IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH HOUSTON

125TH CONVENTION FEBRUARY 9-16 NEWS LETTER FEBRUARY 2020 News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

WORSHIP SCHEDULE (FEBRUARY 2020)

(Medical Mission Sunday) 1st Lesson: 1Sam 1:19-28 8.00 am Holy Communion in English Assisted by SHARON 2nd Lesson: Heb 10:1-14 Area Prayer Group Epistle: Rom 11:33-36, 12:1-2 FEB 02 Gospel: Luke 2:22-39 2020 9.30 am Sunday School Holy Communion in Assisted by SINAI 10.30 am Area Prayer Group (Beginning of the 125th ) 1st Lesson: Isa 65:17-25 8.00 am 2nd Lesson: Heb 4:1-13 G3 Service & Eng. Holy Communion Assisted by Epistle: Col 1:15-24 FEB 09, TABOR Area Prayer Group Gospel: Mark 2:23-28 2020 9.30 am Sunday School Holy Communion in Malayalam Assisted by 10.30 am BETHEL Area Prayer Group

9.00 am Edvaka Mission Regular Meeting & Bible Study 1st Lesson: Gen 6:1-13 2nd Lesson: Rom 5:12-21 FEB 16, 9.30 am Sunday School Epistle: Rom 7:14-25 2020 Gospel: Matt 7:15-23 Holy Communion in English Assisted by 10.30 am BETHLEHEM Area Prayer Group

(END OF MARAMON CONVENTION) GREAT LENT BEGINS 8.00 am G3 SERVICE 1st Lesson: Isa 44:21-28 2nd Lesson: 1Tim 1:12-17 FEB 23, Epistle: Rom 11:13-24 2020 9.30 am Sunday School Gospel: John 2:1-11 Holy Communion in Malayalam Assisted by 10.30 am CARMEL Area Prayer Group. HEALING PRAYER (The Cleansing Christ Holy) Communion in English 8.00 am Assisted by EBENEZER Area Prayer Group MAR 1, 9.30 am Sunday School 1st Lesson: Zech 13:1-9 2020 2nd Lesson: 1John 1:5-10 Holy Communion in Malayalam Assisted by Epistle: Eph 2:1-10 10.30 am HEBRON Area Prayer Group Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

(The Forgiving Christ) 8.00 am G3 Service & Eng. Holy Communion Assisted 1st Lesson: Gen 4:8-16 by HOREB Area Prayer Group 2nd Lesson: Acts 16:11-18 MAR 8, Epistle: Rom 5:6-11 2020 9.30 am Sunday School Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 Holy Communion in Malayalam Assisted by 10.30 am JERUSALEM Area Prayer Group

2 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

From the Vicar’s Desk

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and savior Christ.

The months of January, February and March are the seasons of conventions at different levels. Strict adherence to the word of God which we inherited from the reformation tradition is the idea and the driving force of what we are now. The Word of God is the collected experiences of people and communities with God in this world in different historical contexts. So, we have to ensure due importance to personal devotion and study of the word of God in our day to day lives. This year’s Maramon convention will be held from February 9 to 16 and will also be celebrate as 125th year. We are bound to pray for the listeners, speakers and organizations of the convention so that God can transform the life of believers for a better harvest.

Great Lent will begin on Feb 23rd. Lent is a time to open the doors of our hearts a little wider and understand our Lord a little deeper. It is an opportunity to receive the overflowing grace of God to human kind. Likewise, it is an opportunity to contemplate what our Lord really did for us on the Cross. During the Great Lent, we are intentionally and intensely meditate upon the word of God, which becomes the bread of our daily sustenance. Lent offers all of us a time to seriously examine our lives and consider where and what we choose to place our faith. Lenters observa- tions always lead us to a life of gratitude. It is a time of thankfulness for breaking the barriers of hatred, self centerdness, enemity, bitterness and so on. It is a proclamation of love.

As Christian we must always spread our fragrance of good works where we are. It does not mat- ter how small or insignificant we are. We should be as always make things better for others and for the world.

Our parish and its organizations are planning to hold their Annual General Body Meeting in this month. It is the time to look back and look forward with a renewed hope. Our office bearers de- serve our appreciation for completing their duties with in a limited time period.

We as a faith community need to be transformed by the word of God to live a meaningful and authentic Christian life. May the Triune God be with us all.

Yours in Christ, Anu Achen and Saji Achen.

IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 3 News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

LENT PRAYER Please sign up on the schedule sheet placed in the notice board or contact Vicar. Rev. Abraham Varghese.

