Volume XVIII | No. 7 www.ststephensmtc.org A copy of this bulletin is available online.

Website Invitation Code: kerala

ST. STEPHEN’S MAR THOMA CHURCH

423 DUNHAMS CORNER ROAD

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ 08816

Vicar | Rev. Varghese Mathew

151 Aspen Dr. | North Brunswick, NJ 08902

JULY

2017

Executive Committee 2017

President Rev. Varghese Mathew 732.353.9470

revvmkuttickattu@gmail.com 732.790.2271

Vice President Mr. Joseph Abraham 732.331.4076

Secretary Mr. Seebu John sjna117@verizon.net

908.392.4253

Treasurer Mr. Sumod Thomas 732.796.4931

Accountant Mr. Jacob Panicker 908.209.4087

Lay leader Mr. Shaiju Cheriyan 732.768.5677

Lay leader Mr. Sunil Thomas 732.397.7218

Choir Mr. Earlin George 732.207.1330

Sunday School Mr. Sony Cherukara 732.966.4246

Youth fellowship Mr. Sunil Kurien 732.546.1468

Sevika Sangham Mrs. Sheeba Johnson 732.319.3319

Edavaka Mission Mr. Thomas George 732.491.3422

Young Family Fellowship Mr. Tharun George 908.616.8717

Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Sunoj Mathew 908.217.8816

Senior Fellowship Mr. George Edukula 732.910.6556

Prayer Group 1 Mr. Manoj Mathew 848.219.3724

Prayer Group 2 Mrs. Bibina Varghese 732.422.7128

Prayer Group 3 Mr. John Joseph 732.887.6398

Prayer Group 4 Mr. Varughese Abraham 908.705.7270

Mandalam Mr. John Thomas 848.250.1733

Assembly Mr. Anil Mathew 732.552.8053

Other Contacts

Sunday School Mrs. Christy Abraham 732.418.8840

Youth Fellowship Miss Roshini Reji 848.239.9324

Choir Mrs. Mini Cheriyan 732.579.7558

Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Arun Cherian 609.275.1987

Auditor Mr. John Thomas 908.295.7606

Auditor Mr. Samuel John 917.553.9678

Assembly Mr. Shibu Varghese 201.675.9280

Greeting to all in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich " 2 Cor. 8:9

Christian Stewardship

The outstanding Baptist preacher, Dr. George W. Truett, was helping a struggling congregation raise money for their church building. They still needed $6500. Truett found the response weak. With only $3000 pledged he said in exasperation, "Do you expect me to give the other $3500 needed to reach your goal? I'm just a guest here today." Suddenly, a woman near the back stood. Looking at her husband seated on the platform recording pledges, she said in a shaking voice, "Charlie, I wonder if you would be willing for us to give our little home? We were offered exactly $3500 cash for it yesterday. If the Saviour gave His life for us, shouldn't we make this sacrifice for Him?" Truett reported that the fine husband responded with equal generosity. "Yes, Jennie, I was thinking the same thing." Turning to Truett, he said, "Brother Truett, if it's needed, we'll raise our pledge by $3500." Silence reigned for a few moments. Then some of the folks began to sob. Those, who fifteen minutes earlier had refused to do more now either added their names to the list or increased their donations. In a short time, their goal had been achieved, and Charlie and Jennie didn't have to forfeit their home. Their willingness to sacrifice had stimulated others to similar generosity. Christian stewardship is not a hypothetical subject. It is our appointment and duty. It demands our dedication and prayerful participation. There are three important principles in stewardship.

1. Authority It is a delegated authority. There is a difference between ownership and stewardship. Ownership implies that it's my property - stewardship implies that the authority I have has been delegated to me by the real owner. Ownership is actually a stewardship; the real owner is God. Delegated authority is where I pass on some of my authority to someone else for a specific purpose. Everything I have - talent, intelligence, money, status, power, possessions, our body, time, spiritual gifts, my looks - ultimately they don't belong to me.

Achen's Message!

They have been delegated to me as a stewardship - and I have a delegated authority over them. Understanding the real significance of this delegated authority takes a lot of faith. Mat 8:5-10 - the Roman Centurion understood how delegated authority applied to the spiritual realm.

2. Responsibility To be responsible means to be answerable for a specific obligation. That's often very difficult for people to understand these days, because more and more we're being brainwashed with the concept that it's not my fault I did the wrong thing, it's someone else's. Kids blame their parents: "It's not my fault, husband blames wife, wife blames husband, and parents blame children. No one is ready to take the responsibility of anything. But in Christian stewardship we are responsible for all that has been given to us for our life and mission.

