CSI Congregation of Dallas 2422 North Glenbrook Drive Garland, TX 75040 www.csicod.org Vicar Rev. K. G Thomson 2725 Red River Street Mesquite, TX 75150 Parsonage (469)757-8285 Cell (214) 434-3639 CSI Congregation of Dallas (Newsletter published for private circulation only)
Beloved in Christ, Thanksgiving Day is an Annual National Holiday in the United States, celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Thanksgiving has deep roots in religious traditions, but nowadays it primarily is celebrated as a secular holiday. This year, our congregation celebrates it on the fourth Sunday of November. Psalm 105:1 says Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Here we have the National Holiday called Thanksgiving but as a Christian our thanksgiving should never cease. It is a day to give thanks to our Lord for the gracious and sufficient provision. We are told to do three things as could be read from Psalms 105:1. Firstly the verse says to give thanks to the Lord. Secondly, it demands us to call upon His name, and lastly to make known His deeds among His people. We can never achieve anything in life without the Lord in our life. You can be sure that the Bible encourages and commands the people of God to give thanks to our blessed and glorious Lord. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6) "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" 1 Timothy 2:1 In Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul the Apostle states Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. Paul commands the Church of Thessalonians the three requirements to lead a life of thanksgiving: a. Rejoice always: Joy is a basic mark of the Christian (Romans 14:17) and a fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22). In Thessalonians 5: 16 Paul commands the Church of Thessalonica to rejoice while she was in the middle of a severe wave of persecution. Paul speaks of the joy and not of happiness. Happiness is circumstantial and an emotion which we cannot control. We turn to be happy when the circumstances are good. Rejoicing is an intentional act of faith. It is the first exquisite requirement to lead a life of thanksgiving. b. Pray continuously: pray without ceasing suggests continual personal feelings with God. Paul continually urges us to do the same. Romans 12:12 states Be constant in prayer Eph 6: 18 Praying at all times in the Spirit. Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer. Don t we look for answers from God and murmur when we find it delayed? We must pray persistently with steadfast faith like Daniel. c. Give thanks: Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving. Let there be thanksgiving (Eph 5:4) Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:20) When we mediate Paul and Silas praised God from the bottom of their heart in all spirit, from inside the prison walls in Philippi. Thanksgiving needs to be an ongoing and continual thing in the lives of God s dear people. Why are we to give thanks to the Lord? Because it pleases the LORD (1 Thess. 5:18) When we are thankful to every detail of our lives, we will feel content. Thanksgiving is a way of life. We are blessed children of God. Let us show gratitude to Him at every moment of our life. May God bless us. Rev.K.G Thomson
November 2018 Worship Service & Bible Readings November 4, 2018 World Sunday School Day You are a Letter of Christ (Malayalam) 1 st Lesson - Exodus 2:1-10 Psalms 47 2 nd Lesson -2 Corinthians 3:1-11 Gospel Matthew 5:13-16 November 11, 2018 November 18, 2018 Light on the Lamp Stands (Unity Sunday) (Arranged by Sunday School) (English) Protecting the Girl Child (Sunday for the Girl Child) (Malayalam) 1 st Lesson - Zech. 4:1-14 Edwin Varghese Psalm 27 Cleo Mathew 2 nd Lesson - 1 Cor. 3:10-15 Reshma Thomas Gospel Matthew 5:14-16 1 st Lesson - Job 42:10-17 Riya Samuel Psalm 45:8-14 Anna Kaippallilmalil 2 nd Lesson -Acts 16:16-18 Suzann John Gospel Matthew 15:21-28 November 25, 2018 Waiting Prayerfully for the Coming of the Lord (English) To be arranged by Youth 1 st Lesson - Malachi 4: 1-6 Psalm 121 2 nd Lesson -Thess. 2:1-17 Gospel Matt. 25: 1-13 December 2, 2018 1st Sunday in Advent Celebrating the Good News (Meeting of Mary with Elizabeth) (Malayalam) 1 st Lesson - Exodus 2: 1-10 Mr. Shaji Mathew Psalm 117 Hannah Thomas 2nd Lesson - Acts 9: 10-18 Mrs. Christine Tharian Gospel Luke.1:46-56
November Birthdays Mr. Suresh Agrawal 1-Nov Mrs. Susy Joseph Alwin John Samuel Mrs. Viji George Ashlyn Joseph Pramson Kurien Mr. Mathew Daniel Mrs. Emy Varghese Mr. George K Poyikail Mr. George Thomas Mrs. Amminikutty Joseph Miss. Serah Abraham Mr. Shaji M Mathew Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas Mrs. Lilly Agrawal Mr. John Thomas (Deepu) 3-Nov 3-Nov 6-Nov 7-Nov 10-Nov 10-Nov 13-Nov 14-Nov 17-Nov 22-Nov 23-Nov 27-Nov 27-Nov 28-Nov 29-Nov November Wedding Anniversary Mr. John P Varghese (Thampy) & Mrs. Mariamma V. John 1-Nov Mr. Rony Joseph & Mrs. Leena Rony 1-Nov Mr. Jacob Cherian (Vivek) & Mrs. Smitha Cherian 2-Nov Mr. Jacob Davidson (Biji) & Mrs. Tessy Jacob Davidson 6-Nov Mr. Samuel Joseph & Mrs. Julie Abraham 8-Nov Mr. John Joseph (Joy) & Mrs. Susy Joseph 10-Nov Mr. Joji V George & Mrs. Vincy George 14-Nov Mr. George Mathews (Denny) & Mrs. Molamma Mathews 16-Nov Mr. Shaji Samuel & Mrs. Rubykuty Shaji 19-Nov
Women s Fellowship Regional Retreat 2018 @ St. Thomas CSI Church, Houston
A Day with Kunjammamma
