Vicar's Message
Vicar's Message for the Month - August 2018
Dearly Beloved in Christ
August is the month of reopening. Our children are preparing themselves for a new academic year. Let us uphold them in our prayers.
We were able to be in this western part of the United States, as a worshiping community for the past 42 years. Let us thank God for His providence and care that we had received during these years. Church is a faith community. It becomes meaningful through the relationship between its members. This relationship and zeal for the community, paved way for the formation of Mar Thoma Church in LA area. We are celebrating our Parish Day on August 12. Our former Vicar Rev. Dr. K. V Simon will be the guest for the day. I request the participation of all the members of the church for the Parish day programs.
On August 15, India is celebrating her 71st Independence Day. Independence is gained by the collective effort of the citizens for their mother land. Let us thank and pray for the courageous freedom fighters and for the country.
Last month we had our Diocesan Family Conference at Houston, Western Region Youth Conference at Phoenix. I appreciate all the members who had participated in the programs.
This month we are having our Family Retreat at Pine Valley Bible Convention Center. Let us pray that the retreat be encouraging and help us to have a new vision of life. First Fruit Collection and Auction is scheduled on all Sundays of this month. I request every family to take part in the collection and auction. Let our motto be ‘Bring and Take’. We are planning to have Traditional Kerala Sadhya on August 25th. I urge your support and prayers for the event.
I pray that all the events and programmes help us to have a strong mental and spiritual life.
Yours in Christ
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - July 2018
Dearly Beloved in Christ
We are entering into the second half of the year. Let us thank God for the blessing that we had received during these days.
For United States of America, the month of July is very important. The independence day falls on the 4th of this month. Independence Day is a time of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Above all, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today's Americans. Let us continue to pray for the nation.
According to Church Lectionary, The theme for July 17 is People of God. We are called as a community to serve God and our fellow beings. But to be true God’s People, We should look into ourselves and need to renew them ...
Fellowship - With God and with fellow being
Acceptance - Ready to hear
Sharing - Ready to give
Deeds - What comes from us
In the month of June we had our VBS. I appreciate the conveners, Sunday school teachers, volunteers, and parents who made this year’s VBS a blessing. Our Annual Retreat is scheduled on Aug 3, 4, & 5 at Pine Valley Bible Convention Centre, San Diego. Let us make this time for introspection and renewal. I request all of you to partici-pate and pray for the same.
May God help us to worship our God in truth and in spirit.
God bless us all...
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - June 2018
Dearly Beloved in Christ
The month of June marks the beginning of summer vacations. It is the time to thank and praise God for the manifold blessings towards us. I would like to congratulate all our young friends who successfully completed their studies and had graduated.
June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day. This day reminds that we are only stewards and has to control our greed in exploiting the environment. We need to take bold and wise steps for a better life tomorrow - consider not only our well being but also our environment.
Our nation is celebrating Father’s day on June 17. It is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Its origins may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in 1907. As the celebration recognizes the contribution of fathers and father figures make for their children's lives. It is very important that fathers should take active role in communicating Faith in Christ to next generation.
Our VBS is scheduled on June 15, 16 & 17 and the final day will be on 24 Sunday. Encourage your children to attend the VBS. Western Region Youth Conference is Scheduled on July 20,21,22 at Franciscan Renewal Centre, Scottsdale, AZ. Phoenix Mar Thoma Youth Fellowship will be the host of the conference. I request our youngsters to take part in the conference. Our Parish retreat is scheduled on Aug 3, 4, & 5 at Pine Valley Bible Convention Centre, San Diego. Kindly uphold in your prayers and register your name as early as possible.
Let the celebrations and the programmes may enrich us and help us to be a renewed community. Let us work together for the expansion of His Kingdom.
May God bless us all.
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - May 2018
Dearly beloved in Christ
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Month of April has passed. We had witnessed happy and sad moments in our life.
As a church, It is with much grief that we are accepting the demise of Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan.
Thirumeni was serving as the Diocesan Bishop of Ranni - Nilackal Diocese. His deep thoughts and reflections on Word of God with soul stirring oration is commendable. Thirumeni was keen in keeping relationships and was an instrument for many projects for theupliftment of the poor and needy. Let’s praise God for themeaningful life of Thirumeni.
