Volume 11 Issue 8 August 2011

Church of South India, Toronto For Private Circulation only

Motto for 2011 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children

of God!’ 1 John 3: 1

A monthly Newsletter published for the

Church of South India, Toronto, Canada 15 Masters Green Crescent

Brampton, Ontario Parsonage Phone: 905-789 -8238 - Pastor’s Cell: 647-783-0650

Website: csitoronto.org

Editor Ranjan Koshie

56 Radwell Crescent Scarborough. ON - M1V 2J5

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President and Pastor Rev. Shaji M. Johnson

Office Bearers 2011 Vice President: Mr. George Samuel Secretary: Mr. Roy Abraham Jt. Secretary: Miss Gisha Oommen Treasurer: Mr. Joseph P. Mathew Jt. Treasurer: Mr. Sanju Cherian

Directors:

Choir: Mr. Isaac Mathews Sunday school: Mrs. Susan Thomas Social Activities: Mr. John Cherian Men's Fellowship: Mr. Cherian Varghese Women's Fellowship: Mrs. Sajany Koshie Youth Fellowship: Mr. Ron Abraham Auditor: Mr. Philip Mathai Trustees: Mr. Koshy Oommen Mr. Benjamin Chacko Youth Leaders: Biju & Meera Jacob

Editor Ranjan Koshie

ranjankoshie@gmail.com ranjan.koshie@autoliv.com

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Dearly beloved in Christ Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The Church has a mission. This statement seems so simple and conventional. Of course, the church has a mission. But what is that? Evangelism must be the mission of the church. Our mission is to reach to the lost world with the saving message of Jesus Christ and then to teach them so that they will mature in their faith. The contextual mission that the church is given is to embody the interest of the Kingdom of God in the world, and to influence our society with the ideals of the Lord. Jesus’ purpose for his followers was that they should be salt and light for the whole world (Matthew 5: 13). Jesus also gave His disciples some indication of how they were to go about it. He said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21). These words from John’s Gospel represents the simplest form of the Great Commission, yet they are the most profound and most challenging. That is probably why they are the most neglected. The Church’s ministry to the world is to be similar to His. As he had been sent, so he sends his disciples. Jesus used salt and light as metaphors of the influential characteristics of His church in the world. Historically, salt has always been a valuable commodity used, among other things, as an antiseptic to withdraw infection. Light, of course, dispels darkness and is an essential element of life. Likewise, the presence of the church in the world as Christ’s antiseptic to sin, an influence of God’s righteousness that tends to displace the infection of evil. The church is intended to represent His interests in the affairs of a society. It was never intended to be passive, nor to be confined within the four walls of a building, but to be involved as a catalyst of God’s high ideals in the world around us. The church whose priority is focused on its own existence and rituals is still in its infancy, but the church looking around with the zeal of mission will be one of evangelism. Bonheoffer’s statement is so significant, that “an authentic church is one that lives for others”. This month we are going to have the VBS in our church. The Vacation Bible School plays a very important role in the soul-winning ministry of our church. Surely, it is the most vital occasion to win a child for God. So kindly send your children to the VBS and make it a spiritual celebration and a Bible Festival. Deciding to hold the VBS requires a great deal of our time, energy and money. Your whole-hearted support is needed. Our Annual church picnic comes this month. This is a time to relax and enjoy some time with our church family. Make sure you spend adequate time communicating and enjoying one another’s company. Always remember that the whole purpose of our picnic is bonding our relationships. May God bless you all Yours in Christ Shajiachen

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COTTAGE PRAYER SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 2011

BETH-ZA-DA CANCELLED SILOHAM CANCELLED JORDAN Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mathew

Kollal, 17, Woodsmere Court Brampton

Sat. Aug. 20th@ 6:30 pm

GILEAD Mr. & Mrs. Wincy John Sat. Aug. 27th. @ 6:30 pm

CHURCH ANNUAL PICNIC

Our Annual Church Picnic will be held on August 13th2011 at the Glen Haffy Conservation Area, 19245 Airport Road, Caledon, ON. Our picnic spot is Ridgeview (marked on the map). Further details and maps are in this issue. Admission fees to the park are: Adults: $6.50 per person Seniors: $5.50 per person (Ages 60+) Children Below 15 years Free Picnic fees are: Family $30.00 Single $15.00. For further details and directions, please visit http://www.trca.on/enjoy/locations/glen-haffy-conservation-area.dot Take Hwy. 7 to Airport Road. Follow Airport Road north. Glen Haffy Conservation Area is located on Airport Road, 10km north of Caledon East.

MENS FELLOWSHIP FOOD DRIVE The Food Drive initiated by the Men’s Fellowship is still open for contributions. Please bring any non perishable food item.

OBITUARY

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing on of Mrs. Varghese Benjamin’s (Shirley’s) mother in Kerala on July 10th. May the Almighty grant them peace and comfort the family during this time of sorrow.

CONGRATULATIONS Our congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Renjith George on the birth of their son George on July 5th.. May the Almighty God shower His blessings on the parents and the newborn baby.

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BIBLE READINGS FOR AUGUST 2011 Aug. 7th. Mission – Service to Humanity 1st. Lesson: Isaiah 42: 1-9 Psalm 146 2nd. Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 Gospel: John 13: 1-17 Read by: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Jacob & family

Aug. 14th. - Christian Marriage 1st. Lesson: Genesis 2: 18-25 Psalm: 91 2nd Lesson: 1 Corinthians 13 Gospel: Mark 10: 1-12 Read by: Mr. & Mrs. Christy Abraham &

family

Aug. 21st. The Sacrament of Baptism 1st. Lesson: Exodus 14: 15-31 Psalm: 32 2nd lesson: Titus 3: 3-8 Gospel: John 3: 1-8 Read by: Mr. & Mrs. Reji Johnson & family

Aug. 28th. The Sacrament of Holy Communion 1st. Lesson: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 Psalm: 16 2nd. Lesson 1 Corinthians 11: 23-24 Gospel: Mark 14: 12-26 Read by: Mr. & Mrs. Cherian Varghese & Family

BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST 7. Sharon Suresh 7 Jeremy Jean Varghese 7. Trisha Cherian 8. Premod Kanjirappallil 8. Jonathan Verghis 9. Terry Chacko 9. Annamma Skariah 9. C. L. Kanthan 9. Benjamin Chacko 15. Saurabh Itty 16. Susan Chandy 23. Pushpa Mariam Abraham 24. Sheena Mathew 24. Sujith Cheriyan 26. Rachel Thomas 28. Mathew Joseph 29. Ponnamma Cherian 29. Jophy Jacob Philip 30. Vimal Rosh Samuel 30. George Samuel (Arun) 30. Meljo Varghese ANNIVERSARIES 3. Joy C. Mathew& Valsa 8. Mathew Verghis & Elizabeth 11. Prashanth Koshy & Sheena 14. Terry Chacko & Sneha 17. Wincy Thuthikattu & Jancy 18. Bilu Omman & Lincy 18. Jacob Cherian & Biby Esther

Abraham 20. Joseph Mathew Kollal & Vincy 25. Mathew Puthiampadavil &

Susan Jacob 26. Benjamin Chacko & Ani 29. K. Philip Alexander & Mary

PEW USHERS FOR AUGUST

August 7th. Meljo Varghese & Ranjan Koshie August 14th. Abraham Phillip & Jean Varghese August 21st. Mathew Chacko & Meljo Varghese August 28th. Ranjan Koshie & Abraham Philip

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Unity in the Church: Seven Starters

By Ray Hollenbach

“God loves unity among his people; achieving it is our responsibility.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133) NIV

With understated simplicity, God reveals

something of his nature in just sixty-two words. He loves unity and bestows his blessing wherever he finds it.

His very existence models unity before creation, unity before knowledge, and unity forevermore. Tim Keller calls it the “dance of reality:” the Creator of the universe is somehow three and also One. Unity is simply another way of saying “God is love.”

We have trouble with this. We mistake uniformity for unity. We mistake intellectual agreement for unity. But there is no mistaking the oil of anointing in life lived together. There’s no mistaking the refreshment of a saturated mountain-morning when God’s kids learn how to play nicely together.

Here are seven starters, all from Paul’s letter to a healthy church in a place called Ephesus. I will not give chapter-and-verse references because to do so would be to reduce the call for unity to mere Biblical argument.

• We are--all of us--adopted into God’s family. This means we must learn a new way to live. We are called to take on a family identity that was previously alien to our way of thinking and acting. To carry our old ways into the new family of God is to refuse the new identity he gives

us.

• Our eyes of our hearts must be enlightened, not the thoughts of our intellects. More than knowledge, we need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.

• He wants to show us the “incomparable riches of his grace,” but we frequently mistake the moment of adoption as the beginning and end of his grace. Having breathed the air of grace the first time, we think we received all there is. There is more grace to discover; it starts within the family of God and migrates outward.

• There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ If you’re keeping score, that’s seven “ones” and three “alls.” Did you notice that the phrase “one creed” does not appear?

• We grieve the Holy Spirit not by what we teach or advocate but by how we treat one another.

• If we revere Jesus, we will submit to one another.

• “Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” The greatest intellect of Christendom opened and closed his love-letter with the words grace and peace.

How have you experienced the blessings of unity in God's family? How have you contributed to it? Has your contributions to God’s family (the Church) strengthened it or weakened it?

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GOD MAKES A WAY

Contributed by Meljo Varghese

This story tells about a mountain climber who wanted to climb the highest mountain. He began his adventure after many years of training, but since he wanted the glory for himself he decided to climb the mountain alone.

The night was like a heavy blanket in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. All was black, there was zero visibility as the moon and stars were covered by clouds.

As he was climbing close to the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell, falling at a great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked by gravity.

He kept falling and in those moments of great fear, all the good and bad episodes of his life passed through his mind. He was now thinking about how close he was to death, when all of a sudden, he felt the rope that was tied to his waist, pull him very hard.

His body was hanging in the air with only the rope holding him and in that moment of stillness, he had no other choice but to scream -"HELP ME GOD!"

All of a sudden, a deep voice from the sky answered:

"What do you want me to do?"

The man pleaded, "Save me, God"

The voice replied, "Do you really think that I can save you?"

In desperation, the man said, "Of course,

I believe that you can." The voice then said, "Then cut the rope tied to your waist."

The man was shocked. He thought about it but couldn't bring himself to trust what he could not see. He decided to hold onto the rope with all his strength.

The rescue team later said that they found the frozen body of the climber. His body was hanging from a rope. His hands were holding tight to it......ONLY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE GROUND!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”. - Proverbs 3:5-6.

I believe this scripture can be useful in any trial in life, because if you trust in the Lord, He will lead and guide you.

Greeting

Friend, you have come to this Church; leave it not without a prayer. No man entering a house ignores him who dwells in it. This is the House of God and He is here.

Pray then to Him who loves you and bids you welcome and awaits your greeting.

Give thanks for those who in past ages built this place to His glory and for those who, dying that we may live, have preserved for us our heritage.

Ask that we who now live may build the spiritual fabric of the nation in truth, beauty, and goodness, and that as we draw near to the one Father through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ we may draw nearer to one another in perfect brotherhood.

The Lord preserves thy going out and thy coming in. Inscribed on Canterbury Cathedral in London, England -Contributed by Leila Philip

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A Reflection

I often wonder who is in charge when things get out of hand, whether it is at work, at school, at home, or in church. After observing a rather frustrating meeting a couple of weeks ago, the question of accountability and responsibility for our actions and words really got me thinking. Should we care about who we hurt or what the consequences of our words are? Should we consider those around us? We can just ask God for forgiveness, right? So does it matter what we say? Just as long as we confess at the end of the day we’re safe, right?

We believe that God made us. He created us from head to toe, inside and out. So is our God not also responsible for our actions and words? No. WE are responsible for what we do and say, and we are accountable to God for the same.

I came across a verse during my time with God that made it all very clear to me. As if He had not already answered my question, He also provided me with a devotional to explain the verse, just to make sure that I understood it completely. I thought I would share it with all of you. “God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” -1 Corinthians 14:33 “Paul’s whole context is orderly

conduct in the church and how disorder does not reflect the person and character of God.

God is a God of order, and we, His people should reflect Him.

As people walk through the doors of our churches, are they met withconfusion, or harmony and peace?

There is enough confusion in the world without having it in the Church.

We should realize that people are desperately seeking a safe haven for their lives.

Each individual Christian is responsible for peace and harmony in their own hearts, which should influence a hectic and confused world.”

-Jill P. Briscoe

Is OUR church, the Church of South India in Toronto, a reflection of Christ’s character? Or one where our brothers and sisters do not matter and peace is not a priority?

Come on church, let’s take the challenge. We can do this! I believe we can. Let’s change ourselves from the inside out and be a reflection of our God of peace and love to the world around us. Let’s start in our Church. -Sanuja Koshie

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This year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held from Friday

August 26th to Sunday August 28th, 2011. On Friday and Saturday, it will be

from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The concluding session will be on Sunday August

28th, 2011 after the worship service.

A nominal registration fee of $5.00 per student will be charged to

cover some of the material cost. As always, donations in the form of cash

will be greatly appreciated. Please make it possible for your

child/children/guest children to explore the wonders of the beach. As kids

explore the wonders of the beach, they’ll also discover the Big Answers to

their Big Questions about Jesus. Five life-changing Bible verses—including

John 14:6—will help them understand who Jesus is and why they need Him.

For more details, please contact the Sunday school Director Mrs.

Susan Thomas

V.B.S. 2011