NEWSLETTER VOL. XLVI NO. 12
December
2023
Vicar: Rev. John Philip [[email protected]]
Secretary: Mr. Josen Joseph [secretary@stthomasmtc.org]
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Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord & and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Let's thank God for the three new Episcopas. May the Lord Almighty strengthen them to
be faithful in His vineyard and do a great ministry. Especially let us express our wishes
and appreciation to Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem (our dear Saju C. Pappachen achen).
May God strengthen his grace’s ministry.
December 1
st
– 25
th
, we observe 25 days of Lent in our Church lectionary. Why do we
celebrate Christmas every year? To remember the great purpose of the incarnation of
Messiah and to thank God for sending His son. This is also an opportunity to reflect on
our sinful life and be forgiven by Jesus. Jesus in our hearts be our prayer and thought.
Charles Cowman has written about the true humility of incarnation: It goes like this “The
birth of Jesus was contrary to the laws of life. His death was shameful. He had no corn-
fields or fisheries, but he could spread a table for more than 5000 people with bread and
fish. He walked on no beautiful carpets, but he walked on waters. Three years he
preached gospel, wrote no book, built no church, had no money back of him. Traveled
only few miles. But last 2000 years, he is the central character in human history.” Let us
deeply love Jesus and celebrate this Christmas meaningfully.
Thanksgiving celebration was a blessed time for us. Let’s praise God for it. I appreciate
the Family Night program and all who participated in it. A word of thanks to Sevika
Sangham members for organizing it.
We have entered the last month of 2023. Let's thank God for all the blessings we experi-
enced in the past months. We are eagerly waiting for Christmas. Our celebration should
bring light, hope, and joy to others.
December 21
st
we observe as the ‘Sabha day;’ a day commemorating the tradition of St .
Thomas Apostle in India. We should be proud of our legacy and let’s be grateful to God
for our church.
I request your prayerful participation in the Christmas celebrations of this year. On the
16th evening, we will have a get-together at the Church. On the 23rd evening, we will
have the Church Carol service at 4:00pm. On Christmas Day morning we will have Holy
Communion at 9:30am
As we are coming to the end of the financial year, I request you to kindly settle all dues. I
express my heartfelt thanks for your generosity towards Church needs.
On behalf of our Parish, I express our gratitude, prayers, and wishes to our beloved Isaac
Mar Philoxenos Tirumeni for all the services his grace has rendered for the last seven
years. May the Lord strengthen Thirumeni in the new Diocese as
well.
We will have the watch night service on December 31
st
at 10:00
PM. May the Lord help us to enter the new year with Jesus
Christ.
Merry Christmas! & Happy New Year in advance.
Rev. John Philip
Vicar
Vicar’s Message
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Youth Chaplain’s Message
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Let us praise God we entered the month of December, the last month
of the year 2023. We also entered the season of Advent. The word
‘Advent’ means coming. This season we are celebrating the coming of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We as a church are commemorating
the 25-day Lenten period leading up to the feast of the Church known
as the Feast of Nativity (Christmas Day). Luke 2:11 says “Today in the
town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the
Lord.” During Christmas time, we usually see a few words and even use
them as Christmas decorations, words such as Noel, Joy, Emmanu-
el. All these words point to the truth of the source of joy and happiness
as we reflect on Jesus as Emmanuel: God with us. This year must have
us all face seasons of joy and struggles, but despite all of that, one thing
we can trust is that God is still with us, he will never leave us, nor for-
sake us. God incarnate as man is the reality of hope, love, and purpose
instilled in us. C.S. Lewis once said: “Once in our world, a stable had
something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” God is much
bigger than this world, and all that this world consists of, including its
problems and challenges. Let us in this Christmas season encourage one
another to fully submit to God and rely on all that we are on Him and
not on ourselves.
Our North-East Regional Youth Fellowship will have our youth retreat
from February 16-18, 2024 at the Montrose Bible Conference, in Penn-
sylvania. Please encourage our youths 16 and older to participate.
Our Diocese will have our Diocesan Leadership Conference on the first
weekend of January at the Epiphany Mar Thoma
Church, NY. Let us pray for the conference and the
delegates.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year 2024! God bless all of you.
Much love,
Jess M. George Achen
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Date Time Worship
Sun, Dec 3
9.00 am
9:30 am
Praise & Worship: Youth Fellowship
English Holy Communion Service
Led by Rev. Jess George
Sun, Dec 10
9.00 am
9:30 am
Praise & Worship: Edavaka Mission
English Holy Communion Service
Sun, Dec 17
9.00 am
9:30 am
Praise & Worship: Yuvajana Sakhyam
Malayalam Holy Communion Service
Rev. T. K. John
Sat, Dec 23 4.00 pm
Christmas Carol Service
Rev. Dr. Moni Mathew
Sun, Dec 24
9.00 am
9.30 am
Praise & Worship: Sevika Sangham
Malayalam Holy Communion Service
Mon, Dec 25 9: 30 am
English Holy Communion Service
Merry Christmas!
