Announcements – December 8, 2024 – Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Vodcasts

Sermon Link – Birth of John the Baptist: the child set apart for the divine plan and the family that nurtures him (His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan)
Felicitation meeting honoring the 35th year anniversary of the Metropolitan’s Episcopal consecration

Kalpanas/Circulars

DC/494/2024 – GB Election Detroit MTC

Upcoming Prayers, Meetings & Events

1. - December 11 (Wednesday)
    - 7 PM: Intercessory Prayer (via Zoom)
  - December 12 (Thursday)
    - 8 PM: Diocesan Sevika Sanghom Christmas Celebration meeting (via Zoom – see details below)
  - December 13 (Friday)
    - 10:30 AM: Fasting Prayer (via Zoom)
  - December 14 (Saturday)
    - 10 AM: Sunday School Christmas Carol Program Practice (at church)
  - December 15 (Sunday)
    - 9 AM: Sunday School
    - 10:15 AM: Holy Communion Service in Malayalam
    - After Service: Sunday School Christmas Carol Program Practice

Christmas Carol Service

1. - Our Christmas Carol Service will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 5 pm at our church. Rev. Varghese P. Jospeh, Vicar of CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, will deliver the Christmas message. The service will include songs from our Malayalam and English Choirs and special presentation from our Sunday School and Carol Rounding group. All parish members are requested to prayerfully participate in this blessed service.

Sunday School

1. - Sunday School Christmas Carol Program practices will continue today December 8^th after the lunch. Next weekend’s practice schedule is as follows:
    - Friday, December 13^th from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
    - Saturday, December 14^th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
    - Sunday, December 15^th after service in the hall
    There are only a few SS Christmas practices remaining therefore encouraging and requesting all SS children to attend all the remaining SS practices.

Youth Group

1. - The 38th Midwest Regional Youth Conference will be hosted by St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Chicago, Youth Group. The conference will take place from December 27th-30th at Miracle Camp and Retreat Center in Lawton, MI. The theme for this year is “Unshakable Confidence,” based on Isaiah 41:10. All youths interested are requested to register, registration link below. Early registration ends December 1st.Link: https://forms.gle/6cA5Gn8YDXx75tiy8
  - Diocesan Leadership Conference hosted by our DMTC Youth Group will be held on January 2-5th, 2025. Application submission for the conference was extended to today Sunday, December 1^st. For those who already applied, please check your emails from DYF; if you were approved, please fill out the registration form. The last day for early registration is Friday, December 6th.Also our youths are asking for help in volunteering, housing, transportation, and financial donations. Please contact Sanya Bency or Abigail Shinoj if you are able to help. Requesting prayers and support from church members for the DLC.

Sevika Sanghom

1. - Diocesan Sevika Sanghom will be hosting an online meeting for our Christmas Celebration on December 12^th at 8:00 PM EST. Christmas Message will be delivered by Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa. All Sevika Sanghom members are requested to attend.Zoom Meeting Info – Meeting ID: 876 0140 2485Passcode: prayer

Christmas Carol Rounding

- - Christmas Carol Rounding schedule has been set and will start on Friday, December 6th. The following is the updated schedule Carol Rounding Schedule:
    - - Sunday December 8th – Prayer Group 3 – (Starting at 3:30 pm at the residence of Mr. Jacob Thomas & family in Bloomfield Hills, MI)
      - Friday December 13th – Prayer Group 1 – (Starting at 5:30 pm at the residence of Mr. Thomson David & family in Livonia, MI)
      - Saturday December 14th – Prayer Group 2 (Novi, South Lyon, W. Bloomfield, Farmington Hills) – Starting at 1:30 pm at the Parsonage (23949 Susan Dr. Farmington Hills, MI 48336) and then meeting at the residence of Mr. Lal Thomas & family in Farmington Hills, MI
      - Sunday December 15th – Prayer Group 4 (Canton, Plymouth, Northville) – Starting at 3:30 pm at the residence of Mr. Varughese Abraham & family in Plymouth, MI
      - Sunday December 22nd – Prayer Group 2 & 4 (Ann Arbor, Lansing, Ypsilanti)
    All families need to inform their area prayer group leaders whether the Carol Rounding group should visit their homes so that proper arrangements can be made. Families in Prayer Group 1,2, and 4 need to inform prayer group leaders by this Wednesday December 4^th if they haven’t already. We also need starting and ending homes for each day of carol rounding, if any families are interested please inform area prayer group leaders as well.
    
