CSI CHRIST CHURCH OF CHICAGO 5857 W. GIDDINGS ST, CHICAGO, IL

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1 CSI CHRIST CHURCH OF CHICAGO 5857 W. GIDDINGS ST, CHICAGO, IL PARISH MESSENGER April 2016 Message from the Presbyter It is indeed I am so privileged to write this message for our Parish Messenger for the month of April This may be my second last write up. I am so proud to be the vicar of this church. It is very encouraging to see that this year we had wonderful Lenten services especially the Passion Week services. The participation of members from both the uniting churches should be highly appreciated. It is my hope and prayer that let this Easter celebrations be a good beginning for a better future of our beloved community church in Chicago. Separation is not part of the will of God in Christ. He came to unite everything in and through His love by bringing peace among the separated creatures. As Paul said in Ephesians 2: 14:18 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His lesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. A H, ; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Let us wholeheartedly welcome all members of St. Mark s CSI Church as our own brethren when they come and join with us as members of Christ Church from 2016 May 1 onwards. It has happened only because of God s plan and God s plan alone, so that no one would take its credit or blame. When we look at the post resurrection narratives in John s Gospel (John 20: 19-23), Jesus appeared to His disciples while they were sitting in a closed room because of the fear of Jews. Jesus can enter into any situation even if we close the doors. The reason why we close the doors is nothing but our fear of inclusion. Whether we open it or not Jesus will come and reveal Himself as the risen Lord. What we see in this irst appearance to the disciples he says three things. These three things turn out Let Us Arise and Build (Nehemiah 2:18) Vicar / President: Rev. Benoy P. Jacob Phone: (773) Vice President: Nityan Joy Phone: (847) Secretary: Premjit William Phone: (847)

2 to be three gifts to us: the gift of peace, the gift of power, and the gift of purpose. The opposite of peace is con lict. The opposite of power is weakness. The opposite of purpose is aimlessness. Many times, our lives are ruined by con lict, weakness, and aimlessness. Jesus did not come into the world and die and rise again to ruin our life. But to save it. And what we will see is that he saves us from ruining our lives by becoming himself our peace and our power and our purpose. I am praying that God will do this for us in the coming days: Make Jesus our peace. And Jesus our power. And Jesus our purpose. We all know that, of icially this is my last month of service as the vicar of CSI Christ Church of Chicago and if God willing, our new vicar, Rev. John Mathai will take the charge from the irst day of May The visa approval from the Homeland Security has already given and Achen is waiting for the Visa interview at Chennai. Please pray for his on time arrival and taking the responsibility of our Church. I am leaving the Country on May 23, after my Graduation on May 12. I will be with the Church until I leave the country as per the decision of the committee. I am heavily indebted to this congregation because of various reasons. On behalf of Kochamma, Jonah & Hannah, and myself I extent my heartfelt feelings of gratitude to all of you for allowing me to minister the Church, complete my doctoral studies, and enjoy the richness of American life as someone very import to your family. I will uphold you all in my prayers in all the days of my life. Wish you all for the amazing post resurrection spiritual blessings throughout this month. Rev. Benoy P. Jacob (Vicar) Congratula ons and Welcome to the new members: Bino Oommen, Betsy, Jonah & Jenah Farewell... Rev. Benoy P. Jacob and family are returning to India in May, 2016 a er four years of dedicated, frui ul, and energe c service to our church. Achen, Mercy kochamma, Hannah, and Jonah have been integral parts of our lives in these past few years. As we fondly remember achen s ministry to Christ church and the community-at -large in Chicago, let us come together one more me to express our gra tude to achen and family and to wish them abundant blessings in their future endeavors. Farewell mee ng immediately following the worship service on April 24, 2016.

