Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 9 Vol. XII September 2018 Monthly newsletter of Kuwait St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church
MAR THOMA SUVISHESHA SEVIKA SANGHOM Centenary Celebration on 28 Sep-2018 @ ICSK Senior Salmiya. Time : 6.30 to 9.00 pm
k`m hntij Znhk§Ä 02 RmbÀ hnZym`yk Zn\w 09 RmbÀ tkhnImkwL Zn\w 16 RmbÀ htbmP\ Zn\w Kuwait St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church. P.O. Box 25562 Safat 13116 Kuwait St. Thomas Centre - Tel : 2564 7060 revbobbymathew@gmail.com E-mail: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.com
21 shÅn amÀ a¯mbn Çolm \mÄ 23 RmbÀ s]´n¡pkvXn¡v tijw 18-mw RmbÀ 27 hymgw Z£ntW´y k` Øm]IZn\w 30 RmbÀ s]´n¡pkvXn¡v tijw 19-mw RmbÀ Rev. Bobby Mathew Vicar
(For Private Circulation only)
Parsonage : Flat No.14, 1st Floor, Bldg # 20, Street 10, Al-Dhahok Bin Qays Street, Block 10 Salmiya. (Opp. Bestow Super Market) Tel : 25635253 (Res.) Mob : 67077427 www.st-thomasmtckuwait.com
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From the Vicar .... Dearly beloved in Christ Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Our Kerala is suffering its worst monsoon flooding of a century with more than one million people displaced and more than four hundred reported deaths. Weeks of heavy rainfall have caused dams to open their flood gates, triggered land slides in the mountains, destructions in the coastal regions of Kerala and roads and houses engulfed in water. Government and other agencies including churches in Kerala have set up more than four thousand relief camps. Our Mar Thoma church also took up emergency relief measures through CARD, Yuvajana Sakhyam and also through local parishes. Church as the body of Christ has a moral responsibility to stretch comforting hands to those affected by misery and disaster. With the realization of why our great God has blessed us with bountiful blessings and elevated us to our present virtuous status and gave us creative hands with possibilities, let us stretch out those caring and loving hands towards the afflicted community. Let me thank the initiative of
Sunday School
our Yuvajana Sakhyam for collecting and sending approx. 2700Kg relief materials to the flood affected areas of Kerala and my sincere thanks and gratitude to all parish members for your valuable contribution towards the flood relief fund collection. Our parish has set apart Sept. 7th as Sevika Sanghom day. The theme for this year’s meditation is ‘Women as participants in God’s liberation’. Our task and responsibility is to participate with God in the liberation activities in our local spaces. Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom is celebrating its centenary this year. A centenary celebration programme is also scheduled on Sept. 28th Friday evening at ICSK senior school. We have set apart Sept. 14th as senior citizen’s day. Let us remember the valuable contributions of our senior citizens towards the extension and expansion of the kingdom of God. This year’s diocesan collection is scheduled from Sept. 14th to 28th and I request my parish members to contribute generously for the mission activities of our diocese. With prayerful regards Bobby Achen
Organizations - Schedules at St. Thomas Centre Friday 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm & Yuvajana 1st and 3rd Fridays after the Worship service 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm Sakhyam
Junior Choir
Thursdays 6.00 to 7.30 pm
Sevika Sanghom Saturdays 5.15 pm
Senior Choir
Thursdays 7.30 to 9.30 pm
Edavaka Mission Saturdays 7.00 pm
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FAITH AND PRACTICES OF THE MAR THOMA CHURCH
The Kiss of Peace.
This is a universal practice in the Eastern liturgies and is a very meaningful experience. It is of apostolic origin (Rom 16:16; 2Cor 13:12; 1Pet 5:14) and is used in our liturgy to signify `the fellowship of the Spirit`. There are many things included in this gesture. It expresses the reverence, the love and reconciliation. It declares that all are united in Christ “Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love” (1Pet.5: 14). It is not simply an external act, but it is a symbol of unity and reconciliation between persons. According to the divine command, before offering the sacrifice, one should pray for forgiveness and be reconciled with others by forgiving one another (Matt.5: 23-24). The passing down of `peace` from the altar shows that the peace comes from God and passes to the worshippers through the symbolic act of giving of hands (kayyasoori).
