May June 2015 Calvin Synod Herald

CALVINSYNODOfficial Organ of The Calvin Synod - United Church of Christ Founded in 1900

AMERIKAI MAGYARREFORMTUSOK LAPJA

ISSN 0161-6900

VOL. CXVI MAY JUNE 2015 NUMBER 5 6

The Presence of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christians Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai ................................................... 2

Living With an Ascension Attitude SMT ............................... 3

Supporting Calvin Synod New Way in a New World Rev. Albert W. Kovacs ............................................................ 5

Meditations for Pentecost Rev. Alexander Jalso ................. 6

Meditations for Mother's Day Rev. Alexander Jalso ............ 7

Upcoming events in Columbus, OH A. Bartfay.................... 7

The Lord's Church Rev. M. Newland ................................... 8

Easter photos from First Hungarian Church of Walton Hills, OH Photos by Beata Krasznai ................................................. 10

Change of Address Form...................................................... 10

A Szentllek jelenlte a keresztyn ember letben Ft. Dr. Krasznai Csaba ..........................................................11

Gylekezeti hrek .................................................................. 12

Klvin Zsinat kl- s belmisszi............................................ 12

Calvin Synod Homeland and Overseas Mission .................. 12

Order Blank .......................................................................... 13

A Szent Llek ltal egyek vagyunk Vsrhelyi Boldizsr .. 13

125 ve hunyt el Czelder Mrton, az els protestns magyarmisszionrius Jenei Tams ............................................... 15

Mi trtnt pnksdkor Havadty Sndor ........................... 16

Pnksdi vrakozs Dsida Jen ...................................... 18

Hirdetsek ..................................................................18-19-20

IN THIS ISSUE:

2 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

CALVINSYNODOfficial Organ of The Calvin Synod - United Church of Christ Founded in 1900

AMERIKAI MAGYAR

REFORMTUSOK LAPJA

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Vacancies:Beaver Falls, PAColumbus, OHDayton, OHKalamazoo, MI

Volume 116 MAY JUNE 2015 NO. 5 6

Official Organ of the Calvin SynodUnited Church of Christ Founded in 1900

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Editor in Chief: Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba G. Krasznai, Acting Bishop14530 Alexander Road Walton Hills, OH 44146

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CALVIN SYNOD HEADQUARTERS:Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba G. Krasznai

14530 Alexander Road Walton Hills, OH 44146Tel.: 440-221-5334 * e-mail: [email protected]

The proper procedure is for all interested ministers to send their completed PROFILE (as provided by the United Church of Christ) to the Bishops office:

Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba G. Krasznai14530 Alexander Road Walton Hills, OH 44146

Tel.: 440-221-5334

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them

(Acts 2:1-4)

Dear Calvin Synod Congregations, Dear Brothers and Sisters,

When someone travels to a foreign country and does not speak the language then that person may experience difficulties. What can you do when you dont speak the language of that country you visited? Well, you can use sign language, or look up in the dictionary those words you need, in order to tell what you want. The language barrier can be difficult to deal with. However, what a difference it makes

when you speak the language of that country you visit or when you can serve as an interpreter. The amazing thing we find in our Pentecost story is that the disciples did not need any dictionaries or people to translate. The people, who came to participate at one of the greatest feasts of Israel, heard the disciples speaking in their own language. The apostle Peter testified that Jesus is the only Redeemer and Savior. Three thousand people heard the message and believed, and were baptized that day. The day of Pentecost was crowned by this marvelous event. Those who accepted Christ, as their Savior and Lord, devoted themselves, from that day on, to the apostles teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. It was a great revival in the nation of Israel and the birthday of the Christian Church. In the Pentecost story we find that God comes close to His people and speaks to them. God spoke to those gathered at the first Pentecost, two thousand years ago. However, He still speaks to us again and again by His Spirit. Sunday by Sunday He speaks to us through His mighty Word. Additionally, He also speaks to us at home in our personal quiet time with Him. The heavenly Father leads us by the Holy Spirit and He makes a difference in our lives through His work. What difference does God make through the Spirits work? What are the characteristics of those who have the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives? Those who have the Holy Spirits presence know Gods love. They know that they are sinners, but they also know that they have received forgiveness of their sins by Jesus Christ. Spirit-filled people are ready to forgive those who sinned against them. They know that God will always be there to help them, and will remain faithful to them, always love them, and care about them. This love from God flows through their lives toward

The Presence of the Holy Spiritin the Life of Christians

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3

others. It fills them with joy when they help and take care of people merely because they love others. Spirit-filled people are growing in their faith. They try to grab every possibility to get to know and learn more about Jesus. They seek out every opportunity to discover Christ, and what it means to be children of God. They also try to help and encourage others to grow in their faith. Those who have the Spirit in their lives are willing to change. The Holy Spirit brings changes and the work of transformation through Gods Word into their lives. They listen to the leading voice of the Spirit. When the Word of God is taught the Holy Spirit draws us closer to Christ, He leads us to repentance, He assures us of the love of God, and transforms our lives. Spirit-filled people are ready and willing to share what Jesus means for them. We cannot hide the good news about Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us to proclaim Jesus where we are or live: in our families, at our workplace, or as we meet with our neighbors or fellow people. Lets not be afraid to tell others that Jesus is so special to us. Spirit-filled people speak words that

Perhaps all of us are familiar with the life of Jesus. The Bible records all of the events from His birth, to His suffering and death, and His glorious resurrection on that first Easter Sunday. We read of His miracles, teachings with wisdom and authority, His dealing with the disciples and perhaps the most remarkable sentence of His ascension as we read the scripture account of this event and the words Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? Do you think the angels were really looking for an answer from the disciples when they asked that question? It doesnt seem to me as though they were. The question appears to have implied that the disciples had no good reason for standing around looking into the sky. Jesus had returned to the right hand of his heavenly Father. Waiting around at the place where they last saw him wasnt going to bring him back. And Jesus had told them what they should be doing. They were to wait for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon them. Then they would become witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. But for a moment lets suppose the angels actually planned to allow the disciples to answer their question. Why were they standing there looking up into the sky? Their Teacher, their Lord, their Savior, their Friend was gone. They were stunned and likely afraid. What are we going to do now? was probably a question they were asking.

Although I am sure that the disciples could have given all kinds of explanations for the fact that they were standing there looking intently into the sky, the angels knew what they needed to hear. They were reminded by the angels that Jesus hadnt left them forever. He will return in the same way the disciples saw

Living With an Ascension Attitude

Continued on page 4

Him ascend into heaven. On top of that fact Jesus had promised to prepare a place for them in heaven, He had also assured the disciples that when He ascended into heaven He would rule all things for their good and for the expansion of his Kingdom. The question that was asked by the angels Why do you stand here looking into the sky? is being asked over and over again from us as His followers. Although we arent literally doing that perhaps we are living our lives as though we were. When it comes to the work Jesus has given us we may frequently be afraid and confused. As we face the uncertainties of life we may often be looking into the sky wondering where Jesus is and what He is doing about our problems. In relation to our boldness in faith and Christian living we may feel as helpless as the disciples did when the angels caught them staring into the sky. Today, if we ask those questions the Holy Spirit gently remind us of what the ascension means for us. We have no reason to live our lives like deer caught in a cars headlights. I would suggest that you read Psalm 47 to get a further insight that you may be empowered to: LIVE WITH AN ASCENSION ATTITUDE1. That you may celebrate the great things Christ has accomplished2. That you may live with confidence in what Christ continues to do. When you read the Psalm you may have noticed the break in the middle marked by the word, Selah. Although we dont know exactly what that meant, some Bible scholars believe that there was a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm. That would have allowed the worshippers to reflect on what they had just heard. This word divides the Psalm into two logical parts. First, I believe it reflects on what occasion did the Holy Spirit breathe this Psalm into its writer? Some think it may have been when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. In a sense that would have meant that God ascended up into

bring healing and restoration. They make people happy and build people up rather than tearing them down. They speak good news that is about our crucified and risen Savior. Those who have the Spirit in their lives are praying people. The apostle Paul encourages us, Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Eph.6:18). The Spirit encourages us to take everything to God in prayer. He helps us in our weaknessand intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Rom.8:26). Pentecost is about Gods presence and work in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit came to guide us into all the truth. He came to give us strength for the faith and life in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit came to help us to live in Christ by His help every day in our lives. Amen.

