Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 11 Vol. V
November 2011
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
World Sunday School Day “ Come to Jesus , bring every child to Jesus”
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 Vicar Dearly beloved in Christ,
We are going to enter in to the Advent and Christmas seasons. The word Advent is from the Latin “adventus” for “coming” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, (November 30) and continuing until December 24. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event. Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year. This does not mean that Advent is the most important time of the year. Easter has always had this honor. The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit. The people of Israel had been waiting for a Messiah. He was expected by the Jews, to enthrone Him and safeguard their values against all their enemies. At last when the Messiah did come in the person of Jesus, only a few identified Him as the Savior. The season of Advent is to prepare our hearts to accept Jesus Christ joyfully into our lives and proclaim with enthusiasm that comes from faith that He is the Lord and Savior of the whole world. Advent therefore is a call to understand the meaning of the incarnation of our Lord and to manifest His coming into our lives. It is regrettable today that the penitential dimension to Advent seems to have been largely forgotten by many Christians. Today, Christmas decorations go up months before and Christmas parties begin shortly thereafter. Advent also highlights the second coming of the Lord at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead. It brings us the assurance and the hope that the Kingdom of God will come along with the final coming of the Lord, that is reign of justice and righteousness will be established on earth as it is in heaven. So like five wise virgins, we should await His coming with oil in our lamps, the oil of prayer and meditation. May this Advent season help us to accept His Presence and Authority in the world. Yours in Christ Panachamoottil Achen
World Sunday School Day
Sunday school, institution for instruction in religion and morals, usually conducted in churches as part of the church organization but sometimes maintained by other religious or philanthropic bodies. Sunday School pays attention in bringing the individuals to our Lord and making them witnesses for Him in the society. In England during the 18th centurary, occasional efforts were made by charitable individuals to provide some education in religious matters as well as secular instruction to children of the poor. Probably the first to be called a Sunday school was that started in 1780 by Robert Raikes for factory children in Gloucester. The curriculum largely consisted of simple lessons in reading and spelling in preparation for reading the Bible, and memorizing Scripture passages and hymns. The plan was copied in other places; an important educational movement was thus started. By 1795 the Society for the Support and Encouragement of Sunday Schools had helped to establish more than 1,000 schools. In 1803 the London Sunday School Union was founded to promote the extension of schools with voluntary teachers. Sunday School Unions were developed in Ireland and Scotland. In 1862 a general Sunday school convention was held in London, at which a program was initiated for extending the movement to other Continents.
Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam Moto: “ Come to Jesus , bring every child to Jesus” The reformers realized the importance of Bible Study, as essential for spiritual renewal and growth. The opening of the Sunday Schools thus became a natural development in the way of Christian nurture. The formal inauguration of the Sunday School Samajam comprising all the Sunday Schools, which had already been started in the parishes, took place at Maramon Convention in 1905. Mr. V P Mammen, (later Vicar General V P Mammen Kasseesa) was elected as the General Secretary. The growth and development of the Sunday School Samajam as one of the leading Christian Education organizations in India was the result of the extraordinary organizing ability of Rev. V P Mammen and his untiring efforts for 47 years. In those days of very limited travel facilities he visited churches in different places traveling in bullock carts and riding bicycles. He organized syllabuses for the different grades and published the lessons to be taught in various classes. A publication entitled “Sandarsini” began to be published in 1911 containing articles helpful to the pupils, teachers and parents and lesson notes for Sunday school teachers. Since 1952 textbooks are published for the various classes. From 1977 the Sunday School Samajam follows the curriculum of the Christian Education Council of India. Rev. Dr. K K George joined the work of the Sunday School Samajam in 1952 as a successor to Very Rev. V P Mammen, from 1952 up to June in 1982. Both of them laboured in this great cause dedicating their extraordinary powers of head and heart to the cause of Christian Education in children. Our Bishop Dr. Abraham Mar Paulose was the General Secretary of the Samajam from the year 2000 to 2005. The present General Secretary is Rev. Dr. G.Samuel. In 1905 there were fifty Sunday Schools, two hundred and thirty four teachers and two thousand and seventy four students. After 100 years, in 2005 the numbers rose to 1,031 Sunday Schools, 16,575 teachers and 1,45,350 students. The Christian Education Center at Charal Mount, Kuriannoor, the high school at Edakulam and the boarding house attached to it are run by the Sunday School Samajam.
