MTCA Newsletter June Volume 5 Marthoma Church Atlanta, 6015 Old Stone Mountain Road, Stone Mountain, GA. Parsonage : 1548 Fair Oaks Lane, Snellville, GA “Christian Community is the Temple of God because it is indwelt by the spirit of God” INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Vicar Notes 2. Worship Schedule & Lectionary 3. Wedding Anniversary and Birthday 4. Area Prayer and Organizations 5. MTCA Graduates 6. Other Events Dearly beloved, Greetings to all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. it has been my privilege to write regularly for the Parish Bulletin, the official monthly newsletter of the Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta. Importance of the Corporate Worship According to Paul the church or the Christian community is the temple of God because it is indwelt by the Spirit of God. (1Cor3:16). The new temple is the new place where God is present. Church is a worshipping community (Acts 2:42-47) where the presence of Christ is pronounced to the company of believers in a special way. (Mtt 18:20). True and full worship is always an act of the whole body of Christ (John 4:21-25) and limited physically to present at the worship. It spreads its arm to include all the faithful and all humanity while its bows down to worship God (1Cor 1:2). In the corporate worship we are one with the celestial worship (1 Thess 5:10). It is true that Jesus is no longer here in body but there is a mystical sense in which he is here with us on earth. His Spirit is here in His body, the Church. In the NT times worship meant Christian corporate worship (Mtt 18:20, 1 Cor 11:17, Act 20:7,1 Cor 14:23-26). This is the most compelling reason for children to be brought into the public worship of God. “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You (Psalm 22:22). From Vicar’s Desk By Rev Aju Abraham
Transcript
MTCA
Newsletter June Volume 5
Marthoma Church Atlanta, 6015 Old Stone Mountain Road, Stone Mountain, GA. Parsonage : 1548 Fair Oaks Lane, Snellville, GA
“Christian Community is the Temple of God because it is indwelt by the spirit of God”
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
1. Vicar Notes
2. Worship Schedule & Lectionary
3. Wedding Anniversary and Birthday
4. Area Prayer and Organizations
5. MTCA Graduates
6. Other Events
Dearly beloved,
Greetings to all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
it has been my privilege to write regularly for the Parish Bulletin, the official monthly newsletter of the Mar Thoma Church, Atlanta.
Importance of the Corporate Worship
According to Paul the church or the Christian community is the temple of God because it is indwelt by the Spirit of God. (1Cor3:16). The new temple is the new place where God is present. Church is a worshipping community (Acts 2:42-47) where the presence of Christ is pronounced to the company of believers in a special way. (Mtt 18:20). True and full worship is always an act of the whole body of Christ (John 4:21-25) and limited physically to present at the worship. It spreads its arm to include all the faithful and all humanity while its bows down to worship God (1Cor 1:2). In the corporate worship we are one with the celestial worship (1 Thess 5:10).
It is true that Jesus is no longer here in body but there is a mystical sense in which he is here with us on earth. His Spirit is here in His body, the Church. In the NT times worship meant Christian corporate worship (Mtt 18:20, 1 Cor 11:17, Act 20:7,1 Cor 14:23-26). This is the most compelling reason for children to be brought into the public worship of God. “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You (Psalm 22:22).
From Vicar’s Desk By Rev Aju Abraham
The psalm teaches us that the Lord is in the midst of the worshipping congregation in a very special way.
He is with His Church when its members are praising God. Often through the preacher, He declares God’s holy name. He praises God along with the Church as it sings. The Apostle Paul quotes this psalm in Hebrews 2:12, where his reference is unquestionably to Jesus Christ who says, “I will proclaim your name to my brethren In the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise.”
In Heb 10:23-24 Christians are told not to neglect corporate worship. In the corporate worship, the Holy Qurbana is the most distinguishing mark of the Christian worship. Hence the early Church named it as heavenly worship or divine worship (Acts 2:42, Rev 4, 5, 8).
In the Eastern Church, the term liturgy is restricted to the communion portion of the service. In the Western Church, the term refers to the entire order of worship and is generally used in churches where the congregation performs parts of the worship service by speaking or praying in unison.
The Lord’s Prayers also begin with “Our Father” (Corporate) not my Father (individualistic). All petitions are corporate petitions not individual petitions. This prayer is the basis for all worship. Therefore, too much emphasis on individual salvation, assurance of eternal life based on a self-centered piety by neglecting the corporate aspect and meaning of the Church, which is based on the success oriented gospel, is not according to the real biblical teaching.
So worship has a redemptive role of suffering and the worship is for the empowerment to do God’s ministry by suffering and is not therefore a mere way of asking favors from God. Worship is the life blood of the Church.