Doxology The word doxology comes from two Greek words, doxa, which means glory, and logos, which means word. So a doxology is literally a word of glory. We sing doxologies to give glory or praise to God. There are number of doxologies. Among the more familiar doxologies is one traditionally used in Roman Catholic worship. It begins Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Another familiar doxology, The Gloria Patri, begins Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. The doxology under consideration here is only four lines: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. But these four lines just might be sung more frequently than any other Christian music. This doxology was written by Thomas Ken, an Anglican clergyman. Ken was born in 1637 and was orphaned at an early age. He then went to live with his half-sister, Anne, and her husband Izaak Walton. You might recognize Izaak Walton s name, because he was the author of The Compleat Angler, a book on fishing that quickly established itself as a standard work and ultimately became a classic. It was first published in 1653. Ken also wrote hymns for the students to use to mark the passages of their days, including Morning Hymn, Evening Hymn, and Midnight Hymn. Both the Morning Hymn and Evening Hymn end with the doxology that begins, Praise God from whom all blessings flow. That was the origin of this doxology. Ken established an excellent reputation at Winchester, and was eventually appointed chaplain to King Charles II. When the king decided to visit Winchester, he sent word to Ken that Nell Gwynne, the king s mistress, was to be lodged at Ken s house. Ken not only mounted loud objections, but also hired workmen to remove the roof to his house so that the king could not enforce Nell s lodgment there. In that time and place, an act of rebellion against the king could cost a person his head, but King Charles was impressed with Ken s courage. Not only did he allow Ken to live, but he even appointed him sometime later to be the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Some years later, Ken was one of seven bishops who refused to sign King James Declaration of Indulgence. For this act of rebellion, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London but he was later tried and acquitted. He died of natural causes in 1711. When Ken was fourteen years old, he entered Winchester College, and four years later began studies at Oxford. He later returned to Winchester College as the chaplain to the bishop. While there, he wrote his Manual of Prayers for the use of the Scholars of Winchester College, which he first published in 1674. It was a book of prayers for all occasions, and included (among many others) a Morning Prayer, an Evening Prayer, a prayer to use after committing a sin, a prayer for use when tempted, a prayer entitled Acts of Shame and another entitled Acts of Abhorrence.
Joint Secretary s Notes Our Harvest Festival was held on Sunday, October 28, 2018. Thanks to all members who took part in the auction, buying items and also in bringing items. Also, thank you to all Women s Fellowship members who cooked delicious chicken curry and fried rice for the Harvest festival bake sale. House to house Christmas caroling will start from Sunday, November 25th. All church members are invited to join the house to house caroling and share the good news of our Savior s birth. More information will be emailed to you shortly. Tele prayer is every Friday from at 8-9 pm, the dial in number is 515-604-9057; access code is 539672 followed by the # sign. Women s Fellowship: The 1 st Regional Women Fellowship retreat was held at CSI Church of Greater Houston on Oct 13 th, 2018. Many of the Women s fellowship members attended this blessed event. On Saturday, November 4 th, some of our Women s fellowship members and other church members visited Kunjammamma at Belterra Nursing Home, McKinney. We were able to spend some time in prayer and fellowship with Ammamma. Women s Fellowship prayer will be held every Wednesday at 10:00 am at the parsonage. The W.F. Saturday Morning Prayer will be held on next Saturday, November 24th at Mrs. Lizy Varghese's residence. Address: 2609 Chapel Hill Rd. Rowlett, TX- 75086 (Home Phone# 972-475-8964). All are requested to attend.
Our Deepest Sympathy Mr. Thomas George (95 years), father of Rev. K.G Thomson had been called to heavenly abode on Monday, October 15 th, 2018. Funeral service was held at St. Paul's CSI Church, Nallanikunnu, Pathanamthitta on October 17, 2018. Mr. Davidson Manasseh (82 years), father of Mr. Jacob Davidson had been called to heavenly abode on Wednesday, October 31 st, 2018. Funeral service was held at Holy Trinity CSI Malayalam Church, Vepery, Chennai, India on November 6, 2018. On behalf of the Executive Committee and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas, we extend our heartfelt condolences.
CSI Congregation of Dallas Executive Committee 2018 Vice-President Mr. Cherian Varghese (214) 424-7556 Secretary Mrs. Tessymol Kurien (214) 218-1358 Joint Secretary Mr. Vinod Philip (914) 403-5634 Treasurer Mr. John Thomas (214) 621-3870 Joint Treasurer Mr. Vinn Varghese (817) 600-8731 Warden Mr. Eapen Samuel (469) 324-7484 Warden Mrs. Mariamma George (214) 546-4792 Committee Member Mr. Jacob Jacob (214) 893-6898 Committee Member Mr. Roshan Abraham (704) 219-0134 Committee Member Mr. Mathew Kaippallimalil (972) 747-7298 Auditor Mr. Sreejith John (214) 695-8052 Choirmaster Mrs. Rayni Tharian (469) 226-4530 Choir Secretary Mr. Sreejith John (214) 695-8052 Sunday School Superintendent Mrs. Annu Vinod (914) 439-4777 Women s Fellowship Secretary Mrs. Deepa John (972) 533-7153 Women s Fellowship Treasurer Mrs. Lisamma Jacob (469) 569-6397 Youth Secretary Mr. Ryan Tharian (469) 226-7719