2

8:00 am : Eng. Holy Communion- Miss.City 9:30 am: Sunday School 10:30 am: Mal. Holy Communion- Miss. City/Stafford/S. Land- Followed by H2H Caroling

1st Lesson: 1 King. 19:1-21 2nd Lesson: Rev. 10:1-11 Epistle: Gal. 1:11-17 Gospel: St. Luke 1:57-66

8:00 am : G3 Service 9:30 am : Sunday School 10:30 am Mal Holy Communion-N.Houston-Followed by H2H Caroling

1st Lesson: Isaiah. 7:10-17 2nd Lesson: 1 Peter 3:8-16 Epistle: Tit. 2:11-15 Gospel: St. Mat..1:18-23

9:30 am : Sunday School 10:30 am: Eng. Holy Communion-Stafford -Followed by H2H Caroling

1st Lesson: Isaiah. 11:1-10 2nd Lesson: 1 John 4:7-11 Epistle: Romans 1:8-17 Gospel: St. John 1:1-14

5:30 pm: Carol Service at Church 1st Lesson: Youth Fellowship 2nd Lesson: Senior Cit.Fellowship

1st Lesson : Micah: 5:1–9 2nd Lesson : Luke 2: 8-20

No Sunday School 9:00 am : Eng. Holy Communion - Stella Link / Pearland

1st Lesson: Isaiah. 9:1-7 2nd Lesson: Heb. 1:1-14 Epistle: 2Tim.2:8-13 Gospel: St. John 2:13-22

29 : 7:00 pm : Year End Retreat 30 : 7:00 pm : Year End Retreat 31 : 10:00 pm: Watch Night Service 31: Mid Night: Mal. Holy Communion - (Parish Office Bearers)

1st Lesson: Deuter: 28:1-14 2nd Lesson: Heb. 12:1-13 Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Gospel: St. John 7:37-39

No Sunday School 10:30 am: Eng. Holy Communion- Sugar Land

1st Lesson: Exo 3:1-15 2nd Lesson: Acts. 9:1-15 Epistle: Heb. 2:5-10 Gospel: St. Luke 1:26-38

8:00am : G3 Service 9:30 am : Sunday School (1st Sem.Exam.) 10:30am : Mal. Holy Communion SHARON PRAYER GROUP (Keegans/Kingsbridge/Providence/Woodbridge)

1st Lesson: Eccl 6:1-12 2nd Lesson: 1Pet 1:13-25 Epistle: Acts 6:1-15 Gospel: Matt 5:21-30

Dec 4, 2016

Dec 11, 2016

Dec 18,2016

Dec 24, 2016

Dec 25,2016

Dec 29 - 31,2016

Jan 1, 2017

Jan 8, 2017

SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP SCHEDULE

3

Dear Immanuel Family, Wish you all warm greetings of the Christmas season.

We have entered another advent season when we prepare our hearts and minds for meaningful celebration of Christmas.

Christmas reminds us time and again about the greatness of God’s love that brought him down to us for our salvation.

Meditation of the passages we read from the scriptures during this season, remind us a few essential things about the birth of Jesus Christ .

Christmas has timely relevance: Gal 4:4 says “in the fullness of time, God sent His son”. It is in relationship with time and history that Christmas becomes meaningful. Not only the first Christmas, each Christmas becomes meaningful in relevance to time and it’s challenges.

Christmas reminds us to reduce ourselves.

The unlimited and omnipotent God, through incarnation limits or even shrinks himself to accommodate our limitations and to redeem us .

This incarnation challenges us and teaches us to reduce and shrink our will and desires to be obedient to our creator and to fulfill His will. Let us make our faith more relevant to the challenges of our time. Inspired by our Lord’s incarnation let us shrink and reduce our horizons of Ego, achievements, accomplishments, competition and materialistic understanding of gain and growth and humble ourselves down before God.

Wish you all a meaningful Christmas

Your’s Unnithan Achen

From the Vicar’s Desk

4

Saramma Thomas

Thomas Mathew

Thomas Thyparampil

Mathew Varghese

Annamma M. G.

