PARISH BULLETINVolume 266/July 2013 THE MAR THOMA PARISH, DUBAI

Tithe Offering Giving back to the One who first gave

+RQRXUWKH/RUGE\JLYLQJ+LPWKHßUVWSDUWRIDOO\RXULQFRPH3URYHUEV3:9 Give to God what is RIGHT, not what is LEFT MESSAGE FROM THE YOUTH CHAPLAIN

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings.

“The World is my Parish” - John Wesley.

Too many Christians today take their religion too lightly. Commitment among Christians is at an all time low? The Bible tells us that we are to minister to one another and yet few are actively involved in local church ministry and yet they expect to be ministered too. There is little or no statistical difference between the way the average professing Christian lives and the way the average unbeliever lives. Well, it is in part due to the fact that the kingdom is easy to overlook. It is easy to overlook for atleast three reasons. First, the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which was the smallest known seed at that time. It is easy to overlook the small things in life. Second, the kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure. If you’re not looking for it, you will probably miss it. Third, the kingdom of heaven is like a fisherman’s dragnet, which is easy to overlook because it does it’s work below the surface. Jesus said, “...the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Because the kingdom of God is not an external, physical kingdom many people today overlook it’s importance. God’s kingdom is so great we cannot afford to take it lightly. Because God’s kingdom is so great, there are high expectations placed on those who would enter in. An interesting cartoon shows a fourth grade boy standing toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with his teacher. Behind them stares a blackboard covered with math problems the boy hasn’t finished. With rare perception the boy says, “I’m not an underachiever, you’re an overexpecter!”

About Tithing - The truth about tithing is that when we are faithful & obedient in tithing - we are doing what God has asked of us, we provide the resources for His work, we testify to His faithfulness in our lives, we honor Him & acknowledge that He is worthy of our worship. Charles Haddon Spurgeon has said “If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”

Priesthood - Only men from Aaron’s family were permitted to serve as priests. Their function was to present sacrifices to God, to seek God’s guidance for the nation or individuals, to instruct the people in God’s Law, to serve as judges in certain cases, and to serve as guardians of the covenant and of Israel’s sanctuary and sacred treasures. The priests thus were mediators between God and the nation Israel. Let us uphold all the Priests of our Church.

These are the times when students are having their summer holidays. Most of them will be traveling to their native places or to some tourist destinations. At this juncture, I urge parents to remind your children the heritage of Kerala culture. Do visit your relatives and introduce your children by telling who they are to them. Inspire them to talk in Malayalam. Encourage children to have a taste of KFC (Kerala Food Culture). Engage your children in extra curricular activities. Spend quality time with your Children. Make a visit to nearby children’s home and spend time with them.

The summer camp is on 5th & 6th of July and VBS is scheduled to be held from 23rd to 30th August. I request all children to participate in both the events and also I request parents to encourage your children for the same.

May God bless you.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Samson Samuel

Where cheerful giving lacks, ingratitude dominates. - Christopher S. Esty CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ASSISTANCE SCHEDULE 1st 2nd Date Theme Lesson Lesson Epistle Area 04.07.13 Stewardship of Naif Road Genesis Acts Acts 05.07.13 Finance: (Tithe Al Maktoum B 14: 14-24 5: 1-15 20: 27-35 06.07.13 Offering) Frij Murar

11.07.13 Stewards of Kuwait Hospital Area Leveticus 1 Peter 1Corinthians 12.07.13 the Divine Hor Al Anz/ Garden City 8: 1-14 5: 1-11 4: 1-5 13.07.13 Ministry Al Shaab A 18.07.13 Al Shaab B Kingdom of 2 Kings Revelation Hebrews 19.07.13 Abu Hail / Mamzar God 4: 1-7 2: 8-11 3: 1-6 20.07.13 Al Nahda - Dubai

25.07.13 Hindrance to Al Ghusais A Amos James 1Timothy 26.07.13 the Kingdom Al Ghusais B 4: 1-9 2: 1-13 6: 17-21 27.07.13 of God Muhaisnah A Mission Sunday: 01.08.13 Muhaisnah B Church that Isaiah Acts Acts 02.08.13 Al Towar has to 55: 1-13 16: 19-34 26: 24-29 03.08.13 Al Nahda - Sharjah introduce Jesus 08.08.13 Al Khan Gifts of the Joel 1 John 1Corinthians 09.08.13 King Faisal - Shj Holy Spirit 2: 29-32 2: 7-17 12: 1-12 10.08.13 Rolla Ajman

WORSHIP SCHEDULE THURSDAY’S Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) 8.00 pm FRIDAY’S Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) 8.00 am FRIDAY’S Holy Communion Service (English) 12.30 pm (1st, 2nd & 4th Friday’s) FRIDAY’S Matins Worship Service (English) 12.30 pm (3rd & 5th Friday’s) SATURDAY’S Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) 8.00 am (Holy Trinity Church, Oud Mehta Road)

SENIOR CITIZEN FELLOWSHIP First Senior Citizen Fellowship meetings are held every 4th Wednesday of the month starting at 8.00 pm at Tulip Inn Hotel in Ghusais. All senior citizen members are welcome. For further details please contact Secretary Mr. Benjamin Samuel (Benny) on 050 4505142.