Yours in the Risen Christ,Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai

Acting Bishop


Continued from page 3the capital city. But these verses may also have been written to commemorate a great military victory that God had brought about for his people. Some Bible scholars suggest the time of Hezekiah the prophet for this event. Whatever the occasion this Psalm makes one thing very clear: It states that God rules all people. There is no nation, nor ruler, nor power outside of his authority. And because of that Gods people can celebrate what God has done and what he continues to do. That is also the message for us in Jesus ascension. My Savior Lives. And because of that Gods people can celebrate what God has done and what he continues to do. That is also the message for us in Jesus ascension. Psalm 47 continues this way: Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. The Psalm writer called on everyone in the world to give God praise for the great things he had done. The power and love that God had showed toward the Israelites was to be the reason for such a response from all nations. And God did more than just win victories for his people. Because of his love for the Israelites He gave them a rich and bountiful land. Each tribe was given a portion of the Promised Land so that all their physical needs were satisfied. That was an inheritance that God wanted his people to pass on from generation to generation. When we know some of the history of Gods people we can understand the attitude of worship and praise expressed in this Psalm. They appreciated what God had done for them in the past. Again and again He had shown them His power and His love. They worshipped Him as the LORD of the nations and the one who gave them the many blessings they enjoyed. Our hope and our prayer for us today is that Jesus ascension will produce that same kind of attitude in us. Think about the celebration that took place when Jesus returned from His mission to save the world. The moment the cloud hid Jesus from the sight of the disciples the party in heaven must have started. We can imagine the angels celebrating the fact that Gods Son was back where he belonged on the throne of God at the Fathers right hand. He was back for good. And God the Father certainly must have had words of approval for Jesus. Yes, Jesus resurrection proved that He had paid for sin and conquered death. But His ascension strengthened the awesome truth that His victories were complete. If Jesus still had work to do for our salvation He wouldnt have returned to heaven. As we recall Jesus ascension, may our knowledge of His victories give us the attitude expressed in Psalm 47 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. That should really capture His ascension attitude in us. We know and believe that Jesus has satisfied our need for for-giveness, He has crushed death for us, and He has sent Satan away with no claim on us. If we are going to look up into the sky

like the disciples did at Jesus ascension let it be for the purpose of celebrating what Jesus has accomplished. Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? The angels didnt let the disciples answer that question. But one thing that might have been going through their minds was what Jesus had said about going to prepare a place for them. As that cloud came and hid Him from their sight their thoughts may have returned to the night in the upper room when Jesus said, In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

(John 14:2-3) This assures us that after all that the disciples had seen and heard there was more to come. Jesus was ascending into heaven to get everything ready for their arrival. How could that not put a spring in their step and joy in their hearts? But practically speaking what does it mean for us to live with an ascension attitude? It goes beyond knowing that Jesus accomplished everything for our salvation and that He has prepared a place for us in heaven. It also means that we live with confidence in what Jesus continues to do. In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul stated that God the Father, seated him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. And what does it mean for us that Jesus is seated on his holy throne? The Bible tells us that He prays for us, he intercedes for us, and uses his power for our benefit. Now lets go back to the question that the angels asked the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven. Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? In my humble opinion, the ascension was not meant to take the wind out of the disciples sails. It was meant to empower them. They had no reason to hang around like lost children after Jesus had ascended into heaven. His victories were complete His reign over all things had resumed. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. [Selah] God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. Friends in Jesus, may we never again be standing around staring into the sky. May we live with an ascension attitude.

SMT


When Hungarian immigrants arrived in the New World they probably left behind as much as they brought with them. Language and customs were new in America, but as they adjusted to a new life they also clung to many traditional ways, particularly among themselves and especially in their churches. Visiting in Hungary on a Sunday morning, the Lord's Day Service brings an American a surprise. Where are the offering plates? Did they forget to take up the offering? But if you ask, you'll be told that they don't do that here. So how do they support churches and ministers, pay for the cooperative work of the churches and meet the local churches' expenses?

Old Country Ways After the Magyars crossed the Carpathians to settle in the area of central Europe where they carved out a homeland, they followed the neighbors' ways in carving up their land to be settled by the seven tribes. Soon the tribal chieftains became known by varied titles like ispn and herceg, just like the earls, barons and dukes of other countries. Whether given title to their land by the King (that was new too), they owned the land outright and everything on it. They also built and owned the churches, as did the bishops, and their favor was a financial necessity. Bypassing the pros and cons of the system that developed, the rise of democracy brought about changes in that relationship. When the nobility lost power and the accompanying wealth, it created a new situation for the Christian churches. The churches had to look elsewhere for their funding but where? Hungary's original freeman had been gradually changed to paraszt, much like the serfs of medieval Europe. The landowners aquired rights over them, even to forbiddng their leaving for greener fields. There was no spare peng in their pockets to give to the church without taking bread out of the mouths of their children.

Manna From Above With the growth of strong national government, a system developed where the churches received the financial support of the federal tax system. Funds were allocated according to the numbers of the major church bodies, most to the Roman Catholics, next to the Reformed, etc. It was necessary for everyone to designate their church of choice - which brought on a battle for the right to baptize the offspring, notably in mixed marriages. No need for offerings today. It was not a cure all. The churches became independent, with no need for the loyalty and the support of their members, and it was too easy for the clergy and churches to remain aloof. Also, support was often used as a control over the independence of the clergy or church bodies. In the Communist years the government proposed a twenty year schedule of declining support, and its end, and did reduce the tax grants to smaller percentages of the state budget (it fell to about one-half of one percent). But the citizens had never developed a pattern of voluntary support, and

Supporting Calvin SynodNew Way in a New World

churches depend on the government not offerings.

New Country Grab An End! At Ellis Island a plaque about an Italian who settled in the bright new world says someting like: I was told America's streets were paved with gold. When I got here I saw they were not paved with gold. Then I was told, I was going to pave them. That's what Istvn, Ferenc and rpd found out too. They had left their churches behind too, and their gatherings were held in homes and halls, but it was not like home. So they built their own churches in the bustling cities and mining towns, sometimes with their own hands. They built them the American way with their own money although they lived in poor shacks and tenements. There was no other way, so they grabbed one side and said to their new friends Grab a side! It worked! Ministers were called too and new bell towers in America pointed all to God.

Handout Or Hand Up The churches of Europe have a greater sense of family among the churches, which was not forgotten by the early colonial Reformed/Presbyterian churches. The Dutch and English were here a hundred years when the Germans arrived, and they befriended the new Reformed citizens from the Palatinate. These too learned to support themselves and developed strong and independent congregations and organized in Synods. They all established schools and seminaries some of Americas first and best. The arrival of the Hungarians brought on many helping hands opening doors for worship, financial support in diverse ways, and expressions of Christian concern. After the post-Trianon merger of Hungarian Reformed churches, with the (German) Reformed Church in the United States, the Hungarian students in college and seminary were given grants from the treasury, into which little was donated by the Magyar Synod or Hungarian churches. Youth camps, Women's Guild and Men's Brotherhood programs were created and shared without support from the Hungarians. They were not offered begrudgingly as a handout, but as a hand up for the later Americans.

Time To Move On Enjoy as we may our Hungarian heritage, as it adds a measure of color to lives as Americans, we must recognize that what works in Hungary won't work in our circumstances. Its different in America. At one time the new immigrants had markedly lower incomes than those of families settled here for ten generations or more. But that is no longer true. Our church members work at the same jobs, buy the same new cars, and send our children to the same colleges. The Hungarians have arrived - and it's time to do it the American way. If we Hungarian Reformed are Calvinists, we ought to read what our brother in Geneva has written. He wrote a lot. He was particularly adamant about the necessity for Christians to be strongly attached to the Church, and warned that "unless we are united with all the other members under Christ our head, no hope of the future inheritance awaits us."

Continued on page 6


The Reformed people have always been tied to each other with their churches in Synods, a mark of a true Reformed Church in Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, England, Scotland or America. There is no such thing as an independent Reformed or Presbyterian Church those are Congregationalist. A Reformed Church is presbyterial in its governance, led by Elders elected by the members, in cooperation with their ministers. It is the same for Calvin Synod. (The Calvinist influence on America is seen in the electoral form of government in the states and Washington.)

Time To Move Up The Synod is all of us united in worship and work under one Head, Jesus Christ. Together we can move on and we can move up! Through the Synod we do what we cannot do alone. Isaiah wrote, "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." With the future inheritance ahead where the streets of Heaven are paved with gold, Jesus said the highway to get there needs to be paved. Put away your seashore kiddie sand pail. It won't be paved if we work alone. Take up your shovel. Grab your end. Take up your cross.

Rev. Albert W. Kovacs

The Holy Spirit is a Special Power and Really Holy

Scripture reading: Acts of Apostles 2:1 8, 11 13. Text: "And behold, I (said Jesus to His disciples before His ascension) send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city (in Jerusalem) until you are clothed with POWER FROM ON HIGH." Luke 24:49, also: "And when He (the risen Lord) said this (to the disciples), He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the HOLY SPIRIT'." John 20:22.

Two statements, as we read them in our text, made by the resurrected Lord should bring us closer to the mystery and gift of Pentecost, that is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS; "HOW COME . . . ?"

How come that the Holy Spirit was so powerful at the first Pentecost and today we do not experience the same spiritual energy? How come that so many people can live and seemingly happily without having anything to do with the spiritual life?How come that the true believers cannot possess more spiritual power? How come that the spiritual power does not work so many miracles today? How come that now, when there are more Christians numerically than ever before, the church cannot help the people

to improve themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit? You may add to these your own question; how come . . .

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS POWER FROM ON HIGH!

What shall we know about POWER in general? We know that there is power because somebody is either STRONG or WEAK! Power appears in many forms (physical, mental, psychic (extrasensory perception) financial, political) but for most of us the most obvious form of power is brutal force. Why do we like sports so much? There are also undiscovered, (like atomic energy before 1945), unused, well used, misused, and abused power. Which of these cases occurs most and least frequently? Most of the energies need a "mechanism" to become usable; for the atomic power the reactor, for the gasoline the engine, for the wind the windmill, for the coal the steam engine or turbine, for electricity the motor, light bulb, or microwave oven. What do you think, what "mechanism" or channel would be needed for spiritual power to become effective? What kind of spiritual power would we prefer? One with unlimited, unconditional, unrestricted, and unreciprocated features. But this may fall under the MISUSED and ABUSED categories. How do we use our available forces?

