THE CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS POLWATTE

Mission Statement: “A Caring, Forgiving, Supporting, Listening & Participatory parish based on Kingdom Values”

Michaelites News Buzz

NOVEMBER 2016

"The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people—strengthened by preaching and sacrament—go out of the church door into the world to be the church. We don’t go to church; we are the church." Canon Ernest Southcott

FROM THE VICAR’S PEN

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

St . Michael ’s has a lways been conscious of the society and people around us. We looked after a Pakistan family for nearly six years till they settled down in Brazil. There was another unfortunate person who is settled beautifully in Dev Siri Sevana. Recently another homeless person with the kind concern of the Combined English Youth manage to admit him to Dev Siri Sevana. This home in Welisara is now managed by Rev. Chamil Fernando who belongs to our diocese as a worker priest, who is known as a non stipend clergyman.

Though young he is a man with a unique personality who can relate to anyone with confidence. He has a heart for the poor, down trodden and rejected by society. This home is run on charity for the poorest of the poor. Fr. Chamil is our usual preacher at the 12 noon service at St. Michael’s on the 4th Sunday. I am very proud of my mother church, St. Michael’s and the lay officers who have a similar love and commitment for the church. Let me share with you some meaningful quotations I came across, it about what a church ought to be.

“If a church is more concerned with budgets and buildings than people, they should close that door. The church without mercy is a fraud”

“Two things ruin a church. Loose living and tight giving”

“The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people, strengthened by preaching and sacrament go out of the church door, into the world to be the church”

May God Bless you, your families & homes. Your friend and Priest,Father Chrisantha

l%sia;=iajykafia ;=, ud ys;dor ñ;%jreKs"

Y=oaOjQ ñLdfh,a foajia:dKh wm Ôj;a jk iudch iy wm wjg isák mqoa.,hska .ek

b;du;a wjOdkfhka isák foajia:dKhls. jir 6lg wêl ld,hla wm iu`. úiQ mlsia:dkq mjq,la Tjqka n%iS,hg f.dia m È x Ñ j k f ; l a u T j q k a j / l

n,d .kakd ,§. ;j;a mqoa.,hl= foõ isß fijk k sj difhy s b;du; a i; =ák a

Ôú;h .; lrk ,§. uE;l§ ;j;a mqoa.,fhl= bx.S%is iNdfjys ;reK iñ;sh

u.ska fuu ksjdihg Ndr lrk ,§. je,sir msysá fuu ksjdih wm ÈfhdalSisfha §ukd rys;j fiajh lrk pñ,a m%kdkaÿ

foaj.e;s;=udf.a Ndrfhys mj;S. Tyq ;reK mQclhl= jqj;a Tyq i;=j wiuiu fmDreI;ajhla we;s neúka iEu flfkl= iu`.u úYajdijka;j lghq;= l<

yels mqoa.,fhls. ÿmam;=ka mSä;hka iy iudcfhka fldka lrk ,oaodjqka fjkqfjka

Tyqf.a yoj; iEu úgu újD;j mj;shs. 4jk bre Èk oyj,a 12.00g mj;ajkakdjQ

foajfufyfhys foaYlhd jkafkao fudyqh. udf.a uõ foajia:dKh jk Y=oaOjQ ñLdfh,a iy ish`: foaj¥;hkaf.a foaji:dKh iy

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tys isákakdjQ .sys ks<OdÍka i;= lem ùu ms<sn`ojo ud b;du;a wdvïnr jk nj

mjikafka i;=áks. foajia:dKh hkq l=ulao ms<sn`oj my; i`oyka wdldrfhka f.k yer ±laùug leue;af;ñ zzfoajia:dKhla tys isák ck;dj .ek ie,ls,a,la olajkjdg jvd wh jeh iïnkaOfhka ie,ls,a,la olajkafka kï

Tjqk a tu fodr jid ;eìh hq; =h . lreKdjla fkdue;s fo ajia:dKh m%fhda.hlsZZzzfoajia:dKhla úkdY lrk lreKq folla kï fkdie,ls,su;a f,i Ôj;a ùu iy §ug we;s wlue;a;ZZz zfo aj fufyhl we; s Y %o aOdjka;u fudfyd; kï foaj ck;dj foaYKh iy il%fïka;=j ;=,ska Yla;su;a ù foajia:dK fodrgqfjka f,dalh fj; foajia:dKhla

ùug msúiSuhsZZ. Tnf.a mjq,a j,g iy ksfjia j,g foaj msysghs

foú`oqkaf.a wdisß

Tnf.a ñ;% iy tf`vSr

ls%Idka; foaj.e;s;=ud

Gdpj jpU kpfhNty; kw;Wk; rfy NjtJhjh;fspd; Myak; ,e;j khjk; Xf;Nlhgh; 23k; jpfjp QhapW fhiy 8.00 kzpf;F [f;fpa Muhjidapy; Nrh;g;gpd; gz;bifia nfhz;lhLfpwJ.

