The Official Monthly Newsletter of CSI Church, Toronto

Volume15Issue1

JANUARY2015

2015Motto

Ecclesiastes 12:13

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

‘Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.’

'ൈദവെ ഭയെ ു അവെ കല്‌പനകെള ്രപമാണി ുെകാൾക; അതാകു ു സകല മനുഷയ്ർക്കും േവ ു തു'

Achen’s message .... 3

Bible Portions .......... 5

Celebrations ............ 6

Church News ......... 7

Carol Service .......... 8

Secretary’s note ...... 9

Sunday School ........ 10

Article ...................... 11

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JANUARY 2015

EDITORIAL BOARD

Chief Editor

Rev. George Jacob

Editor

Samuel Anselm Samuel

Publication Team

Shini Samuel Suja Sarah Koshy

Akshay Koshy Chris George

Address

CSI Parsonage 1311 Kipling Avenue

Etobicoke M9B 3N7 ON (416) 231– 1717

Articles/ Feedback May be sent to

pilgrimcsi.to@gmail.com

Editorial …..

We are on the threshold of 2015. We need to look back and evaluate our lives; we need to look ahead and plan for the future. Evaluations are often blue, and plans are often white. Blue symbolizes the times we pulled through the plains, hills and valleys of life. White stands for the pure, unwritten aspirations for the paths that we haven’t trodden. At this intersection, as we stand in desolation, not knowing the way to take, the Word of God tells us, ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.’ (Ephesians 6: 10)

Some of us had great times in 2014. Yet, some went through different levels of trouble and pain. The fact that we have come to the very end of 2014 is ample proof that God has been so good as to carry us through. There might have been times when we grieved the Holy Spirit, by not walking in the path we ought to have walked. The mercy and grace that abundantly fell on us, kept us in the love of God. Some hardships were so huge that we were forced to doubt God’s love for us, and the very existence of God. Yet, we tried to keep the candle burning. The blessings galore that we’ve received will certainly help us to be strong in the Lord.

Let the resolution to grow strong in the Lord top the list for 2015. Our 2015 motto also resonates the need to fear God and to keep His commandments. The knowledge of copious blessings, and the deci-sion to keep His commandments will certainly make us strong, to face the challenges in store for us in 2015.

Wish you all a blessed, prosperous and grace-filled 2015.

Samuel Anselm Samuel

Editor

Be strong…..

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Achen’s Message

I am pleased to greet every one of you in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I’m equally delighted to wish you a very blessed and joyous New Year, filled with peace from God.

Trusting in the grace of the almighty, I am happy to introduce the Motto for 2015, “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 – NRSV). This is a verse tak-en from the Epilogue to the Book of Ecclesiastes, written by Solomon around 935 B.C. The major theme of the book is the eternal truth that life apart from God is in vain. It is a call to “fear God” and to keep “His Commandments”.

2015 will be a year dedicated to the Word of God for our church. It is my sincere wish that we, as a faith community, will attempt to read the whole Bible this year. I request that everyone should make an effort to complete this responsibility. A schedule will be provided. A card, with a verse from the Bible, will be selected by each family. This card will also depict a family as your prayer partner. We need to grow in the Word of God, and in prayer on our faith journey.

In January, we move on from Christmas season to the season of Epiphany. “Epiphania” in Greek means manifestation or striking appearance. This is a feast which commemorates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. The western thought remembers the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and the Eastern thought remembers the Baptism of Jesus in Jordan. In both these thoughts, it is the revelation of Son of God to the nations, irrespective of many barriers.

Ecumenism is another important theme of the month. This reminds us to move beyond the barriers of tra-ditions. It also affirms that whoever trusts and follows Him closely irrespective of external differences is one in Christ.

The Bishop of the York – Credit Valley of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Rt. Rev. Philip M. Poole, is visiting us on Sunday, February 1, 2015.

On behalf of the church community, I congratulate Mr. Daniel Thomas, our vice president, on his selec-tion by the Archbishop to receive the “Order of the Diocese of Toronto”. This is an honour for our church. May God bless him abundantly.

