Calvin Synod Herald, 1991 (91. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1991-05-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 4 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Centennial of First Church in Cleveland 100th anniversary festivities were held on May 3rd, 4th and 5th, 1991. Friday Evening, May 3rd — 7:00 p.m. There was a worship service with a processional, singing of hymns accompanied by a brass quintet. Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó, Pastor Emeritus of the congregation shared the highlights of 100 year history of the church interspersed by a sacred music recital on organ. The Holy Communion was a part of this worship service. The service was followed by a reception. It was exactly 100 years before, on May 3, 1891 that First Hungarian Reformed Church was organized. Saturday, May 4th — 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There was an open house featuring exhibits from the history of the church, guided tours of church and Bethlen Hall by our Youth Fellowship, refreshments and entertainment by a string ensemble, featuring a hammered dulcimer playing early American music in our third floor dining hall fallowed. 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. festive 100th anniversary main worship service was held led by guest ministers. Special music by a bell choir, a vocal solo and again the brass quintet followed. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 100th anniversary banquet was held. An orchestra provided dinner music and Hungarian folk dance group entertained. Sunday, May 5th — 9:30 a.m. There was a Hungarian language worship service and also at 9:30 a.m. our Sunday School for children, youth and adults. At 11:00 a.m. our English worship service consisted mainly of a musical on the life of Christ entitled, “The Witness” performed in the sanctuary by the 35 member choir and orchestra of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Mentor, Ohio. At 12:30 p.m. lunch was served as the closing event of our 100th anniversary weekend. Five Scores of Years By Dr. Stephen Szabó Music by Leslie Kondorossy (The Philadelphia Message tor the Bicentennial. Paraphrase on Revelation 3:7-12) Between two Oceans this is my Nation! Richest and first by God's destination. Five scores of years prooved it to be “Under God” best in all history. Simple people with simple names S warmed to freedom across the waves; From all nations to Freedom’s Land To live in love with hand in hand. I do know your works, you are open door. You did keep my word, that you suffered for. My good names you have never denied Even in grave times, when hardly tried. When hour of Trial to earth will come, You’ll be pillar in Temple wall. Hold what you have; hold fast, hold fast! Don't loose your crown 'till last, 'till last! They’ll try to seize it; with force, craft and might, Old Joe and new Joe to destroy your pride, For five scores oj years you held your place: For many tens more stay in God’s grace! Hold freedom and truth for you and all! LGod's purpose with you should never fall. Hold what you have; hold fast, hold fast! Don’t loose your crown, 'till last, ’till last! International church leader honored in Cleveland The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell: New leader of National Council of Churches was honored. A service on April 25 sponsored by the Greater Cleveland religious community and Campbell’s family to honor her on her election to general secretary, the top post in the United States. She took the office in March. Campbell, developed her philosophy of ministry in Cleveland before she moved to New York City in 1979 to work for the National Council of Churches to promote regional and local cooperation among churches. The concerns she learned in Cleveland, Campbell said, will continue to shape her leadership at the Council of Churches, which includes 32 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations with 42 million members. She said she wants the churches to work together during her five-year term to help build “the new world ”. The Und World Convention of Hungarian Reformed Churches will be held in Budapest and Debrecen Date: June 21-24,1991 Our Synod — together with all sister Church-Organizations — will be officially and adequately represented at this historic gathering of worldwide Hungarian Reformed churches. Many of our local congregations are already organizing Heritage Tours for their own members all over the American Continent. The conference will open in Budapest, then move to Debrecen for workshops and the closing ceremonies. The itinerary includes several side tours: Vienna, Budapest, Debrecen, Eger, Sopron and the Lake Balaton area. Our own great theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr said: „No Present can be fundamental, No Future can be productive: unless deeply rooted in the Past. ” * * * George Merredith said, “And if I drink oblivion of a day, so shorten I the nature of my soul. ” Neither do I want to shorten the nature of my soul, nor the nature of the soul of ‘My Synod’- * * * Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Few have the greatness to bend history itself but each of us can work to change a small portion of events... Each time a man stands up for an ideal, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope!” Many ripples come to a lake and that lake to an ocean.
