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

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2018

(For Private Circulation Only)

2

Almanac and Lectionary: June 2018

Date

Theme & Readings

Liturgical colour

Sunday, 3 June 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The unique authority of Christ our Lord. O.T. : Deuteronomy 5:22-28 Psalm : Psalm 89:5-6,8-9,14-17 Epistle : I Corinthians 4:14-21 Gospel : Mark 1:21-28

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 130

Green

Sunday, 10 June 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Third Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The Church shares in Christ’s authority to heal sickness and sin. O.T. : Zephaniah 3:14-19 Psalm : Psalm 6:1-9 Epistle : James 5:13-20 Gospel : Mark 2:1-12

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 132

Green

Sunday, 17 June 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The spiritual freedom which we have in Christ. O.T. : Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Psalm : Psalm 15 Epistle : II Corinthians 3:7-18 Gospel : Mark 2:23-3:6

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 136

Green

Sunday, 24 June 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The authority of Christ’s messengers is based on their living contact with him. O.T. : I Kings 19:19-21 Psalm : Psalm 65:4-8 Epistle : Acts 4:13-22 Gospel : Mark 3:7-19a

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 138

Green

Sunday, 1 July 2018 Holy Communion Services: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: The spiritual peril of denying the truth of God. O.T. : Jeremiah 18:18-22 Psalm : Psalm 35:11-18 Epistle : Hebrews 10:26-36 Gospel : Mark 3:19b-30

Refer to Readings for Sunday Worship ~ page 141

Green

3

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Church’s Engagement in Politics

Delhi Catholic Archbishop Anil Couto’s letter, sent out in the month of May to the Catholic churches in Delhi, appealing for a prayer campaign ahead of the General Elections in 2019, sparked off a huge controversy. He had said in his letter: “We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation.” While some leaders of BJP and RSS criticized the Archbishop, a few opposition leaders agreed with his assessment. A few weeks later, Filipe Neri Ferrao, the Catholic Archbishop for Goa and Daman, wrote a letter in which he said, “… Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril…” He also expressed that minorities fear for their safety and the poor are displaced in the name of development. He wrote, “The first victim of development is the poor person. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few…” The Archbishop received a lot of flak for his comments. I am not attempting to respond to the statements by the two Archbishops or those who criticized them. I wish to raise a larger question: “Should the Church engage in politics?” Christians have always participated in social developmental programmes, especially in providing medical care and education. It is political activity that they tend to shy away from. When the Church gets entangled in some controversy related to politics, people from within and outside the church make a huge hue and cry. They say, ‘The church should stay clear of politics.’ ‘You must not mix religion and politics.’ There is also the fear of inviting trouble from those in authority that hold back people from involving in politics. But, what is politics? Broadly speaking, ‘politics’ refers to the life of the city (polis) and the duties of the citizen (polites). So, politics is to do with the whole of our life in human society. In a narrow sense, politics is the science of government. It is to do with developing and adopting policies. Was Jesus involved in politics? In the narrow sense of the word, he was not. He never formed a political party, or led a political campaign, or assumed a political role. In the broader sense of the word, however, Jesus was involved in politics. He came into the world and shared in the life of the humanity. The Kingdom of God that he announced and inaugurated set forth values that challenged the standards of the world. Jesus summed up the Law in two commandments. The first, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Doesn’t the commandment to love the neighbour mean engaging in the life of the city (polis) and fulfilling the responsibility as a citizen? How can we love the neighbour without being concerned about the situation and the needs of the neighbour? The church cannot remain concerned only about the medical and educational needs of the community around. The church must be concerned about all the aspects of the human society including the socio-political challenges. In His Grace, Thomas Jacob

4

NEWS & NOTES

“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”

