The Official Monthly Newsletter of CSI Church, Toronto Volume 17 Issue 5 MAY 2017 2017 Motto Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 o നക ക റ വ ച ര ടര ത ; eലല ല പ ര ർഥനയ ല a പക ഷയ ല ന ള ട ആവശയ ൾ ത ര ട ദവ ട aറ യ ക ക കയ ത ര വ ത. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Achen s message... 3 Schedule 2017-18... 4 Celebrations... 6 Bible Portions... 7 Church News... 8
Editorial.. A Cheerful Heart. MAY 2017 EDITORIAL BOARD Chief Editor Rev. George Jacob Editor Samuel Anselm Samuel Publication Team Shini Samuel Suja Sarah Koshy Akshay Koshy Chris George Address CSI Parsonage 1311 Kipling Avenue Etobicoke M9B 3N7 ON (416) 231 1717 Cheer up!, Be of good cheer, Do not be afraid, Fear not are words of encouragement and comfort. Many people try hard to achieve this blissful stage. Some are successful, but some are not. Some people try a variety of available ways to reach this covetable goal. A cheerful heart is a good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) A cheerful heart can ease your mind, calm your emotions, relax your muscles, mellow your spirits and trigger tranquility. It also serves to be a good medicine for every ailment. Many people have realized the magic of cheer. But the cheerful heart can only become a reality if it is lit by the burning candle. The inner glow of the candle will surely permeate the body and will array itself in all luster. So the outer glow becomes the reflection of the inner glow. There may be many physical and mental factors that contribute to the behaviour and personality of a person. But the perpetual cheerfulness is the direct outcome of the peace within. The experience of the greatest deliverance, the gift of salvation, becomes the only factor that makes you glad. The world may have to offer a whole lot of solutions that grant you temporary peace. Unless granted by the Prince of Peace, our tranquil nature will always lack that radiance. The confirmation of salvation will certainly remove all sorts of depression, anxiety and distress, and will set you free. A cheerful heart captivates others, heals wounds and transcends life. May all your days be filled with cheer. May it also bring joy to others! Samuel Anselm Samuel Editor Articles/ Feedback May be sent to pilgrimcsi.to@gmail.com 2 http://csichurchtoronto.org
Achen s Message Dearly beloved in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord! As we journey through the post resurrection season in the ecclesial year, we are encouraged through the Word of God to encounter the risen Christ. The risen Christ lovingly invites all of us to confront Him in our life situations. Christ increases in us the strength, courage and hope to carry on the mission that is entrusted to us. Only a believing heart and a faithful mind will be able to continue the journey of life untiringly, when the circumstances seem to be heavy and dreary. The ascension of our Lord is important when we consider Christ coming in Glory to meet the saints and to reward the faithful. So let us increase in us the hope and give away fear so that we could be equipped to welcome the Lord at His coming again. As a congregation, we are completing 31 years of worship and witness in this great city. It is solely the grace of God that sustained us all these years. Once again let us submit ourselves before God as we observe this anniversary. Let us thankfully remember all those who were used by God in shaping the Congregation. Let us continue to increase in unity and fellowship truly building our life upon the foundation of the Word of God and keeping us in the shadow of Cross. May the grace of God abound in us and our witness may be fruitful in the sight of the Lord. The 31 st Annual CSI Family and Youth Conference is very near. I thank God almighty for all the blessings and guidance that we have received from His mercy till now for the conference. The general convener