St. Mark’s Mar Thoma Church 11029 Davis Road, Tampa, FL 33637

www.stmarksmtctampa.org

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Volume 13, Issue 3 July - September 2017

From the Vicar’s Desk Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus,

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards You and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).

What a wonderful and powerful blessing this is! Here God asks Moses to speak to Aaron and his sons that they should bless the people of Israel with this benediction. The priestly benediction from the Old Testament is many centuries old and is probably the best-known blessing that comes to us from the Bible. Traditionally the priest blessed the people every morning after the sacrifice at the temple. The first part of each line of blessing calls for God’s personal act upon his people. He is asked to bless and protect them, be gracious by showing love and mercy in dealing with their failings and weakness and to bring them peace which involved their total welfare and salvation as the people of God. When the people of the Israel called on the name of the Lord, with faith and reverence, God’s power and presence became a reality for them, as it does for us today.

The blessings reveal a God who turns his face towards his people in love as He looks on them for good. It is very familiar to us because we are regularly blessed with these words in our churches at the close of worship and prayers. God’s blessing is for people of every generation. It is given to us so that, through us, God can bless His whole creation. God’s blessing care and involvement with His people continue His creative work. He seeks to share and bless others through us. Our forefather Abraham was called with the same meaning and commitment. Thus, God said to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2). Let our lives be a blessed one and at the same time a blessing to many people.

Our VBS-2017 is going to take place from 12th to 15th of July, and I request all parents to send their children for the VBS. Education Sunday and Students Dedication service will be held on 6th of August. A three days retreat of our Youth Fellowship will be held from 25th to 27th of August. Evg. Sam John will lead and deliver the messages at this retreat. I invite all youth members to write Essays on “Christian Commitment to God’s Mission” (1000 words) and Short stories on “Commitment” (500 words) in Malayalam or English before 31st August and send the same to the Diocese. Sevika Sangham Day with Onam feast will be held on 1st Sunday of September and Senior Citizens Sunday will be observed on 17th of September.

We begin our ministry in Tampa (FL) with the priestly blessings to all of you. It is our earnest prayer that the Almighty God shall shower His peace and blessings to each and every one. We praise God for His call to serve the St. Mark’s Parish and believe that it is God given opportunity. I earnestly request your ceaseless prayers and support towards the success of the Parish ministry and the community life.

May the Lord Bless and bestow His peace on each one. With prayers and lots of love,

Skaria Mathew Achen/(Vicar)

Diocese of North America & Europe Upcoming Conferences

July 20 - 23, 2017 Voluntary Evangelists Association Conference

San Francisco “Faithful Witness in the Land”

July 27 - 30, 2017

National Youth Fellowship Conference Houston

“The Pursuit”

August 3 – 6, 2017 Southern Region Youth Fellowship Conference

St. Luke’s/Lake Placid, Florida “Mission: Possible”

September 20 - 23, 2017

Senior Fellowship Conference Dallas Farmers Branch

“Claiming the Mountain: Adding Life to Years”

September 29 – Oct. 1, 2017 Yuvajana Sakhyam Conference

St. Peter’s, New Jersey “Christian Conviction: A Commitment or Compromise”

October 6 – 8, 2017

Southern Region Family Conference Atlanta

“Family: A Sacramental Celebration”

October 12 – 15, 2017

Sevika Sanghom National Conference Staten Island, New York “Placed for Such a Time”

Area Prayer Meetings

Saturday, July 1, 2017 Abraham P Chacko & Aleyamma Abraham 2535 Brimhollow Drive, Valrico, FL 33596

(813) 685-9348

Saturday, July 15, 2017 Rosamma Benny

6824 Comanche Avenue, Tampa, FL 33634 (813) 885-2817

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Berty Mathew & Renu 30944 Temple Stand Avenue, Wesley Chapel

(813) 973-4424

Saturday, September 16, 2017 Sundeep Roy & Prettie

8821 Citrus Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33626 (404) 316-3460

Youth Fellowship Retreat August 25 – 27, 2017

Leader Sam John (Dallas)

Special Sundays During the Quarter

Students’ new year dedication/thanksgiving First day of Sunday School

August, 6, 2017 Special Offertory to support the Balawadi Projects

of the Diocese

Sevika Sanghom Sunday September 3, 2017

Special collections to support the mission of the Sevika Sanghom central and diocese

Mission Sunday

September 10, 2017 Suvisesha Nidhi Collection to support the Mexico Mission, Native American Mission, Neighborhood

Mission and India Mission of the diocese

Senior Citizens Sunday September 17, 2017

BIRTHDAYS FOR THE QUARTER

1-Jul Thomas Angail 1-Jul Jayden Mathew 6-Jul Naveen Thomas 7-Jul John V Abraham 9-Jul Kevin Koshy 10-Jul Eva Lilly Joseph 11-Jul Bibin Abraham 12-Jul Dr. C T Thomas 13-Jul Dr. Linda Koshy 15-Jul Rosamma Benny 16-Jul Lena Mary Koshy 17-Jul Annie Alex 17-Jul John V Philipose 18-Jul Jasmine George 23-Jul Ben Stephen 24-Jul Pennamma Kurian 26-Jul Alisha Roy 28-Jul Roby S Benny 1-Aug Vijesh Mathew

3-Aug Santhosh Alexander 3-Aug Jacob Varghese 3-Aug Abin V Jacob 3-Aug Susy George 4-Aug Abigail John 7-Aug Isiah Mathew George 9-Aug Rebu J John 10-Aug Thomas Mathew 10-Aug Alina Jacob 12-Aug Rebecca Mathew 12-Aug Andrew Koshy 14-Aug Mobin A Abraham 16-Aug Philip Roy Mathew 16-Aug Renu Thomas 20-Aug Alice Kurian 21-Aug John Philips 21-Aug Johan Mathew 21-Aug Ethan Zac Stephen 24-Aug Bindu Mary Joe 25-Aug Vipin P Mammen 28-Aug Amy Susan Verghese

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES DURING THE QUARTER

10-Jul Kurian Koshy & Mariamma Koshy 11-Jul Reji M Alex & Binu Alex 14-Jul Anoop Eipe Kovoor & Renu Susan Roy 14-Jul Shinu Varghese & Maggie Varghese 16-Jul Thomas Mathew & Annie Thomas 19-Jul Jacob V Valliyil & Mariamma Valliyil 19-Jul Varghese P Joseph & Rachel Alexander Joseph 21-Jul Jacob Varghese & Sally Jacob 24-Jul Abraham P Varghese & Mariamma Abraham 30-Jul Mathews Thomas & Preena Thomas 31-Jul Shaji Mahew & Salomy Shaji 7-Aug Mathew Mathew & Reena George 11-Aug Mathew Cherian & Rachel Cherian 13-Aug Rebu J John & Simi Mariam Thompson 15-Aug Dr. Thomas Mathews & Dolly Mathews

15-Aug Eapen Mammen & Mariamma Mammen 16-Aug Mathew Verghese & Saji Mathew 16-Aug Sundeep Roy & Prettie Roy 17-Aug Koshy Varghese & Molly Koshy 20-Aug Dr. C A Thomas & Grace M Thomas 21-Aug John Samuel & Lekha John Samuel 24-Aug Zachariah John & Lizy Zachariah 26-Aug Philip Roy Mathew & Ashly Mathew 27-Aug Thomas Angail & Gracy Angail 28-Aug Koshy Oommen & Bini Koshy 1-Sep Jose Mathew & Somya Jose 6-Sep Biby P Mathew & Neema Cleamey 7-Sep Samuel Mathai & Soniya S Mathai 10-Sep Cherian K Cherian & Bindu Cherian 12-Sep Alex V Chandy & Suja Alex 25-Sep John V Philipose & Aniamma Philipose

28-Aug Presencia Cherian 2-Sep Oommen Alexander 2-Sep Grace M Thomas 4-Sep Bitha Thomas Skariah 6-Sep Biby P Mathew 6-Sep Diane J Thomas 8-Sep Stanley Mathew 9-Sep Steven Oommen Samuel 10-Sep Emil Alex 11-Sep Ashley Johnson 11-Sep Sushmita Saji 13-Sep Indu S. Mathw 13-Sep Anson Angail 14-Sep Aaron Scott Jones 16-Sep Jessy Thomas 16-Sep Leya Rachel Alexander 20-Sep Simi Mariam Thompson 20-Sep Binu Eapen 21-Sep Sarina Jose 24-Sep Azel John Joe 25-Sep Dr. Lindsay M John 30-Sep Susan Abraham

LECTIONARY FOR THE QUARTER

DATE THEME LESSONS EPISTLE/GOSPEL READING FAMILY

02-Jul Stewardship of the Resources - Tithe Offering Sunday

Exo. 18:13-27 2 Cor. 8:1-15 Koshy Oommen 1 Tim. 6:17-21 St. Mat. 25:14-30

09-Jul Holy Ordination - ‘Priests: Called for Divine Ministry’

Ezek. 33:1-9 Eph. 4:7-16 Thomas Mathew (Saji) 1 Tim. 3:1-13 St. Mat. 3:13-19

16-Jul People of God: Ambassadors of Christ Joshua. 1:1-9 2 Cor. 5:16-21 Kurian Koshy

Phil 1:12-21 St. Mat. 6:7-13

23-Jul Theological Education: Equipping the People of God

Deut. 6:1-17 Eph. 3:1-13 Ben Stephen 2 Tim. 2:1-13 St. John 12:20-26

30-Jul Gospel for all people Isa. 55:1-5 Eph. 3:1-13 Rebu John

Acts. 10:34-43 St. Luke. 4:16-22

06-Aug Education for Liberation - ‘Students Dedication’

Prov. 8:1-12 Col. 1:24-29 Jacob Varghese Acts. 8:26-38 St. Mark. 11:15-18

13-Aug Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage

Gen. 2:18-25 Eph. 5:21-32 Zachariah John Heb. 13:1-6 St. Mat. 19:1-12

20-Aug Reformation Day: ‘Worshipping Community’

2 Kings. 23:1-9 1 Pet. 1:13-25 Mathews Thomas Rev. 1:1-9 St. Mat. 9:35-38

27-Aug The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana: Celebration of salvation

Exo. 16:1-16 1 Cor. 10:15-17 Philip Roy Mathew 1 Cor. 11:23-30 St. John 6:47-58

03-Sep Women: Change makers - Sevika Sanghom Day

Num. 27:1-11 Rom. 16:1-16

Acts. 16:11-15 St. John 4:23-30

10-Sep The Feast of Transfiguration Mission Sunday

Exo. 24:12-18 2 Pet. 1:16-19 Thomas Mathew (Roy) Heb. 12:18-29 St. Luke. 9:28-36

17-Sep Elderly - People of Fruitful life - Senior Citizen Sunday

Isa. 40:21-31 1 Tim. 5:1-10

Eph. 6:1-9 St. Luke. 2:25-38

24-Sep Christian witness among people of other Faiths

Dan. 1:1-21 1 Pet. 2:1-10 Sam Alexander Acts. 10:9-16 St. Mat. 5:13-16

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