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Dear friends, Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It gives me immense joy to relate to you through this letter every month and I praise God for this.

Present scenario: We have been hearing and seeing terrible news these days – a young woman was murdered ruthlessly in the early hours of the day in Chennai, young men turning out as terrorists and slaughtering innocent people brutally.– young and old alike in Dhaka, drunken reckless driving by men and women costing the lives of many. Theft, murder, rape have become more common than ever. These incidents all over the world only tell us that we are living in the end times and that the coming of the Lord is near. So, it is important to be watchful because our fiery enemy Satan is very active in this hour, as he knows his time is short.

But the good news is that we have a Great Shepherd of our souls, a strong Deliverer, Lord Jesus with us always. When we take shelter in His loving arms – surely He will save us from the fowler’s snare and from deadly pestilence. In Ezekiel 34:12 He says, As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after My sheep. I will rescue them. What a wonderful encouragement we receive from our God Almighty.

Prayer fellowship: We all know the importance of prayer. But for various reasons, we are not exercising it in our day-to-day life. We are not serious about it and so the time that we give to our Lord is reducing day after day. Worldly pressures prevent us to go and wait at the feet of our Lord God. Without prayer, we will not succeed in our life’s effort. Without prayer, nothing happens in our lives. Saints in the Bible teach us great lessons. Through prayer they were able to stop the rains for years and even the sun for some hours. Through prayer, people witnessed mighty fire from above that licked the sacrifice and water at Carmel. Through prayer, our Lord Jesus got power from above to accept the cross and to accomplish the will of God at Gethsemane and at Golgotha.

On the second Saturday of every month, a time of prayer is observed in our church vestry from 10 am to 12 noon, and it is a time of fellowship and joy. Do join and relish the greatness of our God. Let us be transformed in our lives according to the expectation of our God. It is the need of the hour.

Annual Thanksgiving Festival – 2016: This year our Church’s ATF will be celebrated on the first Sunday in September as usual. (04.09.2016). Let us be reminded of our Lord’s commandment regarding this:

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Proverbs 3:9, 10 – Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

The Pastorate Committee which met on 24 July has appointed the following persons to be this year’s ATF Convenors.  Mrs. Nirmala Stephen  Mrs. Prema Samuel  Mr. Bright Joseph  Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses Let us extend our fullest co-operation and support to the convenors when they approach us.

Thanksgiving ceremonies and celebrations for a successful harvest are a world-wide tradition. We celebrate this day by singing, praying and decorating our churches with baskets of fruit and food in a festival known as the ‘Harvest Festival’, usually during the month of September.

Harvest festival reminds Christians of all the good things God gives them. The first harvest that is recorded in the Holy Bible – Genesis 4:2-5 – presents a study in contrast. Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord – fruits and choice cuts of meat respectively. The Lord accepted Abel’s offerings but rejected the offerings of Cain. This led to jealousy and Cain killed Abel. One explanation for the Lord accepting Abel’s offering is that it was a choice of the best cuts of meat with the fat to express his sincere gratitude, whereas Cain’s offering was apparently a formality done more to please the Lord. Whatever be the reason, the Thanksgiving Festival is celebrated to acknowledge that God Almighty is the source of every blessing in our lives and He is the one who sustains us.

Let us observe this year’s ATF meaningfully, reverently and with a true sense of gratitude.

Village church building project at R. S. Mangapuram is coming up well as per plan and it is expected to get over completely in six weeks’ time. I praise God for the burden that God has sowed in the minds of our Church elders, and the sincere involvement that all our members are showing regarding the project.

God-willing this church will be dedicated to the glory of God and for the use of His people on the fourth Saturday in September, by our Bishop the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. George Stephen. Let us keep this day free to attend the dedication service and to witness the mighty acts of God.

Let me conclude my letter with some Emergency – Bible numbers for use in our faith journey. 5

Upset - John 14 Weak - Psalm 18:1-29 Lonely - Psalm 23 Sinned - Psalm 51 Worried – Mathew 8:19-31 Anxious – Philippians 4:4-9 Unhappy – Colossians 3:12-17 In Danger – Psalm 91 Depressed – Psalm 27 Lack of faith – Exodus 14 Need courage – Joshua 1 Need direction – Psalm 73:21-26 Seeking peace – Mathew 11: 25-30 Leaving on a trip – Psalm 121 Struggling with loss – Luke 15 Struggling financially – Psalm 37 Discouraged with work – Psalm 126

Let this month be a blessed month for each one of us. Be assured of our prayers at all times. May God bless you all Yours in the ministry of God Rev. D. Richard Ambrose Jebakumar Presbyter-in-charge

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UNANSWERED PRAYER

We are a generation that will not easily take ‘no’ for an answer. It’s incredibly difficult for us to imagine that God sometimes says ‘no’ too, even after we pray and plead earnestly for things that we desire. But on the contrary, unanswered prayers could be a:

Test of faith – Often we are led to think that our prayer was unanswered because we did not have enough faith. But in Luke 17:6 we find that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move a mulberry tree into the sea! Thus the effectiveness of our prayers depends not on how much faith we have, but on whether we have faith at all. Another example of great faith is the Roman Centurion in Luke 7:9, who pleads for the healing of his dying servant. Thus faith is just about “trusting God’s power.”

Signal to wait – Waiting on unanswered prayers can be emotionally stressful. But then we need to remember that our timing is not always the way God has planned it, for “He has made everything beautiful in its time” Ecclesiastes 3:11. Sometimes, God delays so that we will learn a valuable lesson that will propel us to greater spiritual growth.

‘No’ from God – Unanswered prayers could simply be instances in which God has lovingly overruled our wishes, as He knows that what we have asked for is not best. Sometimes it may seem that God is not listening to us when we are in trouble, and it can be emotionally draining. Jesus went through that emotion too in the garden of Gethsemane, He agonized for hours in prayer, pouring out His heart and pleading, “Let this cup pass from Me” (Matt. 26:39). It’s interesting to note that the Old Testament cup is a metaphor for both God’s blessings (Pss. 16:5; 23:5) and God’s wrath (Pss. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15).

