St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY
June
NEWSLETTER VOL. XXxiX NO. 6
34 Morris Street, Yonkers, NY 10705
http://www.stthomasmtc.org
2017
Vicar / President:
Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas
Secretary:
P.T.THOMAS
Email: [email protected]
Great Lent– a Time for Transformation
2
WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE
MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCH OF MALABAR
LECTIONARY FOR JUNE 2017
Date Importance of the Day
Sun Jun 4 The Feast of Pentecost: ‘Come Holy Spirit Renew the Crea-
tion’ (50th Day after Easter) Clergy Sunday - Students Sunday
Sun Jun 11 Trinity Sunday: ‘We believe in Holy Trinity; Environment Sun-
day (1st Sunday after Pentecost)
Fri Jun 16 Beginning of the Fast of the Apostles. Call and commissioning of
the Apostles
Sun Jun 18 Worship Celebration of the Faith of the people of God (2nd Sun-
day after Pentecost) FATHER’S DAY
Sun Jun 25 Discipleship as witness (3rd Sunday after Pentecost)
Thu June 29 End of the Fast of the Apostles St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Day
Date Time Worship
Sun, Jun 4
9.30 11.15
12 Noon
Malayalam Holy Communion Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Holy Communion Service
Sun, Jun 11 9.30
11.15 12.30
Malayalam Divine Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Holy Communion Service
Sun, Jun 18 9.30
11.15 12.30
Malayalam Holy Communion Service (Father’s day) Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Divine Service
Sun, Jun 25 9.30
11.15 12.30
Malayalam Holy Communion Service Sunday School/Adult Bible Study English Divine Service
Date 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Gospel
Sun, Jun 4 Ezek. 36:24-36 Acts. 2:1-13 Acts. 11:19-26 St.John 20:19-23
Sun, Jun 11 Ezek. 1:4-28 Rom. 7:12-25 2 Cor. 13:11-
14
St.Mat. 28:16-20
Sun, Jun 18 Isa. 6:1-8 Rev. 4:1-11 1 Thes. 5:12-
22
St.John 4:16-26
Sun, Jun 25 2 Kings. 2:1-
15
Acts. 2:37-47 Titus. 2:1-15 St.John 3:22-30
3
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What are you afraid of?! Why don’t we step out of our comfort zones and
“run the race” or “fight the good fight” in our Christian life? What is the con-
nection between faith and fear?
Fear is one of the least understood yet, one of the most powerful elements in the
human experience. Although, the physiological response of fear may serve to
physically protect in times of danger it may also likely work to “paralyze” spiritu-
al, social, psychological and mental growth. That is why it is most important that
we discern our fears and assert our faith towards a more fruitful Christian life and
witness. Towards that end, we need:
(1) True Courage to be Christians
In the gospel of St. Mark 4:35-41, this very concept of fear and faith are juxta-
posed. In this passage, Jesus questions his disciples by asking, “why are you
afraid? Have you still no faith? (v.40)”. That is, in one sense their fear is estab-
lished as equal to lack of faith. It is a subtle way of not believing, of not trusting
in the Lord. It is subtle because it does not seem like rejection, but we have to
look at things more in depth. The harsh conditions in which the poor are living, the
violence present in the world and the discouragement that this produces are serious
challenges to the evangelizing task of the church in the world. In light of this situ-
ation, some find reasons not to see reality truly as it is; in this way they try to es-
cape from the commitments that a truly evangelical attitude and mission demands.
Often it is the fear of losing present security to assume total availability to the
Lord’s will. (Continue on page 7)
4
Area Date & Time Location
Manhattan /
New Jersey
Sat, Jun 3
6.30 PM
Mr. Samuel Easo Bergenfield NJ 07621
Yonkers South (McLean Ave) /
Bronx
Sun, Jun 4
6.30 PM
Mr. Thomas Chacko
Yonkers NY 10705
Upper Westchester/
CT
Sat, Jun 10
6.30 PM
Mrs. Saramma Thomas Hartsdale NY 10540
Queens /
Long Island
Sat, Jun 11
6.30 PM TBA
Yonkers East Sat, Jun 17
6.30 PM
Mr. P C Geoge
Yonkers NY 10710
Rockland Sun, Jun 18
6.30 PM
Mrs. Rosamma Mathew Spring Valley NY 10977
Yonkers West Sat, Jun 24
6.30 PM
TBA
Yonkers North Sun, Jun 25
6.30M
Mr. Abraham George Yonkers NY 10703
Area Prayer Meetings
Fasting Prayer
Saturday July 17th at 10.00 am
At the residence of Mrs. Saramma Thomas
Hartsdale NY 10540
================================================================
DIOCESAN SUNDAY AND STANA ASHRAM CONTRIBUTIONS
Those who have not contributed to the Diocesan Sunday Collections
and for Satna Ashram please contribute by Sunday June 4, 2017.
