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My dear friends, Each month is a new beginning; an opportunity to leave behind the mistakes and frustrations of the past, and look forward with fresh enthusiasm, to what God will do in the new month ahead. There is always a choice to be made; will we

seek God’s leading and embrace change, or will we get stuck in the memory of things from the past? If we are going to live with our failures and frustrations, that will lead us to fear and will not allow us to look forward. Therefore this month, I have chosen the topic Fear of the future. The reason for selecting this topic is, when we see people, even Christians, most of their faces look dull and we are able to read the confusion and a kind of fear on their faces. If we enquire the reason, they say it is about their future. The fear of the future erases the present joy. I can very well say that the devil uses this weapon very effectively every day. This weapon easily shows its impact on the people. First: The fear of future paralyses us and drains out our courage to live the present day. It weakens all our ability and makes us ineffective people. Second: Through this fear of future, we infect ourselves and at the same time we infect people around us. This kind of pessimistic attitude stops us from putting our best foot forward. We panic and start complaining about everything and everyone. Third: The most important thing is, knowingly or unknowingly, we deny the sovereign Lord, His sustenance, providence and protection. We try to bury the all-powerful Lord, under our doubts and also try to deny the existence of God. Is it not true? The great man of God, Fulton Oursler rightly said we crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow. We often allow these two thieves to steal away our precious present. The Bible teaches us an important lesson: Our Lord Jesus invites us to look at the birds of the air. “They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than them? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither

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toil nor spin. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and thrown in to the oven tomorrow, will He not clothe you much more than that? O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? Your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these.” My dear friends, if we fear tomorrow and be anxious about the future, we deny that there is a God above, Who is more powerful than our future! He holds our future and we will face with Him a bright tomorrow. It is God’s! Therefore let us present ourselves before this world and before God as unique people. We have a wonderful God who knows our needs and hears our cry. He is Lord of Lords and He is Jehovah Jireh. He says `you are precious in My eyes and honored and I love you. I am with you’. Therefore my dear friends, let us be encouraged about His promise, presence, providence, and protection and cast out all our worries about the future, completely depending on our God. He is our Shepherd. As we have begun a new month in this year, let us be encouraged in the Lord and in His Word. Let us completely depend on Him and fix our eyes upon Him. The complete love on God chases away fear from us. The promise for this month: Isaiah 26:3,4 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock. Praise points: Let us sincerely thank God for giving us this new month. God has kept our church as a channel for His blessing. God gave us a good start assuring us His presence, gave opportunity to renew our/His covenant with us through the covenant service, and enabled us to wait upon Him during the retreat and to prepare ourselves for the future. Above all, on 22 January 2017, the confirmation service and the 175th year celebration inaugural service went on so well under the leadership of our Bishop. Let us continue to pray for the eight children who got confirmed on that day. Important events to remember: This month as a part of the year-long celebration, we will be visiting all the village churches that we have built in the past. This will inspire us to venture into new initiatives. We will also be visiting mission fields, focusing mainly on the mission fields of our Diocese, where the missionaries supported

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by our church are toiling. When the dates are announced, I want all of you to show keen interest and join in encouraging the missionaries who have given themselves to the call of our Lord to be fishers of men. Let God continue to use our church as a beacon for the community in and around this area. Be assured of my prayers. May God bless us all. Yours in His joyful service, Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar Presbyter-in-charge

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OVERCOMING FEAR

Deep in the jungles of Africa, when David Livingstone the famous missionary was exploring the course of the Zambezi river, a story is told of how one day, as they arrived

in the vicinity of a thundering waterfalls, Livingstone wondered what the noise could be as it was loud, overpowering and they could not see where it came from. When he asked the Kololo people, they answered that it was a demon and they would not dare to go near it. And for this reason they had named it “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” meaning “the smoke that thunders.” But when David Livingstone finally set eyes on it, he was awed by the sheer beauty of the snow-white sheet of water plunging down a hundred feet. He couldn’t help exclaiming, “This is the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa. In looking down into the fissure on the right of the island, one sees nothing but a dense white cloud, at the time we visited the spot, had two bright rainbows on it …the snow-white sheet seemed like myriads of small comets rushing in one direction, each of which left behind its nucleus rays of form.” Livingstone renamed Victoria Falls after his monarch Queen Victoria. And what the tribes had feared and avoided went on to be a highlight of Africa’s breathtaking natural beauty – and David Livingstone’s greatest discovery! Like the tribes who discouraged Livingstone, we find that fear often keeps us away from enjoying many good things. And it is not just pagan cultures that feared all the things they could not understand. In Numbers 13 & 14 we find that when twelve spies were sent out to assess the promised land of Canaan, ten out of the twelve gave a discouraging report, as they feared the new land and people. Yes, overcoming fear is often in the perspective. The ten spies compared the giants with themselves and the giants loomed large. But when Caleb and Joshua compared the giants with God, the giants were cut down to size. “The Lord is with us,” they said. “Do not be afraid of them” (Num. 14:9). When we are overwhelmed with fear of the unknown, peace and protection can be ours through Jesus Christ. “When fear knocks, answer it with faith” says David Roper of ‘Our Daily Bread’, and that is the key to overcoming fear.

Fabiola Jacob

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NEEDED… VINTAGE PICTURES OF STEC

Do you have old pictures taken in our church during the 1960s, 70s or 80s or even earlier? It could have been at a

baptism, confirmation, wedding or Sunday worship - whatever the occasion, with or without people, please do share it with us.

As our Church will soon be celebrating its 175th anniversary, the pictures will be used for the Calendar and Photo Exhibition that is being planned. So please do handover your old prints to Suresh Balasunder (they will be scanned and returned to you in a week). If you can scan them in hi-res, that would be great too! You can e-mail the old pictures to fabiolaj@gmail.com

AMAZING GRACE

Many Christians know the hymn “Amazing Grace” but may not know what ‘grace’ means. One day when D.L. Moody, the evangelist was studying the meaning of God’s grace, he jumped out into the street and shouted to the first man he met, “Do you know grace?” The man mystified, replied, “Grace who?” Moody then explained grace – that God has compassion on sin–sick people and freely offered them forgiveness and new life through faith in Christ. Let us help others understand that God’s salvation is for sinners only, including all of us. That’s what makes God’s grace so amazing.

D.I.A. Soundarapandian

Quick & Easy Science Quiz 1. If someone told you, he studied

‘Herpetology’, what would he mean? 2. Which vitamin is concerned with proper

bone formation in the young? 3. What does the ‘C’ in CAT-Scan stand for? 4. The first Indian satellite has been named after which person? 5. Which material is used in the manufacture of photo? 6. What is the common name for the disease Varicella?

D.I.A. Soundarapandian Answers to Quick & Easy Science quiz are found on page 12.

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Featured on the cover this month, is the CSI St. Andrew’s Church, Nagamalai, Pudukottai in Madurai, contributed by G Joseph. About the Church

Built as a branch of the St. George’s Church in Madurai (Established in 1827), the CSI St. Andrew’s Church at Nagamalai Pudukottai

came in to the service of the Holy Lord as a small tile-roofed building which was dedicated to the glory of God on 11 November 1972 by the late Rt. Rev. George Devadoss, the then Bishop of Madurai Ramnad Diocese – Church of South India. This church was named after Saint Andrew as the opening date synchronized with St. Andrew’s day.

Spread over 70 cents of land, this sprawling campus was purchased by the St. George’s Church, Madurai for this purpose. Many illustrious men of God have served here, including the late Rev. David Arulanandam in the 1970s, who strived hard to identify the floating Christian population and gave shape to the congregation.

The current Church building was initiated by the then Deputy Collector Mr. J. Chelliah with assistance from Messrs Hendry Thambiraj (LIC) and Mr. Sooria Gandhi (Commercial Tax Dept.) and innumerable like-minded people. This 4000 sq ft building was then consecrated to the Lord’s Glory on 30 November 1978 by the Rt. Rev. Pothirajulu, the then Bishop (CSI) at Madurai. A parsonage was added in 1991 and in 1996, a Parish Hall came into being.

Currently this church also has a mini Parish Hall, a well furnished Parsonage, house for sexton, room for choir practice, a guest house and an office. The congregation comprises of around 250 families. Regular Sunday School for children, the annual V.B.S for around 160 Hindu children, women’s fellowship, men’s fellowship, youth forum and periodical conduct of family retreats, annual poor feeding and community dinners mark the activities of the church.

The Church is kept open for prayer from 6.a.m to 6 p.m every day. People of various faiths visit the church to pray during this time, on weekdays too.

G. Joseph

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VISIT OF RORY & TRACY CARVER PADDOCK

TO STEC ON 4 JANUARY 2017

While on my regular visit to the Church office on 3 January 2017 at around 5.30pm, a couple came to the office accompanied by a guide and started talking to Moses, our Church Accountant/Manager. After an exchange of few words, Moses pointed me to them that I am the Assistant Pastor. Thus I was introduced to this couple, and on talking to them, I got to know that they were

connected to Rev. Robert Carver, the man responsible for the Church we are worshipping in now. Further on talking to them, they showed interest in spending more time in the Church. Being already late in the evening, they suggested coming the following morning at around 11am. Therefore, the next day I was there to meet with them. I had our sexton John have the Church opened and keep the vestry doors open so we could sit down and talk. I showed them the board that listed the names of all the Presbyters who served the church with Robert Carver’s name being number one. Incidentally Robert Carver is (3 X great-grandfather) of Tracy Leigh. They looked around the church and I answered all the questions they asked and told them that Robert Carver was buried under the altar. We spent some time in the vestry praying and I requested them to write for me the connection of Tracy Leigh Carver now Paddock, to Rev. Robert Carver. Incidentally Tracy Leigh Carver married Rory Paddock and her surname has changed to Paddock. I give below the details: Robert Carver (3 x great-grandfather) b. 1787 Northallerton, Yorkshire d. 1845 Santhome, Chennai (Madras) Robert William Ind Carver (2 x great-grandfather) b. 1838 Mel-nattam, Madras d. 1907 New Zealand John Spencer Carver (great-grandfather)

Spencer Franks Carver (grandfather) Eric Franks Carver (father) Tracy Leigh Carver married Rory Paddock

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I told them about our 174th church anniversary celebration and our plans for celebrating the 175th year. I asked them if they would be staying for a while or if they would be back in Chennai after a couple of weeks, but they had no plans for return, and they hoped to reach home by around January 24, 2017. I requested them to send us more detailed information on Robert Carver and share with us any old pictures for our EanMe. I also gave them copies of our current EanMe and church calendar as mementos of their visit. They were mighty pleased and thanked God for the providence of meeting me, which was purely coincidental. I felt glad for the opportunity that God gave me in meeting the fifth generation direct descendant of Rev. Robert Carver.

Milton Sigamoney, Lay Reader

Benjamin listened closely as Rabbi Greenbaum read from the Bible. 'May I ask a question?' Ben asked. Of course, go ahead, ask your question,' replied the rabbi. 'Well, the Bible says that the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea,' continued Ben, 'also that the children of Israel built the temple, the children of Israel did this and the children of Israel did that. Didn't the grown-ups ever do anything?' The Reverend Douglas Johnston was not the best of drivers. One Sunday he was driving home from church when unfortunately, he had a minor bump with a cyclist. The poor man was knocked off his bike into the ditch. The Vicar naturally stopped his car, got out and profusely apologised and gave the cyclist his calling card saying that if he could ever be of help, then the man should not hesitate to ask. As the man rode home he looked at the card which said, 'The Reverend Douglas Johnston is sorry he missed you today.' Michael, the local vicar at St Mary's, is talking to one of his parishioners. Michael remarks, 'When you get to my age you spend a lot more time thinking about the hereafter.' 'Why do you say that?' enquires the parishioner. Michael, the pastor replies, 'Well, I often find myself going into a room and thinking what did I come in here after.'

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BE PREPARED

Ravi lost his parents when he was very young. He lived at the mercy of the neighbours by running errands and working in petty shops. There he met friends of his age, some were good and some were bad. Ravi befriended one who was adept in stealing, and he also began to steal. He was caught and convicted many times, but this did not change his mind. One night be broke the back door of a house which belonged to a Christian named Joel. Joel caught him and promised him that he would not punish him. He explained that stealing was a sin, and that thieves would be sent to hell where there is everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. He told him about Jesus and His resurrection and if he repented, Jesus would forgive him. Ravi replied that he was a sinner and God would not forgive him. Joel said that the beginning was not important, ‘but he who endures to the end shall be saved.’ Ravi went away and Joel was happy that he shared the gospel with a thief. On Sundays, Joel used to go to the prison and preach the gospel to prisoners. Once when he went to the prison, he saw Ravi there and felt very sad. When he again tried to tell him about Jesus, Ravi replied that he was only thirty years, and as Joel had said that the end was important, he would steal for some more time and then repent. But Joel told him that death was not in his hands, to which Ravi just smiled and went away. Joel took pity on him and prayed for him. The next week, when Joel was reading a newspaper, a news item attracted his eye. It was about Ravi, trying to escape after a robbery and the police had followed him and shot him dead. A few drops of tears fell from Joel’s eyes. Dear readers: Are you prepared to meet Jesus? Life and death are not in our hands.

G. Joseph

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I NEED THEE A SECOND TIME LORD

Touch my eyes a second time Lord, So that I see people and not trees. Touch my eyes a second time Lord, So that I can make Thy people free. Mould me a second time Lord, To retain Thy words of gold. Mould me a second time Lord, To gather souls to Thy fold. Search me a second time Lord, So that I may be found. Search me a second time Lord, So that I stay within bounds. Strike me a second time Lord, So that living waters through me may flow. Strike me a second time Lord, Who so ever drinks, thirst no more. Make me a channel a second time Lord, For the words from me to gush. Make me a channel a second time Lord, So that people, may in Thee trust. Hold my hand a second time Lord, So that I may walk in Thy light. Hold my hand a second time Lord, So that my future is bright. Humble me a second time Lord, So that I can see Thy glory. Humble me a second time Lord, For me to tell others Thy story. Wash my vessel a second time Lord, So that I can retain Thy Holy Spirit. Wash my vessel a second time Lord, So that miracles are performed for Thy credit. Restore my mind a second time Lord, So to retain Thy eternal peace. Restore my mind a second time Lord, So my inner peace to others release.

