Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 7 Vol. VI
July 2012
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE
Born in Galilee, Thomas the Apostle, also called Didymus (meaning “Twin”) and Doubting Thomas, was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was believed to have been the only Apostle who traveled outside of the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He is also believed to have crossed the largest area, which includes the Persian Empire and India. Thomas appears in the Gospel of John soon after Lazarus dies (Jn.11:16). He also speaks at the Last Supper (Jn.14:5), and is best known doubting the Resurrection of Jesus (Jn. 20:24-29) in the upper room, but then comes to believe after seeing Jesus alive, declaring Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” When the feast of Saint Thomas was inserted in the Roman calendar in the 9th century, it was assigned to 21 December, although the Martyrology of St. Jerome had a mention of the Apostle on 3rd July, the date to which the Roman celebration was transferred in 1969, so that it would no longer interfere with the major ferial days of Advent. 3rd July was the day on which his relics were translated from Mylapore, a place along the coast of the Marina Beach, Chennai to the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia.
Branches of St. Thomas Christians
July 3 - St. Thomas 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
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, Our Sabha is observing July 03rd as St. Thomas Day. The Mar Thoma Church holds the apostolic tradition of St. Thomas. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent”. The term ‘Church’ came from the word ‘ecclesia’ which means ‘a called out community for a mission.’ The risen Christ gave great commission to his disciples to make others his disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20). After receiving this commission, St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus came to India in 52 A.D. and preached the gospel thus started the Malankara church. This is the common belief that we have. This church came in relationship with foreign churches; and received their faith practices. Through reformation in 19th century under the leadership of Abraham Malpan became a missionary church. The reformation was a process of going back to the apostolic tradition and apostolic mission. We are reformed church and reforming church. Preaching the gospel became main goal of the church. In 1888, Marthoma Evangelistic Association started to evangelize India. For this purpose the Marmon convention started, mission fields and Ashrams were formed at different parts of India. Many people were converted to Christian faith. At the same time the members of the Mar Thoma church in Kerala migrated to other states of India and other countries and they started parishes. Thus the Mar Thoma church became a global church. The great vision of our church is that we are ”Lighted to Lighten” the world. The motto of our church is that every Marthomite is a missionary. St. Thomas day reminds us about the call and mission of our church. St. Thomas is the one who gave his life for the gospel. As we hold the tradition of St. Thomas, let us accept Jesus as our Lord and God as Thomas proclaimed. Let us hold up the faith and vision of St. Thomas. We have set apart 1st July as Tithing Sunday. We should make our tithe offering on that day. We have the noble tradition of setting apart one tenth of our income and using it for evangelistic work. All the earning members of our church should set apart a tenth of their income for evangelistic work. Time, money, ability, intellect - all these are gifts from God. We must accept them with gratitude and use them for the good of others as God desires. We should give a part of our tithe for the gospel activities of our Church. The rest may be used for the growth of the parish and thereby for the growth of the Kingdom of God. This day challenges us to fulfill our role in the work for the Kingdom of God and for the good of others using the gifts God gives us. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 3:10. May God Bless us and strengthen us to participate in the mission of Jesus that we are entrusted to do. Yours in Christ Panachamoottil Achen
Our Sevikasangham won the Trophy for the Bible Quiz Competition organized by Kuwait Centre Sevikasangham. Hearty Congratulations.
