Birthdays

28th August 2016

Opening Hymn
Offertory Hymn
Closing Hymn

Closer to thee
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300
522
290

Old Testament: Zephaniah 3 : 14 -20

Epistle:
James 4 : 7 - 10
Responsive Reading Psalm 16
Gospel:
John 14 : 15 - 27

Altar flowers, Offertory & Bible reading Choir Members

7:00 AM Holy Eucharist
6:00 PM Evensong

Announcement:

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30th Aug
31st Aug
1st Sep

Celebrant: Rev. D. Richard Ambrose

Message : Dr. Jebaraj Issac
Message: Dr. Edward Kennedy

Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Choir Sunday): Lord help us in our
inability and make it possible for us to completely live out Your gospel so that we are able to
live in fellowship and unity and have all things in common. Unite us by Your Holy Spirit to
break the bread together in our communities; so that thus nourished we may abide in You, and
You in us that Your Joy may be in us and our Joy may be full; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.
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28th Aug
29th Aug

Welcome: Greetings and Warm welcome to everyone. A special word of welcome

to those worshipping with us for the first time. We invite you to join in the Coffee
Fellowship after the service.
Annual Thanks-Giving Festival 2016 will be observed on coming Sunday
i.e. 04/09/2016. The following persons are appointed, by our Pastorate Committee
to be this years convenors. 1. Mrs.Nirmala Stephen 2. Mrs.Prema Samuel 3.
Mr.Ajit Stanley Moses 4. Mr.Bright Joseph. Let us sincerely pray for the festival
and prepare ourselves to express our gratitude for all the blessings that we received
all through this year. Kindly extend your whole hearted co-operation and support
when the convenors approach in connection with the Festival arrangements.
Let us get ready in the following matters:
i)
Let us offer the ATF Offertory Covers with our generous offerings on that
day.
ii)
Let us as Individuals and Fellowship Groups come forward in having a
Stall.
iii)
Let us bring our friends and neighbours giving them an opportunity to
witness our Thank-giving Festival.
iv)
Let us promote the Raffle Tickets into our friends circle, enabling the
church to reach the target.
v)
Let us buy the needed number of Biriyani Coupons in advance, as to
avoid last minute rush and disappointment.
Confirmation Classes will not be held on this Sunday as well on the coming
Sunday, since of Choir Sunday and ATF respectively.
Coming Thursday, being first day of the new month, September, as usual early
morning Holy Communion Service will be held at 6.30. Come! Let us begin the
month in the presence, and blessings of our God Almighty.
Sullivans Street Property: The Pastorate Committee of our Pastorate have decided
to let it out for car parking and preference will be given to our members. If any of
you know, those willing to avail this facility guide them to the Office bearers of our
Church.
WOMENS FELLOWSHIP will be held on coming Saturday, the 03/09/2016 at
5.00 pm in our Multi-purpose Hall.

3rd Sep

Mrs. Fabiola Amritraj

Mrs. Shereen Thomas
Master. Edil Melchizedek
Mrs. Nirmala Naveendhar
Mr. P. Wesley Isaac
Mrs. Precious Manohar
Mrs. Rachel John
Miss. Jessica Subashini
Mrs. Sheba Paul
Mr. Vishwas Stephen Pavamani
Miss. Sandra Jacinth

Wedding Anniversary
31st Aug
1st Sep
2nd Sep

Mrs. Victoria & Mr. A. Thomas Jeyaraj

Mrs. Mavis Deepika & Mr. Ezhil Johnson
Mrs. Sheila Caroline & Mr. J. E. Abraham Sundaresan
Mrs. Sheeba & Mr. Roshan Soundarapandian
Mrs. Mimi & Mr. Edwin Joseph
An Old Tree

Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely
on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree
was the most remarkable among the rest.
The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests
and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they
hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so
delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long
lasting days.
People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over
and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and
opened their picnic baskets. This tree is very useful, thats what the
people said every time they went home from shelter. The tree was very
proud hearing those compliments.
However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves
and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The
greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build
their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter
anymore.
The tree wept, Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now
no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used
to have? The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest.

Why wouldnt you cut me down, so I dont have to bear this suffering? The
tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.
Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still
feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept
and cried, until the morning broke.
Cheepchirp.cheep Ah, what was that noise? Oh, its a little baby bird
who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.
Cheepchirpcheep, the noise became louder and louder. There was
another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the
birth of new baby birds. Onetwothreeand four baby birds have been
born to this world. Ah, He has answered my prayers, exclaimed the old tree.

St. Thomas English Church

Church of South India Diocese of Madras
Santhome, Chennai-600 004
http://www.santhomeenglishchurch.org

28th August 2016

The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to
build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to
nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their
place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of
them. Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here, murmured
the old tree gladly.
The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was
flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new
tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who
would continue his devotion to nature.
Dear friends, thats the way it is. Is there any lesson that we could take from the
story? God always has secret plans for us. The Almighty God will always gives
answers to our questions. Even though it is not always easy to guess what the
resolution is, be certain that the Omniscient God knows whats best for us.
When there are times He sends temptation for us, in other times He gives us
His overflowing blessings. The test He gives us isnt something that cant be
overcome. When God gave the temptation to the old tree, actually He
DELAYED in giving His glory. God didnt choose to cut the old tree down
since He kept some secrets. God was testing his patience.
So, dear friends, be sure, whatever temptation we are facing is a part of the
chain of glory He is preparing for us. Dont give up, and dont be discouraged.
God is always there beside patient people.
Author Unknown

Sing praise to God who reigns above,

The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation.

In a world of superlatives, God is the greatest.