DAYS TO REMEMBER FEBRUARY 15 ELECTION OF SABHA PRATHINITHI MANDALAM

MARCH 6, 7 SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE

PERSONAL MEDITATION & PRAYER Our Church Sanctuary will be open every Tuesday from 9:00am to 1:00 pm for personal meditation and prayer.

4 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON News Letter FEBRUARY 2020 EDAVAKA MISSION A general body of the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church Edavaka Mission will be held at the church on Thursday, February 6th, 2020 after the regular prayer meeting to transact the following agenda. Annual report for the Year 2019, Audited financial statement for the Year 2019, Budget for the Year 2020, A. O. B with the permission of the chair. Edavaka Mission Regular Prayer meeting will be on February 6th, Thursday 7.00 pm at church. Cottage prayer meeting will be at the residence of Mr & Mrs. Saji John (ID#551), Jerusalem Area, on February 14th Friday at 7:00 pm. Address: 10702 Battenrock Ct, Richmond, TX 77407. Tel#281-907-8283 Bible Study on February 16th, 2020 Sunday @ 9 am at Church Regular Prayer meeting on February 22nd, 2020 Saturday @ 10 am at church.

Edavaka Mission General Body Meeting. The Edavaka mission will have a general body meeting on February 6th, 2020 Thursday @8 pm to transact the following agenda. A). Annual report for the year 2019 B). Audited financial statement of accounts 2019 C). Budget for the year 2020 D). Elect the remaining committee members for the year 2020. E). A. O. B. with the permission of the chair. Southwest Regional Conference Edavaka Mission, Senior Fellowship and Sevika Sangom South West Regional Confer- ence will be at our church on March 6th & 7th, 2020. Conference theme is “SHARE THE WORD: SAVE THE WORLD” (1 Cor. 9:23). Speakers are Dr. Vino J. Daniel (Philadelphia) & Rev. Thomas Mathew P (Vicar, MTC of Dallas, Carrollton). Conference fee will be $30.00 per person. Please keep the conference in your prayers and register as earliest.

THE MAR THOMA CHURCH Diocese of North America & Europe MTVEA I SEVIKA SANGHOM I SENIOR FELLOWSHIP 9th Southwest Regional Conference Theme: “Share the WORD: Save the WORLD” (1 Cor. 9:23)

Date: March 6 & 7, 2020 Conference Leaders Hosted by: Dr. Vino J. Daniel Rev. Thomas Mathew P. IMMANUEL MTC, Philadelphia MTC of Dallas, Carrollton Houston

IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 5 News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

SENIOR FELLOWSHIP Senior Fellowship meeting is schedule to be on February 1, 2020. Annual report and audited accounts for the year 2019 will be presented. All Senior Citizen members are encouraged to attend.

ELECTION OF SABHA PRATHINITHI MANDALAM

1. Last day to submit the nomination: Feb. 2, 2020 Sunday (4.00 pm) 2. Scrutinizing Nomination: Feb 2, 2020 Sunday (5.00 pm) 3. Last day to withdraw nomination: Feb 3, 2020, Monday (5.00 pm) 4. Final List announcement in the Church: Feb 9 ,2020 Sunday 5. Election Day: Feb 15, 2020 Saturday (8.am to 5.00pm) Lunch break will be from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm. Counting of the votes will start on Election Day, February 15, 2020 at 5.15 pm. After the vote counting the presiding officer will declare the results. NEW ADDITION TO IMMANUEL Evan Sajan born to Mr. Sajan John & Merlin (I.D. # 536) of Sehion Area Prayer Group. Congratulations to proud parents and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. V. J. Thankachan.

Condolence Mrs. Annamma Varghese (81-year-Old). Mother of Mr. Mathew P. Varghese, (Wilson) I.D # 212 of Carmel Prayer Group was taken to heavenly abode on Jan. 16, 2020 at Mananthavady, . Funeral services were held at Mar Thoma Con- gregation Mananthavady. Mrs. Ponnamma Jacob (91-year-Old). Mother of Mrs. Latha wife of Mr. Jose P George of Salem Prayer Group, Pasadena was taken to heavenly abode Jan 21, 2020 at , Kerala. Funeral service was held at Kerala.

Mr. V.T Thomas (78 years old) Father of Mr. Manosh Thomas (I.D 523) of Bethle- hem area prayer group was taken to heavenly abode at , Kerala.

Vicars and Immanuel Family extend our heartfelt condolences to bereaving family. Please uphold them in your thoughts and prayers.

