St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of
Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148
April 2020
Parish Voice
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
At the End of Lent, we prepare to celebrate Easter. It is the great miracle of Easter that gives us the true meaning of crucifixion. He rose from the dead, after His third day of Crucifixion, and He appeared in different places like – locked rooms, along the road, in the midst of fear and doubt, injustice, despair, the people
who longed for meaning, purpose, wholeness and faith. He revealed Himself as an omnipresent God and transformed every darkest moment, which we have seen in the time of Crucifixion.
We feel the presence of the risen Lord in different areas of our life- In loneliness, in sickness, in separation, in failure, in distress etc. We have many members in our parish both known and unknown, going through sickness, distress especially due to the Corona virus. Jesus can resurrect you from whatever situation or circumstance you might find yourself. In a world that is filled with chaos, hardship and evil, we should all share the message of resurrection.
I was glad to see the active participation from our members during the past 20 days of Lent prayer. I would like to thank those who found time to participate during these days. We would like to keep this fellowship continuing even after Easter so that we can pray together till we gather back to church for services. Though we have limitations to come to church directly, I am glad we are making use to technology to keep connected.
As a church we have organized a Helpline to reach out those in need. You may please contact me personally if any need arises.
May you all feel the peace and comfort of our Risen Lord.
Love and prayers,
Suneethachen
WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS FOR APRIL 2020
Apr 5 (Palm Sunday) - Live Stream Holy Communion from Diocese at
9:00 am CDT.
April 6 – Apr 8 (Mon – Wed) - Passion week evening service via
Conference call at 7:00 pm CDT organized by Edavaka Mission.
Apr 9 (Maundy Thursday) – Live Stream English Comm. from Diocese at
6:00 pm CDT.
Apr 10 (Good Friday) - Live Stream from Diocese at 9:00 am CDT.
Apr 12 (Easter Sunday ) – Live Stream from Diocese at 9:00 am CDT.
April 19 and 26 - Live stream arrangements are being looked at from
our Church. Information will be provided through email update.
We will have Conference call for evening worship on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays beginning from Monday the 13th of April.
Details will be emailed.
LECTIONARY FOR APRIL
Dates Lessons Epistle Gospels Evening 05 Sunday Hosanna: Christ the Lord of Peace
Zech 9:1-12 Col 1:15-23 Isa 5:1-20
Heb 5:1-10 Mark 11:1-11 Matt 21:17-22
12 Sunday Resurrection (Kemtha): Celebration of New Life in Christ (End of Great Lent)
Isa 60:12-21 1Cor 15:20-28 Exod 15:1-11
1Cor 15:42-58 Luke 24:1-12 Ps 118:1-4, 118:14-17
19 Sunday New Sunday: Christ, Lord and God to Us
Gen 3:13-17 Heb 13:1-8 Ps 40:1-17
Col 3:1-11 John 21:1-4 Rev 1:1-8
26 Sunday Invitation to Christ’s Hospitality
Gen 18:1-10 Heb 13:1-8 Gen 47:1-12
Rom 12:9-16 John 21:1-14 Ps 15:1-5
BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL
Feba Liz Jameson 1
Nisha Thomas 2
Bijo Thomas Mathew 2
Benjamin Thomas 2
Alice Oommen 3
Anisha Esther Babu 4
Anju M. Thomas 4
Samara Ann Suneeth 4
Sosamma George 5
Elsie I. Ninan 5
Alby J. Keneth 5
Zubin Lathara 5
Andrea Ann Binu 5
Philip Varghese 6
Stanley Thomas 6
Jazlyn Jacob 6
Joseph Mathews 7
Santhosh Pappachen 7
Elsy Philip 8
Sally Thomas 8
Leya Ann Jogy 8
Susan S. Chacko 9
George C. Kurian Dr. 10
Tony P. George 10
Clark Philip Thomas 10
Molly T. Muthalaly 11
Mini Mathew 11
Benjamin Jibu Mammarapallil 11
Sheena Thomas 12
Allen Cherian 12
Ebin J. Varghese 13
Shobha Jacob 13
John James Jacob 13
Cema Philip 14
Eapen Kuruvilla 15
Joshua Thomas Santosh 15
V. C. Mathew 16
Roy George 16
Anis J. Maddila 16
Alan Kurian 17
Aiden Kurian 17
Diya Susan Thomas 18
Sarah A. Thomas 19
Suma George 19
Jabula Samuel 20
Monu Koshy 20
Roy G. Varghese 20
Ramani Mathew 22
Yasmine S. Karavatteuveetil 22
Vijoy Mathew 24
Beena David 24
Ivy E. Abraham 24
Esther Rahel Mammarapallil 24
Liny C. Jacob 25
Vimal R. George 25
Shiela Kuruvilla 26
Ligi P. Abraham 26
Sabina S. Maddila 26
Danny Alexander 27
Jaice Titus Abraham 27
Sam Isaac Anil 27
Mariamma George 28
Elizabeth Chacko 28
Nithin Kurian 28
Beaulu Varghese 28
Emily S. George 28
Mary M. George 29
Ayden George Koshy 29
Mary George 30
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES IN APRIL
Nina & Benji Paul 2
Jainy & John Mathew 3
Lisa & Reji George Tharakan 5
Susan & Philip Varghese 7
Rachel & Bibin George 11
Anumol & John K. George 17
Jeslette & Anil Isaac 18
Shena & Manoj V. Mathew 18
Ramani & Sajan Mathew 19
Ligi & James K. Jacob 20
Ammini & T. G. Abraham 22
Alice & Thomas Oommen 24
Leelamma & Thomas John 24
Asish & Rev. Suneeth Mathew 26
Susan & Georgie Jagan Iype 28
Susamma & Varghese Alex 29
The Power of the Resurrection And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:11
