MESSAGE FROM THE YOUTH CHAPLAIN

Transcription

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2 MESSAGE FROM THE YOUTH CHAPLAIN Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart - Luke 2:19 Wishing everyone a blessed and meaningful new year. Last month we were all busy in celebrating Christmas. Amidst this we were also shocked at the sudden demise of our Suffragan Metropolitan Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus which has left a great void in our church. The Dubai Mar Thoma Church expresses its deepest condolences over the demise of our beloved Thirumeni. He was a great visionary. The projects that Thirumeni has undertaken are deeply instilled and inspired by God. He responded to the needs of the people around. In Chengannur - Mavelikara Diocese there are more than 35 projects which are based on the needs of the people. I had the privilege of working under his leadership for 7 years in different parishes and could experience Thirumeni s constant encouragement and love. He was a great teacher and had profound knowledge not only in scriptures but in every spheres of life. A GRACEFUL SMILE, A GREAT THINKER, A GREAT TEACHER, A GREAT VISIONARY. May Thirumeni s life inspire us all. As we enter into the New Year, I wish to draw your attention to Mary s response towards the birth of Jesus. She treasured up all these things and pondered them in heart. a) Life based on the word of God: The reformation of our church took place on the basis of the word of God. The word of God gives us the vision and drives us for mission. Mary had a long journey ahead. She had to face the challenges ahead. The main strength that she derived was from meditating on the word of God. Mary had to witness her son Jesus crucified on the cross. How difficult its to face but the life based on the word of God gave her the strength to face it. The submission of Mary is also reflected in the naming of the child as Jesus. b) Learn from the past: It is not living in the past but to learn from the past. Let us review our past and the lessons that we have learnt. There are many things to be rectified and corrected. Let us allow God to transform our lives. It is by relying on the Grace of God that we discern the right and wrong. Mary completely submitted before God by accepting to live according to His will. We are now preparing for the harvest. As Malachi 3:10 says Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this says the Lord Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Let us bring our tithe and submit it to the Lord. Once again wishing a blessed new year. In prayers Rev. Roby J. Mathew (Youth Chaplain) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1

3 CSbt{ijvS³ HmÀ½IfneqsS... ae c amàt m½ kpdnbm\n k`bpss t{ijvtkpcphpw BNmcyåambncp A`nhµy kjdnbmkv amà sxtbm^ntemkv k{^k³ sa{xmt meo m Xncpta\nbpsS tzlhntbmkw k`bv p Xocm\ãamWv. k`bv p sszhwx¼pcm³ \ÂInb hczm\ambncp p A`nhµy Xncpta\n. sszh nsâ kvt\lnx³ F À w hcp sxtbm^ntemkv Xncpta\n hnfn sszh nsâ ImÂNph«n \n psim ïv temi nåv kz w PohnXm\p`h fnâ DSbhs\ shfns Sp phm³ Ahkm\ \nanjw hsc PohnXw {]tbmp\ s Sp n. hµy Xncpta\nbpsS Hmtcm NphSphbv pw sszhlnx{]imcw F Xnep]cn At\Isc IÀ mhnsâ kaos] F n phm\på ZÀi\ ne[nãnxhpambncp p. efnxamb- PohnXssien apjap{zbm nb Xncpta\n kmaqlyzài\ nepw, k`mkvt\lw, PohnX hnip²n, hn\bw, hnizkvxx, hnizmkw F nhbnepw Gsd Du  \ÂInbncp p. Hcn se nepw A`nhµy Xncpta\nsb ImWp hà v AhcpsS a\ênâ \n v Xncpta\n bpambn snehgn [\yamb \nanj sf hkvacn phm³ km[yaã. Bßob ]nxmhmbncn p t¼mgpw FÃmhÀ pw FÃmambn Xocphm³ Xncpta\n Gsd {i²n ncp p. Hmtcm aåjy\nep apå km[yxisf Is ï n Ahsâ {]m]vxnsb sszhcmpy n\v apxâ q«pw {]tbmp\hpam n XoÀ phm³ Cu CSbt{ijvT\v km[yambn. ""temita XdhmSv'' F PohnXZÀi\ nâ FÃmhÀ pw Cu BNmcyt{ijvTsâ hnimeamb sszhcmpy {]hà \ nâ CSapïmbn cp p. amàt m½ k`bv pw, CXck`IÄ pw, temi n\pw hµyxncpta\n \ÂInb kw`mh\ Ifpw PohnXZÀi\ fpw, IcpXepIfpw hnkvacn mhp XÃ. FÃmhcptSbpw lr S fnâ Cu BNmcy t{ijvtåv F pw Hcp CSw DïmIpw. ]dªmâ Xocm \ IÄ Hcp aåjymbpênsâ {]m]vxn pdambn- X¼pcm\n B{ibn v hmcn hnxdnb Cu henb PohnX n\p ap¼nâ Hcn  qsn BZcmÚenIÄ AÀ n p txmssm w Zp_mbv amàt m½ CShIbpsS A\ptimN\w Hcn  qsn tcjs Sp p p. Mar Theophilus: A pilgrimage A shepherd begins his exodus Exodus towards the tears of the earth A shepherd s pilgrimage towards the wounded A shepherd having the art of love A shepherd holding the art of life A shepherd echoing the trumpet of love Yet his heart kept an unwritten melody His soul searched the alphabets of love A great shepherd, the architect of dreams he travelled on the less travelled paths; walked and sought the wounded soul; taught about green pastures in the midst of wilderness; In the midst of the whirlwind, he had a dream he had a dream... his soul longed for quiet waters... his eyes panted for the water brooks... When eyes closed, he saw the rays of glory When the journey stopped on soil Yet he commenced a new exodus The exodus to the ecstatic joy of that beautiful shore far away... No journey ends here... Regards Benny Achen CShIbv p thïn hnimcn txmakv k dnbm ³ Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works. ~ Martin Luther

