Rev. Larry Varghese – Sermon – 5/19/2013

Here’s the sermon from our vicar Rev. Larry Varghese on May 19, 2013.



Jacob Chen – An Adoption Story

Drawing on Gospel parallels and the extent of God’s pursuit, this film follows one couple as they meet their newly adopted son for the first time.



Rev Larry Varghese Welcome Meeting

Here are some pictures from the Service and Welcome Meeting for Rev. Larry Varghese – our first full time vicar.

 



Kids Helping Kids – Sunday School Project

The Horeb Mar Thoma Church Sunday school in coordination with the teachers and parents participated in the dioceses project towards helping poor and needy children. Thank you each and everyone for your prayers and generosity on behalf of the kids.



Easter 2013

Sunday School Kids Song:

Choir Song:

Easterfest:



Bullseye

A short film for Easter, part of a filmmaking project to create excellent narrative films for use in sermons, classes, small groups and family devotionals.

 



When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 

“You may turn away from the cross of Christ, but wherever you turn you will find ‘no more sacrifice for sin.’  Behold, then, this ‘Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world!’ . . . Other efforts of his power and love you may have resisted; but there remains this highest, this last — the love and power of the cross.  This is the last remaining barrier in your path to perdition.  Heaven’s tenderest mercy is even now beseeching you to stop at the cross of its bleeding Son.  Ho, all ye that pass by, stop and kneel at the cross!”

Gardiner Spring, The Attraction of the Cross (Edinburgh, 1982), page 343.

 



Holy Week Devotional

 

Pastor John Piper launched a new, free devotional eBook, titled Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week, today. The devotional focuses on the self-giving love of Jesus Christ leading up to his death, burial and resurrection.

In preparation for the Easter, the new devotional was compiled from past teachings and writings of Piper for use in personal devotions or family and group settings. There are eight devotionals, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday. Piper chronicles the steps and words of Jesus as he prepares for his own sacrificial death. He takes the devotional reader on a journey of Christ’s love for them through his suffering and sacrifice.

The significance of the term uttermost is explained in the devotional. When used in relation to Jesus’ willing death for the world, it means he endured “unimaginable degrees” of suffering to do so. “To love to the uttermost is to love freely, without reserve or limit, and without flaw or failure,” it reads. “As we watch his arrest and trial and death unfold for eight days, we gaze on a God-man who begrudges no pain or reproach on his pathway to redeem lost sinners. This is the man who humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” – Philippians 2:8,”

 

Love to the Uttermost

 

Holy Week Timeline

 

holy-week-timeline

 

 



The Bible – Mini Series

‘The Bible’ — History Channel’s Upcoming Mini-Series That Covers Genesis to Revelation

Premiering on March 3

 

You can watch the Trailer here:

http://youtu.be/mz5JivD9eys

 

“I’ve probably seen most, if not all, of the films about the Bible produced in the past 50 years. This one stands alone, in a class by itself, as the best I’ve ever seen. Brilliantly produced with stunning cinematography, a Hans Zimmer score and academy-worthy acting, it stands head-and-shoulder above the rest. Too many ‘Bible’ films end up feeling like documentaries, with stilted dialog, second-class sets, and narration that feels like a lecture. In contrast, this series, draws you into the story from the start. The key to its effectiveness is that it lets the Bible speak for itself, without commentary, excuse or qualification, which makes it unique. This is living history at its best!”

—Dr. Rick Warren, Author, What On Earth Am I Here For?, The Purpose Driven Life

 

Famed reality show producer Mark Burnett has brought Americans popular programs like “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” “Shark Tank” and “The Voice.” But his next project, “The Bible,” a mini-series set to air on the History Channel in 2013, may come as a surprise to some. The program, which takes the holy book from Genesis to Revelation and re-enacts it, will air in two-hour intervals over a five-week period.

There’s less than two months until Mark Burnettand Roma Downey (actress from “Touched by an Angel”) unveil their epic “The Bible” series on the History Channel. On Thursday, a new trailer for the initiative was released, showing snapshots of the compelling stories that will be told.

Premiering on March 3, the five-part program may come as a surprise to some — particularly considering Hollywood’s generally-dismal portrayal of religious themes (not to mention an overwhelming penchant for ignoring faith altogether).

The mini-series, which will take viewers through the holy book from Genesis to Revelation, is slated to air in two-hour intervals each week, concluding on Easter Sunday. Unlike documentary-style projects, “The Bible” is a reenactment that relies upon actors and realistic settings, merging the two in an effort to bring the book’s many stories to light.

“We really felt called to do this. [It] just kept tugging at our hearts,” Downey told reporters, later adding, “We really felt God’s hand there with us.”



All Glory Be to Christ

New lyrics to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, from the album Joy Has Dawned by Kings Kaleidoscope:

 

Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive

 

To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!

All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!

His will be done
His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love

Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!

All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!

When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new.

Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ!

All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!

credits

from Joy Has Dawned, released 27 November 2012
Words by Dustin Kensrue, arrangement by Kings Kaleidoscope / © Dead Bird Theology (ASCAP), It’s All About Jesus Music (ASCAP)