Contents
Convention Mission Statement
The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada exists 1) to assist in extending the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in lands of central and eastern Europe, particularly the Czech and Slovak Republics; 2) to support the work of Baptists and other evangelical churches in North America that minister to persons of Czech and Slovak descent, and 3) to provide a Christian context for worship, fellowship, teaching, and appreciation of heritage among those in the United States and Canada who bear interest in the nationalities we represent.
Editorial – Natasha Laurinc............................................... 3 From the President............................................................ 4 From the Executive Secretary............................................ 5 Breaking Worry’s Grip – Donald Shoff............................ 6 Osvobození se od trápení – Donald Shoff....................... 10 Update from Baptist World Alliance................................. 12 40th Anniversary for Helen and Henry Pojman – Vlastimil Pojman.... 13 40. výročí svatby Heleny a Jindřicha Pojmanových – V. Pojman...... 13 Ladies’ Page – 89th Annual Meeting................................. 14 In Memory – Milan Slovak Steffel...................................... 16 Christmas poems............................................................... 18 Sing to the Lord – Natasha Laurinc.................................. 19 Zpívejte Hospodinu – Nataša Laurincová................. 19 Youth Scene: The Christmas Story in Hymns – Natasha Laurinc........... 20 Children’s Corner: Christmas – Natasha Laurinc............ 22 Vánoce – Nataša Laurincová............. 23
Misijní poslání konvence
Československá baptistická konvence Spojených států a Kanady byla ustanovena za účelem: 1) napomáhat v šíření evangelia našeho Pána Ježíše Krista v zemích střední a východní Evropy, zvláště v České a Slovenské republice; 2) podporovat práci baptistů a jiných evangelikálních církví v severní Americe, které slouží českým a slovenským potomkům; 3) předkládat formu bohoslužby, obecenství a učení, vážit si dědictví těch, ve Spojených státech a v Kanadě, kterým leží na srdci národy, které reprezentujeme.
Glorious Hope/Slavná nadìje Volume 38, No 5, 2012 (USPS 009334), ISSN 0700-5202 Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada. Periodical postage paid in Detroit, MI.
Donations All donations should be mailed to our financial secretaries, using enclosed envelope. USA: Czechoslovak Baptist Convention C/O Vera Dors 6621 Elmdale Rd Middleburg Hts, OH, 44130 CANADA: Czechoslovak Baptist Convention C/O Henry Pojman 1305 Inglehart Dr Burlington, ON, L7M 4X6 Make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Convention or CZSKBC. Feel free to make a special designation on the bottom of the check: Convention, Glorious Hope, Scholarship Fund, Bibles for Czechoslovakia, etc. Please do not mail checks to our main address in Detroit, MI. Gifts for Ladies’ work—make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. 2
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Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Laurinc email:
[email protected] You may send articles to above address.
Desktop publishing and art: Vit Malek Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ondrej Laurinc, Ph.D. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Publication Office:
Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje P.O. Box 441516, Deitroit, MI, 48244, USA.
email:
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Moving? Let us know By Mail: CZSKBC P. O. Box 441516 Detroit, MI, 48244 Email:
[email protected] 2
o Vol 38, Vol 38, NoN5, 12 5,
E d i t o r i Ea d l itorial
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was aware of three major life milestones right from my early childhood. At least they seemed major to me. They were my birthday, summer holidays, and Christmas. It was only later as an adult that I recognized Easter as an important/major holiday as well. One’s birthday is a natural milestone for every person. Summer breaks were for us children a wished-for reprieve from school duties and they always held the promise of various enjoyable activities. Soon after another school year began, Thanksgiving was celebrated. In former Czechoslovakia, this holiday was not recognized by the state and was only celebrated amongst believers. Christmas was next in line. We eagerly anticipated this holiday and spent time preparing for it. Christmas began with Christmas Eve, and the peak of the holidays was Christmas Day. In Czechoslovakia another holiday, St. Stephen’s Day, was celebrated on December 26th. We would spend these three days in the company of our congregation. Christmas Eve belonged mainly to the Sunday school. I will never forget how my knees shook while we recited our rhymes/poems. Silent Night and Jesus Christ is Born were the two out of many songs that have stuck in my brain the most. Songs, poems, prose, testimonies, sermons…there were so many contributions to the programme that the service got extended by a few hours. On the first day of Christmas, a church service was held in the morning as well as Continues on page 9
O
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d ranného dětství jsem vnímala tři velké životní mezníky. Alespoň se mi zdály být velkými. Byly to mé narozeniny, letní prázdniny a Vánoce. Až později, již jako dospělá, jsem začala vnímat jako velký svátek také Velikonoce. Osobní narozeniny jsou přirozeným mezníkem každého člověka. Letní prázdniny byly pro nás, děti, vytouženým přerušením školních povinností a slibovaly mnoho různých dobrodružství. Záhy po začátku dalšího školního roku se slavilo díkůvzdání za úrodu. V bývalém Československu tento svátek nebyl uznávaný státem a slavil se jenom mezi věřícími. A potom byly na řadě Vánoce. Velmi jsme se těšívali na tyto svátky a také jsme se na ně připravovali. Vánoce začínaly Štědrým večerem a vyvrcholily prvním svátkem vánočním. V Československu se také slavil druhý svátek, na Štěpána, tak byl označován 26. prosinec. Tyto tři dny jsme trávili v obecenství sboru. Štědrý večer patřil hlavně nedělní besídce. Nikdy nezapomenu na to, jak se mi chvěla kolena při přednášení básniček. Tichá noc a Narodil se Kristus Pán mi ze všech vánočních písní utkvěly v paměti nejvíce. Písně, básně, rozmluvy, svědectví a kázání... Programu bylo tolik, že se shromáždění protáhla na několik hodin. Na první svátek vánoční bylo shromáždění ráno i odpoledne. Domů jsme přijížděli až večer. Únava nám nedopřála kochat se Pokračování na straně 9 3
From the President
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Christmas fire invites us to watch it burning, logs aflame, sparks flying upwards. We have sat here before and been warmed, but each fire is different, every coming an invitation… Let us look into the flame of another Christmas then, let us watch the sparks flying upwards and the embers glowing in this holy place.
