July CSI Congregation of Dallas CSI CONGREGATION OF DALLAS 2422 NORTH GLENBROOK DRIVE GARLAND, TX

Transcription

1 CSI CONGREGATION OF DALLAS 2422 NORTH GLENBROOK DRIVE GARLAND, TX VICAR REV. K. G THOMSON 2725 RED RIVER STREET MESQUITE, TX PARSONAGE (469) CELL (214) CSI Congregation of Dallas July 2018 (Newsletter published for private circulation only)

2 Beloved in Christ, Biblically stewardship can be defined as utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. A steward is a person entrusted with the management of the affairs of another person. We need to understand the significance of our role as stewards. Stewardship has a variety of meanings when it deals with money management, financial accountability, social response, assets management, time management, talent management, etc. The fundamental meaning of Biblical stewardship is God s ownership and his dominion over all things. We have been entrusted with God s resources. The Gospel according to Matthew 25:14-30 tells us the Parable of the Talents. Jesus speaks of a man who, shortly leaving on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one person he gave five talents, to another talents and to another person one talents. After giving to each according to their ability, this man went his way. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them and earned five more talents. Likewise, he who had two talents made two more talents. Instead of trading his talents, the man with one talent dug it in the ground and hid his master s money. Once the master returns to the place and settles accounts with them, he finds two of his servants had used their money wisely and responsibly. The Parable of the Talents teaches us of faithful stewards being wise, investing and multiplying what he has received from the Lord. Also, it suggests that the day will come when all of us has to give account of our stewardship. The Lord will reward us according to our performance. Initially, the parable does not give an idea of the reward. Moving towards the end, we observe a master who rewards his trustworthy servants. Similarly, God precisely tests us in our daily life. God watches us on how much we are honest and responsible to His call and accountable in our duties. Even the tiniest of our deeds are counted. God looks upon to utilize our gifts responsibly, productively and generously. Although the principle of stewardship affects many areas of our lives, we shall deal three areas in particular: Time, Talent and Treasure. Managing time has become a major issue in today s world. The lifestyle in modern days has put people under pressure and stress as we struggle to manage out time effectively. We should live our life with a purpose and with a focus. Apostle Paul gives such and advice to Christian communities in Ephesians 5:15-16: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making best use of the time, because the days are evil. John 9:4 says We must work the works of him who has sent men while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. The Gospel of John describes the urgency that Jesus himself felt to fulfill His mission in time. We are born with abilities and skills that can be developed with practice. As we grow and mature, we can learn how to use these talents to advance in life and to serve God and our community. In the New Testament, there were several passages that mention spiritual gifts which talents that God gives to people that need to be used for the betterment of the Church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:4, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. All our material possessions are also gifts from God. But they should be used wisely to support out families, to do good in the world and support the mission of the Church. Do recognize and realize that time and talents are a trust from God, where we are responsible to God for how they were used. Throughout the bible, we read God s expectation of us to be faithful stewards to fulfill His will on earth. We are entrusted with so many responsibilities by God to act as faithful stewards to manage the resources responsibly and honestly to bring glory to God. God Bless you, Rev. K.G. Thomson

