LONG ISLAND MAR THOMA CHURCH 2350 MERRICK AVENUE

LONG ISLAND MAR THOMA CHURCH 2350 MERRICK AVENUE, MERRICK, NY 11566 ANNOUNCEMENTS - SUNDAY - OCTOBER 18 TH, 2020

H. G. THE MOST REV. DR. JOSEPH MAR THOMA METROPOLITAN, THE XXI MAR THOMA OF THE MALANKARA MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCHCHURCH

CONDOLENCE - LIMTC, NEW YORK And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord. ” “Yes, ” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them. ” Revelation 14: 13 It is with great sadness that the Mar Thoma Church learned yesterday the sad news of the passing of our beloved Metropolitan, His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma. On behalf of the Vicar, Rev. Sajit Thomas John, Office Bearers, Executive Committee Members and Members of the Parish, I express our sincere condolences to the Mar Thoma Church family on the passing of our pillar, our guide, our spiritual leader. Metropolitan was greatly respected and beloved among all of us, particularly for his leadership in the defending and advocating the Mar Thoma Church in the spiritual and the secular world. He is also greatly admired for his initiative and leadership in the spiritual and physical growth of the Mar Thoma Church outside of Kerala. Metropolitan was a big believer in bringing education to the masses and he provided leadership in establishing student centers, nursing school, and a science and technology college. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan was equally respected and cherished for his leadership in the wider ecumenical and social justice movement. As Vice-President and President of the National Council of Churches he provided very good leadership. He led the protest marches at Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi against the denial of justice to Dalit Christians. He served as the Board member, Vice-President and President of Christian Auxiliary for Social Action. He provided effective leadership to provide relief to earthquake and flood victims and rehabilitation activities in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal after the Tsunami in South India.

CONDOLENCE - LIMTC, NEW YORK Metropolitan was very good in building relations both inside and outside the church. To protect the church and protect the faithful, Metropolitan was very particular in maintaining good relations with secular and government leaders. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan was the supreme head of the Mar Thoma Church for 13 years, starting from October 2007. Prior to that, starting in 1975, as Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Iraneus, he was an Episcopa, and later, starting in 1999, a Suffragan Metropolitan, of the Mar Thoma Church, during which time he had responsibilities for leading the different dioceses of the Mar Thoma Church. He was ordained as Kasseessa in October 1957. We thank God Almighty for Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan’s ministry and leadership in helping to grow the church and for helping to grow the Kingdom of God. Going forward, the church will greatly benefit from his wisdom, outlook, and approach in leading the Mar Thoma Church. We extend our sympathy to the entire Mar Thoma family and pray for peace and comfort at this difficult time. Let us celebrate the life of Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan by keeping his memory and vision before us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

FUNERAL SERVICE DETAILS OF DR. JOSEPH MAR THOMA METROPOLITAN ● 1 ST SERVICE - 8: 00 AM ON SUNDAY 10 -18 -2020 ● 2 ND SERVICE - 6: 30 PM ON SUNDAY 10 -18 -2020 ● 3 RD SERVICE - 8: 30 AM ON MONDAY 10 -19 -2020 AND ● 4 TH SERVICE - 3: 00 PM ON MONDAY 10 -19 -2020 ● ON BEHALF OF LIMTC, FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

WELCOME AND THANKS ● ON BEHAF OF THE PARISH I WELCOME AND THANK REV. DR. PHILIP VARGHESE, REV. SAJIT THOMAS JOHN AND REV. JESS MATHEW GEORGE FOR LEADING TODAY’S WORSHIP SERVICE AND ALSO THANK ALL THOSE WHO ASSISTED IN TODAY’S SERVICE. ● WISHING ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK. ● MAY GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU IN THE COMING YEAR.

WORSHIP SERVICE ●NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 TH DIVINE SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN MALAYALAM AT 10: 00 AM. ●THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE WORSHIP SERVICE, THE MEMBER SCREENING FORM IS IN THE WEBSITE WWW. LIMTC. ORG. ONE FORM IS APPLICABLE TO ONE PERSON ONLY. ●WE WILL ALSO LIVE STREAM THE WORSHIP SERVICE FOR THOSE ATTENDING FROM HOME AND THE LINK IS WWW. LIMTC. ORG/LIVE. ●THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING THE LIVE STREAM, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. THIS WAY YOU CAN GET UPDATES ABOUT ALL THE VIDEOS WE UPLOAD.

SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM VIDEO FROM 8: 30 AM - 9: 30 AM. ZOOM DETAILS ALREADY ON THE CHURCH WEBSITE. ADUVALLY MISSION PROJECT: THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE WRITE CHECK TO LIMTC SUNDAY SCHOOL AND HAND OVER TO ANY OF THE OFFICE BEARERS.

JUNIOR YOUTH FELLOWSHIP ● NEXT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 TH, 2020 THERE WILL BE NO JUNIOR YOUTH FELLOWSHIP MEETING.

PRAYER MEETINGS - EDAVAKA MISSION ● THERE WILL BE NO PRAYER MEETINGS FOR TOMORROW. ● ALL OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK, MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT 12: 00 PM AND 7: 00 PM RESPECTIVELY THIS WEEK. ● PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETINGS PRAYERFULLY.

THANK YOU ● ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH, I WANT TO THANK THE FOLLOWING: ● ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDING THE SERVICE TODAY WITH US AND FELLOW PARISH MEMBERS WHO ARE WATCHING THIS LIVE FROM YOUR HOME. ● THE AUDIO VIDEO TEAM. ● MEMBERS WHO ARE HELPING US FOR THE PREPARATION IN THE MORING. ● THE ENGLISH CHOIR AND ALL THE CHOIR MEMBERS. ● MAY GOD ALMIGHTY CONTINUE TO WATCH US AND PROTECT US AS WE CONTINUE OUR FAITH JOURNEY DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.

CLOSING ● WISHING ALL OF YOU WELL ● THERE WILL BE NO SOCIAL HOUR. ● PLEASE DO NOT ASSEMBLE IN THE CHURCH AFTER THE SERVICE. ● STAY ENCOURAGED THROUGH THE WEEK. ● THANK YOU AND HAVE A BLESSED WEEK.