KAISTHANA SAMITHI MEETING The 2nd Kaisthana Samithi Meeting of the year 2013-2014 will be held on Friday, 12th July 2013, 6.00 pm at EMTM Hall. A retreat for all Kaisthana Samithi and Area Prayer Group Secretaries will be held from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon on Friday, 5th July 2013 at Carmel Hall.

Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.- Anonymous MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY This time I would like to say a few words to our Sunday school children... Dear friends, Once again the summer vacation is at our doorr steps. Some of us may go to our native place to enjoy vacation, visit our relatives, friends orr visit new places. When we are busy engaged with our vacation programs, please remember that our grandparents, our elders are waiting to seee us and exchange few words. In fact they have been waiting a whole year or more to see us. So please ensure that we go and spend some time with our grandparents and elders. Talk to them, just hold their hands and show your affection. Off course you must take into account their health and propriety. These are precious moments which wee Courtesy: Sunil George can have in our lives. When we are little we may nott realize this. But let me tell you, the hard labor of our grandparents have eventually helped us to be here in Dubai. In order to see a good future for their children, our parents (your grandparents) have worked very hard all their life. Now that they are old and tired, we have to be with them as much as possible, make sure you give them their due attention, love and care.When we come back, they will be eagerly waiting another year to see us. So ‘the long wait’ needs due attention. I sincerely hope and urge all of you, my little friends to understand this and do your part. If possible do take a small gift, bought out of your own pocket money with you. I am sure they will treasure that more than any other thing they have. Those of you, who are not travelling this time, please do call them and talk to them. I would like to summarise this with the following verse from the Bible: Proverbs 17:6 - Grandchildren are the crown of the aged and the glory of children is their fathers. So, if you are the crown of your grandparents, how important you are in their life! They are incomplete without a crown and similarly if not worn by the deserving person, a crown is just an inventory (a piece). Life becomes meaningful when you both come together. It is also important to have our grandparents’ blessings to attain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a safe journey and pleasant stay. May God bless all of you.

With Best Regards, Jose Nellivila Jose Nellivila 050 553 8163 Secretary [email protected]

ORGANISATION NEWS PARISH MISSION Parish Mission meets every Friday at 10.45 am at the Carmel Hall. For further details please contact Mr. Abraham George (Babu) 050 505 5295. Please attend prayerfully and be blessed. Parish Mission would like to thank each and everyone who contributed to the collection and distribution of stationery items to this project.

“You give because the love of God has been poured into your heart, not to satisfy the law.” - Sherry K. White ORGANISATION NEWS SEVIKA SANGHAM Sevika Sangham meets every Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening at four different areas as mentioned below. Unit 1 Sunday: Jebel Ali Ind. Area / Jebel Ali FZ / Al Quoz /Gardens / Barsha / Al Warqa-Rashidiya/ Ras Al Khor-International City. Unit 2 Monday: Jumeirah / Satwa / Karama A / Karama B / Karama C / Bur Dubai A / Bur Dubai B / Holy Trinity Area. Unit 3 Saturday: Al Maktoum A / Al Maktoum /B / Naif Road / Frij Murar / Kuwait Hospital Area / Clock Tower / Hor Al Anz & Garden City. Unit 4 Monday: Al Shaab A / Al Shaab B / Abu Hail-Mamzar / Al Nahda Dubai / Al Ghusais A / Al Ghusais B / Muhaisnah A / Muhaisnah B / Al Towar / Al Nahda Sharjah / Al Khan / King Faisal, Sharjah / Rola-Ajman.

A combined meeting is held at Holy Trinity Church, Hall No.F-2 every 4th Monday of the month. For further details contact Secretary Mrs. Rachel Mathew 04 261 4383 / 050 656 6794.

FASTING PRAYER Sevika Sangham conducts fasting prayer every Wednesday from 9.30am – 12.00pm at different areas. Those interested to attend please contact Convener Mrs. Elsy Chacko 04 335 0766 / 050 880 2731. SUNDAY SCHOOL Mar Thoma Sunday School, Dubai will be closed for summer vacations. Regular classes will resume on Friday 6th September 2013. Contact: Mr. K.T. Alex (050 695 1904) or Mr. Joseph John (050 675 3510).

