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F’x

The Trumpet

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Warm greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Dear loving members in Christ, we

entered another Lenten Season. This season is a time of meditation on the cross.

According to Oswald Chambers “The Cross is the point where God and sinful man merge

with a crash and the way to life is opened, but the crash is on the heart of God.” Cross is

the answer to the sinful man’s cry for reconciliation and redemption. The cross manifests

God’s attitude towards his chosen people. We can see the God’s entire plan for salvation

on the cross, the cross and crucifixion was not an accident. It was planned by God for the

sake of us and all humanity. The scheme of redemption and salvation has been fully

implemented through the events of the cross. The cross of Calvary is the symbol of glory

and victory of the Scheme of God. When we are meditating upon cross during this period

the cross should become the symbol of obedience and submission. If we like to be called

as the Disciples of Christ we should submit ourselves at the bottom of cross. This Lenten

season might be an occasion of real submission and salvation. May God Almighty help us

to spend this season meaningfully.

This is my final newsletter message to the congregation, I thank Almighty God for

enabling me and my family to serve you in the past few years, I would like to Thank the

congregation from the bottom of our hearts for all the care and concern that you have

shown to us during our time of grief, for all the cooperation and love you have showered

on us. We will cherish the lovely moments of fellowship that we had with all of you over

the years. We pray that CSICOD grow stronger in prayer and fellowship and be a light

that shines on top of a hill spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May Almighty

God bless the church and may His grace be upon us.

With prayer and kind regards,

Ninan Jacob Achen

CSI Congregation of Dallas Monthly Newsletter

www.csicod.org

revninanjacob@gmail.com

The Trumpet

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March 1, 2017 (Service at 7:00 pm)

Ash Wednesday

1st Lesson Isaiah 1: 16-20

Psalm 51

2nd Lesson 2 Corinthians 7: 8-16

Gospel Reading – Mark 1: 12-15

March 5, 2017 (Malayalam)

Women’s Sunday

1st Lesson Joel 2: 28-32 Mrs. Betty George

Psalm 45 Mrs. Vincy George

2nd Lesson Romans 16: 1-13 Mrs. Annu Vinod

Gospel Reading – Luke 10: 38-42

March 12, 2017 (English)

The Forgiving Christ 1st Lesson Genesis 4: 8-16 Mr. Jacob Davidson

Psalm 25 Mast. Edwin Mathew Varghese

2nd Lesson Romans 5: 6-11 Miss. Angel R. Thampy

Gospel Reading – Mark 2: 1-12

March 19, 2017 (Malayalam)

The Accepting Christ

1st Lesson Hosea 2: 14-23 Mr. Thomas Varghese

Psalm 87 Mast. Kevin Binu Thomas

2nd Lesson - Philemon 1: 1-21 Mr. Eapen K. Samuel

Gospel Reading – Mathew 15: 21-28

March 26, 2017 (English)

The Liberating Christ

1st Lesson Exodus 3: 1-13

Psalm 82

2nd Lesson Galatians 5: 1-12

Gospel Reading – Luke 13: 10-17

*** To be arranged by Youth Fellowship***

April 2, 2017 (Malayalam)

Passion Sunday: Cross and the Restoring Christ

1st Lesson Job 42: 10-17 Mr. Mathew T. Mathew

Psalm 126 Mast. Abel Mathew

2nd Lesson Ephesians 2: 1-10 Mr. John Joseph

Gospel Reading – Mark 10: 46-52

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The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following

members a very Happy Birthday!!!

March 1 Mast. Kevin Binu Thomas

March 2 Mast. Ashby Joseph

March 5 Mr. John Joseph

March 6 Mast. Edwin Mathew Varghese

March 9 Mr. Anil Joseph

March 10 Mrs. Rachel Thomas

March 12 Mr. Dylan J. John

March 14 Mr. Rohan K. Samuel

March 15 Mr. Thampi Varghese

March 17 Mrs. Aleyamma Cherian

March 20 Mr. Thomas Varghese

March 20 Mr. Jisho Tony Philips

March 20 Mr. Alan C. Mathew

March 25 Miss. Christa Philips

March 26 Mrs. Betty George

March 26 Mr. Mathew T. Mathew

March 26 Miss. Angel R. Thampy

March 27 Miss. Abigel Grace Cherian

March 30 Mrs. Dr. Annamma Eapen

March 30 Mast. Nathan Johny Thomas

February 4 Mrs. Christine Tharian

February 6 Miss. Cleo Mathew

February 6 Miss. Anusha Sara Jacob

February 8 Mr. Toby V. John

February 8 Mrs. Saramma Thomas

February 9 Mr. Mathew Thomas

February 11 Mast. Nikhil Jacob Itty

February 11 Miss. Sharuna S. Shaji

February 13 Miss. Ann Miriam Jacob

February 14 Mr. Alvin Kurien

February 14 Miss. Neha Anu Philip

February 18 Mr. James Thomas

February 20 Mr. Ryan George Tharian

February 21 Miss. Maria Sara Kaippallimalil

February 21 Mast. Mathew Varghese

February 24 Mr. Jacob Davidson

February 25 Mr. Itty Eapen

February 27 Mrs. Seena Thomas

February 28 Mrs. Shaini Thomas

The Vicar and members of the CSI Congregation of Dallas wish the following

families a very happy and blessed wedding anniversary…

March 8 Mr. Itty Eapen & Mrs..Esther Itty

March 12 Mr. Rejoy Varghese & Mrs. Julie Rejoy

March 23 Mr. George Varghese & Mrs. Annamma George

March 25 Mr. Eapen K. Samuel & Mrs. Jolly Eapen

March 31 Mr. Wesley Cherian & Mrs. Christine Tharian

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“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” ~ Jeremiah 18:6

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques

and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. One day in this

beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so

beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't

always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled

me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Let me alone', but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'"

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around

and around. ‘Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'"

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled

and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his

head, 'Not yet.'"