Our Valiya Metropolitan Padma Bhushan His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom has entered into 101st birth year. Thirumeni is known for his humor and its way of presentation. His Life, Philosophy, Theology, and contributions to the church is well known. Let us uphold Thirumeni in our prayers.
Our Metropolitan, His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma had entered into the 60th year of priestly Ordination. His administrative skills and systematic way of executing the ideas are always appreciated. Let us thank God for our Metropolitan and pray for abundant blessings, to lead the church, upon him.
Mothers Day and Memorial Day falls on the month of May. Mother's Day is a celebration - honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Memorial Day is observed to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Both celebrations are the time to show our thanks and remember the hard times that they had to face to make us safe. The Bible alwaysreminds us to remember the past. Pslams 103:2 says “Blessthe Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...” Let us passthis great tradition and love to the coming generation.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all, for your prayer and support, as I complete one year in Los Angeles. We thank God for His guidance and blessings throughout the year. I request your continued prayers and support for the upliftment of our church and for the glorification of His kingdom.
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - April 2018
Dearly beloved in Christ
Greetings to you in the most precious name of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.
During the month of March we had the Lent season and on the first day of this month we celebrate the resurrection of our savior. Through our discipline, worship and devotion during the Lenten days, we were able to renew and humble ourselves before our Lord.
‘He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay’ (Mat.28:6). The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian Faith. Resurrection reminds us that
Light has conquered the darkness. (Victory)
Light has to be spread to the world. (Witness)
The empty tomb demands us to be witness to the world rather than making it a celebration alone.
Now we had entered into the spring season. It is the time of blooming flowers, planting new vegetation etc. It is the season of New life… Let us also join together with the nature and have a new and enlightened life.
The Annual general body meeting of our church is scheduled on April 8th Sunday after the Holy Qurbana. I would like to thank and appreciate all the office bearers for the year 2017 for their effort and time that they had spend for the church. And I wish all the best for the new office bearers for the year 2018.
I pray that let the risen Christ live in us and make our life a blessing to the World.
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - March 2018
Dearly beloved in Christ
We are in the midst of the Lent season. A ‘time’ to look upon ourselves and to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ to certain things. Many a time, Lent is considered as ‘denial’ alone. But it is also a time to ‘inherit’ and ‘practice’ good in our life. We need to find more time for prayer, devotion and fasting. Let us set apart our tithe and open our hands to the needy.
Cross, in early time, was considered as the ultimate end of everything. But Jesus had made it a symbol of Love, which is sacrificial redeeming & self-less. It is also seen as the symbol of abundant life. By exploring, the cross, and its meaning will helps us to have a devoted and blessed life ahead. For that we need to practice
To Give : Change from receiving to giving
To Forgive : Change from Punishing to Forgiving
Be Humble : Change from pride to humble
On March 4th, we will be celebrating our Dioce-san Day. This is a time for us to thank God for the growth of the diocese and also submit ourselves to work along with the diocese for the extension of the Kingdom in the world.
On March 18th, Our Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Issac Mar Philoxenos will be visiting us. We are planning to have the First communion service during the visit. I request, prayerful participation of all the members.
I pray that, this lent season and its observance be a time to re-dedicate ourselves before our Lord.
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
We are in the midst of the Lent season. A ‘time’ to look upon ourselves and to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ to certain things. Many a time, Lent is considered as ‘denial’ alone. But it is also a time to ‘inherit’ and ‘practice’ good in our life. We need to find more time for prayer, devotion and fasting. Let us set apart our tithe and open our hands to the needy.
Cross, in early time, was considered as the ultimate end of everything. But Jesus had made it a symbol of Love, which is sacrificial redeeming & self-less. It is also seen as the symbol of abundant life. By exploring, the cross, and its meaning will helps us to have a devoted and blessed life ahead. For that we need to practice
To Give : Change from receiving to giving
To Forgive : Change from Punishing to Forgiving
Be Humble : Change from pride to humble
On March 4th, we will be celebrating our Dioce-san Day. This is a time for us to thank God for the growth of the diocese and also submit ourselves to work along with the diocese for the extension of the Kingdom in the world.