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS REALLY HOLY

What does in short HOLY mean? To set apart, preserved for specific needs or use, usually related to or connected with God. A housewife will not scrub the floor in a fur coat even winter time! Because the Holy Spirit is holy, therefore the Holy Spirit is; Unlike (unique), different from any other power. We may receive it, but we can use it only for the purpose it was given, like a special instrument. Uneven, that is, its intensity varies according to times, places, and people. Think of the wind, it can mean breeze as well as hurricane. Uncontrollable by us. The Holy Spirit's direction is ONE WAY and not TWO WAY. This means God can use the Holy Spirit for His purpose freely but we cannot use it against His will. God is sovereign! Unselfish. The more we can subdue ourselves the easier we can become the "mechanism" (see above) or channel for the Holy Spirit. How did Jesus pray in the garden of Gethsemane? ". . . nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt." Matthew 26:39/b. How can we chart the function of the Holy Spirit in a descending order? This is not a dictatorial chain of command but a gentle chain reaction to the Holy Spirit, and it may appear as divine power, and it may appear as a directing force, and it may appear as inspired guidance, and it may appear as motivating influence, and it may appear as repentant heart, and it may appear as refreshed conscience, and it may appear as renewed dedication, and it may appear as refined action. In short, all these simply mean; the REBORN sinner and the REGENERATED self! Please read Luke 15:7, and John 3:5, and Ephesians 4:22 24.

Rev. Alexander Jalso

MEDITATION FOR PENTECOST

Continued from page 5


MEDITATION FOR MOTHERS' DAY

A Family Tree with Spiritual RootsBecomes a Tree of Life

Scripture reading: Luke 2:21 35. Text: "When Jesus saw His mother (from the cross), and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." John 19:26 27.

As we celebrate Mother's Day it is more than appropriate to focus our attention on the mother of our Lord and take her as the source of our message.

Angel Gabriel came to Mary and said to her: "HAIL, O FAVORED ONE, THE LORD IS WITH YOU." Luke 1:28, also, Elizabeth greeted Mary in this way: "BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB!" Luke 1:42. How wonderful it is to be FAVORED and BLESSED by God. If possible please read the whole first chapter of Luke. However, in the second chapter we learn that when Jesus was brought to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord, Luke 2:22, the righteous and devout Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and prophesied: "Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel . . ." and said about Mary: "(AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOUR OWN SOUL ALSO)," Luke 2:34 35. Please put these three together: "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" and: "BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN" and "A SWORD WILL PIERCE THROUGH YOU OWN SOUL ALSO." At the first reading it seems that the third statement is not compatible with the first and second one, however, knowing the life of Mary, what she had to witness and go through, we canunderstand how all these three statements belong together. Through Mary we can see how complex one's life can become.

THE THREE BASIC CASES CONCERNING A MOTHER When a mother is a SAINT. How many have been so for-tun ate to have a "saintly" mother whose love, care and sacrifice for the sake of her children and family knew no limit. She was willing, almost beyond human abilities, to do everything to help and protect her beloved ones. When a mother is "SICK." She can be sick physically, emotionally or psychologically and her children suffer due to her illness. She can be a victim of addiction thus forgetting and neglecting her motherly obligations. When a mother is DECEASED. Orphans have to carry one of the heaviest crosses, to grow up without the kisses, comfort, and affection of a devout and dedicated mother thus being more exposed to the cruelty of the world.

THE THREE BASIC CASES CONCERNING THE BELOVED ONES OF A MOTHER.

When HER PARENTS are asset or liability. How great it is when grandpa and grandma give a hand in raising the children and help out when unexpected expenses occur. But how hard it is to take care of the children and parent(s) at the same time. More time, energy, patience and money are needed. When HER HUSBAND is helpful or harmful. In a harmo-nious family where the husband and wife who are also father and mother not only understand but also cooperate and mutually assist each other and the whole family benefits by it. But, God forbid, where the head of the household is a "headache" for her therefore her problems are multiplied. When HER CHILDREN are sweet and lovable or sweat and horrible. Would we have more or less children if the parents would know ahead of time how their children will turn out? As the orphans suffer inexpressibly because the lack of a mother, likewise a mother is tormented beyond imagination by her unruly, disobedient, disrespectful, and misbehaving children.

How great it is when she is a "saint" and her parents are asset, her husband is helpful, and her children are sweet and lovable! But does it happen all the time? May we be thankful to God for any (holy), happy, and harmonious family. And wherever there are problems, difficulties, and hardships let our faith, Christian help and compassion come to the aid to the unfortunate ones. When a "family tree" has spiritual roots too it will become the "tree of life."

Rev. Alexander Jalso

Upcoming 2015 Events in Columbus at the Hungarian Reformed Church

Sunday June 14 at 11:40 AM will be Life Stories of Local Hungarians. Orsolya Hamar-Hilt was born in Budapest, but is now an immigration lawyer in Columbus working for the Ohio Supreme Court. Mary Lasits parents escaped from Hungary in 1956. Raised in Cleveland, she now works in Columbus for Lutheran Social Services.Saturday July 18 from Noon to 6 PM will be the Taste of Hungary festival. Enjoy Hungarian food, musicians from Cleveland, & the Dayton Dancers at 3 PM.August 19 Hungarian college students visit Columbus. Ask themquestions about their experiences in Hungary & the US.Sunday September 13 at 11:40 AM, Life Stories of two local Hungarians. Sandor Kocsis came to Columbus from Hungary as a child in the 1940s. A lawyer, he served as a translator for the Hungarian army when they came to Columbus in the1980s to train for NATO expansion. Lynn Hanihalmi is a native of Lorain, but a long time Columbus state employee.Sunday October 25 attend the program remembering the 1956 anti communist Hungarian revolution followed by a Hungarian dinner. November 7 & 8 stop by the Hungarian Cultural Association booth at the International festival in the Celeste Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds on 17th Street in Columbus.

Artur Bartfay, Columbus, Ohio

One of the largest churches in the United States is the Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago, IL. Started in 1975, it averages around 20,000 in attendance at its Saturday, Sunday, and mid-week services. Desiring to reach non-Christians and those who, for one reason or another, have quit going to church they have deliberately tried to avoid many of the traditional ways of doing things in their 4 Saturday and Sunday services. Using drama, multi-media, contemporary music, and creative messages that connect with peoples lives, the services are specifically designed for individuals checking out what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Even though those who are already Christians are welcome in the Saturday and Sunday services, it is the Wednesday and Thursday night services that are designed for them. It is at these services that the family of God, the body of Christ - the church - meets together for instruction, inspiration, fellowship, & worship. And despite the fact that Time Magazine and others have criticized them as a high tech entertainment church, trying to relate to the MTV generation & not to the rest of the world, they unashamedly preach Jesus Christ as Savior & Lord. And the result is that the congregation has grown, and grown dramatically. Now contrast that with the story of another church, the Broadway Presbyterian Church in Upper Manhattan, New York, as reported in the January 26, 2002, issue of World Magazine. The article said that in the early 1900s through the 1960s the Broadway church was a powerful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with more than a thousand active members. But their number shrank to about 120. Why? Well, over the years a subtle change crept in as their emphasis switched from presenting the Gospel to helping the homeless. They set up soup kitchens in the church building & began massive feeding programs for those in need. Now, at first glance we would think that helping those in need is a very worthy & Christian thing to do, and it is! And they should be praised for doing so. But, at Broadway, prayers were never offered in the soup kitchens, nor was the name of Jesus ever mentioned - because they were concerned that someone might resent it. Turning away from Christs command to preach the gospel they made no effort to communicate the good news of a Savior who forgives sins, changes lives, and frees us from the bondage of our sins. And the result was that they discovered that the same people were coming through the food lines year after year with no improvement, no change for good taking place in their lives. They were feeding their bodies, but ignoring, starving, their souls. And the church itself there was almost dead. Two very different churches, and both of them are very busy in what they are trying to do. But one is dying. Why? What is the church supposed to be? And what is the church supposed to do? To help answer those questions, let us at the church in the 1st Century its beginning, its nucleus, its mission, and its assurance. First of all, we must realize that the Church was planned and

created by God. Do you remember the question Jesus asked His disciples at Caesarea Philippi? But what about you? Who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Did you hear that? My church The Lords Church! That was Gods plan from the beginning of time through Jesus Christ to build His church as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (1 Peter 2:90 Jesus came into our world and gave Himself upon the cross to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14) Now notice - 40 days after His resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles on the Mt. of Olives & told them Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (Acts 1:8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; & you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & to the ends of the earth. Then He ascends out of their sight. So they go to Jerusalem and they wait, (Acts 1:14) tells us, They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

I. THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH Ten days of waiting and praying pass by - and then it happens! Starting with the first verse of the 2nd Chapter of Acts, we read about the amazing events that brought about the beginning of the Lords Church. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven & filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated & came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit & began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?Acts 2:1-8 In the midst of all this excitement, the apostle Peter spoke up & got the crowds attention. He said to them, Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. Its only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel And beginning with those words he preached to them about Jesus. He told them, Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by


The Lord's Church


nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart & said to Peter & the other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children & for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call. With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. They had no church buildings, no formal organization, no constitution & by-laws. And yet with little of what we have today, but heavily armed with prayer & the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to change the world of their day.

