-Mother Teresa It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. St. John s Mar Thoma Church 90-37 213 th Street Queens Village, NY 11428 If undeliverable, please return to: St. John s Mar Thoma Church 90-37 213 TH STREET, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY Worship - Sunday 9 a.m. Sunday School - After Worship www.stjohnsmtcny.org Vicar: Rev. Mathew Varghese 12 1
OFFICE BEARERS / BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR 2018 Vicar / President Rev. Mathew Varghese 718-465-2358 (Parsonage) 718-468-4141 (Church) 516-727-3720 (Mobile) vicar4stjohns@gmail.com Vice President Mr. C. V. Simonkutty 516-742-3520 Secretary Mrs. Marcia Thomas 917-463-6076 secretary4stjohns@gmail.com Treasurer Mr. Eapen K. George 718-753-4772 Accountant Mr. Cherian M. George 516-502-6334 Lay Ministrants Mr. Achankunju Mathew Mr. Jess J. Chacko 2 516-488-2629 718-300-3866 Sabha Mandalam Mr. Biju Chacko 516-996-4611 Diocesan Assembly Organizations: Mr. Sam George Mr. Allen Abraham 516-581-6128 516-242-9195 Edavaka Mission Mr. Abraham C. Thomas 516-437-1888 Parish Choir Mr. Samuel Thomas 516-216-5051 Senior Fellowship Mrs. Sosamma Idichandy 516-437-8562 Sevika Sangham Mrs. Mariyamma Zachariah 516-328-8791 Sunday School Mr. Johnson P. Philip 516-739-3744 Young Families Fellowship Mrs. Rena Titus 516-433-4540 Youth Fellowship Mr. Shawn Zachariah 516-328-8791 Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jain George 516-225-7284 Prayer Group Representatives: Bellerose Mr. Chacko K. Thomas 718-776-8103 Eastern Long Island Mr. Sanu Mathew 516-222-0826 Elmont & West Hempstead Mrs. Soosamma Varughese 516-776-7593 Floral Park & Glen Oaks Mr. Roy C. Thomas 718-347-0346 Garden City Park Mr. Mathew P. George 516-742-3686 New Hyde Park East Mr. Koruthu George 516-354-7552 New Hyde Park West Mr. Anil Baby Philipose 516-352-4746 Palli Bhagom Mrs. Sosamma Thomas 718-217-1740 Auditors: Mr. Bijoy Abraham 516-270-2643 Mr. Abraham Thomas 516-877-5925 Youth Chaplain: Rev. Shibi Abraham 516-437-0425 SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS SUPR: Johnson P. Philip - H: 516-739-3744; C: 516-343-4036 Nursery Juniors, Grade 6 Christine Thomas 516-216-5051 Athira John 718-807-7450 Cifi Sajan 516-708-1657 Jaisy Mathew 347-666-5505 Kindergarten Junior High, Grade 7 Sharon Varughese 516-974-4823 Teena Mathew 516-488-2629 Denson George 516-474-9716 Bently Joseph 516-643-4212 Primary Juniors, GR. 1 Junior High, Grade 8 Ginsey George 631-619-6869 Sherly Ninan 516-488-2574 Joash Mathew 516-450-7301 Swithin Titus 718-736-5084 Primary Juniors, GR. 2 Seniors, Grade 9 Ashley Jacob 631-704-6800 Mercy Babu 516-538-2833 Stefie Thomas 347-401-2800 Anchi Mathews 718-347-3488 Primary Juniors, GR. 3 Seniors, Grade 10 Rachel Philip 516-326-2629 Santhosh George 516-298-0901 Krupa Jacob 516-209-1050 Koruthu George 516-354-7552 Primary Juniors, GR. 4 Senior High, Grade 11 Rena Titus 516-433-4540 Mathew P. George 516-742-3686 Silvy Thomas 917-868-7842 Charles Abraham 718-551-1779 Primary Juniors, GR. 5 Senior High, Grade 12 Joann Johnson 516-739-3744 Philip Varghese 718-347-2709 Stacy Mathew 516-616-9446 Binu Chacko 347-262-8211 CHURCH FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TEAM Teacher Assistants Reena Mathew 516-784-3811 Augusta Sanu 516-652-4899 Chrismal Abraham 516-342-0889 11 AUDIO / VIDEO TEAM sjmtcny@gmail.com Mathew Thomas 718-343-1054 Bob Abraham 516-603-3898 Saji Thomas 646-591-8465 Sam George 516-581-6128 Bob Abraham 516-603-3898 Munna V. Sam 718-343-5036 Zachariah Mathai 917-208-1714 Shawn Zachariah 516-305-7287 Biju Cherian 516-775-1835 Justin Sam 718-749-7914 WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Ajai Varghese 650-316-0327
