www.csicod.org csicod.secretary@gmail.com 2 P a g e
Beloved in Christ, God has given us the grace to enter into yet another New Year. Each New year is a celebration of God s providence. The Gospel according to St. Matthew 28: 16-20 is popularly known as the Great Commission. Now the eleven disciples are on a mountain in Galilee. When the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. The resurrected Jesus commissions the disciples for a universal mission, they are to go everywhere with the message of the good news in the name and authority of Jesus. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Thus the Church has the great commission. And this commission has made the church holy and apostolic. The church is called out or separated and commissioned by the risen Christ. The church is apostolic that has been sent out mission. The disciples are to go everywhere with the message of good news in the name and authority of Jesus. Their responsibility is to go, make disciples of all nations, baptize and teach. By the authority of Jesus the church may make disciples of all nations. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. This commissioning is a follow up of the glorification of Christ. The church is the community of the Holy Spirit. The church is to be conscious of its apostolate commission for mission which the resurrected Christ has entrusted the church. We are called and sent out to be bearers of the message of Jesus Christ and a preaching community. The risen Jesus promises to be with them always, in their fulfillment of the mission. Let us experience the continuing presence of Jesus Christ and fullfil the great commission that the Risen Lord has entrusted us. May God s faithfulness and loving kindness enrich us in the New Year. Wishing you all a happy and blessed New Year!! May God bless us Rev. K. G Thomson 3 P a g e
January 7, 2018 (Malayalam Service) Live Worthy of Your Calling 1 st Lesson Proverbs 20: 1-11 Mr. Eapen K. Samuel Psalm 14 Mr. Aaron D. Jacob 2 nd Lesson Romans 6: 12-21 Mrs. Happy Johnson Gospel Reading Matthew 7: 16-23 January 14, 2018 (English Service) One Lord, One Baptism 1 st Lesson Numbers 11: 23-30 Mr. Mathew Kaippalimalil Psalm 23 Mr. Nikhil Jacob Itty 2 nd Lesson 1 Corinthians 10: 1-4 Mrs. Viji George Gospel Reading John 10: 7-18 January 21, 2018 (Malayalam Service) Unity for Justice and Peace 1 st Lesson Ezekiel 37: 15-28 Mr. Kurien M. Kurien Psalm 4 Mr. Edwin Mathew William 2 nd Lesson Philliphans 4: 8-20 Mr. Jacob Cherian Gospel Reading Mathew 5: 21-26 January 28, 2018 (English Service) The Goodness of Creation 1 st Lesson Genesis 1: 24-31 Psalm 104: 1-13 English 2 nd Lesson Ephesians 1: 3-14 Gospel Reading Matthew 6: 9-13 *** To be arranged by Youth*** February 4, 2018 (Malayalam Service) The Fallen -ness of Creation 1 st Lesson Genesis 3: 1-10 Mr. James Thomas Psalm 53 Ms. Suzane Mariam Joseph 2 nd Lesson Romans 3: 21-26 Mrs. Jaqualin Varghese Gospel Reading Matthew 18: 23-35 4 P a g e
The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following members a very Happy Birthday!!! January 1 Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas January 16 Mr. Joji V. George January 1 Mr. Vinod G Philip January 17 Mr. Jikku Jacob John January 4 Mr. Rony Joseph January 20 Mr. George T Thomas January 4 Ariel Lilly Cherian January 20 Mr. William George January 5 Mrs. Jolly Samuel January 22 Mr. Jay Kuruvila January 7 Ms. Sarah Ann Cherian January 26 Mr. Bill Cherian January 7 Mr. Aaron D. Jacob January 26 Mr. Wesley Cherian January 7 Mrs. Lovely Raju January 27 Mr. Jacob Cherian January 8 Mrs. Mariamma V. John January 29 Mrs. Leelamma Varghese January 8 Mrs. Happy Johnson January 30 Mr. Joshua Cherian January 10 Mrs. Padma Susan Mathew January 30 Mrs. Saramma Mathew January 10 Mr. Mathew Kaippalimalil January 31 Mr. Jacob Jacob January 12 Mr. Jason Kurien The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following families a very happy and blessed wedding anniversary! January 5 January 5 January 7 January 7 January 10 January 11 January 14 January 16 January 22 January 30 January 30 Mr. M. K. Raju & Mrs. Lovely Raju Mr. Babloo John Williams & Mrs. Reesha Thomas Mr. George Itty & Mrs. Sherly Itty Mr. Jacob Varghese & Mrs. Thresiamma Jacob Mr. William George & Mrs. Jolly William Mr. Jacob Abraham Cheeramkulam & Mrs. Lisa Jacob Mr. Jeevan Joseph & Mrs. Lintu Jeevan Mr. James Thomas & Mrs. Viji George Mr. George M. Varghese & Mrs. Mariamma George Mr. Prakash Varghese & Mrs. Ann George Mr. Suresh Agrawal & Mrs. Lilly Agrawal 5 P a g e
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Cell Phones vs. The Bible I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones. What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we carried it with us everywhere? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we used it to receive text messages? What if we treated it like we couldn t live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency? What if we spent an hour or more using it each day? What if we upgraded it to get the latest version? Oh, and one more thing Unlike our cell phone, we don t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill! Have a Blessed, Happy and a Prosperous New Year!!! 6 P a g e
