Annual Church Retreat 2014
The Second Annual Church Retreat at Pine Summit, Big Bear Lake.
The theme was “Missional Family” and the speaker was Dr. Sam George, Executive Director, Parivar International
Lighthouse – September
Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church
Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us… Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
Paul says, “Therefore be imitators of God.” – Eph 5:1. Peter says, “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.” – 1 Pt 1:15.
We usually think of being Christ-like as being the Biblical mandate. But it’s interesting to ask the question: Does God act like us? When we think of forgiveness we know we are to forgive other just like God has forgiven us. Here though, intriguingly enough, we are taught to reverse idea that God will forgive us in the same manner we forgive others. Is this a mistranslation? We should note that the Lukan version can be translated as “forgive us our sins for we have forgiven the sins of others”, but Luke also quotes Jesus as saying, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Lk 6:37.
So what do we make of this idea of God acting like us? Well we should realize this isn’t something completely unusual. When Jesus spoke about judgmental attitudes he said, “For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” – Mt 7:2. Should we expect that God wouldn’t act this way? Do we think that God will forgive us regardless of our forgiving others? What does our attitude of unforgiveness imply about our experience of forgiveness? It should cause us to stop and think. Every time we say the Lord’s Prayer we are asking God to be like us in terms of forgiveness.
It is a frightening request for us to be making year after year. But hopefully the one who understands their own sins before God will realize the irony if they refuse to forgive someone else. Understanding that forgiveness has been achieved once and for all on the cross, we must admit that the experience of forgiveness is somehow tied to our offering of forgiveness to others. Therefore forgive, and be forgiven – not as though to earn forgiveness, but to prove our understanding of God’s forgiveness of us.
Rev. Larry Varghese.
Worship Service
Sunday School
All Sundays – 1:30 pm (First Day of Sunday School on September 14, 2014)
Praise & Worship
All Sundays – 2:30 pm
Service Times
All Sundays – 3:00 pm
First Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English) (September 7th Service at Retreat location in Pine Summit)
Second Sunday — Holy Communion Service (Malayalam) (September 14th, Service English)
Third Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English) (September 21, Service in Malayalam)
Fourth Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English)
Fifth Sunday — Divine Service (When applicable)
Lectionary
Bible Lesson Readers & Deacons
News, Events & Monthly Meetings
Parish (Edavaka) Mission
Tuesday Evening Meeting @ 7:00pm
9/09: Mr. & Mrs. Binoy Abraham
9/16: Mr. & Mrs. Isaac George
9/23: Mr. & Mrs. Juby Mathew
9/26: Mr. & Mrs. Saji Baby
Building Project Proposals
Sevika Sangham Day: To be held on 21st Sept 2014. There will be a Grand Auction Sale following the service. Proceeds of the auction to go toward the church building fund. This will be followed by a Kerala sadhya.
The Areas are divided as follows:
- West Area: Buena Park, Carson, Cerritos, Cypress, Gardena, La Palma, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Norwalk, Signal Hill
- East Area: Anaheim Hills, Brea, Corona, Fullerton, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Yorba Linda
- South Area: Irvine, Orange, Portola Hills, San Diego, Tustin
Sunday School
We have two new teachers: Mrs. Sheeba George and Mrs. SueAnn Zachariah. Riya Mary George will lead the assembly and serve as the new music director.
1:30PM: Assembly
2:00 PM: Classes begin
2:45-2:55PM: Snack Time
3:00PM: Sanctuary
We kindly request your prayers and support so that our children may grow in Christ.
(From Sunday School Superintendent)
Saturday, September, 27 – 4:00PM
Location: Mr. & Mrs. Ajith Varghese
Youth Fellowship
Outreach
Friday, September 13
Location: TBD
Bible Study
Sunday, September 28
Location: GGUMC after Service
Birthday and Wedding Anniversary
https://www.horebmtc.org/anniversaries/
Celebrating Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Horeb
The Horeb MTC celebrated the VBS at the church from July 31-Aug 3rd of 2014. The theme of this year was “Jungle Safari” where kids learned about God as the Creator, Provider, Protector, Savior and King. There were special sessions for adults also. Thanks to all the coordinators, teachers, volunteers, donors and especially the kids for their very energetic participation during this year’s VBS.
Lighthouse – August
Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church
Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us… Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
Paul says, “Therefore be imitators of God.” – Eph 5:1. Peter says, “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.” – 1 Pt 1:15.