Mathew V. Varghese

Thankachan N.Samuel

Darly Sam

Daisy Varghese

Jessy Jacob Sam

Elizabeth Benni

Fiji C. George

Juliet S. Abraham

Aleena Koshy

Thomas Chris Cherian

Sheril Mathai

Susan Thomas

Marykutty Varghese

Jessy Thomas

Sandy Eapen

Isabella Marie Eype

Sreya Varghese

Sherin Mary Mathew

Benzy Thomas

Sunila Abraham

Jomon Kurian Thomas

Alexander Samuel

Abraham Mathai

ZachariahT.Kalathoor

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

1-Dec

2-Dec

2-Dec

2-Dec

2-Dec

3-Dec

3-Dec

3-Dec

3-Dec

3-Dec

3-Dec

4-Dec

5-Dec

5-Dec

5-Dec

156

157

190

195

217

227

242

258

263

306

329

368

383

457

505

213

216

250

487

134

135

433

438

501

520

498

204

313

373

5-Dec

5-Dec

6-Dec

6-Dec

6-Dec

6-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

7-Dec

8-Dec

8-Dec

9-Dec

9-Dec

9-Dec

9-Dec

9-Dec

10-Dec

11-Dec

11-Dec

11-Dec

12-Dec

12-Dec

12-Dec

12-Dec

12-Dec

Zaryan Mathew Sibin

Sheen Reni Kavalayil

Marimma Chandy

John G Mathai

Binu Pappachan

Nevin Abraham

Dr. Abraham S. John

Rennie A. John

Dancy John

Siby Mathew baby

Binson B Thomas

George Eapen

Mary John

Lisa Mathew

Princy Prasad

Teena M. Samuel

Robin Thomas

Reena Joe Varghese

Shirin Mathai

Alina Varkey

Jiana Saira Kuruvilla

Jacob Sam

Kurian Varghese

V.M Georgekutty

Robby T. George

Peter V. John

Sumy Jacob

Johnson G. Varughe

Melby V. Abraham

406

463

111

408

521

568

326

369

372

398

422

430

517

416

515

138

156

194

213

543

299

306

544

548

219

228

419

467

475

BIRTHDAYSB’Day Name ID B’Day Name ID

5

BIRTHDAYSB’Day Name ID B’Day Name ID

13-Dec

13-Dec

13-Dec

14-Dec

14-Dec

14-Dec

15-Dec

15-Dec

15-Dec

16-Dec

16-Dec

16-Dec

16-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

17-Dec

19-Dec

20-Dec

20-Dec

21-Dec

21-Dec

Aaden James Abraham

Geethu Angel Jacob

Alexander Bennykutty

Melvin M. Philip

Shan M. Prem

Sherly Philip

Mathew Arun Thomas

Justin J. Mathew

Aashna Susan Varkey

Mohan John Thomas

Thomas Abraham

Jeff Abraham

Sajan K. Eapen

Dr. Leenu Mary Abraham

Dr. Ronnie Abraham

John Joshy

Lally Thomas

Jarren Chacko

Sophia A. James

Binsu Oommen

Ashley Merin Sam

Dr. Jessy Skaria

Saramma M. Philip

Nimmy MathewAbraham

Joel J. Eapen

Mullasaril A. Joseph

Shoba Sara Mathew

Linu Abraham

K.John Abraham

106

390

535

230

387

562

149

192

543

358

385

507

525

106

106

136

202

273

336

337

412

439

470

473

186

533

554

381

531

22-Dec

23-Dec

23-Dec

24-Dec

24-Dec

24-Dec

24-Dec

25-Dec

25-Dec

25-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

28-Dec

28-Dec

28-Dec

28-Dec

29-Dec

David Mathew George

Mathew Jacob

Samuel K. George

Abraham Joseph

Dr. Anish G. Mammen

Carol A. George

Maya Grace Eype

Leny E. Keerikkattu

Joshni M. John

John Jesson

Joseph Joseph

Sion Samuel Alexander

Donia Ann Kurian

Jiya P.Jacob

Binoy Puthenmadathil

Mathew Mammen

Soumya M. Oommen

Stacy Thomas

Aaron Thomas Samuel

Reju Eapen

Dr. Anju Chacko

Reeba Elizabeth George

Tom Mathew

Thomas V. Cheriyan

Manoj Abe Varghese

Biya Aleena Mathew

Shobid Varghese

Binta C. Varghese

Justin K. Varghese

490

419

499

102

125

247

394

181

259

518

102

327

400

410

540

554

177

190

350

468

480

499

514

567

129

397

433

448

139

6

BIRTHDAYSB’Day Name ID B’Day Name ID

29-Dec

29-Dec

30-Dec

30-Dec

30-Dec

30-Dec

Elizabeth Cherian

Thomas John

Sherry S. Mathew

Princey Terish Mathew

Ashley M. Jacob

Crisvin T. Sajee

141

413

345

380

392

448

30-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

Maggie Thomas Koshy

Thakadiyil V. Mathew

Sheba A. Mathew

Joel Zachariah Kalathoor

Bibin Abraham Thomas

532

115

241

373

456

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

6-Dec

15-Dec

15-Dec

17-Dec

21-Dec

21-Dec

23-Dec

25-Dec

26-Dec

26-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