FAMILY SUNDAY – KUDUMBA NAVEEKARANA DHYANAM Our Parish was Blessed through the wonderful and thought provoking messages rendered by Rev. Shaji Thomas during the days of our Kudumba Naveekarana Dhyanam conducted from 18th to 21st October,2011. Our Nation will be blessed only when the Family is filled with Lords’ presence. Now we are worried about the livelihood of our children whereas we should be concerned about their endurance. It is not the gleaming superficial life, but the quality in life such as values, love, faith, respect etc. that constitute a family, Rev. Shaji Thomas said. A large crowd attended the meetings which was inaugurated by Rev. Chacko Thomas of St. Peter’s Mathoma Church. During the other days Rev. A. Y. Varghese and Rev. Thomas Koshy presided. The event was organized by Mr. Chacko Thomas, Convenor and Mr. Chacko Daniel and Mr. Abraham Vaghese as Joint Convenors. On the concluding day all families submitted themselves to the Lord. We hope and pray the Dhyanam would help us in reforming and refining our life.
Birthdays in november Date
Name
1
RUTH MARIAM JACOB
1
DANY V. JACOB
Prayer Group
Telephone
Mobile
EDEN
25615982
97643176
OLIVET
55479452
99381676
2
SHERWIN SAM THOMAS
EMMAUS
25730462
66293772
2
ANGELLA MARIA SANJAY
EMMAUS
23727529
67766034
3
MERCY MATHEW
4
MARY JACOB
4
THOMAS CHACKO
4
ALAN MATHEW MATHAI
5
ALEENA SUSAN ANU
5
RHEA JOSE WARTIKA
6
ELWINA SUBIN
MAHANAIM
25622382
66671409
EMMAUS
23716843
66270297 99795431
EMMAUS
25610213
MAHANAIM
25650429
99893110
ARARAT
66565360
66565360
GEEHON
25359283
66893031
MAHANAIM
25648202
97482940
6
JOYAL SAM MATHEW
OLIVET
6
ROSHNA VARGHESE
SHEKAM
24808395
55804695
6
ALWIN THOMAS JINU
OLIVET
25641796
99114562
6
CHELSEA DANIEL SAJU
EDEN
25650391
99421457
99526062
7
JOHN P. MATHEW
MAHANAIM
25632457
99800713
7
MANOJ MATHEW M.
CANAAN
256466726
99816826
7
KEZIAH RACHEL VARGHESE
EPHRATH
24311491
97115102
7
JOANNE SUSAN VARGHESE
GEEHON
25652543
97910385
25627554
66779089
7
ALISHA SARA THOMAS
8
ANDREA ANNA MATHEWS
MAHANAIM KADESH
67094578
8
SARADA MATHEWS ABRAHAM
GEEHON
25323698
99446358
9
JEFFIN MANOJ
CANAAN
23717859
99816826 99845904
9
SAJI VARGHESE SAMUEL
MAHANAIM
25611739
10
RAJAN DANIEL. N.
