Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 13 Vol. VI
January 2012
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
Happy New Year
Freedom in our Mind, Faith in our Words, Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls. Let’s salute our Nation on Republic Day. P.O. Box 25562 Safat 13116 Kuwait Tel : 2563 5253 (Res.) Mob : 6603 0775 St. Thomas Centre Tel: 2564 7060 E-mail: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.com www.st-thomasmtckuwait.com
Jai Hind
Rev. Thomas Koshy Panachamoottil Vicar fatherpanachi@gmail.com
(For Private Circulation only)
Parsonage Location Salmiya, Street 10, Bldg No. 20 1st Floor, Flat No. 14 Al-Dhahok Bin Qays Street Opp. Bestow Super Market
From the Desk of Vicar Dearly beloved in Christ,
One more year has passed and another year has dawned. Let us gratefully remember the blessings of God that we have received during the past year. God has graciously given us an opportunity to enter another new year. Henceforth, let us make use of our time and talents for the Glory of God. The design of our life lies in His hands and His imagination, not ours. But He has given us full responsibility for carrying His love to those around us. As a worshiping community we have a great responsibility to cater for the needs of people around us who are marginalized and oppressed due to social and economic injustice. With great hope and trust in our Lord we shall make use of our material and spiritual resources to God’s Mission, especially our North Indian Mission. With renewed hearts and mind we shall prepare ourselves to face the needs and challenges of our church and community. The coming New Year should direct us to move closer to God and with Him in His unending work of creation and renewal. This celebration day is an opportunity for us to search for new ways and means to witness the transforming power of our Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting His promise of a new life. It is an occasion for all of us to praise and thank God for the miraculous way in which He has inspired and protected us and our church. Prayer is an energy which gives life for believers. It helps us to lead meaningful personal, family and social life. Prayer protects us from all evils and dangers. Therefore on this occasion of the New Year, I encourage ALL the families of our parish to start having uninterrupted family prayers on a daily basis. One of the real challenges that we too often find in our contemporary, busy lives is finding time to be together as a family. And, if prayer, other than going to church, hasn’t been a family tradition, it is time now that we introduce it as something we might do together as family. Mother Theresa told once “For the family that prays together stays together, and if they stay together they will love one another as Jesus loves each one of them.” May God Almighty Bless You with a Prosperous and Joyous New Year. Yours in Christ Panachamoottil Achen
Reception meeting for Metropolitan and Bishops Kuwait is going to witness another Unique Event on February 24,2012. All the 5 Marthoma Parishes in Kuwait is giving a Grand Reception to the 5 Bishops of our Church ( Metropolitan, Diocesan Bishop and the 3 new Bishops) which also mark the beginning of the 50th Year celebration of Kuwait Marthoma Parish. Various dignitaries including members of Royal Family, Ministers, Ambassadors, Bishops from other Churches will facilitate. A 125 member committee from the Marthoma Parishes already started functioning. presence will be a great support.
Your prayers and
Epiphany or Denho Epiphany or Denho (Syric) meaning "vision of God" or “manifestation of God”, commemorate on January 6, is a Christian feast day to celebrate the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visitation of the Biblical Magi to Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians observe baptism of Jesus in river Jordan as His manifestation to the world as the Son of God. Eastern Churches following the Julian calendar observe Theophany feast on January 19, because of the 13-day difference today between their calendar and the generally used Gregorian calendar. For Roman Catholics in many countries, the feast is celebrated on the Sunday which falls between January 2 and January 8. The observance had its origins in Eastern Christian Churches and was a general celebration of the manifestation of the Incarnation of Jesus. It included commemoration of His birth; the visit of the Magi ("Wise Men", as Magi were Persian priests) to Bethlehem; all of Jesus’ childhood events, up to and including His baptism in river Jordan by John the Baptist; and even the miracle at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. It seems fairly clear that the Baptism was the primary event being commemorated. As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few. The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian community and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God’s children.
ANNUAL CONVENTION Date : January 17th Tuesday to 20th Friday Venue : St. Thomas Center, Salmiya Speaker : Rev. Jacob P. Thomas, Darma Jyoti Vidya Peeth, Faridabad Rev. Jacob P. Thomas is a well known theologian who has indepth knowledge. His Bible Studies are widely accepted. He served in various mission fields of our Church; presently is a lecturer in Darma Jyothi Vidya Peeth in Faridabad, Delhi. All are cordially invited to attend the Annual Convention.
