St. John S Mar thoma ChurCh

Transcription

1 St. John S Mar thoma ChurCh Street, Queens Village, NY Vicar / President OFFICE BEARERS / BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR 2013 Rev. Joji K. Mathew Church (Par.) (Mobile) Vice President Mr. K. Idichandy Secretary Dr. Binu Chacko Treasurer Mr. P. P. Varghese Accountant Mr. Charles Abraham Lay Ministrants Mr. Thomas M. Thomas Mr. Swithin Titus Sabha Mandalam Mr. Varughese P. Abraham Dio. Assembly Organizations: Mr. Mathew P. George Mr. Sabu Lukose Choir Mr. Roy C. Thomas Edavaka Mission Mr. John Skariah Senior Citizens Mr. C. V. Simonkutty Sevika Sangham Mrs. Lali B. Joseph Sunday School Mr. Abraham T. Abraham Young Families Mr. Santhosh T. George Youth Fellowship Mr. Chris Mathew Thomas Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Santhosh K. Philip Prayer Group Representatives: Bellerose Mr. Chacko K. Thomas Eastern Long Island Mr. Philip Thomas Elmont / West Hemp. Mr. Daniel Varghese Floral Park / Glen Oaks Mr. M. Thomas Garden City Park Mr. Bob Abraham New Hyde Park East Mrs. Lizzykutty Abraham Worship Sunday 9:00 am Sunday School After Worship New Hyde Park West Mr. Abraham C. Thomas Palli Bhagom Mr. George Cherian Auditors: Mr. Bijoy Abraham VOLUME: XXIII ISSUE: 11 Vicar: Rev. Joji K. Mathew jojimathewachen@gmail.com Youth Chaplain: Mr. Melvin John Rev. V. M. Mathew

2 My Dearly Beloveds in Christ, VICAR S MESSAGE Greetings to you in the name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. This is a very important month for Americans. The kindness of the aboriginals of this soil was remarkable in the history of this nation. Thanks giving day is thus the celebration of fellowship, caring and sharing. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing (Ps.100: 1-2). For God's people everyday ought to be Thanksgiving Day! The Bible urges us to live a life of thanksgiving each day. Being thankful to God for all of His blessings is truly a mark of a Christians. Psalm 100 is an OT song of Thanksgiving. It is an invitation, an invocation for people who recognize the Lord and His goodness to publicly acknowledge Him. Not only does it call upon us to praise the Lord with thankfulness but it also describes to us the nature of true thanksgiving. 1. Come into the Lord's Presence. In the Hebrew way of look at expressing appreciation to the Lord, it was never enough to thank God quietly or privately. In the mindset of Psalm 100, it must be public. God calls us to come into His presence privately each day and together in corporate worship. It was said of the fledgling New Testament church that they met daily in the temple for teaching from the Word, fellowship, worship and praise. Little wonder that Hebrews 10:25 begs us not to fail to regularly assemble with other believers in thanksgiving, hearing the Word and worship. 2. Serve the Lord with Gladness. "Serve the LORD with gladness" (Ps. 100:2). No service to the Lord, whether great or small, should be done grudgingly. Sincere and true delight in service to God should accompany our words and deeds of worship. A church service extends towards community services. We cannot serve the Lord without serving the needy. Let us also join together with others in this land to share our faith, through our solidarity with the Thanks Giving Day Celebration. Let us put our hands together for the strengthening of our community and nation. World Sunday School Day celebration will help us to remind about the role of Christian education in transforming a child s life. Let us prayerfully participate in the musical program of Yuvajana