Bethlen Almanac 2001 (Ligonier)

Nyugati Egyházmegye - Western Classis

was filled beyond capacity with people from the local Hungarian Community and beyond. Those who took part in the special ecumenical English and Hungarian language worship service were the pastors of the local Hungarian congregations - Hungarian Reformed, Roman Catholic, Baptist and 7 Day Adventist - that were established in the years after the founding of our church. The sermon was preached in Hungarian and English by Bishop Rt. Reverend Lajos Medgyesi, who came all the way from Ohio.

After the worship service, several individuals greeted those in attendance with memorable speeches and words of encouragement, including the Los Angeles area Consul General, Kerék Bárczy Szabolcs and a representative from the United Church of Christ, the Reverend Jane Heckles. Also offering warm words of greeting and encouragement was our beloved Mrs. Margaret Saltzer, our former organist, chief elder and daughter of our late second pastor, the Reverend Antal Szabó. Margaret also played the organ for the occasion with her always remarkable grace and beauty. There were two guest choirs in attendance - the Kodály Kórus and the Baptista Magyar Egyház Kórusa. Irene and Frank Zizda, children of two of our 1926 founding members also came, which brought us great joy.

Afterwards, the Women’s Guild welcomed everyone for “szeretetvendégség” ( agape feast) in our Kossuth Hall. There was Hungarian music, and four adorable children - Billy and Marky Laubender, as well as Ricky and Julianna Hoft- said a poem in Hungarian by the Hungarian poet, Mihály Tompa. We are grateful to our guest pastors and their congregation members, the choirs and guest speakers, our own congregation members, friends and Presbiters - everyone - who helped make this Jubilee event a joyous occasion. We are also grateful for the work of our Pastor, Dr. Béla Bónis, who organized the special, beautiful and memorable service. We are also deeply grateful to Margaret Saltzer for providing tremendous assistance to our chief elder, Tünde Garai, in preparation of the 75 Year Anniversary Book, as well as donating the design for the special commemorative bookmarks that were handed out to all who came. We are also grateful to a friend of our church, Bill Terramorse, who also provided a great deal of assistance for the Anniversary Book as well.

In addition to the Jubilee festivities, our church in the past year celebrated service every Sunday. Our pastor was on vacation during August and part of September, so worship during that time was

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