CANAAN
25629747
10
MONCY ABRAHAM
EPHRATH
10
ALICE LALOO
10
ASHISH VARGHESE VAIDIYAN
11
MATHEW D. KOLLAMALA
CANAAN
25639678
67057479
11
MATHEW C. OOMMEN
EPHRATH
24314590
66760075
11
ANCEY ANIYAN
KADESH
11
JULIE BIJU
OLIVET
25630169
99223165
99068514 99718537
MAHANAIM
25657655
99588244
EDEN
25623126
99488960
65114270
11
JOHN GEORGE
EMMAUS
25616846
99252794
12
RIYA SARA JOHN
ARARAT
24348934
66280967
12
KEZIA MARIAM JOSEPH
EMMAUS
23716843
66270297
12
SHEELA PHILIP
EDEN
25633251
66777350
12
REMYA MARIAM
CANAAN
25641766
66511065
13
AKSHAY GEORGE FINNEY
MAHANAIM
25610329
66631761
13
TIRZAH MIRIAM TOGY
14
ANU MANI
ARARAT
24349472
97271924
EDEN
25624138
97520573
14 14
FINNEY GEORGE
MAHANAIM
25610329
AIREEN ANN LALU
ARARAT
66631761 94063349
15
CHACKO ABRAHAM THUNDIYIL
EDEN
25710468
99632147
15
CHACKO ALEXANDER P.
MIZPAH
25710468
66067546
15
NIKKY ELIZABETH GEORGE
MIZPAH
25743908
97214572
15
AARON SHIJU GEORGE
KADESH
25610934
99142005
16
SIMON ABRAHAM
EDEN
66890925
Birthdays in november Date
Name
Prayer Group
Telephone
Mobile
16
SAM GEORGE PALAKOTHUPEEDIKAIL
EMMAUS
25639634
66133001
16
RHEA REBECCA PHILIP
EMMAUS
25643271
65150212
17
ANITA EIPE (DR.)
SHEKAM
24892880
65997720
17
SANJEEV SAMUEL MATHEW
MAHANAIM
25622382
66671409
17
MINI VARUGHESE MATHEW
EMMAUS
25619683
99112919
18
JEFFIN NEBU JOHN
MIZPAH
25759574
66978321 99204016
19
STEVE THOMAS
CANAAN
25651132
19
JENCY SARA EASOW
MIZPAH
25751147
19
ABRAHAM VARGHESE
EDEN
99780609 97294693
19
SHANTEL ANN SOJI
OLIVET
25628044
66267537
19
REEBA GEORGE
MIZPAH
25637568
99463476
19
DAVID GEORGE
MAHANAIM
25649742
97439377
20
THOMAS C. GEORGE
ARARAT
24330423
99381691
OLIVET
25630521
66565496
EDEN
25611281
99880114
MAHANAIM
25629174
65581644
EDEN
99735194
66174259
24348934
66280967
20
ALEYKUTTY ABRAHAM
20
SHIYA MOL TOM
20
SOSAMMA ABRAHAM
20
ALEYAMMA PHILIP
20
RONI THOMAS JOHN
MIZPAH
22
JOHN MATHEW
ARARAT
55041085
22
BINU ABRAHAM
22
ANNIE ALEXANDER
MAHANAIM
EDEN 25619976
97514540 99515448
22
SUSAN VARGHESE
EMMAUS
25646274
66106744
23
MELVIN MANOJ MATHEW
CANAAN
25646726
99816826
23
LEELAMMA K. GEORGE
GEEHON
25353394
66224297
23
THOMAS PHILIP KOLETH
EDEN
25662952
99827389
24
JOHN MATHEW P.
MAHANAIM
25632457
99800713
24
ABRAHAM T.M.
MAHANAIM
25629174
65581644
24
LISSY DANIEL
EDEN
25652751
66165292
25
CAROLYN CHARISMA SAJAN
KADESH
25
ALEYAMMA VARGHESE
CANAAN
25319557
99039701
26
JIBU CHACKO VARGHESE
SHEKAM
24731745
97682203
27
ANNAMMA JOSE
ARARAT
24317585
66172425
27
THOMAS MATHEW
CANAAN
25640153
66750875
27
THOMAS GEORGE P.
EMMAUS
25614539
97247242
28
ACHANKUNJU K. M.
