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December 2005
Volume 6, Issue 12

From the desk of Rev. Simon Behanan

Inside this Issue

1. Message from the Vicar

2. Wedding Anniversaries

3. Birthdays

4. Bible Readings

5. News and Announcements

6. Worship Services

7. Deadline for article submission and Acknowledgement

Theme For The Year 2005: Fellowship with God, self and others.

Here is a story titled “Just Frog” written by Carol Ann Garretson. May this year’s Christmas season help us to reflect on the theme: “love is giving from the heart,” as we read in this story. Take some time to read this story and reflect on this. 

"What about the pain?" said the frog, as he hopped on to the rock next to the cypress tree. "Do humans think they are the only ones that experience loss, lack of love, or rejection?"The duck thought for a moment and then a tear fell from her eye. "I lost my mate last hunting season, as we were trying to soar out of range of the hunters. The humans say that there were too many ducks that season, but frog, have you ever seen a duck make weapons against the humans? It seems we are at their mercy, and my dear husband Harry, is probably stuffed and sitting on someone's bookcase while the human tells the story of spotting us both and deciding on the male, of course. How do you cope, frog?"

"I have decided each of us does it differently. Don't you remember how Mrs. Squirrel raised a chipmunk after her own son got trapped, boxed, and shipped away last winter? That chipmunk received so much love and approval, it gained the reputation of the 'daredevil of the forest,' and it has lived up to its name." "By observation, that is what you are telling me frog," said the duck. 

"Yes, sometimes our hurt or pain seems so real we fail to reach out to someone else. Not everyone is going to be callous and unfeeling. Remember that carelessness has caused a lot of fires, but it has been the humans that ran to the rescue of these very woods. As you can probably observe, all forms of nature experience pain, loss, and the feeling of not belonging sometimes.

"There was a long pause and frog looked from his left to his right trying to think of the proper way to respond to duck that had been hurt so deeply. Then duck continued her conversation by asking frog just one last question. "Frog what should our message be this time of year?

"Frog looked up and replied, "It should be to go slower and look at what you have around you. Make yourself take time to listen. Do not always be looking for answers while your life turns in circles. In essence, be kind, thoughtful, and ask to be given wisdom. After all, it is Christmas and the celebration is for peace and love of all kingdoms. It was the one known as Christ who loved all creatures, special request. Never forget, love is giving from the heart duck, and you have done so. Sleep well and good night"-------just frog.

Wish You All A Merry ChristMas And A Happy New Year

 

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December Birthdays

The vicar and the members of Atlanta Mar Thoma Church wish the following members a very happy birthday. Please plan to attend the celebration communion service on the Sunday following the occasion.

1st Aleyamma Abraham
Jose P. John
3rd John Thomas
5th John
Marrykutty John
6th Melvin
Riya Ann Varughese
7th Josh
8th Jonathan
Liza
9th Aleyamma Babu
10th Chris
Lea Sara
11th Sean Samuel Mathew
Varghese Samuel
12th Sneha
Suresh T. Mathews
13th Anita Johnson
15th Grace
Reji
Sam
Sunil
16th Crystal
Shoba
17th Jaysly
Shawn
18th Chriswin Simon John
Lucy Jacob
Marvin
20th Joel
Preety
22nd Sheena Thomas
23rd Raju
Sosamma Stephen
24th Susan Alexander
25th Aleyamma Philip
Anny Varghese
Suresh Jacob
26th Angela
Sabu Abraham
27th Sindhu Samuel
Smitha
28th Sophia
29th Charu
31st Alex
Christine
Elizhabeth Thomas
Paul Varghese
Reenu Mohan

December Wedding Anniversaries

The vicar and the members of Atlanta Mar Thoma Church wish the following members a very happy Wedding Anniversary. Please plan to attend the celebration communion service on the Sunday following the occasion.

13th Mr.Koshy Chacko & Mrs.Sheeba Koshy
17th Mr.Alexander C. Chacko & Mrs.Gracemma Alexander
18th Mr.Thomas Abraham & Mrs.Shobha Thomas
19th Mr.Joseph Varughese & Mrs.Gracy Varughese
24th Mr.Reji Samuel & Mrs.Sindhu Samuel
25th Mr.Varghese Ninan & Mrs.Saramma Ninan
27th Mr.Mathew Samuel & Mrs.Saramma Samuel
28th Mr.Mathew V. George & Mrs.Mini V. Mathew

Mr.Shibu Joykutty & Dr.Anne Mathew

Mr.Thomas Varughese & Mrs.Santhi Thomas

 

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Bible Readings for December 2005

Date Lesson1 Lesson2 Epistle Gospel
4th Dec Gen 33: 1-17 2Cor 1:3-11 1Thes 3: 6-13 Luke 1:39-45
11th Dec Isa 55: 6-13 Acts 11:19-26 Heb 4:1-13 Luke 1:57-66
18th Dec Isa 11:1-10 1John 5:1-12 Rom 1:1-16 Matt 1:18-23
25th Dec Isa 9:1-7 Phil 2:1-11 Col 1:15-20 Matt 1:18-25
31st Dec 1 Sam 7:7-17 Heb 13:7-21 Eph 5:15-21 Matt 6:25-34

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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Area Prayer Meetings:

No area prayer meetings this month due to the Christmas Caroling.

 

Sunday School:

Classes will be held on every Sunday at 8.45 am (except on Dec 25th) at the church.

 

Youth Fellowship:

To be announced later.

 

Young Families Fellowship:

To be announced later.

 

Sevika Sangam:

To be announced later.

 

Edavaka Mission:

Meetings will be held on Fridays at 7.00 pm at the church or at the residence of members.