3. Accountability There are some words associated with accountability: a reckoning, an explanation, responsibility, liability, answerability. We are blessed to be a blessing. Abraham was blessed for the purpose of being a blessing to others (Gen 12:1-3). The whole purpose of God's blessing us - and we are so blessed - is that we may in turn also be a blessing to others. God pours in so that we can pour out. God has an expectation that whatever He's blessed us with - talent, intelligence, money, status, power, possessions, our body, time, spiritual gifts, our looks - we in turn should use them to be a blessing to others and to honor God. God can put great abilities and callings in our lives, but ultimately if we don't deal with the character issues, those issues can be our downfall. Judas Iscariot was called to be one of the original apostles, but loved money (John 12:1-6). So whatever the level of our stewardship, whatever God has put into our hands, we need to be certain that we are developing the kind of integrity and character that can actually handle it. We need to understand that what really counts isn't what we do, but who we are. Let’s dedicate ourselves and pray, Lord doesn’t give me any more than what I can handle, but give me the capacity to handle great things. Rev Varghese Mathew Vicar

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Sevika Sangam

Prayer Line will be held every Wednesday from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The phone

number: 712-432-1500; Access Code: 289872#

Edavaka Mission and Senior Fellowship meeting will be held at church on

Saturday, July 8th, at 10:00 am at church.

Prayer meetings:

The Area 1 prayer meeting will be held on July 16th, Sunday at the residence of

Mr. Sunoj Mathew at 6 pm. The address is 54 S McKinley Ave, Iselin NJ 08830.

The Area 2 prayer meeting will be on July 8th, Saturday at the residence of Mr.

Joseph Abraham at 6:30 pm. The address is 1632 Hudson Are North Brunswick

Sunday school:

This year's VBS theme is Hero central - Discover your strength in God. The dates

are for July 13-16 for grades up to 8th grade.

Youth Fellowship

Diocesan Youth Fellowship Conference – July 27-30, 2017 at the Houston

Immanuel MTC. Please visit www.dyfc2017.com for more details.

The Parish YF retreat is scheduled for July 28-30, 2017. Please uphold the leaders

and participants of the retreat in your prayers.

Date Time Celebrant 1st

Lesson

2nd

Lesson Epistle Gospel

Sunday

School

2

Jul

Stewardship of the resources

09:30

AM

Rev. Varghese

Mathew Exod.

18: 13-27

I Tim

6:17-21

2 Cori.

8: 1-15

Ma$.

25:14-30

No

Sunday

School English

9

Jul

Holy Ordina"on - Priests: Called for divine ministry

09:30

AM

Rev. Varghese

Mathew Ezek.

33: 1-9

1 Tim.

3:1-13

Eph.

4:7-16

Ma$.

3:13-19

No

Sunday

School Malayalam

16

Jul

People of God: Ambassadors of Christ

09:30

AM

Rev. Varghese

Mathew Josh.

1:1-9

Phil.

1:12-21

2 Cori.

5:16-21

Ma$.

6:7-13

No

Sunday

School English

23

Jul

Theological educa"on: Equipping the people of God

09:30

AM

Rev. Varghese

Mathew Deut.

6: 1-17

2 Tim.

2:1-13

Eph.

3:1-13

John

12:20-26

No

Sunday

School Malayalam

30

Jul

Gospel for all people

09:30

AM

Rev. Varghese

Mathew Isa.

55: 1-5

Acts.

10: 34-43

Eph.