4 LECTIONARY & AREA ASSISTANCE SCHEDULE Date Theme 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Gospel Area 07 Jan 08 Jan 09 Jan Be Holy - Temperance Day Deuteronomy 7:1-11 Ephesians 5: Peter 1:13-19 St. Luke 6:43-45 Karama C Bur Dubai A Bur Dubai B 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan One Body and One Baptism Hosea 1:1-11 Ephesians 4:1-7 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 St. Mathew 16:13-19 Holy Trinity Ras Al Khor / IC Al Warqa/Rash. 21 Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan United in Christ s Love Deuteronomy 4: Corinthians 1:10-18 Ephesians 3:1-7 St. John 15:11-17 Clock Tower Al Maktoum A Al Maktoum B 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan Lord: Worthy of Adoration Exodus 15:1-18 Revelation 7:9-12 Phillippians 2:1-11 St. Luke 10:21-24 Naif Road Frij Murar Kuwait Area 04 Feb 05 Feb 06 Feb Pethrutha Beginning of Great Lent Isaiah 58:1-14 Romans 2: Corinthians 5:16-21 St. John 2:1-11 Hor Al Anz Al Shaab A Al Shaab B 11 Feb 12 Feb 13 Feb Christ presence with the outcast Esther 4:1-17 Acts 15:8-21 Romans 15:7-13 St. Mark 1: Abu Hail Al Nadha Dubai Al Ghusais A WORSHIP SCHEDULE THURSDAY S FRIDAY S FRIDAY S FRIDAY S SATURDAY S Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) pm Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) am Holy Communion Service (English pm Matins Worship Service (English) (3rd, 5th Fri) pm Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) am (Holy Trinity Church, Oud Mehta Road) KARUTHAL Karuthal is a local project to support the less privileged community in UAE. Members interested in using their time and God given gifts in helping those who are needy are welcome to become a part of this team. For further details contact Convenor Mr. Jacob Office bearers Contact Numbers: Varughese Mathew (Vice President) anishstl@eim.ae Philip P Easow (Secretary) alan_easow@yahoo.com Jose G Lukose (Treasurer) josenellivila@hotmail.com Binu Mathew Panachamoothil (Accountant) binumps@gmail.com Look not back on yesterday; So full of failure and regret; Look ahead and seek God s way, All sin confessed you must forget. - Dennis DeHaan

5 FROM THE PARISH SECRETARY MALANKARA SABHA THARAKA: Mar Thoma Church publication Malankara Sabha Tharaka for yearly or renewal of subscription please contact the coordinator: Jobi Joshua BHADRASANA PRAKASHAM: You can get news and latest developments on our Diocese through the Bhadrasana Prakasham. For subscription please contact our Diocesan Assembly member Denny Aringada Thomas If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him! - Matthew Simpson

