vol 9 ed 3 - news letter march 2018 - perthmarthoma.org.au messenger.pdf · canning vale 18th march...

THE MAR THOMA PARISH PERTH INC Volume 09 / Edition 5 / May 2018

PARISH MESSENGER

PRAYER: THE GREAT LIBERATOR

An article by Rev. Sajesh Mathews

Prayer is the medium through which we communicate to God. It is the way we interact with God. There are two classical definitions for prayer. One is, prayer is speaking to God and the other is prayer is the raising of the soul to God.

What is the theological significance of prayer? What contribution does prayer make to our understanding of the glorious work of salvation that Christ achieved for us?

Prayer becomes a subject of theological reflection in connection with Christ’s redemptive work. Prayer cannot be separated from Christ’s work of salvation. Praying is not simply talking to God, as important as that is; it is also a religious act through which we proclaim our need and constant reliance on Christ’s redemptive work for us. Fundamentally it is a re-presentation of the good news of salvation. The key elements of the gospel are embodied in the very act and experience of praying.

In a narrow sense, prayer seems to be motivated by need—temporal, emotional and spiritual needs. Indeed, prayer revolves around need. The prayer of praises anticipates a need, or responds to a need that was or will be satisfied. In prayers of thanksgiving, we express gratitude for God’s blessings through which our needs were satisfied. There are different forms of prayer for healing. For the sick it is from their pain they pray. Prayer not only heals us but also helps us to sustain even when there is no healing. When prayer becomes need based then we limit prayer within our own boundaries. Prayer cannot be limited in time and need. It is beyond our understanding of prayer. Prayer makes our relationship lively with God. The older generation, were not exposed to any kind of trends in spiritual life. So their prayers were simple and sincere. They used to wait for God’s will. They were sure that God will take care of them even if all of their prayers were not heard. The unanswered prayers are the signs, that we need to wait for God’s time and for God’s will for our prayers to be fulfilled. Prayer deals with the faith of the believer. One who has strong faith in God, will trust in God and will wait for one’s will to be fulfilled. That is the power of the real prayer. Real prayer makes us spiritual in every sense.

Christian prayer is unique in a very special way for it is the conscious personal communion with God, the father, through Jesus Christ by the power of Holy Spirit. It operates within a Trinitarian understanding of God. When we pray, we address the Godhead with the faith-conviction that each of them is actively involved with us as we lift our souls to Him. The Holy Spirit listens to our feeble expressions and articulates them in order to express the real intent of our being (Rom. 8:26). Then the Son mediates our supplications to the Father. This Trinitarian aspect of prayer is clear in all the liturgical prayers. That is why every prayer ends with “this we ask in Jesus Name”. Though the prayers are Trinitarian, the mediator is Christ.

Christian prayer is a fellowship with God through Christ. So there is a communion aspect in the Trinitarian prayers so also we, the believers of God, have a koinonia

www.perthmarthoma.org.au [email protected] �1

http://www.perthmarthoma.org.au

mailto:[email protected]


experience in prayer. The communion and fellowship we have with God is unique because through it we enter into a dialogue with the very source and fountain of our life. There is indeed a profound koinonia in prayer. For fellowship to be real and meaningful, prayer should be informal in every sense. Anand Mahadevan, the editor of the magazine, Outlook Business, in an interview regarding the conversion experience, said that he communicates everything to Jesus and urges us to share our limitations, weaknesses, failures, victories, anxieties and all that we experience in every moment of life with Jesus through prayer.

There are different kinds of prayer. Mental prayer, which is the encounter of the heart with God and the dwelling of the soul with him. It is from the deep heart that we communicate with God. We just share all our feelings, thoughts, short comings, dreams and aspirations. Meditation is another form of prayer. Devotion (from Latin word ‘devoveo’) may mean ‘to be attached to’, ‘to be addicted to’, ‘to be very fond of’ or ‘to be faithful to’. We meditate upon the word of God and goodness that we enjoy through our religious experience. Mediation and contemplation is very common in Indian Spirituality. Yoga is one of the major ways of prayer and meditation in Indian Spirituality. Vocal prayer, spontaneous prayer, liturgical prayer and common prayer are different methods of prayer. Prayer that expresses itself in external words is vocal prayer. The danger is when words that are expressed outwardly are not from the heart then the prayer becomes habitual and monotonous. The most beautiful prayer in the Bible is ‘have mercy on me.’ Anybody can pray this short spontaneous prayer. Spontaneous prayer is the prayer which gives spontaneous expression to the thoughts of the mind and the afflictions of the heart. The public and private prayer of the church is called liturgical prayer. Signs, symbols, actions are the components of liturgical prayer. Common prayer is that which is general in content and said in common.

