St Saviour‟s Tamil Church, Kolkata SAVIOUR‟S CHIMES | February 2017 5 February: Tamil Eucharist, 8.30 AM Theme: Jesus calls His Disciples to work in God‟s Kingdom Readings: OT: Amos 3:1-8; NT: I Thess 2:1-12; Gospel: Mark 1: 14-20 Songs: Hymns 15, 339 Lyric 133, 249 Communion Hymn 298 WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP & PRAYER GATHERING: AFTER SERVICE 12 February: English Eucharist, 8.30 AM Theme: God creates and redeems all things through Christ. Readings: OT: Gen. 1:1-5, 26-31; NT: Colssns 1:15-20; Gospel: John 1:1-13 Songs: Hymns 23, 136, 163, 220 Communion Hymn 156 19 February: Tamil Eucharist, 8.30 AM Theme: Our sins begin with refusing to hear God. Readings: OT: Isaiah 1:1-9; NT: Romans 1:18-25; Gospel: Matt. 13:10-17 Songs: Hymns 24, 366 Lyric 187, 361 Communion Hymn 198 26 February: English Eucharist, 8.30 AM Theme: It is God‟s Will that all people should be saved. Readings: OT: Isaiah 56:3-8; NT: I Timothy 2:1-7; Gospel: Matt. 8:5-13 Songs: Hymns 39, 140, 159, 235 Communion Hymn 177 SUNDAY SCHOOL: EVERY SUNDAY, 9.15 AM, AFTER CHURCH SERMON ST. SAVIOUR’S TAMIL CHURCH 9, Haji Mohammed Mohsin Square, Kolkata – 700 016. Phone: 033 2217 2636 E-Mail: [email protected]Website: www.saviourskolkata.wordpress.com Like us on Facebook: St Saviour’s Tamil Church Calcutta SAVIOUR’S CHIMES The Monthly Newsletter of St Saviour’s Family CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA DIOCESE OF CALCUTTA ST. SAVIOUR’S TAMIL CHURCH KOLKATA. ESTD 1849 16 e For Private Circulation Only FEBRUARY 2017 MY GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
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St Saviour‟s Tamil Church, Kolkata SAVIOUR‟S CHIMES
| February 2017 Monthly Newsletter of St Saviour‟s Family |
5 February: Tamil Eucharist, 8.30 AM
Theme: Jesus calls His Disciples to work in God‟s Kingdom
Readings: OT: Amos 3:1-8; NT: I Thess 2:1-12; Gospel: Mark 1: 14-20
St Saviour‟s Tamil Church, Kolkata SAVIOUR‟S CHIMES
| February 2017 Monthly Newsletter of St Saviour‟s Family |
FROM THE PRESBYTER’S DESK
"Serve” and “suffer" are not
happy words for many; but,
that’s exactly what God expects from us. This Message touches
upon 7 points in this call to action, serving Him.
1. SELECTION FOR SERVICE: In Old Testament days, God selected
a few ordinary people for His service. He called Abraham to establish
the nation Israel; God assigned Moses the task of bringing back the
Israelites from Egypt. He selected people like Samson, Gideon, Ruth
and Esther for various purposes. There was no universal call to serve
and suffer for Him. Only individuals were invited for God's special tasks.
2. GOD EQUIPS: When God calls anyone for a specific purpose, He
equips them for the service. God called Bezallel, Oholiab and other
craftsmen to construct the Tabernacle according to
His specifications and gave them the skill, ability
and understanding (Exodus 36:1). He gave special
power and confidence to Moses and Joshua and
wisdom and understanding to David and Solomon.
The Holy Spirit of God inspired all the prophets to
predict the future and warn the people of their sins. If God wants you to
do service for Him, He will definitely equip you with the talents and
resources. The initiative should be from you.
3. UNIVERSAL SELECTION: Today, every believer is expected to
serve and suffer. We are all elected and selected and equipped by the
Holy Spirit for the service of God. We are special people who are saved
and justified because of our faith in the grace of God. We are relieved
from our wavering sinful life and are lifted up to greater heights as the
children of God and inheritors of the eternal life, and for greater glory.