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Renew my body a second time Lord, So this body becomes part of Thine, Renew my body a second time Lord, So this body becomes Thine and not mine. Cleanse my heart a second time Lord, So that I get rid of my pride. Cleanse my heart a second time Lord, So that I become part of Thy Holy bride.

Prema Jayasundar

WHY THE JEWS MISSED JESUS…? They were looking for a lion, He came as a Lamb, and they missed Him. They were looking for a warrior, He came as a Peacemaker, and they missed Him. They were looking for a king, He came as a Servant, and they missed Him. They were looking for liberation from Rome, He submitted to the Roman cross, and they missed Him. They were looking for a fit to their mould, He was the mould maker, and they missed Him. What are you looking for? Lion? Warrior? King? Liberator? They were looking for their temporal needs to be met, He came to meet their eternal need, And they missed Him. He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed for your sin. Will you miss Him? He came to make peace between God and man. Will you miss Him? He came to model servanthood for all mankind. Will you miss Him? He came that we might have true liberty. Will you miss Him?

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He came to give you eternal life. Will you miss Him? When we submit to the Lamb, we will meet the Lion. When we join with the Peacemaker, we will meet the Warrior. When we work with the Servant, we will meet the King. When we walk with the Submitted, we will meet the Liberator. When we concern ourselves with the eternal We will have the temporal. Let’s not miss Jesus…

Contributed by Gilfred Sam Answers to the Quick & Easy Science Quiz:

1. Natural history of Reptiles. 2. Vitamin D 3. Computerised 4. Aryabhatta 5. Silver 6. Chicken-pox

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? Noah, because he was floating his stock while

everyone else was in liquidation. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

Samson because he brought the house down.

Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible? When Joseph served in Pharaoh's court. What kind of motor vehicles are mentioned in the Bible?

Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. A Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

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175 YEARS OF ST. THOMAS ENGLISH CHURCH

Part III – THE MODERN PERIOD:

Inauguration of Church of South India: We were part of the Church of England of which we were members until 1930, when the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon was formed. In union with the

Presbyterians, Methodists and the Congregationalists, the Church of South

India was born on 27 September 1947. The choice and consecration of Bishops, their qualifications and functions were adopted from the Churches of England, but the idea that of a Bishop as ‘the Lord Bishop’ was dropped. The word ‘Bishop’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Episcopes’ which means ‘an overseer’ one who has the oversight of the region over which he has jurisdiction. St. Paul in his epistle to Titus, Chapter 1:7 prescribes, for a Bishop must be blameless, a ‘steward of God’. This is followed by a list of attributes of a Bishop-what he must have and what he must not have. The authority of the Bishops, however, is derived from the earlier episode, St. Mathew 18:18 where Christ confers certain powers on His disciples. “Verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven”. Bishops are called to fulfill the Biblical requirement listed in I Timothy 3: 1 – 7 and Titus 1: 7,8. To mention a few, he must be hospitable, he must be able, by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (i.e. the opposite of faith). There are certain built in safeguards in the choice of the Bishops in C.S.I. In the first place, they are to be elected by the Diocese concerned and then appointed by the Synod. A Diocese cannot just elect one person, but only through a panel of persons, each of whom must get at least a two-thirds majority in the election. Out of this panel, the Synod Executive Committee makes the appointment. The C.S.I maintains continuity with the historic Episcopate. Its first Bishops were consecrated by three Bishops in the historic succession and all consecration of Bishops is performed by the laying of hands by at least three Bishops. The Church of South India has preserved the best traditions of the Anglican Church. It has accepted the historic Episcopate as the gift of one of the uniting Churches. It is retained in the C.S.I. because it has proved itself to be of great value for the enrichment of life in the Church. Bishops are also the custodians of the doctrines of the Church. In addition to building up of the faith of the congregation, a

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Bishop has to guard them from false doctrines that are widely preached by enthusiastic sectarians. He is the uniting figure in the Diocese. With the inauguration of the Church of South India on the 27 September 1947, the Anglican Diocese of Madras entered into a wider fellowship with other Dioceses, and other uniting churches. The momentous union did not make much difference within its Dioceses as the dominating congregation had all belonged to a single church tradition i.e. Anglicans. Nevertheless a new era of understanding began. Representatives of other Dioceses and of other denominations attending of the Synod under its Committees had opportunities to meet leaders of other Dioceses with different traditions in worship. Visits from Bishops of other Dioceses of the C.S.I. helped to remind us that we had been knit into a new and much wider Church. After the inauguration of the Church of South India on 27 September 1947, the church experienced a number of activities in a systematic manner for overall improvement. Printing of the order of service: An important landmark was the printing of the Order of Service. In those days, during the years 1970 and 1980 and earlier, the Book of Common Prayer with Ancient and Modern Hymns used to be imported for use in churches in India. Generally, the print was very small and further the availability was far and few and very difficult to get. Some of the elders found it difficult to read, sing and follow. One day, Mrs. Thangasamy, mother of the Choir master complained to the Hon. Secretary Mr. Soundarapandian of the difficulty and wanted the church to get it printed with bigger letters. We took up the matter seriously and approached our lay preacher, Mr. David Samuel for his advice and guidance. According to him, it would not be possible for us to print as such editions would be under the copyright regulation. However, when he came to church next Sunday, he advised us to go ahead with the printing but use the words, “For the private use of worshippers” on the wrapper. Accordingly, we started printing of 200 copies of our new Order of Service and distributed copies on 1st January 1977. We incorporated all the important services of the C.S.I. and S.P.G. and it was appreciated by the members of the congregation. It was a blessing in disguise and the present generation is making full use of it. Lay preacher: We must remember with gratitude the yeoman service rendered by Mr. David Samuel, former principal, Christ church Anglo-Indian

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Higher Secondary School, Mount Road, Chennai, one of the Lay Preachers of our Church for over four decades from February 1945. Due to the shortage of clergy in those days, the Bishop Rt. Rev. Hollis gave him a license initially to preach in the whole city of Madras but later on extended it to the whole Diocese. He was very regular in conducting Matins every second Sunday in the month without fail. In his words, “The warmth and affection of all the padres and the members of the congregation over-whelmed me, Secondly, the high-water mark of music and singing of the choir impressed me very much.” Thirdly, the emphasis on the activities of the young people, the Sunday school, and Youth group, the Anti-Drug Action Group (ADAG) demonstrated an enduring nature of love according to him. He calls it a wonderful privilege to be associated with people cultured, enlightened and possessing a fine sense of responsibilities.

D.I.A. Soundarapandian To be continued next month…

CHRISTMAS VISITS

Courtesy Cyclone Vardah, our women’s fellowship Christmas visits spilled over into the first week of

January 2017 when we visited the home of Manohar Devadoss. We thought we were entertaining him with our songs. Imagine our delight when he treated us to a scintillating rendition of Bach’s ‘Jesu, joy of man’s desiring’ on his harmonica. This man who cannot draw anymore because of sight loss is attempting to master the art of playing mouth organ! An indomitable spirit indeed of triumphing over hardships - a valuable lesson for all of us! Iris Manoharan’s talk on the book of Malachi provided spiritual nourishment as we snacked on Manohar’s specially made vegetable salad. Our next stop was the home of a young non-Christian friend who nevertheless has great love for Jesus and deep faith in Him. Here also, the young girl’s fervor and enthusiasm was a wake-up call for us. Felicia William gave an overall idea of the whole Bible as the Word of God in order to encourage the young seeker after God. Then we visited the home of Annamary Frederick who lives in the same complex. We enjoyed her hospitality and the sumptuous lunch she had prepared for us. That was a memorable day for us all.