Malachi 2:7

Weekly Bible Study: Members meet every Thursday at 7.30 p.m. in the PHCC for a time of fellowship, singing and interactive Bible study. Guest Speakers: We thank Rt. Rev.Dr.S.B.Joshua and Rev.Keith Pasgon for conducting worship services on 20 May evening and 27 May while Rev.Thomas Jacob was away on leave. Church Repairs: The urgent repairs of the termite infected wood work of the church roof was taken up and completed in quick time. The alternate arrangement for worship services was efficiently managed by Saguna and Prashant. WFCS: The members of WFCS visited the Shepherd Widows Home in Byculla on 4 May. Sunday school: Sunday school to reopen after vacation on 10 June. We request the parents to ensure that children carry their Bible when they come to Sunday school. QCCCS: The Day Care and Study Centre to reopen after vacation on 1 June. Youth Fellowship: Silas Stanley won 2nd prize in Instrumental Music and Keren Benjamin won 3rd prize in T-Shirt Painting in the diocesan level Talent Fiesta organized by the Diocesan Youth Council on 1 May. TWR Bible Quiz: The Trans World Radio (TWR) India will be organizing a Bible Quiz based on the book of Genesis on Sunday 16 September. No age bar. Registration Fee: Rs.50. Those who are interested to participate, may give their names to Alex Rao. Senior Citizens: We pray for all the senior citizens of our Church that our merciful God will grant them good health and strength. Sick & Housebound: We continue to pray for the sick and house bound members of our Church: David C. Mathew, Prakash Naik, Olga Nazareth, Loolu Thomas, Lizzy Kurian, Padmini Abraham, Judith Rallia Ram, Anitaa Thakur, Nancy Razdan, Thangam Venkatraman and Joyce Nichols that God’s merciful hands be upon them to heal and strengthen them.

“True instruction was in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.”

Malachi 2:6

Isaac Cladio Hon. Secretary

5

HEARD FROM THE PULPIT

6 May 2018 ~ 5th Sunday after Easter Theme: ‘Jesus promises that the Spirit of truth and love will come to dwell in the Church.’

Jesus says in John 14:21, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me…” Earlier in the chapter he had said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (v.15). Again in verse 23, Jesus says, “Those who love me will keep my word…” Our love for Jesus is measured by our obedience. In verse 24, Jesus says, “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words…” So, there is a reciprocal relationship between love and obedience. In the previous chapter (John 13), when Simon Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” (13:36). Understandably, the disciples were disturbed. So Jesus told them in 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” In verse 16, Jesus continues to comfort his disciples by promising them a divine companion - the Holy Spirit - who would be with them forever.

How would the presence of the Holy Spirit make a difference for the disciples of Jesus? During his earthly ministry, due to the limitation of the incarnation (the limitation due to becoming human), Jesus’ presence was limited to one place at one time. But no longer. Now, through the Spirit, Jesus is with us everywhere and all the time. Secondly, the Holy Spirit will indwell the believers (John 14:17). Jesus was with them. The Holy Spirit would not only be ‘with’ them but also ‘in’ them. Jesus the Incarnate’s influence was that of external word and example. The Spirit, however, is able to affect us more intensely because, dwelling within, he can get to the very centre of our thinking and emotions. By indwelling believers, the Spirit can lead them into all truth, as Jesus promised (John 16:13-14).

13 May 2018 ~ 6th Sunday after Easter Theme: ‘The ascended Lord upholds those who are united to him by faith.’

We know from the Gospels that Jesus often prayed to the Father. But we don’t know what those prayers were like. However, the prayer in John 17 gives us a glimpse of what is on the heart of Jesus. Jesus prays for us! It is all the more remarkable when we recognize that this was Jesus’ last evening with his disciples before his arrest and death. When death approaches, it has a way of bringing our priorities into focus. People who know death is just around the corner recognizes what is really important in life and who they really care about. In Jesus’ final prayer with his disciples, he prays for himself, for them, and for you and me, even as he faces the greatest trial of his life – the cross.

Jesus prayed, “Protect them in your name . . . so that they may be one, as we are one.” “Jesus prayed for the preservation of the unity among his disciples in the face of the cosmic power of evil. Jesus also prayed that you and I be consecrated to continue the work of Christ – the work of reconciliation. “Jesus is asking God to do for the disciples what he has already done for him: set them apart for God’s work in the world.” Just as God set apart his Son for a mission in the world, so Jesus is asking that the Father would set apart his disciples for God’s work in the world.

The importance of oneness and unity is emphasized over and over in our text: “Protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one (v. 11).” “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one (v. 20).” “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one (v. 22, 23).”