II. THE NUCLEUS OF THE CHURCH Who were these men who made up the nucleus the core group - of the early church? Turn to the Gospel of Matthew 28 . As Jesus prepares to give them the great commission, Matthew tells us in vs. 16, "Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go." So lets take a closer look at these 11 disciples, and as you look at them, realize that in a lot of ways they are very much like us. A. First of all, they were just ordinary men - fishermen, a tax collector, men from the hill country of Galilee. There is no indication of anyone rich or influential or highly educated among them. They were just ordinary or influential or highly educated among them. They were just ordinary people. Later on, there were some rich and influential followers. Saul of Tarsus would fall into that category. He had a great education. He was part of an influential family. And he was well respected among his people before he became a Christian. But we also need to remember that Saul had to be humbled before God could really use him. So the first thing we notice is that the men who made up the nucleus of the first church were very ordinary. And that ought to be encouraging to us, because that is what most of us are, just ordinary people. B. The 2nd thing we notice is that these men were imperfect. Listen as Matthew tells us, "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted." (28:17) Dont you appreciate the honesty of Scripture? It never tries to gloss over imperfections. Here they were, meeting with Jesus after His resurrection. He stands before them, and even though they can see the nail prints in His hands & feet & the wound in His side, it says that some of them doubted. They certainly werent perfect! Take Simon the Zealot. Today he might be called a redneck. And how about Simon Peter? You never knew just what he would say next. James and John had problems with their egos, always wanting to be first. And then there was Thomas, the Doubter. No, the men who made up the nucleus of the first church were far from perfect. And that ought to be encouraging to us, because were imperfect, too. Everybody in this room has problems. And

we all have our areas of weakness. C. But they had one more characteristic which made all the difference. They loved Jesus & wanted to obey Him. Listen again to the last part of vs. 16. It says that they "went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go." So in analyzing these men, we discover that they were ordinary people with lots of imperfections, but they loved Jesus and desired to obey Him. They recognized Him as the Son of God who had risen alive from the grave. So whatever He commanded them to do, they sought to do it. They tried to put Him first in their lives. That is what the church is. The church is made up of ordinary and imperfect people, who desire to make Jesus both Lord & Savior of their lives.

III. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH The 3rd thing I want you to see is the mission of the church. Vs. 19 begins with these words, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Remember, the mission of the church is to make disciples of "all nations." We are to reach out to the whole world with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make disciples of them, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

IV. THE ASSURANCE OF THE CHURCH The 4th thing we need to see here is the assurance, the promise that Jesus gives us. Matthew 28:20 To the early Christians these were some of the most precious words Jesus ever spoke. Every time they gathered to worship they knew that at any moment soldiers might come and arrest them. They had seen many of their friends die. They had seen them tortured and heard their cries just because they were believers in Jesus. So when Jesus said, "I am with you always," even in moments of persecution and death those were precious, precious words. They are probably not that precious to most of us today. But they might well become very precious to us in the future. More and more were seeing a widening of the gap between what the church is supposed to be, and what the world is, between the philosophies of the world and the philosophy of the church. Already we are seeing the recognition of God being eradicated from our schools and public assemblies. Prayer, Bible reading, nativity scenes, Christmas stories, even the very mention of God are no longer welcome in our public gatherings. We see the media turning against the church. And some are saying that committed Christians are a threat to our nation. The church needs to be ready. Jesus says, "Ill be with you. No matter what happens between now and the time I come for you, I want you to know that Ill never leave you or forsake you." I dont know how you perceive the church. I dont know if you picture a little church where you and a few of your friends can get together. Or if you see a church where thousands of people gather together in worship. But I know this, the church does not exist solely for its members. The church exists to help reach the lost. And the


moment we turn our sights inward, and begin to think that the church is just for us, then, people, we are no longer the Lords church. We are a private little club. We exist for a lost world. We exist to give ourselves away. We exist to touch a world that doesnt know Jesus Christ and to show them the way to be saved from their sins and to live for all eternity. The Church is still the body of Christ, the family of God, and it has been entrusted with a message of salvation for the world for all those everywhere who will accept Jesus as their Savior and their Lord .

Rev. M. Newland

First Hungarian Church of Walton Hills, OHEASTER

Photos by Beata Krasznai

Continued from page 9

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Members at the Easter Service

Sunday School egg hunt

Easter Communion Service

REFORMTUSOK LAPJACALVINSYNOD

AMERIKAI MAGYAR

A Klvin Egyhzkerlethivatalos lapja Alaptva 1900ban

116. vfolyam 2015. MJUS JNIUS 5 6. szm

Continued on page 12

Amikor pedig eljtt a pnksd napja, s mindnyjan egytt voltak ugyanazon a helyen, hirtelen hatalmas szlrohamhoz hasonl zgs tmadt az gbl, amely betlttte az egsz hzat, ahol ltek. Majd valami lngnyelvek jelentek meg elttk, amelyek sztoszlottak, s leszlltak mindegyikkre. Mindnyjan megteltek Szentllekkel, s klnfle nyelveken kezdtek beszlni; gy, ahogyan a Llek adta nekik, hogy szljanak.

(Apostolok Cselekedetei 2:1-4)

Kedves Klvin Zsinat Gylekezetei, Kedves Testvreim,

Amikor valaki egy msik orszgba utazik, s nem beszli az ottani nyelvet, akkor nagy nehzsgekkel kerlhet szembe. Mit tehet ht az az ember, aki nem beszli az adott orszg nyelvt? Megprblja elmutogatni, hogy mi re gondol, vagy egy sztr segtsgvel elmon-dani, hogy mit is szeretne. A nyelvi hatrok, korltok nehzsgeket okozhatnak az ember letben. Milyen risi elny, ha valaki beszli

annak az orszgnak a nyelvt s emellett tolmcsolni is tud. A dbbenetes s egyben csodlatos, amit a pnksdi trt-netben tallunk az, hogy a tantvnyoknak nem volt szksgk sem sztrra, sem tolmcsra, hogy valaki lefordtsa idegen nyelvre mindazt, amit mondtak. Pnksdkor mindenki, aki rszt vett Izrael egyik legnagyobb nnepn akik klnbz orszgokbl rkeztek a maga nyelvn hallotta a tantvnyokat beszlni. Pter apostol bizonysgot tett arrl, hogy Jzus az egyedli Megvlt s Szabadt. Azon a napon 3000 ember hitt Pter igehirdetsnek s keresztelkedett meg. Pnksd napjt ez a csodlatos esemny koronzta meg. Azok, akik elfogadtk Krisztust Uruknak s Megvltjuknak, attl a naptl kezdve kitartan rszt vettek az apostoli tantsban, a kzssgben, a kenyr megtrsben s az imdkozsban. Ez egy hatalmas breds volt Izrael npnek letben, valamint ez volt a keresz-tyn Egyhz szletsnapja. A pnksdi trtnetben azt talljuk, hogy Isten kzel jn az emberhez s megszltja. A Szentllek csodlatos kitltetse

A Szentllek jelenltea keresztyn ember letben

ltal Isten szlt mindazokhoz, akik 2000 vvel ezeltt az els Pnksdkor ott voltak. Isten azonban ma is szl hozznk drga Lelke ltal. Vasrnaprl vasrnapra megszlt az igjn s az igehirdetseken keresztl. Szlhat hozznk tovbb otthon, a vele tlttt csendessgnkben. Mennyei Atynk a Szentllek ltal vezet bennnket, s ezltal rszeseiv lehetnk a Llek munkjnak. Vajon mit jelent Isten Lelknek munkja az letnkben? Mik jellemzik azokat, akiknek az letben a Szentllek jelen van? Azok, akiknek letben a Szentllek jelen van, ismerik Isten szeretett. Tudjk, hogy termszetknek fogva bnsk, de azt is tudjk, hogy Jzus Krisztus ltal bnbocsnatban rszesltek. A Llek ltal betlttt hvk kszek arra, hogy msoknak is megbocsssanak, akik vtkeznek ellenk. Valamint tudjk azt is, hogy Isten mindig h marad hozzjuk, szeretni fogja ket s gondoskodni fog rluk. Ez az Istentl jv szeretet trad az letkn keresztl msok fel. rlnek, amikor segthetnek s msokrl gondoskodhatnak, pusztn szeretetbl. Azok, akiknek letben Isten Szentlelke jelen van, nvekednek a hitkben. Minden lehetsget igyekeznek megragadni arra, hogy mg tbbet tudjanak meg s tanuljanak Krisztusrl, valamint arrl, hogy mit jelent Isten gyermeknek lenni. Ebben msokat is segtenek, illetve btortanak, hogy hitkben nvekedjenek. Tovbb, akiknek a Llek az letben van, azok kszek vltozni. A Szentllek Isten igjn keresztl vltozsokat akar hozni az letnkbe. Akiknek az letben jelen van a Szentllek, azok az vezetsre hallgatnak. Amikor Isten igje szl, a Llek kzel von bennnket Krisztushoz, bnbnatra indt, megbizonyost bennnket Isten szeretetrl s tformlja letnket. Azok, akiknek letben Isten Szentlelke jelen van kszek megosztani azt, hogy mit jelent szmukra Jzus. A Krisztusrl szl rmhrt nem lehet elrejteni. A Llek segtsgnkre van abban, hogy ott hirdessk Jzust, ahol ppen vagyunk vagy lnk: a csaldunk krben, a munkahelynkn, vagy a szomszdjainkkal, embertrsainkkal tallkozva. A Llek ltal betlttt Krisztushvk szavai, gygyulst s rmt hoznak msok letbe. Szavaikkal ptenek, nem rombolnak. A j hrt hirdetik ebben a vilgban arrl a Megvltrl, aki megfeszttetett, de feltmadt. Akiknek a Llek az letben van, azok imdkoz emberek.


Gylekezeti hrek

1. Az Irgalmas Szamaritnus rvahznak s iskolnak Nagy-dob ronyban, Krptaljn folyamatos segtsg.2. Csap (Krptalja) a Morzskat Lzrnak ingyenkonyha t-mogatsra segtsget kr Balogh Jnos lelkipsztor.3. Nagyvrad Ft. Csri Istvn segly krse az egszsghz szmra. 4. Ndas Gabriella Iskola alap.5. Tks Zsolt igazgat krse a szkelyudvarhelyi kollgium tet fedsre. 6. A Ligonier-i Bethlen Kzssg megsegtsre.7. A Nagykroly-Kertvrosi (Erdly) Reformtus Egyhzkzsg j templom s parkia ptshez kr segtsget. Bvebb infor-mci elrhet: http://kertvaros.freewb.hu/8. A Szkelyudvarhelyi (Erdly) Reformtus High School kr segtsget az iskola plet tet javtsra.