Sun, Dec 31
9.00 am
9: 30 am
Praise & Worship: Edavaka Mission
English Praise and Worship
Sun, Dec 31 10:00 pm
New Year’s Eve Watchnight Service
Malayalam Holy Communion Service
Worship Service Schedule
Date
Thematic Meaning
Dec 1 Beginning of 25 Days of Lent
Dec 3 Meeting of Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (Bible Sunday)
Dec 10 Birth of John the Baptist
Dec 17 Annunciation to Joseph
Dec 21 Mar Thoma Church Day
Dec 24 Coming of the Savior
Dec 25
Birth of our Savior
End of 25 Days Lent
Dec 31
Year Ending Watch Night Service
“With Christ into the New Year”
Important Days
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Lectionary
Date Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Epistle Gospel
Fri, Dec 1
Isaiah
2: 10-22
1 Thess.
4:1-12
Gal
2: 12-20
John
1:1-15
Sun, Dec 3
Gen
33:1-15
2 Cor
1: 3-10
Rom
15: 5-9
Luke
1:39-45
Sun, Dec 10
Mal
3:1-4
Acts
13:17-26
1 Cor
4:1-6
Luke
1:57-66
Sun, Dec 17
Zeph
3:14-20
1 Cor
13:1-13
Romans
14: 13-19
Matt
1: 18-23
Thu, Dec, 21
Joel
2:11-17
Romans
12: 3-18
1 Cor
3:1-9
John
20: 24-29
Sun, Dec, 24
Isa
11:1-9
1 John
4:7-16
Acts
3:19-26
John
1:14-18
Mon, Dec 25
Mic
5:1-9
Phil
2: 5-11
Gal
4:1-7
Luke
2: 1-14
Sun, Dec 31
(AM)
1 Sam
7:1-12
Rev
21:1-8
Romans
8:31-39
Matthew
5: 1-12
Sun, Dec 31
(PM)
Deut.
8: 1-20
2 Cor
9: 10-15
1 Thess
5: 1-11
Luke
13: 6-9
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Area Prayer Meetings
Area Date & Time Location
Manhattan/
New Jersey
Sat Dec 2
7 pm
Zoom
Bronx/
Yonkers South
Sun Dec 3
6.30 pm
Cancelled
Upper
Westchester/CT
Sat Dec 9
7.00 pm
Mr. Manoj T. Mathew,
5 Wayne Way,
White Plains, NY 10607
Queens/
Long Island
Sun Dec 10
7.00 pm
Zoom
Yonkers East
Sat Dec 16
7.00 pm
Cancelled for House Caroling
Rockland
Sun Dec 17
6.30 pm
Zoom
Yonkers West
Sat Dec 23
7.00 pm
Cancelled for
Christmas Eve Program
Yonkers North
Sun Dec 24
7.00 pm
Cancelled
Senior Citizens Fellowship
Date Location
Thur, Dec 7
10 AM
Zoom
Thur, Dec 21
10 AM
Zoom
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Edavaka Mission
Date Location
Wed, Dec 6
7.00 PM
Zoom
Wed, Dec 13
6:00 PM
Church
Wed, Dec 20
7.00 PM
Zoom
Wed, Dec 27
10:00 AM
Fasting Prayer at Church
Date Location
Fri, Dec 1
10: 00 AM
Zoom
Fri, Dec 8
10: 00 AM
Zoom
Fri, Dec 15
10: 00 AM
Zoom
Fri, Dec 22
10: 00 AM
Zoom
Fri, Dec 29
10: 00 AM
Zoom
Sevika Sangham Prayers
8
Bronx/Yonkers South
Mr. Shelvin George 109 Alder Street 4
Mr. Shelbin George 109 Alder Street 4
Mr. Lucas Jacob Thomas 68 Linn Ave, 14
Mr. Jessen Jacob Thomas 34 Morris Street 26
Mr. Jeffrey John 67 Raybrook Road 29
Mr. Aju Joseph 46 Bryant Rd 31
Manhattan/New Jersey
Mr. Jacob M. Varghese 24 Dalton Place 12
Mrs. Jasmine Chennikara- 1758 W 5th St 13
Varghese
Ms. Reshmi Koiprathu John 59 Highview Ave. 18
Mr. Sunil Thomas 40 Haggerty Drive 19
Rachelle Daisy Philip 29 High Mountain Drive 20
Ms.Christy N. Varkey 401 Madison Avenue 21
Queens/Long Island
Mr. Rajan Varghese 871 Abbott Street 8
Johanna Susan David 1480 Horseshoe Dr. 19
Mrs. Girly Abraham Kuruvilla 1421 Alpha Street 28
Rockland
Mrs. Sally John 35 Tanger Road Unit 05 3
Mr. Shyju B. Varughese 3 Blithe Ct. 3
Ms. Sharon Sara Varughese 3 Blithe Ct. 3
Ms. Rachel Elizabeth 4 Trotters Trail 5
Mrs. Sally Abraham 21 New Haven Ave. 7
Mr. Jube Daniel 21 South Cranford Road 7
Mrs. Ance Anna Mathew 86 TOWNLINE RD 7
Ms.Cheryl Elizabeth Mathews 231 Morton Avenue 8
Mr. Sunil Abraham 488 Strawtown Road 10
Supriya Hope Varughese 24 Reginald Drive 10
Mr. Sujin Samuel 5 Spruce Drive 12
Ms. Arpitha Mariam Abraham 8 Birret Drive 14
Mr. Koshy Abraham 21 New Haven Ave. 15
Mr. Prakash Thannickal 22 N. Debaun Ave Suite 108 18
Mr. Bejoy Thomas 30 Phyllis Drive 21
Mrs. Elizabeth Abraham 4 Trotters Trail 22
Mr. Jordan P. Sunny 128 East Phillips Hill Rd. 24
December Birthdays
9
Ms. Jasmin P. Sunny 128 East Phillips Hill Rd. 24
Mr. Michael Price 3517 John Paul Jones Lane 25
Mr. Elijah John Chacko 137 Lake Region Blvd 26
Mrs. Suja Thannickal 231 North Little Tor Road 31
Upper Westchester/CT
Mrs. Aleyamma Mathai 315 7th Avenue 8
(Mother)
