Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 3 Vol. VIII
March 2014
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
Great Lent or Valiya Noyambu Feasts and fasts are the part of the tradition of all religious communities. In the Christian Churches of Antiochian tradition, including Mar Thoma Church, the Great Lent consists of 40 days ending with 40th Friday, with an extension of 10 more days inclusive of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. It spreads to 7 weeks with a total of 50 days. Lent is a season observed by our church as a time set apart for fasting and prayer and also a time of introspection. Observing silence is a great help during these days to have transcendence of mind. In the life of the community of the faithful, lent provides a time for spiritual discipline regularly. It is the practice of a life of denial, taking up the cross and following Jesus Christ. Here we recognize that permissiveness is not the principle of life. Freedom in life is a restricted and responsible freedom. Lent is based on the spiritual practice of fasting and prayer-both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Jesus began His public ministry with forty days of fasting and communion with God (Matt. 4:2, Mk 1:13, Lk 4:2). Here the mind is not kept idle but will be very active in communion with God. Fasting and prayer remain as an undeniable character of the Church from the early days (Acts 13:2, 14:23). We wait upon the Lord in fellowship for renewal and strength.
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen” P.O. Box 25562 Safat 13116 Kuwait Tel : 25635253 (Res.) Mob : 6603 0775 St. Thomas Centre Tel: 2564 7060 E-mail: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.com www.st-thomasmtckuwait.com
Rev. Sunil Joy Vicar
revsuniljoy@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
Message from Vicar Dearly Beloved in Christ, Greetings to all of you, in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
We have entered another Lenten season of our Church. Lent is a time to renew our commitment to God in order to arrive at Easter in a new and stronger state. It is a time marked by studying the word of God, prayer, fasting and sacrificial giving. In this consumerist society, fasting may have little importance. Our Lord Jesus gives instruction on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, that “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men” (Mat.6:16). Jesus did not say ‘if you fast’, but ‘when you fast’; it shows that Christ-followers must fast and pray. Fasting does not simply mean abstaining from food like meat, chocolates etc. It refers to voluntary and temporary denial of food for spiritual purposes. What value and meaning has it as oneself being deprived of food, which is useful for our bodily sustenance? And why must a Christian practice it?
1. Fasting moves us to look inward into things that control oneself
We are not aware of how much our appetites control and enslave us. Paul tells the Corinthians that appetite should not have mastery over oneself; “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything” (1Cor. 6:12). Various appetites like certain foods, internet, face-book, television etc must not control us. Fasting may enable us to control our worldly appetites, and discipline our way of life.
2. Fasting moves us to look upward towards intimacy with God
Though food is one of the basic needs of a person, human life does not depend only on food, but also on God who is the giver of life. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mat.4:4). We may forget God when we are satisfied with our requirements. Moses warned Israelites about this, “Take heed lest you forget the LORD your God… Lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God….” (Duet.8:11-14). David sings in Psalm 35:13, “But I, when they were sick--I wore sackcloth, I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom.”Fasting helps us to humble ourselves before the Lord for His grace and mercy.
3. Fasting moves us to look outward to minister others
