St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY 34 Morris Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 http://www.stthomasmtc.org Aug 2017 Secretary: P.T.THOMAS Email: pt@ptthomas.net Vicar / President: Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas revjathomas@yahoo.com Happy Indian Independence Day NEWSLETTER VOL. XXxiX NO. 8
WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCH OF MALABAR Date Time Worship 9.30 AM English Holy Communion Service Sun, Aug 6 12.30 PM Adult Bible Study Sun, Aug 13 Sun, Aug 20 Sun, Aug 27 9.30 AM 12.30 PM 9.30 AM 12.30 PM 9.30 AM 12.30 PM English Holy Communion Service Adult Bible Study Malayalam Holy Communion Service Adult Bible Study Malayalam Holy Communion Service Adult Bible Study Lectionary and the important days in the church Calendar Date Lessons Epistle-Gospels 1 Tuesday Beginning of Fifteen Day s Lent 6 Sunday The Feast of Transfiguration - Matale Be the witnesses of the glory of our Lord -Mission Sunday (9th Sunday after Pentecost) Exo. 24:12-18 2 Pet. 1:16-19 Heb. 12:18-29 St. Luke. 9:28-36 13 Sunday Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage (10th Sunday after Pentecost) 15 Tuesday Gen. 2:18-25 Eph. 5:21-32 Heb. 13:1-6 St. Mat. 19:1-12 End of Fifteen Day s Lent. Independence Day - Freedom to do Justice 20 Sunday Reformation Day: Worshipping Community) (11th Sunday after Pentecost) 2 Kings. 23:1-9 1 Pet. 1:13-25 Rev. 1:1-9 St. Mat. 9:35-38 27 Sunday The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana: Celebration of Salvation (12th Sunday after Pentecost) Exo. 16:1-16 1 Cor. 10:15-17 1 Cor. 11:23-30 St. John 6:47-58 2
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What keeps us from being spiritually fit? God requires that we as Christians must throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily and let us run with perseverance the race out for us (Heb.12:1). Imagine you only ate food once a week?! How would that affect your health? Suppose an athlete only practiced for a couple of hours once a week? How would that affect his game? Contd. on next page 3
It is the same way in our Christian life! If we are just training one day a week, it is very difficult for us to have the endurance to finish the race. As a Christian, Christ calls us to be spiritually fit athletes for Him. First, the Christian athlete must have clear vision of finish line. It is as St. Paul said, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2Tim.4:7-8) Secondly, to be a spiritual athlete one must have discipline and perseverance. We must constantly be working towards our goal. Just as one can't expect to run a marathon a week after training, spiritual athleticism involves patience and commitment. It involves denying yourself certain things you may want because they are not good for your training. There are constant hurdles that one will come across. They may seem insignificant at the time like missing church one Sunday, not taking time for reading the Bible, or not praying because you are too tired, not going to prayer meetings, etc. But when you add them up, they are all designed to keep you from training to keep you from progressing toward your spiritual goal. So, remember, you must be a Christian athlete and train in this way: Prayer, is a unique experience where we confess our sins and God strengthens us through conversation and relationship with Him. Worship, all our life and not just on certain days alone. Reading the Bible, everyday as spiritual food and source of strength and endurance. Fasting, denying the physical desires for the sake of the spiritual Man does not live by bread alone but, by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Mt.4:4). Mission, sharing the blessings God has given us with others so that we may be a blessing to all people. May God strengthen us all to be spiritual athletes for Him and as the faithful before us, keep the faith and finish the race! Your bro in Jesus Christ, Jaisen Achen email: revjathomas@yahoo.com 4
