Private Circulation Only If undelivered, please return to: Rev. Mathew Varughese 64 Creekside Circle Spring Valley, NY 10977 2011 ST JAMES MAR THOMA CHURCH OF ROCKLAND Please Pick Up Your Copy Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. 42 Fourth Street Hillburn, NY 10931 Phone: 845-357-5670 Office & Vicarage 64 Creekside Circle Spring Valley, NY 10977 Phone/Fax: 845-362-8158 Web Site http://www.sjmarthoma.org 16
Executive Committee - 2011 Office Bearers Area Code (845) Vicar & President Rev. Mathew Varughese 362-8158 Vice-President Kuruvilla Cherian 365-1336 Secretary Rajan Mathew 624-2114 Treasurer John Mathew 365-8289 Accountant Alex Mathew 359-0359 Lay Ministrant Chacko P George 268-4435 Shaimi Jacob 553-4370 Committee Members Clarkstown Area Elizabeth Mathew 268-6553 Clarkstown Area Moncy Kurian 268-0250 Ramapo Area George Alexander 567-6925 Ramapo Area Beena John 425-3788 Orangetown Area Joji Joshua 624-3640 Orangetown Area Mathew Samuel 613-7673 Assembly Member Subin Alexander 398-5179 Mandalam Member Valsamma Jose 352-1631 Edavaka Mission Choir Sevika Sangham Valsamma Jose 352-1631 Sunday School Mariamma Ninan 639-1128 Youth Fellowship Yuvajana Sakhyam George T. Karakal 624-1108 Auditors Auditor Sony Mathews 269-2471 Auditor Ajay Pappan 504-0599 Sunday School (9/1 6/30) Regular Parish Activities Every Sunday 09:00 am Choir Practice Every Sunday 01:15 pm Area Prayer Meetings Orangetown Area First Saturday 07:00 pm Ramapo Area Second Saturday 07:00 pm Clarkstown Area Third Saturday 07:00 pm Youth Fellowship First Sunday Third Saturday 11:00 am Yuvajana Sakhyam Third Friday 07:00 pm Sevika Sangham Edavaka Mission First Monday/Tuesday Third Monday/Tuesday First Friday Fourth Saturday 07:00 pm 10:00 am 07:30 pm 07:30 pm Maintenance Committee 1 year term Thomas Ninan 352-1631 2 year term Sanjayan Joseph 639-1128 3 year term Jose P Mathunny 215-9357 Other Contributors Website Administrator Thomas V. Cheriyan 627-0227 2 15
Serenity Prayer. Vicar s Message Volume XXI Issue 10 OCTOBER 2 0 1 1 Serenity Prayer: What are the words? The Serenity Prayer goes like this -- God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. Serenity Prayer: What does it mean? This beautiful prayer was written by a man named Reinhold Niebuhr in 1943. The words have special meaning to those who are often looking for peace at a time of turmoil, despair, or uncertainty in their lives. This prayer has become closely associated with 12 Step programs, offering strength and calm in pursuit of a more stable life. First, through uttering these words, we are acknowledging God s existence and recognizing that He is truly the only one who can bring us inner peace regardless of chaotic circumstances. His wonderful presence in our lives brings serenity that can be found nowhere else. There is a Bible verse that says the peace of God is beyond all human understanding. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Until we allow the peace of God to enter into our mind, heart, and soul, we will never experience that ultimate peace that defies the most severe circumstances in life. The prayer goes on to speak of accepting, courage, and wisdom. It all comes down to asking and allowing God to give us these things. (www.allaboutprayer.org) Family Prayer. On October 23 rd church is observing family Sunday. In a fast-moving world, families are facing many challenges. To maintain a family with Christian values are not that easy. We are forced to compromise with the values of the world. One of the major factors that unite a family is family prayer; however, we often replace