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My dear friends,

It is a joy for me to connect with you through this letter. It is an opportunity to strengthen our relationship and review our ministry. Our Lord who called us all to work in His vineyard is always true, enabling us to see His promise being fulfilled in our lives.

By His immense grace we have completed nine months in this year, and are entering into the tenth month. The Lord Jehovah is the Alpha and Omega; He is the beginning and the end. He is the God of the past, the present and also the future. He is the Lord of all ages. So let us fix our eyes on Him, hold His strong hand, and keep running our race on this earth with faith and perseverance. To quote Warren Wiersbe, ‘the future is our friend when Jesus is our Lord’.

Here is some spiritual insight from the Bible to apply in our lives this month in particular. Let’s focus on King Solomon, based on II Chronicles 7:11-22.

Once the Lord appeared to King Solomon in the night and told him that always His ears would be opened to the prayers of the people, and His eyes and heart would be always there to forgive their sins and bless them. He expressed only one condition – that is, the king and his people should walk before the Lord, faithfully obey all His commandments and observe His laws. After that, King Solomon followed everything according to God’s law. This pleased God and He blessed him more and more.

He built a grand royal palace. He built cities for his chariots and horses! Store-cities to store produce from the fields. Rebuilt villages, and fortified cities with walls and gate! He made a great throne with ivory and with pure gold. His goblets were of gold! The household articles in the palace, were made of pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in those days. From far countries he brought gold, ivory, apes and silver once in three years! The king imported chariots and horses from Egypt and other countries.

Thus when King Solomon opted for a God-fearing, meaningful, holy life – God blessed him abundantly.

It is encouraging to learn that King Solomon never allowed his wealth to come in between God and himself. He was cautious of not being led to pride and selfish attitude. He never shifted his eyes from God. 4

It is astonishing to note, when God asked him to ask for whatever he wanted, he did not ask for wealth, long life, and victory over enemies. In all humility he only asked for a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Almighty God was pleased with his wishes. So He not only gave him the wisdom but wealth, name, fame and honour also. I Kings 3:4,5. He never lived for his own with selfish attitude, but opted for common good.

My dear friends, what is going to be our focus this month? Are we really going to lose our self, by nailing our inner sinful man to the cross to die? Not I Lord, but You. Do we still value worldly things highly? Or focus on heavenly things?

Let us wait and receive heavenly wisdom from God like King Solomon. In this new month, let us have a new perspective in our faith journey. Let us be encouraged by the promise of our God. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs in to it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10.

Let us praise God for the following: the village church that we built at R. S. Mangapuram of CSI – Thiruthani Pastorate that was dedicated by our Beloved Bishop the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. George Stephen on 24.09.2016. God has been so good to us during the progress of the building project, providing us the money needed at every stage. The church is so beautiful and spacious. The Bishop was so happy – he appreciated our initiative and thanked the congregation for their generosity. As a Pastor I feel it is my duty to thank Mr. Stephen Michael to whom the Pastorate Committee entrusted the responsibility to be the Project In charge. He spent so many days at that village with the engineer, and took so much of pain in visiting the spot so many times and the result - a glorious new church for that poor community. I thank him very much for the effort he has taken for this great cause. Many of our members came forward to sponsor doors, windows, altar railings, communion vessels and stained glass and so on. We gratefully acknowledge the same and pray that God will reward them accordingly.

Church roof repair work: As we all know, our church roof used to leak during rains, and because of this, we lost two of our TV monitors donated by two of our members. It was also a threat to the stability of our church building and used to be very slippery, causing concern over the safety of our members. The Pastorate committee took up this matter too and sanctioned the estimated cost of about eight and a half lakhs and the work got over. We express our sincere thanks for the efforts that Mr. Stephen Michael showed towards this.

Cemetery wall building work: The eastern wall of Quibble Island cemetery collapsed during the tsunami, and another part went down during the heavy rains last December. And to safeguard our property, we 5

had to negotiate with the Adyar Poonga project officers, and they too co- operated with us. Our Secretary Mr. Benjamin Hastings, our Treasurer Mrs. Gemina Martin and PC member Mr. Ranjan Selvakumar showed keen interest in visiting the spot when the work was going on. I praise God for their involvement in His ministry.

Let me close with the following lines:

Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

May God be with you all, and bless you abundantly. Be assured of my prayers. Yours in His joyful service,

Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar Presbyter-in-charge.

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WISDOM OF THE AGES

One of the best story-tellers I have ever known was my paternal grand-uncle Y. M. Paul David, a retired Headmaster of Margoschis High School, Nazareth and honorary Presbyter from the Tirunelveli Diocese. A confirmed bachelor, he spent his evening years with us, and was a great blessing to my family.

Thanks to those pre-Internet days, thatha (as I affectionately called him) had the most interesting anecdotes and stories to tell, drawn from his vast repertoire of experience. Born in the early 20th century, he had seen it all – from pre-independent India to effects of post-war hardships – and would narrate the same in explicit detail. It was through him that I learnt about Neil Armstrong landing on the moon and how they recreated that event on the Margoschis school ground, complete with a mock lunar module and two boys dressed as astronauts lowered from a rope tied to two tall buildings – back in 1969!

During World War II, he was a student at Meston Training College in Madras and would recount in vivid detail about the night when Madras was almost bombed by Japanese planes, of how the police went around the city on horseback, urging everyone to ‘put out the lights’. It was also through him that I learnt about the missionaries like Bishop Neil and Amy Carmichael who changed the destiny of many underprivileged children, the kind of frugal lifestyle they led and the meager yet exotic possessions they had – not to forget the many humourous stories too.

Looking back, I realize that my experience was all the richer only because I had the time and inclination to listen to him. Through these and many other stories I learnt so much about life, God’s abounding grace and His faithfulness through all generations.

Yes God intends that every generation share with the next about the mighty acts of God. “One generation commends [God’s] works to another,” says the Psalmist (Ps. 145:4), echoing Moses’ earlier instructions to “remember the days of old . . . . Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deut. 32:7).

It is every Christian parent’s duty to foster faith in a child. As parents and grandparents, maybe we could point out God’s design in nature, tell a story about how He has helped us, or invite a little one to thank God with us when things go right. God can work through us to tell of His goodness throughout all generations – and now is the time to do it! Fabiola Jacob

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The magnificent Mateer Memorial Church at Thiruvananthapuram, photographed by Santosh Moses is our cover feature this month.

About the Church Built in memory of Rev. Samuel Mateer (featured in ‘Heroes of Faith’ on page 26), a committed missionary of London Missionary Society (LMS) who did exemplary and dedicated service for 33 years from 1859 to 1891, in the Trivandrum Mission, this beautiful Church is home to one of the oldest congregations in South India.

