Megrendült lélekkel, de Isten akaratát elfogadva tudatjuk mindazokkal akik ismerték és szerették, hogy

Nt. Katona Jen?

lelkipásztor, türelemmel és méltosaggal viselt súlyos betegség után életének 65-ik évében, 2013. május 13-án megtért a Mennyei Atyához. Földi útját az alázat, az igazságosság, becsületesség jellemezte, amit Krisztus Egyházában 41 évi szolgálatával bizonyított.

Szeretett családtagunk emlékére szervezett gyászistentiszteletre
2013. június 9-én, déli 12:00 óra 30 perct?l
kerül sor a San Francisco és Környéke Magyar Református Egyháznál.
Cím: 102 Laurel Street, Redwood City, CA 94063.

„Mert most tükör által homályosan látunk, akkor pedig színr?l-színre, most töredékes az ismeretem, akkor pedig úgy fogok ismerni, ahogyan engem is megismert az Isten. Most azért megmarad a hit a remény, a szeretet, e három. Ezek közül pedig a legnagyobb a szeretet.” 1. Korinthus 13, 12-13.

Élete, az együtt megélt közös és szép emlékek, kitörölhetetlen nyomot hagytak mindnyájunk szívében. Áldott legyen az Úr érte!

A gyászoló család

„I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the endhe will stand upon the earth.” Job 19, 25.

With sadness of heart, but accepting the Almighty’s will we announce to all those who knew and loved him, that pastor

Rev. Eugen Katona
after bearing with Christian patience and with human dignity a long lingering illness gave back his immortal soul to Allmighty God on May 13, 2013 at the age of 65. His life on Earth was characterized by humility, justice and honesty, as been proven by his 41 years serving Christ in His Church.

In memory of our loved one, a memorial service will be held on
June 9, 2013, 12:30 pm
at the Hungarian Reformed Church of San Francisco and Vicinity.
Address: 102 Laurel Street, Redwood City, CA 94063.

„Now we see but a pure reflection, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: fate, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1. Corinthians 13, 12-13.

His life and the shared beautiful memories have left an indelible mark on our hearts.
Blessed be the Lord for it!

The grieving family

Rev. Gábor Magyari-Köpe

Free Magyar Reformed Church San Francisco & Vicinity
102 Laurel Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
Tel: +1-650-365-1535
Fax: +1-720-294-5277
www.reformatustemplom.com

The 75th Annual meeting of the Calvin Synod convened today in Ligonier PA.

It commenced with a Service of the Word and Holy Communion at Moriah Chapel on the grounds of Bethlen communities.

After lunch business meetings commenced at 1:30 pm.

During the weeklong meeting, Bishop Bela Poznan was re-elected for another 3 year term as was Auxiliary Bishop Csaba Krasznai. Rev. Stefan Torok was elected General Treasurer, and Rev. Viktor Toth was elected Treasurer.

http://szencimolnar.hu/

Thanks to Genevan Psalter expert Dr. David Koyzis for this information.

You are cordially invited to attend our upcoming Lakeside Classis spring meeting on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 12:00 Noon at the Hungarian Reformed Church of Fairport Harbor, 607 Plum Street, Fairport Harbor, OH 44077.

Lunch will be served at 12:00 Noon. The Opening Worship will follow the lunch, starting at 1:00pm, then at 2:00pm our Regular Meeting.
This meeting will be important since we will elect new officers. Rev. Imre A. Bertalan will join us and give a presentation and report on the work of The Future of Calvin Synod and UCC Relations Committee.
Please, inform Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi how many people from your congregation plan to attend. Tel. (440) 352-4836.
May God bless all of you!

In His Service,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba G. Krasznai
Dean of the Lakeside Classis

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Please call the church office (412-421-0279) as to how many plan to attend from you congregation.

Rev. Ilona M. Komjathy

Tickets are $10 students and $12 for adults. They can be purchased in advance through the William Penn Ass. or by calling the First Hungarian Reformed Church,@ 412-421-0279.