But the Father’s answer was clearly “No.” To provide salvation, God had to send Jesus to die on the cross. Even though Jesus felt as if His Father had forsaken Him, He prayed intensely and passionately because He trusted that God was listening and paved the way for the ultimate blessing. As Daniel De Haan puts it,

“Unanswered prayers are answered still As part of God’s great master plan; They help to carry out His will To demonstrate God’s love for man.” Fabiola Jacob

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This month’s cover is a snapshot of the charming St. Peter’s Church at Kodaikanal, clicked by Sushil Venglet.

About the Church A winding drive takes you up to St. Peter’s Church, which stands majestically at the hilltop (Mount Nebo) with a serene background against the blue sky overlooking the Periakulam Valley and the Vaigai Dam. The view from here is amazingly breathtaking. The interior of the Church is equally beautiful with its hammered roof beam ceiling and vivid stained glass paintings.

St. Peter’s Church was built in 1887 by the Late Bishop Robert Caldwell (1814-1891). This Irish missionary landed in Chennai as a 24 year old youth, walked extensively throughout Tamil Nadu and settled in Idayangudi, (a tiny village in Tirunelveli District) where he spent 43 years improving and educating the people around this place. Caldwell grew passionately interested in the study of languages, particularly Tamil and wrote the ‘Comparatative Grammar of the Dravidian Languages’. For this the Tamil Nadu Government honoured him by erecting his statue in Marina Beach, Chennai.

In his old age, Bishop Caldwell built his house in Kodaikanal, and climbed up a nearby hill for quiet prayer. St. Peters church was built on this hill and dedicated with Bishop Caldwell himself delivering the first sermon.

St. Peters Church is attached to the Church of South India (Diocese of Madurai and Ramnad) and serves the English-speaking congregation in Kodaikanal. It has an English worship service on all Sundays at 9.30 a.m. On Fridays, St. Peter’s Church overflows with local people coming to pray here, irrespective of their religion.

Though small, the St. Peter’s Church congregation is actively involved in village ministry activities in and around the villages of Kodaikanal namely Mannavanur, Kumbur and Poondy, spreading the Good News and carrying out Caldwell’s vision. Sushil Venglet

The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music – Jonathan Edwards

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MEDITATION ON MIRACLES OF JESUS

Jesus did many miracles. The omnipotent power of His touch and word relieved many of their sicknesses and freed many demon-possessed. Just meditate on the miracles. Do they teach us any other thing?

Take for instance, Jesus feeding the 5000 and their families. He took the five loaves and two fishes and He looked up and sought the blessing of the Father. This miracle teaches us that we must seek God’s blessings before doing anything. He made the disciples sit in fifties and hundreds. This shows us that He expects us to lead a disciplined life. He asked the disciples to collect the extra food and not to waste it. Though we work, all we get is only from God. He expects us not to waste anything. Mark 6:36-43.

The widow from Nain did not seek Jesus to raise her son. Jesus Himself asked the widow not to weep. Then He touched the dead body and raised him up. Luke 7:14, 15. Jesus cured a man suffering from dropsy. He did not request Jesus to help him but He did it voluntarily. Jesus expects that we must help the needy even if they don’t request us to help them. Luke 14:2.

These days, when a miracle happens, it is published in books or shown in television. Jesus did not seek any advertisement. In Luke 5:12 He cured a leper, and asked him not to tell anyone except the priest, as he had to pay the necessary offering as per the Law of Moses. He cured a blind man. Mark 8:26. He asked him to neither go into the town nor to tell anyone. In spite of this, everywhere He went a large multitude followed Him. Mathew 6:1 prevents us from telling others about the help we extend to the needy.

Jesus was very practical in following the rules of Moses. When He cured a leper, He asked him to meet the priest and make the offering as per the laws of Moses. At the same time, He touched the dead body and the leper and did many miracles on the Sabbath day, against the canons of Moses.

The touch of Jesus and His words were very powerful. It is beyond my comprehension why He used clay, water and saliva to cure the sick. To cure a deaf and dumb man, Jesus took him aside from the multitude, put His finger in his ears, spat and touched his tongue. (Mark 7: 31-37) To cure a blind man, He spat on the ground, made clay with the saliva, 9

anointed his eyes with clay and asked him to wash in the pool of Siloam. He got his sight. His words and touch are powerful enough to cure and free people. Why did He use water, clay and Siloam? Probably to show us that water and soil possess medicinal properties.

Dear readers, the miracles done by Jesus are a treasure trove – read and meditate on them! G. Joseph

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What does the Bible say about... doping?

At a basic level of course doping is cheating and cheating is both lying (claiming something that is not true) and disobeying the sports governing authorities and rule makers. Both of these are clearly prohibited in the bible (Colossians 3:9 ‘Do not lie to one another’, Romans 13:1 ‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities’). But can we go any further in understanding the pathology of doping other than just pronouncing it a ‘sin’?

Well, first it is important to understand that there is nothing inherently wrong about sport. Sport is a good part of God’s creation, a gift from him. Doping happens because sport has been affected (and infected) by humanity’s fall into sin.

Secondly what is it that makes doping so prevalent? Partly it is the time we live in and a heady mix of professionalism in sport and drug innovation. Amateur players cheated (and still do) but it is still true that the huge sums of money involved in sport and the availability of drugs to enhance performance are factors encouraging doping.

But what is it that makes athletes want to take performance enhancing drugs in the first place? Partly it is a timeless desire in human beings to push the boundaries of what we can achieve. The Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) sums it up well. A key aspect of sport is a good desire to see what we can achieve; how fast can we go, how high can we jump, how well can we play? This is part of our creatureliness rejoicing in our talents and exploring what it means to be made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

This desire becomes distorted though when it extends beyond exploring our creatureliness and becomes about wanting to become more. The original temptation of the serpent was to be ‘like God’ (Genesis 3:5) and so often the motivation behind doping is a desire to be more than we are, more than God has made us.

When Lance Armstrong won his seventh consecutive Yellow Jersey in the Tour De France in 2005, he stood on the Champs-Élysées with people questioning whether he had doped and said, “I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. I’m sorry you don’t believe in miracles.”

Do you hear the narrative? He was claiming to be more than he was. We sometimes use the hyperbole, ‘that was a superhuman effort’ (and it was often used to describe Lance Armstrong), but the truth is that the very

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best achievements in sport show us not something ‘superhuman’ but the best of being human.