4. EXHORTED TO SERVE: Before leaving this world, Jesus assured
us all that we would all do the works that he did and do even greater
works (John 14:12). As we have opportunities we should do good to
people especially to God's people (Galatians 6:10). We are all equipped
with some talent and gifts and we are exhorted to love and serve our
neighbours, and even our enemies (Romans 12:6-21).
5. CHURCH NEEDS YOUR SERVICE: Jesus used variety of people
to build up His church: people like fishermen, tax collector and
financier, and blended them together to build up his future kingdom.
We need different talented people to serve, members for
administration, to pray and intercede, to give liberally, people to involve
in the Choir, Sunday School, Youth Group, to co-ordinate mission
activities and hospitality.
6. SUFFER AS GOD'S PEOPLE: We are also exhorted to suffer
because we are God's people. Since Christ suffered physically for us, we
should have the same thinking that He had. We should live a life
controlled by God's will and not only by our human desires. We may be
insulted for being Christians but we should be glad in sharing Christ's
sufferings so that we may be full of joy when his glory is revealed. If you
suffer as a Christian, don't be ashamed of it, but thank God that you
bear Christ's name (1 Peter 4:16).
Those who suffer because it is God's Will for them, should, by their good
actions, trust completely on their Creator, who always keeps His
promise (I Peter 4:19).
7. OFFER YOURSELVES: "Serve” and “suffer" are not happy words
for many. Yet God expects us exactly to do that. We are expected to
offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to serve and
suffer for Him. Let God transform you inwardly, by a complete change of
mind so that you will be able to know the will of God as in what way He
wants to use you to serve and suffer for Him (Romans 12:1,2). We will
have the courage on the Judgment Day because our life in the world is
the same as Christ Jesus (I John 4: 17). BY REV. DR. SAMUEL RAJ
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St Saviour‟s Tamil Church, Kolkata SAVIOUR‟S CHIMES
| February 2017 Monthly Newsletter of St Saviour‟s Family |
A POEM TO PONDER
God‟s works are so great, they outnumber the grains of sand,
The fact that we are created is a marvel of His Hand!
In Christ, I am Alive (Eph.2:5)
From every obstacles I shall survive!
In Christ I am a New Creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
Old things have passed away; I‟ve now won!
He brought me from utter darkness to His Marvellous Light (1 Peter 2:9)
My life is now radiant and totally bright!
I am His workmanship, for doing His Good Works (Eph.2:10)
From now onwards I will foil Satan‟s networks!
God‟s Power works through me, (Phil.2:13)
I was once blind to this, but now I can see!
I am a believer and the Light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Cor.4:4)
Though Satan tried to prevent the Glory of Christ and keep me blind!
I can do all things through Jesus who Strengthens me (Phil.4:13)
I can face anything thru‟ His power and be care free!
In Christ, I am Healed by His stripes (1 Peter2:24)
He bore our sins on the Cross and paid the price.
It is not I who live but Christ who Lives in me (Gal.2:20)
He died for me so I live by faith trusting in Him completely!
Finally, I have the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding,(Phil.4:7)
He has filled my life now with joy and blessing! MRS. CYNTHIA MUKHERJEE
Mr Selvakumar and family from Coimbatore have joined us recently; we
thank Mr Johnson Rajasekhar for inviting them to Church.
Mrs and Mr Titus have recently joined us, after finding us on Google; from
Nazareth, Tirunelveli, they were in Mumbai and Chennai earlier.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD…
He is Coming Back That keeps us going…
Jesus is coming; you know it could be today,
It could be tomorrow, but certainly one day;
The hope of His coming is blessing to me,
I long for the day when His face I shall see.
When weary with things that perplex and annoy,
The many things that threaten my peace to destroy;
I recall His coming and soon they depart,
And peace once again reigns supreme in my heart.