The origin of the Trivandrum Church dates back to the arrival of the Rev. John Cox, the first LMS missionary in Trivandrum, in 1838. He obtained land at Kannammoola for establishing the mission station of the LMS. Prior to this, Trivandrum city, being the abode of Ananthapadmanabha, was out of bounds for missionaries and no church was permitted to be built within the city.

Meanwhile, the British officers residing at Cantonment built a small church next to the Free School and it was opened for worship on August 5, 1838. This church, known variously as the Protestant Church, the Trivandrum Church and the Cantonment chapel, was the first Christian church inside the city proper. After Rev. John Cox resigned in 1861, he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Mateer who went on to become the pioneer of indigenization of the Church. When Mateer left in 1891, the church was in the temporary charge of Rev. I. H. Hacker (Neyyoor missionary) along with Mr. H. T. Wills (city missionary), until Rev. T. W. Bach took charge in 1894. By this time the need was keenly felt for a new and bigger church building to accommodate the Trivandrum Church, and these missionaries initiated a church building project in memory of Samuel Mateer, who died in 1893.

The construction of the Mateer Memorial Church began in 1902, based on the design by Mr A. H. Bastow, and it was built in four years with funds donated by many generous people, including the Maharaja of Travancore. The Church was dedicated to the glory of God, on 1 December 1906 on the Centenary of the London Missionary Society and was named Mateer Memorial Church. With the formation of the Church of South India (CSI) in 1947, the Mateer Memorial Church became the head station of the South Kerala Diocese.

The architecture is in the simple Hallenkirche (Hall Church) style. The Church building is in granite, with a square bell tower with a vestibule beneath and a roof supported by Gothic arches. The Celtic cross is made of cut stone, and commemorates Rev. Mateer’s Irish background." Santosh Moses 8

EARS

All are born in this world with ears, Many cannot hear, so they live in tears. Those who cannot hear have no choice, They are shut to the world of noise.

Those who cannot hear are easily frightened, Sign language has made them brighten. Helen Keller was deaf, blind and dumb, But she found a world of light and sound.

Jesus wanted people to listen with their ears, His teaching, the people could not bear. Many heard the word of God, But very few people, interest showed.

Music has captured the world by storm, Which has caused the ears a lot of harm. The Lord wants people to listen to Him, To His voice, their ears have become dim.

Prema Jayasundar

Quick & Easy Geography Quiz

1. Which is the largest island in the West Indies? 2. What is manufactured in Perambur, Chennai? 3. Which of the Great Lakes is the only one that is entirely within the USA? 4. Name the country which was known as Gold Coast. 5. If North Rhodesia became Zambia, what did South Rhodesia become? 6. The river Danube separates Bulgaria from a neighbouring country. What is the name of the country? DIA Soundarapandian

Answers to Quick & Easy Geography quiz are found on page 22

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Ruth is one of the smallest books in the Bible. Jewish tradition describes that the author of the book is Samuel. The theme is God’s sovereign intervention brings universal redemption.

Ruth was a Moabite married to son of Naomi, a Jew. When Naomi lost her husband and her sons, she decided to go back to Bethlehem, and she asked her daughters-in-law to go back to their parents. Ruth refused saying ‘Your people shall be my people and your God, my God’. When she accepted Naomi’s God as her God, God accepted her as His daughter and through Deuteronomy 23:3 said: “The Ammonite and Mobite shall not enter the assembly of God even to the tenth generation.” God loved her and made her one of the four women found in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

The book tells us how human relations should be. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth. They had no one to depend on. Ruth was new to the city - she went to the fields and gleaned head of grains. Naomi was particular in giving Ruth a settled life. When Naomi found that Ruth went to Boaz’s farm and Boaz was kind to her, she thought of a plan to make Boaz act. Ruth followed her advice and it resulted in the marriage of Boaz with Ruth. When Ruth bore a son, the neighbours said “There is a son born to Naomi”. This showed how each one stood for the welfare of the other. This kind of relationship resulted in happiness for both.

What do we learn from the book of Ruth? This showed us that God is a forgiving God. It is said in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Though Ruth was a Moabite, her son was called Obed, father of Jesse, the father of David. Thus God not only forgives a sinner but also rehabilitates him.

The book of Ruth is also about relationships in the family. The mother-in- law Naomi and daughter-in-law Ruth live for one another. Today, in many homes, there is no peace because of the daughters-in-law. She does not recognize the sacrifices the parents made to mould her husband. Some take pleasure in wounding their feelings. Some mothers-in-law do not treat the daughter-in-law properly. Thus, peace in the home is destroyed, and it has resulted in the opening of old-age homes.

A word of advice to the fathers and mothers-in-law: Don’t poke your nose in the day-to-day affairs of the young ones. Be happy with them, and help them when in trouble. If everyone understands the problem of others and helps to solve them, your family will be a heaven on earth. G. Joseph

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‘WHERE IS ALLAH? A TESTIMONY BY GRACE PAT

My mother reached out her hand, ready to smack me across my face. Ours was a traditional home in the Middle East, so to her my question was blasphemous. But my father smiled and put me on his lap. Then he answered, “That is a sign of faith. Don’t ever stop searching.”

What I didn’t realize then was that the One True God—the God of the Bible—wanted an intimate relationship with me and that He was, even at my young age, putting me on a search that would eventually lead me to Jesus. That’s when God would graciously fulfil His promise found in Deuteronomy 4:29: “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul” (ESV).

Because of who my father was, I grew up entrenched in Islam. I started wearing the hijab, a Muslim head cover, at the age of 5. Two years later, I was fasting the full month of Ramadan. In another year, I read the Quran cover to cover. As a teenager, I jumped into numerous projects, including helping widows. But deep down, I felt empty. The busier I became with good works, the bigger the hole.

In my late teens, I started searching for how I could possibly fill that void. Secretly, I read about other religions. In my early 20s, I had decided I wanted to make a difference in the world. I earned a master of education degree, then I opened an orphanage in Iraq. With my family’s help, I purchased a school and converted the upstairs into bedrooms while the downstairs continued as classrooms.

We had the support of two nurses, a doctor, a dentist and even a chef. We picked up homeless children, some of whom lived in the slums. Then one night, tragedy struck. Our orphanage was mistakenly bombed early on during the Iraq war. I was thought to be one of the only survivors. For several months, I lay in a coma. Miraculously I awoke, but I remained in the hospital for six months. I went through a painful guilt trip. I had put that orphanage together, picked its location, chosen the children who would live there and hired the staff. I felt it was my fault they died. Then I became angry with God. “I’ve done so much for You!” I’d scream. But this one point I could not shake: Everyone who died in the orphanage was considered a martyr.

