Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)
Issue No. 12 Vol. V
December 2011
A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait
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,
CELEBRATION OF SUFFERINGS We are stepping to another Christmas season. When Christmas season comes, everyone around the world feels joy of celebration and a new awakening. I think Christmas is a celebration and remembrance of persecution or suffering faced by a poor Jewish family Joseph, Mary and Jesus. A young girl in Africa gave her teacher a Christmas gift. It was a beautiful sea shell. “Where did you get this?” asked the teacher. The girl told her that such shells are found only on a certain far away beach and that her father and she had to make a long and difficult journey to get it. The teacher was deeply touched because the girl took much trouble and walked many miles to get it.”You should not have suffered and travelled that far just find a gift for me”, the teacher told the girl. The girls smiled and replied “Suffering journey is part of the gift”. This is precisely the story of Jesus and the truth of Christmas. God’s gift of Christ to the world began with a journey of sufferings. He left the splendours of heaven to our level. The suffering journey of Jesus and his parents to Egypt as refugees, his long walk through the Palestine and the final walk carrying the heavy cross to Golgotha are all part of Gods loving gift to us. So we can say, Christmas is the celebration of sufferings. Let us remember those who face persecution esp. in many parts of India. Let us pray to God that He may grant us the courage to face the persecution and sufferings. Let this Christmas be a new year with the presence of Jesus Christ in us. Yours in Christ Panachamoottil Achen
Sabha DinaM( ST ThoMaS MaRTyRDoM) DeCeMbeR 21 Most Christian churches around the world are divided into Western or Eastern traditions. Eastern churches are again divided into two: the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Oriental. Mar Thoma Church is an Eastern Oriental Church. It adheres to the Syriac tradition and bases its teachings in accordance with Biblical teachings. It is one of the Saint Thomas Christian churches tracing its origins to the missionary activity of Thomas the Apostle. Apostle Thomas reached Cragannore at the Malabar coast in A D 52. He established 8 churches at1. Crangannore (Malankara),2. Chavakad (Palur),3. Parur near Alwaye,4. Gokamangalam,5. Niranam,6. Nilakkal (Chayal),7. Quilon and 8.Thiruvamcodu near Kanyakumami. These churches are known as “Ezharapallikal” . It is believed that St. Thomas then continued his mission and reached the east coast of India. Apostle Thomas was martyred in Mylapore near Madras. (Tradition calls this place Kalloor - the place of rock) in Tamilnadu State, India. The traditional date of martyrdom is 21st of December, 72 AD. His followers took his body and buried him in the tombs of the Chiefs. A merchant from Edessa in Syria who visited that region exhumed his body and took it to Syria where it was entombed in about AD 200. We could see these tombs in Mylapore and in Edessa. Two days are set apart to celebrate the legacy of St. Thomas in the church calendar. St. Thomas day is celebrated on July 3rd and Sabha Dinam on December 21st; the former is the feast commemorating the entombment of the remains at Edessa, and the latter is celebrated as the Day of Martyrdom.
ChRiSTMaS CaRoL Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself around you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever. - Bess Streeter Aldrich Our Christmas Carol for this year will be held on 23rd (Friday) December,2011, at Indian Community School ( Senior) from 6.30 pm. H.G. Mathews Mar Thevodosios Metropolitan, (Bishop, Quilon Diocese, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church) will Grace the Occasion with his presence and deliver the Christmas Message. Our church choir, both Junior and Senior will sing harmonious Christmas Songs. Let us join together on this wonderful day of event to enjoy the magic of Christmas Carols.
MaR ThoMa CSi CoMMon SeRviCe To celebrate the Unity established among C.N.I., C.S.I. and MarThoma Churches,(Known as Communion of Churches in India-CCI), Second Sunday of November is ear-marked. Common Communion, pulpit change etc are part of the celebration. Accordingly at St. Thomas Church, on 18th November a CSI Communion Service was held, led by Rev. Binji Varghese with the assistance of our Vicar. On 19th evening At NECK Church & Parish Hall (CSI) a Marthoma Communion Service was conducted by Rev. K.G. Koshy. Our Vicar Rev. Thomas Koshy played the key role in co-ordinating the events. A large crowd attended both the services which was a unique and wonderful experience to many.
SunDay SChooL ChRiSTMaS CaRoL ChRiSTMaS aRounD The WoRLD God gave his Son to the whole world and our children will be presenting to you how Christmas is celebrated around the world. The Sunday School Christmas Program will be held on Friday, 30th December 2011 at the ICSK (Senior) Auditorium from 6:00PM. All parish members are invited to attend and requested to uphold this program in your prayers.
