The Trumpet. Achen s Message. Contact. Dear Beloved in Christ,

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1 CSI Congregation of Dallas Monthly Newsletter The Trumpet Achen s Message Dear Beloved in Christ, We live in a mixed experienced world. Success and failure are an integral part of our lives. Success is not and ends in itself. The value of learning from previous mistakes lies in not repeating them. Previous victories encourage one to tread the beaten path. Success cannot be always measured with a lot of wealth, or cheers from the gallery. Failure or an apparent set back is the time to plan for something better. Everything takes more time than you think. Your first learning is never look back or you will suffer the fate of Lot s wife in the book of Genesis 19: 26 Lot s were fleecing the city of Sodom. Lot s wife looked back as she was following behind him and was turned into a pillar of salt. Elevate to the next level. How do we succeed? If we use the power of mind and broaden our horizon to see the world, something positive always happen. With the power of the mind we can always win. Commitment is the key. Commitment is the language of the wise. Complaint is the language of the fools. Challenge should not daunt you, you must embrace challenge. So decisions are necessary for one s progress. Every decision involves an action, which has an impact not only on you, but on others also. Contact Once an individual takes the decision he is responsible for the outcome of that decision. Try to discover the road to success. And you ll seek but not find. But blaze your own path and the road to success will trail right behind. May God, our Lord bless us to learn from the failures and help live in success. With prayer and kind regards, Ninan Jacob Achen 1 P a g e

2 February 5, 2017 Christ: The Rhythm of Life 1st Lesson Exodus 15:1-21 Mr. Mathew Daniel Psalm 149 Miss Crystal Mathew 2nd Lesson Ephesians 5:15-21 Miss Julia Mathew Gospel Reading Luke 8:26-39 February 12, 2017 Compassionate Love and Healing 1st Lesson Isaiah 42:1-9 Mr. Mathew Thomas Psalm 103:1-14 Miss Cleo Mathew 2nd Lesson - James 5:13-18 Miss Anusha Jacob Gospel Reading Mark 7:31-37 February 19, 2017 Fall as the Violation of the Purpose of Creation 1st Lesson Genesis 6:1-13 Psalm 32 2nd Lesson Romans 7:4-25 Gospel Reading Mathew 7:15-23 *** To be arranged by Youth Fellowship*** February 26, 2017 Lent: A Time of Transformation 1st Lesson Isaiah 44:21-28 Mr. Jacob Davidson Psalm 6 Mr. Nikhil Itty 2nd Lesson Romans 11:13-24 Mrs.Seena Thomas Gospel Reading John 2:1-11 March 5, 2017 Women s Sunday 1st Lesson Joel 2:28-32 Psalm 45 2nd Lesson Romans 16:1-13 Gospel Reading Luke 10:38-42 *** To be arranged by Women s Fellowship*** (Malayalam) (English) (English) (Malayalam) (Malayalam) 2 P a g e

3 The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following members a very Happy Birthday!!! February 3 February 4 February 6 February 6 February 8 February 8 February 9 February 11 February 11 February 13 February 14 February 14 February 18 February 20 February 21 February 21 February 24 February 25 February 27 February 28 Mr. Blesson Jacob Mrs. Christine Tharian Miss. Cleo Mathew Miss. Anusha Sara Jacob Mr. Toby V. John Mrs. Saramma Thomas Mr. Mathew Thomas Mast. Nikhil Jacob Itty Miss. Sharuna S. Shaji Miss. Ann Miriam Jacob Mr. Alvin Kurien Miss. Neha Anu Philip Mr. James Thomas Mr. Ryan George Tharian Miss. Maria Sara Kaippallimalil Mast. Mathew Varghese Mr. Jacob Davidson Mr. Itty Eapen Mrs. Seena Thomas Mrs. Shaini Thomas The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following families a very happy and blessed wedding anniversary February 11 February 14 February 24 February 26 Mr. Joseph Kurien & Mrs. Ammini Joseph Rev A.V. Thomas & Mrs. Mariamma Thomas Mr. Richardson Mathew & Mrs. Sherly Richardson Mr. Shelby Thomas & Mrs. Elizabeth Mathew 3 P a g e