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I said, “God, why did you not let me go?” Being a martyr is the only guarantee a Muslim has to Heaven. You can do everything you’ve been taught, but that doesn’t mean the gates of Heaven will be open for you.

The thought of becoming a freedom fighter entered my mind, but it didn’t linger. Instead, I decided to open a second orphanage—in a different country. When the Muslim community heard about the bombing, we were blessed with donations. The project expanded to include a youth center, literacy for women and a free medical clinic. Tragedy struck again. I received a bomb threat against the orphanage. We evacuated the building, and I called the chief of police. The threat was against me and my family. I was a young, educated woman—with a voice. I spoke English. I had helped the United Nations as an interpreter.

Cooperating with Westerners was viewed as being a traitor. The threat shook me. I donated my orphanage and left the country. Seeking asylum, I flew to Europe. But God still had a plan for me, which He was working out (Jeremiah 29:11). While in Europe, I had been harassed, even tripped, while walking down the street. One day in our apartment, in total desperation, I threw my arms up in the air and yelled, “Enough! I’ve had it. I cannot go on like this anymore.”

I wanted to reach beyond everything I believed about Allah, Muhammad and the Quran. Not having enough food or money, I prayed: “God, You need to come. I need You. I’m going to fast until You feed me.” On the third day of my fast, somebody knocked at the door. No one in the country knew me, but I opened the door and there stood a man, a woman and their son. They called me by my name and said: “We have food for you.” I looked down. There were about 30 bags of groceries on the floor. A wave of joy hit me, and I cried uncontrollably. They invited me to their church. We went to the Sunday service and immediately I sensed God’s love. That day I came to the cross and surrendered my life to Christ.

About two weeks later, I was at the post office and a gentleman approached me and asked if I was Canadian. He was from Canada and was in town on business. We started talking and before long, politics and religion came up. It was a very interesting conversation to have with a Hindu-background atheist talking with a newly saved believer from a Muslim background. I shared about Jesus with him. A few weeks later, the man asked me to marry him, and I accepted.

I prayed daily for Jacob, and about three years into our marriage he gave his life to the Lord. I have reached out to my family back in the Middle East. For now, I have to do it by phone. When I was young, my parents hired an English teacher who planted the seed in me. She was a prayer warrior, and I know she shared the Gospel with my family and continuously prayed for us. My father passed away two years ago, and 12

for a year before he passed, he wasn’t able to speak. I used that year to minister to him, and I believe he did receive Jesus.

Doors have opened for me to reach out to Muslims across the U.S. and Canada, and I am relying upon the Holy Spirit to know how to connect with each person. I always lead them to the cross and speak about Christ. A few have come to know Him, and I praise God. Some are children who then reach their parents. Others are women, who then influence their families.

Last year, I participated in the ‘My Hope With Billy Graham’ outreach. And in September, I served as a counsellor during Franklin Graham’s Festival in Toronto. God gave me the privilege of leading three Chinese women to Jesus. My favorite verse is Ephesians 2:8—“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

God led me to change my name to Grace. God reached into my darkness and pulled me out. I am nothing apart from Him. He is my strength, and He has given me joy. I’m grateful that He would use this broken vessel for His kingdom and to proclaim Him as Lord! Courtesy: www.testimoniestime.com Contributed by Arun Jacob

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WHY HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE BAPTISM?

When Peter was preaching about Christ to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household, the Holy Spirit fell upon them before they were baptized. They also spoke in tongues and all who accompanied Peter were astonished.

It makes us think why Holy Spirit before baptism: The main reason is Peter. In Mathew 16:18 Jesus told Peter “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church’. Converting many Gentiles into Christianity is an important turning point and Jesus wanted to use the rock. But Peter was bold not steady. Once when Jesus was walking on the sea, he also wanted to walk and Jesus permitted him. He took a few steps, and was afraid as the sea was boisterous and Jesus saved him.

When Jesus was celebrating Passover he declared to Peter ‘Assuredly I say to you, that this night before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times’. Peter said to Him ‘Even if I have to die with you I will not deny You’. When Jesus was taken to Caiphas’ house, Peter went with him. When three declared that Peter was with Jesus, he denied thrice and the rooster crowed. Thus Peter was not stable.

Peter was afraid of the Jews to baptize the Gentiles. In Galatians 2:12 Paul said about Peter “for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision”.

But Jesus wanted to send him to the house of Cornelius to preach to the Gentiles. He prepared Peter by showing him a vision. When Peter was about to take him noon-meal he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven open and an object like a great sheet bound at four corners descending. In it were all kinds of wild animals, wild beasts, creeping things and birds of the air. A voice came to him ‘Rise Peter, kill one and eat”. Peter answered, No so Lord I have never eaten ‘common or unclean’. God spoke ‘what God hath cleansed you must not call common’. Peter did not understand the dream. Here ‘common means Gentiles’.

In Acts chapter 11 when Mathew returned to Jerusalem those of circumcision contented with him. He explained to them what happened in the household of Cornelius. When they heard these things they became silent and said “Then God has also granted to the Gentile representation to life”.

Why the Holy Spirit before baptism? It is to reveal to the Jews that He intended to bring the Gentiles into His fold. G. Joseph 14

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL 2016

I come before You today, and there's just one thing that I want to say Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord. For all You’ve given to me, for all the blessings that I cannot see Thank You Lord, Thank You Lord.

Thanksgiving ceremonies and celebrations for a successful harvest is a worldwide tradition. Our St Thomas English church (STEC) Annual Thanksgiving Festival (ATF) was celebrated on 4 September 2016 in gratitude for God's goodness.

The day began with a grand and meaningful thanksgiving service, in which our Pastor urged us to look to the Lord with thankfulness for all the benefits we received from His loving hands. In Revelation 7:12 it is written, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever”. For believers in Christ, thanksgiving is present, continuous and in eternity.

The opening hymn “All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given...” set the tone for worship. “I think of my poor service to God as teacher, parent, and interpreter of the Good News. I know that my offerings are soggy, tepid, and unfit, but my Father receives them and even blesses them, not because I am good, but because He is!” – that’s an excerpt from the ‘Call to Worship’ by the tweens during the service. It was a solemn worship service. Beautiful fall foliage cards with `I thank God for...’ were distributed and everyone had to write the blessings received from God and hang it on the thanksgiving tree kept at the entrance of our church. As it is said in I Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” The fellow believers at STEC were given the opportunity to pray for others, taking a card from the tree.

Traditional blessings rich in symbolism Three colourful, decorative baskets lined with white and gold linen and ornamented with sprigs of branches and ribbons with a small sampling of food were brought to the altar to be blessed. The blessing of the baskets is a cheerful occasion and is a public demonstration of thanksgiving for the gifts that God has bestowed to His faithful.

The first blessing basket is always for the priesthood and our pastor‘s family was honoured in Him. Who does God love most? The Bible says `a cheerful giver’ and the second basket went to the cheerleader of thanksgiving - Leela Joshua Moses - fondly called Mamma Moses, who

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received it along with her grand- and great-grand daughters. The Bible says `bring in your first fruits’ - the first offertory for thanksgiving for this year came from Ponmalar Katie Selvaraj, who received the third symbolic blessing basket.

“Breaking bread” this thanksgiving Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? I Corinthians 3-16. The communion part of the service was very meaningful with these Tamil lyrics: Vakku Maradha Anbae, Thiru Varthai uraithu ennai therthum Anbae, Sarva valla Deiva Anbae, Sandhathum ongum Anbae. Let our lives be full of both thanks and giving.

STEC stalls at the sale STEC elder Manohar Devadoss inaugurated the festival after the opening prayer, by cutting the ribbon, and gave a moving account, reminiscing his time with Mahema at STEC.

The breakfast stalls were a culinary treat with varieties galore, served with love. The aroma from live counters filled the air. We had a “Bakers House” with oven-fresh cakes and pastries, and teen entrants in chocolate making. Mock mojitos and milkshakes served as thirst quenchers, while cones, cups and chocobars kept the young going. The culinary finale was the mutton biryani, the Bright way.

The contemporary craft market of home linen, ethnic jewellery, regional drapes, costume wear, and elegant potted plants dotted the tents across the stalls. Hooplas, `try your luck’ hampers, housie housie did the rounds. The teens were treasure hunting and the couples indulged in a hilarious reality check!

STEC is renowned for professionalism in photography – thanks to Suresh Balasunder and James Thiraviaraj, we had a special photo booth at the open air altar, where people could get their photographs clicked by these two professionals, under the “Count your Blessings” banner.

There were many such stalls by our church members and fellowships, which were a joy to see as all the members were working as a family in making it a day of joy, gratitude and happiness. The convenors would like to thank Tara decorators for sponsoring the shamianas, the children from the school of hearing- and speech-challenged who tirelessly set up stalls in spite of the heavy rains, and all the church members who donated liberally and made the ATF a grand success. Let us as a church, once again, turn back and thank the Lord! Prema Samuel & Nirmala Stephen Convenors – ATF 2016 16

DEDICATION OF ST. THOMAS CHURCH AT R.S. MANGAPURAM VILLAGE

Saturday - 24 September 2016 - dawned bright and sunny as around twenty-five of us gathered in Church to go for the dedication of our village church project at R S Mangapuram. After a quick breakfast, we left in two vans and a few private cars on the 100km journey. We drove through lush green sugarcane fields under a pretty blue sky on NH 205.

Located just off the Chennai-Tirupati Highway next to the picturesque Ponpadi Railway Station, R S Mangapuram which comes under the Thiruttani Pastorate is a pretty little village with a population of about 50 to 60 families, all Christians. The village wore a festive look as welcome banners adorned the entrance and we were received with smiling faces. We visited the old dilapidated St. Mark’s Church which had prompted us to take up this village church building project.

R S Mangapuram is one more in the long list of village Churches that we have built as a congregation – the others being churches in Arakkonam East, Ulliambakkam in Arakkonam, renovation of a chapel and building of school in Athimancheripet (R K Nagar), Roshanagaram, Pichathur etc. R S Mangapuram was suggested by Mr. Stephen Michael who since then took complete responsibility of heading this project and bringing it to fruition. Around 6000 sq ft of land was acquired through the local Church funds and the City Mission Project of the Diocese (contributions from Festival of Faith covers), and our pastorate committee resolved to build a 1200 sq ft church for them at an estimated cost of Rs. 25,00,000. The foundation stone was laid on 16 January 2016 and it was heartening to see the brand new CSI St. Thomas Church come up in just eight months.

We went around the church and admired the freshly painted interiors, the spacious altar and tall airy windows as the music team and members were getting ready for the service. Soon it was time for the Bishop in Madras, Rt. Rev. J George Stephen to arrive, and he was accorded a warm welcome in true rustic fashion, with drums and fanfare. Our pastor Rev. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar welcomed the Bishop along with the other pastors and elders of the church. The opening prayer was followed by unveiling the tablet, the ribbon was cut and the doors of the new church were opened as we all streamed in for the dedication service. Several dignitaries from the Diocese of Madras were also present, along

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with local church pastors, Rev. John Duraisamy and Rev. K. Andrew of the Tiruttani pastorate.

Around 300 people from the neighbouring villages also attended the dedication service. The altar cross, the communion table, the communion vessels, offertory bags and the other articles donated by our congregation were prayed for and dedicated for the use of the church. The Bishop thanked our Pastor and the members who had accompanied him for their liberal contributions towards the building and the monetary help for the Church. This was followed by a Baptism Service and Holy Communion. Those who were baptized were given Tamil Bibles, and the Bishop and the office bearers of the Diocese who attended the service were felicitated. Our Pastor and the other donors were honoured by the church elders.

At the end of the dedication service, a traditional fellowship lunch was served for the entire congregation. It was a wonderful day well-spent with fellow believers, who now can worship in a brand new facility.

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” Agnes Samuel & Fabiola Jacob

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STEC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP - BIBLE STUDY PROPHET DANIEL discussed during the meeting on 10.9.16

Prophet Daniel was born in the royal family of Judah during the reign of King Josiah between 640 and 609 B.C. Judah was conquered by king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 605 B.C. and he carried off Daniel and his three compatriots, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and many others, recruited from the cream of royalty and nobility, - “qualified to serve in the king’s palace in Babylon” – (Dan 1:4).

God spoke through Prophet Daniel and was with him right through his career. Jesus Himself has certified Daniel as a prophet, when He was explaining the signs of the end of age and said – “The abominations that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel” – (Mat 24:15 referring to Dan 11:31 and 12:11). Even as a teenager, Daniel was meticulously faithful to God’s laws, in times of trial, which brought him success even under the most adverse circumstances.

The book of Daniel was authored by Daniel himself. He wrote and completed the book in 530 B.C, during the reign of King Cyrus. It contains plenty of peculiarities, miracles and predictions beyond our imagination. A few of them are brought out:

The book was written in two languages, at random,  Hebrew - 1:1 to 2:4 and 8:1 to 13:13  Aramaic - 2:5 to 7:28

The book can be divided into two main literary forms.  Biographical, mainly miracles, in the third person – “He”– Ch 1- 6  Apocalyptic, mainly prophesies, in the first person – “I” – Ch 7-12

The book contains 166 predictions - many of them symbolic and most of them fulfilled later: The theological theme of the Book is summarized as –

 “The most high God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men” –  God prophesied the future through Daniel (4:17 – 5:21) to forewarn His people to stand firm in suffering.

Jesus Himself, sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives explaining the signs of His coming again, said:  ‘See to it that you are not alarmed” – Math, 24:6.  “See, I have told you ahead of time” – Math, 24:25.

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It is interesting to read, how Daniel and his three friends, on arrival at Babylon resolved not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine and stick to pure vegetables and water only and the king found them “Ten times better than all the palace officials present” – (1:20)

We are familiar with the miracles God performed when Daniel and three friends together showed full faith in God.  Daniel in the Lion’s den ( Chapter six)  His three friends thrown into the blazing furnace (Ch 3)

Daniel can be equated to Joseph, in regard to their rising to powerful positions in a foreign country and interpreting the dreams of their kings correctly, all with the help of God. Also both Daniel and Joseph did not ever return to their homeland, Judah, from where they were taken away by force when they were young.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream symbolized by a large statue, whose limbs were made of gold, silver, bronze and iron, which Daniel described and interpreted correctly in chapter two. This dream of the king and the two visions of Daniel himself, symbolized by fierce animals in chapters seven and eight, can be correlated in a statement. .These visions are about four nations, Babylon, Medo - Persian, Greece and Rome which are to come to power during the future half millennium, which was fulfilled.

S.No. Chapter Ch. Ch. Major Chronology Two Seven Eight Kingdoms B.C. Large Great Cattle Statue beasts 1 Head of Lion - Babylon 626- 539 Gold 2 Bear Ram Medo- 539 – 330 Chest of Persian 3 Silver Leopard Goat 330 – 63 Greece 4 Belly of Beast - 63 - AD Bronze Rome

Leg of Iron

Daniel himself dreams and visualizes a rock, cut out of a mountain, that broke the large statue to pieces (Dan 4:44,45).The four kingdoms are crushed and a fifth kingdom of God is established – “A new heaven and new earth” – (Rev 21:1)

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Daniel records his interpretation of the king’s next dream about a large tree, cut down by God’s messengers and personified by an animal eating grass and living in the forest and announces –“You, O king, are that tree”. The dream was fulfilled when the king lost his sanity and assumed the habits and posture of an animal, which is a rare mental illness known now as “boanthropy”. After seven years, the king regained sanity, praised and glorified God and declared – “And those who walk in pride, - he is able to humble” – (Dan4:22, 33, and 37).

We read about – “The writing on the wall” – by the fingers of a human hand, the inscription – “Mene,Mene,Tekel,Parsin,” on the palace wall. So Daniel was brought before the king Belshazzar and he translated and explained this pre-warning of God about the end of the Babylonian rule. This was fulfilled in 539 B.C., when the king was slain and the kingdom was taken over by the Mede-Persians (ch.5).

Daniel’s intercessory prayer for Israel contains expressions of humility, worship, confession and petition which is well worth adopting in our daily prayers also (Dan 9: 3-19). God heard Daniel’s prayers and sent Gabriel to him. It is unbelievable to read the prophecy of Daniel revealed by Archangel Gabriel, the advent of Jesus Christ up to His crucifixion and beyond, correctly (Dan 9: 21-27).

 ‘Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed one comes, there will be ‘seven sevens’ and ‘sixty two sevens’ ( 7X7 + 62X7= 483).  After the sixty two ‘sevens’, the Anointed one will be cut off and will have nothing’ – Jesus was crucified  ‘The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary’- Jerusalem along with the temple was destroyed by Roman Emperor Titus in 70 A.D.  ‘The abomination that causes desolation’- This refers to the altar to the pagan God Zeus set up in 168 BC by King Antiochus Epiphanes in the temple at Jerusalem and sacrificing pigs on the altar.

The most astonishing predictions of the future by Daniel may be found in the forty five verses of chapter 11 where 135 events are covered over a period of about 400 years. This period remains a gap in the Bible from prophet Malachi to the advent of Jesus. Daniel has predicted the events that took place during this period and all of them have been fulfilled.

Daniel’s visions recorded in his book covers the period up to the advent of Christ, but could not predict the period beyond up to the second coming of Jesus Christ, which only God Almighty knows, and will be a surprise.

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All the nations of the world will be replaced by – “a new heaven and a new earth”; according to Revelation of Jesus Christ to John (Rev 1:1) at the end of age. Daniel was faithful in a pagan kingdom to God till the end and will be raised from the dead to be with us, when Christ comes back. Are we, who are living in exact similar circumstances in our own country now, faithful to God, as Daniel was in a foreign pagan country?

The life of Daniel is a good example for us to follow. Manoharan Gnanaolivu Convenor

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THE TRUE STORY OF GULSHAN FATIMA

This is the brief story of Gulshan Fatima, the youngest of the five children of an orthodox Muslim Sayed family, a cripple brought up in purdah from the age of seven, according to the strict orthodox Islamic code of the Shias. She was unable to leave her room without help. Her father spent a lot of money towards her medical affairs in England… undertook a Haj pilgrimage to their Holy City Mecca which every Muslim desires to visit at least once in one’s life. Here are a few excerpts from her book ‘The Torn Veil’:

“Gulshan, I want you to know that our religion is greater than any other religion because the glory of God is Mohamed. There is no other God but Allah, Mohamed is the Prophel of Allah.

To be here in Mecca, O God is enough even if I cannot walk. To see with one’s eyes, the House of God, built by Abraham. God will hear your prayers and Mohamed will ask Allah to heal you. God is testing you….. maybe at some stage in your life, you will be healed. God is not an unjust God. We must have patience. I will remain faithful to the Prophet and Allah.

What terrible sin have I committed, that you have made me like this, I sobbed. As soon as I was born, you have taken away my mother and made me a cripple. Now, you have taken away my father also. Tell me why you have punished me so heavily…. The silence was so deep and still. I would never be healed…out of sheer helplessness, I began to talk to God as Muslims do. I prayed to God who knows my circumstance and my need. Lord, I want to die. I don’t want to live anymore.” She was spending her days so desperately.

“A low gentle vice came…I won’t let you die. I will keep you alive.” Gulshan questioned… “I am cripple. The voice came again vibrant. Who gave eyes to the blind, who made the sick, whole, who healed the lepers and raised the dead? I am Jesus, Son of Mary. She got up at 3am as usual and prayed. O! Jesus, son of Maryam, heal me. I said His name again and pleaded my case in despair. Suddenly, the room was filled with light and the light was glowing and glowing in brightness. I then saw a figure in long robe, there were 12 figures in a row and with that figure in the middle as the thirteenth, was large and brighter than the others. I asked, how have you come into my room when all the windows and doors are closed?

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A voice said, Get up, this is the path you have been seeking. I am Jesus, Son of Mary to whom you have been praying. I am standing in front of you. You get up and come to me. I started to weep. O! Jesus, I am crippled, I can’t get up. He repeated, “stand up and come to Me, I am Jesus”. When I hesitated, he said for the third time, I am Gulshan Fathima, who had been crippled for 19 years, felt new strength flowing into my wasted limb. I put my foot on the ground and stood up… then I ran a few paces and fell at the feet of the vision. Jesus put His hand on my head and I saw a hole in His hand from which a ray of light struck down on my garment and my green dress looked white. He said, “I am Jesus, I am Emmanuel. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am coming soon. See, from today, you are My witness. What you have seen now with your own eyes, you must tell My people. Now you have to keep this robe and your body spotless and you must remain faithful to My people”. Wherever you go, I will be with you and from today you must pray like this.

“Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day on daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

He made me to repeat the prayer and it sank down into my heart and mind. I wanted to remain at the feet of Jesus, praying the new name of God as “Our Father”. I looked at my arm and leg… my hand was not perfect, nevertheless it had strength and no longer withered and wasted.

My aunty was knocking at my door and wanted to know who is in the room, walking? “It is me aunty….” there was a little gasp. “That’s impossible – you can’t be treated. How can you walk? You are telling lies.” “Well, come in and see.” The door opened slowly and aunty came in fearfully in to the room. She stood pressed against the wall in terror and disbelief, her eyes wide open and staring at my face. “You will fall”, she said. “I won’t fall”, I laughed, feeling the power and strength of new life. My aunty came forward slowly, like a blind person feeling the way. She drew up the sleeve of my tunic and looked at my arm, plump and healthy. Then she looked at my leg which was as whole as the other.

“It looks strange seeing you stand.” She asked to tell her how it happened. “I told everything from the beginning. When I got to the part about Jesus saying I was to be the witness. Aunty broke. There are no Christians in Pakistan for you to witness and there is no need for you to go to America or England. Your witness should be to give alms to the poor.

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Turmoil in her family followed for telling that Jesus had healed her and her insistence that Jesus only healed her. “My insistence on saying that Jesus only healed me produced that first sour note in the whole affair, as it made my brothers restless. We would respect you more if you said that Mohamed had healed you. This Jesus is not very important to us. Jesus has His people in England, America and Canada. You are not going there to tell them about how Jesus healed you.”

Then followed her work in Sunrise School for the Blind, and her Baptism as Gulzhan Esther – she now lives in Oxford, United Kingdom. Her book ‘The Torn Veil’ by Gulshan Esther can be borrowed from our Church library.

Better still, after reading this article, if your conscience urges you, you can buy 5 or 10 books and distribute them to your relatives, friends, non- Christians and Muslims. Thank you!

D.I.A. Soundarapandian

A sign from above Spotted on a church marquee: “Love your enemies; after all, you made them!”

House call When our minister and his wife visited our neighbor, her four-year-old daughter answered the door. "Mom!" she yelled toward the living room. "God’s here, and he brought his girlfriend."

Adam and Eve Adam bit the apple and, feeling great shame, covered himself with a fig leaf. Eve, too, felt shame and covered herself with a fig leaf. Then she went behind the bush to try on a maple leaf, a sycamore, and an oak!

Answers to the ‘Quick & Easy Geography Quiz’

1. Jamaica 2. Railway Coaches 3. Lake Michigan 4. Ghana 5. Zimbabwe 6. Romania

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WALKER OF TINNEVELLY

The missionary Thomas Walker (1859-1912) - a name familiar to many Christian families in South India - was instrumental in converting a large number of non-Christians to Christianity in the late 1800s. Several descendants of these converts have been named after him, my father being one of them. My nephew is actually called, "Thomas Walker" and our apartments are called "Walker Apartments" which goes to show how much this missionary is loved by one and all, particularly by our family - not without reason.

My father was christened "Koilpillai Abraham Walker" by his father, Abraham Asirvatham, who himself was baptized by the missionary Thomas Walker when he was 7. His father was converted to Christianity by him and since then his descendants have strived to uphold the Christian faith wherever they are, by the grace of God and the blessings of the beloved missionary, the great Thomas Walker. My son-in-law, John Rajanayakam tells me that there is a Tamil teacher at Amy Carmichaels named Walker. It would be nice to know if there are any more Walkers around! Sarojini Samuel

Thomas Walker – evangelist and missionary - was born at Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. He graduated from St. John's College, Cambridge in 1882 and was ordained deacon in the Church of England the same year. He served first at St. John’s Church, Stratford and then at St. James Church, Holloway.

He arrived in Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli), South India in 1885 at the request of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Madras corresponding committee and was assigned to assist the ailing Edward Sargent in North Tinnevelly. Following Sargent’s death in 1889, Walker became district Chairman of Tinnevelly.

In 1890, Thomas Walker married Mary Elizabeth Hodge of the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society, and was stationed at Palayankottah. A fiery revival preacher, he mastered the Tamil language, was well versed in Indian poetry and classical literature and left a rich literary legacy including new testament commentaries and translated hymns into Tamil.

He emphasized the importance of studying the Word of God. Apart from his evangelism and his Bible teaching in the Tamil field, he was noted for 26

preaching at conventions (on Keswick lines), particularly at hill stations, and he exerted considerable influence among the reformed section of the Syrian Orthodox Church (newly gathered into the Mar Thoma Church) by preaching tours in Kerala at the Syrians' invitation.

He was a powerful preacher and helped form many evangelistic traveling groups. While he faced much opposition from Hindus he also saw sparks of revival, especially in 1905-1906.

Walker’s abiding legacy is the self-sufficiency of the Church of South India diocese of Tirunelveli. He was a mentor and teacher to Amy Carmichael and encouraged her in her work among temple girls and women. Dohnavur was another fruitful field of the labours of the indefatigable Walker, with whose cooperation Amy Carmichael founded the renowned Dohnavur Fellowship. She later wrote his biography ‘Walker of Tinnevelly’.

Walker introduced the Harvest Festivals as something congenial to the Indian mind, corresponding in a way to the Hindu “melas” or festivals. The first Harvest Festival was held in 1891 at Sachiapuram. Several centers copied the Festival – Nallur in 1892, Palayamkottai in 1895, Pannaivilai and Surandai in 1896. In 1897 he resigned as district chairman to concentrate on evangelism and got involved in preparing Tamil candidates for ordination.

Rev. Thomas Walker was a co-founder and one of the main speakers at the Maramon Convention of the Syrian Churches in Kerala from 1898 to 1912. His inputs were instrumental in inspiring the beginning of many Mar Thoma Missionary projects across India.

He retired to Dohnavur after severing his ties with the CMS in 1899 and died on his way to a convention in Masulipatanam in 1912, after 27 years of service. Picture Courtesy: www.nalloorlibrary.com

Exciting palindromes The topic for my ninth-grade class was palindromes - words or sentences that are the same read forward and backward. I asked the question "What is the first thing Adam said to Eve?" I was expecting the answer "Madam, I’m Adam," but one student had a better reply: "Wow."

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AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER

Marty Nystrom, a twenty-four-year-old schoolteacher in Seattle, wanted to get to know a young woman a lot better. Since she was going to be at a school in Dallas, Texas, that summer, he decided to enroll in the same six-week program.

However, after arriving in Texas, he discovered that things were not going to work out with the young woman, and he was stuck in a program he didn’t want, during a very hot Dallas summer. Since Marty was both broke and heartbroken, a roommate decided he should go on a fast to get his priorities straightened out again. So Marty did. During the fast, all he drank was water. Marty says, `To be honest, I could not say that my soul thirsted for more of God’.

But as he fasted, he says `I noticed that earthly desires and physical lusts began to wane. My spirit became more and more hungry for communion with God’. After fasting for nineteen days, he sat down at a piano in the men’s dorm. A Bible was open on the piano. Since it was open to Psalm 42, Marty began singing through the psalm. He recalls the time: `God gave me a melody for Psalm 42:1. I just began to sing right off the page, literally’.

Ten years later, Marty was in Seoul, Korea, attending a worship conference that had attracted 100,000 Koreans. To open the conference, the huge audience sang Marty’s song, `As the deer panteth for the water’.

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and You are my brother Even though You are a king I love You more than any other, so much more than anything

I love You more than gold or silver, only You can satisfy You alone are the real joy giver, and the apple of my eye.

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REV. SAMUEL MATEER (1835 – 1893)

Samuel Mateer, the great scholar, historian, visionary and missionary, was responsible for the establishment of the Trivandrum Mission which has now grown and flourished into the South Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India.

Samuel Mateer was born in Belfast, on 24 August 1835. Being a member of the Methodist Church, he got the occasion to pursue his theological studies at the Bedford Theological College. Mateer always had the desire to became a missionary. The London Missionary Society with which he established contact, directed him to South Travancore. Thus, on the 15th of October 1858, he left for India with his wife and three children.

The Mateer family reached Bombay, after a long voyage of 107 days, on January 30, 1859. There he was received by Rev. Dr. Wilson who was a great educationist and the founder of Wilson College, Bombay. After a week’s stay at Bombay, Mateer and his family started their sea voyage to Cochin. From Cochin, they had a thrilling boat journey through the palm- fringed backwater canals up to Trivandrum. From Trivandrum they were taken by Palanquin to Parassala. This Palanquin ride was a unique experience to the missionary and his family. On 4 February 1859, Rev. Samuel Mateer assumed charge of the Parassala Mission. Mrs. Mateer was placed in charge of the Boarding Home.

In 1861, Rev. Mateer had to shoulder the additional burden of Trivandrum and Quilon Missions. When Rev. John Cox resigned from the LMS., Rev. Mateer had to shift his residence to Trivandrum from Parassala. He had to be in full charge of all the three stations till 1863. His arrival in Trivandrum marked the beginning of the growth and development of the Trivandrum city mission and the mission centre. Unfortunately he had to be away to Kodaikkanal and England on several occasions after 1866 owing to the ill-health of his wife. But he always looked after with concern, the development of the Mission fields under his charge.

In those days the centre of the Trivandrum Mission was Kannanmoola, where the present United Theological Seminary stands. Rev. Mateer felt it necessary that the Centre be shifted to some other suitable location for its proper development. Rev. Mateer found a suitable opportunity for this during the visit of Dr. Millins, who was then Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society. Rev. Mateer succeeded in convincing Dr. Millins of the necessity for a new location and in making arrangements with him for the purchase of land in the Cantonment area and for the construction of necessary buildings. Thus, 16 acres of land, which was known as “Captain Davidson’s Compound” was purchased at a price of 29

Rs. 9000/-. This is the present L.M.S. or C.S.I. South Kerala Diocesan Head station Compound.

The greatest and unique service Rev. Mateer rendered was for the uplift of the poor and oppressed section of the society. His concern for such suffering people was so great that he toiled untiringly till the end for their social and spiritual liberation; finally giving occasion to be contemptuously called “Pulaya Padri”. But he bore all contempt for the sake of Him who called him to serve among those poor people.

The Scholarly speeches Rev. Mateer delivered on various subjects including the history of the earth, biographies, etc, won the acclaim of many who used to attend the series of meetings organized at the Trivandrum ‘Reading Room’ for the benefit of people from all religions and different walks of life.

Some of the books written by Rev. Samuel Mateer give us a vivid and historically true picture of the people among whom he worked and their life, culture, customs and history. His important works considered to be very valuable are “The Land of Charity,” “Native Life in Travancore” and the “Gospel in South India.”

Rev. Samuel Mateer was the first missionary who endeavored for the growth of an indigenous Church. He prepared local people for Church ministry and tried to transfer administrative responsibilities to them. It was during his tenure that a number of local people were ordained as ministers. The pioneer of indigenization of the Church - the statistics of his 33 years service stands witness to his sincere efforts to develop the Church in South Travancore. When he arrived there were 25 congregations, 3000 Christians and an annual income of Rs. 800/-. But when he took leave after 33 years, there was a spectacular difference. The number of Congregations increased to 56, Christians to 10,060 and annual income to Rs. 3000/-

In 1890, Mrs. Mateer had to return to England owing to ill health. Rev. Samuel Mateer who went to England in 1891 on leave was called to eternal rest on 24 December 1893. It was in the same year that the Trivandrum Church was elevated to the position of a pastorate. The Church building (featured on the cover of this EanMe) constructed in the LMS Compound and dedicated to the loving memory of Rev. Samuel Mateer was opened for divine worship on 1 December 1906, along with the Centenary Celebrations of the London Missionary Society.

