Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 7 Vol. VIII
July 2014
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
St. Thomas, The Apostle of India Thomas or Didymus which means “The Twin”, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is best known from the account of St. John’s gospel, where his famous faithproclamation on seeing and touching the risen Lord, “My Lord and my God”. Historically it is believed he is said to have traveled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, traveling as far as India. According to the apostolic tradition, in 52 AD he reached Muziris (Kodungalloor) near Cochin - an important seaport on the Malabar Coast, and preached first to the Jewish settlers in and around Cochin, and then worked among the Hindus. Through the ministry of the Word and many miracles he brought many high caste Hindus to the Christian faith, and organized 7 Christian communities, and ordained presbyters for leading them. St. Thomas then proceeded to the East coast of India and died a martyr’s death at a place called St. Thomas Mount, and was buried at Mylapore in Madras. The Mar Thoma Church remembers his ardent faith in the Lord and missionary zeal, and observes July 3 as St. Thomas Day. 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 in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I am happy to write to you all once again through the St. Thomas Messenger. St. Thomas Day is celebrated on 3rd July as per the church calendar.
On the evening of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem, but St. Thomas was not with them. Later he came to know about this he said: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). A week later, as Jesus came again to His disciples, Thomas too was present; He told him to look at his hands and to touch his side. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). He never doubted the Lord again, but dedicated his life to helping others to believe in Jesus. Tradition says that the Apostle came to Kodungallur at Malabar Coast, Kerala in A.D. 52 and established seven and half churches or Christian communities. They are Kodungalloor, Palayoor, Paravur, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Quilon, Nilackal, and the aramanapally or arapally in Thiruvancode. These churches together popularly known as Ezharappallikal. He then proceeded to the East Coast of India and was pierced to death by some religious extremists at a place called St. Thomas Mount and was buried at Mylapur in A.D.72. The Mar Thoma Church is the only Church known by the name of Christ’s disciple, The Apostle St. Thomas. The Church remembers the evangelistic mission and work of St. Thomas.
The Acts of the Apostles says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (1:8). We, the people of God are called out to witness Christ for the salvation of all world. The reformation in the Malankara Church started in 1836. It focused on “the internal spiritual awakening and coming back to the Gospel Truths.” Let us cherish with the gospel truth and rejoice in the Lord for the wonderful Church established through the power of the Holy Spirit by the Apostle of St. Thomas. May God bless you all,
With Prayerful regards, Yours in Christ Service Sunil Joy Achen Vicar
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Birthdays in July Date 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16