Prayer is based on the conviction that God prevails as the only one who can provide for our needs. We can depend on anything in this world but that does not mean that all our needs will be fulfilled through the worldly blessings. According to the Bible, those who pray will find a significant discovery of God’s sufficiency. Hence, with God as the only object of our prayers, He becomes our partner in dialogue. Therefore, we pray as an act of worship through which we express the wonderful conviction that God’s all-sufficiency overcomes our insufficiency. Consequently, we do not need to offer prayers to spiritual powers that compete for our service. Christian prayer proclaims that only God has the ability to amply provide for all our needs. The gospel emphasizes in a unique way the surprising fact that only God can pull us out of our needy condition, out of our predicament and helplessness. When we pray, we not only recognize God as the only one who can supply our needs but also affirm that He can provide for our deliverance from the powers of sin and death even before we ask Him.






CHURCH SERVICE & AREA ACOLYTES

Date Theme 1st Lesson 2nd Lesson Epistle Prayer Group

06 May 2018(Malayalam)

Christ’s Invitation to participate in Caring C.H. 255

Ezek 34:15-24 2Cor 8:1-9 Acts 4:32-37 Canning Vale

13 May 2018(English)

Waiting upon the Holy Spirit C.H. 192 Isa 40:25-31 Acts 1:1-11 Acts 1:12-14 Willetton

20 May 2018(Malayalam)

Feast of Pentecost – ‘Come Holy Spirit Renew Us’ C.H. 187

Ezek 37:1-14 Acts 2:1-13 Titus 3:5-8 Murdoch

27 May 2018(English)

Trinity Sunday “We worship the Triune God” C.H. 160, Sacred Music Sunday

Gen 1:1-28 1John 1:1-10 2Chr 13:11-14 Fremantle

AREA PRAYER GROUP MEETINGS - May 2018Area Prayer Group Date & Time Venue (residence of) Representative

Canning Vale TBA TBA Mrs. Anita Mathews

Fremantle TBA TBA Mr. Solomon Jacob

Joondalup 27th May @ 6:00PM Shibu George Mr. Binu Jacob

Murdoch 5th May @ 5:00PM Biju Daniel Mrs. Susan Philip

North of River 5th May @ 6:00PM Sanu Sam Mrs. Sheryl Jim Kovoor

Willetton 26th May @ 6:00PM James George Mr. Shibu Mathew

SERVICES





MONTHLY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

DATE SUNDAY SCHOOL HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE

06 May 2018 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

13 May 2018 08:00AM 09:30AM - English Service

20 May 2018 08:00AM 09:30AM - Malayalam Service

27 May 2018 08:00AM 09:30AM - English Service

PRAYER POINTS• Pray for God’s guidance, wisdom and finances for purchasing a suitable place of

worship;• Pray for the families who are affected by the recent job redundancies and Lord

bless their efforts in seeking employment;• Pray for all Parish Organisations for its activities, for its leadership team and

continued support in the extension of God’s Kingdom;• Pray for families who are afflicted by sickness and for parents back home who

are suffering from illnesses; • Pray for the young families in our Parish and the recently married couples;• Pray for all our Parish Organisations and for all their activities this new year;• The church deeply mourns the unexpected passing away of Rt. Rev.

Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan Thirumeni at P.V.S. Memorial Hospital, Ernakulam on 18-4-2018. Praise God for his outstanding life and witness;

• Pray for our Biju Achen’s safe journey and his new role as secretary to Rt. Rev. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa of the Delhi Diocese. Also pray that God bless him abundantly for his outstanding 3 years of service/ministry for the Perth parish; and

• Pray that the visa for our new vicar - Jacob John, Sijy Kochamma and their two children will be processed at the earliest. Pray for their safe journey to Perth.

SERVICES





ARTICLES

Article - Murdoch Prayer Group




YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Youth Fellowship meets fourth Sundays of every month after the Holy Communion Service.

Encourage all youngsters of our parish to participate in the activities of the Youth Fellowship. For further details, please contact Mr Andrew James George ([email protected]).

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Regular Sunday School on all Sundays before the Holy Communion Service. Contact: Mr Shibu Jacob for further details ([email protected]) or visit the Sunday School website (www.school.perthmarthoma.org.au).

There is Malayalam language classes conducted immediately after the Holy Communion Service.

EDAVAKA MISSION

Edavaka Mission meets at the residence of a parish member every month.

An intercessory prayer is held on first Friday of every month at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mr Mathew Philip.

PARISH CHOIR

Parish Choir meets for practice every Sunday after the Holy Communion Service at Murdoch Worship Centre. For further details please contact Mr Abraham Kurian ([email protected]).

