NEWS BULLETIN APRIL 2016 - Mar Thoma Syrian …€¦ · 3 FROM THE VICAR’S DESK Importance of Litany/Intercession in the Holy Communion Service Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

LONG ISLAND MAR THOMA CHURCH

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3: 1-2

NEWS BULLETIN – APRIL 2016

2350 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566

Phone: 516-208-3523 Fax: 516-623-1456

www.longislandmarthomachurch.org

http://www.longislandmarthomachurch.org/

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2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICE BEARERS

Rev. Shinoi Joseph Vicar/President

516-208-3523 (H)

[email protected] 516-589-1606 (C)

Mathew K. Thomas Vice President

516-223-2742 (H)


Benny Thomas Secretary

718-347-2818 (H) [email protected] 516-776-4647 (C)

Chacko Mathew Treasurer

631-415-4339 (H)


Thomas Oonnoonny Accountant

516-414-3571 (H)


Yohannan Jacob Lay Leader

(Malayalam)

516-741-5407 (H)


Anil Chacko Lay Leader (English)


MANDALAM/DIOCESE

Kalathil Varughese Mandalam Member


Dr. Ron Jacob Diocesan Council

Member

516-741-5407 (H)


Thomas Rajan Assembly

Member

516-390-0285 (H)

[email protected]

Lagi Thomas Assembly

Member

516-396-4588 (H)


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FROM THE VICAR’S DESK

Importance of Litany/Intercession in the Holy Communion Service

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord!

This month we shall try to understand the significance of

Litany/Intercessory Prayers. Litany is a series of prayers/petitions for

others. It comes soon after the Second Blessing. Here there are five prayers. But we ought to understand that in the Holy Qurbana service

there also exist other occasions when we pray for others, including the

Great Intercession. The celebrant here particularly prays for

reconciliation, peace, unity, harmony, grace, and for people who are in need. The faith community seeks mercy and blessings from God, who is

the source of all blessings. Here I would like to stress on the following

point:

INTERCESSION AS GOD GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY AND

MISSION OF THE CHURCH

We are called to be intercessors. The Church is a „called and set apart‟

community not only to worship and witness Jesus the Christ, but also

called to intercede for others. Jesus promised “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you, for

everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who

knocks will be opened” (St. Mt.7:7-8). St. John 17 is regarded as High Priestly prayer of Jesus Christ. Here Jesus intercedes for his disciples

and for everyone. Jesus is the only mediator between God and human

beings, as He is the chief priest according to the order of Melchizedek

(Heb.4:14; 5). St. Paul says, “For there is one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim.2:5).” He

intercedes for those who draw near to God through Him (Heb.7:25). As

Jesus is interceding for the world/individual, we are also called and set apart to be intercessors, pleading grace, mercy and help to people

around us. St. Paul says, “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions

and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all men, for kings, and for all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all

godliness and dignity (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

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The Spirit of God within us enables us to pray/intercede for others (Romans 8:26; Mt.10:20; Jn.14:16; Eph.2:18; 6:18; Jam 4:3). It is God‟s Spirit that helps us to call God “Abba Father” (Rom.8:15). We are

called to pray in spirit and truth (Jn.4:23-24). In Romans, St. Paul says,

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know

what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the

mind and the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God‟s people in

accordance with the will of God (Rom 8:26-28).

God values our intercession if we pray in complete trust and faith. The

mission of the Church is to intercede for others. The Bible speaks about many prayer-warriors who desperately interceded to God. Abraham,

Moses, Daniel, Job, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, the Centurion, Mary,

Martha, Peter, Paul, the mother who came to Jesus whose daughter was

not well, and so many others have taught us the power and fruits of intercessory prayers. We read in Genesis that Abraham pleads and

bargains before God to have mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah, which

God had decided to destroy because people of that land were wicked and sinful (Gen.18). Abraham felt that it would not be just to destroy the

righteous with the wicked ones. He pleads for God‟s mercy on this city

if there would be at least 50 righteous ones in the city. He then bargains with God for this city even if there are 10 righteous ones. God shows his

mercy on Lot and his family because of their righteousness. Prophet

Isaiah told King Hezekiah that he needs to get his house in order for he

shall soon die (Isa 38). King Hezekiah‟s true prayer was answered and God allowed him to live 15 years more. The true repentance and earnest

prayer of Nineveh (the king and people) made God to change his mind

from destroying the Nineveh city (Jonah 3). God will prevent his wrath, anger and judgment upon people/nations if people plead to him

earnestly.

