Carmel Mar Thoma Church

Dearly beloved in Christ,

May you all have a Happy New Year.

As we enter into another year, let us thank God for his love and care during the past year. Let us say along with Samuel “Ebenezer” meaning – thus far the Lord helped us. The leader of Israel Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and named it ‘Ebenezer’ remembering the divine protection during the times of trouble in their past and the victory they enjoyed with God (1 Samuel:7:12). Indeed we can say that whether through sickness or health, poverty or wealth, difficulties or joys, trials or triumph, thus far the Lord helped. God’s mercy, loving kindness and faithfulness have brought us all safe to the beginning of a new year.

We are living in a world where the evil one obscures the true light through darkness, disease and death. The tumbled down economy, terrorist attacks, war, violence, inconsistent weather conditions and natural calamities can be seen as the present scenario. Though the world’s development is drastic in various fields, the evil is increasing as stumbling blocks against holistic development of humanity. When we enter in to another year in our life, we can not expect days without turmoil, toil or boils, but we can hope for the day when our Lord will help us to overcome all the adversities and establish His reign. We anticipate the day when God’s glory will once again illuminate the whole creation. Let us put our trust in our Lord who is unchanging and faithful for ever and move on our journey of faith with Him.

I express my thanks to all the parishioners for your prayerful support in all the activities and needs of our parish last year. I appreciate our office bearers and the committee members for their service towards the smooth functioning of our parish. I welcome the newly elected ones who hold various offices in the year 2009 and pray that God may help them to carry out the duties entrusted to them honestly. And I urge everybody to cooperate with them whole heartedly in the year ahead.

May the Almighty God keep us all safe under the shadow of His wings and
bless us in the new year.

Yours in Christ’s Service

Jacob Mathew achen.

January 1, 2009.