ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH (CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA)

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NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2018

(For Private Circulation Only)

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Almanac and Lectionary: January 2018

Date

Theme & Readings

Liturgical colour

Sunday, 7 January 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Second Sunday after Christmas Theme: We are sharers in the Sonship of Christ. O.T. : Proverbs 8:1,22-31 Psalm : Psalm 103:8-14 Epistle : Galatians 4:1-7 Gospel : John 1:9-18

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 23

Green

Sunday, 14 January 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m. Church Anniversary

The Covenant Service Theme: God who is faithful establishes his covenant with us. O.T. : Jeremiah 31:33 Psalm : Psalm 105:1-8 Gospel : John 15:1-8

Refer to The Book of Worship

Green

Sunday, 21 January 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m. Christian Unity Sunday

Fourth Sunday after Christmas Theme: ‘Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power.’ O.T. : Exodus 15:1-18 Psalm : Psalm 18:25-32 Epistle : II Corinthians 5:17-21 Gospel : Mark 5:21-43

Green

Sunday, 28 January 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m. QCCCS Sunday

Ninth Sunday before Easter Theme: The world is full of signs which point to the goodness and providence of God. O.T. : Genesis 9:8-16 Psalm : Psalm 65:9-13 Epistle : Acts 17:22-31 Gospel : Matthew 6:25-34

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 42

Violet

Sunday, 4 February 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Eighth Sunday before Christmas Theme: Strife and violence are the result of human sinfulness, from which Christ came to save us. O.T. : Judges 9:1-6 Psalm : Psalm 55:4-5,12-14 Epistle : Ephesians 2:14-18 Gospel : Matthew 26:47-56

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 45

Violet

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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

LIVING WELL AND WISELY

At the beginning of a New Year, we look ahead with anticipation of a good year when God will bless us abundantly. We think of what we would like to receive from God. Can we instead think of how God would want us to live in the year ahead? Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: “… seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” The secret of living well and wisely is to seek God in prayer and to serve others unselfishly.

Time is a Gift of God (Helen Steiner Rice)

We stand once more on the threshold

of a shining and unblemished year, Untouched yet by Time and Frustration,

unclouded by Failure and Fear… How will we use the days of this year

and the time God has placed in our hands, Will we waste the minutes and squander the hours,

leaving “no prints behind in time’s sands”… Will we vainly complain

that Life is So Swift, that we haven’t the Time to Do Good,

Our days are too crowded, our hours are too short

to do All the Good Things we should… We say we would pray if we just had the time,

and be kind to all those in need, But we live in a world of “Planned Progress”

and our national password is “Speed”… God, grant us the grace as another year starts

to use all the hours of our days, Not for our selfish interests

and our own wilful, often wrong ways… But teach us

To Take Time for Praying and to find time

for Listening to You So each day is spent

well and wisely doing What You Most Want Us to Do.

Have a blessed Christ-centred year 2018!

In His Grace, Thomas Jacob

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NEWS & NOTES “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all

that you need, you will abound in every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8

Weekly Bible Study: The weekly Bible Study held on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. in the PHCC will restart on 11 January after the Christmas break. Sunday school: The Sunday School children, teachers and teens visited the Sanjay Gandhi National Park area on 10 December and distributed gifts to underprivileged children. QCCCS: The QCCCS organised the Christmas programme on 21 December for the children. Carol Singing: An evening of carol singing, fellowship and fun was organised around a bonfire on 22 December in the quadrangle instead of the customary carol rounds. Festivals: On 17 December, the Christmas Carol service, led beautifully by the Choir, followed by an excellent programme by the Sunday School drew a good crowd. The Christmas and New Year services were also well attended. We thank Rt.Rev.Dr.S.B.Joshua for conducting the Christmas Day service. Bible Quiz: We congratulate Lygia Soans for winning the First prize from the St. Stephen’s Church Centre in the Bible Quiz conducted by Trans World Radio-India (TWR) on 24 September. Senior Citizens: We pray for all the senior citizens of our Church that our merciful God will give them good health and strength. Sick & Homebound: We continue to pray for the sick and house bound members of our Church: David C. Mathew, Prakash Naik, Olga Nazareth, Loolu Thomas, Lizy Kurian, Padmini Abraham, Judith Rallia Ram, Anitaa Thakur, Nancy Razdan, and Thankam Venkataraman that God’s merciful hands be upon them to heal and strengthen them.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Isaac Cladio Hon. Secretary