    We kindly request to consider your Christmas contribution this year. For those families that will not visited by the Carol Rounding group please submit your Christmas contribution by cash, check or online through Zeffy any time this month.
    
    If any further questions please contact Carol Rounding convenor Mr. Shawn Thomas or Secretary.

Sub-Organization General Body / Annual Report

1. - A friendly reminder to all sub-organizations, as we are approaching the end of the year please prepare annual reports and schedule sub-organization General Body meetings with the Vicar as early as possible so that our annual church General Body meeting may be prepared for and conducted in a timely manner. We thank you for your cooperation.

Ecumenical Christmas Program

1. - Detroit Ecumenical Council’s 30th Christmas Program will be conducted on Dec 29th, Sunday 5PM at in our Fellowship Hall. The Ecumenical Christmas Carol Choir will be part of the program, those who would like to sing and be part of the Detroit Ecumenical Choir group are requested to provide their names to the parish secretary as soon as possible. First choir practice is scheduled for Friday, Oct 25th.

Parish Events 2024

1. - Christmas Carol Rounding – Sat. December 6^th to Sun. December 22^th
  - Christmas Carol Service – Sat. December 21^st

Refreshments

1. - Thanks to the refreshment committee for arranging today’s Fellowship Lunch.
  - Many families have not contributed this year for refreshments. Based on GB decision the minimum expected contribution is $100. Kindly requesting all families to submit their contribution as soon as possible to ensure the smooth functioning of refreshments distribution

Acknowledgements

Thank you to HG the Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan for leading today’s service and for the message. Thank you to Rev. Santhosh Varughese, Philip Varughese Achen, Rev. Johnson Lawrence, Lay leaders, and Choir for assisting in today’s service.

DMTC Family wishes all our fellow members celebrating their Birthday & Wedding Anniversary this coming week; May the Almighty Lord bless each one of you and your family in the new year & years ahead.

Please uphold our near & dear ones who are sick and those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Thank you all for participating, have a blessed week.

Live Streaming of Church Events

Live streaming will be available on the church YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/@DetroitMarthomaChurch. After clicking the link, click on “Live” and find the livestream for the respective church event.

We will do our very best to live stream all church events, however as this is dependent on trained volunteers, there may be technical interruptions and occasions where live streaming is not available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Zeffy – Online Payment Option

1. - Zeffy is a user-friendly platform for not-for-profit organizations that allows for one-time and reoccurring monthly contributions with a no transaction fee option. Contributions can be made with credit card, bank account, Apple or Google pay. We strongly encourage all members to utilize Zeffy for electronic payments. Our Trustees want to thank all the members who have utilized this method as this streamlines the financial activities of the parish.
    - Zeffy is available through the DMTC Mobile App or church website (link below):https://detroitmarthoma.org/main/resources-2/online-donation/
    - With this online payment option, Paypal will no longer be available as an online payment option. If any member has questions or would like additional assistance with Zeffy please contact our Trustee or Accountant, Mr. Jacob Thomas or Mr. Alan Thomas, at any time

Church Zoom Information

Zoom Meeting ID: 811 6679 1004 Password: 926644

1. - Zoom on computer
    - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81166791004?pwd=NU40ZGZmL2hSa29BSEhKMGZ4MTRqQT09
  - From the Web Browser
    - https://us02web.zoom.us/wc/join/81166791004?pwd=NU40ZGZmL2hSa29BSEhKMGZ4MTRqQT09
  - Dial-in
    - (US) +1 312 626 6799 and then enter the access code 811 6679 1004# and then# again and then the passcode 926644#
    - (Canada) +1 647 558 0588 and then enter the access code 811 6679 1004# and then# again and then the passcode 926644#

Admin Update

If you are currently not receiving emails from the church or would like to update your email address, please notify us by sending it to sec@detroitmarthoma.org. Send your name and address in the email so that we can identify you properly. Please visit the church website

Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Announcements – December 8, 2024