As we make resolutions for this year, let’s strive to be with our Master in making our lives more accepta-ble to Him. Let us resolve to trust in Him and in His continuing act of grace. Let the Holy Spirit guide us in understanding our failures, and help us in making proper decisions for the New Year.

I wish you all a very blessed New Year. May God bless and keep us.

Prayers and regards,

Siby Achen.

Dearly beloved in Christ,

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Official Letter

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Bible Portions

January 04

Sunday after

Christmas

Revelation For Liberation

Old Testament Isaiah 61 : 1 -11 English Service

Psalm 76 Read by

Epistle Revelation 5 :1 - 10 Christopher Gajraj & family

Gospel Luke 4 :16 -21

January 11

1st Sunday after

Epiphany

Live Worthy Of Your Calling

Old Testament Proverbs 20:1 - 11 Malayalam Service

Psalm 14 Read by

Epistle Romans 6:12 -21 Christy Abraham & family

Gospel Matthew 7:16 -23

January 18

2nd Sunday after

Epiphany

One Lord One Baptism

Old Testament Numbers 11:23-30 English Service

Psalm 23 Read by

Epistle 1 Corinthians 10:1 -4 Nibu Varguise & family

Gospel John 10 :7 -18

Unity For Justice And Peace

Old Testament Ezekiel 37 :15 -28 Malayalam Service

Psalm 4 Read by

Epistle Philippians 4:8 -20 Ajoy Lional & family

Gospel Matthew 5 :21 -26

January 25

3rd Sunday after

Epiphany

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Celebrations

ANNIVERSARIES

03 Sanju Cherian & Seethal Thamby

03 Manoj Joseph Kurien & Asha Joy

03 Santosh Cherian & Jenny Varghese

05 Mathew Joseph & Mary Joseph

07 Jophy Philip & Smitha Victor Sam

11 Joy & Mini Chemmanoor

16 Sudeep & Sarah Oommen

21 Raj Hariharan & Sonijya Raj

21 Jacob P. John & Mary Jacob

26 Shibu Paul Pulikaparambil & Shiny Paul

27 Joseph Thomas & Raimole Joseph

BIRTHDAYS

04 Ninu Ann Varghese 23 Abraham P. George

05 Sonia Mathews 25 Reeni Philip

09 Joy Abraham 28 Suzane Sneha Joseph

10 Aezekiel Mathews 28 Ryan Mathews

10 Riddhi Ghosh 29 Neha Chemmanoor

13 Varghese V. John 29 Megan Thomas

22 Aji V. Mathews 30 Selvarajan Thampy Puthenkulangara

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Fasting Prayer

Our monthly fasting prayer will be held on January 3, 2015 at 10.00 AM at the Church. All are invited.

Prayer Fellowship--At the Feet of Jesus - January 30, 2015.

Similar to the Prayer fellowship we conducted last October 2014, we are holding a prayer fellowship -AT THE FEET OF JESUS on Friday, January 30, between 7.00 PM and 12.00 AM. All church members are requested to participate in prayer meeting, according to their convenience between 7.00 PM and 12.00 AM, and are expected to spend at least 15 minutes.

Cottage Prayers

Cottage prayer for SHALOM GROUP will be held on Saturday, January 10 at Mr. & Mrs. Jophy Philip’s residence at 6.30 PM. All area members are invited to attend.

Cottage prayer for GILEAD GROUP will be held on Saturday, January 24 at Mr. & Mrs. Christy Abra-ham's residence at 6.30 PM. All area members are invited to attend.

Episcopal Visit on February 1, 2015

Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Toronto and Area Bishop of York-Credit Valley, Rt. Rev. Philip M. Poole will be visiting and leading our worship service on February 1, 2015. Please mark this date and plan to attend the worship service.

Sunday School

Sunday School classes will resume on Sunday, January 11, 2015. All parents are kindly requested to send their children regularly to Sunday School.

