Post on 08-Oct-2020
Mar Thoma Church of
San Francisco
MAY 2020 NEWSLETTER
418 Junction Ave, Livermore CA
www.marthomasf.org
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the name of the Holy Trinity. We have entered another spring season. It
is a time to enjoy the beauty of nature, which God has created for all of us. The word of God tells us
that it is important for us to take care of the land God has given us (Christian stewardship). This is a God-
given privilege and responsibility. Though the present global pandemic due to the coronavirus disease
has stopped our movement and regular activities, creation, especially the earth is taking rest and
healing. Hence, it is a reminder of the need to take care of the planet earth. We need to remember
that the Earth is God’s creation, and we need to keep the welfare of the present and future
generations in mind as we utilize various resources, many of which we have taken for granted.
1. The need for a relationship with the Earth
In the modern times, we see an increased gap between humans and the earth (land, soil).
In agrarian culture, working the land was a requirement in order to earn and take care of the family.
Now such items and commodities are able to be purchased with ease. Less people are now raising
crops in their backyards. Less people are outside, enjoying the beauty of nature. Now humans degrade
the value of nature, by forming unsustainable habits and having dominion over nature without
preserving its beauty and integrity. I encourage you to plant trees or cultivate fruit or vegetable plants,
if it is possible and feasible. Let us develop a closer relationship to the earth, as God has intended.
2. The need to take care of the earth (need to become eco-sensitive and environmental friendly).
Genesis 2: 15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work
it and take care of it.” As a faith community, having a habitable planet is a privilege, and it is our
responsibility to take care of our planet, and to make it sustainable and beautiful for future generations,
so that creation can give glory to God. Our churches must become Green Churches, promoting such
values in the church and faith community. We need to raise a greater awareness about taking care of
the earth and promoting eco-friendly lifestyles in the churches, and beyond. This is a part of our
Christian witness.
These days our movement, travel, and activities are limited to the home. We are spending
more time with our families. All our worship services, prayer meetings, organizational meetings have all
shifted to Zoom. I encourage you all to participate prayerfully. Remember to use your time wisely,
productively, and fruitfully, for the glory of God. Wasting time is a sin!
Please continue to pray for the healing of humanity and the land.
May the blessings of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit be with you all.
Sincerely,
Dennis Achen
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Dear Church Family,
This month we are celebrating the feast of Pentecost on Sunday the 31st. May the gift of Holy
Spirit light our way and enlighten our minds.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. A big THANK YOU to all that you do!
Globally, we are experiencing a novum now, an event that profoundly changed our reality.
Digital technologies have been changing our lives and world since the middle of the
twentieth century. As we are in a new era with digital transformation phase, many aspects of
everyday life have migrated online with remote ways of working, virtual church services,
virtual get-togethers, virtual education, and other online classes. In this digital age, let us
continue to work together to preserve, enrich and enlighten our faith.
We had great participation in our Sunday worship services. Our Area prayers, Organization
meetings, and Sunday school sessions are fully active now via zoom. Thanking everyone who
worked diligently and passionately to ensure the continuity. Encouraging all parishioners to
partake all these sessions in offering our praise, thanksgiving and intercessions to God.
Let us continue to uphold all frontline and essential workers in our prayers. May our good Lord
protect and strengthen them to continue the work of healing.
We will get through this crisis together and emerge stronger on the other side, with His divine
presence.
Thank you for your continued support, participation and prayers.