In the dim, shadow-flickering light, An ember of longing glows. Watching it, it shimmering grows, With the sighs and tears of a tortured world. Encased within the fiery coal a great host peer out; Crushed, downtrodden, twisted, huddling. Is my face among them? Is any longing for freedom, any crying for relief, Any thirsting for righteousness bursting my breast? Does sorrow for sinfulness, my sin, Grief for brokenness, my own and the world’s Have any weight in my heart? Longing is prelude. Humility the posture For salvation on the wind. The breeze lights up another ember, The white-hot cinder of arrival. Time collapses, Heaven invades earth! Incarnation has happened—Now! In the present! He is here! Shall I run to the caves, Bid the rocks to hide me? But no, it is the first Advent still. This coming is hidden and humble, Deity compressed, near and enfleshed In an infant. Not recoil but glad reception is proffered. Let us go and see this thing that has happened, Meet our Saviour who now has come. A baby! No threat here, but is there? A third coal in the fire of Christmas Pulses with orange light. After encounter, what? Return to normal? 4
Lord, let it not be! Allegiance then, Allegiance! The true King has come, I must bow, follow, serve. But these are too wispy, ethereal. What must be brought low? Pride of possession, position, heritage, nationality. Where must I follow? Where Jesus is going, To flee and return, To grow and learn, To identity with sinners. How shall I serve? As Jesus did, By showing and speaking the truth in love, By helping and healing the poor and the sick. By dying and rising with Him Evermore to live. May true longing for salvation—personal, local and world-wide—a keen awareness and joyful welcome of Christ’s arrival in the present moment, and a warm renewal of whole-hearted allegiance to Him be worthy sparks flying upwards from our Christmas meditations. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light which enlightens everyone was coming into the world… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:5,9,14 (ESV) The Hope of His coming, The Peace of His presence & The Joy of His salvation be yours This Christmas and always.
Stan Mantle
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From the Executive Secretary
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he Mid-year Meeting of the General Board of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention was held on Saturday, November 3, 2012, in Cleveland, Ohio. Eighteen members and two guests were present at the meeting. As the General Board, we are happy to report regarding our 104th Annual Convention, scheduled for July 11-14, 2013. After receiving a positive response and feedback on our new location, the Board has decided that Alleghany College will host the next two conventions.
The theme that has been chosen for the 104th Convention is:
On the way with Jesus (Mark 10:32a) Thurs. July 11....Called to Follow (Mark 1:14–19) Fri. July 12............Winning by Losing (Mark 8:31–35) Sat. July 13..........Comforted and Reassured (John 14:15–27) Sun. July 14........Appointed to Bear Fruit (John 15:9–17) We encourage you to check the upcoming issues of Glorious Hope as well as our website www.czskbc.org for future updates. We hope that you will mark your calendar to join us July 11–14, 2013. In His service
Darko Siracki
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Friday evening message, July 6, 2012, 103rd Annual Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, Meadville, PA
Breaking Worry’s Grip Donald Shoff Matthew 6:25-34
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roblems are a very real part of life. We are deluding ourselves if we think we will ever come to a place in this life of having no problems. Problems and worry go together. You will rarely find one without the other. Worry is the emotional reflex to problems. If problems, then, are a part of life for believers as well as unbelievers, how is it that Jesus can say so emphatically do not worry. Note how often He restates that command in the passage we have just read: 6:25 do not worry 6:27 Who of you by worrying 6:28 why do you worry 6:31 do not worry 6:34 do not worry As we look carefully into this passage, we are going to find that Jesus is doing more than saying, Just Stop It! He sets forth four directives, or steps, we must follow if we are going to break worry’s grip. Before we consider these directives, we need to understand what Jesus is not saying. He is not saying that prudent foresight is wrong. He is not commanding a shiftless, thriftless, reckless life-style that gives no thought to the future for ourselves or our children. The writer of the Book of Proverbs says, The wise man saves for the future but the foolish man spends what he gets (Prov 21:20 6
LIV). Jesus is not contradicting this Scripture or so many other passages that praise hard work and foresight. Nor is He saying that having a savings account, buying insurance or living by a budget is wrong, It is also important to understand that Jesus is not implying that if we follow His directives we will then live a stress-free life. Problems are as much a part of life as breathing. When writing to his dear friends at Corinth, the apostle Paul says, Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches (2 Cor 11:28). We will never be free from the pressure of problems in this life. However, when pressure becomes oppression and stress becomes distress, we have crossed the line.
