St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Chicago, …...Madhu Mathew 19 Priya Mary Mathew 19 Lesley Mary Ann...
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St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148 Aug 2020 Parish Voice
Transcript of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Chicago, …...Madhu Mathew 19 Priya Mary Mathew 19 Lesley Mary Ann...
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of
Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148
Aug 2020
Parish Voice
Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ,
This newsletter will find most of our kids
enjoying the last few weeks of their summer break.
It is hard to believe that they will begin another
school year in 2 or 3 weeks. I know this school year
is not like your previous academic years. Because of
the pandemic, all are suffering. But by the grace of God we are all
safe in His almighty hands. He is sending us in to the new academic
year. Let us face it with new hope.
Remember that God goes with you into the world, but also
that you represent Christ and your church to other people including
your friends. We are called, we have a responsibility, to live
differently in the world because we call ourselves Christians. The
last verse of the reading from Colossians summarizes, “Whatever
you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Start your day with devotional and a prayer. If you are in a
hostel room, find a Scripture portion that grounds you and put it
on your mirror or dashboard or on your desk. There is a good Bible
passage for that “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,
and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a
complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord
has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe
yourselves with love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And
be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15). It doesn’t take five seconds to
look at it and be reminded of our purpose.
Every new year is a fresh start. It's easy to get sucked into all
the temptations that can be found on a school campus or at college.
You should have the ability to discern right from wrong and have
the courage to say "YES" and "NO" as the situation calls for. Satan
is prowling like a Lion ready to devour you. But Remember that you
wear the name of Christ proudly. Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 11:1
to " Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." There will be times
where it will be hard to do the right thing but just remember "If
God is for us, who can be against us?"(Romans 8:31).
I Pray that this year will be a blessed one for all our Children.
Yours in His service.
Suneethachen.
Phone: 630-802-2766(M),630-268-1441 (R)
Email: [email protected]
WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS for July 2020
Sunday Aug 9 – Live Stream English Contemporary Service at 9:30 am
Sunday Aug 16 - Live Stream Malayalam Divine Service at 9:30 am
Sunday Aug 23 - Live Stream English Divine Service at 9:30 am
Sunday Aug 30 - Live Stream Malayalam Divine Service at 9:30 am
(assisted by Yuvajana Sakhyam)
Sunday Sep 4 - Live Stream Malayalam Divine Service at 9:30 am
PRAYER MEETINGS
Weekly Prayer Meeting – led by Prayer Groups
Sat. Aug 1st 2020 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 3
Sat. Aug 8th 2020 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 4
Sat. Aug 15th 2020 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 5
Sat. Aug 22nd 2020 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 6
Sat. Aug 29th 2020 – 8:00 pm via Zoom call Coordinated by Prayer Group 1
Lectionary for August
Dates Lessons Epistle Gospels Evening
01 Saturday Beginning of Fifteen Days Lent
Dan 1:1-21 Rom 12:19-21
1John 3:1-12 Matt 5:38-41
02 Sunday Gospel for All People (Mission Sunday)
Isa 55:1-5 Eph 3:1-13 Isa 52:7-12
Acts 10:34-43 Luke 4:16-22 Ps 146:1-10
06 Thursday The Feast of Transfiguration – Matale Glorification of Our Lord