We usually think of being Christ-like as being the Biblical mandate. But it’s interesting to ask the question: Does God act like us? When we think of forgiveness we know we are to forgive other just like God has forgiven us. Here though, intriguingly enough, we are taught to reverse idea that God will forgive us in the same manner we forgive others. Is this a mistranslation? We should note that the Lukan version can be translated as “forgive us our sins for we have forgiven the sins of others”, but Luke also quotes Jesus as saying, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Lk 6:37.
So what do we make of this idea of God acting like us? Well we should realize this isn’t something completely unusual. When Jesus spoke about judgmental attitudes he said, “For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” – Mt 7:2. Should we expect that God wouldn’t act this way? Do we think that God will forgive us regardless of our forgiving others? What does our attitude of unforgiveness imply about our experience of forgiveness? It should cause us to stop and think. Every time we say the Lord’s Prayer we are asking God to be like us in terms of forgiveness.
It is a frightening request for us to be making year after year. But hopefully the one who understands their own sins before God will realize the irony if they refuse to forgive someone else. Understanding that forgiveness has been achieved once and for all on the cross, we must admit that the experience of forgiveness is somehow tied to our offering of forgiveness to others. Therefore forgive, and be forgiven – not as though to earn forgiveness, but to prove our understanding of God’s forgiveness of us.
Rev. Larry Varghese.
Worship Service
Sunday School
All Sundays – 1:30 pm (Currently OFF for Summer Break. Summer Programs Only)
Praise & Worship
All Sundays – 2:30 pm
Service Times
All Sundays – 3:00 pm
First Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English)
Second Sunday — Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Third Sunday — Divine & Witnessing Service (English) – For August Only
Fourth Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English)
Fifth Sunday — Holy Communion Service (English)
Lectionary
Bible Lesson Readers & Deacons
News, Events & Monthly Meetings
Parish (Edavaka) Mission
Tuesday Evening Meeting @ 7:00pm
8/12: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Koshy
8/19: Mr. & Mrs. Juby Mathew
8/26: TBD
Friday, August 1, 3PM
Sunday, August 10, after service
Area Prayer Meeting
South Area: Saturday, August 9 @ 6 pm — Manoj Mathew, Tustin
The Areas are divided as follows:
- West Area: Buena Park, Carson, Cerritos, Cypress, Gardena, La Palma, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Norwalk, Signal Hill
- East Area: Anaheim Hills, Brea, Corona, Fullerton, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Yorba Linda
- South Area: Irvine, Orange, Portola Hills, San Diego, Tustin
Sunday School
Sunday School Teacher’s Workshop
Saturday, August 30, 10am – 3pm
At GGUMC, Room 15
Saturday, August 23, 4:00PM
Location: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Philip, Norwalk
Youth Fellowship
Outreach
Friday, August 8, 6:45PM
Location: TBD
Bible Study
Sunday, August 24
Location: GGUMC after Service
Birthday and Wedding Anniversary
https://www.horebmtc.org/anniversaries/
Church Picnic at Carbon Canyon Park
The Horeb Mar Thoma Church joined together to celebrate their 2nd picnic since the formation of a church at the Carbon Canyon Region Park in Brea on Sat, July 26th.
Lighthouse – July
Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church
Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us… Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
Paul says, “Therefore be imitators of God.” – Eph 5:1. Peter says, “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.” – 1 Pt 1:15.
We usually think of being Christ-like as being the Biblical mandate. But it’s interesting to ask the question: Does God act like us? When we think of forgiveness we know we are to forgive other just like God has forgiven us. Here though, intriguingly enough, we are taught to reverse idea that God will forgive us in the same manner we forgive others. Is this a mistranslation? We should note that the Lukan version can be translated as “forgive us our sins for we have forgiven the sins of others”, but Luke also quotes Jesus as saying, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Lk 6:37.
So what do we make of this idea of God acting like us? Well we should realize this isn’t something completely unusual. When Jesus spoke about judgmental attitudes he said, “For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” – Mt 7:2. Should we expect that God wouldn’t act this way? Do we think that God will forgive us regardless of our forgiving others? What does our attitude of unforgiveness imply about our experience of forgiveness? It should cause us to stop and think. Every time we say the Lord’s Prayer we are asking God to be like us in terms of forgiveness.