Reading of the Gospel
Our practice is that the celebrant stands at the middle of the Madbaha during Gospel reading and faces towards the worshippers. Through the Gospel reading Jesus talks to the worshippers. Usually only the bishops or priest does gospel reading. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. To express this idea the priest stands at the center of the Madbaha and reads the gospel. As the sign of reverence, the crowd stands at the reading of the Gospel. Epistle reading is by the Lay Leader and at the time of Epistle reading he stands at the south side of the Madbaha
Washing the hands
The celebrant used to wash his hands after the prayer of confession. It symbolizes purification from sin. As God is Holy, those who serve Him should be holy. Jewish tradition also had the practice of washing the feet of the guest by the host when he enters in to the house (Genesis 18:4; Lk.7: 44) At the time of the last blessing the celebrant used to raise his hands. This is also from the Jewish tradition.Lk.24: 50 say that at the time of Jesus’ ascension he lifted up his hands and blessed the disciples. Likewise, at the last blessing the celebrant blesses the worshippers and sends them for mission. It is an authority given to the Church.
The vestments
The vestments used by the priest during the worship have biblical aspect (Exodus 28; 40:13-15). Wearing the vestments shows the preparation of the priests in the presence of God. The vestments used in the liturgy have symbolic meanings. The vestments signify the dignity and righteousness with which the priest is clothed, in order that he may stand worthily in the presence of God representing the people Different parts of the vestments are white cassock, kappa (phaino), kuthino, uroro,girdle (zunnoro), zendo, and phains .
White cassock:-
It is a practice from the 2nd century. It symbolizes holiness getting through the baptism. The Book of Revelation says, “those who win victory will be clothed like this in white, and I will not remove their names from the book of the living” (Reve.3: 5; 7:9)
Kappa: -
The vestments that the priests wear during the holy Qurbana and the other sacraments are known as kappa. It is a sign of glorification for the one who serves God (Ps.132: 9-10). The priest wears an alb of white linen or cotton called kuthino, which symbolizes purity and holiness. A broad strip of material worn over the neck and hanging down in front is called the stole (uroro) which represents the breastplate of justice against the power of spiritual enemies (Ps.18: 39-40; Eph.6: 14). The girdle signifies divine strength with which the priest is girded which wears around the waist. When it wears with the cassock, it signifies the ministry of servant hood and the willingness to serve at all times (Jn.13: 4,5; Eph.6: 14) A cuff (zendo) is worn over each sleeve of the alb, going up to the elbow showing that the hands are prepared for action in the service of God. It signifies the preparation and protection against enemies. (Will be continue)
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17th - 22nd August 2018
PILGRIM TRIP
KERALA FLOOD RELIEF
DIOCESAN COLLECTION Dear Parishioners, This is to inform you all that we have received a Kalpana from our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Makarios informing that Rev. Shinu Baby, Bishop's secretary, will be visiting our Parish 14th to 28th September related to Diocesan collection. In the past years we as a church community had always stood together to support the genuine cause and needs of our diocese and this year too. We appreciate and call out for your wholehearted support and generous contributions to stretch out hands to our fellow beings in need. Detailed visiting schedule will be informed through prayer group office bearers. Please do remember this in your prayers. God bless you.
RECEPTION
REV. BLESSON.T & FAMILY
St. Thomas YS initiated a process of collecting materials to send to the flood affected areas of our state, Kerala. By God’s immense grace, we were able to collect almost 110 cartons of necessary supplies which will come up to approx. 2700 kg. Thank all parishioners, our dear friends and other like-minded people from other communities who responded positively and provided all kinds of support.