 

Choir Practice:

Every Sunday before and after the service.

 

Announcements:

bulletChristmas Carol Service: This year’s Christmas carol service will be held at 6.00 pm on Dec 24th Saturday. The convener Mr. Mathews Kurian will be organizing the program with the help of Choir, Youth Fellowship, Sunday School and Sevika Sangam. All those who are participating in various programs are requested to come to the church by 5.00 pm so that we can begin the program in time. Refreshments will be served to all.
bulletHouse to House Carol Rounds: We have already started the carol rounds under the leadership of the conveners Mr. Shaji Mathew and Mr. Abraham Mathew. We will continue to visit our houses during the coming week ends. Donations received though Carol rounds is ear marked for the mortgage payments of the church.
bulletChristmas Service: On Dec 25th Sunday we will begin with the Christmas service in Malayalam at 9.30 am followed by Holy Communion service in English. Lunch will be provided to all. Volunteers are needed for providing/ sponsoring food. Mr. Thomas Mathew will be organizing the food with the help of the food committee.
bulletSabha Dinam (Mar Thoma Church Day): Dec 21st Wednesday is observed by our church as the Sabha Dinam (Mar Thoma Church Day), the anniversary of the inauguration of the church in India. This is traditionally believed to be the day, on which St. Thomas arrived the coastal port of Kerala. We will have a special service on that day at 7.00 pm and all our members are encouraged to attend this service.
bulletWatch Night Service: This service will begin at 10.00 pm on Dec 31st Saturday. The first one hour will be used for sharing/witnessing. Holy Communion service (Malayalam) will begin at 11.00 pm.
bulletEcumenical Christmas-NewYear Celebration: This program will be held on Jan 1st Sunday evening at 4.30 pm at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 801 Tom Smith Road, Lilburn, GA 30047. Program includes a short ecumenical service, 10 minute presentations by the participating churches and a message. Dinner will be served to all. Dinner coupons ($5 per person) will be distributed at the participating churches and at the venue. There will be a free will offertory to meet the expenses. All our members are encouraged to attend this program.
bulletMonthly subscription and other dues: As we are nearing the end of the year, all our members are encouraged to pay their monthly subscription and other dues as early as possible. We have a good tradition of paying a minimum of $50.00 per month per household. If there is more than one working member in a family, they are encouraged to pay more according to their ability. Senior citizens and those with very little income are encouraged to pay voluntarily according to their ability. Our financial position is very weak and all our members are encouraged to contribute generously..

 

Story of Salvation

        -Dr. Thampi P. Daniel

1. Sin     2. Calvary     3. Faith     4. Life.

  1. Salvation is needed. (Rom. 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;".
  2. Salvation is provided. (1 Pet. 2:24). "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
  3. Salvation is offered. ( Ephesians. 2:8) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
  4. Salvation accepted. ( 1 John. 5:12) "He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

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Worship Services

Dec 4th Sunday 10:00 am Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Dec 11th Sunday 10:00 am Holy Communion Service (English)
Dec 18th Sunday 10:00 am Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Dec 21st Wednesday 7:00 pm Sabha Dinam Service
Dec 24th Saturday 6:00 pm Christmas Carol Service
Dec 25th Sunday 9:30 am Christmas Service (Malayalam), Holy Communion Service (English)
Dec 31st Saturday 10:00 pm Watch Night Service and Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)

 

Answers to last month's quiz

        -Dr. Thampi P. Daniel

  1. Man who lived to be 969 years old. (Gen 5:27)
  2. Man used a stone for a pillow. (Gen 28:11)
  3. Baby had a scarlet thread tied around its hand before it was born. (Gen 38:28-29)
  4. Battle won because man stretched out his hand. (Ex 17:11)
  5. Man ate locusts for food. (Mat 3:4)
  6. Man walked naked for 3 years. (Is 20:2-3)
  7. Man who had twelve fingers and twelve toes. (2 Sam 21:20)
  8. Father who had eighty-eight children. (2 Chr 11:21)
  9. Women boiled and ate her son. (2 Ki 6:29)
  10. Sun stood still for a whole day. (Josh 10:13)
  11. Man was spoken to by an ass. (Num 22:28-30)

 

Unusual things in the Bible

        -Dr. Thampi P. Daniel

Where in the Bible can you find these unusual things?

  1. Sons of God married the daughter of men.
  2. One who had a bed of 13˝ feet (nine cubits) long and 6 feet (four cubits) breadth.
  3. Graveyard full of dead bones resurrected.
  4. The Bible was cut with a knife.
  5. A man whose life as increased by 15 years because he prayed.
  6. Army of 185,000 destroyed in one night.
  7. Sun travelled backward.
  8. No taste in the white of an Egg.
  9. Man had seven hundred wives and 300 concubines.
  10. Where a ferry boat is used.
  11. Man whose hair weighed 6˝ lbs.(200 shekels) when it was cut annually.
  12. The women had to shave their heads before they could marry.
  13. Women killed a man by driving a nail through his head.
  14. Women forebidden to wear men's clothing.
  15. The axe floted in the water.
  16. Men lapped water like dogs.
  17. An army with seven hundred left handed men.

Answers will appear in the next edition of the newsletter.

 

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Deadline:  The deadline for submission of articles for publication in the January 2006 AMTC newsletter is December 21, 2005. Send articles and ads, if any, to editor@atlantamarthomachurch.com. Your prompt attention to this deadline is highly appreciated.

 

Atlanta Mar Thomas Church Newsletter Staff

President: Rev. Simon Behanan
Published monthly by AMTC (Atlanta Mar Thoma Church)

 

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