Pray for Hungary on Sunday, September 21, 2014
Pray for Hungary on Sunday, September 21, 2014
Lectionary Selection: Romans 8:18–27
Prayers for Hungary:
Almighty, gracious and loving God, we praise and glorify your Holy name for adopting us to be your children. We, your children of clay feet and muddy faces, humbly and gratefully thank you, that according to your will, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and even makes intercessions for us. With trembling and grateful hearts we give thanks for this help.
We do labor in hope, yet our hope is very fragile, for there are wars, cruelty, divisions and turmoil all around us. Oh please enable us to be instruments of good will and peace, not only in Central-Eastern Europe, but all over your creation. Please help and bless your children to enhance and find ways and means of peace on this troubled Earth. You, who are love, and redeemed us, through the Prince of Peace make your and our savior’s face more and more visible in our lives and works for your glory and far more in harmony with your will. For the sake of our gracious savior, Jesus the Christ, please hear us. Amen.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Hungary:
We are in the teaching ministry, yet in our work we continue many of the same roles as we did when we had a home parish. By this, I mean that a good number of our seminary students, who are now working in local congregations as pastors or Christian Educators, invite us to do weekend evangelization, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in their numerous local congregations. We are part of installations, church dedications, and often are asked to officiate, or take part in, baptisms, weddings, and even funerals. We have been invited to meet our students’ extended families and stay with them in their homes. We have become an important part of their everyday lives, and they, ours. Most of our students have our home phone number and feel free to call about any of their problems or issues. This was what being a parish minister was all about – intertwining your life with the lives of your congregation. Sharing special times; teaching the word of God; laughing and crying together, this is what ministry is.
We were sent out from the United States, yet to a great degree, we have become an integral part of family lives, both in Hungary and in Slovakia. We are torn for sometimes we don’t know if we are Americans or Hungarian/Slovakians. Although we miss our family in the United States, this large extended family has helped to fill that void and for this we are eternally grateful. Yes, we are in the teaching ministry, but we are also learning –learning to be better humans by sharing our lives with others.
We are extremely grateful for your work and labor in God’s mission, which makes our mission in Hungary possible. Without your gracious witness and support, our mission ministry would not be possible. God bless you for your faithful support which is the foundation of our missionary labor.
6Gratefully, sincerely and humbly yours, in Christ’s service.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Barbara and Zoltan Szucs)
Mission Partners in Hungary:
More information on Hungary:
http://globalministries.org/mee/countries/hungary/
Global Ministries Missionary in Hungary:
Zoltan Szucs, a member of HRC of Lorain, United Church of Christ, Lorain, Ohio, serves the Reformed Church in Hungary. He works as Professor of Practical Theology at Karoli Gaspar University in Budapest. His appointment is supported by Week of Compassion, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.
Barbara Szucs, a member of The Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church, Lorain, Ohio, serves the Reformed Church in Hungary. She works with the Roma (Gypsy) Mission as an enabler. Her appointment is supported by Week of Compassion, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.