Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-03-01 / 3-4. szám
CALV IN SYNOD HERALD 7 “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men (in Matthew, an angel was at the empty tomb) said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He (Jesus) is not here; he has risen! ’ ” Luke 24:5-6 Our Dear Members and Friends, Do you feel that there are escalating distinctions among these words? We are using them, but putting them next to each other we can make an interesting observation. You have experienced all of them:- desire, - expectation, - and hope,- pleasure - joy - and happiness,- luck - fortune - and blessing. I am sure you will agree that hope is more than desire, happiness is more than pleasure, and blessing is more than luck. At Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and we can approach the mystery of resurrection through this word: MORE! Resurrection is MORE because with human understanding we try to approach the divine power, resurrection is MORE because the physical reaches over to the spiritual, resurrection is MORE because the fleeting time is facing the eternal, and resurrection is MORE because the unexpected had become a reality. You may be glad because your expectation is satisfied, your joy is granted, and your fortune is great; however, can we endeavor for MORE and hope for God’s mercy, be happy because we are His adopted sons through Christ, and offer our thanksgiving for the blessing of eternal life though resurrection? Please meditate on these thoughts and let us celebrate together being grateful for that mystery and miracle that apostle Paul expressed with these words: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die. so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. We invite you to worship with us during the Lenten/Easter season. We welcome every guest and we are happy when the entire family, three or even four generations sitting in the pews, celebrate the victory over death. Would not it be wonderful to make this Easter celebration simultaneously individual, familial, congregational, and spiritual? With Christian joy and love, Rev. Alexander Jalso First Hungarian Church of Homestead Munhall, Pennsylvania “Priesthood of All Believers” Conference On Saturday, January 27, 2007, the Lakeside Classis held its “Priesthood of All Believers” Conference, organized to project a vision of Lay Life and Work in our Hungarian Reformed Churches. The meeting took place at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Lorain, Ohio. The 22 representatives of our congregations were greeted with the usual hospitality and a great lunch, prepared by Sue Fortner, Gyuszi bácsi’s daughter. After the welcoming meal, Rev. Peter Tóth opened the meeting and the floor for a brainstorming session on the most burning issues that our churches’ laity face. Some of them were identified as: how could we reach our inactive members, educating members about their responsibilities, engaging members in activities, spiritual growth, effective youth fellowships, whip the clergy(smile), etc. All suggestions were recorded on posters and hung on the wall. Three small groups formed to discuss the 46 suggestions. At the end, we voted for the top five issues. The groups were lively and animated under Rev. Toth’s creative and able leadership. The material was compiled, evaluated and presented at the Lakeside Classis meeting at our Hungarian Reformed Church in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Please do not miss the evaluation and results of this great Conference! Rev. Gábor G. Nitsch Dean of the Lakeside Classis The groups were lively and animated under Rev. Tóth ’s creative and able leadership. \ Live each day so that you wifi neither he afraid of tomorrow nor ashamed of yesterday! \_______________________________________________/
