Immanuel CSI Church 780, Salem Ave, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208 Parish News - May 2018 Motto for the Year 2017-18 Year of Discipleship Make disciples of all nations, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20b Worship Service at 9.30 AM Sunday School at 11.30 AM www.immanuelcsichurchnj.com
2 IMMANUEL CSI CHURCH, ELIZABETH, NJ COMMITTEE MEMBERS & THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES - 2018-19 Vicar : Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Members: Board of Trustees: Rev. Joby Joy Mullackal 848-247-8005 (M)/908-888-6018 (H) Mr. Thomas Mathew 732-589-9481 Mr. Jacob Puthuparampil 901-833-9816 Mrs. Mary Sachariah 908-883-1139 Ms. Rony Abraham 862-223-9628 Mr. Robin Varghese 785-393-6108 Mr. John William 973-484-2990 Mr. Mohan Cherian 845-537-0772 Mrs. Ciji Thomas 732-925-3203 Mr. Johnson Eapen 908-965-2138 Choir Secretary - Mr. John Abraham Sunday School Superintend - Mrs. Shameetha Jacob Youth Secretary - Ms. Ruth Sachariah Women's Fellowship Secretary - Mrs. Sujatha Arikupurath Laity Fellowship Coordinator - Mr. John Mullavelil CSI North American Council Rep. - Mr. John Sachariah
3 LETTER FROM THE VICAR Dear beloved in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. The risen Lord had several encounters with the disciples in various places and these appearances transformed the fearful and disillusioned disciples signi/icantly. In the month of May church initiates its meditations on Holy Spirit which was promised by Christ Jesus during his ministry and has given on the Pentecost day. Pentecost comes from the Greek word Pentekoste meaning /iftieth day. It is a name to indicate the Jewish Feast of weeks commemorating the provision of law which is given by God on Mt. Sinai. Acts 2 depict the series of events happened when the Jewish people were celebrating their /iftieth day after the Passover and for them, the /iftieth day marked the festival of wheat harvest. This day is also known as Shavuot. It was on this signi/icant day that the apostles gathered in Jerusalem and waited according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ and they had this wonderful experience. Luke writes in the book of Acts that suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it /illed the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of /ire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were /illed with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. It is quite contrasting to the inactivity of the disciples after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The disciples were afraid of the Jews and were living in hiding and denial and behind the closed doors. They feared for their lives after the horrible cruci/ixion of Jesus Christ. They thought that Jesus is the Messiah of God who has come to establish God's reign and to establish a new kingdom. The disciples should have been shattered that such a horrible thing could happen to a person who was good to all times and to all people and had compassion on all the suffering people and restored them to life. Ever since the disciples were called by our Lord Jesus Christ, they
4 have been called and equipped to do things which they are not normally capable of doing. They were with Jesus, they have heard the gospel so much yet now they need a transformation to be used by God. The Holy Spirit sets the disciples free from fear and they were /illed with heavenly power that they now will be able to travel far and wide and be ready to get killed for the sake of Jesus Christ and his gospel. They are born anew to die, as a sacri/ice to God. The church is called to fear God not its own members and leaders. The Church with such fear becomes incapable of doing anything relevant. A Church that is fearless faces the truth and truthfully addresses the world. One of the greatest temptations which are a limitation for the church and Christians is to desire to simply exist or to comfortably exist. God which challenges the church to do new things, discovers new abilities, constantly grow in faith and become more and more Christ like in essence. The Holy Spirit sets the church free from every limitations and trappings to be a sign of God's tremendous power and presence. The fourth gospel portrays the Holy Spirit as an interpreter (Paraclete), the one who helps us to make the words of Jesus (Gospel) understandable, the one who helps us to discern the ways of God, the one who leads us to all truth (Jn. 14: 26; 16:13). A noted early Christian church leader remarked, Without the Holy Spirit, God is far away, Christ remains