Magyar Egyház, 1972 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1972-11-01 / 11. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

9

ring, unless you answer it, it is of no service to you. I could never feel closer to God than through the singing of the hymns, whispering the prayers, and reading the Word of God according to our Hungarian Reformed tradition. If you doubt me, just listen to the New Brunswick church’s choir singing our psalms!

It is interesting to observe that the three main speakers, Wayne, Diane, and Rev. Bertalan, too, followed a threefold trend. They spoke of religion by the way of revolution, conservatism ... and Christ, who was both. It is also interesting to observe that all three of them favored religion within our own established churches. Again, of course, we must remember Luther, who tried hard, but when he failed, he didn’t hesitate to follow God’s call, wherever it lead him!

I must credit our youth with a great deal more sense than some adults would give them, and definitely more sense than some adults have. In spite of an unfavorable vote, they decided to sit down with representatives of the UC.C Calvin Synod’s representatives to search of eventual cooperation, to learn more about each other, getting to know each other. By mutual agreement this will take place in late December, and if it’s God’s will, the children will do, or at least attempt to do what the fathers could not achieve in half a century.

Dear adult readers! Are you asking what business of yours is this? Professor Nemeth (McKeesport) said that our interest, budgetwise, organizationwise should bear the results of the American attitude of national defense. We should dedicate the major part of our budget, time and talent to our youth. Ask yourself, your pastor, and your church council: what has been done in your church for the Sunday School, the youth fellowship?.... ask, and if necessary, complain, offer your talents, money .. . AND prayer. Then, our youth will not have to go somewhere else, but they can feel His Presence in our midst, in our Hungarian Reformed Churches.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE McKeesport church

Sunday, October 22, 1972 will be remembered by the people of our congregation for years to come. On this day we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our church.

Our congregation was founded on June 20, 1922. In the past 50 years we have built three churches. Our present church was dedicated on Sunday, July 23. The building of these churches were possible because of the great personal sacrifices of the members for their spiritual mother.

The anniversary worship service was conducted at 4 p.m. By 4 p.m. the sanctuary was full of worshippers when the participating ministers walked in. After the invocation, the congregation joyfully sang: “Unto the Lord Lift Thankful Voices.” Indeed, it was the day of thanksgiving. The Scripture reading in English was done by the Rev. Zoltán Kovács, pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Homestead. His reading was followed by tht Hungarian Bible reading by the Rev. Dr. George Csia, minister of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Pittsburgh. The Hungarian prayer was said by the Rev. Dr. László Berzeviczy, pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of McKeesport. The sermon in Hungarian was delivered by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bishop Zoltán Beky, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation. In his sermon, Bishop Beky pointed out the great sacrifices of the members for their church. He asked the people to remain faithful and loyal to their church. After his sermon the ministers’ choir sang. The English sermon was preached by the Rev. Leslie Papp, minister of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Mentor, Ohio. Rev. Papp grew op in our city and in our church and from here the Lord called him to the ministry. He discussed “What is the church?” and asked the members to make their church the family of fellowship. The English prayer was offered by the Rev. Louis Illés, pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Duquesne. At the end of the service we sang “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” which was followed by the benediction offered by Bishop Beky.

The anniversary service was followed by the anniversary banquet at 6 p.m. in our fellowship hall. The tables were decorated for the occasion. The delicious dinner was prepared by our ladies. The serving was done by our youth and some of the members. The dinner was followed by the program. The welcome was said by Mr. Steve Balogh, vice chief elder, the pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Andrew Toth, vice chief elder and the invocation was offered by the Rev. Zoltán Kovács. Toastmaster was Mr. John Kontz, chief elder. In behalf of the city of McKeesport, the Honorable Zoran Popovich, mayor, welcomed the people. Greetings were offered by the Very Rev. Tibor Dömötör, dean, Bishop Beky, who also conveyed the greetings of Bishop Abraham, Edward Zemprelli, state senator, John T. Walsh, state legislator, and by the Rev. Louis Illés. We had two main speakers. The Rt. Rev. Alexander Daroczy, former pastor spoke in Hungarian and Dr. Joseph Nemeth, former member and elder delivered his speech in English. We were all moved and inspired by their messages. A solo was sung by Mrs. Louis Jardanhazy. The 21 living founders were introduced by the local pastor. There were delegates from various churches and organizations.

It was indeed our privilege to offer our thanks and praise to God for the past blessings. May he continue to guide and help us.

CATECHISM REPRINTED

The Catechism of Rev. Stephen Kovács, the pastor of our Trenton church, has been reprinted in 1,000 copies by the Bethlen Freedom Press Inc., Ligonier, Pa. This Catechism is in use for more than ten years not only in the congregations of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America but in several Hungarian Reformed congregations which belong to American Protestant denominations, as well. Rev. Kovács compiled this Catechism from the two official confessional standards of the Hungarian Reformed Church, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Second Helvetic Confession. Since in all American Hungarian Churches, regardless of their denominational affiliations, the pastors most faithfully preserve the “faith of our fathers”, the Hungarian Reformed faith, this Catechism is a welcomed instrument in the preparation of our youth for their confirmation. This present reprint of the Catechism was necessitated by the fact that the 3,000 copies of the three previous editions were sold.

Please send your order to Rev. Stephen Kovács, 180 Home Avenue, Trenton, N. J. 08611. One copy is $1.50.