Vicar’s Message-March 2010 Dearly beloved in Christ,  ….........When you pray go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly…….. (Mathew: 6:6)             The great Lent reminds us the experience couple of things. During the time when the Israelites spent 40 days in the wilderness as well as when Jesus spent time in the wilderness with fasting and prayer and the temptation by the evil spirit. For the church, this is a time for rebirth and renewal of its believers. The word Lent is derived from an old expression “Lenten”, which means “spring” and a springtime for the members of the church. It is a time to rejuvenate your spiritual well-being and to understand your strength and fellowship with God. The message of lent is ' turn to God come back to God and be blessed'. The book of Joel, 2:12 says that “come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping and mourning. We need to remember that this is a cry from God's own heart and he is always inviting us to enjoy the fellowship with Him. I hope that this year the lent experience will definitely help you to have an encounter with your Lord and you will be renewed in Christ- a new beginning on the Easter Day. Please find time to meditate on the passion of Christ and to understand the real meaning of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let this year’s lent season to become a time for prayer, fasting, and to re-examine your life.   …………when you fast anoint your head and wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting but to your Father who is in the secret place and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly…… (Mathew: 6:18)             The Parish Executive Committee of 2009 is getting ready with annual report, accounts and the budget for 2010. The parish area re-districting sub-committee will present its proposal along with the recommendation of the executive committee in the upcoming coming general body meeting of the Parish. I strongly encouraged the presence of all the members in the meeting. I pray to God that all of our discussion and decisions will become a blessing for the overall spiritual growth of the parish. May God bless you.             Every year the 1st Sunday of March is the Diocesan Sunday .This day we remember and acknowledge God's blessings and guidance received in and through the Diocese.  The theme for this year is "Christian Witness”. Rev. Roy P Thomas, the Vicar of the Chicago Mar Thoma Church will visit our parish on Sunday March 7. This is the time to contribute our donations towards the need of Mission programs of the Diocese. This year our share of contribution is $ 4800.00. I request every one to contribute generously. Bring your contributions on 1st Sunday itself, if possible." Yours in His service, Sabuachen Email- stthomasmtc2006@gmail.com-Parsonage: 630-268-1441-Mobile 630-802-2766 Lectionary for March 2010*   Date Title   Verses Sunday, March 07 Jesus Who honors Faith - (4th Sunday in Lent) Isa. 45:1-8 Act.16:6-15 Gal.2:11-21 St.Mat. 15:21-28 March 10 Mid Lent - 25th Day in Lent. “Inevitability of the Cross” Num. 21:4-9 1 Cor. 1:18-31 Gal. 6:11-16 -Mark. 10:32-34 Sunday, March 14 Christ’s Victory over the evil powers (5th Sunday in Lent) Isa.59:12-21 Rom.8:31-39 Eph.6:10-20 -Luke. 13:10-17 Sunday, March 21 Faith proclamation that removes darkness (36th Sunday) Isa. 42:1-9 Acts. 12:1-11 1Pet. 3:8-22 -Mark. 10:46-52 March 25 Feast of Annunciation of Virgin Mary Isa. 7:10-14 1 John. 3:1-12 Gal. 4:1-7 St.Luke. 1:26-38 March 26 40th Friday-Jesus who encounters Temptation (40th Day in Lent) Num.21:1-10 Heb.12:1-13 1Pet.1:3-22 Mat.4:1-11 Sunday, March 28 Hosanna - Jesus:Realisation of Hope (Theological Seminary day) Zech. 9:9-17 Col. 1:15-23 Phil. 2:5-11 Mat. 21:1-11 March 29 Passion Week - Monday Lev.2:1-16 Acts.13:26-43 St.Mat.21:23-46 St.Mat.22:1-14 Isa.63:7-19 Heb.2:1-18 St.Mat.22:15-23 March 30 Passion Week - Tuesday Isa.52:1-15 Acts.13:44-52 St.Mat.22:34-23:12 St.Mat.23:13-39 Num.21:1-16 Eph.2:1-10 St.Mat.24:1-28 March 31 Passover Wednesday Isa.28:14-29 Col.1:9-22 Mat.24:29-51 Mat.25:1-12 *First Lesson (Old Testament), *Second Lesson (New Testament) *Gospel Reading (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John-read by Achen) *Epistle Reading (From Acts onward and listed as letters-read by Deacon)