Calvin Synod Herald, 1992 (92. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1992-11-01 / 6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-7-REFOMÁTUSOK LAPJA Sunshine in the Fall of Life (Report on the banquet of Dr. StephenSzabó's 90-th birthday) In the radiantly beautiful September 5th Sunday afternoon, the members of the First Hungarian Reformed Church, and the friends of Dr. Stephen Szabó had gathered together in the spacious, new Social Hall of the First Hungarian Reformed Church on Walton Road to celebrate Dr. Szabó's 90th birthday, to express love and appreciation of this "Grand Old Man" of the American Hungarian Reformed ministers, to bear witness to the dedicated service of he who served the Church of our Lord and our people for so many decades. This service was marked by unrelenting strength into which he put his heart and soul. And he is still serving in good health, in unhampered fervor, giving sound advice to all of us engaged in the business of the Lord. Because he was a bom-leader, the Lord kept his eyes on him, held his hand, and blessed him with every spiritual blessing. This is proven by his 90 years. The Lord does not impart this blessing in vain, unless He has some design for his children in the furtherance of His Kingdom. He was bom and educated in Hungary, the land which he held enshrined in his heart, but evidenced in all doings. He was bom to be a minister. His personality, his attitude, his staunch Calvinistic faith predestined him, and someday he shall stand before the Lord in the venerable black robe of our forefathers. In Hungary he served as a assistant minister, and as a teacher in Budapest. Historical inquiry was his second nature. He criticized and refuted the originality of a thousandyears relic, the supposedly preserved right hand of Stephen I., first Christian king of Hungary. After that, he came to the United States with the purpose of uniting the divided American Hungarian Reformed Churches. Regrettably, this never became a reality. His pastorate is a legend already. It started with his serving our Toledo church and afterwards the First Church of Cleveland, Ohio. He was re-elected four times as President of the Hungarian Synod. He served several terms as a member of the Supreme Council of the American Hungarian Reformed Federation, a fraternal, nation-wide organization of which he also had been the vice-president. Furthermore, he served in various capacities in Hungarian and civic groups, attended countless meetings, and represented his church and Calvin Synod at anniversaries, dedications, installations and at a host of celebrations. This almost superhuman task he could perform because he had been endowed with enormous mental and spiritual blessings, he could brilliantly economize time. He possesses a truly rare degree of self-discipline. Nothing ever could move him or alter his purposes. His mind and his alertness to weigh the issues was admired by all of us alike. Amongst his achievements is his brilliant literary work, "The March of Truth", an historical book concerning the Reformation as it had reverberated through the lives of the reformers. These splendid monographs of those great men of old who charted the course of history. The September banquet was prepared with great circumspection. It was kept in secret up until the very moment when Dr. Szabó entered the banquet hall. Visibly, he was very surprised, since he thought that he was coming to attend a "Surprise Party" for someone else...Thanks to members of First Church, women and men who prepared the delicious meal and acted as hosts. Dr. Szabó was attended by his dear wife, Violet, and his three sons with their loved ones. There we saw a distinguished group of fellow-pastors, namely, the Rev. Frank Endrei and wife, present pastor of First Church, which is now being engaged in building the second House of God under similar circumstances as Dr. Szabó had when he built the First Hungarian Reformed Church on Buckeye Road. There was Dr. Gábor Brachna and wife, Szabolcs Kálmán, Stephen Szilágyi and wife, Imre Bertalán, Jr., Steven Nyestye and wife, Tibor Dömötör, William Nyerges and wife, Mrs. Zoltán Szűcs, wife of our bishop, who could not attend because of his pastoral duties, Mrs. Dr. László Harangi, and Aaron Elek and wife. They addressed the honoree and all stressed a particular facet of his service. What transpired their comments that God does not give 90-years for his servants in vain; he is endowed with the Biblical five talents. But God does give us the years to represent him and in His name to build His Kingdom. It was a most moving affair to be with him, and we left the banquet hall with strengthened faith and hope that it is never in vain to serve the Lord with the same enthusiasm as Dr. Szabó does. May God keep him in our midst for many years in continued good health and strength. Upon departure, we reflected upon the Word of God, who promised us that "God taketh care of His own."-Aaron Elek Our present issue is dedicated to our suffering magyars in Vojvodina and other parts of the former Yugoslavia. Previously, one issue was dedicated to magyars in Transylvania (Romania) and one to those in Carpatho- Ukraine (now RepubUc of Ukraine). The next issue is planned to be dedicated to members of our "House of Faith" in the former Czechoslovakia. The Lorain, Ohio Church Celebrated 90th Anniversary The Church in Lorain, where the present bishop of the Calvin Synod is pastor, celebrated its nine decades of exemplary service on September 20, 1992. The entire Sunday was devoted to the festive event. The crown of the day was the afternoon Solemn Service with Holy Communion, with 20 ministers participating. ABounteousBanquetfollowed the grand service infused with inspiration. An artistic Anniversary Album, designed by William J. Smith, was given to all in attendance, along with a commemorative mug with the picture of the church as impressive souvenirs. It was a great day to be remembered by those present for many years to come. The Right Rev. Bishop Zoltán D. Szűcs, and General Chairman Julius A. Pongrácz, were in charge of a never-to-beforgotten occasion of memorializatioa