Area Prayer Meetings Area Date & Time Location Manhattan / New Jersey Yonkers South (McLean Ave) / Bronx Rockland Upper Westchester/ CT Rockland Queens / Long Island Yonkers East Sat, Aug 5 Sun, Aug 6 Sun, Aug 6 Sat, Aug 12 Sun, Aug 13 Sun, Aug 13 Fri, Aug 19 TBA Mr. Lenny Thomas Yonkers NY 10705 Mr. Binu Abraham New City NY 10956 TBA Mr. Biju P. Varghese Valley Cottage NY 10989 TBA Mr. John Thomas Yonkers, NY 10707 Rockland Yonkers West Sun, Aug 20 Sat, Aug 26 Mr. Samuel Oommen Spring Valley NY Mr. Varghese Jacob Yonkers NY 10710 Yonkers North Sun, Aug 27 6.30M Mr. George Yohannan Yonkers NY Fasting Prayer Saturday August 19th at 10.00 AM Sam V. Kuruvilla Ardsley NY 10502 5
Organizational Meetings Sevika Sangham Event Date & Time Location Friday Prayer Fri, Aug 4 10.00 am Mrs. Thankamma John Yonkers NY 10705 Friday Prayer Fri, Aug 11 10:00 am Mrs. Marykutty Varghese Yonkers NY 10705 Friday Prayer Fri, Aug 18 10:00 am Mrs. Jessy Kuruvilla Ardsely NY 10502 Friday Prayer Fri, Aug 25 10:00 am Mrs. Annamma Thomas Suffern NY 10901 Edavaka Mission Event Date & Time Location Prayer Wed Aug 2 7 PM Mr. K G Varghese Yonkers NY 10710 Prayer Wed Aug 9 7 PM Church Prayer Wed Aug 16 7 PM Church Prayer Wed Aug 23 10.00 AM Mr. V P Abraham Bethlehem PA 18020 Prayer Wed Aug 30 7 PM Church 6
OBITUARIES Mr George Abraham, nephew of our member Mr. John K. Abraham, went to be with the Lord at the age of 78 on July 2, 2017. Wake and funeral were held in Kerala, India Brother in law of our member Mrs. Aleyamma Chacko, went to be with the Lord on July 4. Funeral Services were held in Kerala, India. Mrs Mariamma Ninan, mother of our member Mr. Sunny Ninan went to her heavenly abode in India at the age of 87. Funeral Services were held in Bethel Mar Thoma Church Kalloopara on Friday July 14th. Representing the parish, I attended the funeral services and expressed our condolences. Also Mr. Thomas Mathew, Yonkers along with his family attended the funeral services. Our member Mr. Mathunny Eapen, 49 Virginia Place Yonkers went to be with the Lord on Monday July 10, 2017. Wake Services were held on Thursday July 13th and Friday July 14th at our Church. Funeral services were held on Friday July 14th at 9 30 am and burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Varghese Mathew, maternal uncle of our member Mrs. Marykutty Thomas went to his heavenly abode on August 1st at the age of 86. Funeral services were held at Nazareth Mar Thoma Church, Ranny on Saturday August 5th 2017. On behalf of St Thomas Mar Thoma Church I express our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and pray that God will give them sufficient courage strength and peace at this time in their life. =================================================== Happy Indian Independence day India became Independent on August 15, 1947. Agreeing to a peaceful transfer of power, Britain s King George VI s message to Indians on August 15, 1947 read: Freedom-loving peoples everywhere will wish to share in your celebrations For with this transfer of power by consent comes the fulfillment of the great democratic ideal to which the British and Indian peoples alike are firmly dedicated. 7
================================================ PARISH RETREAT Postponed to a later date =========================================== Edavaka Mission s Clothing Drive Edavaka Mission is conducting a Clothing Drive. All are requested to donate their used clothes that can be distributed to the needy neighbors in our community Please contact Mr. K G Varghese for more details (914) 202-7093 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Young Families Picnic Date: August 20th @ 3pm. Place: TBD Please contact Mrs. Susan Philip for more details (845) 267-8256 8
New Born Esther Marie Thomas to Rev. Jaisen A Thomas and Dr. Sherin Ann Thomas Selah Joseph to Mr. Sabu Joseph and Mrs. Smitha Sara Zachariah Congratulations to the proud parents ==================================== Sunday School Regional Talent Festival September 16, 2017 8:30 AM 5:00 PM at Long Island MTC NY ================================================= ANNUAL PICNIC Date: Saturday August 5th 2017 Place: Rockland Lake Park Congers NY 10920 For more details please contact Aju Daniel at (914) 255 8478 Suju Samuel at (845) 426 6635 ===================================== Upcoming National Conferences Senior Fellowship Yuvajana Sakhyam Sept. 20-23 Sept 29 Oct 1 Sevika Sanghom Oct 12-15 Dallas Farmers Branch St. Peters, NJ Staten Island 9