Order of the Diocese of Toronto

Mr. Daniel Thomas has been selected by The Most Rev. Colin R. Johnson, Archbishop of Toronto, to be a Member of the Order of the Diocese of Toronto. This is an honour for our church. May God bless him abundantly.

Obituary

It is with deep sorrow, we inform the sad demise of Mr. Victor Sam(64, retired Principal of Bishop Moore College), father of Mrs. Smitha Victor Sam. He was called to his eternal home on November 11, 2014. Funeral service was held in Kerala. Please remember Smitha, Jophy and all the bereaved family mem-bers in your prayers. May God comfort and console all the dear ones.

Church News

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Carol Service

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Secretary’s Note

Greetings to all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2014 has just passed. I thank God Almighty for keeping all of us under His wings. He guided and provided us with all our needs.

I take this opportunity to thank all the parish members for their continued support and prayers during the last one year.

In 2014, we said thank you and good bye to Rev. Shaji M. Johnson for his service in our midst, and we happily welcomed our new Vicar and President, Rev. George Jacob and his family to our Church. Under the leadership of our Achen and the support from our Executive committee members, our church was busy with many activities: monthly fasting prayer, cottage prayers, youth retreat, Bible study ,VBS, Gospel conven-tion, Induction service, Church picnic, Onam Celebration, Harvest festi-val, House to House carol singing ministry, carol service etc.

In the meantime, two of our beloved senior members - Mr. Varghese Ja-cob and Mrs. Ponnamma Thomas - were called to their eternal home. We praise God for their life, and thank them for the support and prayers.

In this New Year, I would like to see more participation from all of us in our cottage prayer and monthly fasting prayer. New volunteers should come forward to take the leadership in our Church .We need your sup-port in all areas of our Church life. I extend a warm welcome to all our new members. Once again I would like to thank all the Church members for their generous contribution and support. May God bless us all with good health and happiness.

I wish you all a blessed, healthy and a prosperous New Year 2015!

Christy Abraham

From the Secretary’s desk….

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Sunday School

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Article

CHRISTMAS

Anna Esther Samuel

It is a good, old yarn Of a baby born in a barn Mary and Joseph travelled Shepherds and wise men waited.

Travelled and travelled No room in the inn Travelled and travelled To find a place in a manger.

To us a baby is born Jesus, the Immanuel Christ is born in Bethlehem The new king eternal.

Prince of peace Son of righteousness Light and life he brings Born to man – so none may die.

COCONUT-FREE SAMMANTHY Mary Alexander

INGREDIENTS MANGO, UNRIPED (PACHAMANGA) 1 large or 2 medium DRY RED WHOLE CHILLY 3-4 or to your taste ONION, CUT SMALL 1-2 table spoon GINGER 1/4-1/2 inch length OIL (OLIVE OR OTHER VEG. OIL) 1/4 cup I use olive oil. METHOD. Wash and cut mango (with skin on) in 1 inch or smaller pieces. Pour oil in blender. Add mango and all other ingredients. Blend until smooth. If too thick, add a little water. Add salt to taste and blend. Mix well and use with Idly, Dosa, “Kappa” or as a side condiment with dinner. (No need to season with mustard). ENJOY!!

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For Private Circulation Only

Published by CSI Church, Toronto, 1315 Kipling Avenue M9B 3N7, ON. All rights reserved

President Rev. George Jacob Men’s Fellowship Director Mr. Joseph Thomas

Vice-President / Rector’s Warden Mr. Daniel Thomas Women’s Fellowship

Director Mrs. Susan Joseph

Secretary / People’s Warden Mr. Christy Abraham Youth Fellowship

Director Mr. T. Mathew Chacko

Joint Secretary Mr. Shibu Paul Pulikaparambil Choir Director Mr. Sanju Cherian

Treasurer Mr. Joseph P. Mathews Social & Recreational Director Mr. Zac Santhosh Koshy

Joint Treasurer Mr. Ajoy Lional

Trustees Sunday School Director Mrs. Elizabeth Verghis

Mr. Samuel Anselm Samuel Mrs. Annie Koshy

The Executive Committee Members of the CSI Church, Toronto

Committee