27-Dec

28-Dec

28-Dec

29-Dec

29-Dec

30-Dec

30-Dec

30-Dec

Rev.& Mrs. Rev. Johnson T. Unnithan

Mr. & Mrs. Aju Abraham John

Mr. & Mrs. Jijo C. Abraham

Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Zachariah

Mr. & Mrs. Raju John

Mr. & Mrs. Robin Mathew Thomas

Mr. & Mrs.Thomas V. Cheriyan

Mr. & Mrs. Gigi V Mannil

Mr. & Mrs. Koshy Samuel

Mr. & Mrs. Vilu K. Varghese

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. Mathew

Mr. & Mrs. Varghese Kunchacko

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Daniel

Mr. & Mrs. Benish J. Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob John

Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Philip

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Chris Cherian

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Oommen Zachariah

Mr. & Mrs. Varghese K. Oommen

STAFF

STL-PL

M-CITY

STL-PL

M-CITY

STL-PL

STL-PL

M-CITY

M-CITY

M-CITY

STL-PL

M-CITY

M-CITY

M-CITY

NH

M-CITY

NH

M-CITY

DPCL-NS

AL-SUG-B

100

455

566

165

296

435

567

409

356

547

128

433

497

153

391

155

505

121

252

264

W’Day Name Prayer Group ID

7

Mr. & Mrs. Reji Eappen

Mr. & Mrs. Aby Joy

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob John (Sanal)

Mr. & Mrs.Thomas P. John

30-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

31-Dec

NH

AL-SUG-B

AL-SUG-B

MO-ST-SUG

402

330

390

437

W’Day Name Prayer Group ID

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations and best wishes for a blessed new year. May God’s many blessings be upon all those who are celebrating

their birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Dec-24 Christmas Carol Service begins @5:30pm Dec-25 Christmas : English Holy Communion Service @9:00am Dec-25 ICECH Carol Service @5.00pm at St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dec-29 Year End Retreat begins @7:00pm Dec-30 Year End Retreat begins @7:00pm Dec-31 Watch Night Service@10:00pm followed by Malayalam Holy Comminion Service. Jan 08, 2017 Sunday School 1st Semester Exam.

IMPORTANT DATES

Aleeya Rachel Raju was born on November 2, 2016 to Mr. Manoj Raju and Mrs. Bettina Manoj. Congratulations to the Proud Parents, and Grand Parents Mr. M. S. Raju & Mrs. Mary Raju, ID# 324 of the Stella Link/Pearland Area Prayer Group.

Audrea Prashanth was born on November 3, 2016 to Mr.Prashanth Krasta and Mrs. Susmy Prashanth. Congratulations to the Proud Parents and Grand-parents Mr. Thomas M. Koshy and Mrs. Alice Koshy, ID 429 of Stafford Area Prayer Group.

NEW ARRIVAL

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Jan. 01, 2017 : Holy Communion Service in English @10:30am (Sugar Land)- No Sunday School Jan.08:S.School 1st Sem. Exam

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

8:00 am : Eng. Holy Com-munion (Missouri City) 9:30 am : Sunday School 10:30 am: Mal. Holy Communion (Missouri City/Stafford/Sugar Land) - Followed by H2H Caroling

8:00 am : G3 Service 9:30 am : Sunday School 10:30 am: Mal Holy Communion (North Houston) - Followed by H2H Caroling

9:30 am : Sunday School 10:30 am: Eng. Holy Communion (Stafford) - Followed by the Last Round of H2H Caroling for 2016.

No Sunday School 9:00 am: Eng. Holy Communion (Stella Link/Pearland)

Calendar of Events December 2016

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Edavaka Mission Prayer - 7:00 pm @ Church

Edavaka Mission Prayer - 7:00 pm @ Church

Year End Retreat Led By Edavaka Mission @7:00pm

House to House Caroling begins @ 7:00pm

Fasting Prayer 9:30 am @ Church.House to House Caroling begins @ 7:00pm

Fasting Prayer 9:30 am @ Church.

Year End Retreat Led By Edavaka Mission @7:00pm

House to House Caroling begins @ 3:30pm

House to House Carolng beginning @3:30 pm

House to House Caroling beginning @3:30 pm

Christmas Carol Service begins @ 5:30pm with the Traditional Procession to Church.