6 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON News Letter FEBRUARY 2020 THE MARAMON CONVENTION The Maramon Convention, one of the largest Christian convention in Asia, is held at Maramon, , Kerala, annually in February on the vast sand-bed of the Pampa River next to the Bridge. It is organised by Mar Thoma Evan- gelistic Association, the wing of the Malankara .

The origin and growth of this annual get-together for one week at a stretch can be traced to the great revival movement which gathered momentum during the refor- mation period in the Syrian Churches of Kerala under the pioneering leadership of in the latter part of the 19th century. This brought about the trans- formation in resurgence of the ancient apostolic Churches in Kerala founded by St. [1] approximately in AD 52. Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association By 1877, there were two factions in the , known as faction (Methran Kakshi) and Patriarch faction (Bava Kakshi). By a court verdict on 12 July 1889, Bishop faction lost all the properties. In this turbulent period, on 5 Septem- ber 1888, 12 members of the Bishop faction formed a missionary group called “Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association”.[7][8] These 12 members are considered the found- ing fathers of the Maramon convention. a By 1894, a number of small supportive prayer group communions emerged and this paved a way for revival.[citation needed] They had regular meetings in various parish- es. Because the number of people attending these meetings was growing; the need was addressed by deciding to have a meeting of these groups in a wider level at a cen- tral accessible place. This was a venue for dimensional spiritual edification that is ap- plicable, biblically sound, ideal and value based[9] for striving with the realities of the world and never a place for signs, wonders and miracles.[10] During the 19th century, people began to occupy hilly places which resulted in felling of forests in and around the catchment area of Pampa river and started intensive cultivation of annual crops like tapioca, yams ... etc.[citation needed] This unplanned encroachment resulted in large scale soil erosion.[citation needed] Deep river with mud was filled with white sand, which turned to be congenial place to assemble for a gathering of masses. No need for any seating arrangement as people can sit on the neat white sand bed under roofs made by knitted coconut leaves. The duty of organising this meeting was given to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association and the first convention was held in 1895 at Maramon. Today the changing habitat and lesser focus on agriculture with rise of rubber plantation, the surfaced roads minimised soil erosion and a large scale sand mining for construction activities decreased the size of the sand bed to a great extent.

By 1900 reformers adopted the name Malankara Marthoma Suriyani Sabha also known as the Mar Thoma Church to encase its ancient lineage. This year we are celebrating 125 Anniversary of Maramon Convention.

IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 7 News Letter FEBRUARY 2020 FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS B. DAY NAME 12-Feb Lata Mathews 1-Feb Ammini George 12-Feb Ani P. Varghese 1-Feb Annie Koruthu 12-Feb Sarah Leethi Cherian 1-Feb Jobin M. Jose 12-Feb Titus Eapen 1-Feb Caleb David Kurien 12-Feb Divina Ann Mathew 1-Feb John P Abraham 13-Feb Lally George 1-Feb C.P. Mathews 13-Feb Job Kandathiel Joji 1-Feb Abraham Mathew 13-Feb Binu Alexander 2-Feb Aleyamma Kurian 13-Feb Jamy Abraham 2-Feb Annas M. Varughese 13-Feb Varghese Zachariah 2-Feb Rachel Emily George 14-Feb Kuruvilla John 2-Feb Dhanya Mariam Koruthu 14-Feb Neva Angie Kuruvilla 2-Feb Rachel Samuel 14-Feb Alex Varghese 2-Feb Asha Roy 14-Feb Shiney David 3-Feb Sheryll Mathew 14-Feb Ben Sebastain Varghese 4-Feb Shane Bobby Kalathoor 14-Feb Robin M. Thomas 4-Feb Brian Binoy 14-Feb Christian Joseph Ninan 4-Feb Ethan Daniel Cherian 14-Feb Grace Elizabeth Abraham 4-Feb Saro Kurian Thomas 14-Feb Thomas Philip Abraham 4-Feb Sam Abraham 15-Feb Mathew Daniel 5-Feb George Joseph 15-Feb Serena A. Thomas 5-Feb Andrew Elijah Thomas 15-Feb Shawn T. Jacob 5-Feb Dr. Sheila Mary Thomas 15-Feb Mariamma John 5-Feb Diana Varghese 15-Feb Abel R. Eapen 5-Feb Steve K. Joshy 16-Feb Bobby Kalathoor 6-Feb Grace Sara Reggy 16-Feb Molykutty Thomas 6-Feb Susan Rachel Varghese 16-Feb Jayson John 7-Feb Noel J. Varkey 16-Feb Gaurav George Varghese 7-Feb Sosamma Chacko 16-Feb Bettina Manoj Raju 8-Feb Shanon Sarene Mathew 16-Feb Gracy Mathai 8-Feb Anu Shibu 17-Feb Amminiamma George 9-Feb Anikutty John 17-Feb Emmy Chacko 9-Feb Leena Daniel 17-Feb Benjamin George 10-Feb Julie Mathew 17-Feb Tissy Mary Itty 10-Feb Manoj S. Raju 17-Feb Aleena Varghese 11-Feb Rev. Saji Albi 18-Feb Binju Abraham 11-Feb Julie Reggy Varghese 18-Feb Aleyamma John Kalathoor 11-Feb Richard Philip 18-Feb Sheeja Thomas 11-Feb Nyla Rose Mathew 18-Feb Mariamma K. Samuel 11-Feb Sherly Alexander 18-Feb Daniel Kalathoor 12-Feb Kunjamma Abraham 18-Feb Nikhil George 12-Feb Joseph John 18-Feb Seth M. Kurian 12-Feb Terin V. Philip 18-Feb Theia Mary Samuel

