Dearly Beloved in Christ, Welcome to the month of November. November 1st is commemorated as “All Saints Day,” where we remember with gratitude those who gave up their lives to lead/teach us in faith, those who lost their lives for the labor of the gospel, and those who served in the mission of the church, especially the Church fathers, and mothers of faith. On November 28, we will be cele-brating Thanksgiving Day. On a consumer level, ‘Black Friday’ is also special as many begin their preparation for Christmas, and the famous pre-Christmas shopping spree, which has be-come part of the American culture. We are all aware of the story of Thanksgiving, but I invite you to imagine the back-ground and setting of the original thanksgiving. It was a time of blessing in the midst of chal-lenges for settlers Plymouth Colony. While experiencing God’s providence through a blessed harvest, they took time out of their lives to thank God and set apart a special time & space for God. This is a good example that was set, but is also a challenge for us.

We live in a world where we continue to receive blessings and many resources are available at our disposal. Life-styles have changed, and technology and media have paved the way for easier access to information. Amid blessings, we forget to be thankful. We immerse ourselves in a culture of wanting more and more, without being satisfied with what we have. As a result, the blessings received are taken for granted and we feel as though we are entitled.

Friends, we need to be thankful for what God has done for us. We are not worthy of the blessings of God, but because of God’s love and grace, we experience all of this. Hence, we are indebted to be thankful to God. Not out of compulsion, but out of our love for God. (“So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” 1 John 4:16)

This is not simply by saying, “Thanks,” but must be exemplified through our life. During this year’s thanksgiving :

Think about how God has been good to you, thank God, and renew your commitment. As many of you meet with families/friends during the thanksgiving holiday, think about something you are thankful for

and share this with others. Help at least one person who is not as fortunate as you.

Let us join with the psalmist by saying: “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Last month was very eventful for us as a parish. Dr. Vino Daniel was the main speaker for our parish conven-tion & YS seminar. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa visited us during the last weekend of Octo-ber, and celebrated the Holy Qurbana, and dedicated 15 First Communicant children. This included the Parish Day cele-brations, Family Dedication Sunday, & the One Day Income Offertory collection. I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, participation, and support for the life, mission, & ministry of the church.

May the blessings of the Triune God be with you and your family, especially during this Thanksgiving season. 10/30/2019 Rev. Dennis Abraham Santa Cruz, CA Vicar

NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2019

MARTHOMA CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

FROM THE VICAR

Dearly Beloved in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” Proverbs 16:3 Thank you so much for all your prayers and support during the events we had in October. We were able conduct Harvest festival successfully raising funds for Mission Board activities. All who donated items for auction and all who participated in bidding is appreciated. Three days of Parish Convention was a big success this year, the inspirational Speeches of Dr. Vino Daniel along with the Seminar on “Health Awareness and Spirituality” is well accepted.

Marthoma Voluntary Evangelists Association Sunday, Yuvajana Sakhyam Sunday and Youth Fellowship Sunday were all observed spiritually by respective organizations. Episcopal visit of His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius and celebrating first communion service to 15 Children adds up to a total of 32 children receiving First communion in one year marked a new era in our Parish History. We are thankful to Thirumeni for coming to our midst and blessing us. On behalf of SFMTC I take this opportunity to thank all Parishioners for prayerfully attending Family dedication Sunday, One day income offertory and parish day. This is the time to pause and reflect on all of life’s blessings. We truly have a lot to be thankful and grateful for the love and care we receiving every day. Let us all join together and celebrate Thanksgiving this year on Sunday, Nov 24 at Church as a faithful community. As we are approaching another Christmas Season, remember Christmas is a season of praise and thanksgiving for the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. Let us pray for and remember our Choir fellowship as they going forward with prepa-rations for Dec. 7

th Christmas Carol Service at Church and Our House 2 House caroling team for their efforts and plan-

ning. Requesting your continued prayers and support, With Prayerful Regards, Philip Roy, Secretary, MTCSF

FROM THE

SECRETARY

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Date Service Celebrant Assisting Area

11/3/2019 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (Malayalam) Rev. Dennis Abraham

11/10/2019 10:00 AM Holy Communion:

CSI Liturgy (Malayalam) Rev. Dr. George Oommen

11/17/2019 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (English) Rev. Dennis Abraham

11/24/2019 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (English) Rev. Dennis Abraham

HOLY

COMMUNION

AREA PRAYER MEETINGS

Nov 1st San Ramon area prayer at the residence of Biji John & Deepa Mathew at 8pm

Nov 2nd Sacramento area prayer at the residence of Mathew Palakothu (Jimgy) at 5pm

Nov 10th South Bay area prayer at the residence of Shino & Nora Kurian at 5pm

Nov 16th Central Valley area prayer at the residence of Stanley & Manju Samuel at 5pm