Birthdays in decemBer Date
Name
Prayer GrouP
telePhoNe
mobile
1
PHILIP MATHEW
MIZPAH
25630152
66400194
1
JACOB ABRAHAM
CANAAN
25616438
66255173
25636526
1
NEETHA MARIAM ABRAHAM
EDEN
2
DENNY KOSHY
SHEKAM
2
STEVEN JOHN MULLASSERY
MIZPAH
2
ANGEL MARIAM ABEY
ARARAT
2
DENIL CHACKO MATHEW
MIZPAH
2
AARON P. ABEY
ARARAT
99615724 66691680
25616795
66782239 94453095
25750317
99004109 94453095
2
DEEPU GEORGE SIMON
SHEKAM
24891688
65017096
2
SEEMA ANNIE JOHN
MAHANAIM
25635729
66738237
4
ANU GEORGE THAKADIYIL THOMAS
ARARAT
66565360
66565360
4
ANIL MATHEW
EDEN
25625837
99682433
4
SONA ANN THOMAS
CANAAN
25649170
97944214
6
ALEN TOM ANU
ARARAT
66565360
66565360
6
SEENA ANN ABRAHAM
ARARAT
24316092
65108084
6
TERSY THOMAS
EDEN
25615982
97643176
25636489
7
GEORGE VERGHESE (DR.)
EMMAUS
7
AARON MATHEW TINKU
CANAAN
8
BINU THOMAS
EDEN
66421904 25611281
99590819
8
BINU THOMAS KUREEKKATTIL
MAHANAIM
25658460
66180986
8
ARON JOHN MANU C.
KADESH
25643756
66224249
8
MANJU KOSHY (DR.)
OLIVET
25640989
99575308
8
MATHEWS K.A.
KADESH
25646384
66547820
9
SHERIN ELSA SAMUEL
MAHANAIM
25622382
66671409
9
KURUVILLA MATHEWS
OLIVET
25667304
99423735 66467024
9
PREENA SUSAN ABRAHAM
ARARAT
24311746
10
MATHEWS KOSHY
CANAAN
25641766
10
PHILIPOSE VALIYAPARAMPIL
EDEN
66511065 99219375
11
MANESH KOSHY JACOB
SHEKAM
24755693
65074237
11
SHEBIN THOMAS MATHEW
MAHANAIM
94403845
66049592
12
ANITA JOSE (DR.)
GEEHON
25359283
66893031
12
CHACKO ATTACHERIL SKARIA
SHEKAM
24745215
99331738
24330564
67096465
12
SANDHRA JEMI SAM
MIZPAH
12
SHEJI ALEX (DR.)
EPHRATH
66166523
12
MATHEW ABRAHAM K.
GEEHON
25344763
66409359
13
JESSICA SARAH THOMAS
EMMAUS
25660975
66533284
13
JEREMY ABRAHAM THOMAS
EMMAUS
25660975
66533284
13
ALEYAMMA MATHEW
EPHRATH
24314590
66760075
15
CHRISTY THOMAS
EDEN
25663520
97867814
15
ERIN GEORGE
EPHRATH
24316092
65108084
15
IRINE SARAH JERRIN
EPHRATH
66862436
16
SUJI MATHEW SAMUEL
KADESH
66279687
16
SUSAN GEORGE
CANAAN
25622974
99501715
17
SIMI MIRIAM ASHISH
CANAAN
25645275
99858961
17
ASHLY MONCY
EPHRATH
99718537
Birthdays in decemBer Date
Name
Prayer GrouP
telePhoNe
mobile 99360073
17
GEEVARGHESE THOMAS
EMMAUS
25629186
18
RENESH VARGHESE RAJU
CANAAN
25641839
99406115
18
SUNITHA GEORGE
KADESH
25663459
99856518
18
SHARON RACHEL SUNIL
MAHANAIM
99514344
66197107
18
SHAJI JOSEPH
KADESH
25612248
94063161
19
VARGHESE P. C.
OLIVET
25642079
66488490
21
REENA K.MATHEW
MIZPAH
25611453
97810618
21
EAPEN VERGHESE
OLIVET
25658549
99556257
21
RONNELL JACOB
CANAAN
25624312
66577069
22
AMIEL ALEX VARGHESE
EPHRATH
24317873
97916134
22
MON MATHEWS C. JOHN
KADESH
25665482
99785934
25614539
22
SNEHA SUZANNA GEORGE
EMMAUS
22
GEORGE EAPEN
MAHANAIM
22
MATHEW SAMUEL
MIZPAH
22
ANGEL SHAJI GEORGE
EDEN
23
RUBIN K. THOMAS
EMMAUS
23
LEYA SARA JACOB
CANAAN
97247242 97254038
25611453
97810618 99691730
25730462
66293772 66246413
23
JOBY NEBU JOHN
MIZPAH
25759574
66978321
23
ANU ABRAHAM K.