Sakhyam -Harmony 2013 to harmonize our relationship with God. Let us welcome the worshiping community of CSI Jubilee Church on Unity Sunday, which will be an act of opening our mind towards the universal church -the Body of Christ. Family Night is an expression of our unity and articulation of our talents. May God bless us all through our participation in these services and programs. In prayer Sd/- Joji Achen 3 WORSHIP SCHEDULE NOVEMBER 3rd - English Holy Qurbana at 9:00 am Kudosh Eetho Santification of the Church / World Sunday School Day Childhood: Growing in favor with God and people. Guest Speaker: Dr. P.C. Mathew Praise & Worship: Sermon: Christina Thomas; Prayer: Jerryl Abraham Lessons: Mr. Rohit Mathew, Ms. Stacy Daniel 1st: Duet. 6: nd: Eph. 5: 1-10 Lay Assistant: Mr. Binu Daniel Epistle: 2 Tim. 3: Gospel: St. Luke 2: NOVEMBER 10th Malayalam Holy Qurbana at 9:00 am Hudos Eetho Renewal of the Church Festival of Unity of the Communion of Churches in India (CCI) CNI-CSI-MTC. Unity of the Church: for witnessing. UNITY SUNDAY Praise & Worship: Sermon: Steven George; Prayer: Denson George Lessons: Mr. K. Idichandy, Mrs. Sosamma Daniel 1st: Ezek. 37: nd: Eph. 2: Lay Assistant: Mr. Siju Philip NOVEMBER 17th Malayalam Holy Qurbana at 9:00 am Annunciation to Zechariah Praise & Worship: Sermon: Shawn Zachariah; Prayer: Neethu Joseph Lessons: Mr. Philip Thomas, Ms. Aparna Mary Philip 1st: 1 Chron. 24: nd: Rev. 8: 1-8 Lay Assistant: Mr. Santhosh K. Philip Epistle: 2 Cor. 2: Gospel: St. Luke 1: 5-23 NOVEMBER 24th English Holy Qurbana at 9:00 am Annunciation to Virgin Mary Praise & Worship: Sermon: Austin Sanu; Prayer: Joshua Mathai Lessons: Mr. Binu Daniel, Mrs. Jeena Philip 1st: Zech. 2: nd: Gal. 4: 1-7 Lay Assistant: Mr. Rohit Mathew Epistle: Eph. 1: 3-10 Gospel: St. Luke 1:26-38 NOVEMBER 28th English Worship Service at 9:00 am Happy Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving meal: $ 20 per family Thanksgiving Donation: $ 25 per family or an auction item of equal or more value. Notice: The elections of all organization office bearers and area prayer group representatives will be conducted before Nov. 24th, Please remember to attend the meetings. 4

3 PRAYER GROUP & ORGANIZATIONS Bellerose NOVEMBER 2nd, 7:30 pm Mr. Joseph C. Mathew Billings St., Queens Village New Hyde Park East NOVEMBER 17th, 5:30 pm Mr. George Thomas 74 Evans St., New Hyde Park Palli Bhagom NOVEMBER 23rd, 6:00 pm Mr. George Cherian 90-02, 218 Pl., Queens Village Eastern Long Island NOVEMBER 24th, 7:00pm Mr. Varghese Chacko 5 Andover Lane, Hicksville AREA PRAYER MEETINGS EDAVAKA MISSION PRAYERS 5 Garden City Park NOVEMBER 3rd, 7:00 pm Mr. C.V. Simonkutty 76 Fourth Ave., Garden City Park Elmont & West Hempstead NOVEMBER 2nd, 6:00 pm Mr. Mathew K. Cherian 122 Seville St., Elmont Floral Park & Glen Oaks NOVEMBER 23rd, 7:30pm Mr. Philip Oommen 75-17, 254th St, Glen Oaks New Hyde Park West NOVEMBER 17th, 7:30 pm Mr. Anil Baby Philipose 505 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park NOVEMBER 1 st, 7:30 pm - at the Church (Fasting Prayer) NOVEMBER 08 th, 7:30 pm - at the residence of Mr. Jimmy Thomas 151 Bedford Ave, Garden City Park Tel: Nov. 6th, 10:30am (Wednesday) Nov. 11th, 10:30am (Monday) Nov. 20th, 10:30am (Wednesday) Nov. 27th, (Wednesday) NOVEMBER 15 th, 7:30 pm - at the Church NOVEMBER 22 nd, 7:30 pm - at the Church NOVEMBER 29 th, 7:30 pm - at the Church SEVIKA SANGHOM PRAYER MEETINGS Mrs. Mariamma Zachariah 519 N. First St., New Hyde Park Mrs. Lizzykutty Abraham 86 Greenway East, New Hyde Park Mrs. Lilly Simon 76 Fourth St., Garden City Park No prayer scheduled Eve of Thanksgiving Day SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP Cottage Meeting: Nov 26th, 7:00 pm at the residence of Mr. T. Varghese Mathai 75-30, 263 St., Glen Oaks Tel: Health / Recreational Program: Every Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm Cottage Meeting Nov. 5:00 pm YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Fellowship Meetings : 1. Meetings will be announced in church. 