Calvin Synod Herald, 1997 (97. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1997-11-01 / 6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 3 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTÜSOK LAPJA BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS GREETING Mankind, the children of God, live in a continual expectation. The existential expectation of mankind is Advent: waiting for the arrival of God’s solution, the Savior of humanity. In Advent, we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise: the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. God created us for Himself and through the sacrifice of His Son, He wants to save us for Himself. Jesus is the meaning, the reason and future of our life. Without Him, life is empty. With Jesus there is a possibility and hope for our survival. Looking for Him and being found by Him means renewal and life here and in eternity. If you feel that your life is empty, meaningless; just seek Him and your life will be restored and renewed, and your whole attitude will change. The Lord placed us into a family. This is a healing and supporting group of our loved ones. In a family, you care not only for yourself, but also for those family members who are with you. A happy and blessed family circle in which you live and have your being. God sent His Son into a family, and you also are in a family. Cherish this circle of your loved ones and you will know that you are not alone, that you have support and are strengthened by the power of God. The larger circle of families is the Church. Families do not exist alone, they form a Church. There you get to know that through the plan of God, acquaintances and strangers become one. The Church is God's family on earth which becomes your strength and way of living. The Lord lives through the Church in the nation and in this world. In belonging to the Church, you gain the strength of faithful people around you who help and support you in doing His will. The Lord, through the Church, acts in the nation and society. Mankind belongs to Him and through the Church, He wants to save you. Without God, mankind has no hope. Therefore, it is necessary for the world to accept, to listen and to follow the advice of the Church as coming from God Himself. Many times we complain and say that there is no hope. We know, however, that the solution is nothing else but Jesus Christ. In this Advent time, we wait for the birth of the Christ Child, the Son of God. This Savior was given by God so that we could have a better life here on earth and then in eternity. Wait for Jesus, receive Him and your expectation will be fulfilled. The Savior comes to be with you for all time. A most blessed Advent and Christmas to you all. Dr. Francis Vitéz Bishop The Eastern Ciassis Meeting was held on December?, 1997 at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Passaic, New Jersey. Very importantly, what is the scope of our total mission as churches of the Lord Jesus Christ, and how does the local church help to fulfill the mission of the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? This was the theme at this meeting. Rev. Albert W. Kovács, Dean, was presiding. The Rev. Bela Poznan, Secretary and Mr. Raymond Gilliam, Ciassis Presbyter, were helping in leadership of the successful meeting. Bishop Csiha’s immortal prison-poem, “Eleven days more, the angel will touch ground", was printed in our former Christmas Issue. For Christmas 1997, we bring you another poem with the similar message. SONG FROM THE DEEP by Kalman Csiha Christ our Lord, Your orphaned nation Looks to You from prison’s darkness. Our hearts burn in Your creation, Lessen with mercy our pain less! Let Your Holy Spirit’s bright flame Our pain-racked heart permeate. Let fall on endless sighs and blame Your blood-dew from Your seven wounds penetrate! Our prison, like the depths of a crypt, Buries us from this world in fire, Oh, descend to the depths of the crypt, Do not let Your children expire! Teach us to bear our hardship, Give us strength to go on chanting, Convert us under your hard whip When pain befalls without ending. Let Your Holy Spirit’s bright flame Our pain-racked heart permeate. Let fall on endless sights and blame Your blood-dew from your seven wounds penetrate!
