The Official Monthly Newsletter of CSI Church, Toronto

Volume 14 Issue 2

FEBRUARY 2014

2014 Motto

Zechariah 4:6

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ …

'സൈന്യത്താലലല ശക്തിയാലുമലല, എന്‍റെ ്മാവാനിന്ാലര േ,'...

Achen’s message .... 3

Celebrations ............ 4

Bible Portions .......... 5

Youth Sunday .......... 6

Church News ........... 7

2 http://csichurchtoronto.org

FEBRUARY 2014

EDITORIAL BOARD

Chief Editor

Rev. Shaji M. Johnson

Editor

Samuel Anselm Samuel

Publication Team

Shini Samuel Suja Sarah Koshy

Akshay Koshy Chris George

Address

CSI Parsonage 1311 Kipling Avenue

Etobicoke M9B 3N7 ON (416) 231– 1717

Articles/ Feedback

May be sent to

pilgrimcsi.to@gmail.com

Editorial …..

Belief or Faith?

Is there God? Why should we worship God? Who is He? Why can’t

you believe in your mind and intellect rather than follow the stories? If

you follow Bible and the story of creation, what will be the plight of

science? These are some of the pressing, pertinent questions.

We live in a world where people are wilfully guided by their beliefs

based on scientific or tangible evidences. This has given rise to a rea-

sonable supposition that a cell possesses godly attributes to form any

living organism, despite its micro size. The worldly wisdom has craft-

ed a web which seems to give man immense knowledge and cogita-

tive power to believe that there is no God. Those who are vehement

in their mundane belief, claim enjoying infinite wisdom, but close their

eyes to the nature around them.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of

his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they

display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice

is not heard. (Psalm 19: 1-3)

Nothing in this world can hide the glory of God. If man fails to

acknowledge it, nature and science will. And yet, how could the

crown of God’s creation, so majestic in appearance, stoop too low to

cause us think with William Wordsworth, ‘What man has made of

man?’. If we are entangled in the earthly wisdom, we need grace in

abundance to wake up from the sleepy nature, and to behold the glo-

ry of the risen Lord. Heavenly wisdom will definitely dawn on us if we

fear the Lord who created heavens and the earth and all that is within.

The belief in the non-existence of God can be transitioned into a little

faith in the God of Abraham.

As Christians, it is our boundless duty to guide the wandering minds

into the wisdom of the great redemption through Jesus Christ. Are

you ready to take up this challenge? Pray without ceasing. In every-

thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning

you.

God Bless

Samuel Anselm Samuel

Editor

http://csichurchtoronto.org 3

Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

We, the church, are the body of believers brought together by the Holy Spirit as a visible part of the

body of Christ. It is a set apart community commissioned to carry out the ministry which Jesus started

here. Ministry is the work of a church among its own members and anywhere in the world. As we get

into the ministry for the New Year, we need to obtain one of the chief virtues in our church life. It is

none other than an absolute renewal through our mutual relationships. This is gained only through the

in-depth study of the word, sharing, and service among the members of the parish. This is the example

set by the early church as well. As a small parish, we must feel that we are a family, and should be able

to provide intimacy and fellowship.

Our church has entered into an innovative episode of association with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto.

I thank you all for making this happen. We will journey with Toronto Diocese towards a blessed future in

the areas of mission and ministry. I invite you to join together to celebrate this bond of relation in church

life. As we are obliged to thank God for His blessings in our life, a thanksgiving service is arranged on

23rd of this month, and I request your participation.

As we all are aware, the Diocese of Madhya Kerala is celebrating the 200 th year of the arrival of Church

Missionary Society (CMS) missionaries to Kerala, in 2016. The Diocese wants to carry out social ser-

vice by involving and initiating projects that will be beneficial to the needier sections of our society. The

Diocese is envisioning several projects net worth of ₹ 25 crores (CAD 5,000,000). Home for the home-

less, Scholarship for 200 poor students, special economic aid for the financially weaker sections, agri-

culture projects, group farming, co-operative societies, health insurance for the needy, counseling cen-

ters, 1200 biogas plants, group insurance for all the presbyters and church workers of our diocese, de-

velopment of village churches, renovation of mission bungalows etc. are some of the intended projects.

Moreover, by 2016 the Diocese should be able to send 200 missionaries, and start 10 new mission

fields. As a parish affiliated to the MKD, we have the responsibility to stretch our generous hands to

support the Diocese in this regard.

As per the direction of our executive committee, I will be visiting you in person to receive your promise

towards these projects. I seek your whole hearted support and prayer.

Our youth Sunday was a meaningful time, and I thank the youth for their initiatives in making the wor-

ship awesome.

On behalf of our church, I congratulate our Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas K, Oommen on his election to the

office of the Deputy Moderator of the CSI.

May God bless you all.