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. ‘There, that's better', I said. And he

brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I

cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'"

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I

would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the

opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'"

Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened

and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and I couldn't

believe it was me. 'It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'"

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you

alone, you would have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had

stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I

hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted

you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color

in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because

the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I

first began with you.'"

MORAL OF THE STORY

God knows what He's doing (for all of us). He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and

make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect

will.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not tempt you

beyond what you can bear; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to

bear it.

The Teacup Story

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yy

Announcement:

There will be a youth Bible study at Julia Mathew’s house. It will be held on

Friday, March 24, 2017 @ 7:00pm. All youth members are invited to join

us.

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By the grace of God, Rev. K. G. Thomson & Kochamma got their visa approved.

Achen & Kochamma will join us in March. The actual dates of travel are not

finalized yet. Please pray for Achen & Kochamma’s safe travel.

Ash Wednesday Service will be held on March 1st. Let us commence this year’s

Lenten season with prayers.

This year Women’s World Day of Prayer is hosted by St. Mary’s Malankara

Orthodox Church, Farmers Branch on Saturday, March 11th, 2017. Please speak to

Emy Varghese or Elizabeth Mathews if you are interested in attending this meeting.

2016 Church directory is sent to all members via email, please let the secretary

know of any corrections that needs to be made. We will have an updated version

released later in the year.

We will have Tele prayer every Friday at 8pm to 9pm. The dial in number is 712-

432-1212, the access code is 764727353 followed by the “#” sign. Please find time

to join the prayer.

The CSI Council of North America has started tele prayer conference. This tele

prayer conference will be held every 1st Thursday of the month. It will begin at 9pm

(EST), which means it will start at 8pm Dallas time. You can send in your prayer

request to csiprayerlink2016@gmail.com. The dial-in number is 712-770-8071, the

access code is 276551.

I Thank Almighty God for giving me an opportunity to serve as secretary of CSI

Congregation of Dallas for the year 2017.I pray that all we do as the Executive

Committee this year be for the His glory and that Almighty God guide us in all our

discussions and decisions. May His Grace, Mercy and Blessing be upon all of us. I

sincerely pray that we grow spiritually and draw nearer to him every day. Let’s

continue to pray for our church and its spiritual growth.

God Bless you!

- Shelby Thomas

Note

From

Secretary

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A Lenten Prayer

Lord, bless to me this Lent.

Lord, let me fast most truly and profitably,

by feeding in prayer on this Spirit:

Reveal me to myself

in the light of thy holiness.

Suffer me never to think that I have

Knowledge enough to need no teaching,

Wisdom enough to need no correction,

Talents enough to need no grace,

Goodness enough to need no progress,

Humility enough to need no repentance,

Devotion enough to need no quickening,

Strength sufficient without thy Spirit;

Lest, standing still, I fall back for evermore.

Shew me the desires that should be disciplined,

And sloths to be slain.

Shew me the omissions to be made up

And the habits to be mended.

And behind these, weaken, humble and annihilate in me

Self-will, self-righteousness, self-satisfaction,

Self-sufficiency, self-assertion, vainglory.

May my whole effort be to return to thee;

O make it serious and sincere

Persevering and fruitful in result,

By the help of thy Holy Spirit

And to thy glory, my Lord and my God.

– Eric Milner-White

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Position Name Telephone

Number

Vice President Mr. Mathew Daniel (972) 249-5966

Secretary Mr. Shelby Thomas (214) 923-2719

Joint Secretary Mr. Jacob Davidson (Biji) (214) 218-1357

Treasurer Mr. Mathew Thomas (Manu) (469) 226-3648

Joint Treasurer Mr. Richardson Mathew (469) 569-3699

Warden Mr. John Thomas (Deepu) (214) 621-3870

Warden Mr. Jacob Jacob (Reuben) (214) 893-6898

Committee Member Mr. Eapen Samuel (Sam) (469) 324-7484

Committee Member Mrs. Mariamma George (214 546-4792

Committee Member Mrs. Emy Varghese (214) 491-0068

Auditor Mr. George Thomas (214) 675-1206

Choirmaster Mrs. Rayni Tharian (469) 226-4530

Choir Secretary Mr. Sreejith John (847) 668-6002

Sunday School Superintendent Mrs. Betty George (214) 228-0865

Youth Secretary Miss. Julia Mathew (469) 438-0011

Women’s Fellowship Secretary Mrs. Emy Varghese (214) 491-0068

Women’s Fellowship Treasurer Mrs. Elizabeth Mathews (Anu) (972) 639-8798