Vicar’s Message-February 2010   Dearly Beloved in Christ,   .....Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... Hebrew: 11:1             There is no oil, if olives are not squeezed..., there is no wine, if grapes are not pressed..., there is no perfume, if flowers are not plucked..., there is no bread, if wheat corns are not crushed... Remember that there is no growing in your faith in God, if there is no pain, trials and sufferings. God is faithful. He never forsakes you (Deut 31: 7, 8; John: 14:1). Sometime you need to face intolerable troubles in your life. Jesus said “...in the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John: 16:33). He may test the integrity and faith of His people. He sustains His righteous, never allows falling (Psalm. 11:5, 7; 34: 19, 20). The power of prayer will overcome trials, tribulations, moments of uncertainty and will uplift your trust towards God. Your faith in God and courage in the midst of trouble will help you and your generation to keep their faith and trust in the Lord as well. God has entrusted the responsibility of protecting the faith of the next generation and their life and be witness to the Sovereign God (2Timo:1:3).             We know the story of Israelites, all people including the priest were afraid to cross the red sea and the river of Jordan, during their journey to the promised land. It was the faith of Moses and Joshua that made the people to cross the red sea and the river of Jordan . Life and witness of Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph and other faithful ancestors became great blessings to the generations. People around our generation and us need to see, as a believer of Jesus Christ, how we tackle and face the painful situations through our faith. We are responsible to the faith of next generation. Let our life stories should be good testimonies of God’s grace to our generation. Do not forget to pass the ‘burning torch of faith’ to your children. Allow your Children to keep in their mind your testimonies as the memorials of faith (Joshua: 4:1-7) and to glorify always His mighty name through their life.             Let me once again express the heartfelt condolence and prayer to the bereaved family of Mrs. Molly Thankachen who has passed away on Jan. 14th of January. Through out difficulties in life, she kept a good faith in God and made her life a testimony for us.             The victims of the Haiti earth quake catastrophe in our prayers. I request everyone to prayerfully donate to the Haiti Victims Relief Fund.” ... when the church acts in love to bear another’s burden, it offers hope to the world...”  Please pray for the blessings of the Maramon Convention that will start on 14th of February. Let me thank Rev. T. A.  Samuel and Kochamma for their love and fellowship to our parish while their stay in the USA . Our youth group fellowship programs are regularly conducting under the leadership of our Youth Chaplain Achen. Every second Saturday evening there will be a youth fellowship get together.  Remember that February onwards the praise and worship will be conducted on every second Sunday. Please join with the combined prayer meeting of the all areas conducted on every Saturday evening in the Church.     Yours in His service, Sabuachen Email- stthomasmtc2006@gmail.com-Parsonage: 630-268-1441-Mobile 630-802-2766 Lectionary for February 2010* Date Title   Verses 02/07 Healing Ministry Holistic Healing that Jesus gives (Healing Ministry Sunday) 2 Kings.5:l-14 Acts.3:l-10 Jam.5:13-19 St. Mark. 7:31-37 02/14 Beginning of Great Lent Redemption and Transformation of creation -Beginning Of Great Lent (115th Maramon Convention Begins) Exo.l5:22-27 Rom.l2-.l-8 Eph. 4:17-24 St. John . 2:1-11 2 02/21 Jesus Christ and the Gentiles Jesus Christ who recognizes the Untouchables (2nd Sunday in Lent)- (Maramon Convention ends) 2Kings.20:l-ll 1 John.2:1-17 Acts. 5:12-16 St.Mark 1:40-45 02/28 Fellowship/Liberation through Christ Fellowship and Liberation through Christ (3rd Sunday in Lent) 1 Sam. 18:1-20 Acts. 8:14-22 Phile. 8-22 St.Mark. 2:1-12.               *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)