God has given us great ability and also creaturely limitations. Sport at its best is a mutual exploration of those abilities within God’s good limitations, but sport at its worst is when we seek to transcend those limitations and buy into the lie that we can be more than God has made us to be. Pete Nicholas Pete is one of the pastors at Inspire Church in London as well as working part-time for Christians in Sport. He is also the co-author of 'Virtually Human', a book about the impact of technology in our digital age. Contributed by Arun Jacob

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. Psalm 92:1–2

Start your day with Jesus

I want to encourage you to start your day with Jesus. Practice His presence, acknowledge Him, commit your plans to Him and trust Him for His unmerited favor, wisdom and strength for the day.

Remember to be like Joseph in the Bible. The Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man! Your success does not come as a result of you being updated about the latest virus or you being cued in to the latest disaster. No, your success will come as a result of you being tuned in to the presence of Jesus in your life!

I have also come to realize that the last thought before you go to sleep is very important. I have tried this before and you can try it too: Go to bed thinking about Jesus, giving thanks to Him for the day. Most times, I wake up feeling rejuvenated, energized and refreshed even if I did not sleep for many hours.

Beloved, sandwich your day with the presence of Jesus. Start the day with Him, enjoy Him during the day and end the day with Him on your mind!

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AM I MATURE?

There are four aspects to maturity – physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. It is however possible for an individual to be mature in one area and immature in another. One can be mature physically, but intellectually weak. Another may have acquired advanced degrees but be childish in reactions with people. One can be illiterate but emotionally mature. Another person can have psychological limitation i.e. depression, but be holy.

How to be emotionally mature For a Christian however, emotional maturity is of great importance as that is the way to spiritual maturity. An emotionally mature person has:

 Convictions: A mature person does the right things not out of fear or because of someone’s pressure, but out of conviction… because he or she knows what to do and why.  Ability to relate at different levels: There are four levels of relationship: 1. Intimacy 2. Friendship 3. Kindness 4. Courtesy. For example, a husband who cared for his wife in her treatment of cancer, and even after, was a very loving husband. He was loved by his friends also and was kind to people in general.  Warmth: Being a warm hearted person, as warmth is something people can pick up easily.  Commitment to something larger: Mature adults have a larger vision than their own comfort. Life is about commitment, not pleasure. For most mature people, this larger commitment is to one’s children, and, to a lesser degree, to helping others. But for Christians, this larger commitment towards helping others shall be their mission.  Life and joy: Loving commitment involves work and sacrifice, but also brings deep joy. Thus a mother earning for their children, a priest dedicated to bringing God’s love to people, a religious person serving the poor with love, experience deep joy. They really light up the place.  Humour: Humour is not the tendency to poke fun at others, but the ability to laugh at one’s self. A mature person is able to see the funny side of things and enjoy a good laugh. Without humour, life will be heavy and boring. Also, humour is a sign of intelligence, not childishness.  Responsibility: A mature person can be trusted to be responsible in four areas: in the use of time, money, opportunity and in taking right decisions. They do not waste their energy in

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blaming others. They also take responsibility for those who depend on them, like children or sick relatives.  Stress management: Life is not a picnic for any one. Unexpected and unpleasant things do happen. How a person reacts to such events shows a lot about his/her level of maturity.  Security: When a person has inner security, he/she does not lose their poise or patience easily. They can take criticism and the ups and downs of life. They do not feel threatened by others’ success or popularity.  Comfort with oneself: While mature people enjoy company, they do not need to be with others the whole time. They are comfortable with themselves. They enjoy silence – whether to reflect, pray, read or do any creative work. If we always need company or noise, that betrays an inner emptiness.

Finally, a comforting thought for all of us: None of us is fully mature in all aspects. We must keep maturing. This journey of growth never ends.

 Learn from others, including their mistakes.  Learn from your experiences, including your mistakes.  Enjoy a thrilling journey to keep maturing so that your heart will never grow old. Collected from ‘a wit and wisdom dictionary’ – “the new leader” – July 16 Contributed by S. Gnanaoli David

Quick & Easy Olympics Quiz:

1. Which of the following colours is not found in the Olympic rings: black, red, brown and blue. 2. Which sport is called the ‘Sport of Kings’? 3. In which sport did Carl Lewis win nine Olympic gold medals? 4. How long is a professional boxing round? 5. Which member of the British Royal Family opened the 1956 Melbourne Olympics? 6. In judo, what does the referee mean when he says ‘Hajime’?

Answers to Quick & Easy Olympics Quiz are found on page 26.

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‘I REMEMBER ERIC LIDDELL’ BY DR. DAVID J. MITCHELL

This excerpt is from the book ‘God’s Game Plan’ by Richard A Hasler, which is a collection of over 75 sports anecdotes that relate to all age groups.

If you saw the Academy Award winning film Chariots of Fire, you will recall the jolt you felt as you read at the close those words about one of the heroes of the film: Eric Liddell, missionary, died in occupied China at the end of World War II. All of Scotland mourned.

I remember seeing Eric Liddell just the day before he died. For more than two years of our wartime captivity our school was interned in the same camp he was. That day he was walking slowly under the trees near the camp hospital beside the open space where he had taught us children to play basketball and rounders. As usual, he had a smile for everyone, especially for us children.

The athlete who had refused to run on a Sunday in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, but who later won the gold medal and created a world record in the 400 meters, was now, twenty-one years later at the age of forty-three, reaching the tape in his final race on earth. We knew nothing of the pain he was hiding, and he knew nothing of the brain tumour that was to take his life the next evening, on that February 21, 1945.

Sent to this same camp in Weihsien in August 1943 with many other missionaries' children, I will forever share with all the other hero worshippers of my age that vivid memory of the first sight of the man whom other prisoners described excitedly as the Olympic gold medalist who wouldn't run on a Sunday.

Eric Liddell stood out among the 1500 people packed into our camp that measured only 150 by 200 yards. He was in charge of the building where we younger children, who had already been away from our parents for four years because of the war, lived with our teachers. He lived in the very crowded men's dormitory near us (each man had a space of only three by six feet) and supervised our daily roll call when the guards came to count us. One day a week "Uncle Eric" would look after us younger children, giving out teachers (all missionaries of the China Inland Mission and all ladies) a break. His gentle face and warm smile, even as he taught us games with the limited equipment available, showed us how much he loved children, missing his own so very much.