3.1-13

Luke

4:16-22

No

Sunday

School English

Birthdays 1 Rachel Thomas d/o Philip M. Thomas (732) 382-0033

2 Lovely Prasad w/o Philip Prasad (732) 967-9272

3 Elizabeth T. Varghese w/o Baji Thomas (732) 738-3974

3 Earlin O. George (732) 494-5088

4 Mini V. Cheriyan w/o Shaiju K. Cheriyan (732) 593-8032

4 Bitha Baji Thomas d/o Baji Thomas (732) 738-3974

5 Jenni Mary Chacko w/o Aju J. Sam (551) 580-1891

6 Priya M. Mathew w/o Arun Cherian (908) 720-8543

6 Isaac M. Palat s/o Mathew Palat (732) 952-2331

7 Anton Joseph s/o Manoj Joseph (617) 639 5511

7 Serah Thomas w/o Sunil S. Varughese (609) 275-9334

9 Seebu Skariah John (908) 392 4253

10 Danny Alexander s/o Ravi Alexander (732) 738-0721

10 Joshua P. Mathew s/o Pramod Mathew (732) 605-0370

10 Meghna E. Roy d/o Roy M. Mathew (508) 241-6482

11 Amanda E. Thomas d/o Saju Thomas (609) 466-1474

11 Sherlyn Sunoj Mathew d/o Sunoj Mathew (732) 985-1277

11 Dr. Sini George w/o Santhosh C. Varghese (732) 873-0811

11 Jeremy R. John s/o Reji John (732) 613-0623

11 Dr. Andrew Joseph Mathew s/o Dr. Joseph Mathew (732) 452-9527

12 Ponnamma Jose w/o Jose Thomas (732) 543-0638

12 Aliza Lilly George d/o Jiji George (908) 829- 0826

12 Shaiju K. Cheriyan (732) 593-8032

13 Anil Mathew (732) 552-8053

14 Aleena M. Cheriyan d/o Shaiju K. Cheriyan (732) 593-8032

15 Mary Mathew d/o Dr. Joseph Mathew (732) 452-9527

17 Jibi Thomas s/o Cheriyal Thomas (908) 925-9476

18 Joshua Jacob s/o Jacob K. Sam (732) 980-9154

19 Pushpa Sibi Abraham w/o Sibi Abraham (732) 200-1737

20 Reji Mathew (732) 401 0598

23 Sunitha Mathew w/o Suresh Mathew (732) 626 3342

23 Bindhu Abraham w/o Byju Abraham (908) 647-5362

23 Justin Jacob s/o Jacob K. Sam (732) 980-9154

Wedding Anniversaries 2 Mr. Justin Thomas & Mrs. Jasmine Varghese

7 (732) 552-8053

11 Mr. Philip M. Thomas & Mrs. Shirley Thomas (732) 382-0033

11 Mr. Bobby P. Mathew & Mrs. Reena Mathew (908) 281-0101

12 Dr. Samuel Thomas & Mrs. Reena Thomas (973) 538-1192

12 Mr. Jacob K. Sam & Mrs. Annamma Jacob (732) 980-9154

14 Mr. Jiji George & Mrs. Liji Cherian (908) 829-0286

14 Mr. Aju J. Sam & Mrs. Jenni Mary Chacko (551) 580-1891

17 Mr. R. K. Mathew & Mrs. Annamma Mathew (732) 605-0369

17 Mr. Pramod R. Mathew & Mrs. Elizabeth P. Mathew (732) 605-0370

21 Dr. John Varughese & Mrs. Pushpa Varughese (973) 808-1799

23 Mr. Philip C. Varghese & Mrs. Sahnila Varghese (908) 380-0599

27 Mr. Mathew Johnson & Mrs. Sheeba Johnson (732) 432-6444

29 Mr. Thomas Mathew & Mrs. Sheba Mathew (609) 799-5661

29 Mr. Thomas Varkey & Dr. Suneeta Varkey (908) 301-0084

Anil Mathew & Bindhu A Mathew

24 Sunny John (732) 845-9250

25 Annamma Thomas m/o Samuel Thomas (973) 538-1192

25 Hannah Sarah Kurien d/o Sunil Kurien (732) 546 1468

26 Iype P. Thomas (570) 620-0226

27 Pradeep R. Mathew s/o R. K. Mathew (732) 605-0370

28 David S. Oommen s/o Samuel Oommen (908) 320-0412

28 Johan Jomy Vaidyan s/o Jomy John (848) 248-0053

29 Jake Koshy s/o Tenny Koshy (815) 230 9017

29 Manu Sam (201) 253-7368

30 Joby George (908) 309-1810

30 Jacob C. Panicker (908) 994-0428

30 Layla S. Varkey d/o Thomas Varkey (908) 301-0084

31 Joseph V. Abraham (732) 418-8840

31 Leo S. John s/o Samuel John (732) 230-3747

YOUTH CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE Dear Families of the NJ St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, In current events, we are aware of the happenings in Asia/Middle East,

Africa, Europe, and here in the homeland. Various terrorists attacks, and acts of violence are a violation to God’s creation and are against the sanctity of human life. Taking the life of human beings is an act against God, our Creator. These harmful acts against humanity have gripped us with fear. The complications of the political arena on all sides have result-ed in a polarized environment, fear-tinged rhetoric, and an indignant milieu. This fear has translated into mistrust and anger towards the ‘other.’ The ‘human face’ of humanity has been disrupted. Though the world and media may be in fear, we need to keep up in our faith and hope in Christ Jesus, our Lord. The “fearful culture” should not make us more fearful. We are called for a counter-culture: in these circumstances, we need to have unwavering Chris-tian hope, and must look up to the Lord. “I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1). As a faith community, we must intercede for the families who are grieving over the loss of loved ones, due to violence. We must be the ambassadors of Christ, and preach the gospel message of hope and peace, which brings comfort, in this experience of turmoil. As hu-mans, it is natural for us to ask ourselves: Why? But the words of the prophet Isaiah come to mind: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8-9) This summer, many of us will have free time. Our parish/region/Diocese has many con-ferences, retreats, and VBS taking place. I encourage all to prayerfully participate for spir-itual growth and renewal. I wish you a fruitful and Christ-centered summer. May God bless us all! Sincerely, Dennis Achen (Youth Chaplain) Parish Youth Fellowship

The Youth Fellowship meets regularly. Please see the announcements from the Youth Fel-lowship secretary or contact me for more details. The Parish YF retreat is scheduled for July 28-30, 2017. Please uphold the leaders and par-ticipants of the retreat in your prayers. Combined Youth Fellowship will be scheduled during the month of August. More details to follow.

stroberroofing@hughes.net

Regional & Diocesan YF Diocesan Youth Fellowship Conference – July 27-30, 2017 at the Houston Immanuel MTC. Please visit www.dyfc2017.com for more details. Diocesan Youth Fellowship Leadership Conference (21st Session) will be held from Janu-ary 4-7, 2018 at the Long Island MTC, NY. Youths of age 21 & above are encouraged to attend. More details will be available soon. Altar Boys & Covenant Girls Classes will resume in the fall. More details will be announced by the parish secretary soon.

Thursday: July 13: 6 pm - 9:30 pm

Friday: July 14: 6 pm - 9:30 pm

Saturday: July 15: 9:30 am - 1 pm