HTCSI

December 2011
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

TABLOID
Issue .12

10210 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas, Texas 75229 www.htcsichurchdallas.org

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.. Luke 2:11 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Wish you all a blessed Christmas season filled with joy and peace. In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown! How true that is with regard to our Christmas celebration. We miss the greatest news that God became man and lived among human. Is that not a great news to you and me? That is the exciting news of Christmas. All very familiar with the phrase that gets repeated so often at this time of the year, people say may you experience the spirit of Christmas. I don't know how many times I've heard it. I don't know how many times I've seen it on cards and other expressions of sentiment. I suppose enough times to ask the question what do you think people mean by that? Well, for the liquor industry, it should be the spirits of Christmas. They are going to be spending tens of millions of dollars, already are, to sell all the alcohol they can so that people can enjoy the spirits of Christmas. For some, the spirit of Christmas is going home. It's sort of togetherness, nostalgia, memories and calling a truce in all of the cases of conflict and quarrel that often tear up families. And for some people the spirit of Christmas is to let Hallmark say what you can't say very well to people you'd like to say it to or feel obligated to say it to, to get all those cards to send to people you know are going to send you cards because they know you are going to send them a card. For many people, including most of us the spirit of Christmas is nothing more than fun. And I think that's probably what people mean. It's kind of a giving spirit but that isn't really the true spirit of Christmas either, certainly not from a Christian standpoint. The true spirit of Christmas, I think was understood by Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner to Jesus who when she met Mary and new that Mary had in her womb the Messiah, said blessed is the fruit of your womb and she blessed the Christ child still in the womb of Mary. And certainly Mary understood the spirit of Christmas when she said my soul exalts the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. And Zachariah the father of John understood the spirit of Christmas when he said blessed be the Lord, God who has raised up the horn of salvation for us. And even the angel of the Lord who said there is born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord, understood the spirit of Christmas and then suddenly the Bible says a multitude of angels praising God and glorifying God, saying glory to God in the highest. They understood the spirit of Christmas. And Simeon, the old man who blessed God and said mine eyes have the seen thy salvation as he looked into the face of the baby Jesus. He understood the spirit of Christmas. And Anna, the old lady in the temple who gave thanks to God for the redeemer, she understood it. May the Almighty God help us to understand and experience the true Christmas. God bless you. George Joseph Achen .

Schedule of Sunday Worship Services

Readers and Readings

4th Dec. 2nd Sunday in Advent Theme : Greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ 1st Lesson: Is.40:1-11 Binu Thomas Psalm: 85:1-13 Nithin George 2nd Lesson: 2 Pet.3:1-15 Alice Mannil Gospel: Mk.1:1-8

Offertory
Jprince & Betty Cherian

Peace
George & Cissy Poyikail

11th Dec. 3rd Sunday in Advent Theme : Lord come with great might 1st Lesson: Is.61:1-11 John Thomas Psalm: 126 Sherin Richardson 2nd Lesson: 1 Thes.5:16-24 Deryn Daniel Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 18th Dec. 4th Sunday in Advent Theme: Purify us O Lord 1st Lesson: 2 Sam. 7:1-16 Elizabeth Mathews Psalm: 89:1-10 Ruby Richardson 2nd Lesson: Rom.16:25-27 Ansu Kurien Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Jacob Davidson & Tessymol Kurien Daniel and Mary Daniel Jacob and Jacob Abraham Lisamama Mannil I Mathew and Amy Mathew

25th Dec. Christmas Day Theme : Rejoice and worship the Prince of Peace 1st Lesson: Is.9:2-7ies vit Christine Tharian ular Acti Re Anusha Jacob Psalm: 96g 2nd Lesson: Titus 2:11-14 Tina Thomas Gospel: Luke 2:1-14
Ruby Richardson & Lisha Jacob Rayan Tharian & Jikku Johnson

4-Dec Hannah Sara Thomas HAPPY 12-Dec Sherin Richardson BIRTHDAY! 17-Dec Elizabeth Mathews 18-Dec Ansu Anna Kurien 21-Dec Naveen Johny K 22-Dec 25-Dec Kunjumol Johny 26-Dec 25-Dec Liji Joseph 28-Dec Nevin Binu Thomas 28-Dec

Happy Anniversary

Roshan &Reshmi Abraham Johnykutty &Kunjumole Thomas

Jijumon & Annie Abraham

3rd Dec.

Ecumenical Christmas Carol. 5.30 PM at St.Gregorios Auditoriu, Garland. 4,10,11,18 HTCSI House to House Carol Rounds 17th Dec. Carol Service at 6 PM at Church. 25th Dec. Christmas Day Holy Communion Service at 10.00 AM 31st Dec. Prayer and witnessing at 9.00 PM - 10.30 PM Joint Watchnight Service at 11 PM. HTCSI LEGISLATIVE BODY MEETING AND ELECTIONS Legislative Body Meeting will be held on 8th January 2012 after the Church Service to elect the Executive committee for 2012. Nominations may be given to the President before 18th Dec 12 noon.

REGULAR

ACTIVITIES

Every Sunday 09.0 AM - 9.45 AM Sunday School Eevery Sunday 12.30 PM- 1.30 PM Choir Practice
1st Sunday - Church Committee Meeting at 12.30 PM 3rd Sunday - Women's meeting. At 12.30 PM 4th Sunday - Youth Fellowship Bible Study at 12.30 PM

Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year