Calvin Synod Herald, 1982 (82. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1982-12-01 / 6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-9-REFORMÄTUSOK LAPJA A 80th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE LORAIN HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH — LORAIN, OHIO Our forefathers, who came to the United States around the turn of the century, came to find work, put together a bit of money, then return to Hungary, buy some land and work it hard with dignity and selfrespect. Naturally, because their stay in Lorain was preceived as temporary, they would not “waste” their hard-earned dollars to build houses for themselves here. Yet as an eloquent expression of their Hungarian Reformed faith and their dedication and loyalty to God, they have built, by many, many sacrifices, a magnificent house of worship to the glory of God Almighty and for the nurture of their spiritual life. The signatures of 74 founding members gave birth to this Godpraising deed on September 7, 1902. This is the birthday the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church celebrated, somewhat belated, on November 7, 1982. The delay was caused by the necessary renovational activities of new floors of the undercroft and hall, new carpeting in the sanctuary and choir room, new glass block windows of the church social hall, roof repairs, redecorating the undercroft, the church social hall, the choir room and the Sunday School complex, electrification of church bells, and new protective lexan installation to the church windows. The above budget donations of faithful church members and church organizations made all of these possible, during these economically difficult times. God may bless those richly who gave far more than their equal share. The celebration befittingly began with morning Holy Communion worship services. The Reverend Daniel Bodor, 89 year old Pastor Emeritus of the church, preached heart movingly in the Hungarian Service on “Life and Light” in the congregation. In the English Worship Service the sermon was delivered by the Reverend Dr. Henry C. Borchardt, Associate Executive of the Presbytery of Detroit of the United Presbyterian Church. His topic, “New life in the Ethnic Church”, was very timely, encouraging and complimentary. Both of them assisted the Pastor of the Lorain church in the celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. To accommodate the close to 100 guests from our sister congregations of Elyria, Detroit, Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, McKeesport, Toledo, Bridgeport, Fairport Harbor, Washington, D. C., Berea, Amherst, and St. Petersburg, the ladies of the church greeted them with hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches and refreshments at the undercroft of the church from 2:00 p. m. to the beginning of the 4:30 p. m. Anniversary Service. There it was impressive to see two dozen participating clergy marching into a packed church, singing“The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ Her Lord...” in Hungarian. The General Chairman, Elder Donald E. Forbush, greeted the celebrating congregation. The Hungarian scripture lesson was read by the Reverend Dr. Julius Zahorsky, retired pastor of St. Elizabeth Hungarian Catholic Church. Luke 10: 1—6 and 16 — 19 was read in English by the Reverend Francis Thompson, pastor of St. Michael, Hungarian Byzantine Rite Church. Hungarian prayer by the Reverend Dr. Stephen W. Csutoros and English prayers by the Reverend Dr. Jacob B. Wagner, Association Minister of the Western Reserve Association. The meditation, “A Glorious Moment for Jesus”, was delivered by the guest of honor, Pastor Emeritus Daniel G. Bodor, emphasizing the power of the gospel and Christ’s commission for Christians. The Reverend Tibor Petroczy, Bela Bacsó, Imre Bertalan, Imre A. Bertalan, Steven L. Nagy and Zoltán D. Szucs prepared the congregation for the Communion with our Lord and with each other by liturgy of prayer, affirmation and questions. It was a great historic moment, (captured by the skillfull photographic talents of the Calvin Synod Harold Editor, the Reverend Paul Kantor), hopefully projecting the future of the Hungarian Reformed Churches in America when the two bishops, the Rt. Reverend Dr. John Butosi of the Calvin Synod, and The Rt. Reverend Dezső Abraham of the Hungarian Reformed Church, standing side by side, behind the Lord’s Table, recited the Words of Institution, prayers above bread and wine, assurance of pardon, invitation to the Table, then giving the bread together to those invited. The wine, in traditional Hungarian style, was served from four chalices, by the Reverend Imre Bertalan, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation and by the host pastor, the Reverend Dr. Zoltán D. Szucs assisted by English Chairman Zoltán Kalassay and Hungarian Chairman Elizabeth Rusin. The Reverends Henry C. Borchardt, Denes Tamas, Michael D. Miladin, László Harangi and Bela Pohoczky dismissed the tables with peace and the Reverend Aron Elek exhorted all to a genuine Christian life. The benediction was pronounced by the Reverend Dr. László Harangi in Hungarian and by the host pastor in English. The close to 500 guests were presented the expected tasty dinner at the Church Social Hall, prepared under the capable leadership of Elder Elizabeth Chonka, served by the ladies of the church, blessed by both bishops and toasted with wine. Elder organist Roberta Kalassay Super led the singing of the Hungarian National Anthem, followed by dance music provided by the Tokay Orchestra. One of the high point of the evening was the performance of the Scottish Bag Pipe Marching Band and the recognition of delegates and guests. We thank from the bottom of our hearts all of you, who made our celebration warmer and truly meaningful by your presence, participation and gifts. Our God may bless you! Dr. Zoltán D. Szucs MIS boldog mi KARÁCSONYI ZZ ÜNNEPEKET KÍVÁNUNK OLVASÓINKNAK! 5i "5* C* SI* R* S5* R* S3 K5* S3 S3 S3 S3 S3 Please take care of your individual subscription for 1983.