Mr. John A. Philip 11 Hillandale Ave 8
Mr. Niresh Ooomen 368 Pine Brook Blvd 11
Dr. Listy A.Thomas 99 Aspen Lane 13
Ms. Kayala Ann Cherian 288 Spring Rd. 18
Evangeline Marie Thomas 19 Drake Lane 21
Mr. Thomas Immanuel Simon 99 Aspen Lane 25
Mr. Ezekiel Mathew Thomas 19 Drake Lane 29
Yonkers East
Ms. Emily John 35 Linda Lane 3
Kayla Thomas 9 Dugan Lane 9
Mr. Joel M. Alexander 23 Linda Lane 18
Yonkers North
Mr. Christofer M. Varghese 26 Emerald Street 8
Ms. Nina Elizabeth Thomas 7882 Crescent Park Dr. 19
Varghese
Mrs. Stephy Sabastian 37 Montrose Road 20
Mrs. Serena Rebecca Apt # 11E, 2614 Jackson Ave 25
Mrs. Sosamma Varghese 9 Emerald Street 25
Mr. George Oommen 1564 Nepperhan Avenue 27
Yonkers West
Mr. Mony Lal Georgekutty 50 Riverdale Ave Apt 9D 1
Mr. Jarius Jibu 12 Stokes Rd Unit 2B 4
Mrs. Susmitha Rebecca 5020 Goodridge Ave 4
Thomas
Mrs. Mini Jacob 28 Montclair Road 25
December Birthdays Continued
10
December Wedding Anniversaries
Bronx/Yonkers South
Mr. Thomas Varughese Meppurathu & Mrs. Lali 19
Thomas Meppurathu
115 Alder St, South
Mr. Thomas John & Mrs. Jensy Thomas 26
34 Morris Street
Manhattan/New Jersey
Mr. Koiprathu John Mathew & Mrs. Alice John 6
59 Highview Ave.
Rockland
Mr. George John & Mrs. Subi John 24
86 Susan Drive
Mr. John K. Abraham & Mrs. Sosamma Abraham 27
32 Eckerson Lane
Upper Westchester/CT
Mr. Babu Kurian & Mrs. Renu Kurian 27
1822 Morris Lane
Mr. Thankachen Geevarghese & Mrs. Saramma 27
Thankachen
67 Sylvan Road
Yonkers West
Mr. Thomas Cherian Abraham & Mrs. Susmitha 29
Rebecca Thomas
5020 Goodridge Ave
Mr. Sawan Mathew & Mrs. Sheeba Mathew 29
80 Riverdale Ave, Apt #8K
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Rt Rev Zacharias Mar Aprem Car Fund
Name Donation
Mathew Ouseph
5,100
Josen Joseph
1,000
P.T. Thomas
1,000
Blessen Kurian
500
Sam Kuruvilla
500
John Thomas
400
Y. Varghese
350
Anil Kuruvilla
350
Non Members
325
Rajan Varghese
300
Philip C. Varghese
300
Sajan Abraham
300
Domy Philip
300
Thomas Cherian Abraham
300
Jolly Eapen
300
Shawn Mathew Varughese
250
Rev John Philip
250
Jishu Samuel
250
K.G. Varghese
250
John K. Abraham
250
M.C. Chacko
250
Sunil M. Varghese
250
M.J. George
250
Raju V. Joseph
250
Nellickal John Mathew
250
Sabu Joseph
250
Dr.Wilson John
250
Samuel K. Samuel
250
Thankachen Geevarghese
250
Sunil Abraham
250
Thomas V. Varghese
250
Accamma Verghese 250
Family of Sheeba Mathew 250
Nireesh Oommen 250
Nikhil A Thomas 250
Cheriyan Varghese 250
Name Donation
John Daniel 250
Kuruvilla E. Pallickal 201
Jason Thomas 200
Sherry George 200
Geevarghese Kochummen 200
John Mathew 200
Thomas M. Thomas 200
Lenny Thomas 200
George M. Varkey 200
Jerry John 200
N.J. Mathai 200
Family of Sruthi M Koshy 200