If worry is not prudent foresight, then what is it? The word itself answers that question. The word for worry in the original text meant dividing the mind, which underscored the impact of worry on one’s judgement and sense of well-being. The English word for worry is even more expressive. It originally meant to strangle or choke and by the time of Middle English, meant to seize by the throat and tear. In contemporary English, however, we have so overworked the word worry that it has lost much of its original meaning. Probably a better translation for the word that Jesus used would be anxiety, as in several modern translations. This passage that we are studying is part of what we call the Sermon on the Mount. In this section, Jesus addresses three groups: you, hypocrites, and pagans. The hypocrites were the Pharisees, the professional religionists of that day. The pagans were gentiles who worshipped idols and false gods. But who was this you group? The you group were those who sincerely addressed God as Heavenly Father. The context makes clear that they were Christ’s disciples. They were those who listened to his words as from God and who had committed their lives to him. So the question arises, how does one become a part of that group? John 1:12 answers that question: To all who
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received him, to those who believed in his name he gave the right to become children of God. Before we can share in the inheritance, we must be in the family. Before we can sincerely address God as My Heavenly Father we must have received Him. That is, we must have believed in His name. I have been a pastor for over 45 years and made it a priority to be involved in our church’s New Member classes. I would ask each person coming to join the church this question: Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you can say that you know for certain that if you were to die tonight you would go to heaven? Most professing Christians attending those classes were coming to join our church from other churches. I was always amazed at how many had not come to the point of certainty about
their salvation. Their answers were often something like: I hope so, or I am doing the best I can, or I have always believed. Some believed that going to heaven depended on their good works. Some thought growing up in a Christian home made them Christians. Others thought that it might even be presumptuous or prideful to be so certain about going to heaven. One of my joys through the years was in helping many grasp the truth of John 1:12 and John 3:16. Until we have come to the point of certainty regarding our relationship with Christ, we will not break anxiety’s grip. Not only must there be a certainty of relationship, that is, to know who we are, but also a certainty of character, that is, a certainty of who God is. A major emphasis of the Sermon on the
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Mount is the character of God. One of the primary ways God has chosen to reveal Himself in Scripture is through His names. There are hundreds of names in Scripture speaking of the triune God. We parents name our children to distinguish child A from child B. Most names today are simply a handle. We could use numbers in the place of names and get by just as well. Not so with God. Each of His names reveals a different aspect of His character. Each of His names reveals something of who He is. It is very important to note the name Jesus used for God. Usually, He calls the one true God Father. In Matthew 6:9 he says, This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. In His desire to reveal God’s character, he uses a name that
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everyone understood: father. Everyone understood that this word stood for the person who loved them more than anyone else and who was their protector and provider. In stressing God’s character as a loving provider, Jesus reasons from the lesser to the greater (25, 26). He says if God is mindful of the needs of the birds of the air (the least of His creation) surely He will care for His children (the greatest of His creation). He emphasizes the foolishness of worry when he asks, Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (27 NLT). He goes on to say that worry demonstrates our lack of trust in our Heavenly Father, no matter how orthodox our statements about Him (28–30). In verses 31–32, He stresses the fact that our Heavenly Father is committed to caring for the needs of His children even when by our worrying we say, in essence, the problem facing me now is too big for God. God still cares for us even when we doubt it. I heard a story about a man who was hiking in an area with which he was not familiar. It was in the middle of winter. He came to a frozen river that he had to cross. He very carefully tested the ice to see if it would hold him by putting one foot on it. He eventually got up the courage to put 8
his full weight on the ice and gradually inched across the frozen river on his hands and knees. When he was in the middle of the river, expecting at any moment to hear the ice begin to crack, he heard a strange rumbling noise in the distance. He paused and listened carefully. Eventually, coming down the road he had just traveled, he saw a team of horses pulling a large wagon loaded with logs. The wagon came down the slope, out onto the frozen river and quickly went up on the other side. All the while the hiker was on his hands and knees in the middle of the river waiting for it to break under his weight. I’ve often thought of that story when I am struggling with the emotional reflux of some problem. The man’s lack of trust in the ice had no effect whatever on the thickness of the ice. It did, however, have a tremendous effect on the level of his anxiety. So with us. If we ever break worry’s grip, it will only be when we come to the point of putting our full weight of trust in the loving character of our Heavenly Father. Jesus’ command, do not worry, was not an offhand, nonchalant suggestion. Rather, it was a repeated command in the strongest form possible. The grammatical form in the original text is what is called the imperative
mood. A command was always in this form. Here is the point: commands were addressed to the will. It is something that could be done if one chose to do so. To do otherwise would be a deliberate act of disobedience. This is probably the hardest part for most of us to accept: that worrying is a deliberate choice, an act of disobedience. We want to dismiss worrying as an inherited family trait or simply a reaction to the severity of the issues we are facing. To worry is to sin. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17). However, we are assured that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God’s act of purifying mentioned here not only has to do with His forgiveness of the guilt of the past but also means He continually purifies us in the sense of changing our behavior. God’s act of purifying us, or breaking worry’s grip, cannot begin until there is honest confession of what it is from God’s point of view. As Jesus comes to the end of his teaching on worry, He sets forth the core issue for conquering it. For one may do all the above and still not conquer worry; the worry-filled lives of too many believers give testimony to that. Here is the core issue: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well (6:33). To seek first His kingdom and His righteousness is not a legalistic exercise. To seek His way first—above our own—is a lifestyle that grows out of a warm relationship with the living God. It has been my personal experience as well as my observation of many Christians over the years that we seek His kingdom first only when we have made a heart commitment to put Him first in everything. For me it was a crisis of surrender before it became a way of life. I was a student in seminary, pastoring a little church in a poorer part of Fort Worth, Texas. Those were very lean days in
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our lives at best. Judy, my wife, worked as a secretary and I pastored this little church and went to seminary. It was difficult but we got by. Our little church was meeting in a barrack building next to the railroad track, at the end of a street that was almost impossible to find. In spite of the location, God was blessing, many people were coming to faith in Christ and the church was growing. We had to have more room. So the church took a leap of faith, bought a large piece of property on a busy thoroughfare and signed the contract with a builder for our first unit. I gave up my salary at the church and went to work part-time in a grocery store. God was blessing and we were thrilled. Before long, however, Judy got sick and had to give up her job. Fort Worth was going through an economic downturn, and because I was the last hired I was the first to be laid off. One of the most significant, life-changing crises in our lives came about when with our last paycheck we sent the monthly check for rent. We then realized that if we gave our tithe that week we would have nothing left—not even enough to buy milk for our three-year-old daughter. I can’t tell you the depth of my struggle. I especially wrestled with this verse, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Judy and I talked and prayed about what we should do. Finally I said, Honey, here we are in seminary preparing for a life of ministry. We are facing a need, not because of our foolishness but because we have done what we believed God wanted us to do. If God and His Word are not dependable, let’s find out now. We wrote the check. I tell you honestly, I have never worried like I did that afternoon. I had a family to provide for and had just given the last dollar we had. Later that evening, there was a knock at the door and several people from the church were standing on the porch with sacks of groceries in their hands. The spokesman for the group said, Pastor, we don’t know if you need groceries or not but we all began to sense this afternoon that you needed them. We are here to tell you that we love you and want to give you these groceries. That was one of the great spiritual experiences of my life. I knew in my head that God was trustworthy. I was in a class of systematic theology in seminary and we had just studied that. But I didn’t really know God was trustworthy. It was not until I made a serious commitment to trust Him that I discovered indeed He is trustworthy and so is His Word. If you are struggling now, facing a crisis that has robbed you of joy, you could be on the verge of learning one of the great lessons of life: God is trustworthy and you don’t need to worry. As little children in Sunday school, we used to sing: Why worry when you can pray Trust Jesus, He’ll show you the way Don’t be a doubting Thomas Rest fully on His promise Why worry, worry, worry, worry When you can pray.
