Dearly Beloved in Christ, By the grace of God we are in the second month of this New Year. On Sunday, February 23, we will be beginning our 50-Day Great Lent (Valiya Nombu). This is an important part of our spiritu-al life, as it invites us to reflection, repentance, and renewal. Fasting is biblical. Fasts enabled the people of God to be closer with God. We see various examples of fasting in the Old and New Testa-ments. We are busy and have many endeavors and commitments. A lot to do at work; alot to study; or many errands to run. Many programs to attend. How much quality time do we spend with the Lord, even when our life itself is a gift from Him? Time spent away from the presence of the Lord brings us into sin, which is a separation from God. As a faith community, Lent helps us to set apart time for greater focus on the spiritual aspects of our life. But change can only come when we make an effort, and critically reflect on our life.

In our place of work, we may be asked to complete an employee’s self-appraisal, or our employers may conduct an employee appraisal. In schools, students may get a chance to evaluate the teacher or professor at the end of a semester. The purpose of this is for reflection. Being Christians, a critical reflection of the self is necessary. As we enter into Great Lent, let us ask ourselves: • Where have I been in my faith journey? • Where am I presently in my faith journey? • Where am I headed in my faith journey? As the Psalmist says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” I pray that this year’s lent may be a time of transformation, and a time that brings us into the salvation experience through Jesus Christ our Lord. The 125th session of the Maramon Convention will take place from February 9-16, 2020. Many people from around the world will be attending this year’s convention, which includes bible studies, intercessory prayers, devotions, and messages. Several from the USA are attending. I humbly request that you view the webcasting via internet. Many of the messages are in Eng-lish, and translated to Malayalam. I encourage you to listen to some of the messages for spiritual fulfillment and renewal. Wishing you all a blessed Lenten season. Above all, let us pray for the sanctification and renewal of our faith community. May the Triune God bless you all! Sincerely, Newark, CA 1/30/2020 Dennis Achen Vicar

NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020

MARTHOMA CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

FROM THE VICAR

Dearly Beloved in Christ, As I said in the beginning when I took over the Parish Secretary duties last March I was much worried and concerned of how I could handle this responsibility. But the Grace of God and support from Achen and all of you, I tried to fulfill my duties to the best as I can. The trust I bestowed upon God, he instructed, taught and guided me in this jour-ney. As it said in Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye”. Now I take this opportunity to thank each and every one for the love, cooperation, help and support provided to me as the Secretary of the Parish. I like to wish a very blessed year for the 2020 Office bearers, Executive committee and to the leaders of various par-

ish organizations and sub-committees. January was always a month without much events, but this year we were able host Ecumenical Christmas Program successfully under the leadership of Ecumenical council of Bay area in our Church. Requesting your prayers and support as we are preparing annual reports, 2019 Accounts and Budget for 2020 to be presented to respective General bodies in coming days. Let’s pray for a smooth transition of du-ties to the incoming 2020 committee. Requesting your continued prayers and support, With Prayerful Regards, Philip Roy, Secretary, MTCSF 01-31-2020

FROM THE

SECRETARY

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Date Time Service Celebrant

2/2/2020 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (Malayalam) Rev. Dennis Abraham

2/9/2020 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (Malayalam) Rev. Dennis Abraham

2/16/2020 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (English) Rev. Dennis Abraham

2/23/2020 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (English) Rev. Dennis Abraham

WORSHIP ORDER

Date Area Lessons 1 & 2 Lay Assistant

2/2/2020 SF/South Bay Mr. Mathew Thomas (Renjen)

Mrs. Leelamma Philip Mr. Cherian Philip

2/8/2020 Fremont TBD

TBD

2/16/2020 San Ramon Master. Kiran Abraham.

Miss. Ian Anil Jacob Mr. Ashish Mathew

2/23/2020 Central Valley TBD

TBD

AREA ASSIGNMENTS

AREA PRAYER MEETINGS

Feb 7th San Ramon area prayer at the residence of Abraham Mathew(Sajeev) & Sunu Easow at 8pm

Feb 8th Fremont area prayer at the residence of Mathew Jacob and Baby Jacob - at 5pm

Feb 22nd Central Valley area prayer at Reuben John & Sheena Palachuvattil at 5pm

Feb 23rd South Bay area prayer at Vivek & Libby Cherian at 5pm

Feb 29th San Francisco area prayer TBD at 5pm

LITURGICAL/CHURCH CALENDAR

Feb 2nd Mayaltho—Presentation of our Lord in the Temple

Feb 3-6th Fast of Nineveh (in remembrance of Jonah)