World Environmental Day
Painting Exhibition organized by our Yuvajana Sakhyam
New Prayer Group Representatives Gethsemane Prayer Group Vice President Secretary Committee Members
Mobile
Residence
Santhosh Mathew Kaithotta 99578545 25619359 Elizabeth Jessy Mathew 94060507 25650273 Joshi Abraham 99517300 25620983 Binu John Zachariah 66523843 25661703
Shekam Prayer Group (Mangaf - Fintas Area) Vice President Secretary Committee Member
Kunjachen John M. Ebey Abraham Ebey Abraham
66473650 66473650 99132184 23717060 99132184 23717060
Mahanaim Prayer Group Committee Members Biju George Thomas 66738237 25635729 Binu Thomas Kureekkattil 66180986 25658460 Emmaus Prayer Group Secretary Sheeba Roy Committee Members John George Geevarghese Thomas
97237390 25652984 99252794 25616846 60631272 25629186
Birthdays in july Date
Name
Member No
pet name
Prayer Group
Telephone
Mobile 99588244
1
LALOO THOMAS
00271
LALOO
GETHSEMANE
25657655
1
SHERLY GEORGY
01062
SHERLY
EDEN
25621374
97211981
2
ALEX M. GEORGE
02501
BIJU
CANAAN
25625029
66062752
25653582
2
JACOB JOSEPH VELLOOR
01831
BIJU
GETHSEMANE
2
KEZIA RACHEL GEORGY
03164
KEZIA
EPHRATH
67058476
94060957 94453095
3
ABEY P. THOMAS
03581
ABEY
ARARAT
3
SAMGEO PHILIP
04501
SAMGEO
EMMAUS
4
VARUGHESE MATHEW
00311
BABU
EDEN
25615823
99758170
4
JOMOL ABRAHAM
01382
JOMOL
MIZPAH
66891075
99270127
65608221
4
NINI ELSA MATHEW
02352
NINI
OLIVET
55479452
99381676
4
JACOB C. KOSHY
02831
JACOB
EDEN
25615982
97643176
24341694
99362892
4
SEEMA RAJESH VARKEY
01932
SEEMA
EDEN
4
LENI ELIZABETH MAMMEN
01922
LENI
ARARAT
67050820
4
JIJI IDICULLA JOHN
01361
JIJI
KADESH
25653028
99281995
5
BETH JOSEPH KOLLAMALA
00734
ISHA
EMMAUS
25657821
99601604
5
AARON MATHEW MATHAI
03244
AARON
MAHANAIM
25650429
5
STEFFY MERIN SUNIL
04103
STEFFY
MIZPAH
99893110 66605358
5
NANMA MARIAM MATHEWS
01743
AMMU
KADESH
25638554
97830325
6
ANNE THOMAS
01052
ANN
CANAAN
25623273
97934381
6
SUNIL PHILIP
00811
SUNIL
MAHANAIM
25349052
66197107
6
ALEYAMMA ISAAC
00972
SUJA
EPHRATH
24316015
99561506
24348934
97213522
6
ANGEL MARIAM SUNNY
03433
ACHUS
MAHANAIM
6
CHACKO PHILIP
01561
MANU
ARARAT
66357330
7
MARIYAMMA SAM
00212
KUNJUMOL
OLIVET
25616048
66290253
10
DANIEL THOMAS KOLETH
00493
DANY
EDEN
25662952
99827389
10
RON PHILIP IDICULLA
00984
RON
EMMAUS
25643271
65150212
11
VARGHESE PHILIP
02874
NIKHIL
SHEKAM
23718450
66846021
25634270
11
ISSAC JACOB
00131
JOY
CANAAN
11
BIJU THOMAS
04121
BIJU
MAHANAIM
66568667 67094578
11
BLESSEN BOBAN VARGHESE
00113
BINU
CANAAN
25635156
66562536
12
ANNI SHYLA PHILIP
04221
ANNI
KADESH
25638554
66706883
12
CIBY SHIBU VARGHESE
03362
CIBY
ARARAT
24311746
66644803
12
PRAKASH JOHN MATHEW
00284
PRAKASH
OLIVET
25615203
99550996
12
REVITHA THANKOM GEORGE
00623
ACHU
ARARAT
24335198
66044008
12
SMITHA THOMAS
02392
SMITHA
MAHANAIM
25641963
99369353
12
JERRIN VARUGHESE
02611
JERRIN
EPHRATH
66862436
13
ANN MARY SAJI
02134
MUTHU
EDEN
66829483
13
RIYA GEORGE MATHEW
03154
RIYA
EPHRAIM
24316340
13
MELVIN VARUGHESE T.
