March 2021 Parish Voice - St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148
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St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of
Chicago, Lombard, IL 60148
March 2021
Parish Voice
Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior
JesusChrist,
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As we prepare ourselves for the Great Lent let us take time
to understand its deeper meaning. Feasts and fasts are the
part of the tradition of all religious communities. In the
Christian Churches of Antiochian tradition, including Mar
Thoma Church, the Great Lent consists of 40 days ending with 40th Friday, with
an extension of 10 more days inclusive of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday and Easter. It spreads to 7 weeks with a total of 50 days.
The Great Lent or “Valiya Nombu” is specifically set apart as a time of
fast, prayer and meditation wherein we remember the work of Jesus Christ and
ultimately connect ourselves to His passion and death on the cross. Christ
redeemed the whole humanity from sin and death. Lent is infact a spiritual retreat
of the Church, through which the members of the church meditate upon the cross
of Christ and submit to it in a sense of complete repentance. These fifty days
should help every member of the church to have an experience of abiding in
Christ in a realistic way.
Lent in the Mar Thoma Church
The constitution of the Mar Thoma Church says ‘the observance of
Sunday, lents and dominical feasts shall not be abolished at any time’. This itself
is a clause that cannot be deleted or amended by anybody.
It was about a century ago when Titus I Mar Thoma was the
Metropolitan that the present constitution was given its initial shape. There was
an earlier constitution which was published in 1857 by Mathews Mar Athanasius,
the Metropolitan who led the church after the Reformation. It was known as “The
Canon of the Malankara Syrian Church”, the See of St. Thomas The Apostle. It
is from this canon that we can get some insights into the tradition of the lent and
what it meant to our ancestors.
The Canon list’s 5 lents
1. Great lent -50 days
2. 25 days lent preceding Christmas
3. 3 days lent called Nineveh lent – 21 days before great lent
4. Lent of the apostles – June 16 – 29
5. Lent of the Virgin Mary –Aug 1 -15Important dates during Great Lent
1. For us and all the eastern churches, the first Sunday of lent is called
Perthutho.
It comes from the Syriac word ‘Fathur’ which means
- withdrawal from old life,
- pass through a new life
- and return to God
Lent comes from the Latin word- ‘Lenctin’ which means spring.
Lententide-springtide, the word for the month of March when the major part of
the lent is observed. The essence of lent is fasting, prayer and dietary restrictions.
Fasting is up to the 9th hour. i.e., 3:00p.m. On weekend it is till 12 :00p.m. Lent
is an excellent weapon to fight against evil. It was with this weapon that Jesus
overcame the devil before he started His public ministry. And that is why we too
must observe the Lent says the canon. The canon says no observance of lent is
required on the first and last Sundays of lent. The first is for preparation
(Perthutho) and the last is for celebration (Easter). The first Monday of lent is
called Shubkono which means reconciliation which is marked by prostrations
(kumbideel) and the kiss of peace.
The 1st Wednesday of Great lent is Ash Wednesday for western
churches. It is on this day that the Great Lent begins in the Western church. Palm
leaves of the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned and the ash is smeared on
the forehead of the believer in the sign of the cross by the priest. This is to remind
the believer the words of the scripture, “Remember, O man that you are dust and
to dust you shall return”(Gen.3.19).
During the Old Testament times the imposition of ashes upon a person was
a sign of penitence and mourning. 40th Friday - Friday previous to Palm
Sunday. It commemorates Jesus victory over Satan at the end of 40 days of
fasting in the wilderness.
Then comes Palm Sunday (Hosanna), Maundy Thursday (Pesaha), Good Friday
and Easter Sunday
What is fasting?
The Malankara canon specifies the rules for observance of lent. It calls us
to avoid egg, milk, butter milk, butter, curd, fish, meat and any item that either
brings the pleasure of taste or contributes to robust health. All intoxicatingdrinks must be shunned. The canon says to abstain from physical union and to
spend more time for prayer and fasting. This is the reason why marriages where
not solemnized during lent. During lent spend more time in prayer, meditation,
fasting, corporate prayer and worship services. Lent is not to be only understood
as a way of external observance but for the sanctification and renewal of our
heart through repentance leading to a strengthening of our mutual relationships
in church and society.
Fasting and avoiding rich food helps us to identify with people who are
hungry and less privileged than we are. It leads us toward deeper awareness of
the needs of others and equips us to love and serve them.