The church becomes an instrument of blessings and mercy through true intercession and earnest prayers. Jesus says, “If two of you agree

on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by

My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst (St. Mt.18:19, 20). The

only way to receive the blessings and to avoid the wrath of God towards

the world is to come back to God in true repentance and earnestly intercede for others.

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May God keep us in His Warm and comforting Embrace

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YOUTH CHAPLAIN’S CORNER In the days after Easter, we, like the first followers of Jesus have to

learn how to walk with the risen Lord. Easter represents a new

beginning for all of us. As we look back over the last few months at all that has happened in the world, we realize that there are a lot of

tragedies and misfortunes in the world.

In the midst of all these tragedies and misfortunes, the believer‟s dependence on Jesus is what motivates them to thank God and it is what

motives them to move forward. We thank God for His wonderful care

and protection. Further, just as the risen Lord gave joy and encouragement to the disciples, that same joy and encouragement is

available for us. That and the power of the Holy Spirit enabled the

disciples to live a life different than the life they lived before Easter.

They realized that their Lord and Savior had overcome the powers of

this world. They realized that no matter what happened in this world, in

the world to come, their God would reward them for living a life of a true disciple. So they tried their best to live a life pleasing to God. They

gladly endured pain and suffering for their Savior. They happily

sacrificed their own pleasures for the good of others.

Yes, in this world they suffered physical pain and injustice, but in their

spirit they were renewed every day. They kept their eye on the prize.

For the disciples the Resurrection was not just an experience of life after death. To them, the Resurrection happens every day. For them, the

Resurrection is the transformation of all our relationships.

Atransformation of our relationship with God, and with other people. The Resurrection enabled them to use all the talents and gifts that God

gave them to serve others in His Name.

May we all be empowered by the Resurrection, to learn to walk a new

way with our God. Further may it also enable us to use all our talents to

serve God through serving others.

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BIRTHDAYS

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON APRIL3rd

~

4/1 Melanie K. John 7 Milburn Street, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/2 Yohannan Jacob 89 4th Street, Garden City Park, NY 11040

4/3 Susan Varghese 1557 Adams Street, Elmont, NY 11003

4/3 Alvin Thomas 76-32 264th Street, Floral Park, NY 11004

4/3 Robin M. Abraham 183 Bedford Avenue, Garden City Park, NY 11040

4/3 Stefan Thomas 1671 Stewart Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON APRIL10th

~

4/4 K. O. Chacko 2 Robbins Lane, Westbury, NY 11590

4/4 Chacko Mathew 451 Horton Highway, Williston Park, NY 11596

4/5 P. M. Joseph 80-53 269 Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/5 Sosamma Abraham 5 Tudor Road, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/5 Annamma L. Mathew 20 McKinley Avenue, Albertson, NY 11507

4/5 Eugene Vins Thomas 2 Evers Street, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/5 Susan Thomas 1 Tinkers Place, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/5 MathewkuttyEasow 153 Bismark Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11581

4/6 Dane John Benzy 2219 Elderbury Drive, Westbury, NY 11590

4/7 Mathew Titus 80-32 251st Street, Bellerose, NY 11427

4/7 Rev. Binoy J. Thomas 2320 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566

4/8 Preetha George 719 Carmans Road, Massapequa Park, NY 11762

4/8 George V. Abraham 1978 Marion Drive, East Meadow, NY 11554

4/8 Vipin Abraham Thomas 90 W 3rd Street, Deer Park, NY 11729

4/8 Emma Susan Varghese 10 Bretton Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040

4/8 Evan Chacko Oommen 35 Pilgrim St, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/9 Sneha Saji 36 Spring Gardens St, Valley Stream, NY 11580

4/10 Sam Samuel 79-08 263rd Street, Floral Park, NY 11004

4/10 Aleyamma Thomas 214-09 Hillside Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11427

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~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON APRIL17th

~

4/11 Shaji Joseph 80-53 269 Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/11 Thampi Samuel 267-07 77th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/11 Samuel Chacko 11 Burns Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/11 Nikhil Thomas 66 Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753

4/11 Deepa A. Thomas 13 Sugar Maple Dr., Roslyn, NY 11576

4/12 Jubie C. Thomas 24 Brycewood Drive, Dix Hills, NY 11746

4/12 Dr. Gina Oommen 35 Pilgrim Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/12 Achamma Mathew 18 Park Drive East, Syosset, NY 11791