6 ORGANISATION NEWS SUNDAY SCHOOL MAR THOMA SUNDAY SCHOOL, DUBAI AT JEBEL ALI CHURCH Our Sunday school s regular classes being held on every Friday from to after the Holy Qurbana service at The Mar Thoma Parish-Dubai, Jebel Ali. Date Programme Timing Remarks 08 Jan 2016 Convocation & Annual prize distribution 8:00 am onwards Convocation (Church) Prize distribution at the basement 15 Jan 2016 Sunday school new academic year starting 10:30 am to 12:15 pm Church 22 Jan 2016 Regular Sunday school 10:30 am to 12:15 pm Church 29 Jan 2016 UAE Centre children fest 10:30 am onwards Mar Thoma Church, Abu Dhabi UAE CENTRE- SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION: Jubilee celebration children fest is scheduled to be held on 29 January 2016 from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Mar Thoma Church, Abu Dhabi. For any further information, kindly contact the Sunday school Headmaster K. T. Alex or Secretary Mathew K Abraham (Saji) TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Sunday School s regular classes are held every Saturday after the Holy Qurbana service from am onwards at the Trinity Church compound. Sunday school reopens after Christmas break on 09 January 2016.There would be a Teachers Worship on the 9th. New admissions are welcome. For any further queries, please contact Headmaster M Ashwin Abraham on or Secretary Asha Jacob on PARISH MISSION Parish Mission meets every Friday at am at the Bethel Carmel Hall. For further details please contact Secretary Jacob Mathew Day & Date Program Venue Friday 01 Jan No Meeting - NEW YEAR Thursday 07 Jan Night 10:15 pm Bethel Carmel Hall Friday 08 Jan Regular 10:45 am Bethel Carmel Hall Friday 15 Jan Regular 10:45 am Bethel Carmel Hall Friday 22 Jan Regular 10:45 am Bethel Carmel Hall Friday 29 Jan Regular 10:45 am Bethel Carmel Hall In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

7 ORGANISATION NEWS SEVIKA SANGHAM Sevika Sangham meets every Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening at four different areas as mentioned below. Unit 1 Sunday: Unit 2 Monday: Jebel Ali Ind. Area / Jebel Ali FZ / Al Quoz /Gardens / Barsha / Al Warqa- Rashidiya/ Ras Al Khor - International City. Jumeirah / Satwa / Karama A / B / C / Bur Dubai A / B / Holy Trinity Area. Unit 3 Saturday: Al Maktoum A / Al Maktoum /B / Naif Road / Frij Murar / Kuwait Hospital Area / Clock Tower / Hor Al Anz & Garden City. Unit 4 Monday: Al Shaab A / Al Shaab B / Abu Hail-Mamzar / Al Nahda Dubai / Al Ghusais A / Al Ghusais B / Muhaisnah A / Muhaisnah B / Al Towar Unit 5 3rd Sundays: Al Nahda Sharjah / Al Khan / King Faisal, Sharjah / Rola-Ajman. (Convenor for Unit 5 - Ms. Betty Thomas ) A combined meeting is held at Holy Trinity Church, Hall No. F-2 every 4th Monday of the month. For further details contact Secretary Mrs. Elsy Chacko / SEVIKA SANGHAM FASTING PRAYER Sevika Sangham conducts fasting prayer every 2nd, 3rd & 4th Wednesdays from 9.30 am to am at Holy Trinity Church (F2 Hall). Please contact Convenor Mrs. Ramani Raju / YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Youth Fellowship meets every Friday at am at the Jebel Ali Parsonage. We would like to encourage all the youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Secretary, Nithin Titus YF Cottage Fellowship: Cottage Renjith n Jackselin s residence at Gardens, Dubai on Saturday January 9, 2016 at pm. For more details please contact / Sam YF Couples Meet: Couples Zibu n Vineetha s Residence at Karama, Dubai on Friday January 8, 2016 at pm. Message by Mr. Alex Isaac. For more details please contact Abby / Jaya CHOIR Parish Choir - Malayalam: Practice is held on every Friday from pm at Easow Mar Timotheos Hall. Saturday Choir Practice at Trinity Church Compound (Hall C3) is held after the morning service. For further details please contact: Sajimon Abraham Parish Choir - English: Practice is held in Church every Friday after English Worship from 2.30 pm onwards. For further details please contact: Oommen John on SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP There is a UAE Centre Meeting of the Senior Citizens Fellowship members scheduled to be held on Friday, 22nd January at the Easow Mar Timotheos Hall, Jebel Ali from 2.30 to 4.30 pm. For further details please contact Mr. Ittycheirah P. I Requesting all Senior Citizens Fellowship members to attend the meeting. There is nothing in this world that can compare with the Christian fellowship; nothing that can satisfy but Christ. - John D. Rockefeller

8 ORGANISATION NEWS YUVAJANA SAKHYAM Yuvajana Sakhyam meets every Friday at 10:45 am at Bethanya Hall after Service. Encouraging all Yuvajana Sakhyam members of our parish to participate in the regular activities of Sakhyam. YUVAJANA SAKHYAM PROGRAMMES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2016 DATES PROGRAMMES Fri, 08 Jan: Sakhyam Meeting by Rev. Benny V. Abraham 11, 12, 13 Jan: Yuvajana Sakhyam Convention, Speaker Evg. Reji Jacob Fri, 15 Jan: Sakhyam Meeting Fri, 22 Jan Yuvajana Sakhyam Picnic, Contact: Convenors: Anson Thomas & Reji Thomas Fri, 29 Jan: Bible Study class 3 on the book of Amos led by Rev. Thomas Zachariah & Mini Kochamma Yuvajana Sakhyam Convention will be held on Mon, Tue & Wed. (11th, 12th & 13th of January 2016) starting from 8.00 pm at the St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Oud Mehta Speaker is Evg. Reji Jacob (Evangelist & Counsellor, Executive Director Of AFFERM). For further details contact: Convenor Tini Ninan For further details, please contact Y S Secretary Gilu K John on , giluklsy@gmail.com, dubaiyuvajanasakhyam@gmail.com. Job Cell: Paul Ninan on , Prayer Cell : Aji Thomas Yuvajana Sakhyam organised a trip to the Holy Land which was a great blessing and was attended by Rev. Benny V. Abraham and our members. During the Parish Day celebrations, Yuvajana Sakhyam gave out gold medals and certificates to the toppers of the 10th & 12th standard exams. Congratulations to all the toppers and may God bless you abundantly! The awards were presented by our Diocesan Episcopa. As in the past, this year too the Yuvajana Sakhyam distributed food and other materials to the labour camps as part of the Chirstmas Gift programme. This saw the participation of a large number of our YS and Parish members. A big thank you to all. Having the answers is not essential to living. What is essential is the sense of God s presence during dark seasons of questioning. - Ravi Zacharias

9 PARISH NEWS A hearty welcome all new members to the Mar Thoma Parish Dubai. Please keep in touch with the Vicars and respective prayer group leaders of the Church. ABIN BOBBY A Gardens St.Thomas MTC, Punnavely JITHIN VARGHESE J Bur Dubai - A St. Peters MTC, Chennithala DR. ROBIN VARGHESE R Ras Al Khor/ Intn l City Ascension MTC, Hyderabad SAJU JOHN S Rolla / Ajman St.Thomas MTC, Kattanam CONDOLENCES Mr. M. Punnoose (66 years), Mundukottakal Ashis Bhavan, Pathanamthitta, father-in-law of Mr. Mathew Abraham, Al Quoz prayer group. Mrs. Aleyamma Cherian (72 years), Edakara Nilampour, mother-in-law of Mr. Ninan Oommen & Mr. Abraham Samuel, Jumeirah prayer group. Mr. George Varughese (80 years), Punnamottil, Coimbatore, father-in-law of Mr.Biju Alex, Al Nadha Dubai prayer group and grandfather of Mrs. Rincy Philip w/o Mr. Rejo Philip, Muhaisnah prayer group. Mrs.Chinnamma Eapen (93 years), Cherupalathil, Vennikulam, mother of Mr. Abraham C.E., Bur Dubai B prayer group. Mr. K. M. Jacob (62 years), Kuzhuvamannil House Pullad, our former member and Kaistana Samathi member, father of Mr. Geby Mathew Jacob & Geoby Easow Jacob of Al Barsha Prayer group and brother of Mr. Thomas K. Mathew of Jumeirah prayer group. Mr. K. V. George (84 years), Kottur, Payannor, father of Mr. Edison George Al Nadha Dubai prayer group. Dubai Mar Thoma Parish expresses heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members on the sad demise of their beloved ones. May our Almighty Lord strengthen and comfort them. FAREWELL Mr. Zacheriah P. Titus (Babu), member of Jebel Ali Industerial Area prayer group is going back to his hometown Thiruvalla, after working here for last 35 years. On behalf of The Mar Thoma Parish, Dubai we thank the families for their fellowship over the last years and wish them God s blessing in their new place. KAISTHANA SAMITHI MEETING The 7th Kaisthana Samithi meeting for the year will be held at the Easow Mar Timotheos Hall on Friday, 8th January 2016 starting at 6.00 pm. All Kaisthana Samithi members are requested to attend. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 1 Chronicles 16:11-12