On March 18th, Our Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Issac Mar Philoxenos will be visiting us. We are planning to have the First communion service during the visit. I request, prayerful participation of all the members.
I pray that, this lent season and its observance be a time to re-dedicate ourselves before our Lord.
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - February 2018
Greetings to you in the matchless name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
God has enabled us to complete one month in this new year through His abundant grace. Let us give thanks for His mercy and love towards us.
One of the Asia’s largest Spiritual gathering, 123rd Maramon Convention begins from February 11th and ends on 18th . Let us uphold in our prayers that this convention be a blessing to all.
We are entering into another phase of our Pilgrimage, The Great Lent (February 11 - April 01). Lent Season is the time of repentance and renewal. Fasting, Praying, and Giving are the traditional practices of Lent.
Fasting - To control our self
Praying - To hold on God
Giving - To be for others
Meditating upon the Word of God is unavoidable. Let us prepare ourselves to hear from God and try to make change in our lifestyle and attitude. We need to develop greater Spiritual discipline. We should learn to say ‘no’ to our pleasures and happiness. Let us remember our fellow beings that are in poverty and need. And also the mission works that are undertaken by the Church. Let us stretch our hands and support them. By this, our observance of Lent be fruitful.
I wish that this lent season be a time of blessing to us and be a source of caring and supporting each other. Let Our Lord bless and strengthen us for this endeavour...
With prayerful regards
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - January 2018
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are entering into a new year 2018. The year 2017 became a part of history. Let us thank God for giving all the possibilities & experiences of 2017. God has enabled us to live one more year. His protection, providence and Grace was showered upon us. Our sins and shortcomings were not counted. Let us welcome the New Year with new hope. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. We are not sure about the path we have to walk. But one thing we are sure is that God, the Lord of history knows everything and we are in the mighty hands of our Lord. As we stand at the threshold of each New Year and look back over the way we have come, we see our record of imperfect endeavors, and shortcomings and sins. But we also see a future bright with promise, like a bud of a rose that has not yet unfolded its petals.
Let us pray together with David,
‘Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long’. [ Psalm 25: 4-5]
I thank all the parish members for their participation and involvement in the Christmas House to House carol singing and Loud applause to all those who labored hard to make the Christmas carol service at Church a blessing. It was a well organized and harmonious programme. I pray that, let these programme help each one of us to serve the parish and grow spiritually. I also take the opportunity to thank all the mem-bers who had attended watch night Holy Communion. Many of you shared your testimonies which was inspiring and chal-lenging in our faith journey. May God bless you all.
In this New Year it is my hope and prayer that each and every member of our ‘Church Family’ may experience the challenge to Think, Speak & Act on everything that is pleasing to God
Wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year.
With prayerful regards,
Liju Achen
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are entering into a new year 2018. The year 2017 became a part of history. Let us thank God for giving all the possibilities & experiences of 2017. God has enabled us to live one more year. His protection, providence and Grace was showered upon us. Our sins and shortcomings were not counted. Let us welcome the New Year with new hope. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. We are not sure about the path we have to walk. But one thing we are sure is that God, the Lord of history knows everything and we are in the mighty hands of our Lord. As we stand at the threshold of each New Year and look back over the way we have come, we see our record of imperfect endeavors, and shortcomings and sins. But we also see a future bright with promise, like a bud of a rose that has not yet unfolded its petals.
Let us pray together with David,
‘Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long’. [ Psalm 25: 4-5]
I thank all the parish members for their participation and involvement in the Christmas House to House carol singing and Loud applause to all those who labored hard to make the Christmas carol service at Church a blessing. It was a well organized and harmonious programme. I pray that, let these programme help each one of us to serve the parish and grow spiritually. I also take the opportunity to thank all the mem-bers who had attended watch night Holy Communion. Many of you shared your testimonies which was inspiring and chal-lenging in our faith journey. May God bless you all.
In this New Year it is my hope and prayer that each and every member of our ‘Church Family’ may experience the challenge to Think, Speak & Act on everything that is pleasing to God
Wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year.
With prayerful regards,
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - December 2017
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
During the month of November we had remarkable events in the Church. The Fall Festival, Bible Character Dress up competition, World Sunday School Day, One day retreat of Sevika Sanghom and election of new office bearers for the church for the year 2018. I must thank every one for your co-operation and wholehearted support.
