Dearly beloved
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every year September first Sunday is Education Sunday. According to Malcolm X, an American human rights activist and prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Education is a way for qualitative inquiries, a process of attaining maturity for meaningful responses, and a remedy for unleashing accumulated illusions. Our children's new academic year starts this month. May God encourage them with new insights and commitment in their new academic year. Also, I wish our college students to reach out to new achievements in their academic discourses.
The new academic year of our Sunday school begins on Sunday 8th September. All parents should make a compulsory effort to attend our children in Sunday School regularly. We should encourage our children to attend worship regularly. Language should not be held up as a limitation to keep our children away from Worship and spiritual fellowship. As parents, our consistent participation and good manners in worship will make our children good and faithful worshipers.
The second Sunday is Sevika sangham day. “The history of the Church is replete with the untold stories of women whose witness and wisdom have helped shape God’s unfolding story.” The participation of women in shaping the character of every individual is unforgettable. The lives of all saints and godly people born in the world were shaped by the prayers and efforts of women who accepted tears and suffering. In the present situation building and maintaining proper spiritual life in our personal lives, families and generations is a challenging divine service.
The third Sunday is Senior Citizens Sunday. The members of our church aged 60 and above are considered as Senior Citizens and eligible to participate in the Senior Citizens' fellowship activities. Growing old can mean maturing, growing in grace and fruitfulness, getting sweeter as days go by – more mellowed, less critical of others, and less impatient with the generations' attitudes. The autumn of the years of age can be met by the spring of God’s grace that flows within. Some people are happy when they are qualified for a variety of benefits for seniors but very reluctant to accept the process of Aging. Some people cannot fathom getting older and going through old age. Jesus taught us to value the importance of being through object lessons from nature: consider the lilies of the field and the beautiful species of birds and plants. They are to be treasured for what they are (being) rather than what they do. God values our doing when we can work, but God equally values our being because He has created us. May God help us to accept this natural change in our bodies with grace.
God bless you all
Ajith Varghese Achen
