The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1993-1994 (1-3. szám)
1994-03-01 / 2. szám
Chaplain’0 Corner by Rev. Joseph Posta EASTER PRAYER O Lord, we pray Thee today that this may be a day of comfort and sweetness, especially to those who know the sorrow and loss which comes by death. We would not make less, we would not make more painful the fact that we have known death. Thou hast spoken to us. Thou hast taken leaders from their places of power, and O Thou hast also spoken in the cottage and hamlet away out yonder on the plain, in the loneliness of the night. Thou hast sent Thine angel called death up and down the streets of our life, and this angel has not made a difference with the rich and poor. Send Thou Thine angel of life, and may every household and every lonely heart today feel and know the joy and persuasion of Easter. We ask in the Name of Him who was the Resurrection and is the Life. Amen. We all have a relatively short time to live and we die a little each day. We accept this as our inevitable and irreversible fate. If we succeed in accumulating material possessions, we should know they will perish, and we cannot take them with us when we die. Even if we had good relationships -- separation is inevitable. If we gained fame and achievements -- they will not truly satisfy. What can we expect in an ever changing and dying world? How can we overcome our fear for the unknown? The story is told of a shepherd who tried to induce his sheep to cross a swiftly flowing stream. Sheep are naturally afraid of rapidly running water, and he could not get them to cross until he picked up a lamb and stepped with it into the river, bearing it carefully and tenderly to the opposite shore. When the mother saw her lamb had gone, she forgot her fear and stepped into the rushing current and was soon safely on the other side. All the rest of the flock followed her leadership. Christ crossed the river of death and grave so that you and I whose sins have been forgiven through his sacrifice on the cross, may not have to cross that river alone. We can follow our leader, the risen Lord, and those of our loved ones whom He has already carried safely to the other shore. The death and resurrection of Christ represent the operation of God’s infinite grace and power in every person who becomes by living faith a man in Christ. What God did for Christ, He does for us if we are identified with Christ. Easter is the rolling away of sorrow from distressed and loving hearts. It is the joy and peace which is brought to the human heart as a result of resurrection. Through resurrection faith, one can have real enjoyment which brings so much joy that he is compelled to share it. Anything as good and joyous as the risen Christ’s peace, becomes of greater value when shared, than when simply acquired and kept for self. It is not enough to listen and see, the Easter command says: Go, tell what resurrection means to you. May God bless you richly with joy and peace given by the risen Lord. On behalf of my family, I wish you and your loved ones a HAPPY EASTER. EASnIER CONGRATULATIONS, NELLIE WELTY, YOU’RE OUR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!! Nellie has been volunteering here at the Bethlen Home since August of 1991. Her interest was sparked when she had a former resident here who she used to visit daily. She would help us at parties, coffee hour, etc. Since that time, you are able to see her friendly face visiting our residents several times a week. I have even seen her tote home some laundry for several of our residents. Nellie helps in various areas, such as outings, parties, and one-on-one visitation, to name a few. But the most popular with the residents are the Saturday afternoon Bingo Parties. Nellie is always bringing in added treats and prizes for them. She has volunteered over 200 hours this past year. We can never repay her for all the kindness she has shown to the residents and staff. Her dedication goes beyond the call of duty. The residents and I thank you, Nellie, for making it so special. You’re one in a million, and we look forward to sharing more special times with you in the future. VOLUNTEERS yg^ípX^ Many people think God created the world in seven days. But actually, it took eight days. On the eighth day, He felt that something was missing from all of His creations. He wanted to create a being who gave and asked nothing in return. Beings who would reach out and help, regardless of age, handicaps, and personal crises. Beings who weathered any storm to give help, love, compassion, time, talent, and possessions to others. And so, on the eighth day, He created these beings with all the virtues He wanted, plus a heart of gold. He sent them into the world and called them “VOLUNTEERS”.