2. Collection for Operation Christmas Child will be held from November 11th - 24th Cottage Meeting CHOIR Choir practice will be held every Sunday immediately after Holy Qurbana. YOUNG FAMILIES FELLOWSHIP Date and location to be announced YUVAJANA SAKHYAM Mr. Shibu Mathew 1778 Albermarle Ave, East Meadow YOUTH CHAPLAIN S MESSAGE Little foxes that destroy the vineyards 6 Tel: This is a phrase that we read in the book of Song of Songs chapter 2 verse 15. The book of Song of Songs exhibits the triumph of pure and spontaneous love, over all worldly and unworthy enticements. God s relationship to His people is the noblest example of this form of love. This love is expected from the family relationships especially in the husband and wife relationship. Song of Songs portrays the importance of having a pure and spontaneous love in the family relationships. Chapter 2 verses 10 onwards the writer is explaining about the beauty of a vineyard in the spring season. The vineyard is awesome because of its beauty that is seen, the smell that is felt, the sweet voice of the birds that is heard and an embracement that is received by an invitation. A family is the combination of all these expressions of love and affection that is seen, smelled, heard and touched. God s relationship to His people is the highest expression of this kind of a relationship. After explaining this elegant picture of the vineyard that is the miniature of the family the writer is saying there are little foxes that destroy the beauty of these relationships. The fox in the vineyard is exceedingly destructive. The food of that animal is not merely flesh, but honey and fruits, particularly grapes; and the young foxes not merely devour the fruit, but by their sportiveness, and by the action of their teeth on the bark of the vine, destroy as much us they devour. They destroy the blooming vineyard that is smelled, seen, heard and touched by their continued actions of finding their food and prey. Family is the basis of any society and church and where ever we see a breaking of that relationship we see the downfall of that society or church. Here the author is saying the reason of the destruction of this beautiful vineyard is the attack and involvement of these little foxes. Next page.

4 Continued.. YOUTH CHAPLAIN S MESSAGE Little foxes that destroy the vineyards When we consider the vineyard that is mentioned in this passage as the beautiful picture of a family, we also need to be aware of the little foxes that destroy this beautiful vineyard. What are these little foxes? Do we have these little foxes in our own families? I think these little foxes are everywhere and if we are not able to identify them and catch them, then we will be in trouble. Many of the family breaking stories are based on these little foxes and the result of not knowing how to handle these little foxes. We are all seriously concerned about petty/little things and that finally grows to disasters in the family lives. Who handles the remote control of the TV, who takes the garbage bag outside? Who helps the children in doing home works?, who drops and picks up children? Who