Feb 9-16th Maramon Convention (125th session)

Feb 23rd Pethrutha—Beginning of Great Lent (50 days)

Feb 24th Shubkono—Service of Reconciliation

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DIOCESAN CONFERENCES

Date Event Location

Feb 15-16 Western Regional Mar Thoma Voluntary

Evangelists’ Association Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley, CA

Mar 28 Western Regional Sevika Sanghom Con-

ference Mar Thoma Church of Phoenix, AZ

July 2-5 Diocesan Family Conference & Global Mar

Thoma Meet Carmel Mar Thoma Center, Atlanta

Aug 6-9 Diocesan Youth Fellowship Conference Hosted by MTCSF Youth fellowship

ORGANIZATIONS’ MEETINGS/ ACTIVITIES

Every Sunday Choir Practice @ 9:15AM

Every Sunday Sunday School, at 9AM Common Fellowship in the sanctuary, followed by classes

Every Sunday Edavaka Mission Bible Study @ 9:15 AM in the Social Hall

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

Feb 1st Edavaka mission fasting prayer at church @ 10:30 am

Feb 1st Sevika Sangam Cottage prayer at the residence of Valsa George @2PM

Feb 8th Yuvajana Sakhyam meeting at Church @ 11:00 am

Feb 9th Choir Auditions at church Sanctuary after service

Feb 16th Sevika Sangam intercessory prayer at church every 3rd Sunday after ASR

Feb 16th& 23 Youth Fellowship meeting at church after ASR

PARISH CALENDAR/ EVENTS

Date & Time Event Location

Jan 5th at 2pm Ecumenical Christmas Celebration Mar Thoma Church, San Francisco

Feb 9th at 1pm Choir Auditions Mar Thoma Church, San Francisco

March 8th World Day of Prayer Mar Thoma Church, San Francisco

Mar 14th at 10am Rise Against Hunger (Mission Board) Mar Thoma Church, San Francisco

MTVEA WESTERN REGION CONFERENCE

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BIRTHDAYS

1 Shaji Mathew 9 Rajiv Kochumman 20 Suvin Varghese

1 Smitha Philip 11 Bindhu Skaria 20 Bindu Alexander

1 Baby Jacob 11 Jibu John 20 Maya Mathews

2 Cameron Philipose 11 Nisha Thomas 20 Anita Sujit

2 Sushama Johnson 13 Aju Philip 21 Blessy Alexander

3 Prasad Kuruvilla 13 Rebecca Philip 21 Steve Kurien

3 Jennice Thomas 14 Joanna Jubin 21 Juli Tharakan

4 Mathew Samuel 14 Siby Samuel 21 Daisy Jose

4 Justina Mathai 15 Jedediah Muthalaly 21 Blessy Roy

5 Judy George 16 Ritu Mathews 25 Rohan Roy

5 Jibin Thomas 16 Suma Mathew 25 Christine Samuel

5 Binil Mathews 17 Charles Chacko 28 Santhamma John

5 Joseph George 17 Mathew Mathai 28 Mithun Alexander

6 John Varghese 18 David Sam 28 Abel Thomas

7 Reena Korah 18 George Konapozhil 29 Jolly Philip

7 Benjamin Thomas 18 Kaithara George 29 Rhea Varughese

9 Annie Cherian 19 Sushmita Sujit

Day Family Day Family

1 Stanley Samuel & Manju Mathew 10 Kurian Thomas & Annamma Kurian

1 Bijou Abraham & Taji Abraham 10 Binil Mathews & Smita Mathews

2 Dinil Joy & Sheba & Sheba Isac 12 Sam John & Ansu Ninan

3 Mathew Jacob & Swapna Mathew 15 Abin Chenkal John & Sharon John

5 Sam Alex & Nisha Thomas 15 Philip Alexander & Deena Alexander

6 Mavunkal S. Cherian & Sosamma Cherian

19 Kaniyamparambil S. Abraham & Saly Abraham

6 Reni M. Varghese & Libby Kurien 24 Binesh George & Juley George

7 Santosh Palackamannil Abraham & Pretha Thomas

WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY

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JEREMIAH 34:6 - 37, NIV

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ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE

ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE

ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE