Vicar's
Message (January/February 2012)
New year greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By Gods grace we were able to enter another year. Our Almighty God graciously allowed us to pass through one more troublesome year.
A year of natural calamities like the Tsunami in Japan and its aftermath of nuclear disaster; people’s movement for freedom and civil wars in countries like Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey etc.; the terrorist activities in almost all the parts of the world; the recession in the financial world; global warming and it’s after effects of change in climatic conditions and all these disturbed the peaceful living on the face of the earth last year. Have you ever had that lost feeling when the road ahead seems foggy and scary?
The Lord said “ I am with you and will keep you wherever you go” (Gen:28:15)and He assures us in Hebr:13:5,6 “ I’ll never leave you nor forsake you, the Lord is my helper, I’ll not fear.” The Lord says in Jer: 29:1 that “I know the plans, I have for you.” Those plans are to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you hope and a future. Scottish mathematician, theologian and preacher Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) wrote: “when I walk by the wayside, He is along with me. When I enter into company, amid all my forgetfulness of Him, He never forgets me….Go where I will, He tends me and watches me, and cares for me.” What a comfort to know that God is always with us- we don’t need to go through life alone! God’s presence brings great comfort.
Have you ever seen the hands of God? You can see the hands of God best in the rearview mirror. As we step into a new year, let God’s guidance in the past give us courage for the future. That is why the Psalmist said in Pslm: 92:5, “How great are your works o’Lord, how profound are your thoughts. The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand. But I’ll sing for joy, at the works of your hands”. What is your philosophy of life? What is going to be your New Year resolution? Are you going for a spiritual hibernation, just like all living things do during winter?
People who want to feel better, reduce stress and shed unwanted pounds are discovering that walking may be the best exercise of all. A fitness philosophy of 10,000 steps a day, which first took hold in Japan, is gaining popularity now in our country. Experts advise that, start slowly and work towards a higher goal, realizing each day that every step counts.
It’s even more important to stay spiritually fit by “walking with God”, which the Bible describes as an intimate, growing relationship with the Lord. “Enoch walked with God three hundred years” (Gen: 5:22), Noah walked with God and pleased Him (6:9) to walk with God; we need to keep in step without running ahead or lagging behind. Along the way, we talk with the Lord, listen to Him, and enjoy His presence. We trust His guidance when we cannot see what lies ahead. It is not just the destination that’s important, but the journey we take together. You are headed in the right direction when you walk with God. Let us start our journey with our Lord in this New Year.
Our Christmas and New Year celebrations ended with grant pomp and show. I would like to appreciate the enthusiasm and co-operation shown by our members in making the Carol rounding a big success this year too. We were able to raise about $23,500 for Christmas and $45,000 as tieth. On behalf of the Church, I express my sincere thanks to all the members of the parish, the prayer group leaders and conveners of the carol rounding for their earnest efforts. I also appreciate the hard work and pain taken by our choir leaders Mr.Shaji Eapen, Mr.Shane Thomas, all the choir members, Sunday school teachers, Sunday school students and the coordinator Mrs.Ejie Mathew and her team in making the Christmas Carol Service a memorable one. This year’s Mid-West Regional youth conference was held on December26-29 at Gull-Lake, Kalamazoo. It was the 25th session with the theme “Won by One”. Almost all our youths participated. Spiritually it was an enriching experience for all of them.
During our New Year vigil and watch night service the office bearers for the year 2012 took their charge. I congratulate the outgoing office bearers for their valuable service to the parish, especially the refreshment committee and convener Mr. Jacob Thomas and his team for providing us refreshments each Sunday. Please pray for them all and co-operate with the new office bearers for the smooth functioning of the parish in the coming year. We have done the house warming ceremony of our annex building on Christmas day and opened it to the public for various functions. Please make use of the facilities for improving the quality of our fellowship and community gathering.
We are on the process of year planning 2012. Every organizations and prayer groups must come prepared with their plan of action in the next executive committee during the month of January itself. As per our church calendar, we are celebrating Mission Sunday on January 1st and Ecumenical (Unity) Sunday on 22nd. February 5th is Medical mission Sunday. Our 117th Maramon Convention starts on 12th February and the Great Lent season starts on 19th. Please notice and uphold these events in your prayers. This year if possible we will arrange lent prayers for the whole season. Every prayer groups can have one full week each.
As the Faith Community, it is our responsibility to experience the “Incarnation” of our Lord through our celebrations in the day to day life. The mission of the church is to unfold the Mystery of Salvation through the Word of God and sacramental living. May God bless each one of us to be a witness of our Lord all through this year.
With prayerful regards
Rev. Abraham Thomas(Vicar/President)
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