Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-11-01 / 11. szám
12 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA especially commended. They, too, witness who work on projects. They await the day when their projects will no longer be needed. Please God, may it come soon! Sometimes we feel we are not a witnessing church nor a mission-minded church, with justification! Yet a couple of days after Labor Day, our Synodical Council meeting with the Ass’t to the President of the United Church of Christ, Dr. Moss, and while discussing the budgetary needs of the denomination, we came upon the startling fact that last year, in 1969, Calvin Synod gave half of its income to others — to mission — and causes outside of our own congregations. Total commitment and mission are inseparable. On hearing this last Friday, one delegate said: “Reverend don’t keep this a secret!” Right! Don’t keep your faith, your total commitment a secret either. Why? Because now is the time for witnessing to this mixed-up world — Because now is the time to live lives that will expose us as Christians — Because now is the time we are to be tested. Pray with me, pray for each other — build-up each other in faith so that when our time of testing comes we will not be found wanting — “That Christ may actually live in your hearts by your faith.” Let us pray: O God, Inspire us with Thy Holy Spirit, fill us up with Thy Spirit, that we may not hide our light under a bushel, but shine so that all men might see the light. We are not the light; we only hold the light; but for that light we give our all — for what else is there to cling to and to believe? Give our people a sense of the urgency of our witness and total commitment. We ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. SYNOD NEWS CAMP REPORT-1970 I am happy to be able to share with you my own personal thoughts about what church camp means to me and what it has done for me. This year our camp theme was Walls, Walls. Walls. We discussed all the many walls there are in the world which people create and how we as Christians can break these walls down. Our main speaker was Rev. Aaron Elek from the Cleveland, West Side church. Every day we discussed the different problems that confront us today. By listening to all the discussions and the questions raised by the campers, I realize that I have one wall which 1 must break down. I have a great desire in serving the Lord in all ways possible. One way is in speaking with you today. I might seem at ease and not nervous, but I am. I experience much tension and nervousness before speaking to a group of people. Most people say it is only natural, but I do not want this to hold me back from serving the Lord. I want to do all I can to show how I love the Lord and trust in Him as my Savior. I realize all the young people here today are nervous about getting up in front of our congregation and I also know they will feel happy after their task is over knowing that they have served the Lord. I admire many of the young people at camp for their ability and courage to stand up and express their beliefs. I, as well as others in this congregation, have the desire to be a witness to the world. We should be able to be a witness to people we come in contact with every day. We should know Jesus well enough to tell others of Him. It should not be too hard just to tell others what you know of Jesus and what He has done for you. Jesus says in Revelations 3 verse 20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Everyone feels witnessing is difficult, but this is a wall we as Christians must break down in order to have a wonderful fellowship with God and each other. I feel if others can do it, we can too, just by being involved and realizing the importance of our faith in Jesus Christ. Going to camp didn’t make me a perfect Christian, but I believe it did start me on the right path to serve the Lord. I feel the Holy Spirit in me, urging me to witness my faith to you. Part of our program at camp was our evening workshops. This year I was in the Church School workshop with Mrs. Turrell from Connecticut. Mrs. Turrell is superintendent of her Sunday School. I really became inspired as I listened to her tell us how Christ is first in her life. It was amazing to hear her speak in such a way because not many put Christ first. Before her family can make any plans, they always check with Mrs. Turrell to see if there is a planned church activity that day, knowing she will put her church first and not attend their activity. Christ is first in her life. She realized long ago that by having Christ first in her life everything else would have its place. In Matthew 6 verse 33 we read — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” She is thankful for her wonderful family and all the blessings she has received. She knows the Lord is with her always and guides her life. I will never forget all she has taught me and she will never know how her life has inspired mine. To relate this story is just one of the reasons I am happy to be here speaking to you. I personally have found and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and have asked Him to show me the life He wants me to lead. Church camp renews my faith and inspirations. Everyone needs something once in awhile to give their religious faith a boost. I receive a spiritual uplift in camp. Camp has given me much inspiration, and I hope I can share it with you. I heard many young people tell about their youth groups and how successful they are. I then felt very sad and discouraged when I thought about my own youth group. Last year we tried to make a go of it but