5
Organizational Meetings
Event Date & Time Location
Friday Prayer Fri, Jun 2 10.00 am
Chapel
Friday Prayer Fri, Jun 9 10:00 am
Mrs. Shyla Varghese
Yonkers NY 10710
Friday Prayer Fri, Jun 16 10:00 am
Mrs. Mary Varghese
Yonkers NY 10701
Friday Prayer Fri, Jun 23 10:00 am
Mrs. Sosamma Abraham
Spring Valley NY 10977
Friday Prayer
Fri, Jun 30 10.00 am
Mrs Aleyamma Thomas
Yonkers NY 10710
Sevika Sangham
Friday Prayer Meetings
Edavaka Mission
Event Date & Time Location
Prayer Wed June 7
7 PM
Chapel
Prayer Wed June 14
7 PM
Mr. Geevarghese Kochumman
White Plains NY 10606
Prayer Wed June 21
7 PM
Dr. Santosh M Alex
Yonkers NY 10710
Prayer Wed June 28
7 PM
Chapel
6
===================================================
OBITUARY
Brother-in-law of Mr. Thankachen Geevarghese, Mr. Oommen
George, Poykayil House, Pulamon, Kottarakkara, Kerala, India passed
away at the age of 89. The funeral were held on Thursday May 18,
2017 at the St. Gregorious Orthodox Church at Kottarakkara.
On behalf of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, I express our sincere
condolences to the bereaving families.
===============================================
Newly Weds 1. Justin Jacob to Malini George 2. Royce Varghese to Laura Fitzsimmons 3. Adarsh Varghese to Arya Shanthakumar
4. Levan Thomas to Tina Mathew
Congratulations to all newly weds and wish you all a Christ centered and blessed married life.
================================
All High School/College graduates will be recognized on Sunday June
18th after the service. Please contact Mr. John C. Thomas at
(914) 457-8197 for more information
============================================== NEW BORN
Isabella to Listy and Michael Price.
Congratulations to proud parents and grandparents
Mr. Joseph C Jacob and Mrs. Mary Joseph
May God bless the new born and the parents.
7
Vicar’s Message
Continued from Page 3
Thus, it is truly when we “let go and let God” that we may fulfill the
Missional identity that we are all called to in the commission, “as the Father sent
me, so I send you”(St. John 20:21). As such, we must recognize that fear in the
presence of challenges of the gospel hides something very grave: faith.
(2) True Love to be Christians
“But if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new as
come”. 2 Corinthians 5:17. We often tend to be afraid of what is new. We are com-
fortable with our mediocrity and prefer to travel on known roads where those we
encounter would greet us rather than question us. We are inclined to cover the mes-
sage of the gospel which is always life and newness in old frameworks. The priority
thus seems to be peace and tranquility first, than gospel demands. However, as
Christians we must perpetuate the newness of our faith through love and service to
others. That is, being in Christ requires imagination and creativity placed at the ser-
vice of others. Thus, Christians are those who constantly invent forms of loving, in
terms of real relationships, sacrificial service to our neighbors, especially the most
needy, poor and oppressed. This requires not being narrow-mindedly distracted by
the problems we may invent to avoid looking at the inhuman reality face-to-face and
to stay on grounds that do not question us. As St. Paul says the “love of Christ urges
me on”; let us experience the same urgency (2 Cor. 5:14). Love is the deepest
source of our joy but, it also demands that we be open to God and to the lives of
others. If there is faith there is not fear of difficulties or threats. So, let us move
forward for God in faith and love!