Name LALOO THOMAS SHERLY GEORGY ALEX M. GEORGE JACOB JOSEPH VELLOOR KEZIA RACHEL GEORGY MATHEW C. ABRAHAM ABEY P. THOMAS ASHA MATHEW RUTH MARIUM ZACHARIAH SAMGEO PHILIP PETER JOHN SAM GEORGE VARUGHESE MATHEW JOMOL ABRAHAM NINI ELSA MATHEW JACOB C. KOSHY SEEMA RAJESH VARKEY LENI ELIZABETH MAMMEN JIJI IDICULLA JOHN BETH JOSEPH KOLLAMALA AARON MATHEW MATHAI STEFFY MERIN SUNIL NANMA MARIAM MATHEWS ANNE THOMAS SUNIL PHILIP ALEYAMMA ISAAC ANGEL MARIAM SUNNY CHACKO PHILIP JEFFREY RONY JOHN ABEL JOSE SUNIL MARIYAMMA SAM DANIEL THOMAS KOLETH RON PHILIP IDICULLA VARGHESE PHILIP ISSAC JACOB BIJU THOMAS BLESSEN BOBAN VARGHESE ANNIE SHYLA PHILIP CIBY SHIBU VARGHESE PRAKASH JOHN MATHEW REVITHA THANKOM GEORGE SMITHA THOMAS JERRIN VARUGHESE ANN MARY SAJI RIYA GEORGE MATHEW MELVIN VARUGHESE T. JACOB P. JABBU KOSHY REUBEN RENJI VARGHESE ASHLY SHIBU CHERIAN JEFFREY GEORGE MATHEW SHIJU MAMMEN GEORGE TOBY GEORGE MATHEW ELIZABETH JESSY MATHEW ARON ALEX PRECY ABIN BOBY MARIA CARMEN AGASTYA RAJAN AVINASH SLINJU MONCY KEZIA ALEXANDER
Member No 00271 01062 02501 01831 03164 04801 03581 04802 04773 04501 00216 00311 01382 02352 02831 01932 01922 01361 00734 03244 04103 01743 01052 00811 00972 03433 01561 04083 03703 00212 00493 00984 02874 00131 04121 00113 04221 03362 00284 00623 02392 02611 02134 03154 00484 03181 00944 00414 00024 02821 01515 00032 01944 04572 02452 00338 04032 00782
pet name LALOO SHERLY BIJU BIJU KEZIA SHERY ABEY ASHA RUTH SAMGEO PETER BABU JOMOL NINI JACOB SEEMA LENI JIJI ISHA AARON STEFFY AMMU ANN SUNIL SUJA ACHUS MANU JEFFREY ABEL KUNJUMOL DANY RON NIKHIL JOY BIJU BINU ANNI CIBY PRAKASH ACHU SMITHA JERRIN MUTHU RIYA MELVIN JEBU REUBEN NICHU JEFF SHIJU TOBY JESSY ARON PRECY MARIA AGU SLINJU KEZIA
Prayer Group GETHSEMANE EDEN CANAAN GETHSEMANE EPHRATH GIHON ARARAT GIHON EDEN EMMAUS OLIVET EDEN MIZPAH OLIVET EDEN EDEN ARARAT KADESH EMMAUS MAHANAIM MIZPAH KADESH CANAAN MAHANAIM EPHRATH MAHANAIM ARARAT MIZPAH KADESH OLIVET EDEN EMMAUS SHEKAM CANAAN MAHANAIM CANAAN KADESH ARARAT OLIVET ARARAT MAHANAIM EPHRATH EDEN EPHRAIM EMMAUS MAHANAIM OLIVET KADESH EMMAUS KADESH MIZPAH GETHSEMANE EPHRAIM MAHANAIM EDEN CANAAN EPHRATH MIZPAH
Telephone 25657655 25621374 25625029 25653582 94903031 94903031 25610896 25616048 25615823 66891075 55479452 25615982 24341694 25653028 25657821 25650429 25638554 25623273 25349052 24316015 24348934 55041085 99228639 25616048 25662952 25643271 23718450 25634270 25635156 25638554 24311746 25615203 24335198 25641963 24316340 25619683 25623596 25629644 25649403 25642194 25610934 25750317 25650273 24346514 97140352 25643263 25629747 97214239
Mobile 99588244 97211981 66062752 94060957 67058476 94903031 94453095 94903031 66854673 65608221 66290253 99758170 99270127 99381676 97643176 67050820 99362892 99281995 99601604 99893110 66605358 97830325 97934381 66197107 99561506 66357330 97213522 66290253 99827389 65150212 66846021 66568667 67094578 66562536 66706883 66644803 99550996 66044008 99369353 66862436 66829483 97100727 99112919 99056031 99770623 99891450 66711102 99142005 99004109 97835292 66265733 97979813 99068514 99718537 97952102
Birthdays in July Date 16 16 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 22 22 22 22 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30