Exodus 24:12-18 2 Pet 1:16-19
Heb 12:18-29 Luke 9:28-36
09 Sunday The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana: ‘Celebration of Salvation’
Gen 14:17-24 1Cor 10:15-17 Exod 16:9-21
1Cor 11:23-34 Mark 14:12-26 1John 1:1-10
15 Saturday End of Fifteen Days Lent and Independence Day: Freedom to Do Justice
Exod 23:1-9 Gal 5:1-6
Acts 15:1-11 Luke 6:20-26
16 Sunday Reformation Sunday: Faith Community Reformed By the Word of God
2 Kgs 23:1-6 1 Pet 1:13-25 Josh 3:1-17
Rev 1:1-9 Matt 7:21-27 Gal 1:1-6
23 Saturday Christian Witness Among People of Other Faiths
Dan 1:1-21 1 Pet 2:1-10 2 Kgs 5:1-14
Acts 10:9-16 Matt 5:13-16 Ps 67:1-7
30 Sunday The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Exod 14:15-31 Titus 3:3-8 2 Kgs 4:1-7
Rom 6:1-11 John 3:1-8 Ps 16:1-11
Birthdays in August
Varghese George 1
Johann Mathew Bijo 3
Lija Mary Jacob 3
Nathan Philip 3
Subin Jacob Varghese 5
Jonas Wilson Chacko 7
Jonathan K. Abraham 7
Prakash Varghese 7
Mathew M. John 9
Mariamma Jacob 11
Alvin Gladson Varghese 12
Georgie Varghese 12
James K. Jacob 12
Koshy Mathew Jr. 12
George M. Varghese 13
Rachel Annie Santhosh 13
Reeni Karavattuveetil 13
Stephy Samuel 13
Annie S. Chacko 15
Elsy Mathew 16
Angela M. Varghese 17
Emy Muthalaly 17
Jeana Jexie 17
Thomas C. Thomas 17
Saon Das Mathew 18
Aria Mary Muthalaly 19
Madhu Mathew 19
Priya Mary Mathew 19
Lesley Mary Ann Samuel 21
Anil Isaac 23
Agith T. Muthalaly 24
Andrew Jibu
Mammarapallil 25
Boney George 25
Smith Mathew Jogy 26
Royson L. Valliyil 29
Mariamma George 31
Wedding Anniversaries in August
Suja & Varghese George 2
Susan & George Philip 4
Marykutty & M. T. John 7
Latha & Eby P. George 8
Lesley & Allen Biju Samuel 9
Leena & Binu T. Jose 12
Naina & Mathew Joseph Cherukara 12
Reena & Nithish Mathew Tharakan 16
Elizabeth & Jameson K. Mathai 17
Ivey & Jacobson Mammarapallil 17
Jennifer & Bobby Cherian 24
Milanie & Jacob Philip 25
Roshmi & Kevin George 27
Nisha &Varghese Thomas 29
Geetha & Koshy Jexie 30
Refreshed and Renewed in the Lord
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:29-31a
Life is not easy, and there is no escape from the difficulties of life.
As human beings we deal with a myriad of issues that cause us deep emotional and mental stress. We all have to deal with sorrow, loss, disappointment, confusion, and fear. So, what do we do? The world offers an abundant supply of false solutions and counterfeit remedies. People try all kinds of things to cope with the stress and fatigue of daily life, but we should realize that the things of the world can only provide temporary relief from life’s hardships. They cannot provide us with what we truly need. However, God has told us in the Bible about how we can be refreshed, renewed, and restored. Thus, instead of giving up on life, or being defeated by life, or trying to escape from life, we can find the power to live life to the fullest, even in the midst of the global pandemic.
Every person needs divine strengthening; there is no one who is entirely self-sufficient and who has no need of the Lord’s help. We can see this in Isaiah 40:29-31 where the prophet states that even those who are in the prime of their life will grow tired and weary. These verses remind us that even the strongest among us will eventually stumble and will need to be lifted up. And if that is the case, then how much more do the rest of us need to acknowledge our need of God’s grace.
The source of the renewal and the refreshing we need is God. What this means is that when we are in need of strength, encouragement, and renewal, we truly need God. We may feel that we need a change in circumstances or relief from our pain but knowing and having fellowship with God is what we really require. Typically, we attempt to handle things on our own and tend to give God second priority. We do not go to God first and seek relief in God alone. If we rely on other things instead of God, or even in addition to God, we are not living by faith. We are not taking seriously what the Bible says, which is that God’s grace is entirely sufficient.