PROGRAME DATE
TIME
PROGRAME
VENUE
17TH TUESDAY
7.00 TO 9.00 PM
CONVENTION
ST.THOMAS CENTER
18TH WEDNESDAY
7.00 TO 9.00 PM
CONVENTION
ST.THOMAS CENTER
19TH THURSDAY
7.00 TO 9.00 PM
CONVENTION
ST.THOMAS CENTER
20TH FRIDAY
7.00 TO 9.00 PM
CONVENTION
ST.THOMAS CENTER
Birthdays in JANUARY Date 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 12 13 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 21 21 21 21 22
Name JIA SIBU JACOB JITTYMOL MARIAM MATHEW SAMSON JOSEPH MERLIN ABRAHAM VIJI VARGHESE MICAH PRINCE RINU COLIN SHIBU SKARIAH SANJU MATHEW JEHOSHEBA SARAH BOBBY ALAN GEORGE KOSHY SANOJ.K.MATHEW MATHEW PHILIP MARTIN DILEEP KOLLAMALA JINU CHACKO THOMAS SUJA BABY BIJI ABRAHAM VINAY MATHAI VERGHESE BENNY THOMAS THOMAS CHACKO MERCY SAJU NISHA KURIAN THOMAS GEORGE SELVIN JOSE VILAS JOSHUA VARUGHESE THOMAS M. GEORGE KURUVILLA JEREMIAH MATHEW ABIN SAM ABRAHAM ANNAMMA THOMAS JOANNE REBECCA JISHAMOL KURUVILLA BINSU SAM OLIVIA ELSA JIBU SHIBU T. JOHN MARY PHILIP RAJU MATHAI. M SHAWN THOMAS ALEXANDER THAMPACHEN P. JESSYMOL T. EAPEN SONAL JACOB ASHA GEORGY KIRAN ABRAHAM MATHEW JANET SHUBY ABRAHAM JEENU SUNIL SHIBU PHILIP MATHAI EVELYN MARIAM EAPEN JISHA JOHN RINU MATHEW JOHN NOEL GEORGE KOLETH ASHNA ANN BENNY SINI RENJI VARGHESE SAAYOOJ DENNIS JOHN RAJAN V. JOHN TEENA TINI GEORGE VARUGHESE C.V AJITH JOHN MATHEW
Prayer Group SHEKAM ARARAT EDEN MIZPAH CANAAN KADESH MIZPAH MAHANAIM EMMAUS ARARAT MIZPAH ARARAT CANAAN GEEHON SHEKAM MIZPAH EMMAUS KADESH EPHRAIM EDEN MAHANAIM EPHRATH ARARAT GEEHON CANAAN CANAAN MAHANAIM ARARAT KADESH EMMAUS CANAAN MIZPAH OLIVET EPHRATH EMMAUS EPHRATH EDEN MAHANAIM EPHRATH CANAAN EPHRATH OLIVET ARARAT EDEN EDEN KADESH GEEHON ARARAT EDEN KADESH OLIVET MAHANAIM CANAAN ARARAT ARARAT MIZPAH
Telephone
Mobile
24893157
66016484 97133949 97940757 66284427 97541288 99076494 66888936 99605899 65134650 66735828 97176482 97133949 67057479 99114562 99331738 66284427
25624177 25652342 97157006 25633985 25622547 24335198 25639678 22629608 24745215 25624177 25636489 25659310 25650391 25758782 24330292 24317585 25652006 66194291 24335361 25621469 23710567 25624570 24342128 23718450 24330292 66761362 25619231 24349472 25624312 25615203 25636526 25668263 24348934 25625029 25659310 25629644 25610139 25656855 24318091 25659153
99671087 97335426 99421457 97230802 66191007 66172425 99899379 99320230 66330192 94445645 99289624 66420854 65078450 65062453 66166523 66557486 97201070 66846021 97540381 99138548 97604373 97271924 66577069 67058476 99550996 66474967 66714543 99615724 66543990 99899379 66280967 97504243 99671087 99585476 66249240 99406860 99250682 66474967 97227413
Birthdays in JANUARY Date 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 31
Name CHINNU SUSAN CHERIYAN SHIBU PHILIP TINKU ABRAHAM MATHEW ABRAHAM VARGHESE CRISTINA ELIZABETH SHIBU GEORGE T. KOLETH DENI DANIEL LEAH ELSA PHILIP HANNAH GRACE ANDREWS ANNAMMA REJI SAJU THOMAS MATHEW PHILIP ARUN T. LALOO JOHAN VARGHESE JOHN GEORGY MATHEW ANGELA GEORGE KURIAN ALEX MATHEW ALEXANDER LITA STEPHEN EASOW K. I. SNEHA JOHN ETHAN BINOY ABEL SHAJI GEORGE LEON VARKEY ABRAHAM