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HEARD FROM THE PULPIT

3 December 2017 ~ 4th Sunday before Christmas Theme: ‘Watchful expectation for the appearing of Christ.’

Interestingly, Mark’s gospel is unusual in that, unlike Matthew and Luke, it does not give an account of the birth of Jesus. But it does speak of Jesus coming again. Jesus tells us, in Mark 13:28-37, “Be on your guard.’ ‘Keep awake!’” This passage remind us of at least 3 things: 1. Jesus is coming again As we prepare to remember Jesus’ coming to this earth two thousand years ago as a baby in Bethlehem, we also look forward remembering his words that he is coming again. 2. We must be diligent and faithful Even as we wait for the second coming of the Lord, God expects us to be faithful and diligent in what is entrusted to us. 3. We must be watchful and alert Finally, we note that Jesus wants us to be on our guard - to be alert. Why should we keep awake or keep alert? Because we do not know the day or hour when Jesus would return. During Advent, we look back and look forward. We look back to express our gratitude for the love that God showed us by sending the Son into our world. More importantly, we must also look forward to his glorious second coming.

10 December 2017 ~ 3rd Sunday before Christmas Theme: ‘The Word of God demands a response from its hearers

Zechariah called on men and women to repent and to learn from the mistakes of the past. He urged them to walk with God, so that God would bless them. Zechariah 1:1-6 ~ “… the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah … saying: “The LORD was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore say to them, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.”

God spoke through the prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:7, “Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them.” II Chronicles 36:15-16 ~ “The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent persistently to them his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place; but they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words, and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against his people became so great that there was no remedy.”

We cannot be complacent. We cannot take God’s love and grace for granted. His anger is aroused when people walk in disobedience and rebellion. The Israelites took God’s grace, protection and blessings for granted. They thought they were God’s chosen nation. They did not respond to the words of the prophets. Finally, God’s wrath came upon them. They would have been shocked to see their land and the temple completely destroyed. And to add insult to injury, they were taken as captives and deported to a foreign land. Indeed the word of God demands a response from its hearers. God is saying to us, ‘Return to me and I would return to you.’ What is our response?

17 December 2017 ~ 2nd Sunday before Christmas Theme: ‘The coming of the Christ is good news for the oppressed.’

John the Baptist, who was in prison, wondered if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. So he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one. He told the disciples of John, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them” (Matthew 11:4-5). Jesus also

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said, “And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me” (Matthew 11:6). Jesus came to bring good news to the poor. We must recognise that? The coming of Jesus offended the religious. But it was good news for the poor and the oppressed. Jesus’ message continues to be offensive for many. But for the poor it still is good news. Often, our answers to the question as to who Jesus is reflect our own needs and ideas. We tone down the Jesus of the Gospels to fit our expectations, and fail to hear his preferential option for the poor. When we invite the Saviour who was born in a manger 2000 years ago into our lives, he changes our attitudes, perspectives and lives.

24 December 2017 ~ Christmas Eve Theme: ‘The birth of the Saviour who is the Word made flesh.’

Among the four gospel writers, only Luke describes the events of our Lord’s birth, and this itself is very brief (Luke 2:1-16). And of all the things that Luke could have told us about the birth of Jesus, he chose to give a brief account of the circumstances in which he was born, and how the shepherds living out in the fields nearby came to bear witness to the advent of the Messiah. It is remarkable that God gave these despised shepherds to see first the Saviour who was born. And they were also the first witnesses to the Lord’s birth. God has always chosen the “weak and foolish” things of this world to confound the wisdom of the wise. There are at least three things that we can learn from this account in Luke’s gospel: 1. The sovereignty of God in history. God in his sovereign plan overruled the plans of a Gentile emperor – Caesar – to fulfil his promises (Luke 2:1-7). 2. Luke’s account of the birth of Christ reminds us the principle of proportion. While only one (Luke) in four gospels describes the birth of the Saviour, all four carefully depict his death. And while just a few verses are used to describe the birth of our Lord, several chapters of each gospel are devoted to describe his arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Clearly, the death of Christ was more important to the gospel writers than his birth. Why is this so? Because it is the death and resurrection of Jesus that saves us and gives hope. Jesus was born so that he could die. 3. Thirdly, we also learn that God’s purposes are often achieved through suffering, and that God’s purposes in our suffering are often not immediately apparent.

31 December 2017 ~ Sunday after Christmas Theme: ‘Family Life.’

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:1-2). Men and women who desire to build know that they must labour, and they will accordingly put forth all their skill and strength. But the psalmist wants them to remember that if the Lord is not with them, then their designs will prove to be failures. It is a tragedy that many Christians are so busy chasing their dreams that they have no time for the Lord. And as a result there is no blessing from the Lord on their labour and their families. We don’t have time even for personal and family prayers.