Is. 58: 1- 7 describes what true fasting is?
Vs.3 -4 speaks of fasting that is not acceptable to the Lord
a) You serve your own interest on fast day
b) You oppress all your workers
c) You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist.
Is. 58: 6 -7 speaks of fasting that is acceptable to the Lord
I. Unlock fetters of wickedness
II. Untie the cords of the yoke
III. Let the oppressed go free
IV. Snap every yoke
V. Share food with the hungry
VI. Provide housing to the poor wanderer
VII. Clothe the naked
VIII. Pay heed to the destitute kin
Lent is a time to BEND, MEND AND LEND
BEND before the cross -Humble yourselves
MEND – reconcile with self and others
LEND – lend your wealth
I Pray that this Season of lent becomes a blessed experience of giving
up oneself and sharing of our resources to others in need. May God bless us all.
Yours in Christ
Suneethachen.WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS for March 2021
Sunday Mar 7 - Diocesan Sunday - Live Stream Mal HC Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Mar 14 - Live Stream English Contemporary Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Mar 21 - Live Stream Malayalam Holy Communion Service at 9:00 am
Sunday Mar 28 - Palm Sunday - Live Stream Eng HC Service at 9:00 am
Thursday Apr 1 - Maundy Thursday – Eng* HC Service at 7:00 pm
Friday Apr 2 - Good Friday – Service starts at 6:00 pm
Sunday Apr 4 - Live Stream Malayalam Holy Communion Service at 8:00 am
STMTC Church Program for March and April 2021
Organized
Dates Days Program Location
by
March 1, Mon, Wed, Sandhya via Zoom at 8:00
EM
3, 5, 6 Fri, Sat Namaskaram pm
Church and
March 7 Sunday Mal HC Service Lay leaders livestream at 9:00
am
March 8,
Mon, Wed, Sandhya via Zoom at 8:00
10, 12, EM
Fri, Sat Namaskaram pm
13
Church and
March Eng Contemporary
Sunday YG livestream at 9:00
14 Service
am
March Sandhya via Zoom at 8:00
Mon to Sat EM
15 to 20 Namaskaram pm
Church and
March
Sunday Mal HC Service Lay leaders livestream at 9:00
21
am
March Sandhya via Zoom at 8:00
Mon to Sat EM
22 to 27 Namaskaram pm
Church and
March Palm
Eng HC Service* Lay leaders livestream at 9:00
28 Sunday
amChurch and
March Passion week
Mon – Wed Lay leaders livestream at 7:00
29 – 31 worship
pm
Church and
Maundy
April 1 Eng HC Service* Lay leaders livestream at 7:00
Thursday
pm
First part in
Church and
Good English, 2nd and YG and Lay
April 2 livestream at 6:00
Friday 3rd part in leaders
pm
Malayalam
Church and
Evening Special
April 3 Saturday YG and YS livestream at 5:30
Program
pm
Church and
Easter Mal HC Service at
April 4 Lay leaders livestream at 8:00
Sunday 8 am
am
Church and
Regional Choir
April 10 Saturday Choir livestream at 4:30
Festival
pm CST
Eng HC Service –
Lay
Send off program Church and
leaders,
April 11 Sunday for Rev. livestream at 9:00
Church
Christopher Phil am
Secretary
Daniel
Church and
April 18 Sunday Eng HC Service Lay leaders livestream at 9:00
am
Church and
April 25 Sunday Mal HC Service Lay leaders livestream at 9:00
am
Church and Zoom
Rev. Suneeth Church
April 25 Sunday immediately after
Mathew send off Secretary
HC service
Rev. Suneeth
April 28 Wednesday Mathew departs Church at 3:00 pm
from Church
* Language of Service subject to Change
Lectionary for March 2021Dates Lessons Epistle Gospels Evening
07 Sunday Salvation for all in Christ, ക്രിസ്തുവില് സരലര്ക്ുും രക്ഷ
Gen 16:1-16 Rom 15:14-21 Ps 116:1-19
Phlm 1:1-21 Mark 7:24-30 Acts 11:1-18
10 Wednesday Mid-Lent-The Necessity of the Cross പരുതി ന ോമ്പ്:
രുരിശി ്റെ അ ിവോരയത