, e ; j M u h j i d f ; F c j t rk ;kj pj ; jth ;fSf ;F ehd ; ed ;w p njhptpf;fpd;Nwd;.

Nrh ;g ;g pd ; gz;bif kpfTk ; tpNr\khdJk ; Mya tho ; f ;ifa py ; Kf ; f p a j ; Jtk ; t ha ; e ; j j h fTk ; fhzg;gLfpwJ.

,e;j gpd;ddpia Nehf;Fkplj;J gioa Vw;ghl;L fhyj;jpy; kf;fs; jq;fs; ifapd ; g puahr pq ;fis flTspd ; fhhpaq;fSf;fhf gilj;jhh;fs;.

fhyg ; Nghf ; f py ; ,e ;j nray ; g hL f pw p] ;jt gz;biffspy ; Kf ;f pa epfo;thf ,lk;ngWfpwJ.

,e;j epfo;tpd; Kf;fpaj;Jtk; vkJ M t p f ; F h p a x s p a p d ; g b tpsq;fpf;nfhs;sg;gl Ntz;Lk;.

vkJ tPl;L tstpYk;> Njhl;lj;jpYk; t p i s f p d ; w i t f i s f p w p] ; Jt pd ; r h P u k h f p a Myaj ; j p d eyDf ; f h f g i l j ; j y ; , j d ; % y k ; n g w g ; g L k ; t U k h d k ; v t ; t p j k h f c g N a h f g ; g L j ; j g ; g L k ; vd ;gij rig %g ;gNuhL N r h ; e ; J K f h i k F U jPh;khdpg;ghh;.

, j w ; f h f t p w ; g id fi l fis xOq ; f i k f ; F k ; N g h J x U t N u h n l h U t h ; Ghpe;Jzh;NthL neUq;fpg;gOf tha;g;G Vw;gLfpwJ.

,d ;iwa fhyj ; j py ; mNefUf ;F t P l ; L j ; N j h l ; l q ; f s ; > t p i s r ; r y ; f s ; , U f ; f khl;lhJ.

v k f ; F t P l ; L j ; N j h l ; l trj p ,y ; y ht p l ; l hYk ; > ehq;fs; ,e;j gz;bifapy; [ f ; f p a k h f v k ; k h y h d fhhpaq;fis rpq;fs> jkpo;> M q ; f p y r i g a p d u h f xd;wpize;J nra;fpNwhk;.

MfNt qPq;fs; ahtUk; ,ize;J n r ay ; g l ; L > [ f ; f p a k h f , e ; j gz;bifia> rpwg ;ghf nfhz;lhl tho;j;Jfpd;Nwd;.

e h d ; c q ; f i s A k ; > c q ; f s ; FLk;gj;ijAk; vy;yh MrPh;thjq;fSk;

ngUFk;gbahf Mrpf;fpd;Nwd;.

cq;fs; ez;gDk; MaDk;

tzf;fj;Jf;Fhpa fpwp\he;jh

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LET US PRAYERFULLY PREPARE FOR OUR SERVICES

u<jqkaf.a udih isys lrk wm wmf.a urKh isys fkdlrkafka wehs @

wo ukqIHhska jeä fofkla fuf,dj Ôj;a jkafka ;ukag we;s tlu n,dfmdfrd;a;=j fï

ñysmsg .; lrk flá Ôú; ld,h muKla f,isks. tfy;a th tfia fkdjk nj;a

fuf,dj Ôú;h blauKska .; ù hk ld,sl fohla nj;a iuyr ukqIHfhda oks;s. tfyhska wm foúhkajykafia wmg b.eka jQ wk mk;a j,g lSlre ù Ôú;h f.k .sh