It is a frightening request for us to be making year after year. But hopefully the one who understands their own sins before God will realize the irony if they refuse to forgive someone else. Understanding that forgiveness has been achieved once and for all on the cross, we must admit that the experience of forgiveness is somehow tied to our offering of forgiveness to others. Therefore forgive, and be forgiven – not as though to earn forgiveness, but to prove our understanding of God’s forgiveness of us.
Rev. Larry Varghese.
Worship Service
Sunday School
All Sundays – 1:30 pm (Currently OFF for Summer Break and Summer Programs Only)
Praise & Worship
All Sundays – 2:30 pm
Service Times
All Sundays – 3:00 pm
First Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Second Sunday Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Third Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fourth Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fifth Sunday Divine & Witnessing Service (English)
(when applicable)
Lectionary
Bible Lesson Readers & Deacons
News, Events & Monthly Meetings
Parish (Edavaka) Mission
Tuesday Evening Meeting @ 7:00pm
7/8: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew K. Philip
7/15: Mr. & Mrs. Isaac George
7/22: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Koshy
7/29: Mr. & Mrs. K.M. Chacko
July 12
Location TBD
Church Picnic
Area Prayer Meeting
The Areas are divided as follows:
- West Area: Buena Park, Carson, Cerritos, Cypress, Gardena, La Palma, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Norwalk, Signal Hill
- East Area: Anaheim Hills, Brea, Corona, Fullerton, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Yorba Linda
- South Area: Irvine, Orange, Portola Hills, San Diego, Tustin
Sunday School
Sunday School Anniversary
Sunday, July 13th
At GGUMC.
Youth Fellowship
Bible Study
Thursday, July 10
Location: Anjali John
Bible Study
Sunday, July 27
Location: GGUMC after service
Birthday and Wedding Anniversary
https://www.horebmtc.org/anniversaries/
Lighthouse – June
Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church
Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Give us this day our daily bread…
When we were living in Othera, Kerala we were lucky to live close by a family that raised a cow from which we would get fresh milk each day. Our day basically wouldn’t start until we got the milk for that day since we both needed it in our coffee to function. The milk was as fresh as can possibly be. It came to us slightly warm even. The only catch was we got enough for only one day’s worth.
The prayer taught to us by Christ has us asking for our daily bread. Christ is trying to get us to acknowledge God as our provider. When, in India, we only received our daily supply of milk it made us aware of our dependence on our milk man. Similarly, our realization of God’s providence is only possible when we aren’t taking for granted his daily provisions for us. Give us this day our daily bread doesn’t mean that we only have one day’s worth of food in our homes. It doesn’t mean that we stop acting responsibly in preparing and providing for our families for the future. But it is a reminder to us that we are not independent of God’s provident hand. We are not hording for ourselves in order to survive a time in which God might forget us and when we will truly be on our own. We are not to be like the rich, yet foolish man, whom Jesus says built for himself a new storage house for his crops and proclaims, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Luke 12:19)
The Lord’s Prayer is to be a reality check for us. When we receive God’s abundant blessing there might be a tendency to think we have all we need for days, months, and maybe years to come; and therefore let’s live how we want to. Asking God, and moreover, teaching our hearts to ask him for daily provisions is a way to keep pride at bay and give him all the glory he deserves. Asking for God’s daily bread is humbling but it is to be a constant reminder that he alone meets all our needs
Rev. Larry Varghese.
Worship Service
Sunday School
All Sundays – 1:30 pm (Currently OFF for Summer Break and Summer Programs Only)
Praise & Worship
All Sundays – 2:30 pm
Service Times
All Sundays – 3:00 pm
First Sunday Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Second Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Third Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fourth Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fifth Sunday Divine & Witnessing Service (English)
(when applicable)
Lectionary
Bible Lesson Readers & Deacons
News, Events & Monthly Meetings
Parish (Edavaka) Mission
Tuesday Evening Meeting @ 7:00pm
6/3: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Thomas
6/10: Mr. & Mrs. Isaac George
6/17: Mrs. Annamma Mathai
6/24: Mr. & Mrs. Saji Baby
Fasting and Prayer
Friday, June 27 at 7:30pm
Location TBD
Divine Witnessing Sunday
June 29th
Western Regional Youth Conference
June 19 -22
Hosted by Los Angeles Mar Thoma Church.
Venue: California Baptist Church, Riverside
Sunday School
Sunday School Olympiad
Saturday, June 14th * 10am
At GGUMC.
