As part of a festive service, on November 13, the more than 170-year-old bell of the belfry erected in front of the Ipolyság Reformed Church rang for the first time. From now on, the old-new bell calls and also serves the church-building congregation in the small town on the Ipoly.
As during the short devotion held in front of the belfry, nt. Tibor Révész , dean of the Reformed Diocese of Barsi, stated: "Our Lord, our God, we bless and praise you because you gave this bell to the Ipolyság congregation. Our Lord our God is calling the living, and may it not fall on deaf ears, but may your people hurry to this city at your calling word, come to listen to your word."
He added: let there be a bell of peace in all times, a peace that proclaims joy and liberation.
In his blessing, the deacon explained: "Call his people to God in joy and in sorrow, so that the sorrowful may receive consolation, the weak may find strength, the hopeless may find hope, the repentant may receive forgiveness, and the rejoicing may receive a blessing."
Béla Soltész rang the old-new bell calling for worship After that, the pastors and church members entered the church.
At the festive service, Tibor Révész preached the word. "The bell rings as God's calling word, reminding us that God's people inhabit this city," was said in the prayer before the sermon.
"Let us resonate from our hearts and souls to the inviting bell. This is God's call. Let's go to him, let's listen to him", emphasized the dean in his sermon.
As he added: it proclaims God's love like an inviting bell, waiting with living hope for those who live here.
On the side of the belfry, a small copper plaque announces the unusual history of the bell. It was originally the bell of the Reformed church in Tergenye. The church was demolished in 2008, when it became the property of the Reformed congregation in Nagypeszek. In 2015, it was gifted to the Ipolyság Reformed congregation that built the church.
Source: Felvidek.ma
Author and photo: Péter Pásztor
