Asia and in particular in the setting of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, feel constrained to send a message of encouragement and greetings to all the member Churches of the Alliance. The participation by many of the members of the Executive Committee in the one hundredth anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Formosa, observed as the centenary of Protestant Christian Witness in Taiwan, was an occasion of great inspiration to us all. At this our meeting in Baguio City, Philippines, we have welcomed into membership in the Alliance, The Malaysia Synod of the Chinese Christian Church, Geredja Protestan di Indonesia (The Protestant Church in Indonesia), and Gredja Kristan Djawi Wetan (The Church of East Java), the representatives of these Churches being welcomed together in brotherly fellowship at a time when Indonesia and Malaysia are in serious conflict. We feel deeply conscious of and sympathetic towards the problems and perplexities in which many of our member Churches find themselves at this critical hour in a changing world. In the advance toward unity, many Churches are deeply appreciative of the leadership and high purpose of the World Council of Churches; at the same time they feel that it is at an important stage in its development. Further, impressed by signs of renewal in the Church of Rome, many are raising questions as to what is the significance of the Second Vatican Council for the Christian world as a whole. The Frankfurt theme and the prayer ‘Come Creator Spirit,’ remain our inspiration and hope. In all our weaknesses and perplexities, let us encourage one another to be of good cheer, looking wholly to Christ our Lord, and trusting in the leading of Hsi Spirit. Under God certain emphases are found in the life of the Reformed Churches. It is our privilege and task at this particular time to uphold these and to offer them to the coming fullness of the Church. THE WORD OF GOD: We rejoice that God has entrusted the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His people and that we are given the living witness to this Gospel in the Holy Scriptures. Our Lord has said: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness to me.” (Jn. 5:39) SALVATION: We gratefully acknowledge our full salvation to rest in our Lord anad Saviour Jesus Christ — the forgiveness of sins, life, and blessedness — and we can turn to no other for help. We are told: “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.” (I Tim. 2:5)