Trinity Sunday School, Dubai will be closed for summer vacations. Sunday School will reopen on Saturday, 7th September 2013. Contact Ms. Mini S. Thomas (050 465 7608) or Ms. Manju John (050 950 9897). SUMMER CAMP 2013 5th & 6th July 2013 @ Mar Thoma Parish, Jebel Ali

“Children develop a rock-solid faith as you discover how to stand strong for God in every phase of your lives”. All parents are requested to encourage and send their children to this summer camp and get blessed.

For further details: Jones Daniel, Convenor, 050 48 28 154 K T Alex, Headmaster 050 69 51 904; Joseph John, Secretary, 050 67 53 510 VBS 2013 VBS for 2013 will be held during the last week of summer vacation - from 23rd August to 30th August. All parents are Y requested to make note of the same and schedule their summer JO holidays accordingly. For further details please contact: Lijo Mathai, Convenor 050 467 Slfe 1555, Tony P Varghese (Asst. VBS Convenor) - 050 564 1386 or Ctrlon o Jills Varghese (Asst. VBS Convenor) - 050 900 2297, K.T. Alex,

Headmaster - 050 695 1904, Mini Susan Thomas, Headmistress. Galatians 5:22-23

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.- C.S. Lewis ORGANISATION NEWS YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Youth Fellowship meets every Friday at 10.45 am at the Jebel Ali Parsonage. We would like to encourage all the youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Mr. Samuel Kurian 056 795 0013.

YUVAJANA SAKHYAM The Yuvajana Sakhyam meets every Friday at 10:45 am at Bathanya Hall after Service. We would like to encourage all Yuvajana Sakhyam members of our parish to participate in the usual activities of Yuvajana Sakhyam. For futher details, please contact Mr. Anil John on 050 617 3697.

Yuvajana Sakhyam would like to thank all members who contributed for the School Kit distribution. CHOIR Parish Choir - Malayalam meets for practice every Friday after the Malayalam Service at Church. After Saturday Malayalam Service there is Choir Practice at the Trinity Church Compound (Hall C 3). For further details please contact: Mr. Abraham Varghese 050 624 8427.

Parish Choir - English meets to practice every Friday after English Service at 2.30pm. Any members interested in joining the Choir for regular worship please contact Mr. Geeve Mathew on 055 373 2846.

PARISH NEWS

CONDOLENCES Mr. A. T. VARGHESE (80 years), Elimullumankal Valiyathu House, Puliyoor, Chengannur, father House, Ranni, father-in-law of Sunil Varghese of V. T. John (Sunny), Naif Road prayer group. (Lay Leader - English Service), King Faisal Sharjah prayer group . Mr. K. V. ABRAHAM (64 years), Kochukalathoor House, Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. JOHN DANIEL (93 years), Plamkoottathil father-in-law of Philip Joseph, Bur Dubai A prayer House, Kaippattoor, Pathanamthitta, father of group. Koshy Daniel, Al-Warqaa/Rashidiya prayer group. Mr. BABY MATHEW (58 years), Thundil Mr. T. P. JOSEPH (78 years), Thengelimannil House, Pattamala, Kizhekketheruvu, Kottarakkara, House, Eraviperoor, father-in-law of Sam Michael brother of Rajan Mathew, Hor Al Anz / Garden (Mike), Clock Tower prayer group. City prayer group.

Mr. S. VARGHESE (54 years), Sabu Nivas, Mrs.THANKAMMA SAMUEL (97 years), Thevalakkara, Kollam, father of Vipin Varghese, Al Shantha Bhavanathil Kizhekkethil, Kurathiyadu, Towar prayer group. Mavelikkara, mother of Varghese K. S., Jebel Ali Industrial Area prayer group. Mr. CHERIYAN GEORGE (96 years), Vengal, Tiruvalla, grandfather of Eappen Ninan, Mr. JOSEPH GEORGE (95 years), Kavungal, Karama B prayer group. Anicadu, Mallappaly, grandfather of Bitty Joseph Kaistana Samithi Member of Rolla / Ajman prayer Mr. P. J. THOMAS (89 years), Palackamannil group.

Dubai Mar Thoma Parish expresses heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members on the sad demise of their beloved ones. May our Almighty Lord strengthen and comfort them.