Krjk ezekre a clokra szves anyagi tmogatsukat! Tovbbi tmogats krskkel forduljanak:

Ft. Dr. Krasznai Csaba, gyvezet pspkhz14530 Alexander Road, Walton Hills, OH 44146.

E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: 440-221-5334

Adomnyaikat krjk, szveskedjenek elkldeni:

Rev. Viktor Toth, Treasurer

6310 Green Valley Cir. #217 Culver City, CA 90230

Tel.: 714-333-5300

Klvin Zsinat bel s klmisszi

LELKIPSZTOR NLKLI GYLEKEZETEK:

Beaver Falls, PA Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Kalamazoo, MI

rdekld lelkipsztorok vegyk fel a kapcsolatot a pspki irodval:

Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba G. Krasznai14530 Alexander Road

Walton Hills, OH 44146Tel.: 440-221-5334 email: [email protected]

Pl apostol a kvetkezkre bztat: Minden imdsgotokban s knyrgsetekben imdkozzatok mindenkor a Llek ltal. ppen azrt legyetek berek, teljes llhatatossggal knyrgve az sszes szentekrt (Efzus 6:18) A Llek az, aki kssz tesz bennnket arra s segt minket abban, hogy bizalommal jruljunk imdsgban mennyei Atynk el. A Szentllek tovbb segt a mi ertlensgnkn, st maga esedezik rtnk kimondhatatlan fohszkodsokkal (Rma 8:26). Pnksd nnepe Istennek az letnkben val jelenltrl s Lelke ltali munkjrl szl. A Szentllek azrt jtt, hogy elvezessen bennnket a Krisztusban val teljes igazsgra. Azrt jtt el, hogy ert kapjunk a Jzusban val hitre s letre. Vezet minket, hogy Krisztus ltal ljnk s vele jrjunk letnk minden napjn. men.

Szeretettel Krisztusban:

Ft. Dr. Krasznai Csaba gyvezet pspk USA

1. We encourage our congregations' youngsters to attend the an-nual Calvin Synod Summer Youth Camp.2. Support the Bethlen Communities Heritage Center Museum and Archives.TRANSYLVANIA 1. The Szekely Miko Reformed High School in Sepsiszent gyorgy is asking financial support for their school.2.The Backamadarasi Kiss Gergely Reformed High School in Szkelyudvarhely, Transylvania is asking financial support for their school.3. Support the widow of Rev. Jeno Katona and his family.4. Fund Reformed schools and help poor people in Transylvania via Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC).5. Ms. Gabriella Ndas Donate to School Fund in Kolozsvr. 6. Fund charitable and mission work as requested by Rt. Rev. Istvn Csri in Nagyvrad. 7. Fund request by principal Zsolt Tks to support the school's roof in Szkely udvarhely. 8. The Hungarian Reformed Church of Nagykroly-Kertvros (Carei) in Transylvania is asking for donations for their construc-tion project of a new church building and parsonage. Further info available at the following website: http://kertvaros.freewb.hu/

Calvin Synod Homeland and Overseas Mission

UKRAINE1. Support the Good Samaritan Orphanage and School in Nagy-dobrony in their mission work.2. Support the food pantry named Crumbs for Lazarus to feed the hungry in Csap as requested by Rev. Jnos Balogh.

Please send donations to the Calvin Synod Treasurer:Rev. Viktor Toth 6310 Green Valley Cir. #217

Culver City, CA 90230 Tel.: 714-333-5300 When sending your donation, please write the name of

the Mission in the Memo section of your check.For more information please contact:

Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai Homeland and Overseas Mission Coordinator,

14530 Alexander Road, Walton Hills, OH 44146. email: [email protected] Tel.: 440-221-5334.

PASSAIC, NJ rvacsorra megtertett r asztala

Anyk napja

GARFIELD, NJ Magyar Hz Nt. Vsrhelyi Jzsef a Trianon eltti Magyarorszgrl beszl

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ Jniusi magyar nap,Nt. Ujj Lszl s Nt. Vsrhelyi Jzsef

PELHAM, ONTARIO, KANADANt. ifj. Vsrhelyi Jzsef Ferenc igt hirdet

13CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

SZKELY ZSZL 2015. mrcius 21-n Clifton, (New Jersey) polgrmestere felhzta a szkely zszlt a vroshza eltti parkban. Jelen voltak ezen az esemnyen a vrosi tancsosok, Nt. Vsrhelyi Jzsef s tbb magyar s szkely egyn.

PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY

Mjus 10 Anyk napjaMjus 24 PnksdJnius 6 Magyar nap New BrunswickJnius 14 Knai vsrJnius 21 Apk napjaJnius 27 Piknik

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A Szent Llek ltal egyek vagyunkaz r Jzus Krisztussal

Alapige: Apost. Cselek.: 7 r. 5960. v.

59. ,,Megkvezk azrt Istvnt, ki imdkoziks ezt mondja vala: Uram Jzus, vedd magad hoz az n lelkemet! 60. Trdre esvn pedig, nagy fenszval kilta: Uram, ne tulajdontsd nkik e bnt! s ezt mondvn, elaluvk."

Amint az apostolok cselekedeteirl szl biblia knyvet olvasgatjuk, mindegyre elnkbe trul egy-egy olyan jelenet, mely, br a rgi idk esemnyt tkrzi, de azrt ma is jellemz, rvnyes igazsgot llt lelki tekintetnk el. Ilyen jelenetbl val az a pr szentrsbeli vers is, amelyet mostani elmlkedsem alapjul vlasztottam. Istvnnak, az els vrtannak utols szavai csendlnek felnk ez alapigbl. Megrendt az elgondolsa e trtnetnek. Egy frfi telve szentllekkel, az igaz emberi jsgnak minden kessgvel, hatalmas, lelket megrz beszdben vdekezik az ellene emelt ama kptelen vd ellen, hogy a szent hely s trvny ellen kroml beszdeket mondott volna. Beszdben kiterjeszkedik a zsid np egsz trtnetre s mg egyfell, megkap szavakkal rajzolja Istennek e nppel szemben tanstott kegyelmi tnyeit, msfell, les hangon szemkre hnyja, hogy mindig a Szent Llek ellen cselekedtek, ldztk a proftkat s megltk azokat, kik Isten igjnek eljvetelt hirdettk, s most ruliv s gyilkosaiv lettek annak, kiben e jvendls valsgg lett. ,,Mikor pedig ezeket hallk szvkben dhskdnek s fogaikat csikorgatjk vala ellene, olvassuk a trtnetben, aztn kivve t a vroson kvl, megkvezzk. Egy frfinak, ki p, egszsges, telve szeretettel, munkakedvvel, ki csak a jt akarja, rsze e rettenetes vg: a kvek slyos tse alatt, vrz sebek, irtzatos fjdalmak s szenvedsek kztt val kimls. s vajon milyen az magatartsa e gyszos, pusztul helyzetben? Tn sr, tkozdik, kesereg? h nem: imdkozik s rendthetetlen bizal mat s jindulatot tanst az utols pillanatig. Errl tans-kodik alapignk, s elnkbe lltja azt az igazsgot, hogy az igaz ember magatartsa mg a legrettenetesebb helyzetben is telve van bizalommal s a legvltsgosabb krlmnyek kztt is msokkal, mg bntalmazival szemben is jindulat, mert ez a valdi, Szent Llekkel telt let kvetelmnye. Lssuk e ttel valsgt a felolvasott alapige rszletesebb kifejtsben.

1.

Istvnrl, kit a gylekezet tagjai az apostolok felhvsra a szegnyek s elhagyatottak egyik gondozjul vlasztottak, - azt olvassuk, hogy hittel s Szent Llekkel teljes frfi vala, ami ms szval azt jelenti, hogy teljes odaadssal csngtt a Krisztusban megjelent isteni igazsgon. Meg volt gyzdve arrl, hogy az emberi letnek csak akkor van rtelme, ha minden igyekezete arra irnyul, hogy a szeretet uralma ltal Isten legyen minden

