vol 7 ed 02 - news letter february 2016

THE MAR THOMA PARISH PERTH INC Volume 07 / Edition 02 / February 2016

PARISH MESSENGER

FROM THE VICAR’S DESK Dearly beloved in Christ

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4)

In a Sunday School class a boy asked a question to the teacher, ”What does the voice of God sound like?” The teacher was not prepared for this kind of a question. She was taken by surprise. All were waiting to see how their teacher would answer the question. She began slowly, saying, the voice of God sounds like…. And drew the words out as long as she could while she prayed desperately that God would speak and give her an answer. She started once again: “The voice of God sounds like ….like your best friend, like someone you trust, someone you can really talk things over with. The voice of God sounds like your mother or your father or your favourite sister, as they comfort you when you’re having a bad dream in the night. You hear them next your bed, calling, ”Everything is all right, I am right here beside you.” Jesus said “…..and surely I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mathew 28:20b). Really Jesus is the Word of God, in that voice we can hear the consolation of a friend, the words of strength and courage from a superior, words of peace and forgiveness from God. We can hear His voice and feel His presence in our day today life. Our personal and family prayer, meditation on the Word of God and corporate worship will help us to discern His voice.

Our Sunday School classes will be starting on 07th February. I request all parents to ensure your kid’s regular participation in Sunday School. May God shower His abundant grace and wisdom upon our children.

The 50 days Great Lent begins from February 07th. Lent is a special time of self-correction and penitence, a time for self- discipline, prayers, meditation and fasting. Lent speaks clearly God’s inestimable love to human beings and narrates that Christian life is not devoid of sufferings. Jesus never promised a life which is free from sufferings. But instills faith that is strong enough to face suffering. Jesus enjoyed His life on the cross and challenges us by inviting us to take up cross. In the midst of hopelessness and despair, there is a hope for a better tomorrow, because death lost its power and Jesus is the Victor. In this victory, we can claim victory over all forces of evil and death. Let us observe the Great Lent for reconciliation, self-purification of body and minds, manifestation of faith and providence of heavenly Grace.

The 121st Maramon Convention begins on 14th and ends on 21st February. This is one of the biggest Christian gatherings in Asian continent and an annual get together of the Mar Thoma Christians too. Even if we are away from there, we have a spiritual responsibility to pray for the listeners, speakers, and organisers of the convention so that God can transform the life of believers for a better harvest.

May we always remember that God is with us, to help, comfort and guide us.

With prayers.

Biju Achen

www.perthmarthoma.org.au [email protected] �1

…… The voice of God sounds like your mother or your father or your favourite sister as they comfort you when you’re having a bad dream……

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.perthmarthoma.org.au



CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ACOLYTES

Date Theme 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Prayer Group

07 Feb 2016(Malayalam)

Lent: Time of Redemption Isa. 58:1-14 Rom. 2:1-10 2 Cor.

5:16-21 Murdoch

14 Feb 2015(English)

Christ’s Presence with the outcast

Esther. 4:1-17

Acts. 15:8-21

Rom. 15:7-13 Fremantle

21 Feb 2015(Malayalam)

Release from the Burden of Sin

2 Sam. 12:1-14 Acts. 8:9-17 Gal. 3:10-14

Joondalup & North of River (combined)

28 Feb 2015(English)

Faith Expression of the Marginalised Isa. 45:1-8 Acts.

10:24-331 Cor. 1:20-25

Canning Vale

06 Mar 2016(Malayalam)

Transforming the Oppressive Structures

Nahum. 1:1-15

Acts. 16:25-34

Acts. 4:32-37 Willetton

AREA PRAYER GROUP MEETINGS - February 2016

Area Prayer Group Date & Time Venue (residence of) Representative

Canning Vale TBC TBC Mr Cibu Jacob

Fremantle 6 February @ 6:00PM Mr Aby Mathew Mr Aby Mathew

Joondalup TBC TBC Mr Soney Titus

Murdoch 7 February @ 6:00PM Mr Biju Daniel Mr Kurian Parayil

North of River 13 February @ 6:00PM Mr Sunil Joseph Mrs Binsu Abraham

Willetton TBC TBC Mr Mathews Philip

SERVICES





MONTHLY PROGRAM SCHEDULEDATE SUNDAY SCHOOL HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE

07 February 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

14 February 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - English Service

21 February 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

28 February 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - English Service

06 March 2016 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

PRAYER POINTS• Pray for Your guidance, wisdom and finances as we embark on proposals

for buying a plot to build a worship place;• Pray for the families who are affected by the recent job redundancies and

Lord bless their efforts in seeking employment;• Pray for Almighty’s abundant blessing in the new year;• Pray for all our children preparing for returning to school and university.