4 Does God Still Speak To Us? A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways. It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God, if you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey." As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. "Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street." This is crazy he thought and drove on pass the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half-jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will." He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here." He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you." The man took the milk and rushed down a hall way speaking loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?" The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers. Author unknown 4 P a g e

5 There will be a youth Bible study at Julia Mathew s house. It will be held on Friday, February 24, 7:00pm. All youth members are invited to join us. Julia s address: 2209 Harvest Run Garland, TX Youth fellowship election was held on January 29 th, The new elected members for the CSI Congregation of Dallas Youth Fellowship 2017 are: Vice President Secretary Treasurer Edwin Williams Julia Mathew Ruby Richardson Committee Members- Ryan Tharian Rohan Samuel Aaron Jacob Alvin Mathew 5 P a g e

6 Condolences It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that the mother of our member Smitha Cherian, Annamma Paulose, age 65 has entered into her eternal abode on Monday, February 6 th. The funeral was held on Wednesday, February 8 at St. George Jacobite Syrian Church, Angamaly, Kerala. Please remember Jacob Cherian (Vivek), Smitha, Joshua, Amelia and all sorrowing family members in your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time in their life. By the grace of God, we held our annual CSI Congregation of Dallas election general body on Sunday, January 29 th, We thank Rev. John Mathai (CSI Christ Church, Chicago) for presiding over the election meeting. Congratulations to all newly elected 2017 executive committee members. May the good Lord lead and guide you to carry out the responsibilities given to you! Dedication service was held on February 5, 2017 and was led by Rev. A.V. Thomas. Dedication service was held for all newly elected members from Choir, Women s Fellowship, Youth Fellowship, and the Executive Committee. Rev. K. G. Thomson & Kochamma will be going for their visa appointment at the end of this month. Please pray that the visa process goes well and that Achen & Kochamma will join us in March. This year Women s World Day of Prayer is hosted by St. Mary s Malankara Orthodox Church, Farmer s Branch on Saturday, March 11 th, Please speak to Emy Varghese or Elizabeth Mathews if you are interested in attending this meeting. It was a great privilege and honor to serve as secretary of CSI Congregation of Dallas for the year I thank Rev. Ninan Jacob for his leadership, guidance and support he s given to me. I wish to thank all members for your prayers, support, and cooperation during the past year. Last, but not least I want to thank the CSI Congregation of Dallas Executive Committee members for their whole hearted support and team dedication. Let s continue to pray for our church and its spiritual growth. God Bless you! - Vinod Philip 6 P a g e

7 The Choir and Women s Fellowship held their annual election on Sunday January 22, CSI Congregation of Dallas Choir Choirmaster: Mrs. Rayni Tharian Secretary: Mr. Sreejith John Committee Members: Mrs. Mabel Mathew Mr. Rohan Samuel Mr. Bobby Tharian CSI Congregation of Dallas Women s Fellowship Secretary: Mrs. Emy Varghese Treasurer: Mrs. Elizabeth Mathews (Anu) Committee Members: Mrs. Anjana Jacob Mrs. Rachel Thomas (Bindu) Mrs. Shaini Thomas 7 P a g e

8 CSI Congregation of Dallas 2017 Executive Committee Vice President Secretary Joint Secretary Treasurer Joint Treasurer Mr. Mathew Daniel Mr. Shelby Thomas Mr. Jacob Davidson Mr. Mathew Thomas Mr. Richardson Mathew Wardens Committee Members Mr. Jacob Jacob Mr. John Thomas Mrs.Emy Varghese Mrs.Mariamma George Mr. Eapen Samuel And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-25) 8 P a g e