Sunny P. Ninan 200
Daniel P. K. Vaidyan 200
Abraham George 200
Samuel Easo 200
Thomas Oommen (Saji) 200
Vanchikal J Kurian 200
Tom C. Thomas 200
Samuel Ninan 200
Abey Varughese 200
Abey Cherian 200
Dr. Santhosh M. Alex 200
Koiprathu John Mathew 200
Johnson S. Parayil 200
Jobby Thomas 180
George Mathai 150
Family of Lincy Jacob 150
Saji Jacob 150
Alexander V. Joshua 150
Saramma Thomas 150
Aleyamma Kurian 150
Abraham Samuel Kankalil 150
Manoj T. Mathew 150
Johnson Varghese 150
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Rt Rev Zacharias Mar Aprem Car Fund
Name
Donation
Joseph Eapen 150
Simon Ninan 150
Samuel George 150
Aju Daniel 150
Susan John 150
Joelle Thomas Zachariah 150
Marykutty Varghese 150
John K. Mathew 150
Mathew Abraham 150
Cheruthone Mathai 150
George David 150
Steve Varghese Mathew 150
Mathew V. Zacharaia 150
Sunil Thomas 150
Mathew Varghese (Kunjumon) 150
Abraham Koshy 150
Mayfield M. Eapen 150
Dr. Varghese Abraham 150
Benjie Varghese 150
Thomas Varghese 150
Jacob M. George 150
K.M. Thomas 150
Jacob Oommen 150
Saji Kochummen 150
Jacob Vaidian 150
John Jacob 150
Nobin Vaidian. 150
Abraham P. Jacob 150
Biju P. Varghese 150
Sandeep Abraham 150
Pallickal E. Koshy 150
Shaji Eappen 150
Jayson T. Jacob 150
John P. Thomas 150
Rajan Chacko 150
Suju Samuel 150
Name Donation
Sosamma V Varughese 150
Jenson George 150
Mariamma Andrews 150
Ullas P. Thannickal 150
Babu David 150
Raju George 150
Johnkutty Geevarghese 150
Bino Chacko 150
Johnson P. Chacko 150
Raju Varghese 150
T.P. Jacob 150
Reji Thomas 150
Thomas Chacko 150
Abraham Mathew 150
Thomas John Jr 150
Robin George 150
Thomas Mathew 150
Robin Punnoose 150
Joseph Oommen 150
Rosamma Mathew 150
Joseph Thomas 150
Sabu George 150
V.T. Thomas 150
K.C. Thomas 150
Varkey Uthup 150
Dr.Jerry Thomas 150
Joby K. Chacko 150
Mathew Manalel 150
Mary Joseph 150
George V.Mathai 150
K.M. Thomas 150
Justin Jacob 150
Roji C. Mathews 150
Milita A Sumitra 150
John Mathai 150
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Rt Rev Zacharias Mar Aprem Car Fund
Name Donation
P. John Joseph 125
Malayil V. Jacob 100
John A. Thomas 100
Bejoy Chacko 100
George A. Koshy 100
Varghese E. Oommen 100
Name Donation
Mathew David 100
Yohannan Yohannan 100
Simon Mathew 100
George Byju Koshy 100
Annamma Thannickal 50
Condolences
Mr. Mathai Thomas, member of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Yonkers,
NY, uncle of our member Mr. Thomas Chacko, residing at 181 Devoe Ave,
Yonkers, NY 10705 went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 3 in
Teaneck, NJ at the age of 74. Funeral services will be held on Friday, De-
cember 8 at St. Peter’s Marthoma Church, Township of Washington, NJ.