4/13 Mathew Thomas 61 Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753

4/14 Kallumannil O. Mathew 80 Crosby Avenue, Albertson, NY 11507

4/14 Saramma Mathews 25 Libby Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/14 Kevin Abraham 80-63 Langdale Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/15 Joseph Abraham 65 Capri Drive, Roslyn, NY 11576

4/15 Anil Mathew 20 High Land Blvd., Dix Hills, NY 11746

4/15 Ansa Varghese 49 Conklin Street, Deer Park, NY 11729

4/15 Dr. Leno Thomas 125 Sherman Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596

4/15 JeenaShajan 46 Maxwell Drive, Westbury, NY 11590

4/17 Jacob Thomas 3 Prose Street, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/17 Leena Mathew 30 Cantiague Lane, Westbury, NY 11590

4/17 Kevin B. Sam 5 Berwyn Drive, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON APRIL 24th

~

4/18 Dr. Sunita Thomas 78 Thorens Avenue, Garden City Park, NY 11040

4/18 Roshan Abraham 121 Oakwood Drive, Syosset, NY 11791

4/18 Dr. James P. Mammen 38 Hargrove Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790

4/19 Jubil Philip 38 Lords Way, Manhasset Hills, NY 11040

4/19 Susamma T. Daniel 92 6th Street, Garden City Park, NY 11040

4/19 Liju Varghese 247-24A 76th Avenue, Bellerose, NY 11426

4/21 Kurien Thomas 55 Woodbury Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788

4/21 Kurian Varghese 49 Conklin Street, Deer Park, NY 11729

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~

4/21 Tiby Philip 725 The Plain Road, Westbury, NY 11590

4/21 Katherine S. Varghese 76-23 251st Street, Bellerose, NY 11426

4/21 Geetha E. Abraham 386 South 1st Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757

4/21 Maria Benjamin 12 Franklin St, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/22 Anish Mammen 90 Birchwood Drive, Herricks, NY 11040

4/22 Christopher G. Varghese 76-23 251st Street, Bellerose, NY 11426

4/23 Mariamma Mathew 80 Crosby Avenue, Albertson, NY 11507

4/23 Neethu Ann Chacko 11 Ridge Court, Hauppauge, NY 11738

4/23 Zachariah Thomas 61 Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753

4/24 Rajan Abraham 12 Franklin Street, Hicksville, NY 11801

4/24 Eden Elizabeth Koshy 7 Wedgewood Drive, Westbury, NY 11590

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON MAY1st~

4/25 Sushil Mammen 90 Birchwood Drive, Herricks, NY 11040

4/25 Marykutty George 57 Belmont Avenue, Plainview, NY 11803

4/26 Sunil Joseph 8141 265th Street, Floral Park, NY 11004

4/26 John Daniel 75-31 249th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426

4/27 Mariamma Abraham 76-03 249th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426

4/27 Rahel Susan Zachariah 190 Bregman Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/27 Selena K. Sabu 15 Kingston Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/27 Stacey Jacob 154 New Bridge Road, East Meadow, NY 11554

4/28 JulithaCheriyan 56 Allen Street, Herricks, NY 11040

4/28 Carter Mason Varghese 23 Corona Drive, Bethpage, NY 11724

4/29 Saji Mathew 3 Chaffee Avenue, Albertson, NY 11507

4/29 Rev. Shinoi Joseph 2350 Merrick Ave, Merrick, NY 11566

4/29 Helen H. Shum 30 Monroe Street [Apt. H PH], New York, NY 10002

4/30 Sabu Koruthu 15 Kingston Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

4/30 VismynVins 2 Evers Street, Hicksville, NY 11801

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WEDDING ANNNIVERSARIES

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON APRIL 3rd

~

4/2 Mr. & Mrs. Shibu Varghese 10 Bretton Road, Garden City Park


~

4/9 Mr. & Mrs. Reji Alex 261-50 72nd Road, Floral Park

4/10 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph K. Mathew 1557 Rosser Avenue, Elmont


~

4/15 Mr. & Mrs. Agie George 1642 Gilford Avenue, New Hyde Park

~OFFER PRAYER AND THANKSGIVNG ON MAY 1st~

4/27 Mr. & Mrs. Lalu Mathew 20 McKinley Avenue, Albertson

4/29 Mr. & Mrs. Kurien Thomas 55 Woodbury Road, Hauppauge

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EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS CALENDAR

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School starts every Sunday at 9:00AM

Little Blessings Ministry (ages 3-7) will be held on all Malayalam

service Sunday‟s at 9:00AM

Spring Fest will be held on Saturday, April 23rdfrom 9:30AM to

1:00PM

The Diocesan Exam will be on Sunday, May 1st

LIMC Girl Scout troop 2358 collected 618 books for donation to the

bookfairies (a local nonprofit organization that helps provide books

for communities that do not have funds to stock school libraries with

sufficient books). Thank you to all who participated and donated.