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Eric Liddell helped organise athletic meets. Despite the weakening physical condition of people as the war dragged on, the spirit of competition and camaraderie in sports was very good for us. Young and old watched excitedly, basking in the aura of Olympic glory as Eric Liddell ran in the race for veterans, his head thrown back in his characteristic style, sailing through to victory. Besides basketball, soccer and rounders, Eric Liddell taught us his favourite hymn: By still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. These words were a great comfort to one of our missionaries who was not only separated from her husband throughout the war, but whose son was accidentally electrocuted by a bare wire running to one of the searchlight towers.

Eric Liddell often spoke to us on I Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5. These passages from the New Testament clearly portray the secret of his selfless and humble life. Only on rare occasions when requested would he speak of his refusal to run on the Sunday and his Olympic record.

Not only did Eric Liddell organize sports and recreation, through his time in internment camp he helped many people through teaching and tutoring. He gave special care to the older people, the weak, and the ill, to whom the conditions in camp were very trying. He was always involved in the Christian meetings which were a part of camp life. Despite the squalor of the open cesspools, rats, flies and disease in the crowded camp, life took on a very normal routine, though without the faithful and cheerful support of Eric Liddell, many people would never have been able to manage. Particularly grateful for his visits and encouragement were the daughter of a widow in camp and a Roman Catholic nun, both critically ill and quarantined in the camp morgue.

Eric was one of those responsible for keeping law and order in camp. Ours was a world in microcosm, with prisoners representing nearly twenty nationalities. When we boys were caught climbing the tall trees in the Japanese part of the compound, how glad we were that it was he and our teachers who dealt with us, and not the Japanese guards!

For Eric Liddell death came just months before liberation. He was buried in the little cemetery in the Japanese part of the camp where others who had died during internment had been laid to rest. I remember being part of the honour guard made up of children from the Chefoo and Weihsien Schools. Also present were Jim Taylor and Steve Metcalf. Jim Taylor, great-grandson of Hudson Taylor, later became General Director of the 16

Overseas Missionary Fellowship, with more than 1000 missionaries. Steve Metcalf served for nearly 40 years in Japan as an OMF missionary. Steve's most cherished memory is Eric's gift to him of his running shoes just three weeks before he died. Though tied together with string and patched with tape, those shoes were a priceless possession. None of us will ever forget this man who was totally committed to putting God first, a man whose humble life combined muscular Christianity with radiant godliness.

What was his secret? He unreservedly committed his life to Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord. That friendship meant everything to him. By the flickering light of a peanut-oil lamp early each morning he and a roommate in the men's cramped dormitory studied the Bible and talked with God for an hour every day.

As a Christian, Eric Liddell's desire was to know God more deeply, and as a missionary, to make Him known more fully.

Day after day the atheist college professor would taunt his students with the same question. “Have you ever seen God??” Three times he asked. When no one dared answer, he always concluded, “Well, it is quite obvious there is no God.” One day a Christian student had had enough. The girl said to the class, “Have you ever seen our professor’s brain?” Three times she asked it. When no one answered, she concluded, “Well, it is quite obvious that our professor has no brain.”

To rile up his Christian friends, the athiest in the high school class was always looking for scientific speculation that would throw doubt on God or the Bible. Scouring the Internet he discovered research from a student at an obscure university who hypothesized that due to weather and wind patterns, the Red Sea was less than a foot deep when Moses led the Hebrews across it. “It wasn’t even up to their knees,” the athiest sneered. One of the Christian friends exclaimed, “It’s a miracle!” “What miracle?” the athiest asked. “Anybody could have waded across it!” The Christian grinned. “Simple. God drowned Pharaoh’s entire army in less than a foot of water!”

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The following is a testimony by Nagaraj of Thideer Nagar, Chennai, published in the magazine of Christian Outreach for Mission and Evangelism (COME), June 2016.

I am living in Purasappakam, Thideer Nagar. I was a drunkard. A missionary of the mission “COME” met me, advised me and prayed for me. He also gave some prayer oil. My mother mixed the oil in the water and made me drink the mixture and Jesus freed me from sin.

I am working as a driver to Kamalsin who is doing business at Sowcarpet. His sister fell ill and was admitted in I.C.U. in Ramachandra Hospital. I thought that she would recover if I applied some prayer oil and prayed. But my master a staunch Hindu did not allow me. Her condition became worse and she was unconscious. My master reluctantly allowed me to pray for her. I went, applied prayer oil and prayed for her. To my surprise she became conscious within an hour and recovered. All members of Kamalsin family became Christians.” Contributed by G. Joseph

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MISSION FESTIVAL – A REPORT

The Mission Festival 2016 was held in our church on Sunday 17 July. A bookmark with this year's theme “Jesus Christ; frees and unites - Ephesians 2:13,14” was given to all members which had a few prayer requests for the mission work done by our diocese.

In the Sunday morning worship service, Rev. Dr. Jebaraj Samuel spoke about the importance of spreading the gospel to all people. He also narrated how he went with a group to Thirupathi and how many were converted at that time. Songs with mission themes like: ‘From Greenland’s icy mountains’, ’We’ve a story to tell to the nations’, ‘Rescue the perishing’, etc. were sung during the service.

The mission festival sale was declared open with a word of prayer by our Pastor and the ribbon was cut by Mr. Rajkumar Thangiah. The members made a beeline to the various breakfast stalls where idly with chicken kurma, idly/vivica with pork, poori with potato and vada, sambar and chutney were sold. We also had stalls selling fancy items, stationery articles, cakes, sweets, chicken kababs, caramel custard, milk shakes, fruit juice, coffee etc. The choir organized a sari raffle which everyone was hoping to win – and Latha Chittaranjan was the lucky winner! Biriyani packets were distributed systematically to members standing in long queues.

I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to serve Him. I would also like to thank the Pastor for his co-operation, Dr. Mrs. Viji Devanand and family, Mr Ravi Thilagan and family, Mr. Arun Jacob and family, Mr. Swithun Manoharan and family, Dr. John Nesan and family and Mr. Ashwin Dhyrium and family for sponsoring the entire biriyani happily and willingly, the various fellowship groups and individual families for their enthusiasm in putting up various stalls, the members who helped at the ticket counters and all our church members who contributed generously and participated in the Mission Festival.