in the past, the gospel becomes a dead letter. Thus Holy Spirit is God s comforting sign of nearness and fellowship which challenges us to be the visible sign of the invisible God. It also challenges us to re-interpret, contextualise, relive and re-enact the Christ event. As a Christian Church, a community centralised in Christ, we need to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in the voice of the poor and oppressed, in the groaning of creation. Pentecost was also an act of reconciliation by the Holy Spirit, by bringing together of the chosen and others, diverse caste, colour, creed, and caste etc. In this act of reconciliation, the Holy Spirit enabled the marginalised and voiceless voice to be heard in order to form a koinonia (Christ Community). May God almighty help every one of us to be part of this koinonia by sharing our resources, partnership in mission and ministry and stand /irm in solidarity with each other in times of need. Yours in Christ Rev. Joby Joy Mullackal Vicar
5 News and Events Building Committee Meeting: The church building committee meeting was held on April 8 th. Wedding: The wedding of Ms. Priya Daniel and Mr. Arun Thomas was held on April 2 nd at St. George Jacobite Syrian Church, Arakunnam. Parsonage Fund Raising: On April 22 nd, members of our church visited CSI Congregation of Hudson Valley as part of the ongoing fund collection for the parsonage. Women s Fellowship tele prayer: The tele prayer meeting of CSI North American Women s fellowship members were held on April 12 th. CSI Seaford WF led the prayer and Shine Robin Kochamma delivered the message. Women s and Laity Fellowship: The Regional WF and Laity meeting was held on April 28 th at CSI Congregation of Hudson Valley. Auxiliary Fellowship Meetings: Women s Fellowship meeting will be held every 1 st Sunday of each month after worship service. Youth fellowship meetings will be held every 2 nd and 4 th Sundays after worship service. Women s and Laity Fellowship meeting with Bible study will be held every 3 rd Sunday after worship service. Easter Sunday: Easter Sunday was celebrated on April 1 st. The Sunday School kids presented two programs: a song and a play. The youth had fun activities for the kids like Egg Hunt. Refreshments: Special thanks to Mr. Wilson Cherian & Fly, Mr. Regi Paalangara & Fly, Mr. Prateesh Daniel & Fly and Mr. John William & Fly for providing refreshments in the month of April. Cottage Prayer: Cottage prayer was held at the residence of Mr. John Sachariah & Family on April 7 th. Sunday School: A Sunday School retreat for students and teachers was held on April 14 th at the Jubilee Memorial Church. The Annual Sunday School competition will be held in Seaford Church, NY in the month of September. Baptism: The Baptism of Ms. Zera Elsa Varghese d/o Mrs. Teena & Mr. Robin Varghese was held on 28 th April 2018 at St. James CSI Church, Borivli, Mumbai.
6 News and Events cont.. Tele-Prayer: A tele-prayer led by Immanuel CSI Church NJ is planned by the CSI North American Council on May3rd, Weekly Prayer: For the month of May we will be praying for the following families: April 29- May 5: Mr. Pratheesh Daniel & Family May 6- May 12: Mr. Walter Das & Family May 13- May 19: Mr.Johnson Eapen & Family May 20- May 26: Mr. Mammen Eapen & Family May 27-June 2: Mr. Thomas Eapen & Family Youth Fellowship Family night is on June 2nd. Please let Ms. Ruth Sachariah know what you'd like to perform. Please remember the youth conference takes place July 5-8. The church picnic will be August 11th. Laity & Women s Fellowship Ruth Sachariah.for the tree is known and recognised and judged by its fruit. Matthew 12-33 You may bring to your of/ice, and put in a frame, a motto as /ine as its paint, but if you re a crook when you re playing the game, that motto won t make you a saint. You can stick up the placards all over the wall, but here is a word I announce: It is not the motto that hangs on the wall, but the motto you live,that counts. If the motto says, Smile", and you carry a frown: "Do it now, and you linger and wait: if the motto says Help, and you trample men down: if the motto says, Love, and you hate you won t get away with the mottos you stall, for truth will come forth with a bounce. It is not the motto that hangs on the wall, but the motto you live, that counts. Manjula Noone (adapt)