We are now entering into the celebrative mood of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ proclaims the fundamental truth that ‘nothing is impossible for God.’ Christmas is a season of great joy for all of us. The Christmas event invites us to hear the heartbeats of God in the world. We need to open our eyes to see the new born king in our midst. As we prepare ourselves for the Christmas celebration, let us keep in mind the following thoughts
- Live like Christ, not as a propagating Christian but as a practicing Christian.
- Join our hands to transform both the Church and society.
- Listen to the feeble voices arising from streets and corners of the society.
- Teach our generation - love and action of Christ through the word of God and church practices.
We are planning to have Christmas Carol Service on Dec.23, Saturday at Church. On Dec 02, 09 & 16 we would like to visit our homes with Christmas message. It is my request to all our families to receive the message of Joy and hope of Christmas by admitting and encouraging the carol group in our houses. Christmas is the message of God’s love for human kind and the need of love for each other. As we are celebrating the Christmas, it is our responsibility to be the agents of love and reconciliation. May each and every aspect of this Christmas be powerful signals to move in the proper direction towards the ultimate target of completing God's will in our lives.
We are bidding farewell to one more year of our life. This is the time of self evaluation. Looking back, can we say that we were faithful in our life such as time, money, opportunities, skill and talents? Let us give thanks to God for all the provisions and providence we had received all through this year. Let us genuinely confess all our short comings and pray so that we canlead a more authentic and powerful christen life.
Wishing you all a Blessed & Meaningful Christmas.
With prayerful regards,
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - November 2017
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us thank God for His countless blessings and guidance that we have been experiencing the last 10 months of the financial year 2017.
November is a month of thanksgiving. It refers to the guidance and blessing of God in the hard times of the early English settlers (pilgrims) in this country. In the midst of horror voyage, fierce winter and the death of their fellow companions, the pilgrims did not lose hope or their steadfast faith in God. In the fall of 1621 they first celebrated thanksgiving at Plymouth. As the nation celebrate thanksgiving on November 23, Thursday, let us join with our fellow Americans to praise and thank God for his manifold blessings showered upon us as an immigrant community and as a church. Our Diocese celebrates the Diaspora Sunday (Sunday before Thanksgiving Day) to remember our past and to thank God for preserving and prospering us in this nation. It also reminds us to pass it on to our next generation.
This month our Sunday School is Celebrating Fall Fest and World Sunday School Day. Our Sunday school is participating in the Diocesan level Kid’s helping kid’s mission project. I appreciate all the teachers, students, and parents in supporting all the functions of our Sunday school. Please uphold our Sunday School teachers and students in your prayer. Our Sevika Sangham is planning to conduct a one day retreat on November 18 at church. I request all our Sevika Sanghom members to take part in the retreat.
We are coming closer to the end of the financial year. Please remember to pay your subscriptions and other contributions which are in due.
The parish and its organizations are having General Body meetings to elect the Office Bearers to shoulder the responsibility for the year 2018. May God guide us to elect appropriate people who are faithful to Christ and loyal to Church.
Let us acknowledge God’s presence and providence we experienced throughout the faith Journey, which are beyond our measure. May the compassionate God be with us and bless us in our day to day life.
With prayerful regards,
Liju Achen
Let us thank God for His countless blessings and guidance that we have been experiencing the last 10 months of the financial year 2017.
November is a month of thanksgiving. It refers to the guidance and blessing of God in the hard times of the early English settlers (pilgrims) in this country. In the midst of horror voyage, fierce winter and the death of their fellow companions, the pilgrims did not lose hope or their steadfast faith in God. In the fall of 1621 they first celebrated thanksgiving at Plymouth. As the nation celebrate thanksgiving on November 23, Thursday, let us join with our fellow Americans to praise and thank God for his manifold blessings showered upon us as an immigrant community and as a church. Our Diocese celebrates the Diaspora Sunday (Sunday before Thanksgiving Day) to remember our past and to thank God for preserving and prospering us in this nation. It also reminds us to pass it on to our next generation.
