Magyar Református Egyház

Archive for the ‘Worship’ Category

Rev. George Van Popta of the Canadian American Reformed Church recently brought to light the Genevan Psalm Lectionary (in French) in his posting “Singing Through The Psalter”

He notes:

After the Genevan Psalter was complete, in 1562, the Geneva Church would sing through the whole Psalter twice per year during its three weekly services.

It is interesting to note that not all the songs had to “fit” homiletically according to the text or topic of the sermon; there were other considerations. Here the very large consideration was that the Psalter be sung through
regularly.

Notice also that whole Psalms were sung through except, of course, the very long Psalms.

Here is an English version to download:

Genevan Psalter Lectionary in English (PDF)

Here is the lectionary in French.

Gustav Dore - The Nativity

Here are Christmas Prayers and readings to help you observe the Holiday Season!

Christmas Prayers & Readings

The Incarnate Word

December 18

God most high, your only-begotten Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become your sons and daughters; your Eternal Word chose to dwell among us so that we might live in your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to comprehend the richness of the glory you have offered to us, and how great the hope is to which we are called in Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a or Proverbs 8:1 – 9:12 or Jeremiah 31: 7-14

Psalm 147

1 John 1: 1-10

John 1: 1-18

The Annunciation of Saint John the Forerunner

December 19

Father, according to your plan your prophet John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of your Son, the promised Messiah.  Through your Spirit free us from doubt and despair, and help us to imitate Zechariah and Elizabeth in following your will to the glory of your name.  We make our prayer through your Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Isaiah 52: 7-10

Psalm 85

Revelation 11: 1-14

Luke 1: 5-25

The Annunciation of our Lord

to the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 20

God most high, you extended your gracious mercy to the whole human race through your Son when he took upon himself our flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. You gave him to the world as your servant, whose delight was found in doing your will. Keep the Church, his body, faithful to your purpose, that all the ends of the earth may know your saving power. Amen.

Exodus 40: 1-38 or Isaiah 7: 10-14

Psalm 40 or 45

Hebrews 10: 4-10 or Galatians 4: 4-7

Luke 1: 26-38

The Visitation of the

Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Elizabeth

December 21

Lord God, who are we that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us through your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your Word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

1 Samuel 2: 1-10 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Zechariah 2: 10-13

Psalm 113

Romans 12: 9-16b

Luke 1: 39-57

The Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner

December 22

God of wisdom and truth, you raise up prophets in every age. Let your Spirit, who filled John from his mother’s womb, fill us with joy as we commemorate his birth. May the example of his life, the urgency of his preaching, and the power of his prayers make us ready to receive the one he announced. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Isaiah 40: 1-11

Psalm 141

Acts 13: 14b-26

Luke 1: 57-80

The Ancestors of our Lord

December 23

God of glory and mystery, here in our midst you disclose the secret hidden for countless generations. For you we wait; for you we listen. Upon hearing your voice, fill us with a spirit that is willing to follow and to embrace your will so that we may rejoice in your visitation and exalt in our redemption. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 4: 1-16

Psalm 90

Hebrews 11:1 – 12:2

Matthew 1: 1-17 or Luke 3: 23b-38

The Annunciation of our Lord to Saint Joseph

December 24

Eternal God, in the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, and in the dream of Joseph your promise is spoken. At last, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, your Word takes flesh. Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel, and to preach the good news of his coming that every age may know him as the source of salvation, redemption, and grace. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Micah 5: 2-5a

Psalm 89

Romans 4: 13-18

Matthew 1: 18-24

The Nativity of our Lord

December 25

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon himself, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Or:

God of Abraham and Sarah, of David and his descendants, unwearied is your love for us and steadfast is your covenant; wonderful beyond words is the gift of the Savior, born of the Virgin Mary. Count us among the people in whom you delight, and by this night’s marriage of heaven and earth draw all generations into the embrace of your love. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns in the splendor of eternal light with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 2: 4b-3:24 or Isaiah 9: 2-7

Psalm 96

Hebrews 1: 1-14 or Titus 2: 11-14

Luke 2: 1-15

Events in the Perth Amboy Magyar Reformed Church

Christ’s Hungarian Pilgrims – Film Premiere

Last fall the directors and film crew from the Debrecen Television (DTV) spent a month filming on the East Coast, as well as in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. The purpose of their visit was to find and record for posterity those Hungarian Reformed churches, which, for whatever reason, have ceased to exist.