Num 21:4-9 Gal 6:11-16
1Cor 1:18-31 John 3:1-17
14 Sunday Healing through Worship ആരോധ യിലൂറെയുള്ള വിെുതല്
Exod 3:11-18 Rom 12:1-8 Ps 20:1-9
Acts 16:19-34 Luke 13:10-17 Acts 16:16-18
21 Sunday Kurie-Elaison: Enlightening Faith രുെിറയലോയിനസോന്: രണ്ണ്
തുെപ്പി്ുന്ന വിശവോസും
Isa 35:1-10 Gal 3:1-9 Ps 34:1-22
Acts 9:1-18 Luke 18:35-43 Heb 11:1-12
25 Thursday Suboro – Annunciation to Virgin Mary സുന ോനെോ :വച ിപ്പ്
റപരുന്നോള്- ര യര മെിയോമിന ോെുള്ള അെിയിപ്പ്
Deut 18:9-22 • 1John 3:1-10
Gal 3:15-25 • Luke 1:26-38
26 Friday Fourtieth Friday – Christ who transcends Temptations ോല്പതോും
റവള്ളി- പരീക്ഷരറെ അതിജീവിച്ച രര്കതോവ്
Jer 7:3-17 Rom 8:35-39
1Pet 1:13-22 Luke 4:1-13
28 Sunday Hosanna: Christ the Eternal King (Theological Seminary Day) ഊശോ :
ിതയ രോജോവോയ നയശു (വവദീര റസമി ോരി ദി ും )
Zech 9:9-17 Col 1:14-23 Isa 5:1-30
Rom 11:16-36 Mark 11:1-11 Heb 5:12-14 , 6:1-
20
29 Monday Hasha – Passion Week ഹോശോ ആഴ്ച്ച്ച (പീഡോ ുഭവ വോരും)
Lev 2:1-16 Isa 63:1-19
Acts 13:26-43 Heb 2:1-18
Matt 21:23-46 Matt 22:15-33
30 Tuesday Hasha – Passion Week ഹോശോ ആഴ്ച്ച്ച (പീഡോ ുഭവ വോരും)
Isa 52:1-15 1Chr Num 21:1-16
Acts 13:44-52 Eph 2:1-22
Matt 22:34-46, 23:1-12 Matt 24:1-28
31 Wednesday Hasha – Passion Week ഹോശോ ആഴ്ച്ച്ച (പീഡോ ുഭവ വോരും)
Isa 28:14-29 Lev 16:1-28Col 1:9-22 1Pet 4:1-19
Matt 24:29-51 John 6:60-70
Lectionary for the first week of April
1 Thursday Holy Communion: Celebration of Divine Plan of
C.H. 314 Salvation
Exo. 12:1-17 1 Cor. 11:23-34
Heb. 9:1-15 St.Mat. 26:17-30
St.Mat. 26:1-16 1 Cor. 11:23-34
St.Mat. 26:31-46
2 Friday Good Friday
C.H. 137 First Service Second Service
C.H. 143 Isa. 53:1-12 Zech. 13:1-9
C.H. 147 1 Pet. 1:1-25 Gal. 3:1-22
St.Mat. 26:47-75 St.Mat. 27:1-44
Third Service
Num. 21:1-9 Heb. 3:1-19
3 Saturday Holy Saturday “The Victory of
Death through Death”C.H. 149 Ezek. 37:1-14 Rom. 6:1-11
1 Pet. 3:17-22 St.Mat. 27:62-66
4 Sunday (Kemta) Resurrection Celebration
of New Life (Easter)C.H. 155 Isa. 60:12-21 1 Cor. 15:20-28
1 Cor. 15:42-58 St.Luke. 24:1-12
Wedding Anniversaries in March
Sosamma & George Thomas Kandankara 2
Shiela & Eapen Kuruvilla 13
Annamma & Bency Samuel 13Birthdays in March Susan Jacob 1 George Philip 18 Anjali Sofia Abraham 1 Angela John 18 Maya Varghese 1 Anton George Tharakan 18 Ava Olivia Kalsi 1 Ethan Alexander Tharakan 18 Jason C. Jacob 3 Gracy Biji Abraham 19 Jacob K. George 6 Joshua Mathew Varghese 19 Neenoo Varghese 7 Madelyn Susy Stephen 19 Aleyamma Mathew 8 Wincy Thomas 20 Thomas T. Lathara 8 Vinod George 21 Nimmy Mariam 8 T. A. Georgekutty 22 Anjali Mary Jacob 8 Susan R. George 22 Bindhu Joshy Mathew 9 Benji Babukutty 22 Neha Mariam Samuel 9 Eby P. George 23 Abey John Thomas 10 Sunil Thankachen 23 Irene Mary Iype 11 Mary Christa Varghese 24 Grace David 12 Susan G. Philip 25 John Varghese 12 Jeremiah Punnamadathu 25 Wilson Chacko 12 Saji J. Mathew 26 Philip Ninan 12 Betsy R. Philipose 26 Lijo Kunjumon 13 Gigi George 27 Rony Mathew 13 Liza Tharakan 27 Lucas P. George 13 Sherine Varghese 27 Rueben Chacko 13 Leena E. Jose 28 Sneha Susan Joshy 13 Marina Sini 28 Thomas Mammen 14 Binu Skariah 28 Koshy Jexie 14 Reji Thomas John 28 Allen Biju Samuel 14 Bobby Mathew Skariya 29 Christian Ninan 16 Naina Lilly Zachariah 29 Ziona Maria Tharakan 16 Hannah Rachel Johnson 29 Josh M. Thomas 17 Santhamma Abraham 31 Ethan Isaac Kalsi 17 Elizabeth Georgekutty 31 Elijah George 17
Journeying Towards Resurrection Day
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been
raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has
been in vain and your faith has been in vain.