mindenekben, hogy ezrt dolgozni, fradni elengedhetetlen ktelessg s boldog az ember csak gy lehet, ha ezt soha sem tveszti szem ell. Isten erre hvta, erre rendelte az embert s minden nemzettsgbl s gazatbl kedves Isten eltt az, aki ezt felismerte s minden egybre tekintet nlkl, hven gyakorolja. Abban a testvri kzssgben, mely a Jzus Krisztusban hvket egybe fzi, ez a felfogs, az erre val trekvs egszen termszetes, magtl rthet, de ez a felfogs s trekvs egszen ms elbrls al esik azok rszrl, kiknl az nz rdek alaktja ki az letfelfogst, s ennek alapjn mindent, mg a legszentebbre vonatkoz dolgokat is, ebbl a szempontbl nzik s rtkelik s az gy kialakult s megcsontosodott megllaptsok s intzmnyek azok, melyek szentek s srthetetlenek elttk s gyllettel s utlattal teltek azokkal szemben, kik ezeket bntjk, lekicsinylik. A harc, a kzdelem e ktfle felfogs kztt egyids az emberrel s bizony mg napjainkban is ez irnytja az emberek trekvseit. Egyik fell a mindennl tbbet r szeretet, msik fell a mindent felhasznlni akar nz rdek. Mondhatjuk gy is: egyik fell Isten, msik fell a stn, a bn. Az embernek e kett kztt kell vlasztania. A vlaszts pedig igen sokszor, felette nehz krlmnyek kz lltja az embert. A vgtelen szeretet gyakorlsa lland nmegtagadst, lemondst, szeldsget, alzatossgot kvetel tle s szembenzst, ellenllst, btor szkimondst, tettet, cselekedetet azokkal szemben, kik ellenkez vlemnyen vannak. Gondoljtok csak el, mennyi blcsessgre s trelemre van szksge annak, ki erre elhvatst nyert. Otthon a csaldi krben, hnyszor lltja szembe e ktfle letfelfogs a csald-tagokat, mikor egyik fl telve van jakarat szeretettel s ezt rvnyesti is elssorban, termszetesen, vivel szemben, de hasonl, jindulat szeretetet kvn gyakorolni msokkal, a csaldjn kvl valkkal szemben is. A msik ellenben csak magra gondol, a maga vgyait s kvnsgait szolglja csupn s mogorva, gyanakv s durva minden msoknak juttatott j szrt, ldozatrt, holott knnyelm s pazarl, ha az drga nje kielgtsrl, vgyai, kvnsgai betltsrl van sz. A ktfle felfogs sszecsapsa mennyi kesersgnek, bntalomnak, mennyi nehz szvvel hordozhat rmtelensgnek okozja. S vajon a kzletben, a trsadalmi letben, nagyban, nem ugyanazt tapasztaljuk-e? A mindent csak az n fajomrt, felekezetemrt, trsadalmi osztlyomrt jelsz, mennyi kmlet-lensgnek, mennyi dbbenetes igazsgtalansgnak, olykor ten-ger vrkiontsnak, stt gysznak ltrehozja. S bizony az igaz szeretettl thatott llek, mint Istvn a kvek zpora alatt, nem tallhat ilyenkor msban menedket, mint az imdsgban, mint abban a bizodalomban, hogy Isten nem ok nlkl adta szent fiban a tkletes kijelentst. Lassanknt mgis csak el kell rkeznie e fldre is annak az ldott idnek, mikor a szeretet ltal lesz minden mindenekben, s hogy az ezrt val kzdelme az egynnek nem hibaval, mert, aki t erre a kzdelemre elhvta, erre serkent, az r Jzus Krisztus, teljes hatalommal rendelkezik mennyen s fldn, s az itt felttlenl sszeoml porstorbl kiszabadul lelket maghoz, az dicssgbe veszi. Istvn vrtan szava: ,,Uram Jzus, vedd magadhoz az n lelkemet, minden igaz kzdnek ezt a bizodalmt, bizonyossgt


fejezi ki. s ez a bizonyossg legnehezebb krlmnyek kztt is annyira ers, hogy mg a legvltsgosabb helyzetben sem tagadja meg ldsos voltt.

II.

Istvn nagy felszval kiltja: ,,Uram, ne tulajdontsd nekik a bnt! ldozata a bnnek s mgis a vgtelen szeretet irgalmt kri azok szmra, kik a bnnek szolgi. Azokban is testvreket lt s br v a legnagyobb szenveds, a leggytrbb fjdalom, mgis azokban, kik e fjdalmat s gytrelmet rmrtk, nem a gylletnek s megvetsnek krhozatos alakjait ltja, hanem szerencstlen, sajnlatra mlt, megvltsra szorul tvelygket. Jellemz, hogy az igaz emberek magatartsban, e tekintetben mind ilyenek. Magt a bnt krhozatosnak tartjk, de a bn szerencstlen rabszolgit sajnlatra, sznalomra mlt testvreknek. S vajon nincs-e igazuk? Gondoljuk csak el: mi gytrdse lehet annak, aki szeretet nlkl val. Az nz vgyak s kvnsgok kielgtse, annak rdekben semmi jnak s szpnek nem kmlse, tvolrl se higgyk, hogy a llek vdl marcangolsa nlkl trtnik. A csaldi letben az a fl, amelyiknek kzdenie kell trsval, ki gonosz indulatnak rabja, mindig nyugodtabb s bksebb, mint a msik, mert van menedke az imdsgban s abban a bizonyossgban, hogy Isten akarata szerint cselekszik, mg a msiknak, az esetleg meggyjttt vagyon, vagy a knnyelmsge miatt magra s vire zdtott nyomorsg, csak flelmt s nvdjt neveli. Flelmt, hogy vagyont nem tarthatja meg, mert az elbb vagy utbb elvtetik tle, nvdjt, hogy esztelen cselekedetei juttattk koldusbotra. S ilyen formn van a trsadalmi letben is. Azok, akik Krisztussal jrnak, ha szenvednik is kell a sok igazsgtalansg s mltatlansg miatt, mindig megtalljk a nyughatatlansgot szntet bkt az Isten akaratn val megnyugvsban, az imdsg gygyt hatsban, mg azok, kik nrdekeik kielgtsrt kmletlenek s krlelhetetlenek mindenkivel szemben, lland flelemnek s rettegsnek rabjai, hogy fordulhat a sors s a hatalom s dicssg nem lesz tbb vk, st jn a krlelhetetlen hall, s ki tudja, nem vonatnak-e szmadsra gonosz cselekedeteikrt? ,,s ezt mondvn: elaluvk olvassuk szent lecknk befejez szavait. Milyen jellemz kifejezs ez ,,elaluvk. A nagy kzdelem, a sok szenveds tmegy az des nyugalmas lomba, nem a hallba, melybl nincs felbreds, hanem az lomba, mely utn jn az j let, a megdicsls. Jzus maghoz veszi a benne bz lelket, azt akarja, hogy az vi nemcsak szenvedsnek, de osztlyos trsai legyenek dicssgnek is. A hv lleknek ez a bizalma az az er, mely a fldi lt vgs akkordjai kztt nyugodt tesz a flelmek kirlyval, a halllal szemben is. Az igaz let, a szeretet ldsos cselekedeteit gyakorolva, mindenkor s mindenekben rszese annak a vgtelen, rk szeretetnek, Istennek, ki megszns nlkl munklkodik azrt, hogy gyermekei mind egyek legyenek abban, akit a vilg vltsgul kldtt, az r Jzus Krisztusban. men.

Vsrhelyi Boldizsr

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15CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

MEGSZRADT CSONTOK MEGELEVENTETT CSONTOK

125 ve hunyt el Czelder Mrton,az els protestns magyar misszionrius

Ezkiel knyvben, a 37. rszben olvasunk a megszradt csontok megeleventsrl. Czelder Mrton, aki gyakran idzte a Krptokon tli misszija sorn ezt a ltomst. A ltottak s tapasztaltak alapjn jogos volt erre a ,,naturalista ltomsra val hivatkozsa, hiszen mint sztszrt s porlad csontok, gy hnydtak az idegenben azok a frfiak, nk, csaldok, akik valamilyen trtnelmi katasztrfa, vagy valamilyen szemlyes szksg folytn knytelenek voltak elhagyni szlfldjket.

Ilyen helyzet llott el 1849 utn. Voltak, akik j honfiakknt rszt vettek a szabadsgharcban, s Haynau s trsai ell kellett meneklnik, aztn voltak olyanok, akik a jobbgyfelszabadts rendjn felszabadultak, de fldet nem kaptak, s gy egzisztencijuk vlt bizonytalann, s ezrt vettk kezkbe a vndorbotot. Voltak olyan iparosok is, akik a jobb kereset remnyben hagytk el szlfldjket. Sajt tapasztalatombl tudom, hogy ezek az emberek nem jkedvkben mentek t a hegyeken. Mindenkinek az letben valamilyen tragdia hzdott meg. Ezrt minden emigrns llek srlt llek volt mr itthon, s mg inkbb azz vlt az idegenben, akkor is, s ma is, amit ugyancsak nagyon szinte pillanataiban ismer el az ilyen helyzetben lv ember. Ezeknek a szmztteknek szorgalmuknak ksznheten a betev falatjuk megkerlt. De a lelki kenyr nem! Mrpedig Jzus ezt mondta: ,,Nem csak kenyrrel l az ember! A lelki kenyr nlkl knny eliszkosodni, elzlleni, parznv vlni, bnzv vlni, ktes bandkba keveredni. Ezen tl pedig, szinte egy nemzedk alatt, be lehet olvadni nemzetileg s vallsilag egyarnt! Sok a sztszrt szraz csont a ,,tves csatatereken amiket az emberek maguk vlasztanak. Ma is!

Skt s nmet mintra, 1855 utn Magyarorszgon is kezd ez irnyba elindulni valami. Balogh Pter tiszntli pspk, majd Rvsz Imre s Ballagi Mr rvn, aki a Protestns Egyhzi s Iskolai Lap (PEIL) fszerkesztje, megtrik a jg. Kos Ferenc, aki ebben az idben, az 1815-ben Skei Imre ltal alaptott Bukaresti Reformtus Egyhzkzsg lelksze, szintn felzrkzik azok kz, akik a moldva-olhorszgi (ez volt akkor a hivatalos elnevezs!) misszit felkaroltk. A PEIL felhvsra egy 28 ves lnglelk ifj jelentkezik, aki akkor mr 5 ve a Losonci Reformtus Egyhzkzsg segdlelksze s a helyi gimnzium helyettes tanra. Ezek alatt az vek alatt gazdag irodalmi munkssgot folytat. Egyhzi krkben j neve van. Sokan ltjk benne ,,mint a hitbuzgsgot, mind a hazafias rzletet. Egy helyen gy vall lmairl: ,,Ifjsgomtl fogva trekvsem az volt, hogy csekly ermtl telhetleg, magyar protestns egyhzunk keretben, a keresztynsg s magyarsg gynek maradand szolglatot tegyek, annak gy szellemi, mint anyagi felvirgzst, amennyire egy ertlen, de elsznt akarat ember teheti, elmozdtsam sztszrt csontjait, ameddig kezeim s lelkem trekvsei elrnek, hogy sszeszedjem azokat. Elbb vgigltogatja a magyarorszgi pspkket, hogy


erklcsi s anyagi tmogatsukat elnyerje. Pesten megszerzi tlevelt, aztn Kolozsvron tallkozik Bodola Smuel pspkkel, majd felkeresi grf Mik Imrt s Szacsvay Zsigmondot, akiknek prtfogst szintn elnyeri. Grf Mik Imrt, Erdly kormnyzjt vlasztjk meg a kvetkez esztendben a pitesti-i, majd kln a Ploiesti-i Egyhzkzsg fgondnoknak, amit megkszn s elfogad.