When you plant your seed in the kingdom of God, the Lord will multiply it far better than Wall Street. - John Hagee WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Name Ref. No. Name Ref. No. Mobile Contact Mobile Contact Prayer Group Prayer Group Home Parish Home Parish ANIL NINAN A 417 DAISY ABRAHAM D 080 056 735 9590 055 360 2243 Al Ghusais B Al Nahda - Dubai Mar Thoma Mathilakam Ascension Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Church, Puthencavu Kanakappalam

BOBY THOMAS B 113 JIJOMON RAJAN J 571 050 467 5403 055 214 0386 Gardens Ras Al Khor / Int’l City Perayam Mar Thoma Church Bethel Mar Thoma Church, Mundakayam

MATHEWKUTTY JOSEPH M 692 AJAN RAJAN PHILIP A 419 055 968 4348 050 943 2259 Jebel Ali Ind. Area Ras Al Khor / Int’l City Emmanuel Mar Thoma Church, St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, Punakkadu Thamarassery

BENNY THANKACHEN B 112 SAROSH T. OOMMEN S 302 055 375 8522 050 275 7039 Frij Murar Al Maktoum B St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Manacodu Channapetta Pathanapuram

RIJO JOSE MATHEW R 094 LIJO MATHEW L 025 055 163 9732 055 647 9123 Ras Al Khor / Int’l City Ras Al Khor / Int’l City Carmel Mar Thoma Church, Mar Thoma Valiyappaly, Elanthoor Plankamon, Ayroor

TIJO G. SAMUEL T 591 Contact Numbers: Jose Nellivila (Secretary), 050-553 8163, 055 594 2336 Mr. Mathews Abraham (Trustee), 050-657 6895, Ras Al Khor / Int’l City Mr. C. G. Daniel (Accountant) 050-774 7956 Mar Thoma Valiyappaly, Elanthoor Caretakers: Shaji 050-889 5820, John 052-839 8832. We welcome all new members to our Parish. Please keep in touch with the Vicars and respective prayer group leaders of the Church.

KARUTHAL A local service team to help needy members of our society is functioning under the name “Karuthal”. Members interested in using their time and God given gifts in helping those who are needy are welcome to become a part of this team. For further details contact the Convenor Mr. Samson P. Samuel 050 738 6326.

JEEVAMRUTHUM Bible Correspondence Course: You are cordially invited to take part in the Bible Correspondence Course “Jeevamrutham”, arranged by the Episcopal Jubilee Institute of Evangelism, Kompady, Thiruvalla. For registration and queries please contact Convenor Mr. Aji Mathew, Parish Mission 050 675 6963.

Greatness in the kingdom of god is measured in terms of obedience.- John Scott PARISH BIRTHDAY JUNE 2013 EVENT Our Parish will celebrate its 45th Birthday during Worship Services of July 25th, 26th & 27th. Kindly keep all members and the Parish activities in your prayers and thank God for the opportunity given to us to Worship Him in this land.

HOMELAND FELLOWSHIP Homeland Fellowship this year will be held on Friday, August 2nd 2013, at SC Compound Church Hall, Tiruvalla from 10.00 am to 2.00 Sevika Sangham Cooking Competition pm. The meeting will be presided by Episcopa of the Kunnamkulam-Malabar Diocese, Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa.

MALANKARA SABHA THARAKA: BHADRASANA PRAKASHAM: For yearly subscription of the Sabha Tharaka that gives You can get news and latest developments information on the Mar Thoma Church please contact on our Diocese through the Bhadrasana the co-ordinators for the same: Jobi Joshua 050-6983405 Prakasham. For subscription please contact our and Sam Michael 050-6266150. Diocesan Assembly members.

BUS ROUTES BUS ROUTE CO-ORDINATOR International City (New Route) Mr. Gipsy George 055-938 6591, Mr. Saji George 050-802 9705 Al Ghusais – Al Shaab Rajan John 050-478 0328 Al Maktoum Hospital – Kurian Thomas 050-459 4686, Santhosh Cherian 050-977 9265, Water Tank-Al Riqa – Naif Road Thomas Zacharia 050-476 4291 Bur Dubai – Karama - Satwa Baiju George 050-296 4366, George Thomas 050-675 6526 Sonapur - Rashidiya Mammen V. J. 055-215 7279, K. A. Kurian 050-729 7511 Al Quoz V.C.Mathew 050-829 2027, Thomas Varghese 050-870 0279 Jebel Ali Free Zone Sunny Markose 050-755 2395, Jiju 050-728 3871 Jebel Ali FZ South Main Gate Jose 050-955 2051, Babu Varghese 050-505 7305 Dubai Investment Park Cherian John 055-474 6461, Monachen Varghese 055-472 4505

For more information contact: Convenor Mr. Varkey P. Mathai 050 638 6115

For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Daniel Mammen Rev. Benny V. Abraham Rev. Samson Samuel (Vicar) (Asst. Vicar) (Youth Chaplain) Jebel Ali Parsonage Al Nahda Parsonage Sharjah Chaplain Parsonage P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE T: 04-884 5231, F: 04-884 5234 T: 04-239 7112, F: 04-239 7113 T: 06-545 4858 M: 050-552 1899 M: 050-458 2187 M: 050-221 4400 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] only. private circulation For The Mar Thoma Parish, P.O. Box: 2591, Dubai, UAE Church Office Tel: 04-884 5233 Website: www.dubaimarthomaparish.org