IMMANUEL MAR THOMA CHURCH HOUSTON

IMMANUELMAR THOMA CHURCHHOUSTONTime of rejoicing, withhope arising from death,renewal from the old.NEWS LETTERAPRIL 2021

NewsletterAPRIL 2021From the Vicar’s DeskDear Immanuel Family,First of all, let me wish you all a newness in life in the name of risen Christ whomakes everything new.“Christ is risen, he is risen indeed.” These were the greeting words of the firstcentury Christians. He conquered death by rising again. And because he lives, wealso will live. The resurrection gives us hope over the last enemy, death. It gives ushope not only in the life before death, but life after death as well.The year 2020 was a year of fear, confusion, and chaos. But God was with us inour journey. The dark clouds are slowly moving, more and more people receive thevaccine, and we are rushing back to life as it was before the pandemic. We are tryingto go back to normal. The reality is that we can’t go back to the old normal but the‘new normal’. Risen Christ also invites us to lead a new life. Three times Risen Christasks Peter the same question, “do you love me?” Peter replied, “Lord you knoweverything”. Jesus gave him a new responsibility “feed my sheep.” This demands anew way of life, a new normal.During this Easter Season and in our new normal, we need to heed Jesus’s callto feed His lambs, tend his sheep, feed his sheep, and follow him. May you seekopportunities to share Jesus’s light by extending care for others, loving one another,and sharing the peace of Christ with all you encounter. Don’t go back to normal, butgo forward with the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and theassurance of the Holy Spirit, as you seek to follow the Risen Lord all the days of yourlife.Our new Vicar Rev. Eappen Varghese will arrive in Houston on May 06, 2021. Iwish and pray that Achen’s ministry here is a blessing for the Church. A warmwelcome to Eappen Varghese Achen, Neena Kochamma, Rebecca, Ephrayim, andHanok.2Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

NewsletterAPRIL 2021From the Vicar’s Desk . Cont’dThis is my very last message to you all as the Vicar of Immanuel Mar ThomaChurch, Houston. I am thankful to God for letting me serve you as a servant of Christto serve this Parish. We experienced God’s protection and strengthening hands. I amthankful for the Mar Thoma Church and its leadership, especially the late lamentedJoseph Mar Thoma and our diocesan bishop Isaac Mar Philoxenos Tirumeni. Theexperiences that we encountered every day taught lessons, and I was able to learn alot from you over the past four years. We were fortunate to receive your kindness andprayers. You considered me as a son, a brother, and a spiritual mentor and trustedme to serve you as a servant of Christ. Our time here helped me to grow spiritually asI hope you did too. We were able to see the hand of God at work. I will forever begrateful for your support, kindness, and love.Lots of good memories are flowing to my mind when I write this. God allowedme to be a part of your happy and difficult times. We could kneel together, pray andworship. I tried to serve the Lord with great humility and with tears along with you. Iam also joining with St. Paul that, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aimis to finish the race and complete the task Lord Jesus has given me—the task oftestifying to the good news of God’s grace.” I remember the baptisms, weddings,funerals, house warmings, first communion, silver jubilee celebration, familyconference, auctions, spring fests, VBS, Hagar night, karuna sparsham, camps, fooddistributions, backpack & toy drives, hurricane Harvey, freezing weather, onlineprayers and worship, Lenten prayers, Christmas plays, house to house caroling,singing, praying, preaching, fellowship, and friendship. I remember it all! There wassome tearing down of old ideas and planting of new ideas, some disagreements andsome resolutions, some remembering and some forgiving. Everything was for theextension of God’s kingdom. I thank the office bearers and executive committees whoworked along with me. I appreciate the prayer group representatives, organizationoffice bearers for their support. I got an opportunity to work along with Rev. JohnsonUnnithan & family and Rev. Saji Albi and his family. I am indebted to both of them fortheir fellowship in serving the Lord here at Immanuel.3Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterFrom the Vicar’s Desk . Cont’dMy dear Immanuel family, you will always be a part of me and I will always be apart of you. Thank you for all of your patience, kindness, mercy, grace, generosity,and love that you have shown me. Immanuel is a great church and a witnessingcommunity. We are departing Immanuel with a contented and grateful heart. Irequest nothing else, but to continue praying for us. If any one of you is hurt by any ofmy words or deeds, kindly forgive me.We will be traveling from Houston on Wednesday, April 28th at 2.00 PM. We aretransfered to St Thomas Marthoma Church Karakkal, Thiruvalla, Kerala.May you continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, worshiping the Lord with yourwhole heart, mind, body, and soul, and remember to do everything for the glory ofGod. Let me put down the pen as the Vicar of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church byreminding you a promise,"The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you."Deuteronomy 33:27May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship ofthe Holy Spirit be with you all.Servant in ChristAnuAchen4Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

