“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, "but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised" - Proverbs 31:30

‘Gray hair is the crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.’ – Proverbs 16: 32

This month in September, the Mar Thoma Church celebrates Suvisesha Sevika Sangham Day and Senior Citizens Day. It is important that we realize the importance of these two groups: women and the elderly. Both groups are an important part of our society and our church, but both groups are often not given the respect the Bible shows they deserve.

Women:

When God created mankind, He created both "male and female." Both were created in God's image and both were given the responsibility of exercising authority over God's creation. The man was created first but he needed companionship and a helper, so God created a woman. Man is incomplete without woman. Because she is called a "helper" does not imply that she is inferior to man. The same Hebrew word translated as helper is used of God in His relationship to Israel (Ps 33:20; 70:5).

Even though ancient Israel was a male dominated culture, some of the finest leaders in Israel were women: victories were sometimes won because of the courage of one woman (Judges 4-5; 9:54; Est 4:16). God revealed His Word through prophetesses (Judges 4:4). The heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 include Sarah (v. 11), Moses' mother (v. 23), and Rahab (v. 31).

But it is Jesus that exemplified God’s view of women. He allowed women disciples to accompany Him and His male disciples on their journeys (Luke 8:1-3). He talked with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well and led her to a conversion experience (John 4). It was the apostle Paul who wrote, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28).

Elders:

In ancient times authority was given to older people with wider experience. These were often considered the most qualified to hold places of leadership.

In the Old Testament those leaders associated with Moses in governing the nation of Israel were called "the elders of Israel" (Ex 3:16; 24:1), "the elders of the people" (Ex 19:7), or the "seventy elders" (Ex 24:1). Once the Israelites reached the Promised Land, groups of elders ruled in each city. These elders were viewed as the representatives of the nation and its people. These leaders were responsible for legal, political and military guidance and supervision.

A similar approach was followed in the early church. Elders were associated with James in Jerusalem in the local church's government (Acts 11:30; 21:18) and, with the apostles, in the decision of the early church council (Acts 15). Elders were also appointed in the churches established during the apostle Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 14:23). Elders played an important role in church life through their ministry to the sick (James 5:14, 15). They were apparently the teachers also in a local congregation.

In addition to ministering to the sick, their duties consisted of explaining the Scriptures and teaching doctrine (1 Tim 5:17; 1 Peter 5:5).

This month as we celebrate Sevika Sangham Day and Senior Citizens Day, let us remember that it is the will of God that all his children, regardless of race, color, age, or sex should be loved, honored, and respected. Women and elders have contributed greatly to the advancement of God’s Kingdom here on earth. Their knowledge, experience, and love have changed the world.

Yours in Christ’s Service

Rev. Shibi Abraham 

Written by SueAnn Parikh

From the time our children are small, we try to teach them to be brave, not to let fear hold them back, but to step out in faith. After all, it is when we lean entirely on God that we can truly move forward into everything He has planned for us. We grow up hearing incredible Sunday school stories about the fearless, faithful people in the Bible who showed everyone God’s amazing power through miracles, healing, and sharing the Good News. But in our day-to-day lives, do we take a moment to look around and appreciate the fearless, faithful people right next to us? Do we notice those small, beautiful acts of obedience within our own church family?

I remember asking my mother many years ago how God opened the door for her to come to America. Initially, she had asked a friend to sponsor her brother. Her friend replied, “Your brother is smart; he will find a way. What about you?” My mom had never even imagined that an opportunity like this would open up for her. With a little convincing and a lot of God’s perfect timing, she was sponsored and arrived in Staten Island, New York, in February 1973. She knew almost no one except a few friends from nursing school, but God quickly placed her into a small, faithful community of Keralites on the island. When I asked her if she was scared to make that leap, she told me, “Yes, but I trusted the Lord, and He taught me every step of the way.”

We often preach about the fearless and faithful women of Scripture, like Ruth, the Moabite immigrant who left everything behind to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. Both women stepped into the unknown, placing their absolute faith in the Lord to provide. As Ruth beautifully declared, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). Just like Ruth, many of our parents migrated from their homelands to start a new life in America. Because they surrendered their fears to God, they were able to sink deep spiritual roots into this new soil, creating a foundation upon which we now thrive and grow. They embodied the promise of Jeremiah 17:7-8:“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Their faith and God-given courage showed us what it truly means to prosper in the Lord, echoing how God blessed Ruth’s lineage for generations to come.

This September, our Horeb community is entering a defining new season as we transition to our new property. Let us look to the fearless and faithful pioneers of our community who have modeled for us what it means to trust in God. Now is the time for us to collectively seek the Lord, ask Him for strategic guidance, and step out in faith so that future generations will inherit a thriving legacy. Let us not live in fear of change, but remain steadfast in His service, embracing this new spiritual adventure just as our parents did before us.

• I am famous for having the deepest lake in the United States.
• I was formed after a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.
• My beautiful blue water is known for being exceptionally clear and deep.
• I am located in the state of Oregon.
• I have a small island called Wizard Island in the middle of my lake.
• Because no rivers flow into me, my water comes mainly from rain and snow.