6

20 May 2018 ~ Pentecost Theme: ‘The gift of the Holy Spirit.’

What is the significance of Day of Pentecost? First of all, the Holy Spirit works out in his people the salvation Jesus had secured for them. Jesus came into our midst, to die for our sins and to rise again so that we could be saved and have eternal life. Now, he sent the Holy Spirit so that the salvation that Jesus offers become a reality in the lives of those who would believe in him.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit, who came upon the apostles on Pentecost, equipped them for their special role in establishing the church. Christ had appointed them to be his primary and authoritative witnesses. Through the gift of tongues, they were able to communicate the message of Christ to the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem. With the empowering of the same Holy Spirit, God is calling us today to communicate the love of God.

Thirdly, Pentecost was the inauguration of the new era of the Spirit. Although his coming on the Day of Pentecost was a unique and unrepeatable historical event, all the people of God can now always and everywhere profit from his ministry. While he equipped the apostles to be the primary witnesses, he also equips us to be the secondary witnesses.

Fourthly, Pentecost has been called – and rightly so – the first ‘revival’. The word ‘revival’ is used to refer to those altogether unusual visitations of God, in which a whole community becomes vividly aware of his immediate, overpowering presence.

27 May 2018 ~ Trinity Sunday Theme: ‘God the Holy Trinity.’

“To speak of the Trinity is to speak of a mystery. To say that God is one in essence and three in person describes one of the mysteries of Christian doctrine though we can get a glimpse of its truth.”

“The Christian understanding of the Bible is essentially a trinitarian understanding. The Bible comes from God, centres on Christ and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. So the best definition of the Bible is also trinitarian: ‘the Bible is the witness of the Father to the Son through the Holy Spirit.’”

“We believe in God as Creator, Sustainer and Father. We also believe in the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth who spoke through the prophets and the apostles, and who sanctifies the people of God. But above all our testimony is directed to Jesus Christ, Son of the Father and giver of the Spirit, who was conceived and born, suffered, and was crucified, died, and was buried, and went to the dead, rose again, ascended, reigns and will come back to judge. The disproportion of clauses in the Apostles’ Creed clearly exhibits the Christ-centred nature of the Christian faith; it contains only three relating to the work of the Spirit, but thirteen which speak of the Son.”

Bible presents the Father as the one who sent the Son into the world for our salvation, the Son as the one who effected our reconciliation, and the Spirit as the one who quickens our soul and sanctifies us. “Although there may be special emphasis given to one or the other members of the Godhead in these various works of creation and redemption, in all of these things we have a trinitarian involvement. The mystery continues.”

7

GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE We thank God for the lives and faithful service of all those who passed away in the month of June of earlier years. YEAR NAME 1890 HURST FREDERICK 1892 LUKE CYRIL BERNARD 1899 ALLUM CECIL ERNEST 1900 GOSTLING BEATRICE 1912 MUIR FLORA 1917 RADCLIFFE MAUDE 1967 RODRICKS DOMNIC MANUEL 1972 NOEL WHITTAM 1977 ANDREWS REBECCA 1989 THEOPHILUS PRAKASH 1990 TARAPOREWALA MARGARET HOSHANG 1992 BARKER JAMES ARTHUR 1996 FOSTER IAN 2000 JOHN GRACE SUNDARAM 2002 ANCHAN SILAS 2003 RAWSON DORA 2005 MATHAI SUSAN 2006 GRIFFIN PAUL 2006 JACOB SUSANNA 2006 D. EDWIN SAMSON 2011 MANJULA AMOLIK 2012 P.G. THOMAS 2014 GEORGE JACOB 2015 DENNIS JACOBS 2017 RANI BISWAS

8

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

17 June

10.45 a.m.

Isaac Cladio

9869513872

Sunday School

PHCC

Reopens on 10 June

Beulah Anand

9967170867

Bible Study

PHCC

Thursdays 7.30 p.m.

Rev.Thomas Jacob

9820736359

QCCCS:

Day Care Centre & Study Centre

PHCC

Reopens on 1 June

Kumary Koshy

9820217524