1st Corinthians 15:13-14
Grace and peace to all of you in the name of the Holy Trinity!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central fact and belief on
which the Christian faith stands. Noted English author, Michael Green,
makes the following statement: “Christianity does not hold the
resurrection to be one among many tenets of belief. Without belief in the
resurrection there would be no Christianity at all. The Christian Church
would never have begun…Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the
resurrection.” Thus, it is the resurrection of Christ that provides us with
our basic identity as Christians, and without it, we would be left with
nothing.
In 1st Corinthians 15, St. Paul describes the implications of Christ’s
resurrection. St. Paul affirms (v. 13) that it is utter foolishness to think that
there is no resurrection from dead because this would imply that even
Jesus did not rise from the dead. This is why St. Paul goes on to say that if
Christ has not resurrected then our faith in Jesus is futile and in vain (v. 14).
The resurrection is the central fact of our faith. This is the heart of what our
faith is all about. Everything we do rests on the fact that Jesus rose from
the dead. If we doubt the resurrection of Jesus, the foundations of our lives
and faith will begin to crumble.
Suppose that Jesus did not rise from the dead, how would we
explain what happened that first Easter morning? Suppose we had been
there that first Easter; would we have believed or would we have doubted?
It is interesting to note that the disciples, the people who knew Jesus the
best and loved Him the most, had grave doubts on Easter morning. They
did not actually expect the resurrection. So, what did finally convince them?
Jesus did! The same Jesus that they had watched die on the cross appeared
to them; He spoke to them and reassured them with a great new hope.Although the disciples initially doubted the resurrection of Christ, they
ultimately accepted it. They were strengthened by its power and
committed themselves to carry on its message to bring hope and peace to
others.
As we journey towards Easter, we are called to fully embrace the
resurrection of our Lord. We have to stop doubting and start believing. We
have to believe that Jesus died for us and that He also rose from the dead
for our sake. The tomb is empty because Christ is alive. The emptiness of
the tomb gives us the assurance that Christ indeed is alive, reigning on high
and in our hearts, to give us new lives of faith and hope. Let us believe in
the resurrection and experience its transforming power each and every
day of our lives.
Wishing all of you a Blessed Easter in advance!
With love and prayers,
Chris Achen and Neethi
Contact Info: 732–754–8131 | 516–428–0722 | cpdachen@gmail.com
Parsonage Address: 150 W. Saint Charles Road, Apt. 424, Lombard, IL 60148
Announcements
CHOIR
Please see group emails for details.
EDAVAKA MISSION
Please see group email from EM secretary for details.
SEVIKA SANGHOM
Diocesan World Day Prayer will be held on March 20th at 9AM-11AM (CST)
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83465386591?pwd=cCtycmJNN0Y4RDdlY3Q4aXl
5NVkzZz09
Meeting ID: 834 6538 6591 Passcode: 10001
Thank you,
Elizabeth Agi Abraham
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Lent devotions are being assigned by the teachers for students in Grade 4
and above. Please check with your child’s teacher to ensure they are
submitted on time.