and the conveners and members of various sub - committees are toiling day and night, taking time out of their busy schedule to make the conference possible in an effective and fruitful manner. I thank God for all of their talents, ideas, efforts and enthusiasm. They have been travelling to CSI Congregations in the U.S., and God is faithful to keep all of them safe and sound. I thank God who made their journey possible and rewarding towards the conference. I humbly request the congregation to bend their knees before God with your eyes filled with tears and heart filled with faith for the conference. May the good Lord bless the gathering of all North American CSI families here in Toronto. Our sanctuary was fortunate to host the world famous WATOTO children s choir as a part of the annual concert of the Toronto Male Voices. The sanctuary was blessed with a cross section of the GTA; people from every continent; praising and thanking God as signs and wonders for God and His people. Sincere thanks to Mrs. Celeste Guarino, the Regional Co-ordinator of the WATOTO Choir, Mr. Daniel Thomas, of the TMV and the Executive Committee for making this happen. Let us continue to be the signs and wonders for our Saviour and our surroundings, so that we may grow in His likeness day by day. By the efforts, enthusiasm and donation of Mrs. Sheethal Thampi, now we have a baby care room (Alpha Baby Corner) furnished with all facilities for our children up to 2 years and their mothers. All mothers with babies may make use of this new facility responsibly. May God bless and keep all of you in His grace. Yours in His Service, Siby Achen. http://csichurchtoronto.org 3
Schedule 2017-18 CHURCH SCHEDULE FOR 2017-2018 MARCH 01 WEDNESDAY ASH WEDNESDAY APRIL 02 SUNDAY WOMEN'S SUNDAY APRIL 09 SUNDAY PALM SUNDAY APRIL 13 THURSDAY MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE APRIL 14 FRIDAY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE APRIL 16 SUNDAY EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 30 SUNDAY MATIN SERVICE MAY 13 SATURDAY SPRING CLEANING MAY 14 SUNDAY CHURCH 31ST ANNIVERSARY JUNE 11 SUNDAY SENIOR'S SUNDAY JULY 06-09 THURSDAY - SUNDAY CSI FAMILY & YOUTH CONFERENCE, TORONTO JULY 15 SATURDAY ECUMENICAL ST.THOMAS DAY JULY 28 FRIDAY AT THE FEET OF JESUS JULY 30 SUNDAY HALF YEARLY GENERAL BODY MEETING JULY 30 SUNDAY MATIN SERVICE AUGUST 12/19 SATURDAY CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC AUGUST 13 SUNDAY MEN'S SUNDAY AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 3 THURSDAY - SUNDAY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 17 SUNDAY CHOIR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24 SUNDAY MISSION SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29 FRIDAY AT THE FEET OF JESUS OCTOBER 01 SUNDAY YOUTH SUNDAY OCTOBER 15 SUNDAY THANKSGIVING/HARVEST FESTIVAL 4 http://csichurchtoronto.org
Schedule 2017-18 OCTOBER 27 FRIDAY AT THE FEET OF JESUS OCTOBER 29 SUNDAY MATIN SERVICE NOVEMBER 05 SUNDAY CHILDREN'S SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18 SATURDAY ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE DECEMBER 03 SUNDAY SUNDAY SCHOOL EXAM DECEMBER 09 SATURDAY CHURCH CAROL SERVICE DECEMBER 24 SUNDAY FAMILY SUNDAY/ SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY DECEMBER 25 MONDAY CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 01, 2018 SUNDAY/MONDAY YEAR END & NEW YEAR WORSHIP SERVICE JANUARY 01 MONDAY NO DAYTIME SERVICE. FEBRUARY 25 SUNDAY ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING MONTHLY SCHEDULE FIRST SATURDAY SECOND SATURDAY THIRD SATURDAY THIRD SUNDAY FASTING PRAYER/ COTTAGE PRAYER SHALOM GROUP COTTAGE PRAYER--JORDAN GROUP COTTAGE PRAYER--GILEAD GROUP WOMEN'S, MEN'S & YOUTH FELLOWSHIP MEETING Please note that all the above dates are tentative and are subject to change. Any changes to this schedule will be announced in the Church http://csichurchtoronto.org 5