Name JUVIN KURUVILLA JOHN ABEN BIJU VARGHESE SUSAN JACOB (DR.) KRIPA ELSA VARGHESE ALVIN MATHEW VARGHESE VINCE VARGHESE SHIBU THOMAS JOHN (DR.) SINI SOJI PHILIP BABUKUTTY P. MOLCY RACHEL ABRAHAM PREETHI JAMES RAJI SUSAN JOY PHILIP MATHEW GEORGE VARGHESE K. NEVIN MATHEWS KURUVILLA JACOB MATHEW CIBI AJU ABRAHAM T. MATHEW SANDRA BIJU VARGHESE MATHEW P. ALEXANDER SARAH GRACE MATHEW SASHA ANN JOSHI KEVIN JOHN THOMAS DIYA SUSAN VINOD ALINA MARIAM MATHEW JOMIN MARIAM JACOB GEORGE KURIAN DIYA ELIZABETH SUJI ANN SUSAN PHILIP ROBY D. MATHEWS ANDREWS CHERIAN ROHAN JACOB MANI MATHEW JOHN MADATHILPARAMPIL VARGHESE ASHA MARIAM JACOB MATHEW JOHNY JOJU P. MATHEW IRENE MARY KURUVILLA KUNJAPPAN ALEXANDER HANNAH ANNE FINNEY ALEXANDER VAIDYAN T.O. SARHAN THOMAS MATHEW K.C. JOHN JACOB KOSHY SHEBYMOL RAJU TOJAN VARGHESE MATHEW SABU GEORGE MILAN KOSHY PHILIP EBY SAM K. ALAN THOMAS BINOY JACOB MATHEW CHUDUKATTIL SHARON ELIZABETH MATHEW JIJI MATHEW GEORGE
Member No 04473 04293 03092 01393 01624 04111 01261 01522 02181 00443 01982 04772 04861 03021 01603 01544 02322 02421 02394 00031 01104 00684 01263 04383 04854 02863 00641 04193 04862 02661 00401 02073 02081 04321 02075 04621 04661 01604 00781 00424 01841 00443 00971 04354 04431 03973 04071 02493 01871 03714 03091 00245 01711
pet name JUVIN ABEN JESSY KRIPA ALVIN VINCE SHIBU SINI BABUKUTTY MOLCY PREETHI RAJI PHILIP KUTTAPPAN NEVIN CHACKOCHEN CIBI JIM SANU CHARLY MEENU SASHA KEVIN DIYA ALINA CHINNU GIGI DIYA ANN ROBY SURESH ROHAN MANOJ JOHN ASHA REJI JOJU IRENE ALEX HANNAH KOCHUMON SARHAN JAMES JOHN SHEBY MONU SABU MILAN EBY APPU RAJESH SHARON JIJI
Prayer Group CANAAN MIZPAH EPHRAIM KADESH EPHRATH OLIVET EMMAUS OLIVET ARARAT GETHSEMANE MAHANAIM EDEN MAHANAIM GIHON OLIVET GIHON MIZPAH EPHRATH MAHANAIM GETHSEMANE MIZPAH GETHSEMANE EMMAUS MAHANAIM GETHSAMENE EDEN KADESH KADESH MAHANAIM KADESH OLIVET EDEN MIZPAH GETHSEMANE EDEN EDEN MIZPAH OLIVET MIZPAH MAHANAIM ARARAT EDEN EPHRATH MAHANAIM EDEN CANAAN EDEN CANAAN GENERAL AREA EDEN EPHRAIM EMMAUS CANAAN
Telephone 55742722 24762691 25621469 24317873 25660975 25628044 25639462 65105685 25610896 97691708 25353394 25667304 25341972 25616347 24753854 25641963 25650273 25652861 25620983 25660975 25618174 25632914 25663826 97691708 25627554 25646983 25624138 25659153 25624138 96602606 97411840 25667304 97214239 25610329 24346876 55877945 24316015 97356146 99219896 25632957 99735194 25662310 25639980 25659318 24762691 25642194 25668174
Mobile 50074800 66278743 66420854 97916134 55108344 66533284 66267537 66910782 99450411 66854673 66224297 99423735 66935777 66732206 66893288 99369353 97835292 99844364 99517300 66533284 97637410 66252901 66490385 99608206 66279687 66779089 66396367 97520573 97227413 97488017 97520573 99423735 97952102 66631761 66896594 99561506 99550591 66174259 66236469 99985373 60965292 66278743 66711102 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"
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY POSTER EXHIBITION The Yuvajana Sakhyam conducted a Drawing and Painting Competition on the theme "World Environment Day" which were exhibited on 6th June 2014 at the St. Thomas Centre. A total of 13 exhibits were received which were categorized into 2 groups - Juniors and Seniors. Winners of the competition are:Juniors Category:1st place - Michelle Ann Daniel 2nd place - Dave Mathew Zakariah Seniors Category:1st place - Riya 2nd place - Sherin Elsa