Prayer Group EMMAUS OLIVET CANAAN OLIVET MIZPAH EDEN KADESH OLIVET OLIVET ARARAT SHEKAM EDEN MAHANAIM CANAAN ARARAT KADESH GEEHON MIZPAH MIZPAH EDEN EDEN EDEN EDEN
Telephone
Mobile
23727907
99468239 65831508 66421904 97592351 66888936 97504243 99142005 99574695 66396367 97219433 66884238 99615724 99588244 99086449 65108084 99608206 97100853 66782239 99780609 94917052 99880114 99691730 67050820
25652846 97157006 25625029 25610934 25611291 25646983 24344521 25636526 25657655 25627036 25663826 22623051 25616795 25751147 25611281
Thanks to God Almighty for his mercy that kept you safe and sound during the past year. Praying to Lord God to shower his Blessings, on each of you, all through the year ahead. "Happy Birthday"
CAROL- 2011 - THY KINGDOM COME
A real Christmas experience and a wonderful feast to the audience catered by our Choir and its Captain Mr. Mathew C. Oommen (Joychan). The Carol was conducted at ICSK (Senior) Hall on 23rd Friday, December 2011. Almost 1000 people from various parishes and other churches thronged to see the performance of our Choir. The Christmas message was delivered by H.G. Mathews Mar Thevodosios Metropolitan of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church - Quilon Diocese. Widely accepted as the best Choir in Kuwait, we St. Thomas Mar Thoma Parish congratulate the team and all who contributed for the success of the Carol Service.
St. Thomas Fest 2012 We have scheduled to conduct our 4th harvest festival - ‘ST Thomas Fest 2012’. Harvest festival is a thanksgiving celebration for the blessings that brought successes in our lives. It reminds us of all the good things God gives us which in turn triggers the realization to share our success with others who are less privileged. We will be celebrating the day with songs, prayers and a broad variety of cultural events to rejoice in Gods’ love. The event is also utilized as a platform to support social uplift programs for the needy people; such as medical aids, housing, and marriage, rehabilitation of orphaned children without any religious or caste distinctions. The harvest festival is planned as a day of arts, cultural and sports activities on 3rd of Feb 2012 at the Indian school junior at Salmiya. The day promises exciting and outstanding display of cultural and games activities in a spiritual environment for all visitors. An added attraction of this year’s festival is the live singing by ‘Asianet Star Singer’ fame Immanuel Henry, supported by local artists Neelima (Asianet star singer), Rony Cherian, Poornima and Shyju together with a local orchestra team. Raffle draw will be conducted for 51 fabulous prizes and an I-pad 2 will be given away as a bumper prize. The ‘American auction’ for I-phone 4S is projected to be a closely contested affair to gain ownership of the latest apple I-Phone model with I-Cloud feature. The fest 12 day’s evening session is planned with a variety of Arabic and Indian style varities of food in a ‘thattukada’ environment.
St.Thomas Fest coupon sale inaugurated By Dr. Prof. Varghese George
The Christmas & New Year Gift, Sandhya Yagam, a Family Prayer Book, for all Parishioners was released by Rev. K. G. Koshy.