Sevika Sangham (Women’s Ministry)
Monthly Meeting
Friday, June 2nd – 6 pm
At the residence of Mrs. Swapna Chacko
Young Family Fellowsip
Monthly Meeting
Saturday, June 28 * 4pm
At residence of Abey and Jiby Mathews
Youth Fellowship
Social Activity
Friday, June 13
Location: TDB
Bible Study
Sunday, June 29
Location: GGUMC after service
Birthday and Wedding Anniversary
https://www.horebmtc.org/anniversaries/
Visit of Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and First Communion
The Horeb Mar Thoma Church celebrated the Holy Communion Service with His Grace Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan thirumeni on Sunday, May 11 2014. This was thirumeni maiden visit to the Horeb Mar Thoma Church. Thirumeni conducted the first communion service of our very own Yasmeen, daughter of Ivan and Reni Thomas. God bless you and keep you !!
The best mother’s day gift ever.. 🙂
The Horeb Mar Thoma Church celebrated Mother’s day this year on Sun, May 4th. As Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. Motherhood is a gift, and the children are a gift.. which we all cherish, and this is a special day for all of us, where Love Abounds ! Happy Mother’s Day !!
Lighthouse – May
Monthly Newsletter of Horeb Mar Thoma Church
Message from Rev. Larry Varghese, Vicar
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…
There’s a stream of thought in popular Christianity that seems to simplify the Gospel by directing its focus primarily on the afterlife. There is a particular longing to leave this world behind and go to heaven. For them Christ came to show the exit door and so Christianity doesn’t care so much about the world and its betterment as it does about individual escape from this present world of evil and pain.
Jesus’ message wasn’t aimed at our spiritual retirement but towards a kingdom that is immediate and at hand. While some assume that he came as a flight steward, pointing to the emergency exits; in actuality he came as an architect establishing the Kingdom of God here on earth. So then the location of his kingdom is not found in the clouds or in the future. Instead it is found here and now. This feels unreal to us since all around us we find evil roaming unhindered. What part of this world looks like His kingdom? To explain this Jesus taught that the kingdom of Heaven looks like wheat – among which the enemy has planted weeds (Matthew 13:24-30). Geography and physical boundaries do not distinguish the kingdom. Instead it’s marked by those people and places where God’s will is done.
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” is a petition for the manifestation of God’s kingdom here on earth, Now. This is also a reality check. If we are citizens of his kingdom then we to actively make his kingdom more and more visible here and now. Our recitation of this prayer means we must align ourselves with his kingdom initiative. We submit in the present reality of his reign over our lives and look forward to the full consummation of his reign over all creation once again.
Rev. Larry Varghese.
Worship Service
Sunday School
All Sundays – 1:30 pm
Praise & Worship
All Sundays – 2:30 pm
Service Times
All Sundays – 3:00 pm
First Sunday Holy Communion Service (Malayalam)
Second Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Third Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fourth Sunday Holy Communion Service (English)
Fifth Sunday Divine & Witnessing Service (English)
(when applicable)
Lectionary
Bible Lesson Readers & Deacons
News, Events & Monthly Meetings
Parish (Edavaka) Mission
Tuesday Evening Meeting @ 7:00pm
5/6: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Philip
5/13: Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Koshy
5/20: Mr. & Mrs. Isaac George
5/27: TBD
Fasting and Prayer
Friday, May 23 at 7:30pm
Location TBD
Mother’s Day Celebration
Sunday, May 4
Metropolitan Thirumeni Visit
Sunday, May 11 @ 3pm
Our Metropolitan Thirumeni will be conducting the Holy Communion service and also administer the First Communion to our participating Sunday School Student.
Area Prayer Meeting
Saturday, May 17 * 10 am
Acker Hall, GGUMC.
General Body Meeting
Sunday, May 18
HorebMTC general body meeting will be held immediately after the service.
Sunday School
Sunday School Baking Program
Saturday, May 10th
At members home.
Sunday School Bake Sale
Sunday, May 11th
At GGUMC.
Sunday School Diocesan Exam
Sunday, May 4th * 8:30am
AT GGUMC, Room 20
Last Day of Sunday School for 2013-2014 Year.
Sunday, May 25th
Sevika Sangham (Women’s Ministry)
Monthly Meeting
Friday, May 2nd – 7pm
At the residence of Mrs. Ann George
Young Family Fellowsip
Monthly Meeting
Saturday, May 31
At Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Brea
Youth Fellowship
Bible Study
Sunday, May 25
Location: GGUMC after service
Birthday and Wedding Anniversary
https://www.horebmtc.org/anniversaries/