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October 2007
Volume 8, Issue 10

From the Desk of Rev. Abraham P. Varkey

Inside this Issue

1. Message from the Vicar

2. Wedding Anniversaries

3. Birthdays

4. Bible Readings

5. News and Announcements

6. Quiz

7. The Nature of God

8. Worship Services

9. Deadline for article submission and Acknowledgement

HOW CAN I COPE WITH MY STRESS?

Stress is defined as a feeling of emotional or physical tension. Stress usually occurs when situations are considered difficult or unmanageable. Stress is different things to different people. It is becoming common with managers, politicians, housewives and even students.

It is clear from the bible that Christ was constantly under pressure. People repeatedly misunderstood him, criticized him ridiculed him. But Christ remained at peace under pressure. He was never in a hurry. How did Christ do this so successfully?

a) Identification: Know who you are

The first principle of handling stress in your life is "know who you are". Jesus said, "I know who I am. I testify for myself" (John 8:18). Christ knew who he was. We should know who we are by knowing whose we are. I am a child of God. I was put on earth not by accident, but for a purpose. I am deeply loved by God. I am accepted by God. He has a plan for my life and because he put me here, I am significant. So to handle stress you must know who you are.

b) Meditation: Make a habit of personal prayer

The second principle of stress management is making a habit of personal prayer. Prayer is a gigantic stress reliever. It is God given tool for letting off your anxieties. Jesus often got up "very early in the morning while it was still dark………..solitary place" to pray (Mark 1:35). A little quiet time alone with God can be a decompression chamber of life's stress. Most of our problems come from our inability to sit still. So we need to start our morning with prayer to recharge our spiritual batteries.

c) Transformation: Give your stress to Christ

Jesus says," come to me all of you who are weary and burdened………rest (Mat.11: 28).
So the next way of stress management is to give our stress to Christ. We will really enjoy the peace of mind when you find right relationship with the Prince of Peace. Christ can transform our life from stressful to satisfied. Come to Him today and find rest of your soul.

"Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Christ"

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October 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.

2 Boban Oonnoonny
3 Sindhu Sony
6 Sally Mathew
7 Alaric Boban
Sherieena
8 Manna Johnson
9 Abraham K. Varghese
11 Libin
13 Nisha Anna
14 Anglina Philip
15 Alex Kurien
16 Chacko Varkey
17 John Philip
Josh
Lilly A. Thampi
Saramma Ninan
19 Daisy Thomas 
Hannah Ninan 
Sam Johnson 
Sarah Ninan
21 Jerry 
Lindsey
24 Sneha Sony
26 Angelin Shajan 
Bagie 
John K. Varghese 
Lekha
27 Joanna Boban
28 Sarah
30 Gracykutty Jacob

October 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.

 

1 Mr. Roy Jacob Ellikkulathu & 
Mrs. Rachel Roy

Mr. Sabu Jacob & 
Mrs. Susan Sabu

10 Mr. Kuriakose George & 
Mrs. Mary Kuriakose
14 Mr. Thomas Alex & 
Mrs. Susan Alex
16 Mr. Babu Kurien & 
Mrs. Aleyamma Babu
18 Mr. Philip Ommen & 
Mrs. Susan Ommen

 

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Bible Readings for October 2007

Date Lesson1 Lesson2 Epistle Gospel
Oct 7, Sun 2 Kings. 7: 3-10    Rom. 1: 8-17 Acts. 8: 1-8 St. Mat. 4: 18-25
Oct 14, Sun 2 Sam. 9: 1-13    1 Thes. 5: 12-22 2 Cor. 12: 1-10 St. Luke.14: 15-24
Oct 21, Sun Gen. 39: 1-23    1 Tim. 4: 6-16 1 Pet. 4: 7-11 St. Mat. 19: 16-22
Oct 28, Sun Josh. 24: 1-18   1 Pet. 3: 7-14 1 John. 2: 7-17  St. Mat. 12: 46-50

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 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Area Prayer Meetings:

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Marietta-Alpharetta Area 

Oct. 27, Saturday 7.00pm at the residence of
Mr. Jacob K. Thomas &
Mrs. Sebi Thomas
2315 Hemrick Road,
Cumming, GA30041

bullet

Snellville -Loganville area

Oct. 6, Saturday 7.00 pm at the residence of
Mr. Abraham K. Varghese &
Mrs. Aleyamma Abraham
4524 Otha way,
Lilburn, GA30047

Edavaka Mission:

bulletEvery Friday 7.00pm at the Church/residences

Fasting Prayer 

bullet

 Oct. 27, Sat 10.30am at the Church

Choir Practice:

bulletEvery Sunday before and after the service.