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Editorial… Continues from page 3 in the afternoon. We would arrive home late in the evening. We weren’t able to enjoy our presents, we were so tired, so we went to sleep. On St. Stephen’s Day we visited the abandoned, the elderly, and in short, everyone who was unable to take part in the church service. And we loved it. We traveled via train to remote places, even in snow storms. In the mountains many times the connecting train didn’t come and we would continue on foot. What an adventure that was! Cheerful spirits were reflected in the smiles of those visited, oftentimes accompanied by tears of gratitude which stay with me to this day. During Thanksgiving we reflect on and express our gratitude for material gifts, which have been given to us in abundance through the year. During Christmas we have the opportunity to express gratitude for the biggest gift in the spiritual sense of the word, for our Lord Jesus Christ. This gift is an expression of God’s love for man, which hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. The joy expressed by the angels to the shepherds near the town of Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago shoots through people and nations like rays of light, and those that touch those rays become their carriers. Nothing but joy can pass the news on. The words from St. Luke: “…I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight…” (Luke 2:10–11) remind us of the reason to rejoice, and that’s not only Christmas 2012. Editor-in-Chief Natasha Laurinc Translated by Elizabeth Jane Fields
Editorial… Pokračování ze strany 3 obdrženými dárky ze Štědrého večera. Na Štěpána se konaly návštěvy opuštěných, přestárlých, zkrátka těch, kteří nemohly být v obecenství. A to jsme milovali. Cestovali jsme vlakem na odlehlá místa i ve sněhových bouřích, v horách mnohdy závějemi vlak neprojel a my jsme pokračovali pěšky. A to bylo dobrodružství! Radostná nálada byla zjevná a úsměv těch navštívených častokrát se slzou vděčnosti v oku mne provází ještě i dnes. Při díkůvzdání prožíváme a vyjadřujeme vděčnost za tělesné dary, kterým se nám během roku v hojnosti dostalo. Při Vánocích máme možnost vyjádřit vděčnost za ten největší dar v duchovním smylu slova, za Pána Ježíše Krista. Tento dar je projevem Boží lásky k člověku, která se po staletí nemění. Ta radost, zvěstovaná andělem pastýřům v betlémské krajině před více než dvěmi tisíci lety, se proplétá jako paprsek mezi lidmi a národy, a kdo je ní dotknut, stává se jejím kurýrem. Nemůže jinak, než radost předávat dál. Slova z Lukášova evangelia: “…zvěstuji vám radost velikou, kteráž bude všemu lidu. Nebo narodil se vám dnes Spasitel, jenž jest Kristus Pán...”(Lukáš 2;10–11) nám připomínají důvod k radosti, a to nejen o Vánocích 2012. Nataša Laurincová, šéfredaktorka
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Kázání v pátek večer 6. července 2012 na 103. Československé konvenci baptistů v Meadville, PA
Osvobození se od trápení Donald Shoff Matouš 6;25–34
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roblémy jsou neodmyslitelnou součástí života. Namlouváme si, že můžeme žít bez problémů. Problémy a starosti však spolu souvisí. Nedají se od sebe oddělit. Starost je emocionálním vyjádřením problému. Jsou-li tedy problémy součástí života věřících i nevěřících, proč tedy Ježíš zdůrazňuje nemějte starosti? Všimněte si, jak často se tento příkaz opakuje v úryvku, který jsme právě četli (Matouš 6; 25, 27, 28, 31, 34). Při pozornějším čtení si všimneme, že Pánu Ježíši jde o něco víc. Poukazuje na čtyři direktiva, čili stupně, kterými musíme projít, chceme-li překonat sevření, které starosti působí. Nejprve si však musíme uvědomit, co Ježíš neříká. Neodmítá moudrou opatrnost. Nedoporučuje nečinnost, marnotratnost, nezodpovědný životní styl, který nemyslí na budoucnost naši nebo našich dětí. Pisatel Přísloví říká: Moudrý člověk šetří do budoucnosti, ale nerozumný všechno promrhá (Přísloví 21; 20; volný překlad). Pán Ježíš neprotiřečí poctivé práci a prozíravosti. Také neodsuzuje spoření, pojištění nebo rozpočet. Je důležité si také uvědomit, že Pán Ježíš neslibuje život bez stresu, budeme-li se Jeho pokyny řídit. Problémy v životě jsou takovou samozřejmostí jako dýchání. V listě do Korintu apoštol Pavel svým drahým píše: A nadto ještě na mne denně doléhá starost o všechny církve (2. Kor. 11; 28). Náš život nikdy nebude bezstarostný. Pakliže se tíha stane trápením a stres utrpením, překročili jsme hranici. 10
Jestliže starosti nejsou opatrností, co to tedy je? Na tuto otázku sám výraz odpovídá. Výraz starosti v původním textu vyjadřuje rozdělení mysli, což podtrhává dopad na vlastní úsudek a vědomí pohody. Anglický výraz pro starosti je ještě mnohem výstižnější. Původně to znamenalo škrtit nebo dusit a ve staré angličtině vyjadřoval uchvátit za hrdlo a rozervat. Nicméně v dnešní angličtině jsme tento výraz tak přepracovali, že mu nezůstalo téměř nic z původního významu. Lepší překlad výrazu, kterého použil Ježíš, bude pravděpodobně úzkost, tak jak tomu je v modernějších překladech. Oddíl, který probíráme, je součástí Kázání na hoře. V této části Pán Ježíš oslovuje tři skupiny: vás, pokrytce a neznabohy. Pokrytci byli farizejové, nábožné osobnosti tehdejší doby. Neznabozi byli pohané, kteří uctívali
modly a cizí bohy. Komu patřilo oslovení vy? Patřilo těm, kteří upřímně nazývali Boha Nebeským Otcem. Z oddílu jasně vyznívá, že se to týkalo Kristových učedníků. Tedy těch, kteří naslouchali Jeho slovu jako slovu od Boha a kteří mu zasvětili život. Vzniká otázka, jak se někdo stane součástí této skupiny? Odpověď na tuto otázku najdeme u Jana 1; 12: Těm, kteří ho přijali a věří v jeho jméno, dal moc stát se Božími dětmi. Musíme do rodiny patřit, abychom se mohli podílet na dědictví. Abychom mohli upřímně oslovovat Boha jako svého Nebeského Otce, musíme Ho přijmout. To znamená, že musíme uvěřit v Jeho jméno. Jsem kazatelem již více než 45 let a mou prioritou bylo zapojení se do biblických hodin pro nové členy. Každému, kdo se chtěl stát členem sboru, jsem položil tuto otázku: Dospěl jsi ve svém duchovním životě k tomu a můžeš říci s jistotou, že půjdeš do nebe, kdyby jsi dnes zemřel? Většina těch, kteří navštěvovali tyto hodiny, se hlásili ke křesťanství a chtěli se připojit k našemu sboru, přicházeli ze sborů jiných. Vždy mne udivovalo, kolik jich nemělo jistotu spasení. Mnohé odpovědi byly tohoto druhu: doufám nebo snažím se nebo vždycky jsem věřil. Někteří věří, že dobré skutky vedou do nebe. Jiní si myslí, že narození se do křesťanské rodiny z nich činí křesťany. Další zase považují jistotu spasení za troufalost a domýšlivost. Rád jsem mnohým pomáhal k správnému pochopení slova u Jana 1;21 a 3;16.