I read of the mansions in heaven so fair,
And ponder the place He has gone to prepare;
And hope fills my soul as I go on my way,
Rejoicing to know that He may come today.
My hope for tomorrow sustains me today,
His Word like a lamp gives light on my way;
I know that the future is in His control,
This hope for tomorrow brings peace to my soul.
COMPOSED BY MR CYRIL MANI
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St Saviour‟s Tamil Church, Kolkata SAVIOUR‟S CHIMES
| February 2017 Monthly Newsletter of St Saviour‟s Family |
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Congregations in Mission: Not as Spectators, but
as Equal Partners in God’s Mission
This piece muses on the current state of the Church; the Author
references history, and makes a clarion call to the 21st Century Church
to utilize the knowledge, skills, talent and potential of the congregation
in ministry. Read on, and do share your views.
In the job market today, young people are often
attracted to the best packages, attractive deals and
incentives as they choose their career path. This is
also true when we think about our Churches and
congregations today. People often flock to
Churches where they have the best packages and
attractive deals and incentives; like good music,
comforting sermon, powerful preachers, fellowship, probably good parking
space for their vehicle, comfortable seats in the Church and everything
comes down to the question “what do I get?” Entertainment has great
value in the market and often people flock to Churches where they are
greatly entertained. In other words, Congregations are often seen as
spectators or passive recipients of care offered by the Church and not as
active partners or participants in Mission and Ministry. This spectator
attitude can be traced back down the time to the early Church when “the
Church grew in political, economic and political power and the ordained
clergy gained a position of authority. The idea that there was a great
difference between clergy and congregation became very strong” (Harold
Taylor, 1983, pg. 22). This division between the clergy and congregation
and reducing the congregation to mere recipients of care has greatly
inhibited the Church in following Christ and fulfilling the great commission.
This distinction between clergy and congregation members was challenged
by different people, but was challenged more decisively during the time of
reformation. According to Martin Luther, “Every believer in the Gospel is a
priest, that is, one who mediates the Gospel to others. Every believer must
pass on the power of Christ which has come into his/her own life. Every
believer must express his/her faith in loving action, and in this way
communicate it to others. In this sense, Luther said, all Christians are
ministers” (Harold Taylor, 1983, pg. 22).
The Reformation re-emphasized the pastorhood or priesthood of all
believers. But the clergy and congregation distinction has greatly crippled
the Church in becoming an effective instrument in upholding the extending
of the Kingdom values in the world. This distinction is also un-Biblical
because it is against the greatest commandment of our Lord to love our
neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:38,39) and the call to bear one
another‟s burden (Galatians 6:2). Today, caring for others is reduced to
Ministry done predominantly by the Pastor towards the lay congregation
members. Many a time, the role of a congregation member in ministry is
reduced (often by tele-evangelists) to the role of an ATM (Automated Teller
Machine): a person who supplies funds for maintenance of the ministry.
Howard Clinebell, a pastoral theologian writes, “All Christians have a
ministry because they are Christians, whether or not they are ordained!”
(Howard Clinebell, 1984, pg. 412). Hence there is an urgent need to
revitalize the ministry of the Church through rekindling the importance of
congregations in mission both within and outside the Church. Today, many
Churches have not utilized the knowledge, skills and talents of the
congregation members in their Ministerial endeavors. Many Christians do
not know that they are partners in God‟s mission and Christian ministry is
not the sole responsibility of the ordained clergy but of the whole people of
God. Today the human resource within the church is neither managed well
nor used to its full potential. Taking steps to initiate congregational
participation in ministry is nothing but fulfilling the commandment of Christ
to love, a commandment given to all followers of Christ. By careful planning
and implementation of congregational involvement in mission and ministry
the church can really enhance its ability to reach out to many people and
share the love of Christ to many who are in need.
JAMES WESLY S, BISHOP’S COLLEGE, KOLKATA
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? Do share your thoughts on this topic. Write in at