Christleda Ponniah

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MAKING OF THE CALENDAR 2017

This year’s calendar theme was ‘Our Church’ in keeping with the 175th year celebration of the consecration of our Church. The calendar was released on New Year Day and has since received excellent reviews. Following are the core team members involved in the creation of the various segments of the calendar: The verses for the twelve months were chosen by Nirmala Stephen, as reminders of the power and sovereignty of the Scripture. The text on each page, covering the historical background and activities of the various fellowships and ministries of our Church were gleaned from Fabiola Jacob’s research inputs for the 175 year documentary. This year we had the involvement of two additional photographers, James Thiraviaraj with his professional expertise and Mark Rohan with his youthful next-gen creativity, which infused variety and a heightened sense of awareness of the serenity and beauty in and around our Church. The creative design and layout combining together the verses, pictures, notes and calendar into a harmonious blend of fonts and subtle colours was the creation of Anila Manoharan. The ‘footprints on the sea-shore’ watermark for each month is in keeping with the ‘St. Thomas’ theme. The commitment and dedication of all team members involved in producing this 175th year celebration calendar is much appreciated.

Suresh Balasunder

Going over the church finances, the Vicar found a receipt from a local paint store signed by someone named Christian. He wasn't aware of anyone buying paint, so he called the store to point out its mistake.

'I'm sorry,' he told the manager, 'but there are no Christians here at St Mary's Church.'

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175TH YEAR INAUGURATION AND CONFIRMATION SERVICE

As this year marks an important milestone in the history of our

Church - the quarto-septennial (175 years) inaugural celebration was held along with the Confirmation service on Sunday, 22 January 2017. The celebrations began with saplings being planted by Rev George Stephen the Bishop of CSI Diocese of Madras who graced the occasion with his presence. This was followed by high tea and photo session with the Bishop for the eight confirmands along with the Pastors, Deacons and Pastorate Committee members. As the advent of the 175th year signifies new beginnings, a monument designed by Aurelia Frederick and sponsored by her family members was dedicated in the lawn adjacent to the church building and unveiled in the presence of the Bishop. It stands testament to people of various generations who worshipped and continue to worship in the Church with love and steadfastness. At the start of the confirmation service, a 12-minute documentary tracing the history of the church was screened. It showcased the combined efforts of Fabiola Jacob, Sushil Venglet, Suresh Balasunder, James Thiraviaraj, Ashvin Dhyriam and others who took the congregation through a nostalgic walk down memory lane. The Confirmation service was a particularly grand one. The church, decorated with flowers and candles looked its glorious best. The service included special songs by the choir and the confirmands. The Bishop and his wife were felicitated by the Pastorate Committee Secretary towards the end of the service. After the confirmation service, a cake decorated in the shape of the quarto-septennial logo of the Church was cut by the Bishop and his wife while the congregation cheered. Cameras flashed in all directions capturing every moment for posterity. In truly traditional style, the congregation joined in the delicious biryani dinner, hosted by the confirmand families, and the day proved to be both memorable and fulfilling for everyone.

D. Sneha Rachel

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NEW YEAR RETREAT The STEC New Year retreat, conducted by evangelist Ashok Vedanayagam was held on Saturday, 21 January 2017 at the CSI Devanbu church, Mullipakkam, near Chengelpet. About thirty of us accommodated in three vans reached the church at 10.15am. After a warm welcome with tea, the first session started off with worship and games. The second session was titled “2017, The Year of ADVANCE”, and we were divided into groups. A - Audit, to use our time productively throughout the day and analyze our unproductive time. D - Decision, to decide to make use of our time more productively and make sure we stick to our decisions. V – Vision, Aspirational description of what we would like to achieve in the midterm or long-term future. A - Accountability, all of us need mentors and mentees in our lives. N - Non-negotiable, some things are absolutely non-negotiable and cannot be compromised, simply have-to-do. Example… No devices during dinner. C – Commitment, to God alone. To seek and obey God in small things. E - Encourage one another with positive and encouraging responses. A sumptuous lunch was prepared and served by the members of the local church. The post-lunch session included chorus singing and a talk by the local Pastor Rev. Samuel Rajkumar, after which the retreat wound up with tea and vadai. Day two of the retreat after the morning worship service in our church, was well-attended. After a lively worship session led by Ashok Vedanayagam and his team, the teens had a separate session. Ashok and Sheila shared a few testimonies and spoke about the importance of prayer in marriage. Prayer helps us to discover more of God and is similar to a power line, as we remain connected to God. Pray as a couple, pray as a family. Pray for the generations to come. Pray aloud, because there is power in prayer.

Shobana Soundarapandian and Caroline Roopsingh

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VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION In New York city, a single mother with five children, left for a pawn shop where she was hoping to get a loan of U.S. $100 against her TV, to meet an urgent requirement. On the way, something fantastic happened. An armoured vehicle with bags of dollars drove past her, suddenly its rear door flung open, and one of the bags containing the dollars dropped out of the vehicle. The poor lady on seeing the bag took possession of the bag and left for her home. On reaching home she opened the bag and counted the cash and found a whopping U.S. $ 2,00,000. A battle raged in her mind. On one side, she had the conviction that the money would be useful for her, to pay all her dues and provide the needs of her children for a happy living - but on the other hand, she was trembling because the money did not belong to her, and it was not right to keep it. After a fierce battle with her moral conscience, she decided to call on the police and hand over the bag. Her sense of doing the right thing won her victory over human temptation to keep what was not hers. How strong is your ethical fibre? Adam and Eve as well as Jesus were tested by Satan on three fronts: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (I John 2:16 - our first parents succumbed to the serpent’s solicitation (Genesis 3: 1 -6) but Jesus did not. No matter what evil is pressuring you, follow Jesus Christ and do what is right.

D.I.A. Soundarapandian

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REPUBLIC DAY AT STEC – A REPORT

As India celebrated its 68th Republic Day on the 26 January 2017, a few of us gathered in Church to hoist our national tricolour, bright and early in the day.

The program started with Bible reading from Nehemiah 2:11-18 which speaks about resurrecting the walls of Jerusalem. After the Bible reading, our national flag was hoisted by our Pastor. He gave us a brief insight about the various walls we build in life.

There was a short intercessory prayer session, wherein we prayed for various aspects related to our country, and the recent happenings like communal harmony, in light of the recent jallikattu protests and security of the country. We prayed for the powers that be, that they should govern our country with diligence and wisdom.

Delicious dry gulab jamuns were distributed at the end. On the whole, it was a good time of learning and seeking God’s blessing and grace for our country. Jai Hind!