From the more than 300 hours of filming, seven 35-minute segments have been prepared. With this 7-part series, it is hoped that those pastors and congregations who faithfully served in each location will be remembered and not forgotten.

Our church will premiere parts of this series on November 1st at 5:00 PM, after the Community Reformation Service. There will not be sufficient time to view the entire series, but it will be available for sale. The President of DTV, Tamás Széles, and film director, Ferenc Vojtkó, will be present for the local premiere.

The series will also be shown in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 30 and in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, on November 2.

Invite your friends and neighbors to this event, which will be followed by dinner.

Community Reformation Sunday Service

The American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association – Eastern Classis will conduct a joint Community Reformation Service on November 1. The tri-state area pastors and congregations will give thanks for the Reformers’ faith and devotion. But most of all we will thank the Lord for keeping our Reformed congregations even through the strongest storms of challenges of our faith.

The worship service will begin at 4:00 pm here in Perth Amboy Hungarian Reformed Church. Following the worship service, the series “Christ’s Hungarian Pilgrims” will be premiered (see article below). Supper will also be served.

Come and invite others to this special occasion!

John Calvin Sunday

We are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great reformer, John Calvin, this year. The Hungarian Reformed Church in America’s celebration began last October with the successful performance of the choir of the Great Church of Debrecen in New York City. The American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association and the Presbyters’ Association have encouraged each congregation to remember Calvin during this year in some form. In earlier issues of the Newsletter, we have printed articles about Calvin, but we are now preparing a special event for October 25th.

At both of our worship services on this day, we will introduce you to the Reformer’s life and works. Selections of his writings will also be read.

We cordially invite you to attend these extraordinary worship services. Looking forward to seeing all of you.

2009         +  CHURCH YEAR +   2010

Semester of the Lord

AD 2009

NOV    ADVENT SEASON (Minor Lent)

29     S          V         1^st Sunday in Advent

DEC

6     S          V         2^nd Sunday in Advent

13     S          V         3^rd Sunday in Advent  (Gaudette – Hanging of the Greens)

20     S          V         4^th Sunday in Advent

24     Th        W         Christmas Eve Service

CHRISTMASTIDE

25 Fr        W         Nativity of Jesus Christ  (Holy Communion)

27     S          W         1^st Sunday in Christmastide

AD 2010

JAN    

3      S          W         2^nd Sunday in Christmastide

EPIPHANY SEASON

6      W         W         Epiphany  (Three Kings)

10     S          W         1^st Sunday After Epiphany

17     S          G         2^nd Sunday After Epiphany

24     S          G         3^rd Sunday After Epiphany

31     S          G         4^th Sunday After Epiphany

FEB

7      S          G         5^th Sunday After Epiphany

14     S          W         Transfiguration Sunday

LENTEN SEASON

17     W         V          Ash Wednesday

21 S          V         1^st Sunday in Lent  (Holy Communion @ )

28     S          V         2^nd Sunday in Lent

MAR

7      S          V         3^rd Sunday in Lent

14     S          V         4^th Sunday in Lent

15     M         R          Hungarian Independence Day

21     S          V         5^th Sunday in Lent

28     S          V         6^th Sunday in Lent  (Palm Sunday)

APR

1      Th        V          Holy Thursday   (The Last Supper)

2      Fr        B          Good Friday (Crucifixion)

EASTERTIDE

4S         W        Resurrection of Christ: Easter (Holy Communion)

11     S          W         1^st Sunday After Easter

18     S          W         2^nd Sunday After Easter

25     S          W         3^rd Sunday After Easter

MAY

2      S          W         4^th Sunday After Easter

9      S          W         5^th Sunday After Easter  (Mother’s  Day)

13     Th        W         Ascension Day

16     S          W         Ascension Sunday

23 S          R         Pentecost (Holy Communion)

EASTER – Future Dates

2011 April 24;  2012 April 8;  2013 March 31;  2014 April 20

Semester of the Church

MAY                                 TRINITY  SEASON

30     S          W        Trinity Sunday

31     M                     National Memorial Day (for U.S. Service Men & Women)

JUN

6      S          G         1^st Sunday After Trinity

13     S          G         2^nd Sunday After Trinity

20     S          G         3^rd Sunday After Trinity  (Father’s  Day)

27     S          G         4^th Sunday After Trinity

JUL

4     S          R          5^th Sunday After Trinity  (American Independence Day)

11     S          G         6^th Sunday After Trinity

18     S          G         7^th Sunday After Trinity

25     S          G         8^th Sunday After Trinity

AUG

_1 S          G         9^th Sunday After Trinity  (New Bread – Holy Communion @ )