A reception meeting was held at St. Thomas Centre on 17 August after the Holy Communion service, to formally welcome the newly arrived Rev. Blesson. T (Vicar, Kuwait St. John’s Mar Thoma Church). The meeting Presided by the Parish VicePresident Mr. Christy Thomas and welcomed Blesson Achen, Sujin Kochamma and Asher Mon. Felicitation speech was delivered by our Senior Parish Member Mr. Laloo Thomas. Page 5 of 8
BIRTHDAYS DATE
NAME
MEM. NO
PRAYER GROUP
DATE
NAME
MEM. NO
PRAYER GROUP
1
EMILY MARY BINU
02383
OLIVET
17
ABRAHAM STEPHEN
00721
GETHSEMANE
1
JOANNA MARIAM JERRY
04674
EMMAUS
17
SACHIN SAMUEL MATHEW
01433
MIZPAH
2
SAUMYA MARIAM
00504
CANAAN
17
SAJI MATHEW GEORGE
01511
MIZPAH
2
PREETHI SIMON (DR.)
02532
HERMON
17
CALEB ABRAHAM GEORGY
03105
ARARAT
3
GLENN V.GEORGE
01193
CANAAN
17
DIVYA PAPPACHEN
05672
MAHANAIM
3
SAM THOMAS SAMUEL
01881
ARARAT
17
MARK VARGHESE SANJU
05693
GIHON
3
KEVIN C. VARUGHESE
03303
ARARAT
18
GEORGE T. J.
00891
MIZPAH
3
MARIYAMOL
05572
MAHANAIM
18
MERCY PHILIP
01342
ARARAT
3
SANJAY KOSHY CHERUKARA
05733
GIHON
19
SUNITA ANIE SAMUEL
02622
EMMAUS
5
JACOB CHERIAN
02841
EPHRAIM
19
SHEEJA SUSAN THOMAS
04042
CANAAN
6
HANNAH ELIZABETH MATHEWS 00614
GIHON
19
KEVIN SAJAN THAZHEL
04133
JERUSALEM
6
NATHAN SHINU VARGHESE
04183
JERUSALEM
19
GIANN SAIRA KOSHY
04353
MAHANAIM
7
NIKHIL GEORGE MATHEW
01403
EMMAUS
19
BENCY MERIN MATHEW
04962
CANAAN
7
LISA ANN ANUP
05082
ARARAT
20
ROSHIN ANNA BINU
02704
EDEN
8
JOHAN GINU GEORGE
05383
HERMON
20
BEENA THOMAS
03152
EPHRAIM
8
REHAN GINU GEORGE
05384
HERMON
20
HAROLD S. WARTIKA
03482
GIHON
9
JOEL T. BIBU
02023
GETHSEMANE
20
NEETHA CHERIAN
04332
GETHSEMANE
11
KEVIN MANOJ MATHEW
00105
CANAAN
21
JOE MAMMEN JOHN
01253
OLIVET
11
ALEXY ANN ALEXANDER
00784
MIZPAH
22
SMITHA P. THOMAS
03132
EMMAUS
11
JACOB GEORGE P.
01094
MIZPAH
22
DILANA MARIAM SAJAN
05424
MIZPAH
11
JEHOSHUA GEORGE BOBBY
01593
EMMAUS
23
NEHA MERIN KURIAN
01764
ARARAT
11
MANI JACOB
02071
OLIVET
24
RUTH ANN TOBBY
03975
CANAAN
12
VIPIN VARGHESE
01153
JERUSALEM
24
EBEY ABRAHAM
04171
MIZPAH
13
SAM GEORGE THOMAS
00703
ARARAT
25
LISA ANN JACOB
04163
HERMON
14
ABEL PHILIP VARGHESE
01133
GIHON
26
DILEEP K. MATHEW
01461
GETHSEMANE
14
ROCHELLE DENNY KOSHY
01273
EPHRAIM
26
PRAVEEN MATHEW THOMAS
01791
JERUSALEM
14
JOHAN T. BIBU
02024
GETHSEMANE
26
DANIEL MATHEW JOYAL
03814
OLIVET
15
MATHEW PHILIP
00091
GIHON
26
SAM KOSHY MATHEW
04821
MAHANAIM
15
PANJAMI SARAH MOHAN
00962
EDEN
26
PREETHI JOHN
04982
HERMON
15
AARON PHILIP CHACKO
01563
ARARAT
27
DITTY SHAJI JOSEPH
01412
EDEN
15
ABEL PHILIP CHACKO
01564
ARARAT
27
ANNA MARIAM JERRY
04673
EMMAUS
15
ALICE SAMUEL
02122
ARARAT
28
ARYAN JOE VURGHESE
04053
EPHRAIM
15
SHERLY BINU
02952
MIZPAH
28
LEWIN EBEY
04174
MIZPAH
15
TITTU MATHEW ABRAHAM
04211
MAHANAIM
28
REIZ RELIN
05003
EDEN
15
TITUS BENSON THOMAS
05051
EDEN
29
SHIMSY ALEX
02502
CANAAN
16
BYJU JOHN
04631
MIZPAH
29
REN SIMON THOMAS
05153
OLIVET
16
JEENA AVINASH
04902
EDEN
30
ALAN ABY VARGHESE
03851
MIZPAH
16
JAMES BABY BABY
05661
MIZPAH
17
SUJA BOBAN
00112
CANAAN
17
PHILIP C. M.