NEW MEMBERs Shiji P. Abraham Mem. No. - 0496 Prayer Group - EDEN Mother Parish – Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church, Othera, Tiruvalla
Nishad Thomas Mem. No. – 0497 Prayer Group - Kadesh Mother Parish – Chengannoor Mar Thoma Valiyapalli
Eapen Abraham Aikerathu Mem. No. – 0498 Prayer Group - Kadesh Mother Parish – Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Amalloor, Tiruvalla
Joseph Abraham Eapen Mem. No. – 0499 Prayer Group - Kadesh Mother Parish – Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Amalloor, Tiruvalla
Relin Mathew Thomas Mem.No. – 0500 Prayer Group - Eden Mother Parish – St. Andrews Mar Thoma Church, Kannamangalam, Mavelikkara
NEW BORN Viaan Jacob rohan d. o. b. : 26 – 04 – 2014 s/o rohan Jacob mani & asha mariam Jacob prayer group : eden family no. : 207
(Prizes for the same will be distributed to the winners and a certificate of participation to all the contestants shortly.)
RAFAEL DANIEL AVINASH D. O. B. : 19-05-2014 S/O. AVINASH RAJAN DANIEL & JEENA AVINASH PRAYER GROUP : EDEN FAMILY. NO. - 490
Wedding Anniversaries in july Date
Name
M. No.
Prayer Grp.
Tel. Res.
Mobile
25662952
99827389
5
THOMAS PHILIP KOLETH & SHERIN THOMAS
00049
EMMAUS
6
GEORGE EAPEN & SHEENA ANNA GEORGE
00373
MAHANAIM
97254038
7
GEORGE MATHEW & SUMA P. EAPEN
00199
CANAAN
99432984
8
ROSHAN P. JACOB & JISHAMOL KURUVILLA
00289
EMMAUS
65062453
8
JAMES NATHANIEL & SHEEBA JAMES
00335
ARARAT
24315306
97287546
9
SAJI VARGHESE SAMUEL & LOVELY CHACKO
00320
MAHANAIM
25611739
99845904
9
BLESSON DANIEL PHILIP & SHERLIN MARY VARGHESE
00409
EMMAUS
25638325
66035539
10
JACOB CHACKO ABRAHAM & SUBY M. VARGHESE
00416
KADESH
25617209
99228448
11
ANU ABRAHAM K. & ELIZABETH ABRAHAM
00014
EMMAUS
25649072
97609876
11
RONI THOMAS JOHN & SHERIN ANU RAJU
00408
MIZPAH
14
BAIJU VARGHESE & BEENA BAIJU
00451
MAHANAIM
25659614
96627871
55041085
15
BIJU GEORGE THOMAS & SEEMA ANNIE JOHN
00149
MAHANAIM
25635729
66738237
17
SAJI MATHEW GEORGE & SOSAMMA CHACKO
00151
MIZPAH
25750317
99004109
19
JACOB C. KOSHY & TERSY THOMAS
00283
EDEN
25615982
97643176
23
CHACKO DANIEL & LISSY DANIEL
00023
EDEN
25652751
66165292
23
ALEXANDER DAS & MARYKUTTY ALEXANDER
00108
MAHANAIM
25637873
99582291
24
EBY SAM K. & SHALU EBY
00187
GENERAL AREA
25639980
99985373
24
ANU GEORGE THAKADIYIL THOMAS & ELIZABETH ANU
00387
EPHRATH
66565360
66565360
26
SUNIL PHILIP & RENJINI SUNIL PHILIP
00081
MAHANAIM
25349052
66197107
27
SANTHOSH PHILIP & LINCY SOSA VARGHESE
00113
GEEHON
25652543
97910385
28
VINEETH ABRAHAM PAZHOOR & SHERLYN MARIUM SOMAN
00004
MIZPAH
25612559
66277363
29
SAM MATHEW & BEENA THOMAS
00357
EPHRATH
24348036
97104307
30
SHOBIN K. MATHEWS & PREETHI ELIZABETH CHERIAN
00161
GENERAL AREA
25638289
65010514
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
Summer Vacation
Yuvajana Sakhyam
Every 1st and 3rd Friday after the Worship service
Junior Choir
Summer Vacation
Sevika Sanghom
Summer Vacation
Senior Choir
Every Thursday at 7.30 to 9.30 PM
Edavaka Mission
All Sundays at 7.30 PM
“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 Easow (86), Kureekattil House, Keezhukara, Kozhencherry, mother of Sicy Mathews, wife of Mathews Koshy (Rajan), Membership # 50, Canaan Prayer Group. Tel: 25641766, 66511065. St. Thomas Parish expresses our heart-felt condolence to the bereaved family members on the sad demise of his beloved ones. May the Lord strengthen and comfort them.