May God strengthen us to grow express our faith in boldness through our word,
thoughts and deeds!
Prayers and Love,
Your brother in Christ,
Jaisen Achen
8
2016 - 2017 St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, NY Sunday School Annual Competition – July 1, 2017
Grade Nursery & Kindergarten – (Students starting academic year
in September 2017)
Song: Any Christian song – only 1 stanza & chorus or 2 stanzas of
any English or Malayalam Christian song!
Story: Any Bible story (maximum 3 minutes)
Grade 1 & 2 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Wonderful Words of Life
Song Malayalam: #__ Maramon Convention – Thirukarathaal vahi-
chuyenne
Story: The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac (based on Genesis
22:1-14) (Maximum 3 minutes)
Grade 3 & 4 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Thy Word
Song Malayalam: # __- 2011 Maramon Convention – Onnumillaika-
yil ninnenne
Story: Saul’s Transformation to Paul (based on Acts 9:1-19)
(maximum 3 minutes)
Grade 5 & 6 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Heaven Came Down
Song Malayalam: Neeyallo Njangalkkulla Elocution: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people” (based on Colos-
sians 3:12) (maximum 3 minutes)
Grade 7 & 8 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Take my Life and Let it Be
Song Malayalam: Ellam Ange Mahathwathinay
Elocution - What does the Lord require of you? (based on Micah 6:8
NIV ’11) (maximum 3 minutes)
Grade 9 & 10 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Just as I am, Without One Please
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Grade 9 & 10 – (Students starting academic year in September 2017)
Song English: Just as I am, Without One Please
Song Malayalam: Nin Dhaanam Njan Elocution: Extempore-Topic will be given 15 minutes prior to com-
petition (maximum 3 minutes)
Bible Reading: Portion will be given at the time of competition
Bible Quiz: June 4th after church in the Kindergarten Room
Book of Joel & Gospel of Matthew (NIV ’11)
Group Song tryouts: June 11th after service in the Kindergarten
Room
(Students starting academic year 5th to 10th in September 2017)
Malayalam: Santhosha Sudhinamitha (soprano part-https://
nerssblog.wordpress.com/group-song/)
English: Down by the Riverside (soprano part-https://
nerss.wordpress.com/group-song/)-2016’s song
http://nerssblog.wordpress.com/ - The site where you can find all
the information for the competition including the songs (except the
Malayalam songs for grades 1 thru 4).
Regional Talent Festival September 16, 2017, 8:30 AM – 5:00
PM at Long Island MTC, NY
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Elizabeth Abraham –
Convener @ 845-634-9319
Or Mr. T. P. Jacob – Sunday School Head Master @ 516-554-1809
=================================================
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
10
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Program Dates Conveners
Joint Committee Retreat
May 14th after Service P.T. Thomas
Graduation Recognition
June 18th after Service Mr. John C Thomas
Picnic Saturday August 5th Rain Date August 19th
Mr. Aju Daniel and Mr. Suju Samuel
Retreat August 11-13 Mr. T. P. Jacob
Convention September 22-24 Mr. K. G. Varghese
Senior Citizens Recognition
Sunday Oct 22nd Dr. Varghese Abraham
Thanksgiving Thursday November 23rd
Mr. John P Varghese
Christmas House Caroling
December Weekends Mr. Thomas Oommen and Mr. Samuel K Samuel
Christmas Carol Service
Saturday Dec 23rd Mr. Aju Daniel and
Mrs. Susan Philip
Parish Day 2018 Sunday January 28th P.T. Thomas
Food Committee Mr. Jishu Samuel and Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (Yonkers)
Ushers Mrs. Sosamma Abraham (Spring Valley) Mr. John P. Varghese Mrs. Aleyamma Ninan
Sound System Mr. John C Thomas
Mission Activities Dr. Varghese Abraham P.T. Thomas Mr. Biju P Varghese Mr. Ullas Thannickal Mr. Yohannan Yohannan Mr. John C. Thomas
PARISH ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2017
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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 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)
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
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 2017
Position Full Name Home Phone
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If undelivered
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Please return to:
Anil A
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138 Candlew
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Yonkers, N
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St. T
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34 M
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Yonkers, N
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