8     S          G         10^th Sunday After Trinity

15     S          G         11^th Sunday After Trinity

22     S          G         12^th Sunday After Trinity

29     S          G         13^th Sunday After Trinity

SEP

5     S          G         14^th Sunday After Trinity

12     S          G         15^th Sunday After Trinity

19     S          G         16^th Sunday After Trinity

26     S          G         17^th Sunday After Trinity

OCT

_3 S          G         18^th Sunday After Trinity  (New Wine – Holy Communion @ )

10     S          G         19^th Sunday After Triniry

17     S          G         20^th Sunday After Trinity

24     S          G         21^st Sunday After Trinity

31     S          R          Reformation Day  (All Hallows Evening)

NOV                                  KINGDOMTIDE

1      M         G         All Saints Day  (All Hallows)

7      S          G         3^rd Last Sunday in Kingdomtide

14     S          G         2^nd Last Sunday in Kingdomtide

21 S          W         Saints of Christ the King  (Holy Communion) Christian Memorial Day

2010 + CHURCH  YEAR + 2011

ADVENT  SEASON (Minor Lent)

28     S          V         1^st Sunday in Advent

DEC

5      S          V         2^nd Sunday in Advent

12     S          V         3^rd Sunday in Advent  Gaudette – Hanging of the Greens

19     S          V         4^th Sunday in Advent

24     F          W         Christmas Eve

25 Sa        W         Nativity of Jesus Christ (Holy Communion)

26     S          W         1^st Sunday in Christmastide

@ Holy Communion – alternate dates by local custom: Lenten, New Bread, New Wine

Reformation Sunday – always last Sunday in October – eve of All Saints (All Hallows)

All Saints Day to Christ the King: Kingdomtide points to Last Days & Victory of Christ’s Saints

Parament Colors: W  White,  V  Violet,  G  Green,  R  Red;  B  Black

The following is quoted from the online journal Reformed Worship and the article Holding Fast To The Psalms – Stories From Hungary by Beth Lantinga

“The book of Psalms, embodied in the Genevan Psalter, has nourished Reformed Christians for centuries. This spiritual heritage has a special place in the hearts of Hungarian Reformed believers who have survived the harsh years of Communist repression and domination. Their stories testify to the influence of the psalms in the ordinary and extraordinary details of their lives. In a recent set of interviews with Reformed believers in Hungary, I asked what the psalms meant to them. Some of those interviewed were surprised that I would even ask whether the Psalter was important for them, because the answer was obvious–of course! They had been wrapped in the tapestry of faith into which the Genevan Psalter was woven–in some places obvious and clear, in others as a deep background color–but always present.”

The whole article is well worth reading and discusses how the Psalms are conveyed through the Family, Congregation, and Summer Music Camps.

The website GenevanPsalter.com has English versions of these Psalms.

First Church in Lawrenceburg,TN hosted the community Ministerial Association for a Lenten service and then served a lunch of soup, sandwiches, and light dessert after the service. A collection was taken for the Ministerial Association’s work with people in need throughout the year.

The sermon was based on Matthew 6:25-34: Seek First The Kingdom and was preached by Rev. Chuck Huckaby.

The children from the preschool sang at the end of the service before the congregation was dismissed for lunch with a sung prayer.

This website zsoltarok.magyarportal.hu (Hungarian Language) is dedicated to the Hungarian rendition of the Genevan Psalms sung by József Dinnyés and as set to verse by Albert Szenci Molnár (1574-1634).

The Hungarian Reformed Church, in the Continental Reformed tradition, has focused the song of its corporate worship on metrical versions of the Psalter in addition to other Bible based hymns.

Below, the Debrecen Kántus (Choir) is pictured. While the main site is in Hungarian, an English language version site is also available as well as in German. There are audio recordings available for download. The site also has a variety of videos (YouTube) available to view.

Below are a variety of Psalms performed in Hungarian:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfNPWm2Qfec&eurl=http://www.kantus.hu/index.php?page=video&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwv-B1PjiY0&eurl=http://genevanpsalter.redeemer.ca/biblio_discography.html&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHxO1u67vSM&eurl=http://genevanpsalter.redeemer.ca/biblio_discography.html&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Thanks to Dr. David Koyzis, a modern lover of the Genevan Psalter, for pointing out these resources.

The current Hungarian Reformed Church liturgical calendar has been posted here.