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever! Jasweena Paul

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STEC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP - BIBLE STUDY GOD’S CONCERN FOR THE UNIVERSE (discussed during the meeting on 9.7.16)

GOD’S CONCERN FOR THE UNIVERSE is fully covered in the Bible. Book of Genesis starts with the creation of the universe and the Book of Revelation describes the end of the universe and life beyond .As we all know, the pre-historic period from creation upto the end of the exodus in 1406 B.C. has been recorded by Moses in the first five books of the Bible called Pentateuch, entirely through the direct revelation of God to him.

God created Adam and Eve in His own image (Gen1:27) and - “saw that all the universe He has made was very good” – (Gen1:31). But Satan intervened and introduced sin, even in the Garden of Eden and we know what happened to humanity and the universe thereafter.

God’s concern for the universe compelled Him to take a few corrective measures to set right the damage to the universe occurring due to sin. “The Lord grieved that He had made humans and His heart was filled with pain” – (Gen 6:6). During Noah’s time in 2500 B.C., the Lord brought flood waters on the earth to destroy corrupt humanity, retaining alive only the righteous family of Noah in the ark that God made him to construct. The acts of the descendants of Noah, up to Abraham, are brought out in in chapters 10 and 11 of Genesis. During this period, we read about the sinful ways of humanity, and their effort to build the Tower of Babel that reaches to the heavens, so that they make a name for themselves, and not be scattered. God’s response to the offence was – “to confuse the language of the whole world and scatter them over the face of the whole earth” – and the building of the city and the tower was stopped (11:1-9). This sets the stage for God’s call to Abraham in 2091 B.C. to lead His chosen people and begin His redemptive work with the descendants of Abraham, the twelve Patriarchal Tribes of Jews.( Gen:12)

Genesis chapters 5 and 11 list out in detail, the genealogy of 20 generations from Adam to Abraham by names and ages. This is repeated by prophet Ezra in his first book of Chronicles. Mathew’s Gospel records further, the historic genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham over 42 generations, with names (Matt: 1:1-17).

God’s concern for His chosen people Israel may be seen in His advance planning - when due to famine in Canaan, Jacob and family went to Egypt in 1876 B.C, in search of food and found his son Joseph as the Governor in Egypt, to help them settle down in Egypt. Thereafter, there is a gap of 400 years in the Bible narrative. During this period, the 70 members of Jacob’s family, who entered Egypt, flourished and multiplied

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to 25,00,000 and became slaves to the cruel Pharaohs. We read how – “God heard their groaning…….and was concerned about them.” – (Ex2:24, 25). Here also God had prepared Moses, in advance, to lead them out of Egypt in 1446 B.C., back to Canaan. God was present with them during the 40 years of Exodus. The Lord commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land and settled them there, to fulfill God’s promise to them (Jos1:1-5). God ruled the Israelites by prophets/judges and when the people demanded a king, He gave them King Saul followed by others. God’s concern for the Israelites and His sincere efforts during this period of peace, failed due to the misrule of the kings and the stiff-necked and wicked behavior of the people. In spite of God’s warnings through the prophets Elijah and Elisha in Israel, and Isaiah and Micah in Judah, there was no effect on the sinful behavior of the Israelites .As such, God had to take the extreme step to bring foreign emperors from Assyria and Babylon to discipline the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and to destroy the land and exile most of them for 70 years as a punishment, to Assyria and Babylon during 722-586 B.C.. However due to God’s concern for them, He brought them back to their own native land and encouraged them to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

Thereafter, there was a gap of about 400 years in the Bible history. During this period, Israelites were ruled by Herod dynasty and the priests Annas, Ananias, Caiaphas etc., under the control of the Roman Emperors, till the advent of Jesus Christ.

World humanity continued to be extremely depraved and corrupt right through, so that God had to, once again, take the final remedial corrective action, to send His only Son Jesus Christ to the world. This really shows God’s extreme concern and love for the world community. We are very familiar with the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world and His final sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Jesus during His ascension commanded us – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations – baptizing them….” and assured us - “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” – (Math 28:19-20). Are we implementing His command?

God has planned very clearly the end of the world and life thereafter and made it known to John in a dream, who wrote it down in The Book of Revelations. We read “The Revelations of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show His servants what must soon take place” – (Rev1:1). Jesus confirms – “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to every one accordingly to what he has done” – (Rev22:12). Amen, come Lord Jesus.

From the above, it is very interesting and encouraging to note how God had personal contact with humanity. To show His concern, he even made covenants with them on and off - with Noah after the floods (Gen9:9-17). 21

- with Abraham who God called him ( Gen 15:78). - with Moses on Mount Sinai – (Ex:19-20) - with David, through prophet Nathan (2 Sam7:12-16).

“The time is coming” declares the Lord ”when I will make a new covenant” (Jer 31:3). This has been referred to by Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, explaining and saying “by calling this covenant “New”, He has made the first one obsolete” – (8:8-13). Jesus Christ Himself confirms this during The Lord’s Supper, saying – “This cup is the new covenant in My Blood….” (Lk22:20).

The Lord’s concern for us is eternal – He loves us and His mercy endures forever. Let us do our duty as believers and wait for the coming of Jesus Christ, fully prepared with hope and prayer.

Manoharan Gnanaolivu Convenor

“Dad, I want to ask you a question,” said little Josh after his first day of Sunday School. “Of course,” said his Dad. “The teacher was reading the Bible, about the children of Israel building the Temple, the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel making the sacrifices,” said Josh. “So what’s your question?” his Dad asked. “Well, didn’t the grown-ups do anything?!”

A little boy came home from Sunday School and went into his room to change his clothes. When he emerged he asked his mother, "Is it true we come from dust?" "Yes dear," replied mother. "Is it true that when we die we go back to the dust?" "Yes dear, that's right." The little boy ran into his room and came out all excited, "Mom, I just looked under my bed and there's someone either coming or going!"

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CHURCH TALES

This is a series on how the local church made an impact on the lives of those who happened to be there for some reason. It could be nostalgic, inspiring or just a testimony of God’s goodness. If a church has touched/shaped your life in some way, do share your story with us.

From the choir stalls at STEC…

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly. Psalm 149:1

I have always loved singing – it’s one thing I really love! When we first moved to Chennai (beloved Madras then) after my class 12 exams in 1983, we started attending St Thomas English Church. The first thing that struck me during the service was the powerful choir singing and guiding the congregation.