Majda Mária Guessous, known as “Mesi,” is a young folk singer sensation from Hungary with a very interesting background. She was born in Debrecen Hungary, her mother’s homeland, her father is from Morocco. Her unique dual cultural background always interested her and she made a point of learning both cultural heritages, especially focusing on the similarities. She was trained to be a musician, primarily a folk singer, from a young age. She has won significant recognitions in virtually all competitions she ever entered, and received scholarships to study folk singing in numerous schools, spending a semester in Turkey. She is has completed her studies at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, concentrating on folk music performance and teaching.

During the 2011 Budapest FOLKBEATS talent search competition, the prestigious jury selected her as the best folk singer among almost 100 entries. She mesmerizes audiences with her voice clarity and sensitivity, as well as her engaging personality. Her winning award for her first-place prize: this North American Tour.

In her performances, Mesi features not only ancient Hungarian folksongs but builds musical bridges to her other ethnic connections, sure to surprise audiences. She will be accompanied by two musicians who will assure musical depth to the wonderful folk-music voyage: Iván Barvich, from the famous Seb? Ensemble, will play wind instruments and tambura and Dávid Boros Gerzson, Mesi’s husband, will play on percussive instruments. This intimate performance in Hungarian folk music and much more is sure to be a memorable event for all.

For more information about the MESI please visit:
www.guessousmajdamaria.hu

Mesi Flyer

Hello,

I received these links below from an American Hungarian veteran, regarding another veteran named Leslie Sabo from Pennsylvania. In May of this year, Mr. Sabo received a Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award the US Government can give for those in the service. Mr. Sabo was killed in action in 1970 at age 22 in Cambodia (Vietnam War) while saving the lives of a number of soldiers in his unit. He was buried in Beaver County, Pa. I am passing this along for several reasons – 1) because I know all of us have a profound respect for veterans and their service 2) because I thought I have seen this spelling of Sabo in the names of a few fellow Calvin Synod brothers/sisters – and am wondering if they are related. Does anyone know this Sabo family? If so, I wanted them to know that there are people out there who thank Leslie Sabo and his family for his sacrifice and service.

The bravery of this young man, and the fact that he has recognition from the Us Government for what he did, deserves to be known. The links below give more information. The press, including the Hungarian press, has given little coverage of the awarding of this medal, but the actions of this young man and the fact that he literally gave his life for the sake of others, deserve to be known.

Hoping all is well with you and your churches, wishing everyone peace and blessings.

Tunde Garai

info about Leslie Sabo on wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_H._Sabo,_Jr.

info about Leslie Sabo on the Congressional Medal of Honor website

http://www.cmohs.org/featured-recipients.php

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Specialist Four Leslie H. Sabo Jr. distinguished himself by conspicuous acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his own life while serving as a rifleman in Company B, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Se San, Cambodia, on May 10, 1970. On that day, Specialist Four Sabo and his platoon were conducting a reconnaissance patrol when they were ambushed from all sides by a large enemy force. Without hesitation, Specialist Four Sabo charged an enemy position, killing several enemy soldiers. Immediately thereafter, he assaulted an enemy flanking force, successfully drawing their fire away from friendly soldiers and ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat. In order to re-supply ammunition, he sprinted across an open field to a wounded comrade. As he began to reload, an enemy grenade landed nearby. Specialist Four Sabo picked it up, threw it, and shielded his comrade with his own body, thus absorbing the brunt of the blast and saving his comrade’s life. Seriously wounded by the blast, Specialist Four Sabo nonetheless retained the initiative and then single-handedly charged an enemy bunker that had inflicted severe damage on the platoon, receiving several serious wounds from automatic weapons fire in the process. Now mortally injured, he crawled towards the enemy emplacement and, when in position, threw a grenade into the bunker. The resulting explosion silenced the enemy fire, but also ended Specialist Four Sabo’s life. His indomitable courage and complete disregard for his own safety saved the lives of many of his platoon members. Specialist Four Sabo’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 3d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Hungarian Reformed Holy Communion with Meditations 1967

Another point about the following liturgy must be made. As noted by the Synod Presbyter, Lehel Deak (Calvin Synod, term expires 2010),

“The Confession of Sin and the Absolution are practiced in the Transylvania (Erdélyi) Reformed Churches. I have the Liturgical Compilation of the Reformed Church of Hungary,the first edition of which was published in 1985, – it does not have these two elements as part of a regular liturgy.