FOR THE ATTENTION OF FIRST YEAR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS On Friday August 11, 2017 at 6:00 pm at church, we are having a session for our students who graduated from High School and are off to college for the first time. Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas and Rev. Shibi Abraham will lead the session. Dinner will be provided. All first year college bound students are requested to attend. College Student Dedication for both old and new college students, post graduates etc. will be held Sunday August 13, 2017 during English Holy communion Service Since many college students will be leaving for college starting the week of August 14, this dedication service is arranged for such students before they leave for college. There will be regular students dedication on Sunday September 3, 2017. SEVIKA SANGHOM ACTIVITIES Activity Date Venue Farmers Market August 20 St. Thomas Sevika Sanghom Day September 27 St. Thomas Diocesan Conference October 12-15 Staten Island Mar Thoma Church Family Night October 21 st St. Thomas Regional Kalamela October 28 th St. James, Hillburn, NY Regional Conference Culinary Workshop November 18th TBA St. Andrews, Yonkers 10
PARISH ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2017 Program Dates Conveners Picnic Saturday August 5 th Rain Date August 19th Mr. Aju Daniel and Mr. Suju Samuel Retreat TBA Mr. T. P. Jacob Convention September 22-24 Mr. K. G. Varghese Senior Citizens Sunday Oct 22nd Dr. Varghese Abraham Recognition Thanksgiving Thursday November Mr. John P Varghese 23 rd Christmas House Caroling December Weekends Mr. Thomas Oommen and Mr. Samuel K Samuel Christmas Carol Service Saturday Dec 23 rd Mr. Aju Daniel and Mrs. Susan Philip Parish Day 2018 Sunday January 28 th P.T. Thomas Food Committee Ushers Sound System Mission Activities Mr. Jishu Samuel and Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (Yonkers) Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (Spring Valley) Mr. John P. Varghese Mrs. Aleyamma Ninan Mr. John C Thomas Dr. Varghese Abraham P.T. Thomas Mr. Biju P Varghese Mr. Ullas Thannickal Mr. Yohannan Yohannan Mr. John C. Thomas 11
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 2017 Position Full Name Home Phone Vicar/President Rev. Jaisen Thomas (914) 376-6530 Vice President Dr. Varghese Abraham (914) 961-4405 Secretary Mr. P.T. Thomas (845) 826-1110 Treasurer Mr. Biju Varghese (845) 268-0887 Accountant Mr. Ullas Thannickal (845) 638-8075 Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. Yohannan Yohannan. (914) 476-0217 Lay Leader - English Mr. John C. Thomas (914) 457-8197 AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES Manhattan/NJ Mrs. Aleyamma Ninan (201) 692-0649 Queens/LI Mrs. Sherly Thomas (516) 796-2672 Rockland (Spring Valley) Mr. Suju Samuel (845) 426-6635 Rockland (Outside Spring Valley) Mr. Aju Daniel (914) 255-8478 Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John Daniel (845) 240-1578 Upper Westchester/CT Mr. John P. Varghese (914) 939-0064 Yonkers East Mr. Jacob Vaidian (914) 337-2470 Yonkers North Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (914) 560-4106 Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. John Mathai (914) 237-3952 Yonkers West Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) 690-4868 MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES Sabha Mandalam Mr. Thomas Oommen (516) 796-2672 Diocesan Representatives Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490 Mr. Sunil Varghese (845) 268-3647 Mr. Nobin Vaidian (914) 337-2470 ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Choir Mrs. Susan Philip (845) 267-8256 Edavaka Mission Mr. K. G. Varghese (914) 202-7093 Sevika Sangham Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (845) 426-2327 Sunday School Mr. T.P. Jacob (516) 365-3750 Youth Fellowship Mr. Binil T. Varghese (914) 968-3531 Young Family Fellowship Mr. Joji Varghese (914) 961-2853 Yuvajana Sakhyam Dr. Jereesh John (914) 207-8790 AUDITORS Mrs. Elizabeth Abraham (845) 634-9319 Mr. Jobby Thomas (516) 233-2148 12
Please return to: Anil Abraham St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church 34 Morris Street 138 Candlewood Drive Yonkers, NY 10705 NY 10710 FIRST CLASS MAIL STAMP! THANK S FOR PICKING UP NEWSLETTERS. YOU ARE HELPING THE CHURCH SAVE. EVERY PENNY COUNTS. If undelivered FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 13