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Pokud si nejsme jistí naším vztahem ke Kristu, sevření úzkosti nepřekonáme. Musíme si být jistí svým vztahem — to znamená vědět, kdo jsme a znát Jeho charakter. Tedy vědět, kdo je Bůh. Kázání na hoře poukazuje na Boží charakter. Bůh se v Písmě nechává poznat prostřednictvím jmen. V Písmě nacházíme stovky jmen označujících Boha. Každé jmého odhaluje určitou stránku Jeho charakteru. Každé to jmého nám odhalí něco o Bohu. Je důležité si uvědomit, které jméno používá Pán Ježíš. Jednoho pravého Boha obyčejně nazývá Otcem. U Matouše 6;9 říká: A takto se modlete: Otče náš, který jsi v nebesích, posvěť se jmého tvé. Aby nám přiblížil Boží charakter, používá oslovení, které nám je velmi blízké –— otče. Takovému oslovení každý rozuměl, protože se vztahovalo na toho, kdo miloval nejvíce, na ochránce a dárce. Když Ježíš poukazoval na Boha jako milujícího dárce, postupoval od nejmenšího k největšímu (25, 26). Jestliže Bůh pečuje o nebeské ptactvo (nejmenší ze stvoření), rozhodně se bude starat o své děti (největší v Jeho díle stvořeni). Aby zdůraznil pošetilost trápení, ptá se: Přidájí vám starosti něco k životu? (27). A pokračuje tím, že starosti poukazují na nedostatek důvěry našemu nebeskému Otci, bez ohledu na naše ortodoxní pojetí Boha (28–30). Naše trápení svědčí o tom, že problémy, kterým čelíme, Bůh nezvládne. Nebeský Otec je zavázán se starat o své děti, říká ve verších 31–32. Bůh o nás stále pečuje, i při našich pochybnostech. Ježíšův příkaz nemějte starosti nebyl ledabylým, lhostejným návrhem. Spíše je to důrazné zopakování příkazu. Gramatickému stylu původního textu říkáme rozkazovací způsob. Jinak se příkaz nedá vyjádřit. Příkaz se vždy vztahuje na vůli. K činu může dojít pouze za souhlasu dotyčného. Cokoliv jiného bude považováno za úmyslnou neposlušnost. Akceptovat to, že starosti jsou vlastně vědomým rozhodnutím, neposlušností, je pravděpodobně pro většinu z nás velmi těžké. Rádi bychom
zařadili starosti mezi dědičné vlastnosti nebo jako reakci na závažnost daných problémů. Dělat si starosti je hřích. Kdo tedy umí činit dobře, avšak nečiní, má hřích (Jakub 4; 17). Nicméně jsme ujištěni, že vyznáváme-li však své hříchy, Bůh je věrný a spravedlivý, aby nám odpustil hříchy a očistil nás od veškeré nepravosti (1. Janova 1; 9). Toto očišťování, o kterém je zde zmínka, se netýká pouze odpuštění našich vin, ale jedná se o to, že nás Bůh neustále očišťuje, což má za následek změnu našeho chování. K Božímu očištění, čili osvobození od trápení nemůže dojít bez upřímného vyznání. V závěru svého kázání se Ježíš zaměřil na podstatu problému a na vítězství nad ním. Přesto se může stát, že k vítězství nedojde. Svědčí o tom životy naplněné trápením mnoha věřících. Čteme hledejte nejprve Boží království a jeho spravedlnost a toto vše vám bude přidáno (Matouš 6;33). Hledat nejprve Jeho králoství a Jeho spravedlost není fráze. Hledat nejprve Jeho cestu — kromě naší vlastní — to je způsob života, který vyplývá z úzkého vztahu s živým Bohem. Hledat nejprve Jeho království je možné pouze tehdy, rozhodneme-li se dát Mu ve všem první místo, a to je mou osobní zkušeností jako také mnoha dalších křesťanů, se kterými jsem se setkal. V mém případě muselo nejprve dojít ke kapitulaci, než jsem tím způsobem začal žít. Během studií na semináři jsem působil v jednom malém sboru v chudší části Fort Worthu v Texasu. Manželka Judy pracovala jako sekretářka. Žili jsme skromě. Náš sboreček se scházel v zastrčeném baráku u tratě na konci ulice. Přesto nám Pán Bůh žehnal a sbor se rozrůstal. Potřebovali jsme větší prostory. Na základě víry se sbor rozhodl zakoupit větší pozemek na hlavní třídě a podepsal kontrakt na první část stavby. Vzdal jsem se svého platu a našel jsem si práci na poloviční úvazek v potravinovém obchodě. Pán Bůh nám žehnal a my jsme byli nadšeni.