Date December 1,2,7,8,9,14,16,21,22 December 16 December 22 December 24 December 25 December 29 December 31 UPCOMING EVENTS - 2018 Event Christmas House Caroling Parish Day & First Holy Communion Youth Fellowship Silver Bell Christmas Eve Carol Service - 6:00 p.m. Christmas Day Service - 8:30 a.m. Youth Fellowship Night of Worship Watch Night Service - 9:30 p.m. Christmas House Caroling Schedule Saturday, December 1 Sunday, December 2 Friday, December 7 Saturday, December 8 Sunday, December 9 Friday, December 14 Sunday, December 16 Friday, December 21 Saturday, December 22 Elmont & West Hempstead, White Plains New Hyde Park East Palli Bhagom & Bellerose New Hyde Park West (Upto Lakeville Rd) Garden City Park ELI - Syosset, Commack, Plainview, Jericho New Hyde Park West (East of Lakeville Rd) ELI - East Meadow, Hicksville, Levittown Floral Park & Glen Oaks MESSAGE FROM THE VICAR Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, Happy Christmas. In Bethlehem, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. He was born, not by the will of man, but by the gift of the love of God our Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). This event is renewed today in the Church, a pilgrim in time. For the faith of the Christian people relives in the Christmas liturgy the mystery of the God who comes, who assumes our mortal human flesh, and who becomes lowly and poor in order to save us. And this moves us deeply, for great is the tenderness of our Father. The first people to see the humble glory of the Savior, after Mary and Joseph, were the shepherds of Bethlehem. They recognized the sign proclaimed to them by the angels and adored the Child. Those humble and watchful men are an example for believers of every age who, before the mystery of Jesus, are not scandalized by his poverty. Rather, like Mary, they trust in God s word and contemplate his glory with simple eyes. Before the mystery of the Word made flesh, Christians in every place confess with the words of the Evangelist John: We have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14). The sign of Christmas has also been revealed to us: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (Lk 2:12). Like the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we welcome in the Baby Jesus the love of God made man for us. And may we commit ourselves, with the help of his grace, to making our world more human and worthier for all creation As we are entering the last month of this year, let us thank Almighty for adding one more year in our life. It is not because of our merit but on His grace. Let us rededicate our lives before God and enter a New Year with new resolutions by holding the hands of God. I pray that the New Year may be a blessed year for all of us. May God bless all of us to be a blessing for others. Happy Christmas and blessed New Year! 10 -Rev. Mathew Varghese 3