FAREWELL
V.C. Job & Mary Job Mem No. 244 Mizpah Prayer group and Mathew Varghese Karinjappallil & Aleyamma Mathew Mem No.102 Shekam prayer group. The following members and family left Kuwait on retirement. We thank them for their fellowship, service and support rendered to our Parish since its inception. Parish, as a token of appreciation presented Mementos to them on 16th and 24th December respectively. Let us remember them in our prayers. REGULAR PROGRAMS AT ST.THOMAS CENTRE Sunday School
Every Friday at 2.30 PM
Junior Choir
Every Thursday at 6.00 to 7.30 PM
Senior Choir
Every Thursday at 7.30 to 9.30 PM
Yuvajana Sakhyam
Every 1st Friday at Centre after the Worship service And 3rd Sunday at Abbasiya
Sevika Sanghom
All Saturdays at 5.00 PM
Edavaka Mission
All Saturdays at 7.30 PM
Wedding Anniversaries in JANUARY
We wish the following couples a Happy Wedding Anniversary. Please attend and partake in the thanksgiving prayer during the Holy Communion Service. Date 1 1 3 5 5 7 7 9 9 11 12 12 12 12 12 14 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 25 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 27 28 29 29 31 31 31
Name SAJU PAPPACHAN & MERCY SAJU JOSE EAPEN & ANNAMMA JOSE MATHEW JOHN & CUCKOO ALEY MATHEW JOHN JACOB CHERIAN & ALEYAMMA THOMAS PHILIP VARGHESE (DR.) & MARIAM JOSEPH ANDREWS CHERIAN & ANU ALICE ANDREWS MATHEW GEORGE ABRAHAM & SALLY GEORGE ABRAHAM MR. P.V. ABRAHAM & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM RENJI VARGHESE & SINI RENJI VARGHESE BINNEY LIJU ABRAHAM ISSAC ABRAHAM & DAISY ISSAC ABRAHAM AVINASH RAJAN DANIEL & JEENA AVINASH VARGHESE THOMAS & JANCY JOSEPH GEORGE MATHEW. K & BEENA THOMAS RENJI RAJU & VINCY RENJI GEEVARGHESE THOMAS & SUSY VARGHESE THOMAS THOMAS P. ABRAHAM & LIZY THOMAS REJI MATHEW PHILIP K. & ANNAMMA REJI VARGHESE GEORGE (DR) & KITTY VARGHESE RAJU VARGHESE & SUSAMMA ABRAHAM PHILIP A.NINAN & VALSAMMA PHILIP MATHEW C. OOMMEN & ALEYAMMA MATHEW JOHNSON GEORGE & SUSAN JOHNSON EAPEN VERGHESE (GIGI) & REXY GIGI THOMAS K. S. & MARY THOMAS BINOY THOMAS & SHIYA MOL TOM JACOB T. ABRAHAM & ALIN T. JACOB PHILIP C. M. & SARAH PHILIP VARGHESE MATHAI VAIDIAN & SOSAMMA MATHAI VINOO VARGHESE ABRAHAM & LEENA MARIAM MATHEW (DR) SHIJU MAMMEN GEORGE & DENI DANIEL ACHANKUNJU K. M. & SHALI ACHANKUNJU SHIBU SKARIAH & JEE ANNIE MATHEW MATEHW PHILIP & SUSY MATHEW VARGHESE K. A. & ALEYAMMA VARGHESE JACOB JOSEPH P. & MARIAMMA JACOB JOHN P. MATHEW & BEELA MATHEW REJI ALEX MATHEW (DR.) & SHEJI ALEX (DR.) ANIL KURIAN JACOB & NANCY KURIAN LENI ELIZABETH MAMMEN & SUBIN SAM MATHEW AJU PAUL & CIBI AJU ABRAHAM T.C. & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM PHILIP GEORGE & SOPHY VARGHESE (LATE) JACOB M. CHANNAPETTA & SUDHA JACOB MON MATHEWS C. JOHN & SEENA M. MATHEWS RINU ABY PRINCE & SUSAN RINU ALEX M. GEORGE & SHIMSY ALEX SHIBU T. JOHN & JESSY KOSHY MATHEW ABRAHAM & MARY MATHEW ABRAHAM JIJI IDICULLA JOHN & TRESSA MARIE JOHN CROSSBLE THOMAS & DANI ABRAHAM IDICULA MATHAI & SUSAN IDICULA MATHAI JAMES V. KOTTARAM & BINCY JAMES SAJU THOMAS & RESHMI RAJAN GEORGE ABRAHAM ARUTHUKKAL & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM GEORGE MATHEW & MINI GEORGE MATHEW JOSHAN P. ABRAHAM & DEEPA ANN MATHEW KURIAN OOMMEN & JINCY GEORGE
Prayer Grp. EDEN ARARAT MIZPAH EPHRAIM EMMAUS OLIVET CANAAN MIZPAH OLIVET EPHRAIM OLIVET CANAAN SHEKAM EPHRAIM EPHRAIM EMMAUS CANAAN ARARAT MAHANAIM CANAAN CANAAN EPHRATH EMMAUS OLIVET EDEN EDEN EDEN CANAAN EDEN OLIVET KADESH KADESH MIZPAH GEEHON EDEN OLIVET MAHANAIM EPHRATH MAHANAIM ARARAT MIZPAH EMMAUS EPHRATH CANAAN KADESH KADESH CANAAN EPHRATH OLIVET KADESH MAHANAIM MAHANAIM EPHRATH SHEKAM CANAAN EMMAUS EDEN EPHRAIM
Tel. Res.