Finally, we need to grasp how amazingly God cares for us – that He loves us passionately and powerfully. So much so, that He is intensely
concerned with our well-being and with our spiritual, physical, and emotional welfare. He is deeply concerned with how we are coping with the challenges of life; He is constantly watching to see whether we are standing firm or whether we are about to stumble and fall. And not only is He willing to help us, but He is actively seeking to help us. The Lord will provide aid and comfort to anyone who will turn to Him in faith. And He offers this aid not reluctantly, resentfully, or grudgingly, but gladly, graciously, and joyfully – because He loves us more than we can possibly imagine.
May the loving and comforting grace of God continue to refresh and renew us. May God bless us all! With love and prayers,
Chris Achen and Neethi
Contact Info: 732–754–8131 | 516–428–0722 | [email protected]
Parsonage Address: 150 W. Saint Charles Road, Apt. 424, Lombard, IL 60148
Announcements
EDAVAKA MISSION
Intercessory prayers and Devotion led by Edavaka Mission
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:00 pm Intercessory prayers and
devotion via Phone call coordinated by Edavaka Mission
CHOIR
Please see group emails for details.
SEVIKA SANGAM
Zoom meeting on August 15th Saturday at 6PM.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please see group emails for details.
YOUTH GROUP
Check with Youth group secretary Janeen George
YUVAJANA SAKHYAM
Please see group emails for details.
PARISH VOICEIS PUBLISHED BY STA THOMAS MAR THOMA CHURCHOF CHICAGO
2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
TITLE NAME PHONE EMAIL
PRESIDENTANDVICAR REV. SUNEETH MATHEW 630-268-1441 SUNEETHACHEN @GMAIL.COM
630-802-2766
YOUTHCHAPLAIN REV. CHRISTOPHERDANIEL 732-754-8131 [email protected]
516-428-0722
VICEPRESIDENT MR. JACOB CHACKO 630-561-5497 [email protected]
SECRETARY MR. MATHEW VARGHESE 630-942-1053 [email protected]
TREASURER MR. REJI THARAKAN 312-296-8416 [email protected]
ACCOUNTANT MR. MATHEW ABRAHAM 312 404-6983 [email protected]
LAY LEADER (MAL) MR. MATHEW THOMAS 630-790-2534 [email protected]
LAY LDR (MAL)* MR. P.K. BOBBY 630-863-0530 [email protected]
LAY LEADER (ENG) MR. ALBY KENETH 630-258-6679 [email protected]
LAY LDR (ENG)* MR. ROJIN THOMAS 630-229-1470 [email protected]
MANDALAMMEMBER MR. MATHEW GEORGE 708-614-1755 [email protected]
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. SAJI MATHEW 630-215-5147 [email protected]
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. JOEL VARGESE 630-890-9996 [email protected]
CHOIR MR. JACOB K. GEORGE 630-858-7853 [email protected]
EDAVAKAMISSION MR. P. K. BOBBY 630-863-0530 [email protected]
SEVIKASANGHOM MRS. SHINY CHACKO 708-362-3358 [email protected]
SUNDAY SCHOOL MRS. SHINU S. NINAN 630-886-8066 [email protected]
YOUTH GROUP DR. BOBBY PAUL 630-402-9392 [email protected]
YUVAJANASAKHYAM MR. SHEBINMATHEW 224-420-1500 [email protected]
AUDITORS* MR. A.P JOHNIKUTTY 630-238-8206 [email protected]
MR. ISAAC CHACKO 708-614-9035 [email protected]
AREA 1 MR. ROY GEORGE 630-877-3091 [email protected]
AREA 2 MR. MATHEWVMATHEW 630-852-7994 [email protected]
AREA 3 MR. CHACKO P. THOMAS 708-415-8542 [email protected]
AREA 4 MRS. SARAMMA MATHEW 630-834-3830 [email protected]
AREA 5 MR. VARGHESE PHILIP 630-250-0619 [email protected]
AREA 6 MR. DEEPU V. THOMAS 224-715-7443 [email protected]
P V EDITOR* MS. ROSIN THOMAS 630-824-7176 [email protected]
(“* NONCOMMITTEEPOSITION)
Please contact or Email the Vicar and cc: to Parish Secretary/PV editor for suggestions, change of notifications etc. all.