Back in Jabalpur from where we came, my parents had been members of the Church Choir, but my sister and I weren’t. But here at STEC I found that kids my age were a part of the choir too, and I was drawn to it. Coming from North India, we didn’t know many of the hymns sung here. After a few months of following the choir we learnt many new ones. Soon our Sunday school superintendent - Premella Soundarapandian Aunty - asked us to join the choir. With some trepidation we attended our first choir practice one Sunday and so began my tryst with STEC choir, which is still an ongoing affair!

I loved sitting in the choir pews, singing boldly in unison, lifting our voices to praise our Lord. At first glance, the choir master Seth Balasunder Uncle was an intimidating presence, silently observing us all. Seated as we were, sopranos and tenors on the left of the Altar were always more in number than the altos and basses sitting opposite us! We were the ones getting into trouble always, giggling and whispering. But one stern look from Uncle or his "Look here" would have us sitting as quiet as mice! And he had the power and patience to groom such a giggly bunch of kids to sing powerful, difficult pieces like Handel's Hallelujah Chorus! And we sang it perfectly..... way back in 1984/85! Numerous other special songs, Easter and Christmas cantatas.....all were taught and sung with the same passion. Ah to be young and impassioned once again!

We were all sincere choristers, coming on time for practices, rarely missing any. We helped each other learn our solo pieces or even small choruses. In all the practices, Uncle was ably assisted by Ebenezer 23

Noble Annan and Anila. Getting our costumes ready was another exciting thing - our new sarees or salwar kameezes every Christmas. The last- minute frenzy to get our stuff ready, college exams to juggle with - those days were the best! The Christmas campfire followed by the carol rounds was something we as a choir looked forward to. We loved the jolly singing, the travelling, the little snoozes between reaching houses, the palagarams and hot coffee that awaited us, every moment is a precious memory now.

Uncle Balasunder was an institution in himself. A stickler for punctuality, a sincere teacher of notes, very knowledgeable about his music, and above all, a man of God who loved serving God through these talents – I still can recall his solo rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ and many other duet and quartet pieces which were simply wow! We used to feel so proud of him and every member who stood in front to sing alone.

We were a team - a big happy team - very happy in each other’s company, until marriage and careers took us afar. But I did have the privilege of being a part of the choir on and off since then, even after my kids were born and my elder son too joined in the singing. Even today, we all share a bond that was created in those days... a bond that holds us together as one family... my STEC choir family!

May God always inspire and lead us to use our talents to take forward His work, wherever we are, as we sing for His glory! Sujata Pavamani

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us - Martin Luther

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world – Martin Luther

Music is one of the fairest and most glorious gifts of God, to which Satan is a bitter enemy; for it removes from the heart the weight of sorrow, and the fascination of evil thoughts – Martin Luther

Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable – Martin Luther

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ROBERT MORRISON – THE FIRST PROTESTANT MISSIONARY IN CHINA

Robert Morrison was born in Buller's Green, Morpeth, in Northumberland, England, on January 5, 1782, the youngest son in a family of eight children. He was educated at a local school under the tutelage of an uncle, and at age 14 was apprenticed to his father, a last and boot-tree maker. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1798, and soon decided he wanted to be a missionary.

In 1803, Robert Morrisson applied for and was accepted as a student to the Hoxton Academy, a training college for congregational ministers, in North London. He was soon sent to the Missionary Academy, Gosport, Hampshire (1804), where David Bogue, one of the founders of the London Missionary Society (LMS), was principal.

Preparing for China While Morrison was at Gosport, the LMS happened to be looking for a team of three or four individuals to lay the foundations for missionary work in China by going to China to learn Chinese and translate the Bible into Chinese. Fortuitously as it turned out, Morrison was the only suitable volunteer, and in August he was sent back to London to prepare for the enterprise.

As part of his missionary training, Morrison studied Medicine with Dr. Blair at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and Astronomy with Dr. Hutton at the Greenwich Observatory. A chance encounter with a Chinese gentleman on the streets of London lead Morrison to an introduction with a Chinese student from Canton named Yong Sam-tak. Morrison gave him tuitions in English, while Yong agreed to teach Morrison to read and write Chinese – a training that was immensely helpful to him in the future.

Morrison was ordained at Scots church at Swallow Street, London in January 1807, and he sailed for China soon after through North America. He arrived in New York on the 20th April and after three weeks of hectic paper work Morrison finally boarded the Trident, bound for Macao on 12 May. After 113 days at sea, the Trident arrived in Macao on 4 September.

When Morrison went ashore, he met Sir George Thomas Staunton (1781-1859) a famous traveller and orientalist, who discouragingly pointed out all the difficulties and hardships that he will face if he tried to set up as a missionary in China. As catholic Macao was antipathetic to Protestant missionaries, Morrison set out for Canton immediately, arriving there on the 7 September. There, foreign merchants were restricted to a 25

muddy stretch of land about a thousand feet broad some 300 feet from the banks of the Pearl River, outside the city walls of Canton. The merchants traded in "hongs", or factories, of which there were thirteen. Foreigners were not permitted to reside within the city of Canton. Finding no assistance from his countrymen, Morrison temporarily lodged at the apartments of two American gentlemen, Messrs. Bull and Milnor, in the Old French factory.

In his new quarters, Morrison immersed himself in Chinese culture and language: he dressed in Chinese costume, wore a false pigtail, lets his fingernails grow long. Morrison's constitution failed to adjust to the sudden change in dietary regime and lifestyle, and his health soon started to deteriorate. He was forced to abandon his experiment, and return to the European lifestyle.

Literary and missionary work In June Morrison completed his transcription of the one thousand one hundred pages of the Latin and Chinese manuscript dictionary that he had brought with him from London. Morrison returned to Canton at the end of August, but his life soon turned upside down by the occupation of Macao on 21 September by a fleet dispatched by Lord Minto, Governor General of India, in order to "defend" the territory from the French. Anti- British sentiment forced Morrison, and all other Britons in Canton to leave Canton and seek refuge aboard the British fleet.

Disillusioned, Morrison decided to relocate to Penang in 1809, where there would be fewer barriers to carrying out missionary activity. Luckily he met Miss Mary Morton, eldest daughter to Dr. Morton, newly arrived at Macao and decided to stay. He married Mary Morton (see Mary Morrison) in Macao on February 20, 1809, and the same day was appointed translator to the East India Company (EIC), which gave him a legal footing for remaining on Chinese soil.