7 Church Parsonage Fundraising We are continuing to visit our nearby sister parishes and other denomination churches for the sale of our Raf/le tickets. Our own parishioners are generously contributing monthly towards raising funds for our building fund. It is not a compulsion but can contribute voluntarily. Meanwhile also getting checks from our previous unpaid collections. Please continue to support to reach our goal. Praisy Abraham & Mary Sachariah Sunday School Corner Reason's Why Sunday School is Important: 1. Sunday school improves your Bible knowledge. When you know and understand God s Word for yourself, you are more likely to obey the Lord. The Bible knowledge gained in Sunday School also helps you to become more pro/icient in using God s Word, the Bible. 2. Sunday School provides a place to belong. In Sunday school class, you are known, personally recognized and transparency is more likely to occur. You can share needs and concerns from your life. As you participate in class discussions, you become part of the group. 3.Sunday school assists your spiritual growth. Think of Sunday school teachers and class members who have modeled the Christian life. You learned from their examples how to live for Jesus. Most importantly, spiritual growth often occurs best in the context of small group Bible study, that s Sunday school. 4.Sunday school helps you build meaningful relationships. You meet people,their names, hear their stories and meet their families. You meet fellowship times with class members and others. 5. Sunday School gives you the opportunity to serve and minister our Lord. You show the love of Jesus to class members who have needs. 6. Sunday school is a place for for the whole family. In one trip to church your entire family could participate in Holy communion, bilble study and fellowship.you gain the assurance of knowing every member of your church family. Gibin Thomas
8 Order for Songs of Worship May Procession Sermon Offertory Recession 05/06/18 (M) H 3 H 252 L 154 H 283 05/13/18 (E) H 11 H 106 H 27 H 29 05/20/18 (M) H 164 H 169 L 395 L 412 05/27/18 (E) H 46 H 44 H 101 H 123 06/03/18 (M) L 204 H 188 L 186 H 393
9 ALMANAC May 2018 May 5/6/2018 5/13/2018 5/20/2018 5/27/2018 Service in Malayalam English Malayalam English 5th Sunday After Easter 6th Sunday after Easter Pentecost 1st Sunday after Pentecost Theme Christ's Invitation to be an Expression of Mission Waiting Upon the Holy Spirit, Mothers Day Come Holy Spirit Renew Us We Worship the Triune God ( Trinity Sunday) 1st Lesson Ezekiel 34 : 25-31 Shibu Isaiah 40 : 25-31 Sujatha Ezekiel 37 : 1-14 Sally Genesis 1 : 1-28 Shameetha Psalm 47 Alex M 51 Sheela 104 : 24-35 Jiya 2 Sandeep 2nd Lesson 1 Peter 2 : 1-10 Manju Kochamma Acts 1 : 1-11 Praisy Acts 2 : 1-13 Ligi 2 Cor 13 : 11-14 Teena Intercessory Achen Rebecca Kuruvilla Achen Rony Peace Roy & Sally Suja & Lisa Raju & Jaya Wilson & Anu Offertory Prasad Ciji Shaji Shebin
10 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life - Proverbs 9:11 Mrs. Thomas Eapen Mr. John Daniel Mr. Charles Frank Mst. Jacob Kurien Pothen Mrs. Ligi Alex Rev. San Ninan Mst. Ethan Samuel Mr. Shebin Alex Mr. Wilson Cherian Mrs. Anu Cherian Birthdays 7 th May 9 th May 10 th May 14 th May 18 th May 19 th May 19 th May 25 th May 29 th May 31 th May Wedding Anniversary With all humility & gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph 4: 2-3 Rev. Joby Joy & Manju Kochamma Mrs. & Mr. Johnson Eapen Mrs. & Mr. Wilson Cherian Mrs. & Mr. Thomas Eapen 4 th May 14 th May 22 nd May 28 th May Thanks to Mrs. Ciji Thomas and Mr. Thomas Mathew family for sponsoring the Newsletter for the month of May 2018.
11 Church Calendar 2018 Jan 1 21 Feb 4 11 14 18 New Year Covenant Day. Ecumenical Sunday Annual General Body Meeting Healing Ministry Sunday Ash Wednesday 1 st Sunday in Lent Sep 2 8 9 16 30 Education Sunday/Sunday School Reopening Region 1 &2 Sunday School Competition Women's Sunday Mission Sunday Senior Citizen s Sunday Mar 18 25 29 30 Passion Sunday Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Oct 7 13 21 28 Laity Sunday Laity Meeting Youth Sunday Reformation Sunday Apr 1 May 13 20 20 27 Jun 2 10 17 Easter Mother s Day Pentecost Sunday Womens Fellowship Seedling Auction Trinity Sunday Family Night Ecology Sunday Father s Day Nov 4 11 18 25 Dec 8,15 &16 23 25 29 30 World Sunday School Sunday Unity Sunday Girl Child Sunday Thanksgiving Sunday Carol Rounds Christmas Carol Service Christmas Day Region 1 & 2 Combined Carol Family Sunday Jul 4 6-7 8 22 Independence Day -USA Youth & Womens Fellowship Retreat Region 1 &2 Combined Service Mid-Year General Body Please plan & pray to participate in all the events of Immanuel Church of South India, Elizabeth NJ. Aug 5 11 19 26 Laity Sunday Church Picnic Harvest Festival Onam Sunday
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