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER DECEMBER 2; HOLY COMMUNION - MALAYALAM; 9 am Praise & Worship - Sunday School Sermon - Jeron Chacko; Prayer - Jerin P. Jose 1st Lesson Genesis 18:1-6 Titus George 2nd Lesson 2Timothy 4:9-18 Molamma Thankachan Epistle 2Corinthians 1:3-11 George Cherian Gospel Luke 1:39-45 Altar Boys - Abilene T. Anil, Chrisen Elias Bijoy Covenant Girls - Samantha Thomas, Stefie Thomas DECEMBER 9; HOLY COMMUNION - ENGLISH; 9 am Praise & Worship - Sunday School Sermon - Safia Thomas; Prayer - Chrisen Bijoy 1st Lesson 1Kings 19:1-21 Aswin Mathew WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES IN DECEMBER 1. Lizzykutty & Abraham Abraham 8 2. Sosamma & Rajan Thuthiel 9 December 9 3. Soosamma & Varughese Abraham 10 4. Anna & Anil Thomas 11 5. Jessy & Manoj Mathai 14 December 16 6. Rosamma & Abraham Thomas 17 December 23 7. Princy & Tinu Thampy 26 8. Meena & John Oommen 26 9. Annamma & Mathai Mathew 28 10. Mary & Thayil George M. 28 11. Nisa & Cherish James 31 12. Aparna & Santhosh Philip 31 13. Sheena & Shinoth Mathew 31 December 31 2nd Lesson Revelation 10:1-11 Rena Titus Epistle Galatians 1:11-17 Arun T. George Gospel Luke 1:57-66 Altar Boys - Calvin Sam, Chrisen Elias Bijoy Covenant Girls - Safia Thomas, Samantha Thomas DECEMBER 16; HOLY COMMUNION - ENGLISH; 9am Parish Day & First Holy Communion No Praise & Worship 1st Lesson Isaiah 40:1-11 Arun John 2nd Lesson Acts 20:17-25 Shibe Mani Epistle Philippians 4:4-9 Swithin Titus Gospel Mathew 1:18-23 Altar Boys - Calvin Sam, Chrisen Elias Bijoy Covenant Girls - Reena Mathew, Safia Thomas 4 CONDOLENCES *Condolences to Mr. Jacob L. Changarampallil (NHW prayer group) on the passing away of mother, Mrs. Saramma Lukose (72 years) on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Channapetta, Anchal, Kerala CONGRATULATIONS *Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Thomas and Mrs. Rincy Johnson (EWH prayer group) on the birth of their daughter, Layla Rachel Thomas born on Sunday, November 18, 2018 *Congratulations to Mr. Roy Raju and Mrs. Shalini Roy (GCP prayer group) on the birth of their daughter, Victoria Susan Roy born on Friday, November 23, 2018. *Congratulations to Mr. Liju John and Mrs. Anju Thomas (NHW prayer group) on the birth of their son, Jaden Liju John born on Sunday, November 25, 2018. 9
BIRTHDAYS IN DECEMBER 1. Sosamma Mathew 1 2. Aleyamma Koshy 1 3. Shantamma Jacob 1 4. Mathew Philip 1 5. Rev. Mathew Varghese 2 December 2 6. Jerry Thomas 3 7. Deepak David 4 8. Kunjumol Thampy 5 9. Priya Reji 5 10. Varughese Abraham 5 11. Jacob Joseph 5 12. Remi Saji 7 13. Christine Cherian 7 14. Roshini Cherian 8 15. Manuel Varughese 8 16. Mercy Thomas 8 17. M. Thomas 8 18. Mariamma Abraham 9 December 9 19. Binu Kurien 10 20. Pappachan Mathai 11 21. Koshy John 11 22. Bently Joseph 11 23. Melini Abraham 12 24. Justin Joy 12 25. Omana Mathai 12 26. Adam Philip 12 27. Christopher Thomas 12 28. Shawn Zachariah 14 29. Kaitlin George 14 30. Dhilan Abraham 15 31. Binitha Varughese 16 32. Aleyamma Cherian 16 December 16 33. Vinu Abraham 17 34. Sam George 17 35. Sherin Robin 18 36. Stacy John 18 37. Eric Gill 18 38. Reni Thomas 19 39. Selin Mathew 19 40. Jerrin Chacko 19 8 41. Joel Mathew 19 42. Jaime Jose 19 43. Katherine Philip 20 44. Johnson Philip 21 45. Renju Varghese 22 46. Chrisen Bijoy 22 47. Stella Mathew 23 December 23 48. M. Alexander 24 49. Cyril Thomas 24 50. Jocelyn Johnson 24 51. Samuel Thomas 25 52. Marilyn Thomas 25 