Morrison’s years in China were marked by constant tension with a government that discouraged its people from contact with foreigners. He divided his time between official duties with the EIC, by which he supported himself, and his missionary and literary work. In 1813 he completed a translation of the New Testament into Chinese; it was published the following year. Chinese officials reacted with hostility and this alarmed the EIC, which nevertheless retained Morrison. In 1817 he was Lord Amherst’s interpreter on an abortive mission to Peking (Beijing). In recognition of his work as lexicographer and translator, the University of Glasgow conferred its D.D. degree on him in 1817.

Building a mission Soon after arriving in China, Morrison proposed establishing a base on Prince of Wales Island (later known as Penang, off the west coast of 26

Malay Peninsula) for training missionaries in Asia. He envisaged a triennial missionary conference. With his colleague William Milne, he founded the Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca in 1818. Together they completed the translation of the entire bible in 1819. Morrison’s wife died in 1821, and he returned to Great Britain in 1823 with a collection of several thousand Chinese books, which were eventually deposited with University College, London. In 1824 he became a fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and helped establish the short-lived Language Institution in London. That year he married Eliza Armstrong. In 1826 the Morrisons returned to Canton, where Robert died eight years later. He regarded his translation of the Bible as only a first step, a work that would be superseded by others in the future. His magnum opus was his three- volume Chinese-English dictionary (1815-1823). In addition, he wrote a Chinese grammar and several treatises on language. He translated hymns and a prayer book into Chinese and wrote various tracts and articles.

Robert Morrison died in Canton on August 1, 1834, and was buried at the Old Protestant Cemetery in Macao. Courtesy: www.babelstone.co.uk

Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven - Walter Savage Landor

It is not sufficient to offer the empty vessel of our joy unto God, or our singing voice in musical tune only; but also it is required that we fill our joyful voice with holy matter and good purpose, whereby God only may be reasonably praised – David Dickson

No created powers can mar our Lord Jesus’ music, nor spill our song of joy. Let us then be glad and rejoice in the salvation of our Lord – Samuel Rutherford

God hath diverse ways into diverse men. Into some He comes at noon, in the sunshine of prosperity; to some in the dark and heavy clouds of adversity. Some He affects with the music of the church; some, with some particular collect or prayer; some, with some passage of a sermon, which takes no hold of him that stands next to him. Watch the way of the Spirit of God into thee – John Donne

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O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING

Though John Wesley is called the father of Methodism, his brother Charles Wesley (1707- 1788) may be called the father of Methodist congregational singing.

Charles gave Methodism and modern hymnody many original hymn texts, including “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” which he wrote for Sunday, May 21, 1739 - the first anniversary of his conversion on Pentecost Sunday.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), an early contemporary of the Wesley brothers, introduced hymn singing as a common experience. Watts bridged the era between rigid metrical psalm singing and the freer expression of hymns, and is often called the father of English hymnody. However, the Wesleys emphasized the nature of human experience within a hymn rather than the more objective perspective of Watts. In this, Charles Wesley reached much further into the emotional realm of human experience.

Wesley’s poetic response to his conversion is replete with literary elegance and beautiful control of language. Wesley employs hyperbole right from the start with “O for a thousand tongues to sing,” to heighten the emotional impact of the poem. This famous opening line may have been inspired by Charles’ spiritual mentor, German-born Moravian missionary Peter Böhler, who said, “Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Him with them all!”

To further heighten the emotional nature of the poem, Wesley punctuates words like “Jesus” and the last words of phrases with an exclamation point. Other poetic devices used to express the incredible nature of salvation include the oxymorons: “Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy.”

Wesley uses antithesis throughout to contrast the darkness of sin with the light of the atoning Blood that heals and humble our hearts, and replaces our fears with the rejoicing for a new life. This contrast underscores the nature of Wesley’s own conversion.

Charles had known from childhood that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. But on 21 May 1738, he accepted and applied it personally - `His Blood availed for me’.

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O for a thousand tongues to sing my blest Redeemer's praise, The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad the honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His Blood can make the foulest clean; His Blood availed for me.

He speaks, and listening to His Voice, new life the dead receive; The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ, your Head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven; Anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love, be ever, ever given By saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven.

Answers to the Quick & Easy Olympic Quiz: 1. Brown 2. Horse riding 3. Track & Field events – Athletics 4. Three rounds 5. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip 6. To begin

Women’s Sunday will be celebrated in our church on 14 August 2016 during the Matins service at 8:15 am. Come and enjoy the pictorial and musical message of `The sanctuary through the ages’ specially prepared by the members of the Women’s Fellowship!

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ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT (1866- 1932)

The biographical account of poetess/ hymn-writer Annie Johnson Flint (1866 - 1932) is a story of both heartbreak and triumph. Born on Christmas Eve in the small town of Vineland, New Jersey, she was welcomed by Eldon and Jean Johnson as their greatest earthly gift. Three years later, little Annie would lose her mother, who died as she gave birth to Annie’s baby sister. Mr. Johnson, who himself was suffering from an incurable disease, willed the children to the Flint family who would bring them up in the Baptist faith.

It was during a revival meeting at the age of 8 that the Spirit of God brought Annie’s young heart to faith in Christ. She always believed that at that time, she was truly converted. Though she did not join the church until 10 years later, she never doubted that “the eternal work was then wrought.” She strongly opposed the idea that young children cannot comprehend spiritual truths. She felt that divine mysteries were often plainer to the simple faith of a child than to many adults, blinded by their own prejudices and intellectual doubts. It was not difficult for her to endorse the words of the Master (Luke 10:21).

A budding poet It was about the time that Annie passed through this spiritual experience that the poetic interest began to awaken within her. She tells of the thrill of her life when she realized that she could express herself in verse. A friend of that period tells of her early recollections of Annie as she then appeared, “a pretty, dark-eyed girl with a clear olive complexion and long black curls.

She was kindhearted, merry and vivacious — a favorite with the boys and girls at school.” This friend wrote: “Every Saturday afternoon we met as a select literary society of two to read our favorite poets, and then we attempted verse ourselves.”