Our fasting should be linked to our concern for the less fortunate, to those whose poverty forces them to starve. Giving alms helps maintain the true spirit of the fast as a means of self sacrifice rather then self gratification. Prophet Isaiah points out, “ “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (58:6f). May God bless you all to attend continuously the Sandhya Namaskaram arranged at the centre and the residence of our members. Let this season help us to grow more in Christ Jesus. Yours in Christ’s Love, Sunil Achen Vicar
St. Thomas Fest 2014
Birthdays in march Date 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14
Name REV. SUNIL JOY JINCY MERIN ISSAC TINU ANNA THOMAS SANJAI MATHEW SIVIN SOJI SHIRLY JERRIN BRYAN PHILIP THOMAS ALEENA MARY BINOY TUSHAR ABRAHAM JOSHI ELMA JOHN MANU ANN VARGHESE JIJAN SAM THOMAS (DR.) JAMES THOMAS SHINU P. THOMAS FAITH MARIA ASHISH LINU CHACKO THOMAS SINU JOHN JEMY GEORGE RENJINI SUNIL PHILIP SUSY VARGHESE THOMAS SAJI THOMAS ANKITA ANN BINU RENJI VARGHESE JASMINE SATISH RUBEN GEORGE THOMAS TOBBY MATHEW VARUGHESE AARON ROY RENU CHRISTY ABRAHAM PHILIP ABEL MATHEW ALEX PHILIP VARGHESE (DR.) ROSHAN P. JACOB FENE MARY ABRAHAM JEEVAN VARGHESE JOHN SUNNY THOMAS MINI CHERIAN REJI IDICULLA PHILIP SHERLY P.Y. JEE ANNIE MATHEW SARAH ROSE SONY ROY VARGHESE NIDHIN K. RAJ ALKA SUZA KURIAN JOSEPH BEN JACOB SUBIN THOMAS (DR.) GEORGE MATHEW VARGHESE I. CHEERAN ALIAMMA JOHN
Member No 00001 00133 00215 00454 01523 02612 03133 03715 00683 01164 01252 04761 01981 04731 01863 03531 04791 00764 00812 00832 00833 00923 00941 02262 02954 03971 00524 01282 01374 01334 02871 02891 04412 01254 03431 04132 00981 01732 02272 04464 00521 01223 01535 01833 02941 03271 03601 00362
pet name JINCY TINU SANJAI SIVIN SHIRLY BRYAN TUSHAR ELMA MANU JIJAN BEJO SHINU AMMU LINU SINU AMMU RENJINI SUSY SAJI ANNA RENJI JASMINE RUBEN TOBBY AARON RENU ABY ABEL PHIJU ROSHAN FENE JEEVAN SUNNY MINI REJI SHERLY JEE SARAH ROY NIDHIN ALKA BEN SUBIN SABU IVYS MOLLY
Prayer Group CANAAN CANAAN OLIVET MAHANAIM OLIVET EPHRATH EMMAUS EDEN KADESH CANAAN OLIVET KADESH OLIVET CANAAN CANAAN EPHRAIM ARARAT MIZPAH MAHANAIM EMMAUS EMMAUS GETHSEMANE OLIVET OLIVET MAHANAIM CANAAN EMMAUS EDEN EDEN EPHRATH MIZPAH EMMAUS EMMAUS OLIVET MAHANAIM KADESH KADESH EDEN MIZPAH GETHSEMANE EMMAUS MIZPAH GETHSEMANE GETHSEMANE OLIVET MIZPAH ARARAT MIZPAH
Telephone 25635253 25634270 25616048 25633985 25628044 25643019 25659318 25620983 25630400 25661269 25657655 25645275
25732895 25349052 25629186 25629186 25661703 25629644 25667847 67785016 25632957 25652984 25663520 25636526 24330564 23718450
25661269 25645717 25643271 66761362 97157006 25650610 25652984 25728848 25663820 25653582 25648202 25663459 25616795
Mobile 66030775 66568667 66290253 99605899 66267537 66862436 97220705 60965292 99517300 66588173 99413536 97656253 65105685 67778443 99858961 94090315 97159725 66897629 66197107 60631272 60631272 66523843 99770623 97220734 66257383 99550591 97862061 97867814 99615724 67096495 66846021 65062453 55778350 99413536 99969475 97790304 65150212 99138548 66888936 97677536 97862061 66957302 99468253 94060957 97482940 99856518 94047776 66782239
Birthdays in march Date 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 27 27 27 27
Name JACOB JOHN SHOBA ANNIE MATHEW NEENA ANN VARGHESE JOHN SAM GEORGE SONIA MOHAN GEORGE GIJI SAJIMON JOHN MATHEW ALEXANDER MATHEW M.M. ROSHITA MARIAM GEORGE SIMON GEORGE (DR.) SOSAMMA THOMAS DEENA GEOL AMY MARIIE ALAN JAGAN JOHN THOMAS BRITO MATHEW VARGHESE DAVE MATHEW ZACHARIAH CHACKO DANIEL NOEL SHAJI PHILIP PREETHI VARGHESE TOBIA JOEL ALEXANDER GREESHMA ELIZABETH GEORGE AKHIL KURIAN REJITA MARY JOSEPH MARY MATHEW ABRAHAM ALAN ALEX VINOD JIBI JOHN KIDANGIL LIZAMMA ALEX SUBY MATHEW THOMAS THOMAS GEORGE MERCY JACOB SHAWN VARGHESE BLESSON JOMOLE SUSAN GEORGE ABRAHAM ISSAC ABRAHAM MARIAMMA VARGHESE NOBLE TOM JOSEPH MONSY MATHEW (DR.) JUSTIN RAJ SHARON ELIZABETH MATHEW SHAJI THOMAS MATHAI ALEXANDER NIKHILA MARIAM THOMAS GRACY THOMAS NIDHIN JACOB GEORGE BENITA SARA MATHEW VALLIYA THAZHEL SAJAN MANOJ K. VARGHESE JOSHUA STEPHEN MULLASSERY
Member No 00381 00982 04812 00213 01272 02132 02634 03241 00664 02101 02642 02032 03853 00251 00294 01673 00231 01353 02572 01084 01194 01533 03042 00282 04384 01631 01942 00991 01093 01442 04094 04401 00021 00752 04421 04851 01224 01794 02641 02991 00264 00702 00893 02004 04131 03471 04343