Yours truly,
Roy Chacko
Parish Secretary
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Sunday Worship OrderDate Time Service / Area
AssignmentCelebrant
May 3 10:00 AM Divine Service (Malayalam)via Zoom / Central Valley
Rev. Dennis Abraham
May 1010:00 AM Divine Service (Malayalam)
via Zoom / San RamonRev. Dennis Abraham
May 1710:00 AM Divine Service (English)
via Zoom / FremontRev. Dennis Abraham
May 2410:00 AM Divine Service (English)
via Zoom / South Bay & SFRev. Dennis Abraham
May 3110:00 AM Divine Service (English)
via Zoom / Central ValleyRev. Dennis Abraham
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Area Prayer Meetings
Prayer Group Date Time Location
San Ramon Friday, May 1, 2020 8:00 PM Via Zoom
Fremont Saturday, May 9, 2020 7:00 PM Via Zoom
Central Valley Saturday, May 16, 2020 5:00 PM Via Zoom
South Bay Saturday, May 30, 2020 5:00 PM Via Zoom
San Francisco Saturday, May 30, 2020 7:00 PM Via Zoom
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Organization Meetings & Activities via Zoom
Event Dates & Arrangements
Choir Practices cancelled until further notice
Choir Saturday, May 16, 2020 - Choir fellowship at 11:00 AM
Praise & Worship Practices cancelled until further notice
Sunday School Classes are arranged through the respective teachers
Sunday school common fellowship
Friday, May 8th & May 22nd - Sunday school common fellowship organized by the Sunday school, Yuvajana Sakhyam, & Youth Fellowship at 7:00 PM
Edavaka Mission Bible Study at 9:15 AM via Zoom on May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24 and May 31
Edavaka Mission Saturday, May 2, 2020 - Prayer meeting at 10:30 AM
Sevika Sanghom Intercessory prayer May 17 at 3:00 PM
Sevika Sanghom Saturday, May 23, 2020 - Prayer meeting at 10:30 AM
Yuvajana Sakhyam Saturday, May 23, 2020 - Yuvajana Sakhyam meeting at 5:00 PM
Youth Fellowship Prayer meetings every Monday at 9:00 PM via Zoom
Youth Fellowship Bible study meetings every Saturday at 1:00 PM via Zoom
Liturgical/Church Calendar
Date Event
May 1 May Day – Human participation in Divine plan
May 8 St. John the Apostle’s Day
May 21 Feast of Ascension of our Lord (Suloko)
May 24 DSMC Sunday
May 31 Feast of Pentecost (50th Day after Easter)
Happy Birthday!
“May He give you the desires of your heart
and make all your plan succeed” Psalms 20:4
1 Feby Raju
1 Lija Varghese
2 Eva Feby
3 Roshni Mathews
3 Thankam Mammen
3 Koshy George
5 Jayden Jubin
6 Jeeva John
6 Santamma George
6 Mathews George
7 Biju Lalitha Soman
8 Abraham Mathew
8 Sujith Oommen
9 Rachel Alexander
10 Mathew Palakothu
11 Jace Alexander
11 Remington Roy
12 Valsa George
13 Ajni George
13 Sneha Biju
13 Suju Abraham
14 Rohan George
14 Tina Mathew
14 Rex Cherian
14 Zachary Mathew
16 Mavunkal Cherian
18 Grace Joseph
19 Honey Varghese
19 Rakhe Mathew
20 Aleyamma Thomas
20 Abraham Kuruvilla
20 Saramma Varughese
21 Dolly Samuel
21 Christina Thomas
21 Bertie Jackson
23 Nivedita Titus
23 Subu Mathew
24 Rekha George
24 Meera Jacob
25 Kurien Idiculla
25 Shaiju Varghese
25 Preetha Justus Helan
25 Saji Idiculla
26 Roby Thomas
26 Renji George
27 Susy Varghese
27 Daisy Saji
28 Thomas Jacob
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Happy Birthday!“May He give you the desires of your
heart and make all your plan succeed” Psalms 20:4
28 Renu Philip
28 Sajan John
28 Thomas Mathew
29 Justin Joseph
29 Soniya Oonnunny
29Gheevarghese
Oonnunny
29 Betcy Joseph
30 Jimmy Matthews
30 Miriam Varghese
30 John Jacob
31 Sam John
31 Manju Mathew
31 Philip Varughese
31 Anish Joyson
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Happy Wedding Anniversary!Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be
alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” Genesis 2:18
May 3 Biji John & Deepa Mathew
May 5 Anish Joyson & Sruthi Thambi
May 9 Abby Cherian & Sapna Cherian
May 12 George Zachariah & Valsa George
May 13 Jijoe J. Vurghese & Aparajita Bhatnagar
May 15 Vipin Thomas & Shiny Thomas
May 19 Naveen Therathanath & Leena Isaac
May 22 Philip Varghese & Reena Korah
May 26 Dr. Mammen Mammen & Thankam Mammen
May 26 Joseph P. Thomas & Grace Joseph
May 28 Jimmy Alexander & Harsha Alexander
CROSSWORDJEREMIAH : 46- 48
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Church Contributions
The trustees want the church community to be aware of the various options of contributions available for the needs of the church. You can contact the trustees if you have any questions.
1. Zelle – trustees@marthomasf.org2. PayPal – marthomasf.org via our church portal
www.marthomasf.org 3. Online bank payment – the bank will mail a check to the
church 4. Sending a check via mail to the church
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Sunday School Common Fellowship
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
Sunday Service via Zoom
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter
MTCSF – May 2020 Newsletter