Mark Rohan

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STEC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP - BIBLE STUDY

THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON (discussed during the meeting on

14 Jan 2017)

Solomon is a well-known legend in history – he is the son of King David and was crowned King of the united kingdom of Israel and Judah in 970 BC, when he was only 20 years old, and reigned for four decades up to 930 BC. At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon and said- “ Ask for whatever you want Me to give you”- Solomon answered – “ Give your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people”- to which God gave him a wise and discerning heart, as well as both riches and honor ( 1 Kings:3:5,12). With the God–given wisdom and blessings, Solomon wrote three books in the Bible - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. Solomon wrote and collected proverbs to teach the people of Israel to get wisdom and live in peace and prosperity - but Israel ignored and moved away from God. Solomon himself did not live by his own wisdom. The Book of Proverbs, as in our Bible, is a compilation of proverbs written by other authors also, as may be seen from the superscription on chapters. The author–wise content of the book is

Solomon’s proverbs: All except the following Sayings of the wise – Ch 22:17-24:34 Sayings of Agur : Ch 30 Sayings of King Lemuel Ch 31

There is no historical or Biblical record about Agur and King Lemuel. The compilation of the Book of Proverbs to the present stage appears to have taken from the tenth century of Solomon to the seventh century of King Hezekiah who has copied and compiled the Proverbs, as recorded in Chapter 25:1. Perhaps the Proverbs from the other authors were also added to the Solomonic collections, at that time. Prophet Jeremiah, during 600 BC, has recorded (I Kings 4:32) “Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs numbered

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1,005” - which appear rather exaggerated, considering what is available now, after compilation of all the proverbs. The Prologue: Purpose and theme, at the first few verses specify- “for attaining wisdom and discipline” – (V2)

This key purpose occurs more than 40 times in the Books The theme of the Book being – “The fear of the Lord is the

beginning of knowledge” – (V2), repeated at 9:10 and 31:30. Job 28:28 and Psalms 111:10 also express the same truth. Although Proverbs is more practical than theological, the role of wisdom in creation and God’s work as Creator is especially highlighted. God is mentioned 90 times in the book as “Lord “. To contrast a wise person, there are over 70 proverbs about what a fool is like. There are two types of fools – the scoffer and the sluggard.

“ Go to the ants, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise” (6:6) is an example

New Testament focuses on the theme wisdom from the Proverbs, and alludes to it in various passages. A few of them are highlighted:

Luke in his Gospel, records the Angel of the Lord announcing the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah- “.to turn the disobedience to the wisdom of the righteousness’ (1:17)

Mathew’s birth narrative of Jesus brings out the visit of the wise men, who confirm the divinity of Jesus Christ

Luke describing the growth of child Jesus, says- “And the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him” – 2:40)

Luke also records Jesus saying,- “ Queen of Sheba came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom and now, one greater than Solomon is here” – (11: 31)

Paul while describing Christ’s wisdom says – “ Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” ( 1 Cor 1:20 -24)

New Testament authors quote the Proverbs on many occasions, of which a few are brought out:

Paul writes to Romans – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head” – (Rom 12:20 – Pro 25:21, 22), and adds, - “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Are we following this wise advice?

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Paul writes to Hebrews- “ My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son” – ( Rom12:5,6 - Pro 3:11,12)

Peter writes in his second general letter to the believers – warning them of false teachers “ Of them the proverbs are true: A dog returns to its vomit” – ( 2 Pet 2:22a – Pro 26:11) – “ and a sow that is washed, goes back to her wallowing in the mud” – (II Pe 2:22b) ( In both cases the nature of animal is not changed - as in false teachers.)

Peter also writes – “ Fear God, honor the king” – (I Pet 2:17- Pro 24:21)

James writes in his general letter on, “ Taming the tongue” – “ If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man,

able to keep his whole body in check” – ( James 3:2 – Pro 16:27)

Also –“The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6 Pro 27)

It is worth reading what James continues to say about the tongue - “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles have been tamed by men, but no man can tame the tongue. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who been made in God’s likeness” ( 3:7-9)

John in his Gospel records Jesus’ favorite self-designation- “ No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven - the Son of Man “ – (John 3:13) . It appears that Jesus has answered Agur’s rhetorical question to express God’s greatness as Creator- “Who has gone up to heaven and came down?” ( Pro 30:4)

The sayings of Agur are dominated by ‘numerical proverbs “, a way of handling numbers in a synonymous parallelism in Hebrew poetry (30:15, 18, 21, 29). Example

There are three things that are never satisfied – four that never say ‘enough” - the grave, the barren womb, land which is never satisfied with water and fire which never says enough - (30:15-16)

Agur compares the dangers of having too much or too little – so he prayed to the Lord- “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread” and adds – “Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say- ‘ Who is the Lord?” or may become poor and steal and dishonor the Name of the Lord” – (30:8,9)

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The sayings of King Lemuel are devoted exclusively to instructions (an oracle his mother taught him) for kings like him, to be righteous. The three-fold advice highlights sexual promiscuity, and drunkenness to be avoided, and judge fairly, defending the poor and needy (31:1-9). Are we following this advice in our lives? The Epilogue: The wife of Noble character – (31:10-31) This is an interesting acrostic poem honoring the wife of noble character, where wisdom is personified as a woman who fears the Lord. Many of the proverbs have found their way into the present day speech - for example

Spare the rod and spoil the child – 13:24 Stolen food is sweet – 9:17 Iron sharpens iron- 27:17

As emphasized and repeated in the proverbs, let us fear the Lord and seek wisdom from the Lord who is the one and only source. Amen.

Manoharan Gnanaolivu Convenor

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An excerpt from `THE BOOK OF MISSIONARY HEROES’ by Basil Mathews

Alexander Mackay: "A man who can turn his hand to anything" (1863-1876)

It was a bitter cold night in the Christmas vacation fourteen years later. (December 12, 1875). Alec Mackay, now a young engineering student, was lost to all sense of time as he read of the hairbreadth escapes and adventures told by the African explorer, Stanley, in his book, ‘How I found Livingstone’.

He read these words of Stanley's: "For four months and four days I lived with Livingstone in the same house, or in the same boat, or in the same tent, and I never found a fault in him. ...Each day's life with him added to my admiration for him. His gentleness never forsakes him: his hopefulness never deserts him. His is the Spartan heroism, the inflexibility of the Roman, the enduring resolution of the Anglo-Saxon. The man has conquered me." Alexander Mackay put down Stanley's book and gazed into the fire. Since the days when he had trudged as a boy down to the station to see the railway engine he had been a schoolboy in the Grammar School at Aberdeen, and a student in Edinburgh, and while there had worked in the great shipbuilding yards at Leith amid the clang and roar of the rivetters and the engine shop. He was now studying in Berlin, drawing the designs of great engines far more wonderful than the railway engine he had almost worshipped as a boy.

On the desk at Mackay's side lay his diary in which he wrote his thoughts. In that diary were the words that he himself had written:

"This day last year [May 1, 1873] Livingstone died—a Scotsman and a Christian—loving God and his neighbour, in the heart of Africa. 'Go thou and do likewise.'"

Mackay wondered. Could it ever be that he would go into the heart of Africa like Livingstone? It seemed impossible. What was the good of an engineer among the lakes and forests of Central Africa?

On the table by the side of Stanley's ‘How I found Livingstone’ lay a newspaper, the Edinburgh Daily Review. Mackay glanced at it; then he snatched it up and read eagerly a letter which appeared there. It was a new call to Central Africa—the call, through Stanley, from

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King M'tesa of Uganda, that home of massacre and torture. These are some of the words that Stanley wrote:

"King M'tesa of Uganda has been asking me about the white man's God. ...Oh that some practical missionary would come here. M'tesa would give him anything that he desired—houses, land, cattle, ivory. It is the practical Christian who can ... cure their diseases, build dwellings, teach farming and turn his hand to anything like a sailor—this is the man who is wanted. Such a one, if he can be found, would become the saviour of Africa."

Stanley called for "a practical man who could turn his hand to anything—if he can be found." The words burned their way into Mackay's very soul. "If he can be found." Why here, here in this very room he sits—the boy who has worked in the village at the carpenter's bench and the saddler's table, in the smithy and the mill, when his mother wished him to be at his books; the lad who has watched the ships building in the docks of Aberdeen, and has himself with hammer and file and lathe built and made machines in the engineering works—he is here—the "man who can turn his hand to anything." And he had, we remember, already written in his diary: "Livingstone died—a Scotsman and a Christian—loving God and his neighbour, in the heart of Africa. 'Go thou and do likewise.'"

Mackay did not hesitate. Then and there he took pen and ink and paper and wrote to London to the Church Missionary Society which was offering, in the daily paper that lay before him, to send men out to King M'tesa. The words that Mackay wrote were these:

"My heart burns for the deliverance of Africa, and if you can send me to any one of those regions which Livingstone and Stanley have found to be groaning under the curse of the slave-hunter I shall be very glad."

Within four months Mackay, with some other young missionaries who had volunteered for the same great work, was standing on the deck of the S.S. Peshawur as she steamed out from Southampton for Zanzibar.

He was in the footsteps of Livingstone—"a Scotsman and a Christian"—making for the heart of Africa and "ready to turn his hand to anything" for the sake of Him who as

"...the Carpenter of Nazareth Made common things for God."

Courtesy: www.wholesomewords.org

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ALEXANDER MURDOCH MACKAY – THE ENGINEER-MISSIONARY Alexander Murdoch Mackay of Uganda (often referred to as the modern-day John the Baptist) was born on October 13, 1849 in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire in

Scotland. His father, Alexander Mackay, was a church minister in a remote parish of the eastern highlands in Scotland. Mackay was unusually bright, and by the age of three, could read the New Testament. Mackay's father was a friend of a number of academics and scientists, one of whom was Sir Roderick Murchison, David Livingstone's sponsor and after whom the Murchison Falls is named. At 14, as he was about to join grammar school, Mackay lost his mother and he was never the same again. His sorrow and loneliness kindled a thirst for adventure in him and a deep fascination with machines. It is said that he would often walk for miles just to see a railway engine. His parents had hoped he would follow in his father's footsteps and become a church minister, but while at Edinburgh University, Mackay begun to concentrate on engineering and soon, he was studying higher mathematics and surveying. In 1873, he went to Germany to study German. While here, he got a job as a draughtsman at the Berlin Locomotive Works and invented an agricultural machine, which won first prize at an exhibition of steam engines in Breslau. During his stay in Berlin, Mackay resided with the family of Hofprediger Baur, one of the ministers of the cathedral there. Under Baur's influence the fascination of missionary life, which he had felt in his youth, was revived in him and he begun to study the Bible. It is while he was in Germany that his sister wrote to him, and told him about a missionary expedition to Madagascar, which Mackay decided to join as an "engineering missionary". His vision was to connect Christianity with modern civilisation and he hoped to do so by establishing a college to train young men in religion and science. He also wanted to build railways and roads, which he described as "an enormous enterprise for one single-handed". (Do read `BookShelf’ on page 24)

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Months before he was due to set off for Madagascar, the mission fell through, and he was asked instead to go to Mombasa to oversee the settlement of liberated slaves. This journey too, hit a dead end, and someone else got the job before Mackay's formal application went in. It was around this time that the London Daily Telegraph published a letter from the explorer Henry Morton Stanley asking for missionaries to be sent to Uganda. Mackay applied to the CMS to be part of the Uganda mission, also known as the mission to Nyanza, and on April 27, 1876, set sail on the steamship, the SS Peshawar, from Southampton. Arriving at Zanzibar on May 30, 1876, Mackay and about eight of his colleagues set off for the interior. It took him well over two years to travel from the coast to Buganda. One after another, his colleagues died along the way until he was the only one left. All through his travels, he kept a journal (currently kept at the CMS archive library in London) in which he jotted his impression of the people and the culture and lifestyle of the various African tribes he visited on his journey. In November 1878, Mackay arrived in Buganda and established his headquarters at Nateete, where he set up his printing and engineering workshop. In time he built a medium-sized storeyed bungalow - the first house ever in Uganda to be built with bricks. The house's foundation was made of burnt bricks while the walls were built with sun-dried bricks. In March 1882, Mackay baptised his first five converts among them Sembera, and three of the king's pages, named Mukasa, Kakumba Lugalama. Others soon followed. It is said Mackay would print large letters on sheets of paper, which he used to teach his young converts to read and write Swahili. He also translated the gospel of Matthew into Luganda. His first printing press, a small hand-operated machine, is on display at the Uganda Museum, while a church and school (Mackay College) now occupy the place where his workshop once stood. Mackay was not only keen on winning more souls for God, he also put in long hours teaching his new converts new skills such as building roads, houses, machinery, and boats as well as reading and writing. It is evident from Mackay's journal that he was a good friend of Kabaka (ruler of the Baganda people of Uganda) Muteesa's and the two would talk often. In one of his entries, he recounts that the Kabaka once asked him to help him obtain an English princess, so that he could add her to his numerous collection of wives and was

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astonished when Mackay told him that in England "no woman could be given in marriage without her consent". But despite their friendship, Mackay despised the "heathen" practices of the king which prevented him from being baptised. He writes how the unfortunate victims of Muteesa's displeasure would be slowly tortured to death, their noses, ears and lips cut off. For others, he says, the sinews of their arms and thighs would be cut out and roasted in front of their eyes, before these were put out and the body itself burnt alive. He also writes about some of the barbaric practices of the king such as the kiwendo (a great human sacrifice to secure blessings from a departed king). When two thousand poor peasants were caught, fastened in forked sticks and kept in pens to be murdered, Mackay wrote the king a letter, pleading for their lives, but his plea was disregarded. Life, however, became increasingly difficult for Mackay after Muteesa's death. The new Kabaka, Mwanga II, was a cruel pervert and was easily influenced by his chiefs. And when his palace burned down one day, all blame was laid squarely on the Christians (the thatched roof had accidentally caught fire when one of the pages was out praying). Three Christian boys - Seruwanga, Yusufu, and Lugalama - were arrested, tortured and burned on a slow fire for their negligence. Another Protestant page was speared to death. In the days that followed, about 200 Christians were tortured and burned. Their death and Mwanga's continued persecution of Christians weighed on Mackay's conscience as he could only watch helplessly as his former pupils and friends were murdered. Twice, Mackay and another missionary Ashe tried to leave, but they would always be intercepted and marched back to Nateete by the king's chief warrior. A year later, on July 21, 1887, Mackay was allowed to leave Buganda and he travelled to Usambiro on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, where he stayed for the remaining three years of his life. A great deal of his time was spent urging the British government through the consul at Zanzibar to annex more territories in Africa to prevent "dictatorial rulers" such as Mwanga from "inflicting atrocities on their own people." Mackay was also shocked at the apparent indifference of Christians in Europe to the martyrdom of black Christians in Africa. On February 14, 1890 Mackay caught malaria and four days later he died at Usambiro, the last survivor of the little band of eight that had set out for Uganda in 1876. He was buried at Usambiro and his remains were later transferred and buried at Namirembe Cathedral.

Source: www.wholesomewords.org

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MAJESTY

It was the silver anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth II as Queen of England. At that time, Dr. Jack Hayford (b 1934) of California, was touring England with his wife. The celebration, the countryside, and the spirit and enthusiasm of the English

people, coupled with the great historical significance of that kingdom, made those two weeks a special time for the Hayfords. As he felt the courage and motivation of the English people, Hayford realized that there was also a deep feeling in their hearts for the royalty who stood with them in dark hours. Suddenly there came to his mind, a feeling that Christ wants His church to have such a sense of loyalty and fellowship, because He is our leader in good times and bad. One word seemed to charge to the forefront: majesty! That word seemed at the moment to represent the glory, excellence, grace, and power of Christ. By comparison, Queen Elizabeth’s glory seemed paltry. Dr. Hayford said to his wife: “Take the notebook and write down some words, will you?” He then began to dictate the key, the notes, the timing, and the lyrics to one of the most popular new songs now being sung by Christians everywhere.

Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise. Majesty, kingdom authority flow from His throne, unto His own; His anthem raise. So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King. Majesty, worship His majesty; Jesus, who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

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SWAMI KANDIAH ANAND – APOSTLE OF THE HIMALAYAS Swami Kandiah Anand was a holy man of God. He was not popular in the

Christian world because he lived in an obscure corner of India visited by multitudes of Hindu devotees seeking divine peace and salvation. He lived as a ‘Sadhu’ and was called the "Christian Sadhu" like Sadhu Sundar Singh. Swami Kandiah Anand was born in Sri Lanka but lived his entire life in Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh, India – a place known for Hindu pilgrimage, at the foothills of the Himalaya. He served his Master secretly amongst the thousands of Hindu Sadhus and pilgrims. He was given free food (two meals a day) and shelter by a Hindu Ashram, the Swarga Ashram (meaning Heavenly Abode) though his Christian faith was known to the trustees. The God of Elijah who fed and sheltered His prophet Elijah in the midst of the prophets of Baal, fed Swami Kandiah Anand too. He had no children and relatives in India, but he was not an orphan because he was an apostle of Christ in fellowship with His Master and with the millions of people in the universal Body of Christ. In 1980, Evangelist N. Samuel, a well known missionary and editor of the magazine, ‘Deva Ekkalam’, met Swami Kandiah Anand for the first time on his missionary journey to Tibet, in Udampur, Jammu & Kashmir. Samuel described the life and personality of Swami Kandiah Anand in his magazine "Deva Ekkalam" (meaning God's trumpet) as follows: Swami Kandiah Anand was born in 1905 as the last child in a Hindu Vaishnavite family of 7 children in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. When he was 14 years old, he learnt the Hindu Scriptures and Hindu devotional songs. His parents brought him up according to the ways of Hinduism. One day, Kandiah Anand suffered diarrhea and vomiting after eating some herbs, and he became very weak, and was on his deathbed. He saw a vision at that time, of a Man bleeding with wounds, asking him with love, "Can you give Me water to quench My thirst?" Swami replied, "Sir, how can I give you water as I am myself struggling to live in this world? If You heal me, I will definitely quench Your thirst". That Man asked Swami again, "Will you quench My thirst after you are healed?" Swami replied, "Yes. I will carry You with Your wounds on my shoulder and quench Your

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thirst". Immediately, the vision disappeared. This vision did not fade away from his mind with the passage of time. Then a Christian family that lived nearby visited him and prayed for him. Afterwards, Swami regained his health progressively and was healed by God. Later Swami came to know that those were the words of Jesus of Nazareth who wanted the Samarian woman to give Him water. Swami became a Christian through a Roman Catholic friend, and he stopped worshipping the Hindu gods and goddesses. His parents began to persecute him for his new faith. He was tied around trees and beaten up by his parents. Due to severe persecution, he fled to the forest in Anuradhapura and spent most of his days there. His parents then decided to withdraw him from the school and employed him in grocery shops. Since he refused to bow before the idols in these shops, he was driven away from there. Then he fled from Jaffna, Sri Lanka and reached India. He came to Shimoga in Karnataka and stayed in the house of a Christian man who worked as a railway official, for many years. Kandiah Anand never married, dedicating his life to God. St. Mark’s gospel brought about a change in his life - he was filled with the passion for preaching the gospel. Since he spent many days of his youth in solitude in the deep forests of Sri Lanka, he longed to be alone with the Lord meditating on His Word and communing with Him. He spent some days in meditation on a mountain near Mumbai in Maharashtra before moving to Rishikesh at the foothills of the Himalayas. He lived in a cave near Rishikesh two miles away from the town, spending his time in meditating on the Bible and in communing with God in solitude. A hermit's life and ministry to God Swami Kandiah Anand lived with a sickly man afflicted with tuberculosis, and he fed this poor man with the morsel of food he got from the Ashram. He also fed the birds of the air who were his special guests. The Sadhus used to get free clothes, blankets, and other essential items as donations. But Swami Kandiah Anand used to pass on these things to those who were needy. The Hindu Sadhus who lived in the Ashram called Swami Kandiah Anand "a red priest" because like the Communists he was devoted to the propagation of his message (the gospel) to the thousands of Hindu pilgrims and Sadhus. Hindu pilgrims used to visit him from as far as 2 miles from Rishikesh town, seeking to know the divine message, thinking that Swami was a Hindu Sadhu. When they visited his cave, he gave them gospel tracts and told them, "This is the message of God for you".

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Swami never bowed before any idol, though he was compelled and tempted by the other Hindu Sadhus to worship idols. When many Sadhus succumbed to their fleshly temptations, Swami kept his body holy unto God. A life of devotion In 1980, Samuel recalls that once he travelled with Swami in a bus to Ladhak, Tibet, for missionary work. While climbing a hill, the bus was about to fall down due to a mechanical defect, and was shaking greatly. All the passengers shouted for help, but Swami remained calm and composed. When Samuel asked him how he was able to be so, Swami replied that he did not fear death at all because he would be with Jesus after death. Since he loved Jesus, he did not fear death as "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear….. (I John 4:18). In the jungles, he came across elephants and other wild animals but was not harmed by these wild animals. On one occasion, he drove away a herd of elephants with a torch light. Swami Kandiah Anand only feared sin in his life. Once in Himachel Pradesh, he had to walk over a distance of 15 miles through the jungle to reach a village namely Manikaran. It rained torrentially. He had to cover 7 miles more. He had to cross a jungle river which was flooded and began to shed tears. All of a sudden, three strong men appeared and one of them carried Swami on his shoulders and crossed the river with the help of a pole. God thus miraculously sent these men to help him. Swami loved to participate in church services and share his testimonies whenever he got the opportunity. During his last visit to Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu in 1990, he attended a worship service at St.Luke Church and shared his testimony. It was his desire that after his death he should be buried according to the Christian rites and not cremated according to the Hindu rites. In1992, Swami Kandiah Anand disappeared and could not be traced by Samuel during his missionary journey to Rishikesh in 1993. He desperately enquired from some churches, post office, about his whereabouts. None of them could throw any light on his whereabouts or his death. It is understood from his last letter that Swami must have gone to the Kashmir valley where he probably died due to some ailment or terrorist activity. God must have buried His body through the hands of some unknown people in the Kashmir valley.