KADESH
25646384
66547820
28
SAM PHILIP
28
JOSHI ABRAHAM
28
REXY GIGI
MIZPAH
66830185
66166523
MAHANAIM
25620983
99517300
OLIVET
25658549
99556257 97219433
29
REJI MATHEW PHILIP K.
ARARAT
24344521
30
BIJU GEORGE THOMAS
MAHANAIM
25635729
66738237
30
MELBA MARY ABRAHAM
OLIVET
25652846
97592351
30
SIMY SARAH ABRAHAM
OLIVET
25630521
66565496
30
JEFFRIN JOHN
OLIVET
23710567
65078450
30
MATHAI KOCHUMMAN
OLIVET
25617268
99426691
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"
Vidyaramba Susrusha
VIDYARAMBAM ....Our Vicar was the ‘Guru’ for the 7 tiny tots on the occasion of writing their First Alphabet. May God shower Wisdom on all of them.
Sunday school conference It was a new experience for all the 66 participants who attended the Conference conducted by our Sunday school especially for the Intermediates and Senior Classes on 21st and 22nd October at St. Thomas Center. The Objective of the Conference was to equip the children for an effective Christian life and to experience the presence and the transforming grace of Jesus Christ in their lives Rev. Shaji Thomas initiated the first session based on the Conference Theme “ Abide With Us” ” (Luke 24:29). Rev. Abraham Scaria from the TMA Counseling Center, Kottayam, through his sessions on Cyber-Addiction and the need for a “Cyber-Fasting”, enlightened the students of the dangers of spending excessive time on the Internet. Other sessions were led by Mr George Mathew (Personality Development), Dr.Sherlyn Vineeth and Dr. Reji Alex (Medical -Self Awareness). There was a panel discussion, comprising of spiritual, social and student leaders on “The Impact of Media on our lives”. St. Thomas Mar Thoma Sunday School is indebted to our Vicar Rev. Thomas Koshy and all those who have helped and supported in making this conference, an absolute blessing for our beloved children.
Wedding Anniversaries in november 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
MAHANAIM
25641963
99369353
1
BIJU VARGHESE & SMITHA THOMAS
7
JOHN C.MATHEW & SNEHA JOHN
8
ALAN ABY VARGHESE & LEYA SARA JACOB
CANAAN
9
ALEXANDER VAIDYAN T.O. & JESSY ALEX
ARARAT
EDEN
94917052 66246413 24346876
66896594
9
THOMAS CHACKO & VALSAMA THOMAS
EPHRATH
10
SUBY MATHEW THOMAS & ELIZABETH MATHEW
CANAAN
99781927
10
VINCE VARGHESE & NANCY WILSON
OLIVET
10
GEOL ABRAHAM & DEENA GEOL
KADESH
25621963
66588150
11
ABRAHAM STEPHEN & BIJI ABRAHAM
MIZPAH
25624177
66284427
12
JIMMY CHERIAN VARGHESE & PRIYA VARGHESE
13
JIBI JOHN KIDANGIL & NIKKY ELIZABETH GEORGE
16
JOHN MATHEW THOMAS & SHEELA PHILIP
17
VARUGHESE JOHN & SUSAN VARGHESE
17
MANI JACOB & ANU MANI
18
VARGHESE OOMMEN & ANNAMMA THOMAS
19
JOHNS LESSLY THOMAS & MINI JOHNS LESSLY
19
25640153
66750875 55108344
EPHRAIM
99967590
MIZPAH
25743908
99826875
EDEN
25633251
66777350
EMMAUS
25646274
66106744
EDEN
25624138
97520573
KADESH
25621469
66420854
EDEN