VBS is scheduled to be held from June 26-30, 2019. The Theme for the VBS is “Taking God’s love to New Frontiers” I request all of you to send their children and their prayerful participation is solicited.
I wish all our dear children blessed school holidays.
“Taking God’s Love to New Frontiers” In every year’s VBS, we place a strong emphasis on teaching students about God’s love and salvation. This year’s theme is no different. The theme is Giddy Up Junction and teaches children to take God’s love to new frontiers. The students will have age appropriate lessons, crafts, games and other fun activities. The objective is to teach students that God loves them and there is saving power in the gospel. Please send your children to VBS which will be held from June 26th to June 30th. 26, 27, 28 - 6pm to 9pm June 29 - 9am to 4pm For registration information , please contact Shobha Abraham 678-658-0029
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Date Time Service
June 2nd 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (Malayalam)
June 9th 10.00 AM Praise and Worship & Holy Qurbana (English)
June 16th 10:00 AM Holy Qurbana (Malayalam)
June 23rd 10.00 AM Praise and Worship & Holy Qurbana (English)
June 30th 10.00 AM Holy Qurbana ( Malayalam)
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Thomas George Sarah George June-5 Joju S. Abraham Rachel Chacko June-7 Suku George Elizabeth George June-7 Skariah Varughese Annie Varughese June-8 Sajan Paul Susy Sajan June-11 Bobby C. George Swopna B. George June-12 Chacko C. Varkey Jooly C. Varkey June-13 Shyno Thomas Jeslin S. Thomas June-15 Jacob G. Chacko Susan Jacob June-18 Lalith Jacob Serene Jacob June-19 Philip P. Mathew Mariamma Philip June-20 Chacko Thomas Geetha C. Thomas June-24 Jeoson J. Thomas Cheryl Marie Thomas June-24 Philip J. Pappalaparambil Vidya Philip June-25 Anil P Thomas Bincy Thomas June-26 Abraham T. Ninan Anita E. J. Ninan June-28
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A very Happy Wedding Anniversary wish to
Name Bday Allison M. Johnson June-1 Susamma Abraham June-1 Michael N. Esso June-1 Alaina A. Perumala June-2 Susamma Thomas June-3 Susan Cherian June-3 Soney Anu John June-3 Noah Zachary Joseph June-4 Aaron M. Zachariah June-4 Sabu Jacob June-4 Varghese T. Varghese June-5 Priya george June-5 Daisy Issac June-6 Ashley A. Jacob June-7 John Mathew June-7 Selby Abraham June-7 Shelly Abraham June-7 Sherry Abraham June-7 Sam Koshy June-7 Megan George June-7 Thomas Varghese June-7 Nelkuppa Alexander June-8 Shabana M. Mathew June-8 Cherian Thomas June-8 Aiden Varghese June-8 Jenice C. Varkey June-9 Mathews P. Kurian June-9 Shaji Varghese June-9 Thankamma Mathew June-9 Sahana Abraham June-10 Anju Easaw June-10
Name Bday Aissa A. Philip June-10 Aaron Samuel June-10 Sherina Thomas June-11 Asher L. Thomas June-12 Ria Mathew June-12 Cheryl Marie Thomas June-12 Liz Alex June-12 Theodore G. Athiyal June-13 Vinod J. Mammen June-14 Hannah Robin Alex June-15 Preston A. Thomas June-15 Minu Maria Johnson June-16 Ryan Alex June-16 Abigail A. Joseph June-17 Johnson Joseph June-17 Sara Ann Samuel June-18 Stephanie M. Varughese June-18 Neya R. Shone June-18 David George June-18 Annika Jacob June-19 Faith Miriam Philip June-19 Sandhya S. John June-19 Sibi Cherian June-20 Anju Tharian June-22 Anju Tharian June-22 Blessy A. Philip June-22 R. P. George June-22 Vibin Thomas June-22 Joshua S. Varghese June-23 Thomaskutty Yohannan June-23 Anuja Thomas June-24
MTCA Page 5
Birthday Wishes
Name Bday Anuja Thomas June-24 Selvin S. Cherian June-24 Ashley E. Joseph June-25 Anisha Philip June-26 Sajan K. Abraham June-26 Aiden Binu Varghese June-26 Edwin Biju Mathew June-27 Nevin Varughese June-27 Raphael G. Thomas June-27 Issac George June-28 Richu Skareah June-28 Vinitha Granson June-29 Sharon M. Varghese June-29 Sunija Ann Joseph June-30
Lawrenceville
June 1st at 7 pm Suwanee / Cumming
Mr. Tiji Mathew and Mrs. Rashmi Agrawal House. Address: 4425 Griffin Trail Way Cumming, GA, 30041
Grayson / Loganville
Snellville/Lilburn
Alpharetta / Marietta
Tucker /Northlake
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MTCA
Area Prayer
Sunday School No Sunday School
Edavaka Mission Every Friday At Church or church member residences