Courtesy: Job Anbalagan, Glory of His Cross

https://sites.google.com/site/gloryofhiscross/apostle-of-himalayas

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BIBLE QUIZ 2017 FOR ALL

The quiz is open to participants of all ages. Answers should be given by the 20th of every month. Late entries will not be considered. Answers should be mailed to sheebs@hotmail.com or given to Mrs. Sheeba Roshan in person. Names of participants with score will be mentioned in the next issue. Winners will be awarded at the end of the year. QUIZ 2 Portion: Book of First Samuel Fill in the missing letters to unravel names of people: Mention the reference: 1. J e _ _ h a _. (7) 2. P e _ i _ _ a h. (8) 3. P _ i n _ _ a _. (8) 4. _ l _ a _ a _. (7) 5. E _ _ n _ _ _ r. (8) 6. _ _ i j _ _. (6) 7. B _ c _ _ _ t h. (8) 8. R _ _ _ e _ . (6) 9. J e _ _ b _ _ a _ . (9) 10. J_ _ h _ h _ h (8) 11. _ o _ _ t _ _ n. (8) 12. M _ l _ _ - S _ _ _. (5 - 4) 13. A _ I _ _ _ m. (7) 14. _ l _ _ b. (5) 15. A _ _ _ _ d a _. (8) 16. G _ _ _ _ _ h. (7) 17. A _ _ _ _ l. (6) 18. _ h i _ _ l _ c _. (9) 19. A _ _a t _ _ r. (8) 20. A _ _ _ a _ l. (7) Answers to Quiz 1:

1. Bethlehem - Ruth 1:1,2 2. Boaz’s son - Ruth 4:21,22 3. Naomi - Ruth 1:5 4. Naomi, for her daughters-in-law - Ruth 1:13 5. (It amounted to) about an ephah - Ruth 2:17 6. Boaz - Ruth 2:1 7. B. Naomi - Ruth 1:20 8. Boaz, to Ruth - Ruth 2:12

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9. Boaz, to the harvesters - Ruth 2:4 10. Boaz, to Ruth - Ruth 3:10

Points tally after Quiz 1:

Jan 2017 Aggregate

1 Daryl Christopher 10 10

2 Felicia William 9 9

3 Gilfred Sam 10 10

4 Jason Travis Daniel 10 10

5 Jeremy Roopsingh 10 10

6 Jonathan Roopsingh 10 10

7 Latha Chittaranjan 10 10

8 Prarthana Gilfred 10 10

9 Rohan Abraham Stanley 10 10

10 Sneha Rachel 10 10

11 Tasha Grace 10 10

Quotes by Hudson Taylor Christ is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. When I cannot read, when I

cannot think, when I cannot even pray, I can trust. Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him. God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. Not by discussions nor by argument, but by lifting up Christ shall we draw men unto Him. Do not work so hard for Christ that you have no strength to pray, for prayer requires strength. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.

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We welcome your original contributions to the EanMe in the form of articles, poems, Protestant church pictures for the cover, or information relevant to the season. Please send your entries by hard/soft copy to reach the STEC church office stthomasenglishchur@bsnl.in or fabiolaj@gmail.com by the 20th of every month.

You can read the current issue of EanMe online at http://www.santhomeenglishchurch.org/. A few earlier issues have been archived on `CSI St. Thomas English Church’ facebook page. Contributions are also invited for the Sunday bulletin. If you have any interesting information to share in the form of anecdotes, short stories etc. (around 100 words) relevant to the Sunday theme, please mail it to Kavita Edward: sandeekov@gmail.com We are on Social Media! ‘Like’ our Church page on Facebook to stay updated https://www.facebook.com/StThomasEnglishChurch ‘Follow’@CSI_STEC on Twitter Join our Church group on Facebook to connect with each other and share / view pictures of church events https://www.facebook.com/CSI St. Thomas English Church, Santhome

Travelling on work? Don’t forget to click a picture! If you happen to visit or see a beautiful, historic Protestant church that you think should be on our EanMe cover, please click a hi-res picture and e-mail it, along with a short note about the Church, to

fabiolaj@gmail.com

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FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMMES

Sunday School : English: Sunday – 8:15 am

Tamil: Sunday - 4 pm

Tweens Fellowship : Sunday - 4:30 pm

Medical Centre : Monday, Wednesday & Friday – 4.30 to 6 pm

Women’s Fellowship : I and III Saturday - 5:00 pm

Men’s Fellowship : II and IV Saturday - 6:30 pm

Adults’ Fellowship : Sunday - 5:00 pm

Hospital visit : II Sunday - 10:30 am

PASTORATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Mr. Bright Joseph Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses Mr. Daniel Manickam Inbaraj Mr. Ranjan Selvakumar Mr. Roshan Soundarapandian Mr. Gerald Joshua Divyaprabu Mrs. Caroline Roopsingh Mrs. Samantha Daniel Mrs. Ramona Crownie Deva Anand Mrs. Diana Prasathini Arjun

The Rt. Rev. Dr. J. George Stephen

Bishop in Madras

Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar Presbyter-in-charge

Mr. Milton Sigamoney Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses

Lay Readers

Mr. Benjamin Hastings Secretary

Mrs. Gemina Martin Treasurer

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WORSHIP SERVICES – PLAN FOR FEBRUARY 2017 Date and

Time Day Services and Preacher Theme Stewards for Bible reading

and Offertory

5.2.2017 7:30 am

6.00 pm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Sung Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Evensong: Message: Mr. Milton Sigamoney

Christ the rhythm of life

Exodus 15: 1 - 21 Ephesians 5: 15 - 21 Psalm 149 St. Luke 8: 26 – 39 Mr. & Dr. Mrs. P. Wesley Isaac

12.2.2017 7.00 am

8.15 am

6.00 pm

Ninth Sunday before Easter

Septuagesima

Holy Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Matins: Message: Mrs. Lilian Richard Holy Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose

Sabbath as the

culmination of creation

Isaiah 65: 17 - 25 Hebrews 4: 2 - 13 Psalm 8 St. Mark 2: 23 - 28 Dr. & Mrs. Ravi Thilagan

19.2.2017 7.30 am

6.00 pm

Eighth Sunday before Easter

Sexagesima

Sung Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Evensong: Message: Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses

Fall as a

violation of the purpose of

creation

Genesis 6: 1 - 13 Romans 7: 4 - 25 Psalm 32 St. Matthew 7: 15 - 23 Mr. & Mrs. Ashvin Dhyriam

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26.2.2017 7.30 am

6.00 pm

Seventh

Sunday before Easter

Quinquagesima

Sung Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Message: Mrs. Nirmala Stephen Evensong: Message: Mrs. Lilian Richard

Lent: a time of transformation

Isaiah 44: 21 - 28 Romans 11: 13 - 24 Psalm 6 St. John 2: 1 -11 Mr. & Mrs. Milton Sigamoney

1.3.2017 6.30 am

7:00 pm

Ash

Wednesday

Holy Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Sung Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose

Cross: a call

to repentance

Isaiah 1: 16 – 20 II Corinthians 7: 8 – 16 Psalm 51 St. Mark 1: 12 - 15