hq;=j we;. foúhkajykafiaf.a uqLfhka kslafuk iEu jpkhla wkqju wm Ôj;a úh

hq;=h. Y=oaO ,shú,af,a b.ekaùï j,g wkqj ukqIHhdg ksjerÈj Ôj;a ùug

yelshdj ,efnkafka foúhkajykafiaf.a wK mK;a .ek ±k .ekSfukq;a Tyqg lSlre

ùfukq;a muKs. tfukau foaYkdldrhd mjik mßÈ foúhkajykafiag Nhj

Wkajykafiaf.a wd{d mj;ajkak. fï jkdys ish`: ukqIHhkaf.a hq;=luh. fï ñysmsg

ish,a,lau ksIaM, hehs lshñka foaYKdldrhd kej; kej;;a mjikafka fuf,dj f,Dlsl foh miqmiu yUd hñka foúhkajykafiaf.a wK mK;a j,g lSlre fkdù Wkajykafiag

fkdìhj Ôj;a jk ukqIHhskagh.fhaiqiajykafia uq, mgka w. olajdu foúhkajykafiaf.a uqLfhka kslauqkq jpk j,g

tl`.j Ôj;a jQ fial. tfyhska foaj jpkhg wlSlre uq`: ñksia ixy;shu f.úh hq;=

jkaÈh fhaiqiajykafia l=reish u; f.jd Wkajykafia kej; ke.sàfï§ kej;;a Ôjudk ù mdmsIaG ukqIHhska yd iu`. ikaksfõokh lsÍfuka Tjqkag foúhkajykafiaf.a wK

mK;a j,g lSlre ùug Yla;sh ,nd §ug mgka .;a fial. tfia lSlre fjñka t;=ud

wmg ÿka iodld,sl Ôjkh wms Wreu lr .ksuq. túg wm wmf.a urKh .ek ìh fkdù

thg uqyqK §ug wmg yelshdj ,efnkq we; .

Birthdays : ChildrenShenana Mark Senevirathna Pravaan Mathew Hensman Akesh MunasingheSankesh Serasinghe Deborah Samuel Elisha GunawardenaEnoch Timothy Pramuth Delvita Tharaki WeinmanR M Lakmal

TeachersSarah Mihipali Ratnayake Rashmi Weinman Rev Chandrika Mayurawathie

Notices :We wish to thank for those who helped us in numerous ways at the Harvest FestivalNjfnda. ux.,Hhg Tn ±lajQ iyfhda.h fjkqfjka ia;=;s lruq

Sunday School Christmas Party will be held on Saturday the 10th December 2016 at the Mathew Hall from 03.00 pm onwards. Please join us on this special occasion.lKsIaG foajia:dKfha ;Hd. fnod §fï W;aijh foieïn¾ ui 10jk fikiqrdod

miajre 3.00 isg uf;õ Yd,dfõ§ meje;afjk neúka thg iyNd.S jk fuka wdrdOkd lr isáuq

Sunday School Superintendet

SUNDAY SCHOOL

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SUNDAY SCHOOL

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Church Definition: Is it a Person, Place, or Thing?

By Mary FairchildUpdated July 13, 2016.

What is the church? Is the church a building? Is it the place where believers gather to worship? Or is the church the people—the believers who follow Christ? How we understand and perceive the church is quite important in determining how we live out our faith.

Church Definition

For the purpose of this study, we will look at the definition of the church in the context of "the Christian church," which is a New Testament concept.

Jesus was the first to mention the church:

Matthew 16:16–18

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV)Some Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church, interpret this verse to mean that Peter is the rock upon which the church was founded, and for this reason, Peter is considered the first Pope.

However, Protestants, as well as other Christian denominations, understand this verse differently.Although many believe Jesus noted the meaning of Peter's name here as rock, there was no supremacy given to him by Christ. Rather, Jesus was referring to Peter's declaration: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This confession of faith is the rock upon which the church is built, and just like Peter, everyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord is a part of the church.

New Testament Definition of the Church

The word "church" as rendered in the New Testament comes from the Greek term ekklesia which is formed from two Greek words meaning "an assembly" and "to call out" or "called out ones." In summary, the New Testament church is a body of believers who have been called out from the world by God to live as his people under the authority of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23).

AN OPINION….WHAT IS CHURCH?

WHAT IS CHURCH? (CONTD.)

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This group of believers or "the body of Christ" began in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost through the work of the Holy Spirit and will continue to be formed until the day of the rapture of the church.