3 July 2018 Worship Service & Bible Readings July 1, 2018 Stewardship: Transparency and Accountability 6 th Sunday after Pentecost (Malayalam) 1 st Lesson Exodus 36: 2-7 Mr. Vinn Varghese Psalms 116: Alvin Joseph 2 nd Lesson Philippians 4: Mrs. Mabel Mathew Gospel Luke 19: July July 15, 2018 July 22, 2018 July 29,2018 August 5, 2018 Theological Education: Knowing and Doing Faith (Theological Education Sunday) 7 th Sunday after Pentecost (English) People of God : Salt and Light 8 th Sunday after Pentecost (Malayalam) Ordained Ministry: Marked by the Wounds of Christ 9 th Sunday after Pentecost (English) Youth Sunday Honour Marriage 10 th Sunday after Pentecost (Malayalam) Senior Sunday Ministry of the Laity Laity Sunday 11 th Sunday after Pentecost (Malayalam) 1 st Lesson -Exodus. 3:1-12 Mr. Jisho Tony Philip Psalms 111 Prabitha Cherian 2 nd Lesson- 2 Timothy 2:1-13-Mrs. Jaqueline Varghese Gospel John 12: st Lesson -Isaiah 49 :1-7 Mr. Jinu Abraham Psalm -27-Anna Kaippallimalil 2 nd Lesson -Ephesians 5:1-5 Mrs. Rayni Mary Tharian Gospel -Matthew 5: st Lesson -1 Samuel 22:12-23 Psalm-56 2 nd Lesson -Galatians 6:11-18 Gospel -John 21: st Lesson -Malachi 2:13-16 Psalm-45 2 nd Lesson -1 Cor. 13:1-14:1 Gospel-Mark 10:2-9 1 st Lesson-1 Samuel 25:14-28 Mr. Edwin Williams Psalm-23-Leeya Thomas 2 nd Lesson-1 Thess. 4:1-12-Miss. Tina Thomas Gospel-Luke 10: 25-37

4 Birthdays Crystal Mathew Mrs. Divya Varghese Prabitha Cherian Andrew Varghese Mr Jacob Abraham Cheeramkulam Nikita Jacob Mr. Jacob John (Saji) Mrs. Anjana Jacob Mr. George Mathews (Denny) Mr. Derrick J John Alaina Mary Mathew Riya K Samuel Mr. Jinu Abraham Reshma Thomas Anna Kaippalimalil Mrs. Rayni Mary Tharian Mrs. Sheeba Alvin Mr. Roshan Varkey Abraham 2 July 2 July 6 July 6 July 9 July 11 July 11 July 15 July 17 July 18 July 18 July 19 July 19 July 21 July 21 July 22 July 27 July 28 July Wedding Anniversary Mr. Jisho Tony Philip & Mrs. Sherly George 12 July Mr. Thampy P Varghese & Mrs. Jaqueline Varghese 22 July Mr. Mathew Daniel & Mrs. Aleyamma Mathew 27 July Mr. Cherian Varghese & Mrs. Leelamma Varghese 30 July

5 Chorister s Corner In Christ Alone Songwriter Stuart Townend grew up as the youngest of four children in a Christian family in West Yorkshire, England, where his father was a vicar in the Church of England. The Townend family always enjoyed music, and young Stuart began to play the piano at the age of seven. Known and respected today by musicians and worship leaders throughout Britain and beyond, his involvement in Christian music dates back over 10 years.during this time, Townend has used his talents to produce albums for British-based worship leaders as diverse as John Pantry, Keith Routledge, Sue Rinaldi, Vinesong and Praise Gathering. As an artist, he has made two solo albums: Say the Word and Personal Worship. But it is perhaps as a songwriter that Stuart has made his most enduring contribution to the contemporary worship movement. Songs such as How Deep the Father s Love, My First Love, The King of Love, Who Paints the Skies and Lord, How Majestic You Are are favorites in the repertoire of thousands of churches around the world. And now one of his latest works, In Christ Alone, seems destined to take its place among other worship classics both in the UK and in the United States. Written in 2002, In Christ Alone was a collaborative effort between Townend and fellow songwriter (and now good friend) Keith Getty. The song came about in an unusual way, Townend explains. Keith and I met in the autumn of 2000 at a worship event, and we resolved to try to work together on some songs. A few weeks later Keith sent some melody ideas, and the first one on the CD was a magnificent, haunting melody that I loved, and immediately started writing down some lyrical ideas on what I felt should be a timeless theme commensurate with the melody. So the theme of the life, death, resurrection of Christ, and the implications of that for us just began to tumble out, and when we got together later on to fine tune it, we felt we had encapsulated what we wanted to say. In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm Townend and Getty both admit they are motivated by the idea of capturing biblical truth in songs and hymns that will not only cause people to express their worship in church, but will build them up in their Christian lives. I ve been amazed by the response to this song, says Townend. We ve had some incredible s about how people have been helped by the song through incredibly difficult circumstances. One described how a U.S soldier serving in Iraq would pray through each verse of the song every day, and how the promises of God s protection and grace helped to sustain him through the enormous pressures and dangers of life in a war zone. It seems like this song is timely, Townend says. We in the West have had our sense of safety and security brutally torn apart by recent world events, and it's caused many to re-evaluate the foundations of their life. I feel that the song has helped to stir faith in many believers that God really is our protector; that our lives are in His unshakable hands. What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled and striving cease My Comforter, my All-in-All Here in the love of Christ I stand Since its initial creation just two years ago, several versions of In Christ Alone have been recorded by artists around the world, and Townend admits to having a few favorites. I've heard some wonderful recordings of it. The Newsboys version is really fresh and exciting, and the one done by Alan Asbury is superb, Townend says. But the one that always moves me most is when we recorded it with a congregation of 8,000 at the Stoneleigh Bible Week in England a couple of years ago. When we finish the third verse, about the resurrection of Christ, there s an extraordinary burst of praise from the congregation that at the time was overwhelming, and listening back still sends a shiver down my spine. The uniqueness of Townend s writing lies partly in its lyrical content. There is both a theological depth and poetic expression that some say is rare in today s worship writing. And not surprisingly, it s an emphasis that Townend and Getty both maintained within the composition of this song in particular. I think content is vitally important to our corporate worship, Townend shares. Sometimes great melodies are let down by indifferent or clichéd words. It s the writer s job to dig deep into the meaning of Scripture and express in poetic and memorable ways the truth he or she finds there. Knowing the truth about God and who we are in Him is central to our lives as believers. Songs remain in the mind in a way sermons do not, so songwriters have an important role and a huge responsibility. No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny He continues, The lyric [of this song] excites me because it places our hope, our assurance, our eternal destiny in the right place on the solid foundation of Christ. I know in my own life I need reminding continually not to live by my feelings or my circumstances, but by the unchanging truth of the gospel. In Christ Alone was the very first collaboration between Townend and Getty. In fact, it was Townend s first collaboration with any other songwriter. But it was an experience he found to be very fruitful and well worth the effort. So much so that the two have continued their musical partnership on other songs, and are currently working on a series of songs based around the Apostles Creed. They are hoping to have a recording available next year, and are excited about the possibility of making it into a live presentation.

6 Sunday School Corner VBS 2018

7 Secretary s Notes CSI Council of North America tele prayer conference is held on every 1st Thursday at 8pm (CST). Dial-in Number: ; code: Tele prayer is every Friday from at 8-9 pm, the dial in number is ; access code is followed by the # sign. Women s Fellowship: Women s Fellowship Prayer will be on Saturday, July 14 th 10:00am at the residence of Mr. George Poikayil & Mrs. Cissy Kuruvilla Address 1654 Brighton Downs, Irving, TX Bible quiz on the Gospel of Mathew on Sunday, July 29 th.

8 CSI Congregation of Dallas Executive Committee 2018 Vice-President Mr. Cherian Varghese (214) Secretary Mrs. Tessy Jacob Davidson (214) Joint Secretary Mr. Vinod Philip (914) Treasurer Mr. John Thomas (214) Joint Treasurer Mr. Vinn Varghese (817) Warden Mr. Eapen Samuel (469) Warden Mrs. Mariamma George (214) Committee Member Mr. Jacob Jacob (214) Committee Member Mr. Roshan Abraham (704) Committee Member Mr. Mathew Kaippallimalil (972) Auditor Mr. Sreejith John (214) Choirmaster Mrs. Rayni Tharian (469) Choir Secretary Mr. Sreejith John (214) Sunday School Superintendent Mrs. Annu Vinod (914) Women s Fellowship Secretary Mrs. Deepa John (972) Women s Fellowship Treasurer Mrs. Lisamma Jacob (469) Youth Secretary Mr. Ryan Tharian (469)