Watch Night Service begins @10:00pmHoly Communion Service in Mal. Begins Midnight

Calendar of Events December 2016

Fasting Prayer 9:30 am @ Church. House to House Caroling begins @ 7:00pm

Edavaka Mission Prayer - 7:00 pm @ Church

10

Mrs. Mariamma Abraham, 81years old, mother of our Parish Member, Mr. Abraham Mannaickal (Saji), ID 381 of Stella Link/Pearland Area Prayer Group was called to eternal Abode on Friday, November 11th 2016 at Koz-hecherry, Kerala.Mr. T. T. Thomas 85 years old, father of our former member Mr. Tiji Thomas passed away on Thursday, November 17th at Philadelphia. Mr. George Mathew (Samkutty), 53 years old, brother-in-law of Mr. Johnny M. Mathew ID 192, Mr. Cherian John ID 423, Mr. George John ID 451 and Mr. John M. John ID 420 passed away in Kumbhaza, Kerala on Tuesday, November 29th 2016The Vicar and members of the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church express their deep condolences to the bereaving family and friends. Please keep the bereaving family in your thoughts and prayers.

CONDOLENCES

NO HEAD OF THE FAMILY PRAYER GROUP IMTC ID1 SAJI JOHN STAFFORD 5512 GEORGE K.CHACKO MISSOURI CITY 5523 JIJO PHILIP VARGHESE STELLA LINK PEARLAND 5534 MATHEW MAMMEN MISSOURI CITY 5545 CHARLES C.KUZHIVILA SUGAR LAND 5556 SAM ABRAHAM MISSOURI CITY 5567 SAJIMON KUTTY MISSOURI CITY 5578 SHIBU A .ABRAHAM MISSOURI CITY 5599 KOSHY THOMAS STELLA LINK PEARLAND 56110 SHERLY PHILIP STELLA LINK PEARLAND 56211 MANOJ KANNERI SUGAR LAND 56312 JOBY ZACHARIAH MISSOURI CITY 56413 MEVIN ABRAHAM STAFFORD 56514 JIJO C.ABRAHAM SUGAR LAND 56615 THOMAS V CHERIAN STELLA LINK PEARLAND 56716 GIJO P.ABRAHAM MISSOURI CITY 56817 AJO THOMAS OTHER AREAS 56918 KURIAN GEORGE MISSOURI CITY 57119 AJI DANIEL STELLA LINK PEARLAND 572

A HEARTY WELCOME TO THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE IMMANUEL FAMILY

LIST OF MEMBERS WHO JOINED THE IMMANUEL PARISH IN 2016

11

In 1994, 139 families marked another milestone in the history of the Mar Thoma Sabha and in the journey of the Mar Thoma Church in North America by the formation of the Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston and now, 22 years later; we have grown to 398 families, with 19 new families taking membership this year.

Baptisms and WeddingsSince November 2015 - till date, we had 14 baptisms and 3 weddings.

Obituaries2 of our Parish Members, Mr.Varghese Chacko and Mrs. Suji John were called to Eternal Abode this year. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their family members.

Ministerial Candidates As a part of the growth of the Immanuel Family, two of our Youth dedicated their lives for the full time ministry in the church. Aakash Dan Mathew and Jason Varghese have responded to God’s call and are preparing themselves for the ordained ministry in the Mar Thoma Church.

India Mission ActivitiesWe have been able to build 10 churches in different parts of our Mission Fields in India, 2 more church buildings are in the process of completion. So let this be our vision when we celebrate our Silvery Jubilee, 3 years from now – to build 25 churches so we can humbly say to the Lord, as the good and faithful servants in the parable of the talents did” Lord, you gave us 25 years as a Parish and we give 25 churches for Your Glory”.

A QUICK LOOK TO

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

12

CONGRATULATIONS

Mrs. Sally Samuel, wife of our trusty Mr. Joy N. Samuel, received the Nurse Excellence award for Clinical Practice Category from NAINA – National Association of Indian Nurses of America in which Sally served as the President of its Houston chapter for 4 years excellently discharging the duties she was entrusted with. Hearty Congrtulations Sally!

Mr. Mathew P. Varghese (Wilson) of the MSS Prayer Group have been selected to re-ceive one of the three annual Reba Hill awards this year, by the Harris Health Care Systems (Ben-Taub Hospital)This award is dedicated to Dr. Reba Hill (1930-1994) who taught us the art of compassion in medicine and whose efforts continue to touch us and our patients in many ways. Recipients of this award are non-physician employees at

one of the Section of Neonatology’s affiliated hospitals or institutions who emulate the qualities to which Dr. Hill was dedicated, including her compas-sionate commitment to education, patient care, research and family.Hearty Congrtulations Wilson!