1 TUE
DATE
7.30 AM
7.30 PM
TIME
STC, SALMIYA
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
VENUE
St.Thomas the Apostle›s Day
Stewardship Sunday-Responsible Resource Management
THEME
HOLY COMMUNION
HOLY COMMUNION
PROGRAMME
2Tim. 3:10-17
2Cor. 8:1-15
EPISTLE
St.Mat 25:14-30
St.John 20:24-29
St. Mat. 25:14-30
GOSPEL
Exo 18:13-27
Isa 52:7-15
Exo 18:13-27
FIRST LESSON
1Tim 6:17-21
1Thes 1:1-9
1Tim 6:17-21
SECOND LESSON
MAHANAIM
GETHSEMANE
KADESH
PRAYER GROUP/ ORGANIZATION
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF JUly 2014
4 FRI
2Cor. 8:1-15
EPHRATH &EPHRAIM
HOLY COMMUNION
1Tim. 6:6-16
EDEN
Stewardship Sunday-Responsible Resource Management
Deut 6:1-17
1Tim 6:6-16
HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
St.Mat 7:24-29
Deut. 6:1-17
Phil. 1:12-21
7.30 PM
Eph. 4:7-16
St.Mat.7:24-29
Josh. 1:1-9
1Tim. 6:3-16
8 TUE HOLY COMMUNION
Eph. 4:7-16
St.Mark.6:7-13
Deut. 6:1-17
Fasting Prayer HOLY COMMUNION
2 Cor. 5:16-21
St.Mat. 21:15-19
STC, SALMIYA STC, SALMIYA Priests:Called for the Divine Ministry (Clergy Day)
HOLY COMMUNION
1Tim. 3:1-13
OLIVET
EMMAUS
ARARATH
CANAAN
People of God:Ambassadors of Christ
HOLY COMMUNION
7.30 AM 10.00 AM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City STC, SALMIYA HOP, NECK, Kuwait City STC, SALMIYA HOP, NECK, Kuwait City
Theological Education Equipping people of God
Priests:Called for the Divine Ministry (Clergy Day)
11 FRI
7.30 AM
15 TUE 7.30 PM 18 FRI
7.30 AM
22 TUE 7.30 PM 25 FRI 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 .
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. Abraham Varghese (Prasad) Secretary
25659153 / 97227413 matsmanoj@gmail.com
Mathew John Trustee - Accounts
97214239 / 97952102 alexander7214239@gmail.com
Kunjappan Alexander Lay Ministrant
25661536 / 97839101 byjuparappattu@gmail.com
Byju P. Mathews Lay Ministrant
ST. THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2014-2015 Dr. Abraham Kurian Vice President
25652846 / 97592351 25641766 / 66511065 abrahampanamthottathil@gmail.com mathek54@yahoo.com
Mathews Koshy Trustee - Finance
25663820 / 99468253 amie_kurian@yahoo.com
Note : Any changes in worship venue or time will be informed through e-mail.