We would like to thank the following students for volunteering and

for their presentations during Sunday School Assembly in the month

of March:

o 3/6/16 - 1st Grade – Linda Thomas

Song by Olivia Abraham

Story by Joel Biju

Prayer by Melvin Kurian

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP – ELEMENT 26 Youth Fellowship meetings will be held on Friday, April 1st, April

15th, April 22nd, and April 29th at 7PM at the church.

YOUNG FAMILY FELLOWSHIP Monthly meeting will be held on Sunday, April 24th, at 3:30PM at the

residence of Dr. & Mrs. Ron Jacob, 89, 4th Street, Garden City Park,

NY 11040

CHOIR Malayalam and English Choir practices will be held either before or

after service on their respective weeks.

EDAVAKA MISSION Weekly Bible Study classes will be held every Thursday at 7:30PM at

the church

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YUVAJANA SAKHYAM Cottage Prayer Meeting will be held Sunday, April 17th, at 1:30PM at

the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Shiju P. Abraham, 47 Quaker Street, New

Hyde Park, NY 11040.

SAMSON AT SIGHT AND SOUND THEATERS!

Show Time: Friday, Jul 29, 2016 at 2:45 PM

Experience this Bible story in jaw-dropping scale as it's brought to

life by a world-class cast, spectacular special effects and live

animals - on stage and in the aisles. It's an unforgettable, uplifting

thrill ride that literally brings the house down!

Please contact Yuvajana Sakhyam Office bearers for details.

YUVAJANA SAKHYAM RETREAT AT SANDY COVE MINISTRIES

Yuvajana Sakhyam will be coordinating a 3-Day retreat at Sandy

Cove Retreat Center in Maryland from Thursday, August 18, 2016

to Sunday, August 21, 2016.

All LIMC members are welcome to join us. Seats are limited. Holy

communion will be celebrated at Sandy Cover Ministries Chapel.

Food is included in the package.

Please see Yuvajana Sakhyam Office Bearers for more details.

SEVIKA SANGHAM Monthly meeting will be held on Sat., April23rdat 10AM at the

church.

SENIOR CITIZEN’S FELLOWSHIP Monthly meeting will be held on Fri., April 8th at 7PM at the church.

The Senior Citizens group is arranging a trip to Lancaster Sight &

Sound Theater on Saturday, April 9, 2016 to see the 2016 New Show

Samson.

o The bus will depart at 7:00AM sharp from Hillside United Methodist Church, 2801 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY

11040.

o Breakfast packets will be distributed by 6:00 a.m.

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CONDOLENCES

Mrs. Annamma Varghese, 86 years old, (Kayyamkattil house, Pathanapuram,

Kerala), was called to eternity on Feb 26thin India.

Mrs. Annamma Varghese is the mother of:

Reji Varghese

1557 Adams Street

Elmont, NY 11003

Mr. C. Mathew, 76 years old, (Chennai, India) was called to eternity on

Sunday, March 28th.

Mr. C. Mathew is the father of:

Mrs. Susan A. Kaithavana

1635 Highland Ave.

New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Our former member, Mr. C. M. Thomas, 79 years old, was called to eternity on

Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in India. Mr. C. M. Thomas was the husband of late

Mrs. Mariamma Thomas.

Please remember the bereaving family in your prayers.

NEWBORNS

A baby boy, Logan John Daniel, was born on Monday, March14th, 2016 to our

members:

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffy&Gesha Daniel

153 Cellar Avenue


Congratulations to both the parents andnew grandparents;

Mr. & Mrs. John Daniel 75-31, 249th Street

Bellerose, NY 11426

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AREA PRAYER MEETINGS

Sunday4/03/2016

6:00 PM

Prayer Group - G Albertson, Garden City,

Garden City Park,

Manhasset, Manhasset

Hills, Mineola, Roslyn,

Roslyn Heights,

Searingtown, & Williston

Park

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph V. Thomas

111 Sigsbee Ave

Albertson, NY 11507

516-385-2014

Sunday 4/10/2016

6:00 PM

Prayer Group - D Bethpage, Hicksville, &

Plainview

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Chacko

11 Burns Avenue Hicksville, NY 11801

516-681-3617

Saturday 4/23/2016

6:30 PM

Prayer Group - C Herricks& New Hyde

Park

Mr. & Mrs. P.M. Joseph

80-53, 269th St.