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours” (Psalm 128:1-2). Friedrich August Tholuck said, “Whenever you see the household of a married pair continuing to defy every storm, you may be sure that it rests upon a sure foundation, lying beyond the reach of human sense, and that foundation is “the fear of the Lord”. Fear sounds rather contrary to blessedness. But in biblical teaching, fear of the Lord is the only way to true blessedness.

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QCCCS NEWS The QCCCS organized an eye camp on 7th Oct. A medical team from K. B. H. Bachooali Charitable Ophthalmic & ENT Hospital, Parel attended to 132 children and adults. 20 of the patients were advised cataract operation, and 19 were recommended spectacles. The spectacles were given at a subsidized rate and QCCCS bore the cost of the spectacles of its students. Children’s Day was observed on 14 November for both the Day Care Centre students and the Study Centre students. There was no study for the DCC, and there was a special menu for lunch, topped with ice-cream. The SC students also had a special treat. The Mary of Nazareth Community, a zonal group from St. Peter’s Church, organised a Christmas party for the SC children. Our staff had decorated the hall beautifully. The Managing Committee members of QCCCS and some members from Mary of Nazareth group attended the party. The SC children presented a cultural dance. There were games for the students which they enjoyed. Each child was given a gift by Santa Claus, who kept the children amused. Snack boxes were distributed to all. At the end, Ms. Kumary Koshy gave the vote of thanks, and Rev. Thomas closed with a word of prayer. The QCCCS Christmas programme was held on 21st Dec. The DCC children sang two Christmas songs, while the SC children put up a skit. There were sports events for the children, ex-students, mothers and staff. The children were given gifts and a goody bag. We thank the donors, whose contributions enabled us to buy very good gifts for the children. Kumary Koshy Secretary GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE

We thank God for the lives and faithful service of all those who passed away in month of January of earlier years.

YEAR NAME YEAR NAME 1885 GRISWES MAY MANDELINE 1985 VICTOR VIRGO CEASER 1901 PEYTON JAMES 1987 HUBBERD DOUGLAS LIONEL 1903 WRENCH JOHN MERVYN 1991 KADNER BERTHA 1941 MICHAEL MARY MATHILDA 1992 RAO EDITH 1943 TOWNSEND MICHAEL JOHN

EDWARD 1998 MATHEWS JOHN LIND

1945 TOWNSEND PATRICIA LILIAN 2000 DAS NILOY KUMAR 1946 TRAVERS ADA BEATRICE 2000 GEORGE MATHAI 1956 EARLE EUGENE JAMES 2003 KANGA PAWKAJAH 1958 GOVE FREDERICK THOMAS 2009 SANGEETA SANJAY SILAS 1959 KING GLADYS ESTHER 2013 PHYLLIS GRIFFIN 1967 CORKE VERNON 2016 BRENDA PUSHONG 1967 FREDA WILLIAMS 2016 ZARINA HIGGINS 1980 FAVILLE SYBIL MAY 2017 BENONI SOANS 1981 CHRISTIE RUTH KESHAV 2017 HEBIC JATHANNA

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REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Worship Services on Sundays: Holy Communion (Said): 7 a.m. & 6 p.m. Holy Communion (Sung): 9 a.m.

Church Office: Saguna Doshi (Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

26423955

Rev. Thomas Jacob, Presbyter-in-charge

9820736359 / 26428803 presbyter@stephenschurch-bandra.com

Isaac Cladio, Hon. Secretary

9869513872

K.P.George, Hon. Treasurer

9821074653

Sushill Augustine, Hon. Jt. Secretary

9820657433

Sabina Solomon, Hon. Jt. Treasurer

9820080456

St.Stephen’s Church 46, Mount Mary Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai – 400 050

E-mail: church@stephenschurch-bandra.com

Website: www.stephenschurch-bandra.com

facebook page: @stephenschurchbandra

Activity

Venue

Day & Time

Contact Person

Phone No.

Pastorate Committee

Meeting

Parsonage

21 January 10.45 a.m.

Isaac Cladio

9869513872

Sunday School

PHCC

Sundays 9 a.m. Reopens on 14 Jan

Beulah Tellis

9820432056

Bible Study

PHCC

Thursdays 7.30 p.m. Restarts on 11 Jan

Rev.Thomas Jacob

9820736359

QCCCS:

Day Care Centre & Study Centre

PHCC

Monday to Friday 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Kumary Koshy

9820217524