25632914
65915720
AJIT MAMMEN ABRAHAM & SUSAN GEORGE
CANAAN
25622974
99501715
20
TINKU ABRAHAM MATHEW & JOSYMOL ZACHARIAH
CANAAN
21
GEORGE KURUVILLA & SUSAN GEORGE
CANAAN
23
SABU THOMAS & SHERLY P.Y
25
66421904 66330192
EDEN
66761362
99138548
SANTHOSH MATHEW KAITHOTTA & ANU MATHAI
CANAAN
25619359
99578545
25
BABUKUTTY P. & ALEYAMMA BABUKUTTY
EMMAUS
25
KOSHY KUNJU DANIEL & SARAMMA KOSHY KUNJ DANIEL
OLIVET
25640989
99575308
26
JOHN MAMMEN & MANU ANN VARGHESE
OLIVET
25661269
99413536
27
REJI IDICULLA PHILIP & SHOBA ANNIE MATHEW
EMMAUS
25643271
65150212
28
BINO K. JACOB & SUSAN JACOB
CANAAN
25627158
99670672
28
JIJI MATHEW GEORGE & SUSAN JIJI MATHEW
CANAAN
25668174
97801302
29
KUNJAPPAN ALEXANDER & KEZIA ALEXANDER
MIZPAH
97214239
97952102
29
GEORGEKUTTY M. C.& MARIAMMA GEORGE KUTTY
EDEN
25659514
66512291
29
PHILIPOSE VALIYAPARAMPIL & ALICE PHILIPOSE
EDEN
30
SUNIL TOM MATHEWS & PREETHI VARGHESE
25626196
99835773
GEEHON
66910782
99219375
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
1 TUE
DATE
7.30 AM
7.30 PM
TIME
HALL OF PEACE
ST. THOMAS CENTRE
HALL OF PEACE
VENUE
HUDOS EETHO RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH.N UTTURING “WORLD SUNDAY SCHOOL DAY”
ALL SAINTS DAY
THEME
PROGRAMME 1 Corinthians 3 :10-17
EPISTLE
St.Luke 19: 45-48
GOSPEL
Exodus 40:1-14
FIRST LESSON
Revelation 2:12-17
SECOND LESSON
SEKHAM
PRAYERGROUP/ ORGANISATION
EMMAUS
EDAVAKA MISSION
GEEHON
SUNDAY SCHOOL
HOLY COMMUNION HOLY COMMUNION
Hebrews 12:1-13
Ephesians 4:1-16
Proverbs 23:15-26
Ezekiel 37:15-23
St.John 6:1-14
HOLY COMMUNION
Acts 2: 43-47
FASTING PRAYER HOLY COMMUNION
WILL BE ASSIGNED
MIZPAH
CANAAN
JOINT COMMUNION C. S. I. SERVICE
Ephesians 1:3-14
HOLY COMMUNION
Zechariah 2:10-13
WILL BE ASSIGNED St.Luke 1:26-38
JOINT COMMUNION MTC SERVICE HOLY COMMUNION HOLY COMMUNION
Galatians 4:21-31
HOLY COMMUNION
St.John 17:17-24
Ephesians 6:1-4
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF november 2011
4 FRI 7.30 PM ST. THOMAS CENTRE
SURRENDER TO THE WILL OF GOD
UNITY THROUGH WORSHIP (CCI, CNI,CSI,MTS)
8 TUE 11 FRI 7.30 AM HALL OF PEACE
CHURCH AND PARISH HALL
15 TUE 7:30 PM
19 SAT 7.15 PM ST.THOMAS CENTRE
ST. THOMAS CENTRE
25 FRI 7.30 AM HALL OF PEACE
18 FRI 7.30 AM
29 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 .
Sponsership For ST. THOMAS MESSENGER Sponsorship for “MESSENGER” is solicited from individuals, families (share the special occasions), organizations, prayer groups. For details please contact the office bearers in advance.
Vice President
John Alexander
99086449 / 25627036
Secretary
John Varghese (Reji)
97867814 / 25663520
Trustee
Christy Thomas
97100853 / 22623051
Trustee Accounts
Vijoy Alexander
97835292 / 25650273
Lay Ministrant
Mathew P Alexander
66284427 / 25624177
Lay Ministrant
Abraham Stephen
ST.THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2011-2012
66249240 / 25610139