Pray that His abundant mercy and wisdom be bestowed on our children; • Pray that the new year will be a blessing for the Parish and for its members;

and• Pray for the young families in our Parish and the recently married couples.

SERVICES

CONDOLENCESWith heartfelt sorrow we inform that mother of Mr. Philip Thomas, Mrs. Mary Philips (81 years), passed away on 06 January.

With heartfelt sorrow we inform that father of Dr. Sarina John, Col.C.K Babukutten (86 years), passed away on 08 January.

With heartfelt sorrow we inform that father of Dr. Cherukara Philip Thomas (Dr. Kumar), Dr. C.T. Philips, passed away on 30 January.

We express our heartfelt condolence to all the family members. All are requested to uphold the grieving family in your prayers . May God Almighty grant

His peace and comfort to all members of the family during this time of sorrow.




YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Youth Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 04:00pm at the residence of a parish member.

Encourage all youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Mr Sujin Soloman ([email protected]).

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Regular Sunday School on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Contact: Mrs Babbin Mathews or Mrs Sheba Thomas for further details ([email protected]) or visit the Sunday School website (www.school.perthmarthoma.org.au).

EDAVAKA MISSION

Edavaka Mission meets at the residence of a parish member every month.

An intercessory prayer is held on first Friday of every month at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr Joji Varghese.

PARISH CHOIR

Parish Choir meets for practice every Sunday after the Holy Communion Service at Murdoch Worship Centre. For further details please contact Mr Abraham Kurien ([email protected]).

SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP

Senior Citizens Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 12:00pm at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr J RetnaraFeb.

SEVIKA SANGHAM

Sevika Sangham meets once every month after the Sunday service.

Encourage all women in our parish to participate in the activities of the Sevika Sangham. For further details, please contact Mrs Aswathy Joji ([email protected]).


MINISTRIES






KIDS ONLY





KIDS ONLY

COLOUR ME





BIRTHDAY - February 2016Annamma Varghese (1 February)Elizabeth John (1 February)Joann Jo Varghese (1 February)Elezabeth Reeny Jacob (2 February)Dr Valentina Mathew (3 February)Evangeline Aby Mathew (4 February)Shyju Thomas (4 February)Shiju Mathews (5 February)Soji James (5 February)Varghese K K (6 February)Renchi P Mathews (7 February)Joash R Rajesh (7 February)Renu Mathews (7 February)Nita Sanu (7 February)Levin Anto Francis (8 February)Arun Thomas Mathew (8 February)

Serah Susan George (14 February)Ian Reyhan Jacob (17 February)Rohini Thomas (20 February)Anu Varukunnel Mathews (20 February)Talola John (21 February)Annabel Joham Parayil (21 February)Isabella Deepu Abraham (23 February)Albin Benz (24 February)Elizabeth Francis (25 February)Joby Varghese (25 February)Anusha Vijay (27 February)Rachel Sanjana Thomas (27 February)John Subesh Thomas (28 February)Kiran Josy Baby ( February)Elissa Joham Parayil ( February)

“God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him.”HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - February 2016Anil George & Bindu Anil (5 February)Shibu George & Sigimol A J (5 February)Titus M A & Soosan Titus M (9 February)

Raja Gopal & Susan George (22 February)Abraham Mathew & Vanaja Abraham (27 February)

May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come.

WISHING ALL CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

GREETINGS

NEW ARRIVALSOur Parish members Jerry Cherian & Somin Jerry have been blessed with a baby girl. She isnamed Arianna Grace Cherian.

The Parish congratulates them on the new addition to the family. Let’s continue to uphold the family in our prayers.





Messenger NotesPlease feel free to drop in your comments and suggestions regarding our Parish

Messenger at [email protected].

We are looking for articles to be published in our monthly newsletter. Those who can

write articles, poems, drawings (kids) please contact the Webmaster at

[email protected]. This is another opportunity to use our God given

talents for the Glory of God.

PARISH FAMILY CONTRIBUTION

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 865 285 498

PARISH BUILDING FUND

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 195 940 763

PARISH GIFT FUNDACCOUNT DETAILS

the National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 848 646 298

preferred transaction mode is electronic transfer to the Parish account.

For more information, please contact

Rev Biju George(Vicar)Mob: 0406 485 240Landline: 08 6161 6797email: [email protected]

Mr Sam Koshy(Secretary)Mob: 0406 689 139email: [email protected]

Webmasteremail: [email protected]

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth, P.O. Box 3104, Shelley, WA 6148

for private circulation only





mailto:[email protected]?subject=

vol 7 ed 02 - news letter february 2016

Documents