St. Thomas. Mar Thoma Church, NY. 34 Morris Street, Yonkers, NY

Transcription

1 St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY 34 Morris Street, Yonkers, NY Feb 2017 Secretary: P.T.THOMAS Vicar / President: Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas revjathomas@yahoo.com Beginning of the Great Lent a Time for Transformation NEWSLETTER VOL. XXxiX NO. 2

2 WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCH OF MALABAR Date Time Worship 9.30 Malayalam Holy Communion Service Sun, Feb Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Holy Communion Service Sun, Feb 12 Sun, Feb 19 Sun, Feb Malayalam Divine Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Holy Communion Service Malayalam Holy Communion Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Divine Service Malayalam Holy Communion Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Divine Service LECTIONARY FOR FEBRUARY 2017 Date 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Gospel Sun, Feb 5 Isa. 42:1-9 Acts. 8:1-13 Jam. 5: St. Mark. 7:31-3 Sun, Feb 12 Isa. 65:17-25 Heb. 4:1-13 Col. 1:15-24 St. Mark. 2:23-28 Sun, Feb 19 Gen 6:1-13 Rom 5:12-21 Rom 7:14-25 St. Mat. 7:15-23 Sun, Feb 26 Isa. 44: Tim. 1:12-17 Rom. 11:13-24 St. John 2:1-11 Date Sun, Feb 5 Mon Thu Feb 6-9 Importance of the Day Compassionate Healing; Medical Mission Sunday Nineveh Fast (Three Days Fast) for Repentance, Conversion and Redemption Sun, Feb 12 Sabbath: Leading to the Perfection of creation Sun, Feb 19 Fall as the violation of the purpose creation Sun, Feb 26 Beginning of Great Lent (Pethurtha) Lent: Time for Transformation 2

3 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What keeps us from being spiritually fit? Do you ever feel like you lost direction? Do you know where you are going? God requires that we as Christians must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb.12:1). Imagine you only ate food once a week?! How would that affect your health? Suppose an athlete only practiced for a couple of hours once a week? How would that affect his game? It is the same way in our Christian life! If we are just training one day a week, it is very difficult for us to have the endurance to finish the race. As a Christian, Christ calls us to be spiritually fit athletes for Him. First, the Christian athlete must have clear vision of finish line. It is as St. Paul said, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2Tim.4:7-8) Secondly, to be a spiritual athlete one must have discipline and perseverance. We must constantly be working towards our goal. Just as one can't expect to run a marathon a week after training, spiritual athleticism involves patience and commitment. It involves patience and commitment. It involves denying yourself certain things you may want because they are not good for your Training....CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 3

4 Area Prayer Meetings Area Date & Time Location Manhattan / New Jersey Yonkers South (McLean Ave) / Bronx Upper Westchester/ CT Sat, Feb 4 6 PM Sun, Feb 5 Sat, Feb 11 Mr. Samuel Ninan Teaneck NJ Mr. Varghese George (Rajan) Yonkers NY Mr. Thomas Oommen New Rochelle NY Queens / Long Island Sat, Feb 12 Mr. Daniel GeeVarghese East Meadow NY Yonkers East Rockland Yonkers West Sat, Feb 18 Sun, Feb 19 Sat, Feb 25 TBA TBA Mr. Yohannan Yohannan Yonkers NY Yonkers North Sun, Feb M Mrs. Mariamma Andrews Yonkers NY10701 Parish Day Our 36th Parish Day was celebrated on Sunday January 22nd, The celebration began with praise and worship and the Holy Communion led by Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese followed. After the Holy Communion, a public meeting was held in which Town of Clarkstown Supervisor Mr. George Hoehmann was the chief guest. A power point presentation on the history and various activities of the parish was shown in the public meeting. Fellowship lunch was also provided. 4

5 Organizational Meetings Event Date & Time Location Friday Prayer Sevika Sangham Friday Prayer Meetings Fri, Feb am Mrs. Sherly Vaidyan Hartsdale NY Friday Prayer Fri, Feb 10 10:00 am Mrs. Mariamma Andrews Yonkers NY Friday Prayer Fri, Feb 17 10:00 am Mrs. Sosamma Joseph Yonkers NY Friday Prayer Fri, Feb 24 10:00 am Mrs. Mary Joseph Yonkers NY Edavaka Mission Event Date & Time Location Prayer Wed, Feb 1 7 PM Prayer Wed, Feb 8 7 PM Prayer Wed, Feb 15 7 PM Chapel Chapel Chapel Prayer Wed, Feb 22 Chapel 5