In the First Hungarian Reformed Church of New York City, US, we use the Confession of Sins, where the congregation prays in unison Calvin’s prayer, during our Repentance Services, held the Friday before any Sunday when we would partake in Holy Communion.”

Others, like Dr. Edwin Elliott, publisher of the Calvin Synod Herald – echoing Synod Presbyter James Ballas (Calvin Synod, term expired 2007), have noted significant variations in worship practice by region. Depending on the region, the liturgy may be relatively simple and composed mainly of Psalms, scripture reading, sermon and prayer after a form of the “votum” or “our help” from Psalm 124:8 – “Our help is in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” followed by an invocation prayer said in unison with the congregation standing (per Ballas). In this regard some Hungarian Reformed services are more akin to the Reformed worship of the Scots Presbyterian Westminster Directory.

At the other end of the spectrum, one might consider the worship at Synodical gatherings to be a relatively “high” form of the Hungarian Reformed worship, if only because such gatherings are composed of individuals who presumably love the worship of the church, who are skilled in song, and who are accompanied by well trained organists. In such instances, Americans familiar with a variety of worship styles would consider it somewhat “higher” than the simple format mentioned in the preceding paragraph. It would approach in solemnity and dignity a service conducted with a strict adherence the rubrics as found in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Lacking would be the vestments, making the sign of the cross, the signing of the entire service, and other additions to the BCP rite never mentioned or authorized in the rubrics, but often employed in modern Anglican churches. Though by liturgical standards the Hungarian Reformed services are relatively “low” church, to many American evangelicals, they will likely seem “high” and solemn, yet edifying, if the worshiper attends to hear the Word of God read and preached and sing substantial songs instead of being entertained.

The Order of Worship in the Hungarian Reformed Church

Invocation (the congregation stands for the Invocation and responds as always loudly with: Amen.)
Pastor: Our help comes from the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the holy Trinity, the one true God. Amen
Congregation: Amen

Apostolic Greeting (with hands lift up high)
Pastor: Grace be with you and peace from God, our Father, and from Jesus Christ, who gave himself on behalf of our sins, to deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. Glory to him for ever and ever. Amen.
Congregation: Amen.

Opening Hymn
Pastor: Let us sing for God’s glory hymn no. …. , stanzas… The stanza … of the song … begins as follows:…

Lesson (the congregation may be seated to listen to the reading)
Pastor: Dear brothers and sisters, listen to the Word of God, as is written down in … (book, chapter and verses):….
(From time to time it is advisable to read the 10 Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, respectively the Greatest Commandment.)
Pastor: The God of grace may bless his word, so that the words of Christ might generously dwell in us and that we might bring forth fruits to his glory. We pray.

Confession of Sin (The congregation stands and recites in unison with the Pastor)
Lord, God, our eternal and almighty Father! Behold, we have come together here and in the communion with saints, together with the angels and all souls faded, we bring our sacrifice before your throne. We confess and acknowledge before your holy sovereignty, that we are poor sinners, caught in sin and ready to do all evil, and we never cease to break your holy commandments. When we act like this, we incur according to your just judgement. Nevertheless, our Lord, we pity that we insulted you and condemn ourselves and our sins, with true repentance, with ask you, that your grace may come to help us. Humbly we ask you, our loving and gracious Father to have mercy upon us. Cast away our misdeeds, enlarge and increase the gifts of your Holy Spirit day by day, so that our true repentance might bring forth fruits of conversions, that are pleasant in your eyes. Therefore, we confess before you, that we will put all our faith and hope in your only son, our Lord Jesus Christ, alone, so that we participate through faith in your grace, which you declared (?) in Him. In your name, give us this grace here today and in eternity. Amen (Prayer of John Calvin).

Absolution
Pastor: After we have confessed our sins and testified our faith, we listen to God’s gracious response in his words: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Amen (John 3:16) (In the interest to emphasize the Absolution, the Pastors lifts up his hands with a gesture of blessing.)