family prayer with other entertainments. The negligence of family prayer breaks up families. Few suggestions for an effective family prayer. Let whole family agree up on the need of a regular family prayer. Choose a place to meet together, i.e. living room, bedroom, etc. When we come together for the family prayer we should sit together as a family, not scattered. Choose an appropriate time for the family prayer so that each member in the family can join for the family prayer. Our family prayer should be a prime time event not the leisure time. Decide an order for the family prayer, song, Bible reading, reading from the devotion book, prayer, etc. Parents and children should pray. Decide who is going to lead the prayer in each day or time. What are the subjects we need to include in our family prayer? When we come together as a family for prayer, believe that God is the head of our family, and He will provide all our needs, we should include all our family needs in our prayer. At the same time, we should include the needs of our neighbors, friends, church, missionaries, mission fields, government etc. Some of us may say we do not know how to pray, you may be thinking you are not able to quote bible verses frequently in your prayer or use the jargon with which other people seemed familiar. In Luke 11. 1-4 we read the model prayer taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord s Prayer is so simple and so direct. It does not contain high sounding language but clear, concise, down to earth terms. Prayer is not verbal marathon, but simple and straight to the point communication with our loving heavenly Father. I encourage all of you for an enriching family prayer in the days to come. In His Service, Rev. Mathew Varughese. 14 3
Worship Services Date Time Service Oct.2 10:15AM Holy Communion (English) Oct.9 10:15AM Holy Communion (Malayalam) Oct.16 10:15AM Holy Communion (English) Oct.23 10.15AM Holy Communion (Malayalam) Oct.30 10.15AM Divine Service (English) 10 Varghese & Mariamma Abraham Congers 13 Varghese & Dolly Thomas Orangeburg 25 George Kurian & Mary George Orangeburg Date Intercessory Prayer: At the church every Sunday If anyone has prayer requests, kindly inform the Lay Ministrants Theme New Family. Oct.2 Oct.9 Oct.16 Oct.23 Christian witness in a secular world (MTVA Sunday) Solidarity with differently abled True spirituality in the age of information technology (Youth Sunday) Reformation in the family (Family dedication day) Mr. Thomas Abraham and Family joined parish. We welcome them to the parish. Mr. Thomas Abraham, 45 Mortan Street Garnerville, NY Oct.30 Sanctification of the church (Koodash Eetho) Service Assignments Date Service Assistant Usher Usher Date Service Assistant Usher Oct. 02 Philip Mathew Ashly Ajay Jonathan Joshua Usher Oct. Oct.2 09 John K Alexander Varghese Thomas Dolly Thomas Oct. 16 Jijin Abraham Thomas Samuel Annamma Thomas Oct.9 Oct. 23 John Job Moncy Kurian Sherly Kurian Oct.16 30 Ben J. Varghese Benoj Joseph David Roshni David Obituary Mr. N. E. Philip father of our members Mr. Philip N. Philip, Mr. Ned P. Iduculla and Mr. Dey P. Neduvelil passed away on September 21,2011. Our prayers and condolence to the bereaved families. Oct.23 4 13