10 CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICES EVENTS OF Our Parish Christmas Carol Services in the month of December which was prayerfully attended by a large number of our Parish members. The English Service Carols were held on the 12th of December and the message was given by Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa. Apart from the Senior Choir, which rendered a number of melodious Carols, the Children s Choir and True Calling - the Youth Fellowship Choir put up beautiful songs giving the reason of Christmas. 17th December we saw the Carols presented by our Parish Choir and the Junior Choir. The message was shared by His Grace Dr. Youhanan Mar Demetrios Metropolitan. Both the Services had the presence and encouragement of the Vicar, Asst. Vicar and our Youth Chaplain. Whatever makes men good Christians; makes them good citizens. - Daniel Webster

11 THE MONTH TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME The Christmas and final day programme at Trinity Sunday School was held on December 19, 2015 at the E1 hall in the Trinity campus. The children put up various songs and choreography based on the Christmas theme. Our three Achens encouraged the children and spoke about the importance of understanding the meaning of Christmas. THE MAR THOMA SUNDAY SCHOOL JUNIOR CAROLS Our Sunday school Junior carol for the year 2015 was held on 25th Dec 2015 and students from Preschool to Young Adult II (Grade 12) staged various programmes for the carol evening. We praise our Lord for leading us in the year 2015 and helping all of us to see yet another year SEVIKA SANGHAM CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME SEVIKA SANGHAM Sevika Sangham had their Christmas programme on December 14th with different area members presenting Carols, skits and other programmes. Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa gave the message which was attended by our Vicar and Asst. Vicar as well. Unit 4 of our Sevika Sangham won the 1st prize in the Group Song Competition of the Inter Unit Kalamela recently. Congratulations! Don t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. - Corrie Ten Boom

12 PARISH DAY CELEBRATIONS Our Parish celebrated its 47th birthday last month. Our Diocesan Episcopa, Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa was the Chief Guest for the Parish Day celebrations.thirumeni spoke about working together in harmony and to strengthen the bonds of relationship so that our Lord can be worshipped in spirit and truth. During the Parish Day we had the children s dedication and honouring of Senior Citizen s of our Church by giving Ponnada. The toppers of 10th & 12th standard were awarded as well and the Yuvajana Sakhyam released the latest album of Heavenly Hits. After the programme, a sumptuous lunch was served to all Parish members. Praying that our Parish will go from strength to strength in the coming years and we will be able to spread the good news of Christ. BUS ROUTE BUS ROUTES CO-ORDINATORS International City Mr. Gipsy George , Mr. Saji George Al Nadha - Al Ghusais Al Shaab Rajan John Al Maktoum Hospital Santhosh Cherian Water Tank-Al Riqa Naif Road Thomas Zacharia Bur Dubai Karama - Satwa Robin Varghese (Bur Dubai) Dinil (Karama), Varghese A.T (Satwa) Al Quoz Thomas Varghese , Gracious Paul Sonapur - Rashidiya Mammen V. J , K.J. Joseph (Jose) / Jebel Ali Free Zone Sunny Markose , Jiju Jebel Ali FZ South Main Gate Jose , Babu Varghese Dubai Investment Park Cherian John , Raju Yohannan Jebel Ali Industrial Area Monachan Varghese , Alex For more details contact BUS CONVENOR: Varughese Mathew Rev. Thomas Zachriah (Vicar) Jebel Ali Parsonage P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE T: , F: M: E: thomaszac65@gmail.com For more information, please contact Rev. Benny V. Abraham (Asst. Vicar) Al Nahda Parsonage P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE T: , F: M: E: aasishaardra@gmail.com Rev. Roby Jacob Mathew (Youth Chaplain) Sharjah Chaplain Parsonage P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE T: M: E: revrobyjm@gmail.com Caretakers at our Parish: Shaji , John For private circulation only. The Mar Thoma Parish, P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE Church Office Tel: Website: