Newsletter Jan 2012

FromVicar’s Desk

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ.

There is a saying “no need to fear the darkness

tomorrow if you are walking in God’s light today”.

Another year is coming to an end. This is the time

for us to sit and look back the completing year and

to reflect on the year’s progress, setbacks and

accomplishments. In 2011 we see the nature

showing its ugliest side through earthquakes, giant

tsunamis, tornados and a number of hurricanes

causing thousands of human beings killing. We

went through such horrifying days of 2011. Many high profiled terrorists

were killed during this year. There were ups and downs in our economy last

year. I phones and I pads in 5 and 6 series were the main attractions in the

field of information technology. Now we are entering to a new year. Entering

to a new year is just like entering into a long tunnel. We have no long view

and we have only a little light for our each step. In Joshua chapter 3, the

Israelites came to Jordan in faith. They have been told by Joshua that they

should pass it. They were told that, ‘ when you see the ark of the covenant of

the Lord your God being carried by the Leviticus priests, then you shall set

out from your place and follow it, that you may know the way you shall go,

Mar Thoma Church of San Francisco Bay AreaJANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER - WWW.MAR THOMASF.ORG

for you have not passed the way before. They are told that they have to go the

way that they have not passed before. Thus we must walk after the rule of the

word and the direction of spirit in everything, so shall peace be upon us as

upon the Israel of God. While we are here at San Francisco, especially in the

New Year we must expect and prepare to pass through the ways that we have

not passed before. God’s presence will guide us through these paths.

Let us remember what the word says

1. Go to the new path.

2. Walk after the rule of the word and direction of spirit.

3. Peace will be upon us in all our ways.

Let us treasure up the experiences of Jesus Christ’s faithful and tender

carethat they may help our faith and hope in our new paths of life here.

We were all privileged with the presence of Diocesan Episcopa , our beloved

Theodosius Thirumeni in our Watch Night service and New Year service . The

blessings of Thirumeni were inspiring to us all. We are heart fully thanking

Thirumeni for His Lordship’s loving visit to our parish.

We wish you all a happy New Year.

Yours in Christ’s service,

ViJiAcHeN

Gen. 1:26-31 / Heb. 6:13-30

Dan.1:1-21 / Acts. 7:54-60

Micah. 4:1-7 / Rom.5:1-11

Isa.60:l-1 / 2Pet. 1:1-11

Joel. 2:12-17 / Rev.. 2:12-17

Rom. 1:9-17 / St.Luke.1:26-31

Acts. 6:1-7 / St. Mat. 24:45-51

Eph. 2:11-19 / St. Mat. 5:1-9

Eph. 4:1-7 / St. John. 17:21-26

Eph. 5:8-14 / St. Luke. 13:1-5

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25

31

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IP Fremont

Sacramento

Youth

San Francisco

S.Vale / S. Clara

Evangelism:Reception into the Covenant Community

St. Stephens Day

God of Peace

Grow in Unity (Ecumenical Sunday)

“Repent - Return”

Church Address418 Junction Ave,

Livermore, CA, 94551

Email: [email protected]

Area Prayer Meetings & Organization Meetings:San Francisco: Friday Janury 6th at the residence of Mr. Isac George (Achenkunju) San Bruno.

San Jose: Saturday January 7th 5:30 PM at the residence Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kuruvilla (Raju & Lizy)

Sacramento area Prayer: Sunday January 15th at 5:30 PM

Sevikasangham Meeting: January 21st Saturday 3:00 PM at the residence of Susan John (Pushppa) & Deepak

Holy CommunionMalayalam: Jan 08 & 15English: 22 & 29

Sacramento (Malayalam): 29th 4:30PM at Friends Community Church

01 Juby Kuriakose

03 Kalpana Jacob

04 Mathew Simon

06 Aaron Simon

06 Deepak Cherian

08 Reuben John

08 Shany Thomas

08 Sheryl Mathew

08 Shany Thomas

08 Vinsu Thomas

09 Taji Abraham

09 George Thomas

09 Dinah Chandy

10 Usha Johnson

11 Elizabeth Joseph

11 Joel Johnson

13 Sabu George

13 Leela Mathew

14 Ivana John

14 Philip Chandy

14 Samuel John

17 Jeremiah Kenny

18 Anne George

19 Joel Mathew

19 Jacob Philip

19 Nikhil George

19 Rintu Sajan

20 Rekha George

20 Babu Ipe

22 Anoop Johnson

22 Shawn Mathew

22 Silpa Kuruvilla

23 Renji Puthenpurukal

23 Mammen Thomas

23 Dr. P.T. Mammen

28 Aparajita Bhatnagar

29 Amy Kurian

29 Kenny Mathews

30 Cissy Abraham

31 Libin Kurian

31 Sony Jacob

01 P.T Thomas & Rosamma Thomas

01 Boby Alex & Elizabeth Varghese

02 Roby Thomas & Sajini Abraham

02 John Samuel & Dolly Samuel

02 Biju Abraham & Suju Abraham

03 Abuttan Thomas & Shilpa Mohan

04 Mathew P. Samuel & Susan Mathew

08 George Abraham & Julie Abraham

08 Philip Mathew & Mary Abraham

09 Rajiv Kochumman & Tina Mathew

11 Philip Chandy & Renny Chandy

11 Reuben S. John & Sheena Palachuvatil

16 Varghese Chandy & Sheila Chandy

18 Jacob Thomas & Susan Abraham

22 Jacob Mathews & Deepa Mathai

25 Satish Abraham & Anu David

26 Raji Abraham & Ann Thomas

26 Thomas Geevarghese & Aleyamma Thomas

31 Philip Roy & Thankam Roy

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY

ACROSS

06. As the Israelites were settled in Canaan, Judah was to remain in its territory on

the South and the house of __ in its territory on the North.

10. Joshua belonged to this tribe

12. The one who flee to the refuge city needed to stay there until he was tried before

the assembly and until the death of the __ who was serving at that time.

13. The Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to their forefathers and gave them

__ in the promised land. Not one of the all the Lord's promises to the house of Israel

failed

14. After dividing the land, Israelites gave Joshua __ as an inheritance.

15. Elijah's birthplace. 1Kings17:1

Down

01. Ephraimites didn't dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer. Later king of Egypt

captured Gezer, killed its Canaanite inhabitants and gave it as a wedding gift to his

daughter, wife of __.1kings9:16

02. How many towns were allotted for the Levites to live in surrounded by the

pasture lands for their livestock?

03. The refuge cities were the towns assigned to __.

04. __ refuge cities each were set in the east of Jordan and west of Jordan so that

any one who kills a person accidentally may flee there to find protection from the

avenger. The refuge city represent Jesus to whom we can flee for our salvation.

Josh

ua 1

6-2

1 N

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DDear All,

I greet you all in the name our risen Lord and Jesus Christ. I would like to thank all for attending last month’s services and various activities in our church. During the Lenten season, our church is focused on organizing various events.

Prayer Meetings: We are conducting our area prayer meetings once a month and choir is meeting once a month as choir fellowship at the church as well Sevika Sangham is meeting regularly at the church or at various houses. Our Edvaka mission conducted fasting prayer on the first Saturday of December. Our

Vicar is actively participating and coordinating these meetings regularly. Thank you all for participating in all of the aforementioned activities.

Election 2012: On December 4th Sunday after service, we conducted elections for Church office bearers. I sincerely thank you all for attending the General Body Meeting and request all to extend your prayers and support to the newly elected office bearers for 2012.

Christmas Carol Service: We conducted the Church Christmas Carol Service on Saturday December 17th and it was a great success. I would like to sincerely thank all of the organizations for participating in the Christmas program as well as a special thanks to Rev. T.K Viji for his leadership and support.

Watch Night Service: This year we conducted the Watch Night and New Years service on Saturday, December 31st. Our bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius celebrated the holy communion service. I would like to express our thanks and respect to our beloved Thirumeni for

Secretary’sNote

his presence and guidance. I would also like to thank all that attended the Watch Night/New Years service to make it a great success.

Sevika Sangham: Thank you to all Sevika Sangham members for providing cake after the New Years Service. Special thanks to Maya Mathews for coordinating this effort.

After Refreshment Program: I would like to thank all for contributing to the after service refreshment. We need more volunteers and sponsors for this program. When you celebrate birthdays and anniversaries please join at the social hall, pray and celebrate with us. It would be a great blessing to all.

H2H Caroling: This year we had an opportunity to visit all houses during the Christmas season. We completed three areas: Sacramento, North Bay and South Bay. Our Achen joined us in the different areas for H2H caroling. I would like to thank all that participated and contributed to this effort. Special thanks to all area coordinators that made this event a success.

Sacramento Area Holy Communion Service: On January 1st, our Thirumeni celebrated Holy Communion service in the Sacramento Area. Sincere thanks to all that participated. Special thanks to Mr. P.C. Philip

Thanks to Our Guests: Last month, we had a great number of guests attending our services. We would like to sincerely thank each and every one for their participation.

2012 Marthoma Family Conference: Family Conference is July 5-8 at Virginia. Information flyers are available. Those who would like to participate, registration forms are available. Please pray for the conference.

Thanks and regards,John Mathew

05. The tent of meeting was set up at __. Later it was taken from there and Philistines

captured it.(1Sam4)

07. The __ in the tribe of Levi received the most towns to live in.

08. __ descendant of Manasseh only had daughters and they received inheritance

among their brothers.

09. __ the descendant of Manasseh was the ancestor of the Gileadites. They were

great soldiers and they captured Gilead in their conquest

11. The __ inheritance was within the inheritance of Judah.

Photos from Watch Night Service

Church Carol Choir Members with AchenChurch Carol Choir Members with Achen