13

Congratulations to our 2 Centurions: Our beloved Valiya Metropolitan, the Most. Rev.Dr.Philipose Mar Chrysostom and Dr.Abraham Abraham’s mother & Rev. Shibi Abraham’s grandma celebrated their100th Birthday.

Both Centurions in the picture.

CONGRATULATIONS

14

IMTC 2017 NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE MEMBERSVice President Mr. Mathews VargheseSecretary Mr. Philip AbrahamCash Trustee Mr. T. V. MathewAccounts Trustee Mr. Thomas MathenLay Leader Malayalam Mr. Mathew P. VarugheseLay Leader English Mr. Brian Binoy

Congratulations to our newly elected 2017 Office Bearers. May our Good Lord bless their efforts and leadership for another Blessed and Fruitful year in the history of our Parish.

NEWLY RE-ORGANIZED PRAYER GROUPS WITH THE NEW NAMES AND AREAS

SHARON PRAYER GROUP (40 FAMILIES) (KEEGANS / KINGSBRIDGE / PROVIDENCE / WOODBRIDGE)

JERUSALEM PRAYER GROUP (31 FAMILIES) (ALIANA / KATY / RICHMOND)

SALEM PRAYER GROUP (20 FAMILIES)( CLEAR LAKE / DEER PARK / NORTH SHORE)

HEBRON PRAYER GROUP (37 FAMILIES) (LAKE SHORE HARBOUR/ SIENNA PLANTATION)

BETHEL PRAYER GROUP (29 FAMILIES) (LAKE OLYMPIA / / RIVERSTONE / SIENNA)

SEHION PRAYER GROUP (38 FAMILIES) (RIVERSTONE / COLONY LAKES)

CARMEL PRAYER GROUP (37 FAMILIES) (DULLES / LEXINGTON)

TABOR PRAYER GROUP (32 FAMILIES) (CYPRESS / MEMORIAL /

N. HOUSTON / SPRING / TOMBAL

BETHLEHEM PRAYER GROUP (34 FAMILIES) (STAFFORD)

SINAI PRAYER GROUP (35 FAMILIES) (STELLA LINK / PEARLAND )

HOREB PRAYER GROUP (30 FAMILIES) (CHELSEA HARBOUR / RIVERPARK / TELFAIR/ ROSENBERG)

EBENEZER PRAYER GROUP (24 FAMILIES) (RICHMOND / SUGAR LAND)

15

2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEVicar/President Rev. Johnson Unnithan 832-876-4281Vice President Mr. M.A.Varughese 281-541-5673Secretary Mr. Ajay Thomas 832-489-1851Trustee Mr. Joy N. Samuel 832-606-5697Accountant Mr. Chris Cherian 713-922-7355Lay Leader (Malayalam) Mr. Sam Mathew 713-637-8426Lay leader (English) Mr. Ryan Varughese 832-744-9044

AREA REPRESENTATIVESAlief/Sugar Land - A Mr. Thomas Varghese 281-701-5455Alief/Sugar Land - B Mr. Abraham Komattu 281-750-5837Deer Park/Clear Lake/N. Shore Mr. Jose P George 832-754-9204Missouri City Mr. Mathews Varghese 832-205-6860Missouri City /Stafford/S.Land Mr. Mathew P. Varghese 832-771-4723North Houston Mr. Reji Eappen 510-366-7357Stafford Mr. Sabu M. George 832-660-1370Stella Link/Pearland Mr. Thomas Mathew 713-665-1320Sugar Land Mr. Jojy John 832-526-6200

CHURCH ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVESChoir Mr. Saban Sam 713-392-9879Edavaka Mission Mr. Rajan Daniel 832-628-5481Senior Citizen Mr. T.I. Rajan 281-286-7272Sevika Sangham Mrs. Bindu Varghese 586-381-3562Sunday School Mr. Jose P George 832-754-9204Youth Fellowship Mr. Ricky Kuruvilla 281-387-6527Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Aju John 832-846-0763Young Family Fellowship Mr. Prijoe Philips 732-781-5208

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY & MANDALAM MEMBERSDiocesan Assembly Mrs. Sini George 412-480-2182Diocesan Assembly Mr. Zachariah Koshy 281-780-9764Sabha Mandalam Mr. M.G. Mathew 281-980-4487

OTHER ELECTED MEMBERSAuditor Mr. M.A. Abraham 281-933-7814Auditor Mr. Mathews Philip 281-778-1439IMC Administrator/Scheduler Mr. Thomas Varghese 281-701-5455 IMC Facility Manager Mr. Mathew P. Varghese 832-771-4723IMC Facility Manager Mr. Aby Pappachen 281-302-5461