This is a translation of an article by Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone (Bishop - South Kerala Diocese) published in the 1973 December (Christmas) issue of “Christava Deepika’. Courtesy: www.mateermemorialchurch.com 30

BIBLE QUIZ FOR ALL The quiz is open to participants of all ages. Answers should be given by the 20th of every month. Late entries will not be considered. Answers should be mailed to [email protected] or given to Mrs. Sheeba Roshan in person. Names of participants with score will be mentioned in the next issue. Winners will be awarded at the end of the year.

QUIZ 10 Portion: Deuteronomy chapters 18-34 Name the following: Give answers with reference.

1. One of these is not enough to convict a man 2. When found guilty of this, his body is hung on a tree 3. Moses climbed here from the plains of Moab 4. Return this by sunset 5. You have to build this around your roof 6. This kind of son should be taken to the elders 7. You must not destroy these when you capture a city 8. You can charge this person interest 9. The grapes are filled with this 10. The priest shall take this from your hand

Answers to Quiz 9:

1. But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him – Deu 7:10 2. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other – Deu 4:39 3. I have seen this people and they are a stiff-necked people indeed! – Deu 9:13 4. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes – Deu 10:21 5. Do what is right and good in LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers – Deu 6:18 6. The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything – Deu 2:7

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7. The people are strong and tall –Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them – Deu 9: 2, 3 8. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength – Deu 6:5 9. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth – Deu 11: 19-21 10. For seven days celebrate the feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands and your joy will be complete – Deu 16:15

Points tally after Quiz 9: Sep 2016 Aggregate 1 Adelene Mercy - 70 2 Andrew Melvin - 69 3 Aria Anna 10 68 4 Diya Rajiv 10 90 5 Felicia Williams - 38 6 Jadon Dhyriam 79 7 Jason Travis Daniel 10 90 8 Jasweena Paul 10 90 9 Jeremy Roopsingh 79 10 Jessica Moses - 57 11 Latha Chittaranjan 10 79 12 Natasha Jacob - 20 13 Rachel J - 29 14 Santosh Dhyriam 79 15 Sharon J. - 28 16 Shreya Dhyriam 79 17 Sneha Rachel 10 90 18 Tasha Grace 10 89

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We welcome your original contributions to the EanMe in the form of articles, poems, Protestant church pictures for the cover, or information relevant to the season. Please send your entries by hard/soft copy to reach the STEC church office [email protected] or [email protected] by the 20th of every month.

You can read the current issue of EanMe online at http://www.santhomeenglishchurch.org/. A few earlier issues have been archived on `CSI St. Thomas English Church’ facebook page.

Contributions are also invited for the Sunday bulletin. If you have any interesting information to share in the form of anecdotes, short stories etc. (around 100 words) relevant to the Sunday theme, please mail it to Kavita Edward: [email protected]

We are on Social Media!

‘Like’ our Church page on Facebook to stay updated https://www.facebook.com/StThomasEnglishChurch

‘Follow’@CSI_STEC on Twitter

Join our Church group on Facebook to connect with each other and share / view pictures of church events https://www.facebook.com/CSI St. Thomas English Church, Santhome

Travelling on work? Don’t forget to click a picture! If you happen to visit or see a beautiful, historic Protestant church that you think should be on our EanMe cover, please click a hi-res picture and e-mail it, along with a short note about the Church, to [email protected]

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The Rt. Rev. Dr. J. George Stephen Bishop in Madras

Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar Presbyter-in-charge

Mr. Milton Sigamoney Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses Lay Readers

Mr. Benjamin Hastings Mrs. Gemina Martin Secretary Treasurer

Mr. Bright Joseph Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses Mr. Daniel Manickam Inbaraj PASTORATE Mr. Ranjan Selvakumar COMMITTEE Mr. Roshan Soundarapandian MEMBERS Mr. Gerald Joshua Divyaprabu

Mrs. Caroline Roopsingh

Mrs. Samantha Daniel

Mrs. Ramona Crownie Deva Anand

Mrs. Diana Prasathini Arjun

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMMES

English: Sunday – 8:15 am Sunday School : Tamil: Sunday - 4 pm

Tweens Fellowship : Sunday - 4:30 pm

Medical Centre : Monday, Wednesday & Friday – 4.30 to 6 pm

Women’s Fellowship : I and III Saturday - 5:00 pm

Men’s Fellowship : II and IV Saturday - 6:30 pm

Adults’ Fellowship : Sunday - 5:00 pm

Hospital visit : II Sunday - 10:30 am

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WORSHIP SERVICES – PLAN FOR OCTOBER 2016 Date and Day Services and Preacher Theme Stewards for Bible reading Time and Offertory 2.10.2016 Twentieth Sung Eucharist: Priesthood of Isaiah 61:1-11 7:30 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. all believers I Peter 2:1-10 after Richard Ambrose Psalm 99 Pentecost Evensong: St. John 17:1-8 Message: Mr. Milton 6:00 pm Sigamoney Mr. & Mrs. G.A. Shanthakumar 9.10.2016 Twenty first Holy Eucharist: Care of the II Samuel 9:1-13 7:00 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. R.M. physically and II Corinthians 12:7-9 after Dravyam mentally Psalm 34 Pentecost Matins: challenged St. Luke 14:15-23 8:15 am Rev. R.M. Dravyam Holy Eucharist: Mr. & Mrs. Manoharan 6:00 pm Celebrant: Rev. R.M. Gnanaolivu Dravyam 16.10.2016 Twenty Sung Eucharist: Care of the Genesis 46:28 – 47:10 7:30 am second Celebrant: Rev. D. aged I Timothy 5:1-10 Sunday Richard Ambrose Psalm 71:1-8 6:00 pm after Evensong: St. Mark 7:6-16 Pentecost Sermon: Mr. Ajit Stanley Elders’ Moses Elders Sunday

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23.10.2016 Twenty third Sung Eucharist: Celebration of Jeremiah 23:5-8 7:30 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. God’s Philippians 2:1-11 after Richard Ambrose sovereignty, Psalm 109:21-31 Pentecost Evensong: justice and St. Luke 10:21-24 6:00 pm Sermon: Mr. Milton peace Sigamoney Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Rajkumar 30.10.2016 Twenty fourth Sung Eucharist: Witness Jeremiah 15:15-21 7:30 am Sunday after Celebrant: Rev. D. through I Peter 4:12-19 Pentecost Richard Ambrose suffering Psalm 13 Evensong: St. John 18:1-10 6:00 pm Sermon: Mrs. Lilian Richard Mr. & Mrs. Sundar Johnson Fredrick

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