Zanedlouho Judy onemocněla a nemohla pracovat. Ekonomika ve Fort Worthu poklesla, a protože jsem do obchodu nastoupil jako poslední, byl jsem první propuštěn. K zásadní změně v našem životě došlo, když jsme z poslední výplaty zaplatili nájem. Uvědomili jsme si, že po zaplacení desátku nám nic nezůstane. Ani na mléko pro naši tříletou dceru. Slovy se nedá vypovědět, jaký jsem prožíval zápas. Zápasil jsem zvláště s veršem hledejte nejprve Boží království a jeho spravedlnost a toto vše vám bude přidáno. S Judy jsme to probírali a modlili jsme se. Nakonec jsem řekl: Moje milá, připravujeme se do celoživotní služby. Naše situace nevznikla kvůli naší nedbalosti, věřili jsme, že děláme to, co po nás Pán chce. Přesvědčme se tedy, zda-li se dá na Boha a na Jeho slovo spoléhat. Vypsali jsme šek. Upřímně se přiznávám, že jsem se v životě tolik netrpěl, jako toho odpoledne. Právě jsem dal poslední peníze a musím se postarat o svou rodinu. Později, večer, se ozvalo klepání na dveře a na verandě stálo několik lidí se sboru s taškami potravin. Mluvčí za celou skupinu řekl: Bratře kazateli, nevíme jestli potřebujete jídlo, ale odpoledne jsme to tak všichni cítili. Přišli jsme vám říct, že vás máme rádi a chceme vám ty potraviny dát. Byla to úžasná duchovní zkušenost. Uvědomil jsem si, že Pán Bůh je důvěryhodný. Probírali jsme to na semináři v hodině metodické teologie. Ve skutečnosti jsem si to však neuvědomoval. Až do té doby, dokud jsem se nerozhodl na Něho spoléhat a přesvědčit se, že On i Jeho Slovo je důvěryhodné. Jestliže procházíte těžkostmi, které vás obrali o radost, možná stojíte před novou životní lekcí – Bůh je věrohodný a nemusíte se trápit. V nedělní škole jsme jako děti zpívávaly: Proč se trápit, vždyť se můžeš modlit, Věř v Ježíše, cestu ti ukáže, S Tomášem nepochybuj, Jeho slibům důvěřuj, Proč se trápit, trápit, trápit, trápit, Vždyť se můžeš modlit. Kázání Donalda Shoffa přeložila Nataša Laurincová.
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Update from Baptist World Alliance
Scan code for the BWA mobile app! or go to http://get.thechurchapp.org/share/baptist-world-alliance
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Vol 38, No 5, 12
40th Anniversary ry n e H d n a n e l e H r fo Pojman
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elen and Jindrich (Henry) Pojman celebrated their 40th anniversary on September 23, 2012. It is amazing how time flies; it seems like it was only a few short years ago when my parents decided to immigrate to Canada and change our lives forever. Most of you reading this article know my parents from the many Conventions in Philippi, West Virginia, and now in Pennsylvania. Both my dad and my mom have been involved with the Toronto Czechoslovak Baptist Church and the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention from our early days in Canada. The Pojmans, their “kids,” and their families, along with close friends, got to celebrate this occasion on Saturday, September 1st. Although this was a big “40th” anniversary, the day was set up to be spent with the family and to enjoy each other’s company. It was also one of the rare times when the whole family—son, daughters, their husbands and the three grandchildren—were able to be there. It was also one of the rare occasions when I barely took my camera out, so there is a serious lack of photos, from my side anyway. We’re hoping that there will be many more anniversaries to come and that the family together times will not be as rare. Vlastimil Pojman
40. výrocˇí svatby Heleny a Jindˇrich a Pojmanových
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elena a Jindřich Pojmanovi oslavili své 40. výročí svatby 23. září 2012. Je úžasné, jak ten čas letí. Zdá se, že je to jen pár let, kdy se moji rodiče rozhodli k emigraci do Kanady a tím navždy změnily naše životy. Většinou mé rodiče znáte z konvencí ve Philippi v Západní Virginii a nyní i z Pennsylvánie. Hned od příchodu do Kanady byli oba moji rodiče zapojeni do práce Československého sboru baptistů v Torontě a Československé konvence baptistů USA a Kanady. V sobotu 1. září se Pojmanovi s rodinami svých tří dětí sešli, aby i s blízskými přáteli tuto vzácnou příležitost oslavili. Ačkoliv to byla velká oslava, jednalo se hlavně o setkání s rodinou a vzájemné potěšení s ostatními. Byla to také jedna z mála příležitostí, kdy se celá rodina — syn, dcery s manžely a tři vnoučaty — mohla sejít. Byla to také jedna z řídkých chvil, kdy jsem téměř nepoužil fotoaparát, a proto nemohu nabídnout ani jeden snímek. Doufáme, že se dožijeme mnoha dalších výročí a rodinná setkání nebudou tak ojedinělá. Vlastimil Pojman přeložila Nataša Laurincová
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Ladies’ Page
the Czechoslovak Baptist Women’s Missionary Union
103rd Annual Czechoslovak Baptist Convention Friday, July 6, 2012 President Deb Mulder warmly welcomed those present at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Czechoslovak Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. Heather Mantle opened the session with prayer. The praise team, consisting of Deb Mulder, Donna Nesvadba, Natasha Laurenc and Margaret Springle, led in the singing of: • Jesus, Name Above All Names • Jesus What a Beautiful Name The scripture passage was taken from Isaiah 40:12–26, and was read by Margaret Springle. Speakers: Anthony Vahala has answered God’s call to serve in his home country of Czech. Anthony, Jamie, Hannah, Rachel, Sarah, Joshua and Isaiah will be going there as a family in the summer of 2013. They are presently receiving support from Tyson Creek Baptist Church. They are giving God all the glory as they have been provided with missionary housing and fundraising has begun. To date they have reached 30 per cent of their target. Many Czechs associate Christianity with Communism, and this makes it very difficult to reach them. Anthony knows that God has placed this mission on his heart and this will involve laying a biblical foundation for future generations through evangelism, church planning and training of pastors. Anthony has helped with the opening of the Czech Bible Institute www.cbikromeriz.cz. It will eventually be accredited. Anthony is also part of church planting in Wake Forest, NC. They have a new partnership with Eurovangelism in 14
Canada and therefore Canadians will be able to contribute to this ministry and be eligible for a tax deduction. www. eurovangelism.ca . Ruby Mikulencak Ruby started her mission work in June 1972, and finally made the decision to retire this year. However, as she states, she has not retired from serving God. Ruby shared with us the details of the last few months as she made her farewells to so many friends and colleagues. Ruby was very aware that it was important for her to say her farewells well for her sake as well as for the many people she has influenced and that have influenced her. She traveled the length and breadth of Ghana. She attended many farewell services at which gifts were given and received as well as experiencing great sorrow and great joy. Having said farewell to Ghana, Ruby travelled to Australia and New Zealand to visit missionary colleagues and their families, and returned to Wisconsin in March of this year, 2012. Referring to her long years of faithful service, Ruby has been asked, “How did you do it?” Her response was that it was only through God’s faithfulness. Ruby reminded us that the greatest significance and meaning in life is to love God and to be available to God, to use as He wishes. Ruby will continue to “be available to God” through special projects in her home country. Deb Mulder Deb reminded us of the very important work that the Potma Vol 38, No 5, 12
family is doing and their involvement with church planting in Prague. As has been mentioned on many occasions, it is difficult to reach the hearts of our Czech people, and missionaries like the Potmas need our continued prayers as they seek to do God’s will.
103rd Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA July 5–8, 2012
Heather Mantle Heather spoke about Matthew House in Windsor and the great work that is being done there. They have served more than 400 refugees from over 47 countries. As Heather stated, “The world has come to our country.” There are five Matthew Houses in Ontario, and they are a great place to share our faith experiences and a place where we can learn from the newcomers. Donna Nesvadba Donna presented the Treasurer’s Report including the information from USA and Canada. Iva Kern Iva Kern, guest speaker from the Czech Republic, stated that she first heard about our conferences through Glorious Hope. She spoke about the important work that the women of the Czech and Slovak Republics are doing and the importance for us of serving the Lord wherever He places us, whether it be wife, mother, sister, grandmother, daughter. Women from both republics meet yearly and this year they met in Bernolakovo, Slovakia, in April. Iva brought with her the greetings of the 300 sisters that met at the conference. The theme and focus of their conference was “The Power of Prayer,” and the scripture text was taken from James 5:16. Iva also brought with her the gift of a beautiful plate and copies of a lovely sketch drawn for the conference. Their next conference will take place in Ostrava, two weeks after Easter in 2013. Iva assured us that the women of both the Czech and Slovak Republics continue to pray for us and our mission work. Deb Mulder closed in prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Margaret Springle
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In Memory Milan Slovak Steffel,
May 26, 1922–July 20, 2012
Missionary Printer
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ilan Steffel was a World War II veteran who attended college on the GI Bill and learned to become a master printer. After graduating from college, he was recruited to be a university teacher at the same school, and he did that for five years. Feeling the call of God to pursue fulltime Christian service, Milan and his wife Virginia left California and eventually joined CLC [Christian Literature Crusade] to become missionaries to the Philippines in 1963. They spent 10 productive years growing their team from three people to 30, and they did printing work for dozens of missions and Christian organizations. After their son, Steve, graduated from high school, they returned to the USA and Milan worked in Washington, D.C., as a printer for another Christian organization. He then rejoined and worked with the CLC team in Fort Washington from 1977 to 1981. During his time in
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Washington, Milan trained a music teacher who had just joined CLC, Dick Brodhag, on how to become a printer. Dick went on to be the main CLC printer for many years. Also during his time with CLC in the USA, Milan helped get printing equipment acquired, prepared, and shipped to CLC printshops in Columbia and India. Milan lived a full and effective life and will be remembered for his faithfulness, servant heart and wonderful sense of humor. He is an example to all of us in serving as an “unsung hero” of the CLC ministry. Who knows how many people he will meet in heaven who came to faith as the result of reading a book that he printed.
Vol 38, No 5, 12
103rd Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada
Words to describe my dad
Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA, July 5–8, 2012
Faithful–My dad began his life as a follower of Christ by attending a Bible study at a church in Cleveland, OH, and pestering the pastor with questions until he ran out and decided to give his life to the Lord. After he and my mom were married, they moved to California where they felt the call to full-time Christian service, and my dad embarked on 43 years of full-time Christian service with several different missions. Engineer–My dad loved equipment and was always setting up or managing Christian printing operations. At the time he graduated from college and taught at California Polytechnic Institute, printing was an engineering course, so he is officially an engineer. As chief engineer, he also ušed to oil everything that moved or squeaked. Mark Twain said: When l was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant l could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when l got to be twenty-one, l was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. My dad and mom encouraged me to study engineering, and, fortunately it was after they had become so learned that l accepted the advice. That has proved to be very good advice. Adventurer–My dad was willing to pick up and move to wherever God was leading. He and my mom were able to have a fruitful ministry at four different missions over the course of their lives and served many, many others in the Christian community. It wasn’t always easy, the pay was meager, but he followed the call of God and had a very fulfilled life. A few weeks ago when l mentioned there was some work l was going to do at the Royal Ranger camp, he wanted to go after he got his hip fixed. Sense of Humor–There really wasn’t any experience my dad couldn’t turn into a story— from childhood thru the 2nd World War to the events of the day. Added to that was a sense of humor. Even at the hospital both the patients and staff remarked that they enjoyed his stories and sense of humor. Devotions–Like clockwork, every morning, my mom and dad wouid have devotions, reading the Bible out loud, and go thru their prayer list together. Those they couldn’t touch in real life, they impacted thru the prayer time. Goďs Blessing – I have reflected on the fact that for so many years they toiled in the Kingdom of God, and for many of those years had very little income, yet God abundantly supplied their every need. They were excellent stewards and not only had enough for their own needs but were able to give to many others. My dad’s life is a testimony of the truth of Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. He enjoyed a full life and now, absent from the body that slowed him down a little, he is enjoying the presence of the Lord.
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Narodil se Narodil se nejen pro Josefa a Marii nám narodil se stojí v evangeliích narození radost pro všechny narození spása pro všechny narození začátek nového života nové naděje nového poselství narození příslib růstu dospívání zralosti narození předchází smrti narodil se by člověk mohl žít na věky raduj se
Would You Follow? How many would follow the star tonight If it shone past the milky way, Leave comfortable homes and follow it still, Over the hills and away. How many would open their doors tonight For a weary and shabby pair? Make room at hearths for a stranger - child, Though the infant be wondrous fair? How many would give of their goods tonight, The best they possess and more, For their faith in a star and an angel choir And a king forevermore? We censure the folk of a bygone time For indifference to mary’s plight. How many would do any better now? Would you follow the star tonight? Author unknown
Bethlehem of Judea A little child, A shining star. A stable rude, The dooe ajar. Yet in that place, So crude, forlorn, The hope of all The word was born.