6 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3.. There are constant hurdles that one will come across. They may seem insignificant at the time like missing church one Sunday, not taking time for reading the Bible, or not praying because you are too tired, not going to prayer meetings, etc. But when you add them up, they are all designed to keep you from training to keep you from progressing toward your spiritual goal. So, remember, you must be a Christian athlete and train in this way: Prayer, is a unique experience where we confess our sins, dialogue and communion with him and God strengthens us through conversation and relationship with Him. Worship, all our life and not just on certain days alone. Reading the Bible, everyday as spiritual food and source of strength and endurance. Fasting, denying the physical desires for the sake of the spiritual. Man does not live by bread alone but, by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Mt.4:4). Mission, sharing the blessings God has given us with others so that we may be a blessing to all people. May God strengthen us all to be spiritual athletes for Him and as the faithful before us, keep the faith and finish the race! Your brother in Christ, Jaisen Achen revjathomas@yahoo.com ================================================================ Obituary Mr. Alwin Abraham, son of Mr. Abraham Mathew and Laly Abraham, great nephew of our member Mr. George Oommen passed away. Wake Services were held on Sunday Jan 15th and on Monday Jan 16th from 5 to 8 PM at Ruggerio Funeral Home, 732 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers. Paternal Grandmother of our member Mr Joji Varghese went to her heavenly abode. Funeral Service were held in India. Mrs. Ligi Thomas, niece of our member Mr. Thankachan Geevarghese, went to her heavenly abode at Cheppad, Kerala on Friday January 13, 2017at the age of 32. Funeral Services were held on Thursday January 18th at Haripad Mar Thoma Church. Mr. Wilson Baby (50), brother in law of our member Mrs. Saji Cherian (Kochumol) 27 Hemptor Rd New City NY went to be with the Lord on January 1 st Funeral Services were held at Puthenpeedika Mar Thoma Church- Pathanamthitta, 6

7 Obituary (continued ) Aunt of our member Mrs Molly Thomas passed away in Long Island. She was a member of Long Island Mar Thoma Church. Molly Varghese, cousin of our members Shanthamma Geroge and Jose Thomas went to her heavenly abode in Chicago. Funeral Services were held in Chicago. Varghese Varghese, cousin of our member Mr. George Mathai went to be with the Lord on Saturday January 14, 2017He was a member of Epiphany Mar Thoma Church. Viewing was held in Park Funeral Home on Tuesday January 17, 2017 Mr. George Pockattu the father of our member Mrs. Mini Jacob went to be with our Lord on Friday January 20th, 2017 at the age of 85. Funeral services were held at Emmanuel Mar Thoma Church Pandannad, Kerala on Tuesday January 24th. On behalf of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, I express our sincere condolences to all bereaving families. =========================================================== Yuvajana Sakhyam The Annual General Body meeting of the Ywill be held on Saturday Feb 4th, 2017 at 4.30 pm in the basement of the parsonage. CHOIR Choir General Body will be held on Sunday Feb 5th, 2017 after worship service. 7

8 Executive Committee 2017 Position Full Name Home Phone OFFICE BEARERS Vicar/President Rev. Jaisen Thomas (914) Vice President Dr. Varghese Abrham (914) Secretary Mr. P.T. Thomas (845) Treasurer Mr. Biju Varghese (845) Accountant Mr. Ullas Thannickal (845) Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. Yohannan Yohannan. (914) Lay Leader - English Mr. John C. Thomas (914) AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES Manhattan/NJ Mrs. Aleyamma Ninan (201) Queens/LI Mr. Varghese C. Baby (516) Rockland (Spring Valley) Mr. Suju Samuel (845) Rockland (Outside Spring Valley) Mr. Aju Daniel (914) Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John Daniel (845) Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John P. Varghese (914) Yonkers East Mr. Jacob Vaidian (914) Yonkers North Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (914) Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. John Mathai (914) Yonkers West Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES Sabha Mandalam Mrs. Sosamma Joseph (914) Diocesan Representatives Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) Mr. Samuel Ninan (201) ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Choir Mrs. Susan Philip (845) Edavaka Mission Mr. K. G. Varghese (914) Sevika Sangham Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (845) Sunday School Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) Youth Fellowship Mr. Binil T. Varghese (914) Young Family Fellowship Mr. Joji Varghese (914) Yuvajana Sakhyam Dr. Jereesh John (914) AUDITORS Mrs. Elizabeth Abraham (845) Mr. Jobby Thomas (516)

9 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Position Full Name Home Phone OFFICE BEARERS Vicar/President Rev. Jaisen Thomas (914) Vice President Mr. M.C. Chacko (845) Secretary Mr. P.T.Thomas (845) Treasurer Mr. Thomas Oommen (516) Accountant Mr. Josen Joseph (914) Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. Varghese George. (914) Lay Leader - English Mr. Nobin Vaidian (914) AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES Manhattan/NJ Mr. Varkey Uthup (201) Queens/LI Mr. Daniel Geevarghese (516) Rockland (Spring Valley) Mr. John K. Abraham (845) Rockland (Outside Spring Valley) Mr. P.T.Thomas (845) Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Cheruthone Mathai (203) Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John P. Varghese (914) Yonkers East Mr. Joseph Eapen (914) Yonkers North Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. M. J. George (914) Yonkers West Mr. Varghese Jacob (914) MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES Sabha Mandalam Mrs. Sosamma Joseph (914) Diocesan Representatives Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) Mr. Samuel Ninan (201) ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Choir Mrs. Shirley Thomas (516) Edavaka Mission Mr. Geevarghese Thankachan (914) Sevika Sangham Mrs.Sosamma Abraham (845) Sunday School Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) Youth Fellowship Mr. Binil T. Varghese (914) Young Family Fellowship Mr. Litten T. Thomas (845) Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Aju Daniel (914) AUDITORS Mr. Thomas Oommen (914) Mr. Geevarghese Kochumman (914)

10 Please return to: Anil Abraham St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church 34 Morris Street 138 Candlewood Drive Yonkers, NY NY FIRST CLASS MAIL STAMP! THANK S FOR PICKING UP NEWSLETTERS. YOU ARE HELPING THE CHURCH SAVE. EVERY PENNY COUNTS. If undelivered FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 10