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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
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
4 http://csichurchtoronto.org
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
6 http://csichurchtoronto.org
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
8 http://csichurchtoronto.org
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