Nov 17th Fremont area prayer at the residence of Susan John at 5:30 pm

Nov 23rd San Francisco area prayer at 6 pm TBD

ORGANIZATIONS’ MEETINGS/ ACTIVITIES

Every Sunday Choir Practice @ 9:15AM and Christmas Carol Practice after ASR

Every Sunday Sunday School @ 9:00 AM

Every Sunday Edavaka Mission Bible Study @ 9:15 AM

Every Sunday Praise & Worship @ 10:00 AM by Youth Fellowship

Nov 2nd Edavaka mission fasting prayer at church @ 10am

Nov 2nd Sevika Sangam Cottage prayer at the Residence of Darly John @ 2PM

Nov 17th Sevika Sangam intercessory prayer at church every 3rd Sunday after ASR

Nov 23rd Yuvajana Sakhyam – 11:00am – hosted by Roshan & Dhanya Mathews

Youth Fellowship TBD

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DIOCESAN CONFERENCES

Date Event Location

Jan 2-5 Diocesan Youth Fellowship Leadership

Conference 23rd Session Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta, GA

Feb 15-16 Western Regional Mar Thoma Voluntary

Evangelists’ Association Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley, CA

July 2-5 Diocesan Family Conference & Global Mar

Thoma Meet Carmel Mar Thoma Center, Atlanta

LITURGICAL/CHURCH CALENDAR

Date Event

Nov 1st All Saints’ Day

Nov 3rd Kudosh Eetho - Sanctification of the Church - Beginning of the new Liturgical Year

Nov 10th Hudos Eetho – Renewal of the Festival of Unity of Communion of Churches in India [CSI, CNI, MTC]

Nov 17th Annunciation to Zechariah

Nov 23rd Annunciation to Virgin Mary

Nov 29th Inauguration Day of the Church of North India (CNI)

Nov 30th St. Andrews the Apostle’s Day

PARISH CALENDAR/ EVENTS

Date Event

Nov 3rd World Sunday School Day

Nov 10th Festival of Church Unity

Nov 10th Sunday School Prayer Walkathon

Nov 24th Parish Thanksgiving Celebration

Nov 30th House to House Caroling Begins

Dec 7th Christmas Carol Service

HOUSE TO HOUSE CAROL

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BIRTHDAYS

1 Luke Muthalaly 13 Shawn Jacob 21 Anitha Paul

1 Rijo Cherian 14 Aaron Philip 21 Mathew Jacob

1 Krupa Samuel 15 Nikhil Roy 22 Leena Isaac

3 Adrian Mathew 15 Hannah Mathews 22 Ian Jacob

5 Stanley Samuel 16 Jeremy Varughese 23 Erin Johnson

5 Reni Varghese 16 Joshua Jacob 23 Jyotika Abraham

7 Jubin Jose 16 Eva Vurghese 24 Janessa Varghese

8 Jibu George 16 Rhea Vurghese 25 Leena Jacob

8 Jaden Viji 17 Angeline Roy 25 Elvis Titus

9 Biju Abraham 17 Roy Chacko 25 Sam George

10 Juana Varghese 18 Rency Joseph 26 Philip Roy

10 Annamma Thomas 18 Anu Samuel 28 Sherly Issac

10 David Sam 18 Brad Varghese 29 Aditi Abraham

10 Raichal Roy 20 John K. Mathews 29 Biju Varughese

10 Joel Varughese 20 Cherian Philip 29 Daniel Philip

11 Aniamma Cherian 20 Shannon Cherian 29 Leelamma Varghese

12 Roy Thomas 21 Albin Shabu 30 Emil Kurian

13 Johnson Abraham 21 Mirelle George

Day Family Day Family

1 Mathew Thomas & Leela Thomas 17 Kuruvilla Jacob & Beena Jacob

2 Oommen Thomas & Silpa Kuruvilla 18 John Philip & Ajni George

2 Aju Philip & Saumya Roy 20 Joseph George & Elizabeth Joseph

5 Kurian Varghese & Elsa Varghese 22 John K. Mathews & Maya Mathews

7 Bejoy G. Oomman & Beena Oommen 24 John E. Jacob & Sherly John

11 Mathews George & Mary George 27 Roy Philip & Raichal Roy

12 Kaithara George & Santamma George 28 Abraham Kuruvilla & Mariamma Abra-

12 Mathew Palakothu & Saramma Varughese 29 Jibu George & Sindhu Mathew

13 Babu Ipe & Mariamma Babu

13 Shabu Eapen & Darly John

WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY

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JEREMIAH 25-28,NIV

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PARISH CONVENTION

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FIRST COMMUNICANTS

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EPISCOPAL VISIT

PARISH DAY

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