00191
EDEN
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Thanking God Almighty for His mercy. May Lord God Bless you abundantly.
Happy Birthday
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES DATE
NAME
MEM. NO
PRAYER GROUP
2
SAMUEL MATHEW & ALICE SAMUEL
00212
ARARAT
3
ABHILASH A. ABRAHAM & MANEETA SUSAN THOMAS
00164
CANAAN
4
BOBBY MATHEW & ANI SARA THOMAS
00001
CANAAN
6
MANOJ P. KOSHY (DR.) & ANJU ANN PHILIP (DR.)
00249
CANAAN
7
PRAVEEN MATHEW THOMAS & SHEENA ELIZABETH MATHEW
00179
JERUSALEM
10
SUNIL KURIEN & SHEEBA SIMON
00410
MIZPAH
10
BIBU T. BABU & NISHA KURIAN
00202
GETHSEMANE
10
BIJU P. ABRAHAM & JULIE BIJU
00178
OLIVET
10
JACOB JOSEPH VELLOOR & BINU JACOB
00183
GETHSEMANE
11
LALOO THOMAS & ALICE LALOO
00027
GETHSEMANE
12
ALEXANDER GEORGE & OMANA ALEXANDER
00085
ARARAT
12
MATHAI KOCHUMMAN & JOLLY MATHAI KOCHUMMAN
00080
OLIVET
12
GEORGY MATHEW & SEENA ANN ABRAHAM
00310
ARARAT
13
FINNEY GEORGE & BINDU FINNEY GEORGE
00042
MAHANAIM
14
NEBY MATHEW & MITHU CHERIAN
00478
MAHANAIM
15
SAM GEORGE & MARIYAMMA SAM
00021
OLIVET
19
JOYAL SAM MATHEW & NISHA PAUL
00381
OLIVET
24
VARUGHESE MATHEW & MINI VARUGHESE MATHEW
00048
EMMAUS
24
EAPEN ABRAHAM & PREETHI JOHN
00498
HERMON
27
JACOB CHACKO & SAJINI JACOB MATHILUNKAL
00377
EPHRAIM
Thanking God Almighty for His mercy. May Lord God Bless you abundantly.