00484
MELVIN
EMMAUS
25619683
99112919
13
JACOB P. JABBU KOSHY
03181
JEBU
MAHANAIM
25623596
99056031
97100727
13
REUBEN RENJI VARGHESE
00944
REUBEN
OLIVET
25629644
99770623
14
ASHLY SHIBU CHERIAN
00414
NICHU
KADESH
25649403
99891450
14
PRIYA CHARLS
02582
PRIYA
ARARAT
15
SHIJU MAMMEN GEORGE
02821
SHIJU
KADESH
25610934
99142005
99269291
15
TOBY GEORGE MATHEW
01515
TOBY
MIZPAH
25750317
99004109
15
ELIZABETH JESSY MATHEW
00032
JESSY
GETHSEMANE
25650273
97835292
Birthdays in july Date
Name
Member No
pet name
Prayer Group
Telephone
Mobile
15
ARON ALEX
01944
ARON
EPHRAIM
24346514
66265733
16
MARIA CARMEN
02452
MARIA
EDEN
25643263
97979813
25629747
16
AGASTYA RAJAN AVINASH
00338
AGU
CANAAN
16
SLINJU MONCY
04032
SLINJU
EPHRATH
16
KEZIA ALEXANDER
00782
KEZIA
MIZPAH
16
JUVIN KURUVILLA JOHN
04473
JUVIN
CANAAN
99068514 99718537
97214239
97952102 50074800
17
SUSAN JACOB (DR.)
03092
JESSY
EPHRAIM
24762691
66278743
18
KRIPA ELSA VARGHESE
01393
KRIPA
KADESH
25621469
66420854
18
ALVIN MATHEW VARGHESE
01624
ALVIN
EPHRATH
24317873
19
VINCE VARGHESE
04111
VINCE
OLIVET
97916134 55108344
19
SHIBU THOMAS JOHN (DR.)
01261
SHIBU
EMMAUS
25660975
66533284
19
SINI SOJI PHILIP
01522
SINI
OLIVET
25628044
66267537
20
BABUKUTTY P.
02181
BABUKUTTY
ARARAT
20
MOLCY RACHEL ABRAHAM
00443
MOLCY
GETHSEMANE
25639462
66910782 99450411
21
GEORGE VARGHESE K.
03021
KUTTAPPAN
GEEHON
25353394
66224297
21
NEVIN MATHEWS KURUVILLA
01603
NEVIN
OLIVET
25667304
99423735
22
JACOB MATHEW
01544
CHACKOCHEN
GEEHON
25341972
66935777
22
CIBI AJU
02322
CIBI
MIZPAH
25616347
66732206
22
ABRAHAM T. MATHEW
02421
JIM
EPHRATH
24753854
66893288
22
SANDRA BIJU VARGHESE
02394
SANU
MAHANAIM
25641963
99369353
23
MATHEW P. ALEXANDER
00031
CHARLY
GETHSEMANE
25650273
97835292
23
SARAH GRACE MATHEW
01104
MEENU
SHEKAM
25652861
99844364
24
SASHA ANN JOSHI
00684
SASHA
GETHSEMANE
25620983
99517300
25660975
24
KEVIN JOHN THOMAS
01263
KEVIN
EMMAUS
24
DIYA SUSAN VINOD
04383
DIYA
MAHANAIM
66533284 97637410
25
JOMIN MARIAM JACOB
02863
CHINNU
EDEN
25632914
66490385
25
GEORGE KURIAN
00641
GIGI
KADESH
25663826
99608206
25
LEENA MARIAM MATHEWS
04202
LEENA
OLIVET
94427060
25
DIYA ELIZABETH SUJI
04193
DIYA
KADESH
66279687
27
ROBY D. MATHEWS
02661
ROBY
KADESH
25627554
66779089
27
ANDREWS CHERIAN
00401
SURESH
OLIVET
25646983
66396367
27
ROHAN JACOB MANI
02073
ROHAN
EDEN
25624138
97520573
27
MATHEW JOHN
02081
MANOJ
MIZPAH
25659153
97227413
25667304
99423735
27
MADATHILPARAMPIL VARGHESE
04321
JOHN
GETHSEMANE
28
IRENE MARY KURUVILLA
01604
IRENE
OLIVET
97488017
28
KUNJAPPAN ALEXANDER
00781
ALEX
MIZPAH
97214239
97952102
28
HANNAH ANNE FINNEY
00424
HANNAH
MAHANAIM
25610329
66631761
28
ALEXANDER VAIDYAN T.O.
01841
KOCHUMON
ARARAT
24346876
66896594
28
MATHEW K.C.
00971
JAMES
EPHRATH
24316015
99561506
29
SABU GEORGE
04071
SABU
EDEN
99735194
66174259
29
MILAN KOSHY PHILIP
02493
MILAN
CANAAN
25662310
66236469
25639980
99985373
24762691
66278743
29
EBY SAM K.