Sevika Sangam June 10 at 8 am Mrs. Minimol Thomas Residence, 350 Hulan Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Yuvajana Sakhyam June 2nd after Service Amphitheater
Youth Fellowship June 7th - Youth Praise Night
June 9th – Bake Sale
June 15 – 21 – Alabama VBS
At Church
Young Family June 23rd at 3 pm Dr. Jomon A Paul and Lesley Paul,
1142 Mitsy Hollow Dr. NE Marietta, GA, 30068
Senior Citizen June 1st at 10 am At Church
Fasting Prayer June 23rd at 10 am At Church
MTCA Page 7
Organizations
Number Name Graduation Details 1 Tina Athiyal Varghese Master of Divinity from
Mercer 2 David Abraham Ninan B.S In Material Science
and Eng. , Virginia Tech 3 Lekha S Mathew Graduated High School 4 Calvin Mammen Graduated from Dekalb
Early College Academy 5 Jobin Wilson Graduated Computer
Science from UGA 6 Daina Thomas Graduated High School 7 Anup Mathew Jacob Graduated High School 8 Swithin Mammen Graduated High School 9 Ryan Alex Graduated High School 10 Libin Joseph Graduated High School 11 Jeena Merin Shaji Bachelor of Science in
Biology from UGA 12 Joanne Thomas Bachelors of Science in
Biology, Minors in History and Chemistry, Univ of Alabama
13 Christian Mathew Graduated High School 14 Ginomol Mathai Masters in Education,
UGA 15 Rhea Mathew Graduated High School 16 Stephanie Varghese Bachelor of Science in
Chemical and Bio Molecular Eng., Georgia Tech
17 Ashley Anne Jacob MSHA, Georgia Southern 18 Shaun Jacob Graduated High School 19 Amal Cherian Jacob Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Eng., Kennesaw State
20 Sophia Kandathil John BBA Degree in Managerial Science , Georgia State
21 Ethan George Graduated High School 22 Angelina Shajan Finished Medical Studies
Congratulations to all our MTCA Graduates
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MTCA
• Master Abraham Thomas was born on May 22nd to Mr. Anil Thomas and Mrs. Geanie. Congratulations
• Miss Geanna Robin Alex was born on May 22nd to Mr. Robin Alex and Mrs. Liz Alex. Congratulations
Mr. Jesse Jacob, Mrs. Natasha Jacob. Ms. Leah Ana Jacob Ms. Abhigail Sarah Jacob. 617 Sycamore Ridge Dr, Decatur Ph: 404 402 5110 Mr. Binu Varghese, Mrs. Lincy Chandy Master Aaron Binu Varghese Master Aiden Binu Varghese 12432 Waterside Dr, Alpharetta , GA
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Congratulations to the Proud Parents and welcome to MTCA family.
Welcome to our new members
MTCA
18th Southern Regional Conference July 11 - July 14 [Flyer] Youth from the South Florida Marthoma Church will be present at church this Sunday (May 26) to talk about the conference and to help with registrations. I encourage all youth to attend and please make checks payable to "Youth Fellowship of SFMTC" or through Venmo "SFMTC-Youth". Alabama Native American Mission VBS We are looking for 1-2 adults to drive the youth from Atlanta to Alabama for the Alabama mission trip. They would drop the youth off in Alabama on July 15, drive back to ATL on July 16 and comeback to Alabama on July 21 to bring youth back to Atlanta. Kindly let us know if you would like to help or know someone who can help out. Diocesan Youth Fellowship Conference - DYFC40 July 25 - July 28 [Sign Up Here] Saturday, May 26th is the last day for early registration ($135). If you haven't signed up yet please do as the registration fee will increase to $195.
Upcoming Events
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The Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists Association of the Diocese of North America and Europe is hosting the 15th MTVEA Diocesan Conference on August 1st to 4th 2019 in Toronto St. Mathews Mar Thoma Church.
The theme of the conference is based on 1 Cor 3:9, “Co-Workers of the Kingdom of God” and will lead by Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios Episcopa, and our own prominent clergy and lay leaders.
20th Diocesan Yuvajana Sakhyam Conference
Theme: Be the light: walk in the Light
Date: October 4-6, 2019
Venue: Bushkill Inn & Conference Center, 159 Pocmont Loop, Bushkill, PA 18324
Leaders: Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa, Rev. Dr. Joseph Daniel, Rev. Prince Varghese Madathilethu, Rev. Shiby Varughese
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The XVIIII Diocesan Sevika Sanghom National Conference will be held on October 10-13, 2019 at Trinity Mar Thoma Church Houston, TX. Please plan to attend.