Becoming a Member of the Church

A person becomes a member of the church simply by exercising faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The Church Local Versus the Church Universal

The local church is defined as a local assembly of believers or a congregation that meets together physically for worship, fellowship, teaching, prayer and encouragement in the faith (Hebrews 10:25). At the local church level, we can live in relationship with other believers—we break bread together (Communion), pray for each other, disciple, and strengthen one another.At the same time, all believers are members of the universal church. The universal church is made up of every single person who has exercised faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, including members of every local church body throughout the earth (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23).

So, Who Is the Church?

The founder of the home church movement in England, Canon Ernest Southcott, said it best:"The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people—strengthened by preaching and sacrament—go out of the church door into the world to be the church. We don’t go to church; we are the church."The church, therefore, is not a place. It's not the building, it's not the location, and it's not the denomination. We—God's people who are in Christ Jesus—are the church.

The Purpose of the Church

The purpose of the church is two-fold. The church comes together (assembles) for the purpose of bringing each member to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13). The church reaches out (scatters) to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to unbelievers in the world (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the Great Commission. So, the purpose of the church is to minister to believers and unbelievers.The church, both in the universal and local sense, is important because it is the primary vehicle through which God carries out his purposes on earth. The church is the body of Christ—his heart, his mouth, his hands, and feet—reaching out to the world.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)http://christianity.about.com/od/churchandcommunity/a/thechurch.htm

REFLECTIONS FROM THE REVEREND BALA

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cyfj;jpd; KbT ghpae;jk;

“,Njh> cyfj;jpd; KbTghpae;jk; rfy ehl;fspYk; ehd; cq;fSlNd $l ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;whh;. (kj; 28:20)

,e;j thf;Fj;jj;j trdq;fis ePq;fs; gy Mapuk; Kiw Nfl;bUf;fyhk;. Vuhskhd gpurq;fspYk; jpahdq;fspYk; Nfl;bUf;fyhk;. Mdhy; ,e;j Ntisapy; kPz;Lk; me;j thh;j;ijia nrhy;Yfpwthpd; Ms;jj;Jtj;ij jpahdpj;Jg;ghuq;fs;. mth; ahh;?

mtNu ek;Kila gpjh> guk jfg;gdhdth;. mth; md;NghL ek;Kila iffisg;gpbj;J cyfj;jpd; KbTghpae;jk; rfy ehl;fspyk; ehd; cq;fSNl $l ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;w nrhy;Yfpwhh;.

,J vj;jid MrPh;thjkhdJ! md;Gs;s jfg;gNdhL top elg;gJ vj;jid ghf;fpakhdJ!!

mij nrhy ;Yf pwth ; ek ;Kila jfg ;gdhf khj ;j p uky ;y> ek ;Kila ez;guhfTk; ,Uf;fpwhh; cj;jk rpNefpjh; mth;> gpjhtpdplj;jpy; Nfs;tpg;gl;l vy;yhtw;iwAk; ekf;F mwptpf;fpw Njhod; mth;.

xU rpNefpjd; jd;Dila rpNefpjNdhL kde;jpwe;J NgRthd;.

cyfj;jpd; KbT ghpae;jk; rfy ehl;fspYk; ek;NkhL $l ,Uf;fpw fpwp];Jthfpa rpNefpjh;> tdhe;jukhd ,e;j cyfj;pNy ehk; rhh;e;J nfhs;sf; $ba ,dpa Nerh; mth;.

mtUila md;gpNy ehk;> [Ptpf;Fk;gbahf vd;nwd;Wk; ek;NkhL$l ,Uf;fpwhh;.

mth; ek;Kila rnfhjudhf> Nghjfuhf> MNyhridf; fh;j;juhf> jhiag; Nghd;W ,Uf;fpwtuhf ,Uf;fpwhh;.

MfNt jhd; cyfj;jpd; KbT ghpae;jk; rfy ehl;fspYk; ehd; cq;fNshL $l ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;W thf;Fj;jj;jk; nra;jhh;.

Mdhy;> ePq;fs; mtNuhL ,Uf;f tpUk;GfpwPh;fsh? mtiuNa gphpag;gLj;jp mtiuNa Jjpj;j kfpo cq;fis xg;Gf;nfhLg;gPh;fsh?

ehd; cd;id tpl;l tyFtjpy;iy@ cd;id iftpLtJkpy;iy vd;W fh;j;jh; nrhy;Yk; NghJ> Mk; Mz;ltNu ehDk; ck;ik tpl;L tpyfkhl;Nld;. xU NghJk; gpd; khw;wj;jpw;Fs; nry;ykhl;Nld;. tpl;Ltpl;L te;j ght gof;f tof;fj;jpw;Fs; gpuNtrpf;f khl;Nld; v;dW nrhy;yp cq;fisNa xg;Gf;nfhLg;gPh;fsh?

mg;nghOJ fh;j;jh; cq;fis epr;rakhfNt MrPh;tjpg;ghh;.