01871
EBY
30
JACOB MATHEW CHUDUKATTIL
03091
RAJESH
EPHRAIM
30
SHARON ELIZABETH MATHEW
00245
SHARON
EMMAUS
25642194
66711102
30
JIJI MATHEW GEORGE
01711
JIJI
CANAAN
25668174
97801302
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"
NEW MEMBERS P. C. Thomas & Family
Sony Thomas & Family
Member No : 0445 Prayer group: Mahanaim Mother Parish: Thambaram Immanuel Tel. No: 97279954
Member No : 446 Prayer Group: GETHSEMANE Mother Parish: Cherukole, Mavelikara Tel. No: 97677536.
Manoj Kuruvila & Family
Mrs. Sunu Anie Thomas
Member No: 447 Prayer Group: CANAAN Mother Parish: Christ Church, Palayam Tel. No: 50074800
Member No: 448 Prayer Group: GIHON Mother Parish: Sehion Arayanpara, Kunnam Tel. No: 97803473
Willy Mathew & Family
Samgeo Philip & Family
Member No: 449 Prayer Group: EMMAUS Mother Parish: Jerusalem, Nanthancode Tel. No: 97239423
Member No: 450 Prayer Group: EMMAUS Mother Parish: Kumplampoika Salem Tel. No: 65608221.
NEW BORN BABieS Michelle Cyra Sam
Royce Rinu
Date of Birth: 04-03-2012
Date of Birth: 14-06-2012
D/o Sam Thomas Samuel &
S/O Rinu Sam Thomas
Princy Mary Sam
& Shiny N Sam
Prayer Group: Ephrath
Prayer Group: Ephrath
Family No.: 0188
Family No.: 0365
FAITH SUNNY THOMAS (THOMU)
D O B - 26-05-2012 S/O Sunny Thomas Chakkumchira & Viji Sunny Thomas Prayer Group: MAHANAIM Family No.: 0343
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” - Proverbs 27:9
“Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share troubles?”- Proverbs 17:17 “Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.”- Proverbs 18:24
Wedding Anniversaries in july We wish the following couples a Happy Wedding Anniversary. Please attend and partake in the thanksgiving prayer during the Holy Communion Service. Date
Name
Prayer Grp.
Tel. Res.
Mobile
5
THOMAS PHILIP KOLETH & SHERIN THOMAS
EDEN
25662952
99827389
5
JACOB MATHEW & MARY JACOB
EPHRATH
24338098
97208353
6
GEORGE EAPEN & SHEENA ANNA GEORGE
MAHANAIM
97254038
7
GEORGE MATHEW & SUMA P. EAPEN
CANAAN
99432984
8
ROSHAN P. JACOB & JISHAMOL KURUVILLA
EMMAUS
8
JAMES NATHANIEL & SHEEBA JAMES
ARARAT
24315306
97287546
9
CHACKO V.J. & LEELAMMA CHACKO. K
EDEN
25648169
99519354
9
SAJI VARGHESE SAMUEL & LOVELY CHACKO
MAHANAIM
25611739
99845904
9
BLESSON DANIEL PHILIP & SHERLIN MARY VARGHESE
EMMAUS
25638325
66035539
10
JACOB CHACKO ABRAHAM & SUBY M. VARGHESE
KADESH
25617209
99228448
11
ANU ABRAHAM K. & ELIZABETH ABRAHAM
EMMAUS
25649072
97609876
65062453
11
RONI THOMAS JOHN & SHERIN ANU RAJU
15
BIJU GEORGE THOMAS & SEEMA ANNIE JOHN
MAHANAIM
25635729
66738237
17
SAJI MATHEW GEORGE & SOSAMMA CHACKO
MIZPAH
25750317
99004109
19
JACOB C. KOSHY & TERSY THOMAS
EDEN
25615982
97643176
23
CHACKO DANIEL & LISSY DANIEL
EDEN
25652751
66165292
23
ALEXANDER DAS & MARYKUTTY ALEXANDER
MAHANAIM
25637873
99582291
24
EBY SAM K. & SHALU EBY
OLIVET
25639980
99985373
24
ANU GEORGE THAKADIYIL THOMAS & ELIZABETH ANU
ARARAT
66565360
66565360
26
SUNIL PHILIP & RENJINI SUNIL PHILIP
GEEHON
25349052
66197107
27
SANTHOSH PHILIP & LINCY SOSA VARGHESE
GEEHON
25652543
97910385
28
VINEETH ABRAHAM PAZHOOR & SHERLYN MARIUM SOMAN
MIZPAH
25612559
66277363
29
SAM MATHEW & BEENA THOMAS
EPHRATH
24348036
97104307
30
SHOBIN K. MATHEWS & PREETHI ELIZABETH CHERIAN
OLIVET
25638289
65010514
CBSE XII Std Top Scorer Kevin Varughese Thottungal Science Group: 92.6% Indian Community School (CBSE XII) S/o Mr. Varughese Mathew & Mrs. Mini Varughese Mathew (Emmaus Prayer Group) We the St. Thomas family congratulate for his excellence and wish him a bright future.
