O Holy Night: Kings College, Cambridge



Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know, but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree

I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree



O Holy Night | “Believe Again”

Dianne Tubbs’s rendition of “O Holy Night” that’s part the Christmas special “Believe Again.” After hearing the way she sang the Christmas classic, the producer was moved to consider that this version actually captures what the song is really about: the night of Jesus’s birth.



Angels we have heard on high

“Glory to God, Glory to God,” are the first words in the video, sung quietly by the artists as they play a piano in a most unique fashion. The video, “Angels We Have Heard on High (Christmas w/ 32 fingers and 8 thumbs),” features four musicians grouped around a piano, each playing a different part of the instrument.



O Come, Emmanuel

An excellent piano and cello version of O Come, Emmanuel by the Piano Guys.
(Note: Enjoy the music, no endorsement of Morman Church).
 

 



Stories of God’s Grace: Meet Derrick

 

It’s always amazing to see the Lord at work redeeming and sanctifying a people for Himself.
Please see this short clip of the power of God’s grace in the life of Derrick.

“Nobody knows more than me that I have absolutely no right to be such a recipient of such grace.” —Derrick



Lighthouse ~ December

Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church

Lighthouse

Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar

Larry_Achen_sml

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

It’s Christmas time again. The string lights have come out and the debate between “to tree or not to tree” has begun. It’s quite easy to be caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas; the endless sales and bargains. We Christians aren’t immune to it. The danger with this advertisement driven holiday season is we shift our focus to the next latest and greatest thing on the market. As I look back I can remember certain decorations which were hung from my home parish’s church ceiling. I can even remember some of the Christmas songs our choir sang years back. The decorations and songs of course varied over the years. The message however has stayed the same. It seems especially the case in today’s society that “new” is preferred over “tried and true”. New car, new phone, new spouse…

There was a time when the message of Christmas was radically new. Well, that shouldn’t have been the case because there were numerous prophecies foretelling Jesus’s birth, and so the people of Israel should have been ready. But nonetheless, it was a wonderful surprise to the world. God, here on earth – what a bizarre concept. The Jewish idea of God over the course of their history became a progressively elevated one. When God, at the appointed time, sent his son into the world he was basically announcing “Hey, I’m not some far off and aloof figure. I’m right there with you. For every tough situation you’ve gone through, look I’ve gone through it too. Loneliness, physical pain, mental anguish, hardship, persecution, betrayal – you name it, I’ve experienced it (Hebrews 4:15). I’ve shared in your life (or more accurately lack of life); now share in my life (real, eternal life)!” Even though that same message is repeated every year from different angles it’s truth is so profound and life-altering that we dare not exchange it for an iPhone.

This advent season set apart some time and recall the Christmas message of hope and joy. Our church practices a 25 day lent from December 1-25th. Set aside something that you crave and shift that passion over towards reconnecting with Jesus. May God bless you this Christmas season. Wishing you a meaningful Christmas and a blessed New Year in advance.

Rev. Larry Varghese.


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How Long (Love Constrained to Obedience)

 

A wonderful hymn by William Cowper sung by Pacific Gold

WWW.WAYFARERHYMNS.COM

 

Love Constrained to Obedience

To see the law by Christ fulfilled
And hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice.

No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright:
And what she has she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the law I lay
In bondage and distress;
I toll’d the precept to obey,
But toil’d without success.

Then, to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do;
Now, if I feel its power within,
I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done
A righteousness to raise;
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.

“What shall I do,” was then the word,
“That I may worthier grow?”
“What shall I render to the Lord?”
Is my inquiry now.

William Cowper



Parish Day 2013

A vignette of our first Parish Day which was celebrated on October 13, 2013.



Family Night 2013

The 2nd Annual Family Night of the Horeb Mar Thoma Church was held at the Acker Hall of the GGUMC on Sat, Oct 5th 2013. It was a time to celebrate the blessings that our Lord has given to us as individuals, families and our amazing Parish. Thank you one and all for your participation, organization and donations.