Czelder nagy lelkesedssel lt hozz a munkhoz. Fradtsgot nem ismerve utazik, pedig mg akkor ott vast egyltaln nem volt, gyalog ttalan utakon, csakhogy lelkeket menthessen meg Krisztusnak s nemzetnek. Ahol megjelenik rgtn felkutatja az ott lvket, gylekezetbe szervezi ket, gondnokot vlasztat, iskolt szervez, s prbl lelkszrl s tantrl gondoskodni. Ahol ez nem sikerl, ott maga vgzi a szolglatokat gy, ahogy ezekre a helyekre el tud jutni.

Az Alexandru Ioan Cuza fejedelem alatt ltrejtt orszgban francia mintra az egyhzpolitika a ,,szabad egyhz szabad llam elve alapjn alakul. gy a romn hatsgok ltalban tmogatjk trekvseit. Tbb gondja van a kiegyezsig az osztrk diplomatkkal s kmeikkel, akik mindenhol Kossuth-gynkket gyantanak. Mr kezdettl kivilglik, hogy Kos Ferenc s Czelder Mrton kt klnbz alkat. Kos egyhzi szertartsokban is engedmnyeket tett az ortodoxia fel (kereszt a templom tornyn, oltr s oltrkp a templomban, gyertyk hasznlata a templomban s a temetseken stb.) s szntelenl keresi az osztrk hatsgok kegyeit. Czelder szabadharcos volt a szabadsgharc alatt is, s ltva a sajtos egyhzi s politikai viszonyokat, inkbb ,,gerillamdszerekkel kzd. Ez egy ltala hasznlt kifejezs! De ott, Krptokon tl, nem a fvrosban, hanem a sztszrtsgban csak ez a mdszer vezet sikerre.

t v utn Kossal s tmogatival kenyrtrsre kerlt sor. Ennek kvetkeztben elmrgesedik a viszony az Erdlyi Reformtus Egyhzkerlettel, s ksbb ennek befolysa alatt, a tbbi egyhzkerlettel is. Akik nem ismerik a Krptokon tli viszonyokat, s akik nem voltak hajlandk elltogatni (vizitlni!) ide, azok nem tudtak relis kvetkeztetseket levonni.

Ha a tnyleges bajokat keressk, akkor a legnagyobb baj az volt, hogy mg Czelder elindulsa eltt nem szervezdtt egy olyan misszii trsulat amely az t egyhzkerlet felgyelete s vdnksge, anyagi tmogatsa s vizitlsa mellett vgezhette volna a munkjt. Itt kellett volna elkezdeni a misszi szervezst, s csak utna kellett volna misszionriust kikldeni a csatatrre.Ennek a viszlynak ldozatv vlt Kos Ferenc, Czelder Mrton, az t egyhzkerlet, de leginkbb a regti misszi.

Ezeken a lelket kesert becsmrlseken s vitkon tl Czelder soha nem llt flre a misszi gye melll. Az eredmny nmagrt beszl. Ht v alatt Igt hirdetett Pitesti-en, Slatinn, Craiovn Turnu Severinben, Targovistn, Ploiestien, Bukarestben, Valeni-ben, Campinn, Calarason, Mizilben, Buzauban, Rmnicu Saraton, Focsani-ban, Tecuci-on, Domnesti-en, Balatesti-en Adzsudon, Szszkton, Bkban, Jasi-ban, Szilisztrin, Vidinben, Galati-on, Brailn, Sunn, Odesszban

s Konstantinpolyban. rvacsorban rszestett 7687 hvt, keresztelt 168-at, temetett 117-et, trtett 151-et. Sztosztott 2876 biblit. Iskolkban tantott vagy tanttatott 1600 gyermeket, felnevelt, rszint mestersgre, rszint tanuli plyra adott 17 rvagyermeket, akik kzl 1867-ben 4 tanult Magyarorszgon. Ploiesti-en knyvtrt ltestett, Galati-on knyvtrt s olvas-egyletet alaptott. A misszi gyben rt 1753 levelet. Hatalmas munka, amit csak Isten Szentlelknek tzvel lehetett elvgezni! Nylt levlben, melyet a PEIL-ben tett kzz, summzza a tz vi munkjt: ,,Minden kormnyldzsek s testvrrulsok dacra, amennyire csekly erm engedte, munkmat elvgeztem.Munkja eredmnye a beszmol szerint ez: - ngy egszben szervezett, templommal, iskolval elltott egyhzkzsg -ngy szervezett, de pletekkel el nem ltott egyhzkzsg, - ngy flig szervezett illetve megszervezsre vr egyhzkzsg. sszesen tizenkt egyhzkzsg: Pitesti, Ploiesti, Szszkt, Galati, Braila, Calarasi, Focsani, Craiova, Buzau, Targoviste, Gyurgyevo-Ruszcsuk, Turnu Severin s Konstantinpolyban az 1848-as meneklteket psztorolta. Ezenkvl 1200 forint vi alaptvnyi pnz a Plczi Horvth Mria adomnybl, s ,,tizenegy kzdelmes v. Valban szp s lelkest eredmny. Minden dicsretet megrdemel az aki ezt vghezvitte. De elhrt magtl minden dicsretet: ,,n csak a ktelessgemet teljestettem! A misszitl nem vlik meg vgleg. Az gyet ,,vallsos s hazafias kzgy gyannt ismertetve, azt a magyarhoni ftisztelet egyhzkerletek hv s buzg gondjaiba helyezi. ,,Legyen lds minden vallsos, hazafii s embersgi szent igyekezeten, s buzglkodson! mondja bcszul.

Moldvai szolglata vgn egy msik szrvnyba megy. Felsbnyra. Utna hvjk meg a kecskemtiek lelkszknek. De ez sem tart tl sokig. Vgl Nagybnyn hal meg 1889-ben, s az ottani temetben nyugszik. Az elmlt vekben a Diaszpra Alaptvny szervezsben tbbszr tiszteletnket tettk a srkvnl. Hittel teljes, hsges, kvetkezetes munkval ilyen ered-m nyeket lehetett elrni, mg a mostoha viszonyok dacra is. Az elszradt, elszrt csontok valban megelevenedtek! l gylekezetek szlettek. A ksbbi idkben is, ha voltak Szent-llekkel felkent, lnglelk psztorok, gondnokok, presbiterek, prtfog hvek gy lhetett az egyhz, nemcsak itthon, de a Krptokon tl is. Ezt a pratlan munkt kzelrl megismerve, mint aki magam is ott szolgltam majdnem t ven keresztl Moldv-ban, a fentiekhez hasonl munkt vllalva s vgezve, ala ptot-tam meg hsz vvel ezeltt a Romniai Orszgos Refor mtus Lelkszrtekezleti Szvetsg elnkeknt hsges szrvny-lelkszek elismersre a Czelder Mrton-djat s hsges szr-vny gondnokok elismersre a mezsgi lvitatant szolg-latra emlkeztetve a Fldes Kroly djat.

Ma is azt ltjuk, hogy az aratnival sok s a munks kevs! Krjtek azrt Ti is, kedves olvask, az arats Urt, hogy kldjn munksokat hsges munksokat az aratsba.

Jenei Tams

Mi trtnt pnksdkor?,,Amikor a pnksd napja elrkezett, mindnyjan egytt voltak ugyanazon a helyen. akkor az gbl hirtelen valami zgs tmadt, olyan, mint az ers szlzgs, s teljesen betlttte a hzat, ahol tartzkodtak, azutn tzhz hasonlatos nyelvek jelentek meg nkik s sztoszolva, mindegyikk felett megllt egy-egy tznyelv, akkor mindnyjan megteltek Szentllekkel, s ms nyelveken kezdtek beszlni, gy, amint a Llek adta nkik szlniuk."