EMMAUS
25649072
97609876
24
GEORGE MATHEW
CANAAN
99432984
24
SHEEBA SIMON
MIZPAH
66605358
24
ASHWIN ISSAC MATHEW
EPHRATH
24316015
99561506
25
DAVID JOHN IDICULLA
KADESH
25653028
99281995
25622974
99501715
25
SHAJI PHILIP THENASSERIL
OLIVET
25
CHRISTINE ELIZABETH ABRAHAM
CANAAN
66763090
25
ABRAHAM VARGHESE
CANAAN
25637067
99860513
26
ATHUL SHIJU GEORGE
KADESH
25610934
99142005
26
JOEL THOMAS GEORGE K.
EDEN
25625029
97504243
26
ROSHAN ROY THOMAS
KADESH
25649143
99506276
27
SHERIN THOMAS
EDEN
25662952
99827389
27
SAMUEL RENJI VARGHESE
OLIVET
25629644
99585476
27
BINDU MATHEW
EMMAUS
25657821
99601604
28
SNEHA SARA THOMAS
EMMAUS
25730462
66293772
28
BYJU P. MATHEWS
OLIVET
25661536
97839101
28
VINEETH ABRAHAM PAZHOOR
MIZPAH
25612559
66277363
24348934
29
SHEENA KOSHY
ARARAT
29
BINDU ABRAHAM
KADESH
29
RAJI ANU KOSHY
EPHRATH
29
MARIAMMA MATHEW
GEEHON
97213522 66279687 99436077
25344763
66409359
29
NABILA ABRAHAM MATHEW
MAHANAIM
25629174
65581644
31
ROHAN ABRAHAM ATHYAL
KADESH
25619413
66577386
31
AMBILY ELIZABETH JACOB
EMMAUS
23716843
66270297
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 boRn baby
Amy Marie Alan D/o Alan Aby varghese & Leya Sara Jacob Born on 17th March 2011 Canaan P.G
Richlin Ann George D/o George Eapen & Sheena Anna George Born on 17TH September 2011 Mahanaim P.G
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
NEW MEMBER
CoNDoleNCe We, The St. Thomas family express our deepest condolence to Mr. John Alexander & family Mem # 0369 Vice President, St. Thomas Mar Thoma church, at the sad demise of his mother-in-law Mrs. Mary John (73), Achandy house, Muringoor, Chalakudy.
Member Number-0425
JOHN C.MATHEW
Prayer Group: Eden Mother Parish: Immanuel -Nerul, Navi Mumbai Contact No - 94917052 ST.ThoMaS oFFiCe beaReRS 2011-2012 John alexander
John varghese (Reji)
Vice President
Secretary
Christy Thomas Trustee
66249240 / 25610139
99086449 / 25627036
97867814 / 25663520
vijoy alexander
Mathew P alexander
abraham Stephen
Trustee Accounts
Lay Ministrant
Lay Ministrant
97100853 / 22623051
97835292 / 25650273
66284427 / 25624177
St. Thomas family joins in conveying our heartfelt condolence to the bereaving members of Mr. John Sam & family Mem # 021 Olivet prayer group at the loss of his father-in-law Chacko T. Thomas (61) Thelapurathu, Maramon, who has been called to the heavenly adobe. May The Peace that passeth all understanding abide with the bereaved.
