february 2021 parish voice - st. thomas mar thoma church
TRANSCRIPT
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of
Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148
February 2021
Parish Voice
Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdefghujklmn We have come to the beginning yet another month.
This month is a time to refresh, renew and rejuvenate
ourselves through the Great Lent. It starts on Feb 14th -
Pethurtha Sunday to Easter Sunday. Pethurtha Means
looking back or reconciliation. It comes from the Syriac
word ‘Fathur’ which means - withdrawal from old life, pass
through a new life and return to God.
There is no Fast observed on the first day-Pethurtha and the last day
Easter. The Malankara canon specifies the rules for observance of lent. It calls
us to avoid egg, milk, butter milk, butter, curd, fish, meat and any item that
either brings the pleasure of taste or contributes to robust health. All intoxicating
drinks must be shunned. The canon says to abstain from physical union and to
spend more time for prayer and fasting. This is the reason why marriages where
not solemnized during lent. During lent spend more time in prayer, meditation,
fasting, corporate prayer and worship services. Lent is not to be only understood
as a way of external observance but for the sanctification and renewal of our
heart through repentance leading to a strengthening of our mutual relationships
in church and society. Fasting and avoiding rich food helps us to identify with
people who are hungry and less privileged than we are. It leads us toward deeper
awareness of the needs of others and equips us to love and serve them.
Lenten season reminds us the need for reconciliation with God and
fellow-beings. Lent is an excellent weapon to fight against evil. It was with this
weapon that Jesus overcame the devil before he started His public ministry. And
that is why we too must observe the Lent says the canon. The great Lent
represents a time of preparation for the church before we celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May this Lenten season be a spiritually enriching experience for all of
us. As we schedule this year’s Lenten prayers, I request you all to join so that it
may be a blessing to each one of us. May God bless us all.
Yours Suneethachen
WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS for February 2021
Sunday Feb 7 - Live Stream Malayalam Holy Communion Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Feb 14 - Live Stream English Contemporary Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Feb 21 - Live Stream Malayalam Holy Communion Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Feb 28 - Live Stream English Holy Communion Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Mar 7 - Live Stream Malayalam Holy Communion Service at 9:00 am
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Annual General Body Meeting of St. Thomas MTC, Chicago is planned for
Sunday February 21st immediately after the Holy Communion Service. More
details regarding this will be provided during announcements in the Church
Service.
PRAYER MEETINGS
Weekly Prayer Meeting – led by Prayer Groups
Sat. Feb 6 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 5
Sat. Feb 13 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 6
Sat. Feb 20 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 1
Sat. Feb 27 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 2
Edavaka Mission Prayer Meetings
Regular EM led Prayer meetings on Mondays and Fridays.
Lectionary for February 2021
Dates Lessons Epistle Gospels Evening
02 Tuesday Mayaltho: Entry of our Lord in the Temple മായലതതാ – നമമെ
കരതതാവിനെ ദേവാലയ പരദവശനം
Lev 12:1-8 Heb 12:14-17
Heb 10:1-7 Luke 2:22-32
07 Sunday The Holistic Healing that Christ Gives (Medical Mission Sunday) മഡികകലത മിഷന ഞായരത – ദയശ നലതകനന സമപര
സൌഖയം 2Kgs 20:1-11 James 5:13-18 Isa 42:1-9
Rev 22:1-7 John 5:1-9 Acts 9:32-35
14 Sunday Beginning of the Great Lent – Pethurtha -Lent: Transformation of Creation ദരതരതത- വലിയ ദനാമപ ആരംഭം ; ദനാമപ:സഷടിയെ
രരാനതരം Gen 1:1-28 2Cor 5:16-21 Isa 40:26-31
Eph 2:11-22 John 2:1-11 Rom 8:18-25
15 Monday Shubkono: Service of Reconciliation During Great Lent ശബദകാദനാ-
വലിയ ദനാമപില നിരപപിനെ ശപശഷ
Joel 2:12-17 1Cor 13:4-10
1John 4:11-21 Matt 18:18-27
21 Sunday Christian Approach to the Untouchables അസപരതശദരാെളള പകിസതീയ
സമീരനം
2Kgs 5:1-14 • Acts 10:34-43 Job 2:1-13
Rom 3:21-31 Matt 8:1-4 Heb 13:8-16
28 Sunday Faith that leads to Healing (3 rd Sunday in Lent) സൌഖയതിദലകക
നയികകനന വിശവാസം (ദനാമപില മനനാം ഞായരത)
2Kgs 4:16-37 2Cor 12:7-10 Ps 130:1-8
Acts 5:12-16 Luke 5:17-26 James 5:13-16
Birthdays in January
Milani Marie Varghese 1
Mia Sienna Stephen 1
Isaac I. Varghese 2
Susy Chacko 3
Miriam P. Mathew 4
Ammukutty Mathai 5
Malayil Thomas 6
Ashley Mary Jacob 6
Cara Lillian Jacob 6
Jacob P. George 7
Lily Susan Paul 7
Biji K. Abraham 8
Vinay Abraham Jose 8
Aiden Thariyan Kalsi 8
Mini Sara Cherian 9
Riya Cheriyan 9
Angela Ann Thomas 10
Bindhu Jogy 11
Angel Stephen 11
Ajith Jacob 12
Aneena Thomas John 12
Simon Chacko 14
Swati S. Shah 14
Chacko P. Thomas 16
Annamma Bency 17
Lynn Mary Varghese 18
Sosamma Thomas 19
Ashish Merin Joseph 19
Benson B. Philipose 19
Christal Sarah Ninan 19
Omana Thomas 20
Abraham M. Mammen 20
Sebu George 21
Rhea Mariam Thankachen 22
Elias Kiram Samuel 22
Sheeja Merina Varghese 23
Annie Thomas 23
Joel Mathew 24
Joel Mathew 24
Nehemiah Punnamadathu 24
Rohan Mathew John 25
Ashlyn Shibu Jacob 25
Priyanka E. Valliyil 26
Thomas Mathew 28
Mary Varughese 28
Thomas Abraham 28
Sunitha John 28
Ashique B. Samuel 29
Wedding Anniversaries in January
Molly & Thomas Muthalaly 3
Suma & George C. Kurian Dr. 4
Mini & Joseph Mathews 4
Rachelamma & Mathew V. Mathew 8
Mercy & T. M. Mathew 8
Ajie & Jibu Sam Mammarapallil 8
Lalitha & Thomas T. Lathara 11
Susy & Babukutty Philipose 11
Miny & Ajit V. John 17
Mariamma & George Muthalaly 21
Susan & Abraham P. Mathew 21
Great Lent: A Time to Stay True to God and His Word
The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command
these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” St. Matthew 4:3-4
Grace and peace to all of you in the name of the Holy Trinity!
The above verses from St. Matthew 4 describe a period of time in Jesus’ life
known as the “wilderness testing,” where He was directly tempted by the devil
before He began His public ministry. For Jesus, this testing comes when He was famished after forty days of fasting. For Jesus, meeting the body’s needs, even
when those needs were great, was not the ultimate concern. Using His power
to secure His own personal well-being did not take precedence over aligning
Himself with God’s will. Staying true to God and His Word was Jesus’ leading
priority. That is why Jesus responded to the devil’s test by quoting from
Deuteronomy 8:3: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that
comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
Jesus’ response to this particular temptation of the devil basically provides us
with what should be the primary aim of our lives – to be true to God and to His
Word. This also should be our goal as we embark on a meaningful spiritual
journey through the season of Great Lent (Fifty Days Lent). The season of Great
Lent, which begins on February 14, is a time of preparation for the feast of the
Resurrection of Christ (Easter). It is a time of renewed devotion, prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time of repentance – a renewal of our minds,
hearts, and deeds in conformity with Christ and His teachings. And most
important of all, it is a time that we are to re-dedicate ourselves to loving God and loving our neighbors.
The spirit of the Lenten season – the spirit of renewed devotion and repentance – has always played a prominent role in the life of the Mar Thoma
Church. Often times, we might exclude ourselves from the observance of Lent
because we feel that such practices are reserved for the more ‘orthodox’ churches and not for a ‘reformed’ church such as ours. However, when we
examine the history of the Mar Thoma Church, Lenten observances have never
been shunned or discouraged. In fact, such observances and practices have
helped shape our church in immensely meaningful ways. The Maramon
Convention, which the Mar Thoma Church has organized every year in the
month of February since 1895, began as movement for renewal and revival in
the church. This movement took shape during a very tumultuous period in our
history, a time in which we were basically stripped of our identity as a
legitimate worshipping community. People gathered together on the sand
beds of the Pampa River to hear the Word of God, to pray, and to fast so that Holy Spirit would lead the faith community to be true to God and to be true to
His Word even in times of uncertainty. And as a result of this revival
movement, not only was the Mar Thoma Church able to establish itself, but the church was also ignited with an evangelistic zeal.
So, we can definitely understand that prayer, fasting, and meaningful meditation on the Word of God can lead us to uphold our mission in life. We
see this fact being actualized in the life of Jesus Himself. Jesus chose to remain
true to God’s Word and the mission He was called to fulfill – the mission to take
up the cross for the sake of the world. If Jesus had made use of His power for the sake of meeting His own needs, then the way to the cross would have been
short-lived, and we would have been short-changed on the experience of
salvation.
We are called to follow the way of Jesus and not the way of the world. We are
not to increase our personal comfort, security, and power, even though that is
what we are socialized to desire and actively pursue. To seek such things is to
turn aside from the way of the Kingdom. During the season of Great Lent, let
us abstain from what we consider to be the luxuries of our human lives and
dedicate more of our time to meditate on the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. Let us be challenged and changed by the way He led His life, and let us
be revived and renewed by the Word of God.
May the Lenten Season be one of repentance, renewal, and revival for each and
every one of us.
With love and prayers,
Chris Achen and Neethi
Contact Info: 732–754–8131 | 516–428–0722 | [email protected] Parsonage Address: 150 W. Saint Charles Road, Apt. 424, Lombard, IL 60148
Executive Committee members elected for the year of 2021
Position Candidate Full Name
Vice President Mr. Jacob Chacko
Secretary Mr. Mathew Varghese
Trustee (Finance) Mr. Reji Tharakan
Trustee (Accounts) Mr. Mathew Abraham
Lay Ministrant - Mal (1) Mr. Puthenveetil K. Bobby
Lay Ministrant - Mal (2)* Mr. Mathew Thomas
Lay Ministrant - Eng (1) Mr. Alby Keneth
Mandalam Member Mr. Mathew George
Diocesan Assembly Member Mr. Saji J. Mathew
Diocesan Assembly Member Mr. Joel Varghese
Diocesan Assembly Member &
Choir Rep. Mr. Jacob K. George
Edavaka Mission Rep. Mr. Zachariah Kurian
Sevika Sanghom Rep. Mrs. Elizabeth Agi Abraham
Youth Group Rep. Mr. Cyril George
Yuvajana Sakhyam Rep. Mr. James Jacob
Prayer Group Rep 1 Mr. Roy George
Prayer Group Rep 2 Mr. Mathew V. Mathew
Prayer Group Rep 3 Mr. Chacko P. Thomas
Prayer Group Rep 4 Mrs. Saramma Mathew
Prayer Group Rep 5 Mr. Varghese Philip
Prayer Group Rep 6 Mr. Thomas T Lathra
Internal Auditor 1* Mr. Johnikutty Philipose
Internal Auditor 2* Mr. Binu Daniel Johnson
Parish Voice Editor* Ms. Rosin E. Thomas
*These are not members of the Executive Committee
Announcements
CHOIR Please see group emails for details.
EDAVAKA MISSION
Regular Prayer meetings on Mondays and Fridays each week
SEVIKA SANGHOM
Please look out from emails from Sevika Sanghom secretary..
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes are held virtually each Sunday at 11:30am. Teachers for each grade will be forwarding the details by email to the parents and/or students. Please reach out to the Sunday School Superintendent with any questions or concerns. Shinu Ninan, Sunday School Superintendent Email: [email protected] Cell #: (630)886-8066
YOUTH GROUP
There will be Sunday Contemporary Worship at church 9AM on February
14th. Janeen George, Youth Group Secretary
YUVAJANA SAKHYAM
Please see email from Yuvajana Sakhyam Secretary
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 VARGESE 630-890-9996 [email protected]
DIOCESAN
ASSEMBLY & 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. ISAAC CHACKO 708-614-9035 [email protected]
AREA 1 MR. ROY GEORGE 630-877-3091 [email protected]
AREA 2 MR. MATHEWVMATHEW 630-852-7994 [email protected]
AREA 3 MR. CHACKO P. THOMAS 708-415-8542 [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]
(“* NONCOMMITTEEPOSITION)
Please contact or Email the Vicar and cc: to Parish Secretary/PV editor for suggestions, change of notifications etc. all.