buys groceries? The list will go on and on. Many a time we stuck up in these petty little things and like little foxes, who intruded into the vineyard, we end up in serious problems. We should be able to handle these types little foxes and catch them in the beginning itself. The other little foxes are our little sins such as anger, ego, jealousies, complexes, unconcern etc. These things normally don t come to the visibility in the first phase but gradually grows to a stage where we are not able to handle it. These little foxes are little more dangerous than the first group. These may not look dangerous in the first few years but will show its ferocious nature when it develops. As the writer says we need to catch these little foxes while they are entering in the vineyard. There is a third group of little foxes that gradually intrudes into the family vineyards are certain addictions. It starts as little things but will be dangerous while time progresses. One glass of alcohol, one party in a month, one sexual site, one extravagant spending, one pub experience, one extra marital relation and the list will be numerous. These are all little foxes that gradually take control of our lives and finally result in a disastrous ruin. We need to be away from these little foxes. Some people think that they will be able to handle the situations like this because everything will be in control at the beginning but they will see the danger when it grows beyond their control. The best way is to avoid these situations and as Paul says run away from these evils. There are many other little foxes that ruin our beautiful vineyards and the best way to handle this is the commitment that the writer talks in verse 16, My beloved is mine and I am his. If we have this commitment strong in our relationships especially in the families we will be able to catch these little foxes. This commitment is also the commitment that we have with our God, I am His and he is mine. I wish and pray that our relationships especially in our families will grow in this commitment. May God bless us all. V. M. Mathew Achen, Youth Chaplain 194 Bregman Ave, New Hyde Park, NY BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER Anisha Thomas 1 Anjana Thomas 1 Alex Abraham 2 Merlin David 3 Jessy Lukose 3 Smitha Mathew 3 Valsa Mathew 3 NOVEMBER 3rd, 2013 Mithosh Abraham 4 Subin G. Abraham 4 Moliamma Thomas 4 Philip J. Varghese 4 Koshy George 5 Christa S. Mathew 5 Kunjamma Mathew 5 Alvin Stanley 5 Abraham Thomas 5 Anitha Thomas 5 Sherry M. Zachariah 5 Tobin Abraham 6 Veena Susan John 6 Abraham Philip 6 Iype Abraham 7 Saram Titus 7 Jaison Joseph 8 Tency Anie Mathew 8 Thomas Abraham 10 Jacey Miriam Chacko 10 Merlyn George 10 Seth Abraham Trigy 10 Abraham Varkey 10 NOVEMBER 10th, 2013 T. Varghese Mathai 11 Joel Philipose 11 Shiji Abraham 12 Mathew George 12 Celine Mary Kurien 12 Paul Mathew 12 8 Robert Abraham 13 Ashok G. Mathai 13 Miriam Mathew 13 Noel Lyju Oommen 13 Steffy G. Thomas 13 Shalin Varghese 13 Abraham P. Joseph 14 Rejula Mathew 14 Anika Thomas 14 Valsa Abraham 15 Varghese Chacko 15 Gethin George 15 Shawn John 15 Teresa Mathew 15 Thomas Mathew 15 Lyju Oommen 15 Silvy Thomas 16 Ajai Benjamin 17 Mathew K. Cherian 17 Sujith David 17 Santhosh T. George 17 John Philipose 17 Bobby Varghese 17 Sona D. Varughese 17 NOVEMBER 17th, 2013 Thomas Kavunkal Thomas 18 Rachel Philip 19 Abraham C. Abraham 20 Derek Abraham 20 Alexander Thomas 20 Rosamma Thomas 20 Shane Varghese 20 Saji K. David 21 Julie K. Johnson 21 Justin J. Mathew 21 Debi Philip 21 Anju Thomas 21 Salimma K. Zachariah 21 Next page.

