Bethlen Almanac 1998 (Ligonier)

Tóparti Egyházmegye - Lakeside Classis

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:19-22

Dear Readers, Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The other day I saw a watch being advertised that counts down the days and the hours left before the millennium. Imagine, you look at your watch and see that there are only 361 days and 7 hours until the year 2,000! At first I thought the watch was a silly waste of money. But then I began to feel the difference this watch strapped to my wrist would make in my thinking. I might at least remember that this life is short and every new year is a wonderful gift and a true opportunity to explore God’s beautiful world and enjoy life in His wonderful community, our Church Family.

I believe we at the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland are in the midst of an amazing period of transition. We are in a unique position to really grapple with “Who Is It God Is Calling Us To Be” as a congregation. Though it has almost nothing to do with the turning of the millennial clock, there are at least three good reasons for doing that grappling now.

For one thing, the pastor and his family have been here for a year and a half now. That’s long enough for us to get to know each other. With God’s grace and your prayerful support it is my privilege to continue providing a committed spiritual leadership in your midst.

For another, things are going well at our Church. The Spirit of Christ is alive and well and is stretching us in a variety of fruitful directions. We have received 46 new members in the past 16 months, and as a congregation, we’re beginning to understand better the ways God has blessed us and prepared us for ministry.

Some of the older forms and ways of doing ministry are beginning to fade, others are strengthened and renewed and various new possibilities are beginning to take shape. Our Church, a small but for us a most important part of the global Church of Jesus Christ, is reawakening to a new sense of its mission.

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