Yours in Christ

Shajiachen

Achen’s Message

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Celebrations

BIRTHDAYS

02 Shaji Levison Moothedom 18 Rohan Raj

02 Rex P. R 19 Mariamma Cherian

03 Santhosh Cherian 19 Mariamma Thomas

03 P. J. Skariah 20 Abraham P. John

05 Suvin Oommen Alexander 20 Rishvi Narayan

06 Pranoy Narayan 20 Philip Z. Mathai

07 Sudeep Oommen 23 Jiby Jacob

10 Ryan John Varghese 24 Savannah Thomas

12 Aaron Fredrick Simon 25 Jinu Mary Jacob

15 Rahul John Oommen 25 Joy Chemmanoor

16 Thomas C. Joseph 26 Christine E. Joseph

16 Binu Sajan 26 Asha Abraham

18 Thomas Mathai

ANNIVERSARIES

02 Sajan Itty & Binu Sajan

http://csichurchtoronto.org 5

February 02

Presentation of Jesus

4th Sunday after

Epiphany

Entry of our Lord in the temple

Old Testament 1 Samuel 1: 19 - 28 English Service

Psalm 118: 19 - 29 Read by

Epistle Romans 11: 33 - 12: 2 Mr. Christopher Gajraj & family

Gospel Luke 2: 22 - 40

February 09

Healing Ministry Sunday

5th Sunday

after Epiphany

Compassionate love and healing

Old Testament Isaiah 40: 1 - 9 Malayalam Service

Psalm 103: 1 - 14 Read by

Epistle James 5: 13 - 18 Mr. Daniel Thomas & family

Gospel Mark 7: 31 - 37

February 16

Celebrating Salvation history

Sunday School

Anniversary

9th Sunday before Easter

Sabbath as the culmination of the creation

Old Testament Isaiah 65: 17 - 25 English Service

Psalm 8 Read by

Epistle Hebrews 4: 2 - 13 Sunday School

Gospel Mark 2: 23 - 28

February 23

Thanksgiving Service

8th Sunday before

Easter

Fall as the violation of the purpose of creation

Old Testament Genesis 6: 1 - 13 English Service

Psalm 32 Read by

Epistle Romans 7: 14 - 25 Executive Committee

Gospel Matthew 7: 15 - 23

Bible Portions

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Youth Sunday

http://csichurchtoronto.org 7

Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Deputy Moderator of Church of South India

Our Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen (Bishop, Madhya Kerala Diocese) has been elected as the new

Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India (CSI). Hearty Congratulations to our dear Bishop, and we

pray for God’s continued blessings upon dear Thirumeni.

The Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam (Bishop, Krishna-Godavari Diocese) is the new Moderator of CSI.

Fasting Prayer

Our monthly fasting prayer will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 10:00 AM in the Church. All are

invited to this special time of meditation and prayer .

Sunday School

There will be Sunday School on the first Sunday of February 2014. All parents are requested to send their

children for Sunday School.

The Sunday School annual exam will be held on Sunday, February 9. Please prepare your children for

the Sunday School exam.

The Sunday School Anniversary and Talent show will be on Sunday, February 16. All children are en-

couraged to present an individual or group item for the talent show.

Thanksgiving Service

As our parish enters into an association with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, we need to thank God Al-

mighty for the successful accomplishment of the Association agreement. As a token of our deep gratitude

to the Lord, a Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, February 23 at 11:30 AM in our church. Bish-

op Rt. Rev. Philip M. Poole will preside over the service. Please do come and participate.

Annual General Body

The Annual general Body will be held on Sunday March 2, 2014 after the worship Service. All church

members are invited to the General Body.

Cottage Prayer

Cottage prayer for JORDAN group (Brampton area) will be held at the residence of Mr. Joseph P.

Mathews, at 6:00 PM on Saturday February 15 . All area members are invited.

Cottage prayer for SHALOM Group (Scarborough, North York, Whitby, Richmond Hill, Thornhill area) will

be held at the residence of Mr. Rennie Philips Joseph on Saturday, February 8 at 6.00 PM. All area mem-

bers are invited.

Obituary

It is with deep sorrow, we inform the sad demise of Mr. Unni Jacob, Kottayam (92), father of Mr. Sajan

Itty. He was called to his eternal home on January 7,2014. Funeral service was held in Kerala. Please

remember Sajan, Binu, Swaroop, Saurabh and all family members in your prayers. May God comfort and

console all the dear ones.

Church News

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For Private Circulation Only

Published by CSI Church, Toronto, 1315 Kipling Avenue M9B 3N7, ON. All rights reserved

President Rev. Shaji M. Johnson Men’s Fellowship Director

Mr. Zac Santhosh Koshy

Vice-President / Rector’s Warden

Mr. Daniel Thomas Women’s Fellowship Director

Mrs. Susan Joseph

Secretary / People’s Warden

Mr. Christy Abraham Youth Fellowship Director

Mr. Abraham P. George

Joint Secretary Mr. Christopher Gajraj Choir Director Mr. Sanju Cherian

Treasurer Mr. Joseph P. Mathews Social & Recreational Director

Mr. Joy Chemmanoor

Joint Treasurer Mr. T. Mathew Chacko

Trustees Mr. Samuel Anselm Samuel Mr. Benjamin Chacko Sunday School

Director Mrs. Raimole Joseph

The Executive Committee Members of the CSI Church, Toronto

Committee