EDITION 7, VOLUME 11

JULY 2011

PA RISH NE W SL E T T E R
From the Vicars Desk
unravel the difference between Christianity and churchianity (courtesy Sadhu Sundar Sing, the missionary par excellence). Our commitment is to Christ our Lord, not to the World (1 Peter 2:4; John 17:14-16). One of the main reasons of our craving for defensiveness is overcosnsciousness of our rights at the expense our responsibilities. Satan will persuade and convince us to focus on rights in stead of our responsibilities. For example, a husband may chip at his wife because he thinks he has a right to expect her to be submissive. A wife may nag her husband because she expects him to be a perfect husband. Parents harass their children because they think that it is their right to demand obedience. Members may quarrel in the church when they think their rights have been violated. No culture can withstand such kind of selfcentered orientation. Husbands, having a submissive wife is not your right; but being a loving, caring husband is your responsibility. Similarly, wives, having a spiritual husband is not your right; but being a supportive and understanding wife is your responsibility. Parents, expecting your children to obey you is not your right; but disciplining your children in the fear of the Lord is your responsibility. Being a member of the church, body of Christ, is an incredible privilege, not a right. This privilege leaves with us the amazing responsibility to behave as Gods children. He will reward us for how well we fullled our responsibilities. Let me conclude, anybody can nd character faults in another person. But it takes the grace of God to look beyond an impulsive Peter to see in him the rock of the Jerusalem church. It takes the grace of God to look beyond Paul the persecutor to see in him Paul the apostle (Neil T. Anderson). So as we live day by day with people who are less than saintly in their behaviour--and who see us the same way-may I unassumingly say, If it is peace we want, seek to change ourselves, not other people. It is easier to protect our feet with sandals than to carpet the whole of the earth. May the God of peace bless us all. With love and care,

My dear bothers and sisters in Christ, In this issue, I would like to reect upon the theme: Defensiveness is Defenseless. No matter how well we live our lives, somebody wont like it. How should we respond to those who cant or wont understand us? Should we be defensive? There are two reasons we never need to respond defensively to the negative evaluation about us. First, if we are wrong, we dont have a defense. If the criticism is valid, any defensiveness on our part would be an explanation at best and a lie at worst. Second, if we are right we dont require a defense (refer: 1 Peter 2:21-23). If we are truthful, the Righteous Judge, who knows who we are and what we have done, will acquit us. If we can learn not to be defensive when someone attacks us, we may have a prospect to turn the situation around and show them that we are not bogus Christians. It will provide us a chance to
The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

Mothy Achen

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 7, VOLUME 11

JULY 2011

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Parish Activities and Events

Sunday School Sunday school on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (Near Car park # 5) Time: 9:00 AM Sevika Sangham Area Prayer Meetings At the residence of Mrs. Shushana George on 09th July 2011 at 4:00 PM. Please contact Ms. Susan Benny for more details. Edavaka Mission Edavaka Mission meetings are held on 4th Saturdays of every month. Please contact Sanju John for details. Senior Citizens Fellowship Senior Citizens Fellowship is held at 1 Hawksberry Drive, Willeton on 30th July at 12:00 PM. Please contact Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew for more details. Youth Meeting Freo & Others Please contact youth group Secretary Miss Tanya Thomas for more details. At the residence of Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew on 10th July 2011 at 6:30 PM. Please contact Mr. Raja Gopal for more info. North of River At the residence of Mr. Viji Oommen on 24th July 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Sajan Jacob for more info. South of Leach Hwy At the residence of Mr. Philip Mathew on 03rd July 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Philip Mathew for more info. North of Leach Hwy At the residence of Mr. Biju Daniel on 17th July 2011 at 6:00 PM. Please contact Mr. Jinu Johnson for more info. Parish Choir Regular practice sessions of the Parish Choir are conducted after the Sunday service at Murdoch University Worship Centre. Those interested in joining our Parish Choir may please contact the Choir Co-coordinator Jerry Cherian.

Sunday School on all Sundays at 9:00AM before the Holy Communion Services. 03 July 2011 Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 10:00AM 10 July 2011 Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM 17 July 2011 Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 10:00AM 24 July 2011 Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM 31 July 2011 Worship Service in English lead by Yuvaja Sakhyam Members - 10:00AM Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (near Car Park 5)

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au

EDITION 7, VOLUME 11

JULY 2011

Birthdays July 2011

Mary Sara Raja (4 July) Irene Mariam Roy (6 July) Solomon Jacob (8 July) Christina Mathew (13 July) Marine Thomas (17 july) Amol Mathew (17 July) Nidhi Mathew (19 July) Joanna D Rajesh (23 July) Sujin Jacob Solomon (27 July) Mercy Koshy (28 July) God Created You with his own hands; He Knows your name and your thoughts; He Blesses you with life, with love; And the joy of another year to know him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

Wedding Anniversaries July 2011

Philip Mathew & Susan Philip (2 July) Dr C J John & Mary John (18 July) Shiju Mathews & Reny Elizabeth Mathews (21 July) Soney Titus & Beena Sony (24 July) Bibu C Thomas & Renu Bibu Thomas (26 July) Verghese Jacob (Joji) & Elezabeth Reeny Jacob ( July)

May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come. WISHING ALL THE CELEBRANTS HAPPY WEDDING

Messenger Notes: Please inform the Vicar or Secretary for any corrections or suggestions regarding the Parish Messenger. For any items to be included in the upcoming editions of the Parish Messenger, please contact Secretary.

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth!

www.perthmarthoma.org.au