NewsletterAPRIL 2021Dearly beloved in Christ,Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.We are at the end of another Lenten Season. Let us thank God for theblessings that we have received during this year's Lenten journey. Wecelebrated Passion week and remembered the trial, crucifixion, death andresurrection of our Lord and the suffering He bore for our sake. Wecommemorate Christ's death and celebrate Christ's resurrection. Resurrectionconquered death and brought life to us all. Christ's life to others is that they mayalso experience Him.Let us look back in our Lenten journey. Has there been any change in us?Where do we find ourselves in God's presence? Have we grown closer to God?The end of Lent requires us to introspect and answer the vital questions of ourspiritual life. This will result in change and transformation. Let us use the powerof the cross and resurrected Christ as a driving force for our lives, as we journeytogether. Let us experience Christ together; as a faith community.This is my last opportunity to write to you all through the pages of thenewsletter as the Assistant Vicar of the Immanuel Marthoma Church Houston.Every day I thank God for blessing with me more than I deserve. Thank you forbeing in my life and for staying with me through thick and thin. First of all, Ithank God Almighty who blessed me to serve as a Priest in this Parish for lastthree years. I am also obligated to Late. Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan andexpress my Sincere thanks to Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Issaac MarPhiloxenos Episcopa Thirumeni, for their support, love, care and guidance.The last three years was very crucial time in my life's journey. But ourSavior saved me and my family and brought to us into a safe place, to regain ourlives. Many times, He saved us from deadly situations and we are very thankfulto God for it. In our Pastoral Ministry, during this tenure, we have receivedwhole hearted support from the Parish Office Bearers ,Executive CommitteeMembers, Organization Office Bearers and all the Parish Members. My sincerethanks to our Vicar Rev. Abraham Varghese and family for we were able toserve together and support in our ministry.5Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterCont’d .I wish you all a happy and blessed feast of resurrection. May the powerthat of the cross and resurrected Christ be an inspiration for us to moveforward in our spiritual journey. Let us patiently wait for His return! May theblessing of the Holy Trinity be with you all.With Prayer and Love,Sajiachen.6Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterWORSHIP SCHEDULES APRIL 2021(Easter - ResurrectionCelebration of new Life)4-Apr11-Apr7:00 AMMalayalam Holy Communion10:00 AMEnglish Holy Communion10:30 AM(New Sunday: JesusChrist our Lord andGod)Malayalam Holy Communion(Jesus Christ whoRestores)18-Apr09:30 AMEnglish Holy Communion(An invitation toChrist's Hospitality)25-Apr2-May09:30 AM10:30 AMMalayalam Holy Communion(The Compassionwhich leads to theExperience of theKingdom of God)1st Lesson:2nd Lesson:Epistle:Gospel:Isa 60: 12-211 Cor 15: 42-581 Cor 15: 20-28Luk 24: 1-121st Lesson:2nd Lesson:Epistle:Gospel:Gen 32: 22-32Acts 9: 1-182 Thess 1: 3-12John 20: 24-291st Lesson:2nd Lesson:Epistle:Gospel:Ruth 4: 1-11Col 3: 1-11Eph 2: 1-10John 21: 1-141st Lesson:2nd Lesson:Epistle:Gospel:Gen 18: 1-15Rom 12: 9-13Heb 13: 1-8Luke 24: 13-351st Lesson:2nd Lesson:Epistle:Gospel:Ezek 34: 15-24Acts 4: 32-372 Cor 8: 1-9Matt 25: 31-40English Holy CommunionChurch Services can be viewed thru YouTube. YouTube can be assessed fromchurch website www.immanuelmtc.org7Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterAPRIL BIRTHDAYS8Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterAPRIL BIRTHDAYS (Cont’d)9Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterAPRIL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES10Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENTSSevika SanghomMeeting on April 17th 2021 @ 9.30 AMEdavaka MissionEdavaka Mission Prayer meeting isscheduled for April 8, April 15, April22 and April 29 @ 7.00 PM.Send Off meeting for Achens immediatelyafter the Edavaka Mission Prayer meetingon April 15th 2021.IMAFFMonthly meeting for April will be onApril 25th @ 7.00 PM via Church ZoomSenior FellowshipSenior Fellowship meeting on April 10th2021 at 10.00 AM.Send Off meeting for Anu Achen andFamily and Saji Achen and Family will alsobe done on that same daySunday SchoolSunday School Spring Fellowship nightevent will be conducted on April 9th2021IMTC Technology Team needs your helpRequesting for volunteers who can help the technology team duringEnglish and Malayalam Services. Training will be provided. For furtherinformation call 832-623-2330 or e-mail: imtchoustonlive@gmail.com11Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterBIBLE QUIZ FOR APRIL 2021Bible portion taken from 1 Samuel 21 to 31 chapters1. When David asked for a spear or sword, what did Ahimelech gave to David?.2. Israel buried Samuel in his own town of3. David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. Where andwhy?.4. "I am in great distress, God has turned away from me. He no longer answersme". Who said this?.5. Who was brought to David, who did not have any food for three days and threenights?.Answers for March Bible Quiz 1. Samuel 11 to 20 chapters1. 11:7, 2. 12:17-18, 3. 16:12, 4. 18:1, 5. 19:11-1312Immanuel Mar Thoma Church

APRIL 2021NewsletterCondolencesMrs. Achamma Pappachen, 80 years old, mother of Mr.Reji Pappachen ID # 588 of Sinai Prayer Group wascalled to eternal rest at Piravanthoor. Funeral servicewas held at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church,Privanthoor, Kerala.Mr. George Thomas (90 years old), brother of Mr. ThomasYohannan ID # 107 of Salem Prayer Group, taken intoheavenly abode on March 10 at Thumpamon, Kerala.Mr. Thomas Varkey 74 years old, puthumana muzhiyil,brother of Mrs. Grace Zachairah ID # 220 of Bethel prayergroup was taken into heavenly abode at Kanoor Kerala.The Vicars and members of the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church,Houston express our heartfelt condolences to all the bereaving familiesand friends. Kindly uphold the bereaving families in our prayers.Birth AnnouncementJonah Bobby Thomas, born to Benzy and Bobby Thomas,ID # 501, on March 10, 2021Congratulations to the parents and grandparents13Immanuel Mar Thoma Church