During the first part of this month, we will be journeying with Jesus through His passion, death, and resurrection. As we journey with Jesus, it would also be good for us to immerse ourselves in this sacred journey and deepen our commitment to follow the path of Jesus day by day. We have to remember that Scripture not only depicts the journey of Jesus but also describes our faith journey, providing insight into how we are to live in our world today, even in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. This requires us to bring hope, healing, and peace to our world which is greatly in need of such gifts, particularly in the midst of the global crisis we are currently facing. The Easter season invites us to look deep within our own lives, our community life, our nation, and our world. When we reflect on these things, we come to the realization that our lives and even the world that we live in are broken and in need of great healing. This healing can only come about when we live the Spirit-filled life that we have been called to live through the power of the Resurrection. Through the power of the Resurrection we are assured of the fact that nothing in our often-discouraging lives can defeat or destroy us. As we are told in Romans 8:11, the Spirit of God who has raised up Jesus from the dead also dwells in us. This verse essentially describes a Spirit-filled life, a life of great hope and immense joy. Such a life is one that can be confident in the fact of God’s Spirit dwelling in each one of us, leading us faithfully every day. God promises that we will never walk alone throughout the journey of life. He promises us the powerful presence of His Spirit. Thus, we need to take time each day to get in touch with the Spirit within each of us. We need to draw on that power and pray that the stones in our lives will
be rolled away. We must allow the Spirit to shine in and through us so that we can faithfully and courageously walk in the light of the Risen Lord. If we do this, we will bring light, hope, peace, and healing to our own lives and to our broken world. Easter is a time to renew and deepen our faith, to celebrate and live out our faith as God so desires. A renewal of faith in our individual and family lives will provide us and the church with new energy to carry out the mission of God faithfully and fruitfully by being more authentic witnesses for Christ. May the Spirit of God enable us all to spread the gospel message with cheer and confidence, bringing hope and healing to our world. May all of our hearts be filled with the joy, hope, and peace that only comes from Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior! Wishing you all a Blessed Resurrection Day! With love and prayers, Chris Achen and Neethi kochamma Contact Info: 732–754–8131 | 516–428–0722 | [email protected] Parsonage Address: 150 W. Saint Charles Road, Apt. 424, Lombard, IL 60148
Youth Chaplain’s Schedule for April 2020 (Tentative)
April 3-5 St. John’s MTC (Troy, MI)
April 10-12 Kansas MTC
April 17-18 Minneapolis Congregation (Minnesota)
April 19 Bethel MTC (Frankfort, IL)
April 26 St. Thomas MTC (Lombard, IL)
ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
All the organizations have cancelled their programs for the month of April
due to the current restrictions in force to address the spread of Coronavirus.
Once the State and Federal government lifts the current restrictions each
Organization will resume their respective fellowship sessions. Until then we
will use the available telecommunication and internet services to arrange and
virtually meet to stay in touch and encourage one another.
PARISH VOICEIS PUBLISHED BY STA THOMAS MAR THOMA CHURCHOF CHICAGO
2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
TITLE NAME PHONE EMAIL
PRESIDENTANDVICAR REV. SUNEETH MATHEW 630-268-1441 SUNEETHACHEN @GMAIL.COM
630-802-2766
YOUTHCHAPLAIN REV. CHRISTOPHERDANIEL 732-754-8131 [email protected]
516-428-0722
VICEPRESIDENT MR. JACOB CHACKO 630-561-5497 [email protected]
SECRETARY MR. MATHEW VARGHESE 630-942-1053 [email protected]
TREASURER MR. REJI THARAKAN 312-296-8416 [email protected]
ACCOUNTANT MR. MATHEW ABRAHAM 312 404-6983 [email protected]
LAY LEADER (MAL) MR. MATHEW THOMAS 630-790-2534 [email protected]
LAY LDR (MAL)* MR. P.K. BOBBY 630-863-0530 [email protected]
LAY LEADER (ENG) MR. ALBY KENETH 630-258-6679 [email protected]
LAY LDR (ENG)* MR. ROJIN THOMAS 630-229-1470 [email protected]
MANDALAMMEMBER MR. MATHEW GEORGE 708-614-1755 [email protected]
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. SAJI MATHEW 630-215-5147 [email protected]
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. JOEL VARGHESE 630-890-9996 [email protected]
CHOIR MR. JACOB K. GEORGE 630-858-7853 [email protected]
EDAVAKAMISSION MR. P. K. BOBBY 630-863-0530 [email protected]
SEVIKASANGHOM MRS. SHINY CHACKO 708-362-3358 [email protected]
SUNDAY SCHOOL MRS. SHINU S. NINAN 630-886-8066 [email protected]
YOUTH GROUP DR. BOBBY PAUL 630-402-9392 [email protected]
YUVAJANASAKHYAM MR. SHEBINMATHEW 224-420-1500 [email protected]
AUDITORS* MR. A.P JOHNIKUTTY 630-238-8206 [email protected]
MR.BINU JOHNSON 708-945-0211 [email protected]
AREA 1 MR. ROY GEORGE 630-877-3091 [email protected]
AREA 2 MR. MATHEWV. MATHEW 630-852-7994 [email protected]
AREA 3 MR. CHACKO P. THOMAS 708-253-2096 [email protected]
AREA 4 MRS. SARAMMA MATHEW 630-834-3830 [email protected]
AREA 5 MR. VARGHESE PHILIP 630-250-0619 [email protected]
AREA 6 MR. DEEPU V. THOMAS 224-715-7443 [email protected]
P V EDITOR* MS. ROSIN THOMAS 630-824-7176 [email protected]
(“* NONCOMMITTEE POSITION)
Please contact or Email the Vicar and cc: to Parish Secretary/PV editor for suggestions, change of notifications etc. all.