Wedding anniversaries in decemBer 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
4
EASOW K. I. & SANTHAMMA EASOW
MIZPAH
25751147
99780609
4
ABRAHAM VARGHESE & JESSY A. MATHEW
OLIVET
25652846
97592351
5
ABRAHAM V. JOHN & JOMOL ABRAHAM
MIZPAH
66891075
99270127
6
CHACKO ALEXANDER P. & ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
MIZPAH
25710468
66067546
8
JOHN GEORGE & SUNITA ANIE SAMUEL
EMMAUS
25616846
99252794
8
SUNIL JOY & JEENU SUNIL
9
ABEY P. THOMAS & ELIZABETH THOMAS
10
THOMAS GEORGE & GRACY THOMAS
EPHRATH
24330292
66191007
10
SAJI BABY & ANNIE VARGHESE
EPHRATH
24330292
66191007
25629747
99068514
EDEN
66714543
ARARAT
94453095
15
ANUP RAJAN DANIEL & MALINI ANUP DANIEL
CANAAN
15
MATHEW PHILIP & JITTYMOL MARIAM MATHEW
ARARAT
23
DR. SUBIN THOMAS & ELWINA SUBIN
25
SHEEBU OOMMEN & SMITA SHEEBU OOMMEN
ARARAT
25
SAM CHERIYAN & BINU THOMAS
EMMAUS
23727907
99468239
26
THOMAS GEORGE & ANNE THOMAS
CANAAN
25623273
97934381
27
JOSEPH GEORGE & ELSY JOSEPH GEORGE
MAHANAIM
25636722
66632157
27
IDICULLA ABRAHAM & ANITHA ABRAHAM
MIZPAH
25731735
65608884
27
BINU T. KORUTHU & SHERLY BINU
MIZPAH
67785016
66257383
27
SAM PHILIP & BINSU SAM
MIZPAH
28
VARUGHESE MATHEW & ANNAMMA MATHEW
EDEN
25615823
99758170
28
DR. REJI PHILIP ATHYAL & DR. PREETHI SIMON
KADESH
25619413
66577386
28
SHAJI THOMAS & SOSAMMA THOMAS
CANAAN
25651132
99204016
29
MATHEWS K. ABRAHAM & SARADA MATHEWS ABRAHAM
GEEHON
25323698
99446358
29
GEORGE VARGHESE K. & LEELAMMA K. GEORGE
GEEHON
25353394
66224297
29
JIBU JACOB THOMAS & BENCY ANNIE CHACKO
29
SUNNY THOMAS CHAKKUMCHIRA & VIJI SUNNY THOMAS
30
VARUGHESE THOMAS M. & SOSAMMA THOMAS
30
SHAJI GEORGE & BINU JOB
31
JOHN YOHANNAN & ACCAMMA JOHN
31
PHILIP BABY & DR. LIGY MATHEW
MAHANAIM
97133949 25648202
97482940 97827674
66166523
OLIVET
66325904
MAHANAIM
66357330
CANAAN
25652006
EDEN
99320230 99691730
CANAAN
25630400
66588173
OLIVET
25611291
99574695
PRoGRaMMe
ePiSTLe
GoSPeL
FiRST LeSSon
SeConD LeSSon
SUNDAY SCHOOL
OLIVET
MAHANAIM
PRayeRGRouP/ oRGaniSaTion
WoRShiP SCheDuLe FoR The MonTh oF DeCeMbeR 2011 TheMe
TiMe
venue
DaTe STC, SALMIYA
2 CORI 1:3-11
7.30 AM
GEN 33:1-17
2 FRI
ST.LUKE 1:39-45
HOP, NECK HOLY COMMUNION ENGLISH
2 THES 3:6- 13
7.30 PM STC, SALMIYA
HOLY COMMUNION
6 TUE 7.30 AM
VISITATION OF MARY TO ELIZABETH- “BEARERSOF GOOD NEWS” BIBLE STUDY
9 FRI
ACTS 11:19-26
EDEN
ACTS 20:17-16
WILL BE ASSIGNED
ARARAT
CANAAN
WILL BE ASSIGNED
CHOIR
KADESH
EPHRAIM
EDAVAKA MISSION
1SSA 55:6-13
1 JOHN 5:1-12
FASTING PRAYER
ST.LUKE 1:57-66
ISSA 11:1-10
STC, SALMIYA
HEBREW 4:1-13
ST.MATHEW 1: 18-23
EPHRATH
9.00 AM
ROMANS 1 :1-16
1 CORI 1:18-25
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
HOLY COMMUNION
ISSA 22:20-29
HOLY COMMUNION ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH
ST.JOHN 2: 1-4
HOP, NECK STC, SALMIYA
PHIL 3:12-21
ISSA 61:1-11
HEBREW
GAL 4:1-7
ST.MAT 16:9-18
EXO 33:12-23
13:7-21
ST.LUKE 12:22-34
ISSA 9:1-18
HOLY COMMUNION
1 PETER 5:6-11
ST.LUKE 2:1-14
MAR THOMA CHURCH DAY
STC, SALMIYA
2 TIMO 2:1-10
HEBREW 1:1-12
HOP, NECK
9 FRI
7:30 AM
13 TUE 7.30 PM 16 FRI
7:30 AM
20 TUE 7.30 PM 23 FRI
HOLY COMMUNION
ICSK SALMIYA
CAROLL SERVICE
23 FRI 07:00 PM STC, SALMIYA
HOLY COMMUNION
HOLY COMMUNION
neW yeaR SeRviCe
CHRISTMAS HOLY COMMUNION
24 SAT 07:00 PM HOP, NECK
YALDO BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR (FESTOF NATIVITY)
27 TUE 7.30 PM
WATCH NIGHT SERVICE
HOLY COMMUNION
7:30 AM
STC, SALMIYA
STC, SALMIYA
30 FRI
31 SAT 09:30 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.