Sunday School:

bulletEvery Sunday after the Service

Youth Fellowship:

bulletOct.13, Sat., 10.00 am at the Church (Youth retreat)

Yuvajana Sakhyam:

bulletOct.7, Sun. 5.30 pm at the residence of
Mr. Philip Mathew &
Mrs. Blessy Philip
3050 Forbes Trail
Snellville GA30039

Young Family Fellowship:

bulletOct. 21, Sunday, at the Church, after the service

Special Programs in October

Annual Convention

bullet

Oct. 12,13, and 14 at our Church.
Friday and Saturday the meeting will start at 7.00pm and Sunday at 9.00am
Guest speaker of the event will be Ev. John Chacko (Vakathanam Podikunju Upadesi)

Senior Citizen Sunday/ Family Sunday

bullet

Oct.14, Sunday is also celebrating as Senior Citizen Sunday/ Family Sunday

Youth Retreat

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Oct. 13, Saturday 10.00am-2.00pm at the Church
Main Speaker Rev. Joseph Mathew (Vicar, Immanuel CSI Congregation, Atlanta)
Lunch will be served

Parish Directory Photography Sessions

bullet

Oct 5, Friday 3:00pm - 9:30pm
Oct 6, Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm

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October Quiz

Identify the Bible references from the Acts of the Apostles


1. Peter's ministry in Palestine.
2. Establishment of Gentile Church at Antioch.
3. Persecution by Herod Agrippa I.
4. Extension of the Church in Asia Minor and Europe.
5. First Mission, Galatia.
6. Problem of the Gentile church, and council in Jerusalem.
7. Second Mission, Asia Minor and Europe.
8. Third Mission, Asia Minor and Europe
9. Extension of Church to Rome
10. Rejection of the Gospel by Jerusalem.
11. Reception of Gospel in Rome.
12. Acts contains________ chapters and __________verses.


Please e-mail your answers to danielthampi@bellsouth.net or mail to Dr. Thampi Daniel, 1438 Church Street, Apt# 606, Decatur, GA 30030. Tel/Fax: 404-687-9155 or 404-964-2974
Answers will appear in the next edition of the newsletter.

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Answers for September Quiz

1. Acts. 1: 1-14
2. Acts. 1: 1526
3. Acts. 2: 1-41
4. Acts. 2: 42-47
5. Acts. 3: 1-6
6. Acts. 4: 1-37
7. Acts. 5:1-16
8. Acts. 5: 17-42.
9. Acts. 6: 1-7.
10. Acts. 8: 4-25
11. Acts. 8: 26-40
12. Acts 9: 1-31.

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THE GRACE OF GOD
 
Ephesians : 2:8

"For by grace are ye saved "through faith; and that not of yourselves:"
It is the gift of God: 2 Tim. 1:9, Rom.4:16, Matt.16:17.


"The wages of sin is death". As a result of man's sin, there are three deaths. Keep in mind that death does not annihilate; it only separates. In the Garden of Eden it separated man from God spiritually; this is spiritual death. In natural death, it separates the spirit and the soul from the body; this is physical death. In final death, it separates man from the mercy of God forever; this is eternal death.

(1) The wages of sin is death. Just as sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him from the presence of God out of the Garden, so sin will separate you from God (Isa. 59:1,2) The only way back to God is to confess your sin to Him (1 John 1:9), and forsake your sins (Isa. 55:7), that you may be restored to fellowship with God.

(2) The wages of sin is physical death. Physical death is a result of sin. Death had no claim on man until man sinned. Now all die, because all are in sin. Death is universal, and since we have a universal effect, we must have a universal cause, and that cause is universal sin. All men die-the good and the bad-the young and the old-and man will continue to die until death is destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:26) and is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor.15:15-57).

(3) The wages of sin is eternal death. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). This is eternal separation from the love of God Almighty (Rev. 20:14). Once the soul passes beyond the portal of hell he is lost and lost for ever. He will continue to exist, but without hope. He is damned and damned to all eternity. Eternal death is eternal separation from our loving God (Luke. 16:19-31)

Next Month: GOD'S REMEDY FOR SIN.
-Dr. Thampi P. Daniel

 

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Worship Services

Oct 7    Sunday 9:30 am Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Oct 14 Sunday 9:00 am Holy Communion Service (English)
Concluding session of annual convention
Oct 21 Sunday 9:30 am Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Oct 28 Sunday 9:30 am Praise & Worship and Holy Communion Service (English)

 

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Deadline:  The deadline for submission of articles for publication in the November 2007 AMTC newsletter is October 21, 2007. 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. Abraham P. Varkey
Editor: Mr. Roy Ellikkulathu
Published monthly by AMTC (Atlanta Mar Thoma Church)

 

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