Mobile
25650391 24338529 25659153
99421457 66660764 97227413 97459430 66846021 66396367 99450411 66277363 99585476 66883181 66239656 99068514 99526062 97100727 66857851 99360073 97944214 97219433 99562405 99406115 55160182 66760075 66725394 99556257 99590819 99880114 66490385 99796536 99488960 94427060 99142005 66547820 66888936 99730699 66830185 66481618 99800713 67096465 99531965 99362892 66732206 99807632 66674980 66577069 97830325 99076494 66062752 97201070 99550996 99281995 99597282 99605899 99450894 66884238 55720525 97615189 97434147 66173407
23718450 25646983 25639462 25612559 25629644 25634157 25629747 24808395 24316340 25629186 25649170 24344521 25630261 25641839 24314590 25658549 25611281 25611281 25632914 25629665 25623126 25610934 25646384 97157006 22657126 25319557 25635798 25632457 24330564 25610029 24341694 25616347 25758782 25624312 25638554 25652342 25625029 24342128 25615203 25653028 25649357 25633985 55720525 25647805
DATE 7.30 AM
TIME STC, SALMIYA
VENUE EPIPHANY
THEME HOLY COMMUNION
PROGRAMME ROMANS 6: 1-11
EPISTLE
ST.LUCK 3:15-22
GOSPEL
DANIEL 1: 1-21
2 KING 2:19-25
FIRST LESSON
ACTS 7: 54-60
ACTS 8: 26-40
SECOND LESSON
EDEN
EMMAUS
PRAYERGROUP/ ORGANISATION
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2012
6 FRI
ST.MATHEW 24:45-51
SUNDAY SCHOOL
ACTS 6: 1- 7
ROMANS 5: 1-11
HOLY COMMUNION
MICAH 4: 1-7
ST.STEPHENS DAY
ST.MATHEW 5:1-9
EPHESIANS 4: 1-7
ST.JOHNS 17:21-26
ISSA 60:1-14
2 PETER 1:1-11
MAHANAIM
CANAAN
EDAVAKA MISSION
EPHESIANS 2: 11-19
HOLY COMMUNION
REVELATION 2:12-17
OLIVET
JOEL 2:12-17 HOLY COMMUNION
WILL BE ASSIGNED
ST.LUKE 13:1-5
WORSHIP SERVICE
EPHESIANS 5: 8-14
PARISH CONVENTION
FASTING PRAYER
ENGLISH HOLY COMMUNION
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
ECUMENICAL SUNDAY
REPENT AND RETURN
GOD OF PEACE
10 TUE 7.30 PM STC, SALMIYA STC, SALMIYA
7.30 AM 9.00 AM STC, SALMIYA
13 FRI
17 to 20 07:00 PM STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
7.30 AM
20 FRI
7:30 AM
24 TUE 07:30 PM 27 FRI 31 TUE 7.30 PM
Prayer Groups shall identify and assign appropriate personnel as Two Laymen to Assist in Church services ,Two Lesson Readers And Four Children to collect offertory, during Worship services and Holy Communion services for both St.Thomas center & Hall of Peace .Please co-ordinate with Lay Readers .
Trustee Accounts
Vijoy Alexander
Lay Ministrant
Mathew P Alexander
Lay Ministrant
Abraham Stephen
ST.THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2011-2012
Sponsership For ST. THOMAS MESSENGER We request individuals /organizations/prayer groups to sponsor our monthly bulletin “Messenger” every month. You could even share the special occasions in your family with St.Thomas family by sponsoring an issue of “messenger”. Your kind cooperation in this matter is solicited. For Further details, please contact the office –bearers in advance.
Trustee
66284427 / 25624177
Christy Thomas
97835292 / 25650273
Secretary
97100853 / 22623051
John Varghese (Reji)
97867814 / 25663520
Vice President
99086449 / 25627036
John Alexander 66249240 / 25610139