pet name GEE SHOBA NEENA JOE SONIA GIJI JOHN ANIYAN RICHU MANOJ BIJI DEENA AMY JAGAN BRITO DAVE RAJU NOEL PREETHI TOBIA GREESHMA AKHIL REJITA MARY ALAN JIBI KOCHUMOL SUBY THOMASKUTTY KOCHUMOL SHAWN JOMOLE ISSAC KUNJUNJAMMA NOBLE MONSY JUSTIN SHARON SHAJI RAJU NIKHILA GRACY NIDHIN BENITA SAJAN MANOJ JOSHUA
Prayer Group MIZPAH KADESH KADESH OLIVET EPHRAIM EDEN GIHON MAHANAIM ARARAT EPHRAIM GETHSEMANE KADESH CANAAN OLIVET GIHON CANAAN EDEN OLIVET GIHON MAHANAIM CANAAN GETHSEMANE EPHRAIM OLIVET MAHANAIM MIZPAH EPHRAIM CANAAN MIZPAH OLIVET MAHANAIM GENERAL AREA OLIVET GENERAL AREA GIHON GETHSEMANE MIZPAH KADESH GETHSEMANE MAHANAIM EMMAUS EPHRATH MIZPAH OLIVET KADESH ARARAT MIZPAH
Telephone 25616438 25643271 25620572 25616048
22623051 25650429 24335198 24891688 25651132 25621963 25636918 25319557 25629532 25652751 25626196 25637873 25641749 25663820 24755693 25615203 25743908 24346514 25640153 25637568 25632578 25638325 25634157 25642079 65100023 25618174 25728848 25613750 25651132 25619976 25610213 24330292 25659639 25661536 25645717 24346703 25627706
Mobile 65066601 65150212 66046936 66290253 66691680 60798969 97100853 99893110 66044008 65017096 99204016 66588150 66246413 66289971 66830185 99107822 66165292 66763090 99835773 99582291 66575826 99468253 96961688 99550996 97637410 97214572 66265733 66750875 99463476 55774249 66035539 99568783 69977286 66488490 66051760 66252901 66957302 99291895 99204016 99515448 99795431 66191007 66552969 97839101 97790304 97153151 66596645
St. Thomas Fest 2014 Prize Distribution
St. Thomas Fest 2014 - winners (1st & 2nd) receiving the prizes from Rev. Sunil Joy
Farewell
Farewell meeting for Rev. Chacko Thomas, Vicar, St. Peter's Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait on 28th Feb 2014.
VBS 2014
This year's VBS for our children will be conducted from 20th March to 28th March 2014 at the St.Thomas Center. Timings : 5:30 to 9:00 pm daily.
Theme : Treasures in Clay (Isaiah 64:8 ) Leader : Evg. Pradeep David from Mission Center, Mumbai. For any information, contact Mr. Anish George / Ms. Molcy Abraham 66069879 or Varghese Oommen 66420854 PARISH DAY 2014
The 7 Parish Day of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Parish will be held at St. Thomas Centre on April 11th, 2014 immediately after the Holy Communion Service. Our Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos will be the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries from NECK and Vicars from sister parishes will also be attending the function. We invite the presence and participation of all St. Thomas family members. th
We thank God Almighty for the blessings He has showered upon our parish and also for keeping us under His care.
Sandhya Namaskaram Schedule 2014
Saturday to Thursday - Except Tuesdays, Time: 7:30PM, Venue : St. Thomas Centre/Cottages Note: During VBS (20th - 28th March 2014), Sandhya Namaskaram will be arranged in the residence of parish members.
Birthdays in march 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31
STEVEN VERGHESE GIGI NANCY KURIAN JOE JOHN SANDRA ANN THOMAS ROBY JOHN GEORGE THOMAS K. MATHEW ALEYAMMA ISSAC RONA VARGHESE RAJU P. SAVITHA MATHEW ABRAHAM VARUGHESE JONATHAN ABRAHAM PAZHOOR ELIZABETH SOMINI ABRAHAM KEZIA ANN JACOB ALLEN JACOB MATHEW SAM CHERIYAN LIJI VARUGHESE BEELA MATHEW P.K. CHERIAN
00353 01762 00543 01074 02155 04241 00132 00794 01622 01911 00043 00462 01443 02515 03011 03252 03932 04331
STEVE NANCY JOE SANDRA ROBY THOMAS PONNAMMA RON SANGEETHA REJI JONATHAN SOMINI KEZIA ALLEN KOCHUMON SONNY BEELA CHERIAN
OLIVET ARARAT EDEN CANAAN KADESH EMMAUS CANAAN CANAAN EPHRATH EPHRAIM MIZPAH GETHSEMANE OLIVET MIZPAH MIZPAH MIZPAH MAHANAIM GETHSEMANE
25658549 25610029 25633251 25649170 25635609 25758782 25634270 25641839 24317873 25612559 25637067 25632578 23727907 25632457
99556257 99531965 66777350 97944214 65134650 65719207 66568667 99406115 97916134 66295483 66503684 99860513 66502340 66270297 99468239 66751937 99800713 99425816
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"
Wedding Anniversaries in march Date 2
Name DEEPU MOHAN & SUSHA ZACHARIA
M. No. 03721
Prayer Grp.