Whether by nature or through her early Christian experience, Annie was generally disposed to be cheerful and optimistic. She looked on the bright side of life and was able to get much enjoyment out of life. Her forward- looking, lifted-up head was a characteristic attitude and was typical of the courage she was to manifest in later life. She certainly learned to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

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Singing through affliction After high school, Annie took up teaching, and in her second year, arthritis began to show itself. She grew steadily worse until it became difficult for her to walk at all, and she was soon obliged to give up her work, followed by three years of increasing helplessness. The death of both of her adoptive parents within a few months of each other left Annie and her sister alone again. There was little money in the bank, and the twice-orphaned children had come to a real “Red Sea place” in their lives.

Picture if you can the hopelessness of Annie’s position when she finally received the verdict of the doctors from the Clifton Springs Sanitarium — that henceforth she would be a helpless invalid. Her own parents had been taken from her in childhood, and her foster parents had both passed away. Her one sister was very frail and struggling to meet her own situation bravely. In later years, she always stated that her poems were born of the needs of others and not from her own need; but one knows full well that she never could have written as she did for the comfort and help of thousands of others if she had not had the background of facing those very crises in her own life. Her verses provided a solace for her in the long hours of suffering - like this one for example, which continues to comfort so many:

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labours increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Annie Flint began making hand-lettered cards and gift books, and publishers printed some of her greetings and released the first little brochure of her poems. The publication of her booklets linked her up with a worldwide fellowship, and she carried most of the correspondence, though one wonders how she could get a pen through those poor twisted fingers. Her letters were as rich as her poems, always bringing a touch of humor that was refreshing. She loved to give to others, but was reluctant to receive, even though she suffered great times of trial and testing.

She believed that God had laid her aside for a purpose, even though that purpose was obscure to her at times. The marvelous thing is that Annie’s faith never faltered, and that she was at all times able to say, “Thy Will be done.” Courtesy: www.homecomingmagazine.com

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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 8 Portion: Numbers Give answers with reference:

1. He did not resort to sorcery - Who? 2. What should be the same for the stranger and one of your own? 3. Of whom did God say “not one of them will ever see the land which I promised on oath to their forefathers”? 4. How many daughters did Zelophehad have? 5. Where do you find prophesy about Jesus Christ? 6. What is considered as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the juice from the winepress? Who said these to whom? 7. “We will die , we are lost” 8. “There is no bread” 9. “Therefore tell him, I am making a covenant of peace with him.” 10. “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?”

Answers to Quiz 7: 1. There are 20 gerahs in one shekel. (Lev 27:25) 2. a. The seventh day is a Sabbath of rest (Lev 23:3) b. The first day of seventh month is a Sabbath of rest (Lev 23:24) c. The tenth day of the seventh month is a Sabbath of rest (more precisely from the evening of the ninth day to the evening of next day) (Lev 23:32) d. The fifteenth day and the twenty second day of the seventh month is a Sabbath of rest (Lev 23:39) e. The seventh year is a Sabbath of rest (Lev 25:4) 3. God said that the trumpet has to be sounded throughout the land on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month. (Lev 25:9). He also told to have on the first day of the seventh month, a memorial of blowing of trumpets (Lev 23:24). 4. So that the descendants of the Israelites will know that the Lord made them live in booths when he brought them out of Egypt. ( Lev 23:43) 5. Wages of a hired worker. (Lev 19:13) 6. a. Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives away any of his children to Molech. (Lev 20:2) 33

b. Any man or woman who is a medium or spiritist. (Lev 20:27) c. Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord (Lev 24:16) 7. The fiftieth year is the Jubilee Year. (Lev 25:10,11) 8. a. For cleansing from infectious skin disease, one bird is to be killed and the other is to be released (Lev 14:1-7)(NIV) b. For cleansing from mildew, one bird is to be killed and the other is to be released (Lev 14:48-53)(NIV) 9. Leviticus 19:16 10. Blood (Lev 17:11)

Points tally after Quiz 7: Ju ly 2016 Aggregate 1 Adelene Mercy 10 70 2 Andrew Melvin 10 69 3 Aria Anna 10 48 4 Diya Rajiv 10 70 5 Felicia Williams - 38 6 Jadon Dhyriam 10 69 7 Jason Travis Daniel 10 70 8 Jasweena Paul 10 70 9 Jeremy Roopsingh 10 69 10 Jessica Moses - 57 11 Latha Chittaranjan 10 59 12 Natasha Jacob - 20 13 Rachel J - 29 14 Santosh Dhyriam 10 69 15 Sharon J. - 28 16 Shreya Dhyriam 10 69 17 Sneha Rachel 10 70 18 Tasha Grace 10 69

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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

Mr. Noel Jayasundar slept in the Lord on 8 July 2016

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 AUGUST 2016 Date and Day Services and Preacher Theme Stewards for Bible reading Time and Offertory 7.8.2016 Twelfth Sung Eucharist: 7:30 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Genesis 13: 8 - 18 after Ambrose Giving II Corinthians 8: 1 – 15 Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Kiruba Lily without Psalm 15 Elizabeth counting the St. Mark 14: 3 - 11 6:00 pm Evensong: cost Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Vincent Message: Mr. Milton Sigamoney 14.8.2016 Thirteenth Holy Eucharist: 7:00 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard The II Chronicles 7:11-20 after Ambrose sanctuary I Corinthians 3:9-17 Pentecost Sermon: Mrs. Lillian Richard through the Psalm 84 8:15 am Matins: ages St. John 2:13-22 Women’s Sermon: Women’s Fellowship Women’s fellowship 6:00 pm Sunday Holy Eucharist: Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose 21.8.2016 Fourteenth Sung Eucharist: I Samuel 24: 1 – 12 7:30 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Peace in the Romans 12: 14 – 21 after Ambrose context Psalm 52 6:00 pm Pentecost Evensong: of violence St. Matthew 5: 38 – 48 Sermon: Mr. Ajit Stanley Moses Mr. & Mrs. Arun Jacob

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28.8.2016 Fifteenth Holy Eucharist: Zephaniah 3:14-20 7:30 am Sunday Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard James 4:7-10 after Ambrose Psalm 16 Pentecost Sermon: Dr. Isaac Jebaraj Closer to St. John 14:15-27 6:00 pm Evensong: Thee Choir Sermon: Dr. Z. Edward Kennedy Choristers Sunday

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