Upcoming important dates:
1. Midwest Regional Teachers Retreat (Virtual) - Saturday April 17th 10am
2. Virtual Diocesan Exam (Grades 5-10) - Sunday May 16th 2:30pm
3. Midwest Regional Junior Camp (Virtual) hosted by DMTC - July 8th through
10th
Shinu Ninan, Sunday School Superintendent
Email: shinu_sara9n@yahoo.com
Cell #: (630)886-8066
YOUTH GROUP
There will be Sunday Contemporary Worship at church 9AM on March 14th.
1. Large group Bible Study (virtually) at 7:30PM with Chris Achen on March
12th
2. To those interested, please use the Google forms to sign up for small
groups
Thank you, Helen Anil, Youth Group Secretary
YUVAJANA SAKHYAM
Please see email from Yuvajana Sakhyam SecretaryPARISHVOICEISPUBLISHEDBYSTATHOMASMARTHOMACHURCHOFCHICAGO
2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
TITLE NAME PHONE EMAIL
PRESIDENTANDVICAR REV. SUNEETH MATHEW 630-268-1441 SUNEETHACHEN @GMAIL.COM
630-802-2766
YOUTHCHAPLAIN REV. CHRISTOPHERDANIEL 732-754-8131 CPDACHEN@GMAIL.COM
516-428-0722
VICEPRESIDENT MR. JACOB CHACKO 630-561-5497 JCHACKO2000@YAHOO.COM
SECRETARY MR. MATHEW VARGHESE 630-942-1053 MVARGESE@GMAIL.COM
TREASURER MR. REJI THARAKAN 312-296-8416 REJITHARAKAN@GMAIL.COM
ACCOUNTANT MR. MATHEW ABRAHAM 312 404-6983 ABRAHAM12STER@GMAIL.COM
LAY LDR (MAL) MR. P.K. BOBBY 630-863-0530 PKBOBBY1120@GMAIL.COM
LAY LDR (MAL)* MR. MATHEW THOMAS 630-790-2534 MTHOMAS625@GMAIL.COM
LAY LEADER (ENG) MR. ALBY KENETH 630-258-6679 ASKENETH@SBCGLOBAL.NET
MANDALAMMEMBER MR. MATHEW GEORGE 708-614-1755 MGEORGE86@HOTMAIL.COM
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. SAJI MATHEW 630-215-5147 MATHSJ@GMAIL.COM
DIOCESANASSEMBLY MR. JOEL VARGESE 630-890-9996 JOELV9213@GMAIL..COM
DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY
& CHOIR MR. JACOB K. GEORGE 630-858-7853 J.K.GEORGE@SBCGLOBAL.NET
EDAVAKAMISSION MR. ZACHARIAH KURIAN 630-863-5473 KURIANZ@HOTMAIL.COM
SEVIKASANGHOM MRS. ELIZABETH AGI 708-362-3358 ELIZABETHAGIABRAHAM@GMAIL.COM
ABRAHAM
SUNDAY SCHOOL MRS. SHINU S. NINAN 630-886-8066 SHINU_SARA9N@YAHOO.COM
YOUTH GROUP MR. CYRIL GEORGE 708-262-6417 GEORGE.M.CYRIL@GMAIL.COM
YUVAJANASAKHYAM MR. JAMES JACOB K.JAMESJACOB@GMAIL.COM
AUDITORS* MR. A.P JOHNIKUTTY 630-238-8206 APJOHNI@GMAIL.COM
MR. BINU D. JOHNSON 708-614-9035 BINUJOHNSON@GMAIL.COM
AREA 1 MR. ROY GEORGE 630-877-3091 ROYG22@COMCAST.NET
AREA 2 MR. MATHEWVMATHEW 630-852-7994 MMATHEW028@YAHOO.COM
AREA 3 MR. CHACKO P. THOMAS 708-415-8542 CETEES4@HOTMAIL.COM
AREA 4 MRS. SARAMMA MATHEW 630-834-3830 MATHEW549@COMCAST.NET
AREA 5 MR. VARGHESE PHILIP 630-250-0619 PHILIP1481@HOTMAIL.COM
AREA 6 MR. THOMAS LATHARA 630-497-1806 TLATHARA@HOTMAIL.COM
P V EDITOR* MS. ROSIN THOMAS 630-824-7176 RTHOMA17@GMAIL.COM
(“* NONCOMMITTEEPOSITION)
Please contact or Email the Vicar and cc: to Parish Secretary/PV editor for suggestions, change of notifications etc.
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