Dearly beloved in Christ, We have entered the 2nd month of the New Year and the days are going by. As Christians, we should never forget the past. The past leads us into the present. History and past events guide us into living our life in the present and future. History and scriptures teach us not only about the movement of people, but of God, and the mysterious yet dy-namic way He is worked through people of the past, which allows us to see how He is working in the present. No matter how bitter or difficult past experiences have been, these need to remembered, not for the case of re-living them, but rather, discovering the possi-bilities of the present and future, which are God’s gift. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We are in a continuous process of development, even though certain experiences may make us

feel that we are in a standstill, always fix your eyes on Jesus Christ. Always remember our faith and hope are in Him. Hebrews 12: 1-13 (NIV) says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he en-dured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who en-dured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The 124th session of the Maramon Convention will take place this month in Kerala. Thousands of people from around the world will be attending this year’s convention, which includes bible studies, intercessory prayers, devotions, and messages. This year, a special World Mar Thoma Women’s Meet will also take place, commemo-rating the centenary celebrations of the Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom. Many from the US are attending the same. I humbly request that you view the webcasting via internet that will be taking place during the week of February 10-17, 2019. Many of the messages are in English, and translated to Malayalam. I encourage you to listen to some of the messages for spiritual fulfillment and renewal. More information regarding webcasting will be communicated soon. We as a faith community need to be transformed by the word of God to live a meaningful and authentic Christian life. May the grace and blessings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all. Yours in Christ, 1/30/2019 Rev. Dennis Abraham San Francisco, CA Vicar

NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019

MARTHOMA CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

FROM THE VICAR

Dearly Beloved in Christ, It has been a great privilege, blessing, and honor for me to have served as Parish Secre-tary of Mar Thoma Church of San Francisco in 2018. I sincerely thank all of you for your trust, benevolence, prayers, and support that enabled me to serve my responsibilities fruitfully towards the Parish and beloved members. I thank the Lord Almighty for His blessings and mercies in all the church activities throughout the last year. We faced many challenges and hardships in 2018. Let us praise God Almighty for hold-ing us together and shepherding us on the path He prepared. I take this opportunity to thank each member of our Parish for their encouragement, support and guidance that I

received during my tenure. My sincere thanks to Vicar, Office Bearers, Executive Committee members, Or-ganizations, Prayer groups, AV team, ASR team, Maintenance team, sub-committees, and all others who have worked diligently, collaboratively, and extremely hard to ensure the successful operation and continuity of our Parish. Want to take a moment to thank Shino Kurian who has been instrumental in publishing the monthly news-letters, and Susan John (Pushpa) for the conscientious efforts for brainstorming and creating strong cross-word puzzles for every newsletter. Also want to recognize and thank our ASR team members who selflessly ensure the continuity of our ever popular After Service Refreshment program. Thank you all for your dedica-tion and efforts. Finally, a wholehearted THANK YOU to all of you!! I simply couldn’t have done it without YOU!! We were very resilient and determined, and showed our love and support for church with overwhelming participation in all church events, and generous contributions in 2018. I wish the very best to new office bearers and committee members. May God Almighty empower them to shoulder the responsibilities in the new year. Yours in His Ministry, Roy Chacko Parish Secretary

FROM THE

SECRETARY

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Date Service Assisting Area

February 3rd Malayalam Holy Communion Service @9:00 AM San Ramon

February 10th Malayalam Holy Communion Service @10:00 AM Fremont

February 17th English Divine Service@9:00 AM San Francisco & South Bay

February 23rd English Holy Communion Service@ 10:00 AM Central Valley

HOLY

COMMUNION

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date Event

February 2nd General Body Meeting @ Church at 10:30 AM

February 16-17 Western Region MTVEA Conference at Horeb Mar Thoma Church, Garden Grove, CA

PRAYER MEETINGS

February 1st San Ramon area prayer at the residence of Mr. Abraham Mathew and Mrs. Sunu Easow at 8:00 PM

February 2nd Edavaka Mission Fasting prayer @ Church at 10:30 AM

February 9th Sevika Sangham prayer meeting and general body in Church at 2:00 PM

February 9th San Francisco area prayer at the residence of Mr. Prasad Kuruvilla and Mrs. Anila Thomas at 6:00 PM

February 24th Fremont area prayer at the residence of Mr. Bejoy Oomman and Mrs. Beena Oomman at 7:00 PM

FIRST COMMUNICANTS TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE

February 24th After ASR

March 10th 12:15 PM—2PM

March 23rd 2:00 PM—3:30 PM

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BIRTHDAYS

1 Baby Jacob 9 Annie Cherian 20 Suvin Varghese

1 Shaji Mathew 11 Nisha Thomas 20 Maya Mathews

1 Smitha Philip 11 Bindhu Skaria 20 Anita Sujit

2 Johan Raji 11 Jibu John 20 Bindu Alexander

2 Sushama Johnson 13 Rebecca Philip 21 Blessy Alexander

3 Prasad Kuruvilla 13 Aju Philip 21 Blessy Roy

3 Jennice Thomas 14 Joanna Jubin 21 Steve Kurien

4 Mathew Samuel 14 Siby Samuel 21 Daisy Jose

4 Justina Mathai 15 Jedediah Muthalaly 21 Juli Tharakan

5 Judy George 16 Ritu Mathews 25 Rohan Roy

5 Jibin Thomas 16 Suma Mathew 25 Christine Samuel

5 Joseph George 17 Charles Chacko 28 Santhamma John

5 Binil Mathews 17 Mathew Mathai 28 Mithun Alexander

6 John Varghese 18 David Sam 28 Abel Thomas

7 Reena Korah 18 George Konapozhil 29 Jolly Philip

7 Benjamin Thomas 18 Kaithara George 29 Rhea Varughese

9 Rajiv Kochumman 19 Sushmita Sujit

WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY

Day Family Day Family

1 Bijou & Taji Abraham 10 Binil & Smita Mathews

1 Stanley Samuel & Manju Mathew 10 Kurian Thomas & Annamma Kurian

2 Dinil Joy & Sheba Isac 12 Sam John & Ansu Ninan

3 Mathew Jacob & Swapna Mathew 15 Abin & Sharon John

5 Sam Alex & Nisha Thomas 15 Philip & Deena Alexander

6 Mavunkal & Sosamma Cherian 19 Kaniyamparambil S. Abraham Family

6 Reni Varghese & Libby Kurien 24 Binesh & Julie George

7 Santosh P Abraham & Pretha Thomas 24 K Gheevarghese & Merykutty Varughese

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE Jeremiah 1-3 NIV

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Crossword Puzzle Winners

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Rise Against Hunger