Song of the Congregation (The congregation sits)
Pastor: Dear brothers and sisters, let us sing our song no. …. , stanzas… The stanza … of the song … begins as follows:…

Prophetic Prayer (standing)
Exalted God. Humbly, we bow down before you and pray to you, our gracious Father, in the name of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, how could we appropriately thank you, eternal exalted God, that you allowed us, weak and sinful human beings, to use your threefold name on our lips. We approach you with trust like small children approach their father. Be blessed, our good Father, because you, in your fatherly grace, opened up mercy to us in your holy son, our Lord Jesus Christ, on whose name we stand before you and reach out to you.

We ask you, our good Father, to kindly accept our worship, our thanksgiving, with which we thank you for your caring mercy, that is around us every day of our lives, and also was during the previous week. Bless us this hour, so that through your grace, it might calm down our hearts, cleanse and strengthen our soul. Talk to us gracefully. Show us the way and the commandment of Christ through your Holy Son, who came down from heaven to become wisdom, truth, holiness and salvation to us.

Grant us, our God, that the proclaimer of your holy word will not stray into vain human wisdom, but that he, as he proclaims purely your protecting gospel, enrich all our hearts and souls. Clease the lips of the preacher. Let your inspiration sanctify his heart. Let your grace substitute his lacks, so that his souls and his life might be a testimony. Our God! Together we are of one will. We lift up our eyes to you. Protection, help, consolation and renewal, they only come from you. Do not hide your face from us. Make us listen with obedient hearts, so that we take your life giving speech into our hearts and serve you in being obedient to your holy word and in proclaiming the protection in you. Hear our prayer through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we ask you. Come, Lord God with Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hymn before the sermon (congregation remains seated)
Pastor: To prepare us to listen to the Word of God, we sing stanza … of the hymn …. The stanza … of the song … begins as follows:…

Scripture Reading (the congregation stands while listening)
Pastor: Let us hear the Holy Word of God, through which he talks to us this hour, as is taken from….

Sermon

Hymn after the sermon (congregation stands)
Pastor: Let us sing for God’s glory hymn no. …. , stanzas… The stanza … of the song … begins as follows:…

Great Prayer (the congregation stands; old and sick people may be seated)

Silent Prayer
The silence is opened and closed by a vote, e.g.:
Pastor: Enfold your hearts in trust before God.
(the congregation sits down; everybody prays silently by him-/herself)
Pastor: Blessed be God, who hears the words of our pleas. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (congregation stands, aloud in unison)

Appeal to collection and announcements (the text should be appropriate for a service, preferably Biblical.) I propose this collection to the helpful kindness of my brothers and sisters, whereby I recall the good deeds of Christ, who became poor for our sakes though he was rich, so that we might become rich through his poverty.

Or:
I propose this collection to the helpful kindness of my brothers and sisters, whereby I recall that the Lord loves and blesses a cheerful giver.

Announcements of a proposal:
Gladly, I announce to the congregation that the following couples registered to be married in front of the congregation:….. They announced the first time….., the second time…., the third time…. Let us pray for them, that the Lord’s blessing be with their future marriage.

Announcement of the Lord’s Supper:
I announce to the congregation, that next Sunday (the …. Advent or else), if the Lord will not consider our sins and keep us alive, we will prepare the Lord’s table. The faithful might prepare themselves with repentant worship that they may be worthy guests at the Lord’s table.

At the day of the distribution of the Supper:
I announce to the congregation, that, as promised, the Lord’s table is prepared and the Lord’s Supper will be distributed. Those, who are appropriately prepared and who wish to partake in the good of the holy table, might stay in the church.

Closing hymn
Let us sing for God’s glory song no. …. , stanzas… The stanza … of the song … begins as follows:…

The Apostolic Creed (or the answer to the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism)
Pastor: Finally, let us give testimony of our faith in reciting the confession of the one Christian holy Mother Church (or the testimony of the Heidelberg Catechism).

Apostolic Creed or
Answer to the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Confessional Hymn (recommendable are nos. 346, 90, 461, 159, 254a or 254b).

Blessing
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turns his face towards you and give you peace. Amen. (4 Moses 6:24-26)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

(Compiled in Budapest in 1997 for the Consultation Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Churches by the liturgical commission, chaired by Bishop D. Dr. Kálmán Csiha)

Translation: Heike Ernsting