Oh Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95: 1 What better Hymns than Be Thou My Vision for New Year. The music is an 8th century Irish folk song entitled Slane, and refers to Slane Hill were in A.D. 433 Patrick (as in St. Patrick) challenged a pagan king, and some Druid Priests, by lighting a bon fire on the eve of Easter proclaiming the victory of Christianity in Ireland. It was on that evening, and at that hill that King Loe-gaire of Ta-ra himself a pagan traditionally lite a bonfire that initiated a pagan spring festival. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work in Ireland. The tune was written to commemorate this event. The stanzas we sing today are taken from a prayer that is believed to have been written by Patrick himself. The inspiration for the prayer seems to be taken from Jeremiah 9:23-24. Composed in Old Irish, the text was translated into English prose in 1905 by Mary Byrne. in 1912 Eleanor Hull used Byrne s translation to create a twelve-couplet poem from which the current stanzas were chosen. Thy hymn in its current form first appeared in The Irish Church Hymnal in 1919. It was introduced to Southern Baptists in our 1956 hymnal. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord Thou my great Father, I Thy true son Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one Riches I heed not, nor man s empty praise Thou mine Inheritance, now and always Thou and Thou only, first in my heart High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art High King of Heaven, my victory won May I reach Heaven s joys, O bright Heav n s Sun Heart of my own heart, whate er befall Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all May your days be sunny and bright, And your whole life is full of light. Always be firm and never get fear, because God gives us a brand New Year! 7 P a g e
God's Wings An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." - Psalm 91:4 My child, "God's letter to you" You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31) for you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me, you live and move and have your being for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you even before I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake; all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in you mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16), and it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11) for I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17) for I am your provider, and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33) 8 P a g e
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), my thoughts toward you are as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18) and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) for you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41). I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4) for it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20) for I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a Shephard carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4) and I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31) and to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved so that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23), and nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home, and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been your father and will always be your father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is, will you be my child (John 1:1-13)? I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32). Love, Your Father in Haven, Almighty God 9 P a g e
1. Tele Prayer We will have Tele prayer every Friday at 8pm to 9pm. Tele Prayer conference number is 515-604-9057, the access code is 539672 followed by the # sign. Please find time to join the tele prayer. 2. Women s Fellowship Prayer There will be women s fellowship prayer meeting on the first Wednesday of every month at the parsonage from 10:00 am 12:00 pm, the prayer is led by Sheela Kochamma. 3. 2018 Election General Body Meeting As per our Constitution, the annual Election General Body Meeting of the CSI Congregation of Dallas for 2018 will be held at church, after the Holy Communion service on Sunday, January 28 th 2018. 4. 2018 Election Process All election details has been posted on the church bulletin board. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask me. Following are the important dates for the election process. Publishing of Initial Voter s list January 7 th Inviting Nominations January 7 th Last Date to submit Nominations - January 14 th ( up till 1pm CST) Publishing of Final voter s list January 21st Withdrawal of Notification January 21 st. Notification of Nomination January 21 st. Election General Body January 28 th. Note: Nomination forms can be obtained from vicar in charge Rev. K.G. Thomson Achen or from Secretary Nominations must be submitted in sealed envelope to Vicar in charge Rev. K.G. Thomson Achen. 5. Prayer Requests Please pray for those who are sick and recovering, especially Annamma Eapen (Eapen Achen s Kochamma) Reshmi Abraham Susy Joseph Lisa Jacob Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy New Year!! God Bless you! - Shelby Thomas 10 P a g e
No Matter what happens. Some memories can never be replaced 2017 Caroling Thank You for all who participated & open their houses for caroling. Thank you for the fellowship. May God Almighty Bless each one of you Abundantly in 2018!!!!! 11 P a g e
Thank You Sunday School, Choir, and all who participated, prayed & worked hard behind the scenes to make 2017 Carol Service a big success. 12 P a g e