This month our Sunday School is Celebrating Fall Fest and World Sunday School Day. Our Sunday school is participating in the Diocesan level Kid’s helping kid’s mission project. I appreciate all the teachers, students, and parents in supporting all the functions of our Sunday school. Please uphold our Sunday School teachers and students in your prayer. Our Sevika Sangham is planning to conduct a one day retreat on November 18 at church. I request all our Sevika Sanghom members to take part in the retreat.
We are coming closer to the end of the financial year. Please remember to pay your subscriptions and other contributions which are in due.
The parish and its organizations are having General Body meetings to elect the Office Bearers to shoulder the responsibility for the year 2018. May God guide us to elect appropriate people who are faithful to Christ and loyal to Church.
Let us acknowledge God’s presence and providence we experienced throughout the faith Journey, which are beyond our measure. May the compassionate God be with us and bless us in our day to day life.
With prayerful regards,
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - October 2017
Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We have come to the last quarter of this year. Let us thank God for His manifold blessings and Guidance that we had experienced during the past.
Last month we had many programmes of the church and its organisations. I thank all the members for their active participation and support.
This month too we are having various programmes, both at the parish level and also under the auspices of our parish organizations. Voluntary Evangelistic Association Day, Youth Sunday and Family Sunday falls in this month. We are planning to have our parish convention on October 19-22. Dr. George Varghese (Tiruvalla) will be the main speaker. I request all of you to pray and prepare for this blessed occasion to hear the word of God and to experience a renewal in our family life and parish life.
As the church we are celebrating Family dedication Sunday on October 22. Family is the prime unit of any community. The togetherness and nurture of this unit is a serious matter. Conscious effort should be taken to eliminate anything that create disturbance for its unity and harmony. One of the greatest blessings we can receive in this life is the love of a family, and the bonds that exist between its members. A family in order to be blessed should be God Centered. The love, care and security that we experience in the family life is transmitted to the generations. Our families should reflect God’s unconditional love to its surroundings. I pray that the celebration of Family Sunday strengthen our families and also the Church …the family of families.
Let us continue our journey with Christ, to transform the world. As we move on, I seek your wholehearted co-operation and support to-wards our parish and its activities. May the crucified and the resurrected Lord be with us in our daily life, in our ministry and in all walks of life…
Yours In Christ
Liju Achen
Vicar's Message for the Month - September 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Warmest greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
After the long vacations , the schools have reopened and our children are back to their classes. We send our children to school with lots of dreams. I pray and wish all our children success in this new academic year. A special prayer for our children is scheduled on Sunady, September 3rd. I urge all our parents to send their children for this prayer.
Education is not only for imparting some knowledge, but also for bringing a person out into the world as a good citizen .It is to impart good qualities in human beings. Learning is not the collection of some information. But also a great treasure of love and care of the family and the society. As we tell our children about the situation that our parents suffered even to have basic education, It helps them to think how God has guided them all through out their life. This gives a new vision to the children that life is worth living, when held firmly with the Lord. Here comes the need of Sunday School.
Our Sunday School will being on Sunday, Sept 3rd. Parents should take extra care and effort to send their children regularly to Sunday School classes. It is sad that we are not giving importance for the Sunday School. We need to give equal importance to the Sunday School as we give to their secular school/college and extra curricular activities. The Bible says that, ”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”(Prov:1:7) Our children should be encouraged to search for the true wisdom, that is found in following the footsteps of the Lord. That is the true purpose of education.
We are planning to have a picnic on Saturday, Sept 23 at Yorba Linda Park. Picnic is the time to interact and share more closely.
Our Church Family Retreat this year is conducted together with St Andrews MTC. The theme of the retreat is ‘Family - Gods Idea’.Vicar of the Horeb Mar Thoma Church, Rev. Binu P Thomas will be the guest speaker. All our members are invited to participate in the conference.
Malayalies all over the world are celebrating the festival of ONAM in the month of September. It is a great memory of love and prosperity and equality. This is the time to recall ourselves about the rich cultural heritage we have as malayalies. We are planning to conduct a Traditional Kerala Sadhya on Saturday, Sept 9th under the coordination of Young Family Fellowship. I request all our members to take part in this joyous moment.
I pray that all these programs and events be a source to bring all the parish members in one chain and become more closer to each other in love and faith. We have to work together to maintain the unity and love among us.
Yours In Christ
Liju Achen