53. Chrismal Abraham 25 54. Mariamma Thomas 25 55. Mariamma Thankachan 26 56. Aleyamma Mathai 27 57. Shanu George 27 58. Reju John 27 59. Seena Mathunny 28 60. Arlin Thomas 28 61. Anchamma Mathews 29 62. Marvin Gill 29 63. Jaisy Mathew 29 64. Alvin Frances 30 65. Mini Jacob 31 December 31 WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER DECEMBER 23; HOLY COMMUNION- MALAYALAM; 9 am Praise & Worship - Youth Fellowship Sermon - Jerryl Abraham; Prayer - Jacob Joseph 1st Lesson Isaiah 11:1-10 Chacko Zachariah 2nd Lesson 1John 5:1-12 Angelin Sara Mathew Epistle Romans 1:8-16 Arun T. George Gospel John 1:1-14 Altar Boys - Abilene T. Anil, Chrisen Elias Bijoy Covenant Girls - Stefie Thomas, Samantha Thomas DECEMBER 25; HOLY COMMUNION - ENGLISH 8:30 am Christmas Day Service DECEMBER 30; DIVINE SERVICE - ENGLISH; 9 am Praise & Worship - Young Family Fellowship Sermon - Rena Titus; Prayer - Swithin Titus 1st Lesson Zechariah 14:1-5 Akhil Mathew 2nd Lesson Acts 1:6-11 Angel Saira Mathew Epistle Gospel John 14:1-7 1Thesslonians 4:13-18 Swithin Titus Altar Boys - Abilene T. Anil, Chrisen Elias Bijoy Covenant Girls - Stefie Thomas, Samantha Thomas DECEMBER 31; HOLY COMMUNION - MALAYALAM 9:30 pm Watch Night Service 5
YOUTH CHAPLAIN S MESSAGE Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! Luke 2:14 The only way to really get peace in this world is to give Glory to God, the two are connected. The peace that this world needs and is searching for is a gift from God. It is believed that the famous French mathematician, philosopher, and physicist Blaise Pascal said, There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. As we are celebrating this Christmas season, and as we are getting ready to enter a new year, let us meditate on the fact that the only thing that can fulfill us is God. It is by giving glory to God in everything that we do, that we will find peace in this world. There can be no part of our life that is separated from worshipping God. We obtain peace when we understand our true purpose in this world. We were not created to glorify ourselves and take care of ourselves. We were created to Glorify God and to take care of each other. - Rev. Shibi Abraham CHOIR PRACTICES Malayalam choir practice - Every Sunday after service English choir practice - Saturday s 4:30 p.m. preceding English service THANK YOU Thank you to New Hyde Park West area prayer group for assisting with the church services and for preparing coffee during the month of November. Palli Bhagom area prayer group will assist in the church services and social hour during the month of December. 6 SEVIKA SANGHOM December 6 December 13 December 20 December 27 SENIOR FELLOWSHIP Wednesday s 4:00 pm YOUNG FAMILIES FELLOWSHIP YUVAJANA SAKHYAM YOUTH FELLOWSHIP EDAVAKA MISSION Fasting Prayer At Church Jayamol Lukose 110 Plympton Avenue, Roslyn Heights Miriam Mathew 88-25 Billings St, Queens Village Mariyamma Zachariah 519 North 1st Street, New Hyde Park At Church Health & Recreational Program No Meeting in December No Meeting in December No Meeting in December No Meetings in December AREA PRAYER MEETINGS NOTICE No Prayer meetings in December 7 516-621-0063 718-464-8372 516-328-8791 Please note the last day to pay this year s Subscription, Building fund, contributions, donations and all the dues from previous years will be Sunday, December 30, 2018.