516-872-3789

Sunday 4/24/2016

6:00 PM

Prayer Group – B

Elmont &ValleyStream

Mr. & Mrs. Mathew J. Kochuplamootil

1557 Rosser Ave.

Elmont, NY 11003

516-414-2678

Saturday

4/30/2016

6:30 PM

Prayer Group - E Eastern Long Island

Dr. & Mrs. Mathew M. Chacko

25 Legend Circle

Melville, NY 11747

631-755-4089

PULPIT ASSISTANCE & REFRESHMENTS

APRIL PRAYER GROUP C: - MR. VARGHESE LUKOSE

MAY PRAYER GROUP D: - MR. SAMUEL V. CHACKO

JUNE PRAYER GROUP E: - MR. GEEVARGHESE VARGHESE

JULY PRAYER GROUP F: - MR. MATHAI THOMAS

AUGUST PRAYER GROUP G: - MR. JOSEPH V. THOMAS

The Vicar and members of the Parish express their sincere thanks to Area

RepresentativeMr. MathewkuttyEasow and members of Prayer Group B

(Elmont & Valley Stream) for their assistance at the pulpit, arranging flowers,

and providing refreshments during the month of March.

During the month of April, the above responsibilities are assigned to Mr.

Varghese Lukose and members of Prayer Group C(Herricks& New Hyde

Park.)

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Date Time Schedule and Weekly Theme

Sunday

4/03/2016 10:00 AM

Holy Communion Service – English New Sunday-Empowered by the Risen Lord

(First Sunday after Easter)

Sunday

4/10/2016

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

English Divine Service

Holy Communion Service – Malayalam

Re-reading of the Scripture with the Risen Lord

(Second Sunday after Easter)

Sunday 4/17/2016

10:00 AM Holy Communion Service – English

Commissioning by the Risen Lord (3rd Sunday after Easter)

Sunday

4/24/2016

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

English Divine Service

Holy Communion Service – Malayalam

Believing in „Christ the truth‟

(4th Sunday after Easter)

LECTIONARY

Date 1

st and

2nd

Lessons Epistle Gospel

Sunday

4/03/2016

Gen. 28: 10-22 1 Thes. 1: 2-10 St. John. 20: 24-29

Acts. 20: 7-12

Sunday

4/10/2016

2 Chro. 34: 29-33 Phili. 1: 12-17 St. Luke. 24: 13-27

Acts. 8: 26-40

Sunday

4/17/2016

Jer. 1: 1-10 2 Tim. 2: 1-8 St. John. 20: 19-23

1 Tim. 4:6-16

Sunday

4/24/2016

Exo. 34:1-9 2 John. 7-11 St. John. 17: 1-6

Eph. 4: 11-16

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AREA REPRESENTATIVES

Mathew P. Mathew Prayer Group - A

718-347-7258 (H)


MathewkuttyEasow Prayer Group - B

516-612-7396 (H)


Varghese Lukose Prayer Group - C

516-352-0763 (H)


Samuel V. Chacko Prayer Group – D

516-681-3617 (H)


Geevarghese Varughese Prayer Group - E

631-588-5364 (H)


Mathai Thomas Prayer Group - F

516-932-8929 (H)


Joseph V. Thomas Prayer Group - G

516-385-8014 (H)


SUNDAY SCHOOL

Jibu Abraham Headmaster

516-747-1127 (H)


YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Shannon Thomas Vice President

516-488-1047 (H)


YUVAJANA SAKHYAM

Cherian Kovoor Secretary

516-833-5995 (H)


YOUNG FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

Sabu Abraham Vice President

516-246-9976 (H)


CHOIR

Stanly Thomas Choir Leader

516-775-0590 (H)


EDAVAKA MISSION

Mariamma Mathew Vice President

516-812-0190 (H)


SEVIKA SANGHOM

Leelamma T. Chacko Secretary

516-681-3617 (H)


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NYC RESCUE MISSIONS

Documents

NEWS BULLETIN APRIL 2016 - Mar Thoma Syrian …€¦ · 3 FROM THE VICAR’S DESK Importance of Litany/Intercession in the Holy Communion Service Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,