Nataša Laurincová Author unknown
Sing to the Lord
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cannot imagine a church service without song. Singing is a beautiful expression of a strong emotional experience. What we are talking about is singing as an artistic expression, a form of communication that has been used this way for centuries and more. It is no wonder, then, that singing is a very important aspect of a church service. Choirs have likewise been a necessary component of the Convention’s church services. How many special people have stood and conducted the Convention choir in the course of its 103 years of existence! How many beautiful choruses have reverberated through the singers, who have generally had only a few hours to rehearse the songs performed. The secret was and is having hearts on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ. This was evident
as the choir sang during this Convention as well. It was a priceless experience to hear not only those who don’t speak Czech or Slovak, though it is their heritage, but also those who have no Slavic heritage, rehearsing, in Czech, the chorus “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation.” The enthusiastic determination to pronounce complicated words and consonants, like Ř for example, brought tears to my eyes—tears of gratitude for the love of Jesus Christ that was being manifested in that moment. And when, during the Sunday service, the congregation sang “Majesty,” I felt goosebumps rise on my skin; it seemed to me that heaven was opened and surely we stood before the throne of God . . . I cannot imagine a Convention without a choir. Natasha Laurinc Translated by Elizabeth Jane Fields
Zpívejte Hospodinu
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eumím si představit shromáždění bez zpěvu. Zpěv je spontánním vyjádřením silného citového zážitku. Jedná se o hlasový umělecký projev, určitou formu komunikace. Je tomu tak od pradávna. Není divu, že zpěv je velmi důležitou složkou bohoslužeb. Pěvecké sbory byly vždy neodmyslitelnou součástí také konvenčních shromáždění. Kolik vzácných lidí stálo ve vedení konvenčního pěveckého sboru v průběhu 103 let trvání konvence! Kolik krásných chvalozpěvů zaznělo v podání zpěváků, kteří měli obyčejně jen pár hodin na nácvik písní. Tajemství spočívalo a spočívá v zapálených srdcích pro Pána Ježíše Krista. O tom svědčila služba zpěváků i při letošní konvenci. Být svědkem toho, jak nacvičují chválozpěv „Jeť
Pán světlo mé a spása má“ v češtině nejen ti, kteří již jazyk neznají (protože jsou již x-tá generace žijící na severoamerickém kontinentě), ale i ti, kteří nemají slovanský původ, je zážitek k nezaplacení. Nadšená odhodlanost zvládnout výslovnost komplikovaných slov a spoluhlásek, jako například „ř“, mi vehnala slzy do očí. Slzy vděčnosti za lásku k Pánu Ježíši, která byla v tu chvíli manifestována. A když při nedělním shromáždění zazněla píseň „Králů Král, velebný pánů Pán“, naskočila mi vzrušením husí kůže a zdálo se mi, že se nebe otevřelo a že jistě stojíme před trůnem Božím... Neumím si představit konvenci bez pěveckého sboru. Nataša Laurincová
Yo u t h S c e n e
The Christmas For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) (hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel… (Micah 5:2) (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
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n those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Away in a Manger) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (The First Noel) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (It Came upon the Midnight Clear, Angels We Have Heard on High) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (What Child Is This?) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Silent Night) When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising 20
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Story in Hymns God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20) (Go, Tell It on the Mountain) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem… (Matthew 2:1) (We Three Kings of Orient Are) …the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:9) (O Holy Night) On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11) (O Come, All Ye Faithful) O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, o come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. (Psalm 98:4) (Joy to the World!) I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 104:33) (O Worship the King) Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts! (Psalm 148:2) (Angels, from the Realms of Glory) Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. (Psalm 149:1) (There’s a Song in the Air) …indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4) (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) (Join All the Glorious Names; Good Christian Men, Rejoice) Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” (1 Chronicles 16:31) (Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah) Note: The time frame of the hymns noted above is between the years 1305 and 1907. Most of the hymns are dated in the 1800s. Good Christian Men, Rejoice is one of the oldest hymns. The tune first appeared in 1305. Go, Tell It on the Mountain was first published in 1907 in Work’s Folk Songs of the Negro as sang on the Plantations and is one of the last spirituals. Natasha Laurinc Vol 38, No 5, 12
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Children’s Corner
Wooden nativity scene built every year in Mohelnice, Czechia, in local church
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Christmas
id you know that Christmas in the Czech Republic and Slovakia starts with Christmas Eve Feast?
The traditional meal is fish (usually fried carp) or schnitzel, with potato salad. Did you know that for some families Christmas Eve Feast starts with fish head soup? Christian families read the Christmas story from the Bible before the meal. There is remembrance of loved ones who are missed at the festive table—because they have gone to their heavenly home—and then prayer. After the meal, the family all gather around the Christmas tree, and the gifts are opened. Seated around the tree, the family sing carols and enjoy many different kinds of delicious Christmas cookies. Everyone is at peace. The nativity scene, remarkably carved, is the beautiful creation of Czech and Slovak folk artists. Did you know that there is a live nativity scene on display in a Slovak store in Grove City, Pennsylvania? Merry Christmas! Natasha Laurinc Christmas cookies in Czech republic
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Vánoce
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íte, že Vánoce v Čechách a na Slovensku začínají Štedrým večerem?
Tradičním jídlem je ryba (nejčastěji smažený kapr) nebo vepřové řízky s bramborovým salátem.
Víte, že v některých rodinách štědrovečerní večeře začíná polévkou z rybí hlavy? V křesťanských rodinách se před jídlem čte z Bible příběh o narození. Před modlitbou se vzpomíná na ty, kteří již odešli do nebeského domova a u prostřeného stolu chybí. Po večeří se celá rodina sejde u stromečku a začne rozbalování dárků. Kolem stromečku se zpívají koledy, vychutnává se vánoční cukroví, vládne mír a pohoda. České a slovenské vyřezávané Betlémy jsou překrásným dílem lidových uměleců. Víte, že živý Betlém je vystaven ve slovenském obchodě v Grove City v Pennsylvanii? Veselé Vánoce! Nataša Laurincová
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