Tel. Res.
ARARAT
Mobile 99583014
3
BOBAN VARGHESE K. & SUJA BOBAN
00111
CANAAN
25635156
66562536
3
LALU BABY & RINI V. CHANDY
03441
ARARAT
94967896
94063349 97439377
4
JOSEPH OORIYATHARA P. & CHRISTY MARY JOSEPH
04371
MAHANAIM
5
DAVID GEORGE & LALY GEORGE
00711
MAHANAIM
25649742 25644965
8
CHACKO THOMAS & RAHALAMMA THOMAS
00221
EDEN
10
THOMAS CHACKO & REENA THOMAS
01171
EPHRAIM
16
SHIBU CHERIAN & SOMY SHIBU CHERIAN
00411
KADESH
16
SINU JOHN & SHIJI GEORGE
04791
ARARAT
25
JOHN MATHEW & MERCY PHILIP
01341
ARARAT
26
SANTHOSH JOHN VARGHESE & TIJI ANS ABRAHAM
04141
EMMAUS
60957080 99727126 97335426 25649403
99891450
24348934
66280967
97159725 94465675
We wish all these couples a Happy Wedding Anniversary.
Please attend and partake in the thanksgiving prayer during the Holy Communion Service. REGULAR PROGRAMS AT ST.THOMAS CENTRE Sunday School
Every Friday 2.30 to 4.30 pm
Yuvajana Sakhyam
Every 1st and 3rd Friday after the Worship service
Junior Choir
Every Thursday at 6.00 to 7.30 PM
Sevika Sanghom
All Saturdays at 5.00 PM
Senior Choir
Every Thursday at 7.30 to 9.30 PM
Edavaka Mission
All Saturdays at 7.00 PM
PROGRAMME
EPISTLE
GOSPEL
FIRST LESSON
1 Timothy 1:12-17
SECOND LESSON
EMMAUS
PRAYER GROUP/ ORGANIZATION
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2014
STC, SALMIYA
THEME
Isaiah 44:21-28
1 John 1:5-10
VENUE
7.30 AM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
TIME
7 FRI 7.30 PM STC, SALMIYA
DATE
St. John 2:1-11
Zechariah 13:1-9
Acts 16:11-18
STC, SALMIYA
Romans 11:13-24
St. Mark 1:40-45
Genesis 4:8-16
7.30 PM
HOLY COMMUNION
Ephesians 2:1-10
St. Mark 2:1-12
4 TUE HOLY COMMUNION
Romans 5:6-11 Galatians 6:1-5
St. Matthew 15:21-28
St. Matthew 15:21-28
Exodus 3:1-10
Hosea 2:14-23
Hosea 2:14-23
Romans 8:31-39
Philemon 1-21
Philemon 1-21
MAHANAIM
SUNDAY SCHOOL & JUNIOR CHOIR
MIZPAH
GETHSEMANE
OLIVET
KADESH
Cleansing Christ ( 2nd Sunday in Lent) HOLY COMMUNION
Galatians 6:1-5
St.Luke 13:10-17
EDAVAKA MISSION
ARARATH
HOLY COMMUNION IN ENGLISH
Galatians 5:1-12
FASTING PRAYER
HOLY COMMUNION
HOLY COMMUNION
Forgiving Christ ( 3rd Sunday in Lent)
Redeeming Christ ( 5th Sunday in Lent)
Accepting Christ ( 4th Sunday in Lent)
Pethrutha - Beginning of Great Lent - Transformnation of Creation
11TUE 7.30 AM
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
14 FRI
7.30 AM
18 TUE 7.30 PM
21 FRI 10.00 AM
7.30 AM
25 TUE 7.30 PM 28 FRI
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 .
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. Vice President Alexander Vaidyan P. K.
Secretary Jiji Mathew George
97944214 / 25649170 thomaskwt@gmail.com
Trustee - Finance Thomas P. Abraham
66523843 / 25661703 binujohnz@yahoo.com
Trustee - Accounts Binu John Zachariah
66957302 / 25728848 lukoseradisson@gmail.com
Lay Ministrant Lukose Raju
66232678 / 25659976 manojannivilla@yahoo.com
Lay Ministrant Mathew Varghese
ST. THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2013-2014
97205846 / 24318176
97801302 / 25668174 jiji.raji@gmail.com
Note : Any changes in worship venue or time will be informed through e-mail.
pkalexandervaidyan@gmail.com