Evangelist, A.T. George, member of St.Thomas Mar Thoma Church,
Nooromavu, Anicadu, brother of our member Mrs. Thankamma John, re-
siding at 172 Vrendenburgh Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 went to be with the
Lord on Saturday, December 2, 2023 in Bangalore, India at the age of 87.
Mr. A. V. George, member of St. Andrew's Mar Thoma Church, Yonkers,
brother of our member Mrs. Annamma Mathew, residing at 6 Glen Ave-
nue, Port Chester NY 10573 went to be with the Lord on Friday 10th No-
vember, 2023 at the age of 70. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, No-
vember 14, 2023 at St. Andrew's Mar Thoma Church, Yonkers, NY 10704.
We as parish extend our deepest condolences to the bereaving families and
friends. May the peace of Christ bring them all comfort during this difficult
time
All are kindly requested to pay any outstanding dues, includ-
ing but not limited to: Subscription, Thanksgiving and Christ-
mas and other payments before December 31st, 2023
Friendly Reminder from the Trustees
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15
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Calendar of Events
Program Dates Convener(s)
Joint Committee Retreat May 21 Josen Joseph
Graduation Recognition
June 25
(After Service)
Leena Daniel &
Joshin Johnkutty
Picnic August 19
MJ George &
Jishu Samuel
Senior Citizens
Recognition Day
September 17
George Varkey
Retreat
September 22-24
Montrose, PA
T P Jacob/
Mathew Abraham
Convention October 5—8
K.G. Varghese &
K.C. Thomas
Thanksgiving November 23
Samuel K. Samuel &
Cheriyan Varughese
Christmas Carol Service December 23 at 4pm
Sherly Thomas &
Sunil M. Varughese
&
Levan Thomas
House Caroling
December 16th at
Church
Samuel K. Samuel &
MJ George
Parish Day 2024 January 28, 2024 Josen Joseph
Food Committee George M Varkey
Praise & Worship
Jishu Samuel
K.C. Thomas
Jessy Kuruvilla
Mission
Geevarghese
Thankachen
Audio/Video Visual
Jishu Samuel
Nikhil Thomas
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Executive Committee - 2023
Position Name Home Phone
Vicar/President Rev. John Philip (914) 450-3162
Vice President Mr. T. P. Jacob (516) 365-3750
Secretary Mr. Josen Joseph (914) 346-8644
Treasurer Mr. Biju P Varughese (845) 596-0537
Accountant Mr. Sajan Abraham (917) 304-2121
Lay Leader - Malayalam Mr. M.J. George (914) 376-7185
AREA PRAYER GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
Manhattan/NJ Mr. Jacob Varghese (201) 384-0041
Queens/LI Mr. T. P. Jacob (516) 365-3750
Rockland Mr. John K Abraham (845) 426-2327
Rockland Mrs. Leena Daniel (914) 441-8233
Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Mathew Abraham (914) 939-8194
Upper Westchester/CT Mr. Thankachen Geevarghese (914) 939-0282
Yonkers East Mr. K.G. Varghese (914) 202-7093
Yonkers North Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) 316 2439
Yonkers South/Bronx Mr. M.J. George (914) 376-7185
Yonkers West Mr. Joseph Oommen (914) 343-4652
MANDALAM & DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES
Sabha Mandalam Mr. Cheriyan Varughese (914) 965-0969
Diocesan Representatives Mr. Sherly Thomas (516) 796 2672
Mr. Levan George Thomas (917) 406 1149
Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490
ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Choir Mr. Samuel K. Samuel (914) 693-8490
Edavaka Mission Mr. K.C. Thomas (914) 963-3499
Sr Citizens Fellowship Mr. George Varkey (845) 268-0812
Sevika Sangham Mrs. Jessy Kuruvilla (914) 582-0710
Sunday School Dr. Premila Abraham (914) 304-2121
Youth Fellowship Mr. Joshin Johnkutty (914) 510-3421
Young Family Fellowship Mr. Sunil Varughese (845) 598-3994
Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jishu Samuel (914) 690-4868
AUDITORS
Mr. Thomas John (845) 290-1652
Dr. Geevarghese Kochumman (914) 948-2363
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