MIZPAH
“An honest answer is the sign of true friendship.” - Proverbs 24:26 “A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder - watch out!” - Proverbs 27:6 “The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them.” - John 15:13
REGULAR PROGRAMS AT ST.THOMAS CENTRE Sunday School
Closed for Summer Vacation
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 and 3rd Friday after the Worship service
Sevika Sanghom Edavaka Mission
55041085
All Saturdays at 7.00 PM
GOSPEL
Isaiah 52:7-15
FIRST LESSON
1 Thesssalonians 1:1-9
SECOND LESSON
EPHRAIM & EPHRAT
PRAYER GROUP/ ORGANIZATION
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF july 2012 St. John 20:24-29
EPISTLE 1 Timothy 3:10-17
PROGRAMME HOLY COMMUNION
THEME St.Thomas Apostle’s Day
VENUE HOP, NECK
EDEN
TIME 7.30 PM
Acts 5:1-11
DATE 3 TUE
Malachi 3:7-12
KADESH
St. Luke 6: 27-38
Hebrews 10:8-25
2 Corinthians 9: 6-15
Exodes 40:1-16
HOLY COMMUNION
St. John 10:1-11
Tithe Offering Sunday The Gift of giving
2 Corinthians 4: 1-6
STC, SALMIYA HOLY COMMUNION
7.30 AM Ordained Ministry Imitation of Christ
6 FRI HOP, NECK
HOLY COMMUNION
HOLY COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 12: 4-13
1 Peter 2:1-10
St. John 12:20-28
St.Matthew 3: 8-12
St.John 13:1-11
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Exodes 30:22-33
Gensis 18:16-33
Acts 8:1-8
Acts 1:1-8
1 John 3:1-12
OLIVET
MIZPAH
CANAAN
GEEHON
GATHASEMANE
EDAVAKA MISSION
10 TUE 7.30 PM
HOLY 2 Thesssalonians 1:3-12 COMMUNION
FASTING PRAYER
STC, SALMIYA
Christian Witness of the Diaspora
Anointing the Holy Muroon: Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Priesthood of the Baptized
13 FRI 10.00 AM
HOP, NECK
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK
7.30 AM
17 TUE 7.30 PM 20 FRI
7.30 AM
24 TUE 07:30 PM 27 FRI 31 TUE 07:30 PM
Prayer Groups shall identify and assign appropriate personnel as 2 Laymen to assist in Church services, 2 Lesson Readers and 4 Children/Adult to collect offertory, during Worship services and Holy Communion services for both St.Thomas Centre & Hall of Peace. Please co-ordinate with our Lay Readers.
Vice President Laloo Thomas
99891450 / 25649403
Secretary Shibu Cherian
66565496 / 25630521
Trustee - Finance Abraham Mathew P.
66165292 / 25652751
Trustee - Accounts Chacko Daniel
66562536 / 25635156
Lay Ministrant Boban Varghese K.
99468253 / 25663820
Lay Ministrant Dr. Abraham Kurian
ST.THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2012-2013
St. Thomas Messenger for the month of July is sponsored by the following couples on the occasion of their wedding anniversaries: Mrs. & Mr. Christy Thomas, Mrs. & Mr. Roby D. Mathews, Mrs. & Mr. Thomas Chacko and Mrs. & Mr. Jacob Philip. St.Thomas family takes this opportunity to thank them for their support. Sponsorship for St. THOMAS MESSENGER We request individuals /organizations/prayer groups to sponsor our monthly bulletin “St. Thomas Messenger” every month. You could even share the special occasions in your family with St.Thomas family by sponsoring an issue of “St. Thomas Messenger”. Your kind co-operation in this matter is solicited. For Further details, please contact the office bearers in advance.
99588244 / 25657655