3 APRIL BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Benjamin Mathew 2 Kunjamma Varughese 4 Hannah Ben Reba 4 Jonah Ben Jacob 4 Shiloh Philips 14 Rev. Benoy P. Jacob 15 Dianne Benjamin 15 Premjit William 16 Nithin Winston 19 Vinod Winston 20 Vinod Isaac 25 Rajan Mathew 28 Edwin Meresh 29 George Jacob 29 Elizabeth & Rajan Mathew 20 Events Mollyku y & Thomas Philip 23 Sunday 8:45 AM Malayalam Class 9:15 AM Sunday School / Youth Group / Bible Study for Adults 10:00 AM Praise & Worship, Holy Communion Friday 1:00 PM Fas ng Prayer ending with Tele-Prayer Saturday 6:30 PM Prayer Mee ng at Church or Members Residence April 24 Sunday Farewell Mee ng for Rev. Benoy P. Jacob and family June Friday Sunday Family Retreat at the Conference Point Center, Williams Bay, WI July Thursday Sunday 30th North American Family & Youth Conference csiconference2016.org Accounts for the past month (March) A. Income B. Expenditure Subscrip on 1, Mortgage 1, Thanks Offering Presbyter s salary 2, Offertory Com Ed Tithe Peoples Gas Mission City of Chicago Water Hospitality Church/Car Insurance Presbyters Travel/Visa 9, Car Loan/Maintenance Hospitality Mission 1, Prin ng/sta onary 9.00 Misc, Visi ng Pastors Presbyters Travel/Visa 1, Total Income 13, Total Expenditure 8, C. Balance from last month 1, D. Balance (A+C-B) 5,864.52

4 Distribution of Almanac & Kiss of Peace April 3, 2016, 1st Sunday after Easter New Sunday Empowered by the Risen Lord OT Gen.28:10-22 : Leela Mammen Psalm 29 : Rakesh Jacob Epistle Acts.20:7-12 : Hannah Ben Reba Gospel John 20:11-18 : Presbyter Kiss of Peace : Sisy & Manoj Thomas April 10, 2016, Sunday 2nd Sunday after Easter Re-reading the Scripture with the Risen Lord OT 2 Chron.34:29-33 : Rosamma Mathew Psalm 19:7-14 : Rebecca Williams Epistle Acts. 8:26-40 : Alka Meresh Gospel Luke 24:13-27 : Presbyter Kiss of Peace : Shiny & Philip Chacko April 17, 2016, Sunday 3rd Sunday after Easter Commissioning by the Risen Lord OT Jerm.9:1-10 : Thankamma Karottu Psalm 47 : Allan Thomas Epistle 1Tim 4: 6-16 : Anupa Joseph Gospel John20:19-23 : Presbyter Kiss of Peace : Anitha & Vinod Winston April 24, 2016, Sunday 4th Sunday after Easter Believing in Christ: The Truth OT Ex.34:1-9 : Nithin Winston Psalm 119:89-96 : Micah Philips Epistle Eph.4:7-16 : Roshni Jacob Gospel John.17:6-19 : Presbyter Kiss of Peace : Bindu & Edwin Meresh

5 CSI CHRIST CHURCH OF CHICAGO FAMILY RETREAT 2016 JUNE CONFERENCE POINT CENTER 300 CONFERENCE POINT ROAD WILLIAMS BAY, WI Check-in Friday, June 17th, 5 pm All accommodations and sessions at Delap Lodge Holy Communion Service on Sunday 9:30 am at the Retreat Center Recreational facilities include swimming, speed boat rides, volleyball, basketball, etc. Cost: Ages 13 and up $ $ Free

6 Directions From Chicago and Vicinity: Take 94 North to the WI Route 50 Lake Geneva/Kenosha exit, go west on Hwy. 50 towards Lake Geneva. Hwy 50 will take you through the town of Lake Geneva, 6 miles outside of town, turn left on Hwy. 67 at the four way stop sign. Follow Hwy 67 to Collie Street, turn left and follow Collie Street to Conference Point Road. Turn left and this road will take you to our entrance. Or, take 90 northwest towards Rockford to the Hwy. 47 Huntley/Woodstock exit, go north on Hwy. 47 towards Woodstock. Turn left on Hwy. 14 at the Hwy. 47 & 14 intersection, go northwest through Harvard to Walworth, WI. At the stop lights in Walworth, turn right onto Hwy 67. Follow Hwy 67 for 6 miles (many turns, stay on 67) go to Congress Street, turn right, follow Congress Street to Collie Street. Turn right on Collie Street and follow it to Conference Point Road. Turn left and this road will take you to our entrance. (90 minutes from O Hare) Mattress, blanket and pillow are provided. Please bring your own sheets, towels, pillow cases, and toiletries. Additional costs apply for speed boat rides. Sink and toilet are attached to each room, showers are common.