“vd; r%fk; cdf;F Kd;ghfr; nry;Yk; ehd; cdf;F misg;ghWjy; jUNtd; vd;whh;. (ahj; 33:14)

Nghjfh; ghyFkhh;

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT - iu.sh n,h fõ

iu.sh tll`.;djh iy iyfhda.s;dj wm l=vd l, isg foaj jpkfhka

W.ksuq. ta .=Kd. mj;ajd f.k hdfï tlu ud¾.h kï wm ludj §ug;a

ohdj ±laùug;a ohdj ±laùfï§ ;Hd.YS,S ùug;a miqng fkdùuhs.

foaj jpkfhys mjik f,i ifydaorhka tlaj jdih lsÍu fldmuK hym;ao@ fldmuK m%ikako@ ^.S;dj,sh 133(1& iu.slu we;af;a fld;eko t;ekg iajdókajykafia iodld,slj wdYs¾jdo lrk nj .S;dj,sh

È.ska È.gu mjihs. iu.sfhka Ôj;a ùug W;aidy orK whg

foúhkajykafia f.Drj lrk fial. iudodkh we;s lrkafkda iy

mj;ajdf.k hkafkda foúhkajykafiaf.a mq;%fhda hehs lshkq ,efí

fudfyd;lg Tn Ôj;a jk fyda jev lrk ia:dkh .ek is;d n,kak. th

iduldóo@ ta ;=, ñksiqka iduldój lghq;= lrkjdo@ tfia ke;akï ta .ek

Tn .kakd mshjr l=ulao@ Tng ta .ek hd{d l< yel. iduldój úiSug

wkHhkaj Èßu;a l< yel. iduh lv ùu Tnf.a jrÈka isÿ jQjla kï Tng

fjkia úh yel. ta .ek ;¾l újdofhka je,lS isáh yel. ;j;a wfhla

wukdm ù we;akï m<uqfldg Tng ta .ek ludj whe§ug mq`:jk. hdfldí

3( 17 mjik f,ig m%{dfjka WmÈk hym;a m%;sM, j,ska m<uqjekak iduhhs

tfia fyhska Tnf.a m%{dj ;=, .uka lrkak túg Tng wdYs¾jdo w;ajkq we;

rYañ jhsuka

INSPIRATIONAL…

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From a devotional book by Max Lucado.

We are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus , so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2: 10

CREATED TO DO GREAT WORKS

By the time you knew what to call it, you weren't kidding deep in it. It's called life. And this one is yours.

Complete with summers and songs and gray skies and tears, you have a life. Didn't request one, but you have one. A first day. A final day. And a few thousand in between. You've been given a n honest- to- goodness human life.

You've been given life. No one else has your version. You'll never bump into yourself in the side-walk. You'll never meet anyone who as your exact blend of lineage, loves and longings. Your life will never be lived by anyone else. Your not a jacket in an attic that can be recycled after you are gone.

Life is racing by , and if we aren't careful, you and I will look up , and our shot at it will have passed us by. Some people don't bother with such thoughts. They grind through their days without lifting their eyes to look. They live and die and never ask why.

But you aren't numbered among them. It's not enough for you to do well. You want to do good. You want your life to matter. You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did.......

We are given a choice .........an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with Gods love and life?

We are created by a great God to do great works. -OUT LIVE YOUR LIFE

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us life and for creating us to be unique among all the people of the world. May the moments and the days of our lives bring honour to you, the Giver of life. Teach us your perfect path, and guide us to do your will. Open our eyes and hearts to infiltrate our corner of the world with your love and life, Amen.

God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency is all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Corinthians 9:8

Shared by Chrishanthie Nayagam

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REGULAR SERVICES AND PROGRAMMES

The Church of St. Michael & All Angels138, St. Michaels Road, Polwatte, Colombo 3

Tel: +94 11 2343471 email: polwattemichael@gmail.com Parish Secretary: Ms. Malathi Fernando;

Maintenance Manager and Security: Mr. Hemal SilvaSocial Worker: Erandika Chathurani