8 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON News Letter FEBRUARY 2020 FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 18-Feb Rimla Anna Paul 24-Feb Julia S. George 19-Feb Sam Thomas 24-Feb Jacob John 20-Feb Thomas V. Mathew 24-Feb Sheeba Pappachen 20-Feb Rajiv N Jacob 25-Feb Johan Albin Saji 20-Feb Solomon T. Varghese 25-Feb Justin K. Varghese 20-Feb Rianna Samantha George 25-Feb Riyah Mary Abraham 20-Feb Jose P Abraham 26-Feb Eithan Sajan 21-Feb Quincy Varughese 26-Feb Lida Susan Abraham 21-Feb Neha Merlin Kuruvilla 27-Feb Ramani Mathew 21-Feb Abraham Kurien 27-Feb George C. Thomas 21-Feb Jamie S. Thomas 27-Feb Grace Archibold 21-Feb Kevin Mathew Thomas 27-Feb Joseph Nikhil Samuel 21-Feb Sandra Varghese 27-Feb Aju Kurien John 22-Feb Betsy Varghese 27-Feb Elaine Susanna Thayil 22-Feb Selin Chandy 28-Feb Sibil Thomas 22-Feb Cherian Palackamannil Mathew 28-Feb Rebecca Raju 23-Feb Ronny V. George 28-Feb Susamma John 23-Feb Praise Reggy Varghese 28-Feb Reena Mammen 23-Feb Ann Reshma Abraham 28-Feb Binu George 24-Feb Ansley Kurien

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

1-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Kevin Thomas 14-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Mariamma Thomas 3-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Baby Samuel 16-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Saji G. Philip 4-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Binu Benneykutty 16-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Chacko Thottiyil 5-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Koshy P. Mathew 16-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Ninan Philip Kalloor 6-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Jacob K Chacko 17-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Thoongupla Varghese John 7-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Jose P. George 17-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Thoongupla Varghese John 8-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Thomas Stephen 18-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Abey V. Kunjumon 8-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Jijo Philip Varughese 18-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Monachan Thomas 9-Feb Mr.&Mrs. George Matthew 18-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Thomas Abraham Pullattu 9-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Biju T. Mathew 19-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Kurien T. Idiculla 11-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Saji Albin 20-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Mathew P. Easow 11-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Abraham Mathew 20-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Thomas Mathew 11-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Shaji Samuel 20-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Mathew P Mathai 11-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Robin Tristan Mathew 23-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Cherry Mathew 14-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Shiju Kuruvilla 25-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Georgi Kuruvilla 14-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Jacob Thomas 26-Feb Mr.&Mrs. Raju M. Karikottu

IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 9 News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

Area Prayer Meetings

1.TABOR AREA PRAYER GROUP 4.SEHION AREA PRAYER GROUP February 1st, Saturday @ 6.30 p.m. February 16th, Sunday at 5:30 pm Mr. Mohan John Thomas (I.D # 358) Mathew Philip & Saramma (I.D. #470) 25510 Twister Trail 5818 Emmit Creek ln Spring TX 77373 Sugarland, TX 77479 Phone : 281 528 7372 / 832 455 3887 Phone: 281-778-1439 / 281-889-8566