(Apostolok Cselekedetei 2:1-4)

Ez a prdikci arrl szl, hogy egy jelentktelennek ltsz trtnet tlpte a kereteit s kihatott az egsz vilgra. Szokatlan esemny volt, de mgsem ismeretlen, tvoli trtns, de mgis kzel ll hozznk, olyan esemny, amit ismernk, de mgsem rtjk igazn, vagy ppen flrertjk. Mi trtnt? A Biblia tansga szerint az trtnt, hogy egy kis csapat hangos viselkedsvel magra vonta a figyelmet. Nagy sereg ember csoportosult krjk. Hangosan kiltoztak, de nem a gyllet vagy a harag, hanem az rm s boldogsg hangjn. Az a kis csapat Jzus tantvnyaibl llott. Amikor hat httel azeltt megfesztettk, ktsgbe voltak esve. Semmi jt, semmi dvztt nem lttak a keresztben. El voltak keseredve, le voltak verve, odalett az letk rtelme. De amikor feltmadott a hallbl, s meggyzdtek rla, hogy valban l, ms szemmel nztek az letre. Tbb nem voltak remnyket s cljukat vesztett egynek. Kis csoportokba gylekeztek, hogy egytt imdkozzanak s egytt trjk meg a kenyeret, akrcsak Mesterk. De ezen a napon valami olyan trtnt, ami kzssg kovcsolta ket. Ettl kezdve az lett az letk clja, hogy rmket megosszk az egsz vilggal. Ez az rm pedig abbl llott, hogy az let lnyegben j, hogy a vesztesg s hall nem az utols sz, hogy az Isten lelket tud beljk nteni, s hogy ez a llek Jzus lelke. Hirdetni kezdtk ezt a j hrt Jeruzslemben, aztn az egsz vilgon, minden idkben, egszen a mai napig. s amennyiben hisznk benne, ennek az rmnek mi is rszesei lehetnk. me, ez trtnt. Mikor trtnt ez? A Biblia szerint akkor ,,amikor eljtt a pnksd napja s mindnyjan egytt voltak ugyanazon a helyen, azaz pnksd nnepn. A Jzus idejben ez volt az v msodik nagy nnepe. Mikzben nnepeltek, megszllta ket az Isten Lelke, amit k viharhoz hasonltottak. Az testamentum szerint az Isten elszr mint vihar jelent meg, szlvsz, tz s mennydrgs formjban. Most nnepls kzben, ahogy mondottk, mintha tzes nyelvek szlltk volna meg ket, gy megteltek az Isten Lelkvel. Az v els nagy nnepe a pska nnep volt. tven napra r kvetkezett pnksd. Pnksd az jszvetsg nyelvn pentecosto, tvenet jelent. Ez volt az els hlaadsi nnep. Ekkorra megrett a bza s a rozs a Kzel-Keleten, elksztettk az j kenyeret s nagy rmmel hlt adtak Istennek, jelezve, hogy minden tle szrmazik. Nos, ezen az nnepen a sztszrt tantvnyok az Isten lelke ltal benssges, btor kzssg, egyhzz kovcsoldtak. Ha tudjuk azt, hogy mi trtnt s mikor trtnt, azt kell krdeznnk mg, hogy mirt trtnt? Mert emberek vagyunk, mindenre magyarzatot keresnk. Az Apostolok cselekedeteirl rott knyv ngy magyarzatot knl. Az els hrom, ha nem is teljesen kielgt, a helyes irnyba mutat. Az els magyarzat szerint mindez azrt trtnt, hogy valra vljon a nyelvek csodja. Azok ugyanis, akik beszltek,

mind galileai emberek voltak, s akik hallgattk, a vilg klnbz orszgaibl odasereglett zarndokok voltak, akik ms-ms nyelven beszltek, de a tantvnyok vallsttelt mgis tkletesen megrtettk. Hnyszor ismtldik meg ez a jelensg a mi egyhzaink letben is! A magyar nyelv istentiszteleteinkre nha betr egy-egy magyarul nem tud amerikai, aki htattal vesz rszt az neklsben, imdsgban, igehallgatsban, s gy tr haza, mint aki teljesen otthon rezte magt s llekben tkletesen egybeforrott a gylekezettel. Ez is arra utal, amit a Biblia tanja akar mondani, hogy az evanglium egyetemesen szl mindenkihez, s mindenki ltal rthet rmzenet. A msodik magyarzatot a krlllk adjk, mondvn, hogy biztosan sokat ittak. Ez a magyarzat sincs messze az igazsgtl, mert valban mmorosok voltak, de nem az des borttl, vagy kbtszerektl, hanem az rmtl. Amikor valakinek csordultig megtelik a szve rmmel, akkor mmoros lesz, kurjongat, nekel, tncol. Aki nem tudja azt, hogy mirl van sz, az csak a fejt rzza, de aki tudja, az maga is rl, nekel, tncol s vigadozik. A harmadik magyarzatot Pter nyjtja, aki kifejti, hogy nem des bortl rszegedtek meg, hiszen csak reggeli kilenc ra van. Azokban az idkben senki sem volt ittas olyan korn reggel.Pter azt lltja, hogy mindez azrt trtnt, hogy beteljesedjk Jel prfta prfcija, aki azt hirdette, hogy el fog jnni az id, amikor Isten kitlti az Lelkt minden testre. Ime, ez az id, amikor Jel jvendlse valra vlik. Ha valami rendkvli trtnik, fennll a ksrts, hogy rgi jslatunk beteljeslst lssuk benne. Elrontja valaki az lett, nyomban kikvnkozik bellnk: ,,Megmondtuk mr rgen, hogy nem lesz belle soha senki. Ki az kzlnk, aki a jelenlegi esemnyt ne kvnn valamilyen rgi mondsval kapcsolatba hozni mg akkor is, ha a kapcsolat nem kzenfekv. A negyedik magyarzatot, amely pontosan a clba tall, ugyancsak Pter adja. Pter prdikcijnak az a lnyege, hogy a pnksdi esemny okozja a Nzreti Jzus. Nlkle nem trtnik semmi. Nem azrt okozja a pnksdi trtnetnek, mert elmondotta a Hegyi Beszdet, mert gynyr pldzatokkal tantott, mert betegeket gygytott, mert bartja lett bartlannak, mert megbocstott a bnsknek, mert szrny halllal halt meg. Mindez mg nem adott volna okot a pnksdi esemnyre. De volt az okozja azrt, mert Isten feltmasztotta a hallbl! A katasztroflis zuhanst a megsemmisls mlye fel az Isten visszafordtotta a vilgossg s az let fel. Ezrt voltak azok a tantvnyok olyan vgtelenl boldogok. Az els keresztynek szmra a feltmads mindennl fon to sabb volt. Azt jelentette nekik, hogy az Isten nem a buks s hall, hanem az let s gyzelme oldaln ll. Sokszor mondogatjuk: ,,Mi mindig vesztesek vagyunk. Mg eddig min-den hbort elvesztettnk. A jt tesszk, s megbntetnek miatta, az igazsgot szljuk s krunk van belle, trelmesek vagyunk s mg tbbet szenvednk, nem nyerhetnk soha semmit! A tantvnyok azonban arrl tanskodnak, hogy fordult a kocka. Gyzni fogunk, mert Krisztus gyztt. is a jt tette s szenvedett rte, az igazsgot hirdette s hallra tltk, de mgis gyztt. A Lelke itt van kzttnk. Olyan, mint az elektromossg. Belekapcsoldunk s letmagra kapunk. me ez trtnt, ott ahol trtnt s azrt trtnt, hogy a tantvnyok elmondjk neknk: ,,Gyzni fogtok, ha gyzni akar-tok. Engedjtek, hogy a pnksdi Llek tjrjon titeket, s akkor akrmennyit szenvedjetek, vgl is ti lesztek a gyztesek!

Havadty Sndor



Hungarian Reformed Federation of America A Division of GBU

Family comes first at

FFFFFor infor infor infor infor infororororormamamamamation ation ation ation ation about ourbout ourbout ourbout ourbout ourLife Insurance or Annuities

CONTCONTCONTCONTCONTAAAAACTCTCTCTCTGBGBGBGBGBU DISTRICT 3000U DISTRICT 3000U DISTRICT 3000U DISTRICT 3000U DISTRICT 3000

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Ksz a vilg,Feszlt, nnepi vrsTereng felette. Halotti csend. Csak nha nhaShajt az Isten lelke.

Kimrve minden plyaMegtltve minden llek-lmpa,Ahol csak r a lt...De jaj, stt van,Mlysges iszony stt!

A zordon tmeg-rnyk Nmn zokogva kering utjain,S csak egyet tud s egyet rez......Most vratlanul vgyon megvonagliks felzug Istenhez:

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Betelt az id!Sugarat, fnyt, szint adj neknk,Mert epednk!Fnyessg nlkl oly sivr az let!Nagy Alkotnk, oh mondd ki szent igdetLegyen vilgossg!...

s ismtelik mindig ersebbenA felviharzott theren keresztls felharsan az egek harsonjaS a vgtelennek zsolozsmja zendlZsibongva, zsongva...

s nagy szavt az Ur kimondja!

Dsida Jen(1924)


1921 ta gondozzuk magyar testvreinket szp, dombos, vidki krnyezetben. Gondos pols, rendszeres programok,

magyar nyelv Istentisztelet s lelksz szolglat ll rendelkezskreMedicaid/Medicare igazolt.

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Weve been caring for our brothers and sisters since 1921 in a beautiful, rural environment.

We provide loving nursing care, cultural programs,Hungarian Church Services and on-site Ministry.

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WILLIAM PENNASSOCIATIONFraternal Life Insurance and AnnuitiesPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Serving families, our heritage & our communities

Amerikai Nv....Amerikai Szellem....De Magyar Szv

Since our founding by 13 Hungarian coalminers in 1886, William Penn Association has continually fulfilled its mission of providingfinancial security to our members and theirfamilies, preserving our founders ethnic heritage and performing charitable and benevolent work in our communities. We offer permanent and term life insurance plans for people of all ages as well as tax-deferred annuities and IRAs. Each year, we sponsor a trip to Hungary, conduct a week-long Hungarian lan-guage camp and welcome more than 1,200visitors to our Hungarian picnic. We providecollege scholarship grants and other free, fraternal benefits not offered by commercial insurancecompanies. Through our network of local The only Hungarian fraternal benefit society in the U.S.A.

branches, we also conduct social events for the whole family and charitable programs to assist our neighbors in need. We invite you and your family to help uscontinue our mission by becoming members of our Association.

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May June 2015 Calvin Synod Herald