Celebrations BIRTHDAYS 03 Annamma Chacko 22 Abhilash Raj 06 Elijah Johnson 23 Zac Santhosh Koshy 06 Annet Thomas 25 Daisy Pothen 07 Smitha Victor Sam 27 Jenny Cherian 08 Andrew Paul 27 Preetha Joseph 09 Asha Joy 27 Seethal Thamby 09 Toms Jacob 28 Sam George 09 Manasi Varghese George 28 Abner Vinu 11 Swarup Itty 28 Simi K. Sunny 18 Rapti Ghosh 30 Ann Abraham 20 Mini Fredrick 31 Samuel Chacko 20 Preethamole R ANNIVERSARIES 09 Joy & Ann Abraham 10 Thomas Mathai & Nisha Thomas 18 Tim Eapen & Ninu Ann Varghese 21 Rev. George Jacob & Susan George 23 Shaji Levison Moothedom & Daisy Pothen 24 P. J Skariah & Annamma Skariah 26 John Mathew & Sheeba Thomas 28 Mathew Modayil Kuruvila & Elizabeth Kuruvila 6 http://csichurchtoronto.org
Bible Portions Communion with the Risen Christ in Daily Life May 07 3 rd Sunday after Easter Old Testament Exodus 40:34-38 English Service Psalm 23 Read by Epistle Philippians 3:8-16 Nibu Varguise & Family Gospel Luke 24:13-33 Believing in Christ: The Way May 14 4 th Sunday after Easter Old Testament Exodus 14: 10-20 Malayalam Service Psalm 116 Read by Epistle Acts 16:19-34 Suby Mathews & Family Gospel John 14:1-7 Mission as Sharing Christ s Peace May 21 5 th Sunday after Easter Old Testament Micah 4:1-7 English Service Psalm 85 Read by Epistle Philippians 4:4-9 Jacob P John & Family Gospel Luke 24:36-49 Promise of the Holy Spirit May 28 6 th Sunday after Easter Old Testament Joel 2:28-32 Malayalam Service Psalm 42 Read by Epistle Galatians 5:22-26 Shibu Paul P & Family Gospel John 14:15-21 http://csichurchtoronto.org 7
Committee The Executive Committee Members of the CSI Church, Toronto President Rev. George Jacob Vice-President / Rector s Warden Mr. Abraham P. George Women s Fellowship Mrs. Susan Joseph Secretary / People s Warden Mr. Christy Abraham Men s Fellowship Mr. Santhosh Cherian Joint Secretary / Trustee Mr. Rennie Philips Joseph Sunday School Mr. Samuel Anselm Samuel Treasurer Mrs. Sheeba L. Ghosh Youth Fellowship Mr. Hans Thomas Varghese Joint Treasurer / Trustee Mr. Abhilash Raj Mission Mr. Sanju Cherian Choir Mr. Daniel Thomas Social & Entertainment Mrs. Susan Kurian CHURCH NEWS Monthly Fasting Prayer Monthly Fasting Prayer for this month will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 10.00 am. All are invited. Spring Cleaning Our Church annual Spring cleaning will be held on Saturday, May 13 from 9.30 am onwards. All our members are requested to come and volunteer some of your time in this spring cleaning. We need everybody's help. Church Schedule Please check the published church schedule and note the change in our Cottage prayer schedule. Church Anniversary - Thanksgiving service We will be having a thanksgiving service on our church 31 st Anniversary on May 14, 2017. All are invited for this special Sunday. 31 st CSI Family and Youth Conference 2017. Our 31 st CSI Family and Youth Conference days are fast approaching. The Conference Committee have been visiting different CSI churches in the US, to invite them for the conference. So far we have received positive responses from all the churches. We have covered, Detroit, Houston, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia so far. In May, we will be visiting New Jersey area, Connecticut, Atlanta etc. We hope to finish by the middle of May. We would appreciate if you kindly start remitting the balance of your registration amount. You can pay this amount to any of the registration subcommittee member. Also please remit your agreed personal advertisement amount and the matter to be published in the Souvenir as early as possible. The Conference Committee is working countless hours in preparing for the upcoming conference. Your support and prayers will be greatly appreciated. For Private Circulation Only Published by CSI Church, Toronto, 1315 Kipling Avenue M9B 3N7, ON. All rights reserved 8 http://csichurchtoronto.org