Happy Wedding Anniversary
MONTH OCTOBER
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
“Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28
CONDOLENCES ON THE SAD DEMISES OF:
Mrs. Mariamma Cherian (77) Palathinkal House, Thalavady, Mother of Mr. Jose Palathinkal House, Member # 453, Hermon prayer group. Tel: 66554236 Mr. Mani Mathew (81) Ponvanibhom Mulamootil, Kayamkulam, Father of Mr. Febi Mani Mathew, Member # 058, Hermon prayer group. Tel: 97191953. Mr. M C Jacob (80) Mannakkuzhiyil, Ayroor, Father in law of Mr. Mathew V. Abraham & Father of Mrs. Mary Mathew, Member # 154, Gihon prayer group. Tel: 66935777. Mrs. Annie Mohan George Kallumpurathu, Elanthoor, Mother in law of Mr. Denny Koshy & Mother of Mrs. Sonia Mohan George, Member # 127, Ephraim prayer group. Tel: 66691680. Mrs. Valsamma Mathew (70) Thazhmon House, Ayroor, Mother in law of Mr. Philip Baby & Mother of Mrs. Legy Mathew (Dr), Member # 228, Olivet prayer group. Tel: 99574695 St. Thomas family express our heartfelt condolence to the braved family members on the sad demise of their beloved one. May Load strengthen and comfort them.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS OF THE PARISH
DATE 22 October 2018(Monday) 23 October 2018 (Tuesday) 24 10 2018 (Wednesday) 25 october 2018 (Thursday) 26 October 2018 (Friday) 23/11/2018 (Friday) 24/11/2018 (Saturday) Nov 30 to Dec 10th 15/12/2018 (Saturday)
EVENT
LOCATION
Parish Convention
St.Thomas Centre & Parish hall
Family Day Medical Seminar (Fr. Davis Chiramel) Devotional Music Night Sadhu Kochukunju Upadesi Songs Caroll Rounds Christmas Caroll
St.Thomas Centre & Parish hall St. Thomas Centre ICSK - Senior House to House ICSK - Senior Page 7 of 8
DATE / DAY 07:30 PM
TIME NECK-HOP
VENUE Jesus: The Great Guru – Education Sunday
THEME HOLY QURBANA
WORSHIP
Acts 22:1-5
Acts 16:11-15
Col. 1:24-29
EPISTLE
Mark 15:37-41
Luke 4:31-44
GOSPEL
OLIVET
ASSISTED BY:
1st LESSON 2nd LESSON Prov. 4:1-19
Romans 16:1-16
EDEN
SEVIKA SANGHOM Exodus 1:15-22
SENIOR CITIZENS
GETHSEMANE
SUNDAY SCHOOL & JUNIOR CHOIR
GIHON & HERMON
MAHANAIM
Lukose Raju Lay Ministrant
24318939 / 99105702 sunleypv@yahoo.com
Sunley P. Varghese Lay Ministrant
ARARAT
Jiji Idiculla John Trustee - Accounts
25728848 / 66957302 lukoseradisson@gmail.com
Mark 10:2-9
Luke 22:14-20
Luke 1:5-7
Heb. 13:1-6
1 Cor. 11:23-30
2 Timothy 4:1-8
1 Cor. 13:1-13, 14:1
Acts 2:37-47
Philemon 1:8-22
Mal. 2:10-16
Exodus 12:21-28
Joshua 14:6-15
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2018
4 - TUE
HOLY QURBANA
ST. THOMAS CENTRE Women: Partners in God’s Liberation - Sevika Sanghom Day
7:30 AM NECK-HOP
HOLY QURBANA
HOLY QURBANA
FASTING PRAYER
HOLY QURBANA ENGLISH SERVICE
HOLY QURBANA
Honour the Bond of Marriage
Holy Qurbana: Sacrament of Offering
Share the Wisdom of Elderly Senior Citizen Day
7 - FRI 11 - TUE 07:30 PM ST. THOMAS CENTRE NECK-HOP
7:30 AM
14 - FRI
7:30 AM
18 - TUE 07:30 PM
21 - FRI
NECK-HOP
ST. THOMAS CENTRE
25 - TUE 07:30 PM ST. THOMAS CENTRE
9:30 AM
7:30 AM
George K. Thomas (Prakash) Trustee - Finance
25653028 / 99281995 johnjiji2000@yahoo.co.in
28 - FRI
Note:- Any changes in worship venue or time will be informed through e-mail.
For sponsoring the St. Thomas Messenger please contact Vicar or office bearers. John Varghese (Reji) Secretary
24335198 / 66044008 george.thomas@alshaya.com
Office Bearers Team Christy Thomas Vice President
25627036 / 99086449 rejikply@hotmail.com
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25663520/97867814 christythomaskuwait@gmail.com
This St. Thomas Messenger Sponsored by: Jacob Chacko Mathilunkal & Family, Abhilash Abraham & Family, Manoj Koshy (Dr) & Family, Bibu T. Babu & Family for Private Circulation only