With Love and Prayers from the St James Family Scripture Reading Assignments Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Oct.2 Andrew Mathew Jenny Sarah Thomas Oct.9 John Samuel Mariamma David 2 Ashley Ajay Suffern 5 Mariamma David Spring Valley 5 Philip Mathew Nanuet 6 Mathew Ninan New City 7 George Alexander Newburgh 7 Justy John Spring Valley 8 Mathew Samuel New City 10 John Samuel Spring Valley 10 Saumya Daniel Florida 10 Varghese Thomas Orangeburg 11 Jijen Abraham Garnerville 12 Thomas Samuel West Nyack 14 John Job Congers 14 Roshni David Spring Valley 16 Marlene Tom Congers 17 Jenny Sarah Thomas Spring Valley 23 Elizabeth Thomas Nanuet 27 Andrew Mathew Sparkill 27 Moncy Kurian Congers Oct.16 Jeremy Job Marlene Tom Oct.23 George Alexander Elizabeth Thomas Oct.30 Mathew Samuel Justy John Lectionary Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Epistle Gospel Oct.2 Dan. 3:16-30 Acts.18: 24-28 1Thes. 1: 1-9 Mt. 5: 10-16 Oct.9 2Sam. 9:1-13 1Thes.5: 12-22 2Cor. 12. 1-10 Mt.11: 1-6 Oct.16 Gen. 39: 1-10 Phil.3: 1-11 1Thi. 4: 6-16 Mk. 10: 17-22 Oct.23 Deut. 4: 25-32 1Jh. 3: 1-12 Eph.3: 14-21 Mt. 12: 46-50 Oct.30 Exo.40: 1-14 Rev. 2: 12-17 1Cor. 3: 10-17 Lk. 19: 45-48 12 5
Choir Choir Practice Every Sunday after Church Service except First Sunday Upcoming Events Note: If you play a musical instrument and would like to be a part of the Choir, please contact Achen. Sep 30 Oct. 2 Parish Convention Nov 22-- Interfaith Thanksgiving Edavaka Mission Nov 24 -- Thanksgiving Service Regular Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Dec 05 -- Parish Day Dec 24 -- Christmas Carol Service Dec 25 -- Christmas Service Sevika Sangham Dec 31 -- Watch Night Service Regular Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: When: October 22,2011, 7:00 pm. Where: At the residence of Mrs. Jessy Mathew, 21 Edward St, Sparkill. Regional Kalamela - will be held on October 8, 2011 at the Epiphany Marthoma church @8:30am. For details please contact the secretary. Tel. : 845.425.3788 Youth Fellowship Regular Prayer Meeting: Yuvajana Sakhyam Youth Fellowship meeting On October 16,2011 (Sunday) after church service. When: October 14,2011, 7:30 pm Where: At the residence of Mr. George T Karakal, 19 Bittern Dr, Nanuet. 6 11
KIDS PAGE Classes starts every Sunday at 9:00AM Sunday School Sunday School Annual Competitions results Grade Item First Place Second Place KG: Lords Prayer --- --- Grade: 1 10 Commandments ALLEN AJAY SERENA MATHEW Grade: 2 Psalm 121 NAVITHA JOHN ANNETTE RAJESH Grade 1&2 English Solo ANNETTE RAJESH NAVITHA JOHN Story Telling. ANNETTE RAJESH ALLEN AJAY Grade: 3 Psalm 23 DANIEL GEORGE --- Grade: 4 Book of the Bible RACHEL NINAN --- Grade 3 &4 English Solo RACHEL NINAN DANIEL GEORGE Story Telling DANIEL GEORGE --- Grade: 5 Nicene Creed JOANNA GEORGE JEREMEY MATHEW Grade: 6 Psalm 91 SNEHA MATHEW SALLY NINAN Grade 5 & 6 English Solo JOANNA GEORGE STEVEN TOM / SALLY NINAN Mala. Solo JOANNA GEORGE SALLY NINAN Elocution JEREMEY MATHEW STEVEN TOM Grade 7 & 8 English Solo (B) --- --- English Solo (G) ANNMARIE NINAN --- Mala. Solo(B) --- --- Mala. Solo(G) ANNMARIE NINAN --- Elocution --- --- Grade 9 & 10 English Solo (B) --- --- English Solo (G) ASHLEY KARAKL CHRISTINE TOM Mala. Solo(B) --- Mala. Solo(G) --- Elocution CHRISTINE TOM TOBIN MATHEW Bible Reading CHRISTINE TOM ASHWIN KARAKAL Bible Quiz REBECCA VARGHESE SARAH VARGHESE STEVEN TOM 10 7
SUN MON TUE WED St. James Mar Thoma Church - October 2011 THU FRI SAT 1 Parish Convention 2 Holy Communion (Eng) - 10:15 AM Parish Convention. 3 4 5 6 7 8 Prayer Meeting at church. 7:00 pm 9 Holy Communion (Mal.) - 10:15 AM 10 11 12 13 14 Yuvajana Sakhyam 7.30 pm 15 Prayer Meeting at church. 7:00pm Choir Practice after service 16 Holy Communion (Eng.) - 10:15 AM Youth Fellowship (after service) 23 Holy Communion (Mal - 10:15 AM Family Sunday Choir Practice after service 17 18 19 24 25 26 20 21 22 Sevikasanghom. 7.:00pm 27 28 29 30 Divine Service 10.15 AM 31 8 9