2.CARMEL AREA PRAYER GROUP 5.SEHION AREA PRAYER GROUP February 8th, Saturday @ 6.00 pm February 22nd , Saturday at 6:00 pm Mr. Abraham Samuel (Bobby) (I.D #289) Fiji C. George & Sindhu (I.D. #368) 4607 Sundown Ct, 5002 Bridgeton Place Missouri City, TX 77459 Sugarland, TX 77479 Phone: 281 416 9669 / 281 248 6527 Phone: 281-969-8455 / 713-818-4363

3.SHARON AREA PRAYER GROUP 6.BETHEL AREA PRAYER GROUP February 15th, Saturday @ 6.30 pm February 25th Tuesday @ 7.00 pm Mr. Philip Abraham (Babichen) (I.D #140) Rev. Saji Albi (Parsonage) 15111 Oldtown Bridge Ct, 4235 Custer Creek Dr. Sugar Land, TX 77459 Missouri City, TX 77459 Phone: 713 291 3001 / 281 827 2337 Phone: 832 876 428

BIBLE QUIZ - FEBRUARY 2020

1.Who were among those who had explored the land,tore their clothes?. 2.What color the Israelites used to make tassels on their garments?. 3.Lord asked Moses to keep ------in the Ark of the Testimony as a sign to the rebellious. 4.Who gave tithe from the tithe they received?. 5.Who said to whom?,”This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field”.

Answers for the January Bible quiz. Numbers 4 to 13 chaptors. 1 .10:35-36, 2 .11:8, 3 .13:8, 4 . 11:25, 5 . 12:3.

10 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON News Letter FEBRUARY 2020

2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICE BEARERS Vicar Rev. Abraham Varghese 713-330-5299 Assistant Vicar Rev. Saji Albin 832-876-4281 Vice President Mr. Thomas O Keerikattu 281-499-1443 Secretary Mr. Jose K George 281-704-3538 Treasurer Mr.T.V.Mathew 281-499-7414 Accountant Mr. Thomas Mathen 281-961-5538 Lay Leader (Malayalam) Mr. Sam Mathew 713-392-4788 Lay Leader (English) Mr. Alan P John 281-499-5493 AREA REPRESENTATIVES Bethel Mrs. Bindu Varghese 586-381-3562 Bethlehem Mrs. Leena Abraham 281-804-0054 Carmel Mr. Mathew p Varghese 832-771-4723 Ebenezer Mr. Jojy John 832-526-6200 Hebron Mr. John Varghese 832-938-8664 Horeb Mr. Rajan Daniel 832-628-5481 Jerusalem Mr. John Jessen 469-544-6510 Salem Mr. Binu Pappachan 405-922-5716 Sehion Mr. Kurian George 281-750-2187 Sharon Mr. Thomas Thyparampil 832-640-1218 Sinai Mr. Aju Abraham John 832-846-0763 Tabor Mr. Mohan John Thomas 832-455-3887 CHURCH ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES Choir Mr. Abraham Samuel 281-248-6528 Edavaka Mission Mr. Reji K Varghese 281-650-9630 Senior Citizen Mrs. Sara Philip 281-889-8566 Sunday School Mrs. Anitha Mathew 281-691-4922 Sevika Sanghom Mrs. Mereena Mathew 832-633-7206 Youth Fellowship Mr. Jicky Kuruvilla 281-389-3956 Youvajana Sakhyam Mr. Joji Itty 281-716-0350 Young Family Fellowship Dr. Sheebu Chacko 516-661-2871 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY & MANDALAM MEMBERS Diocesan Assembly Mr. John K Philip 832-744-0271 Diocesan Assembly/Council Ms. Lynn Ann Keerikkattu 832-725-0238 Diocesan Assembly Mrs. Marykutty M. Thomas 281-748-0687 Sabha Mandalam Mr. Reji V Kurian 281-777-1919 OTHER ELECTED MEMBERS IMC Administrator/Scheduler Mr. Zachariah Koshy 281-780-9764 IMC Facility Manager Mr. Siju Philip 516-503-5589 IMC Facility Manager Mr. Sam Alexander 832-283-5871

IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 11 IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH, HOUSTON 12803 Sugar Ridge Blvd., Stafford, TX 77477, 281.879.9595

Vicar: Assistant Vicar: Rev. Abraham Varghese Rev. Saji Albi 10212 Fountain Gate Dr 4235 Custer Creek Dr Stafford, TX 77477 Missouri City, TX 77459 Home: 281.561.9147 Home: 832.539.6893 Cell: 713.330.5299 Cell: 832.876.4281 [email protected], [email protected] [email protected]

(This newsletter is for private circulation only) Published by Jose K. George, Secretary for and on behalf of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston. Cell: 281-704-3538, [email protected]