5 Mathew Deepak David 22 Lilly Simon 22 Zachariah Mathai 23 Betsy Mathew 23 Shijo Moncey 23 Shiny Anil Philipose 23 Nima George Issac 24 NOVEMBER 24th, 2013 Symon C. Abraham 25 Lissimol George 25 Jeswin K. James 25 Rajan Tuthiel Abraham 26 BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR NOVEMBER Tena & Ashish C. Abraham 3 NOVEMBER 3rd, 2013 Elizabeth & Philip Oommen 15 Jolly & Itty Philip 17 Susan & Oommen Philip 17 NOVEMBER 17th, 2013 Ponnamma & Varghese George 18 Mariamma & Mammen Thomas 22 Veena & Suseel Thomas 22 Marcia & Vinil M. Thomas 24 NOVEMBER 24th, 2013 Kunjujamma & T. John Mathew 27 Aleyamma & John T. Varkey 28 Usha & George Chacko 29 Sosamma & Kuttikattu Idichandy 29 Ammukutty & Bob M. Nainan 29 DECEMBER 1st, 2013 A Very Happy Wedding Anniversary to all. 9 P. T. Mathew 26 Alvin George 27 Monica Susan Mathew 27 Benjamin George 28 Christina John Jacob 28 Lizzy Mathai 28 Joel George 29 Lejemol Samuel 29 Nina Abraham 30 Bensy Benjamin 30 Reshma Ann Itty 30 DECEMBER 1st, 2013 CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF... Mrs. Lizy Chacko at the passing of her mother-in-law & grandmother of Jincy Chacko We hope and pray that Lord Almighty give you all the Courage, Strength and Peace to comprehend with your profound loss of your loved ones. Sunday, Nov 3 rd UPCOMING EVENTS at 3:00 pm - Half-Day Pre-Marital Counseling Seminar (Free event. Those interested in getting married - 18 and above are requested to attend.) Speaker: Dr. P.C. Mathew, Director of Urban India Ministries, Bangalore Nov 10th, Sunday - UNITY SUNDAY Nov 9th, Saturday - Harmony 2013 (See attached flyer) (CSI+MTC Worship together using MTC Order of Worship) THANK YOU Eastern Long Island Prayer Group parishioners and Mr. Philip Thomas and Mr. Beji T. Joseph for assisting with the church services and for preparing coffee for social time during the month of October. Floral Park & Glen Oaks Prayer Group will assist in the church services and social hour during the month of December. CONGRATULATIONS... Leena & Charles Abraham (NHP) on the birth of their son, Caleb Matthew Abraham 10 St. Johns Mar Thoma Church, Queens Village Nov 23rd, Saturday at 11 am Silver Jubilee Closing Ceremony, New York Nov 28th, Thursday - Thanksgiving Day. Benjamin Cardozo High School, Bayside (Volunteers needed by Mon, Nov. 11th - call Rev. V.M. Mathew ) Nov 30th, Saturday - Family Night 2013 (See attached flyer) Jean Nuzzi Intermediate School Auditorium, , 92nd Ave, Queens Village December 21st, Saturday Mar Thoma Church Day December 24th, Tuesday - Christmas Eve Program December 25th, Wednesday Birth of our Lord. Merry Christmas! December 27-29th North East Regional Youth Fellowship s 1 st Regional Youth Retreat. (12th graders and above are welcome to participate, details will follow.) Vocational Fathers Retreat Centre, Forlam, NJ.

6 If undeliverable, please return to: St. John s Mar Thoma Church th Street Queens Village, NY Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. - Psalm 95: 2-3 F O R P R I V A T E C I R C U L A T I O N O N L Y SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS Superintendent Abraham T. Abraham or Nursery Juniors, Grade 6 Sunitha Abraham Laila George Christine Thomas Johnson P. Philip Kindergarten Junior High, Grade 7 Molamma Thankachan Thankamma Abraham Leena Mathew Bently Joseph Bency George Cyril Abraham Aji Thomas Junior High, Grade 8 Primary Juniors, GR. 1 Rachel Mathew Bhavna Mathews Beji T. Joseph Joash Mathew Seniors, Grade 9 Primary Juniors, GR. 2 Susan Varghese Jyothi Thomas Anchi Mathews Sherry George Seniors, Grade 10 Joann Johnson Miriam Mathew Primary Juniors, GR. 3 Koruthu George Tinu Thampy Shajan Mathew Rachel Philip Senior High, Grade 11 Primary Juniors, GR. 4 Mathew P. George Rachel George Philip Oommen Rena Titus Senior High, Grade 12 Primary Juniors, GR. 5 Philip Varghese Sherly Ninan Music Instructors Mercy Babu Rena Titus Binu Daniel CHURCH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TEAM Vicar / President Rev. Joji K. Mathew (Par.) (Cell) Mr. Thomas M. George (631) Mr. Philip Thomas (516) (516) Mr. Biju Chacko (516) (516) Mr. Mathew Thomas (917) (718) Mr. Saji Thomas (646) (516) Audio/Video Systems Team Members: Mr. Sam George (516) Mr. Bob Abraham (516) Shawn Zachariah Jerin Thomas (516) (516)