SENIOR CITIZENS FELLOWSHIP

Senior Citizens Fellowship meets fourth Saturdays of every month at 12:00pm at the residence of a parish member. For further details, please contact Mrs Mary John.

SEVIKA SANGHAM

Sevika Sangham meets once every month after the Sunday service. Encourage all women in our parish to participate in the activities of the Sevika Sangham. For further details, please contact Dr Mary Binsu Abraham ([email protected]).

BLOOD DONATION

Our Parish has joined the Australian Red Cross Blood Service group donation program to help achieve 25% blood donations in Australia. We have booked for our parish members who are interested to donate blood every first Sunday of the month after the service in one of the donation centres (eg Perth CBD).

If you are interested in blood donation and need more details please contact Dr Mary Abraham on Mobile: 0401278606; Email: [email protected].


MINISTRIES


http://www.school.perthmarthoma.org.au






BIRTHDAY - May 2018Mary Toms (1 May)Prinsu Ann Mathew (1 May)Vanaja Abraham (3 May)Eloy Prince (3 May)Lija John (5 May)Caitlynn Simon (5 May)Tisha Thomas (5 May)Leena Thomas (5 May)Kavitha Mathew (6 May)Edwin Abraham (6 May)Kevin Viji (7 May)Elizabeth John (9 May)Neeta Sanju (11 May)Sajan Mathew Jacob (13 May)Mathew John (13 May)Danyl Varukunnel Mathews (13 May)Philipose Raji Valliparampil (14 May)Harsh Abraham Titus (14 May)Mary John (15 May)Mathews Jacob (16 May)Michelle Anna Thomas (17 May)Angela Jocelyn Thomas (17 May)Raji Mathew (20 May)Joe Philip (20 May)Shalene Thomas (20 May)

Roy Thomas (21 May)Susan Mary Philp (22 May)Jeremy Mathews (23 May)Dr Vijay Lazar (23 May)Soumya Biju (23 May)Preeya Alex (24 May)Shibu Mathew (25 May)Jaya Mathew (25 May)Thomas Mathew Nediyakalayil (25 May)Raya Suzanne Thomas (25 May)Sibin Varghese (25 May)Dr Ravi Mathew (27 May)Aaron Joseph Vaidyan (27 May)Ann Mary Mathew (28 May)James George (28 May)Sigimol A J (29 May)Shauna Rivya Jacob (29 May)Aby Mathew (30 May)Soney Titus (30 May)Asha Binu (30 May)Philip Ramacha (30 May)Susan Mathew (30 May)Prasad Mathew (31 May)Pradip John (31 May)Babu Philip (31 May)Soosan Titus M (31 May)

“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 ANNIVERSARY - May 2018George Oommen & Mary Oommen (3 May)Pradip John & Lija John (4 May)Joji Varghese & Aswathy Joji (6 May)Dr. Abu Abraham & Dr. Sapna Abraham (8 May)Joseph Vaidyan & Sonia Joseph (10 May)Vitty Jacob & Livia Eliza Alex (14 May)Varghese K K & Thankamma Varghese (19 May)

Dr Roy Varghese & Dr Ann Kochiyil Abraham (20 May)Arun K. Alex & Reeni Mathew (22 May)Dr Sajan Thomas & Dr Mary Binsu Abraham (23 May)Dr Shaji Varukunnel Mathews & Anu Varukunnel Mathews (24 May)

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 CELEBRANTS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

GREETINGS





Messenger NotesPlease feel free to drop in your comments and suggestions regarding our Parish

Messenger at [email protected].

We are looking for articles to be published in our monthly newsletter. Those who can

write articles, poems, drawings (kids) please contact the Webmaster at

[email protected]. This is another opportunity to use our God given

talents for the Glory of God.

PARISH FAMILY CONTRIBUTION

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 865 285 498

PARISH BUILDING FUND

ACCOUNT DETAILSthe National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 195 940 763

PARISH GIFT FUNDACCOUNT DETAILS

the National Australia Bank

BSB - 086 136Account# - 848 646 298

preferred transaction mode is electronic transfer to the Parish account.

For more information, please contact

Rev Biju George(Vicar)Mob: 0406 485 240Landline: 08 6161 6797email: [email protected]

Mr Shaji Mathews(Secretary)Mob: 0458 584 499email: [email protected]

Webmasteremail: [email protected]

The Mar Thoma Parish Perth, P.O. Box 3104, Shelley, WA 6148

for private circulation only




mailto:[email protected]?subject=


vol 9 ed 3 - news letter march 2018 - perthmarthoma.org.au messenger.pdf · canning vale 18th march...

Documents