Hearty Welcome to. A Very Blessed & Happy Easter. Rev. Sunil Joy Vicar. Thomas said to him, My Lord and My God. (St. John 20:28)

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1 Thomas said to him, My Lord and My God. (St. John 20:28) Issue No. 4 Vol. VIII April 2014 A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait Hearty Welcome to Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa EASTER WISHES Let this Easter be the release of the soul out of its tomb of ignorance, worry, fear, anger, hopelessness Let us be conscious daily to choose kinder words, cleaner thoughts and generous actions Let us remember the light inside ourselves with a confident heart Let us remember our Eternal Friend through a connection full of love Let our tenderness towards Mother Nature be part of our daily concern Let us wish the self and others a return to the Eternal best in ourselves A Very Blessed & Happy Easter P.O. Box Safat Kuwait Tel : (Res.) Mob : St. Thomas Centre Tel: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.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

2 Message from Vicar Dearly Beloved in Christ, Happy Easter! Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Risen Jesus Christ! Jesus is risen is the greatest good news for the Christian community. Three stupid guys have just died and stood at the pearly gates of heaven. St. Peter tells them that they can enter the gates if they can answer one simple question. The question is "What is Easter?" The first man replies, "Oh, that's easy, it's the holiday in November when everybody gets together, eats turkey, and is thankful..." "Wrong," replies St. Peter, and proceeds to ask the second man the same question, "What is Easter?" The second man replies, "No, Easter is the holiday in December when we put up a nice tree, exchange presents, and celebrate the birth of Jesus." St. Peter looks at the second man, shakes his head in disgust, looks at the third man and asks, "What is Easter?" The third man smiles and looks St. Peter in the eye. "I know what Easter is. Easter is the Christian holiday that coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the last supper and He was later deceived and turned over to the Romans by one of his disciples. The Romans took Him to be crucified and was stabbed in the side, made Him wear a crown of thorns, and He was hung on a cross. He was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed off by a large stone. Every year the stone is moved aside so that Jesus can come out... The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian belief. We may forget the importance of Christ s mission through His sacrificial death on the cross and the resurrection event. St. Paul says in II Timothy 1:10b, "Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. In what sense did Christ abolish death? When Jesus rose from the dead, he broke the power of death forever. And one day death itself will die. Until then death has taken on new meaning for Christians. This is what Jesus meant when he said, Whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:26). Death for Christians is a temporary interruption, a passing from one stage of life to another. That is what Paul meant when he said that To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). What is death for a Christian believer? Four thousand years ago Job asked, If a man dies, will he live again? (Job 14:14a). The Easter is meant to answer this question. All of us will face death someday. But for those who know Jesus, death holds no fear. We need not to fear the power of darkness, for Jesus is the Light of the world. We won t stay in the valley of the shadow of death, for Jesus has said he will be our guide. He is alive and standing with open arms inviting us with his promise of life eternal. The door to Heaven is open for everyone. There was good news from the graveyard that, though he died on Friday afternoon and was buried on Friday evening, he was raised on Sunday morning. Death could not hold him and the grave could not keep him under its custody. Easter is the resurrection of hope from the cemetery of despair and death. The strife is over, the battle done; The victory of life is won; The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! May the Triumphant Lord bless and keep you safe. With Prayerful Regards, Sunil Joy Achen

3 Gratitude is the memory of the heart ~ French Proverb coined by Jean Baptiste Massieu First and always, we thank God for his kindness towards us in giving us an opportunity, empowering and strengthening us with His unfailing love & power to function as the office bearers for the year Though the initial few months of our term was an eventful period we, the office bearers, have so much to be grateful for and we acknowledge our gratitude to our Lord Almighty for all his goodness and guidance over the past year which enabled us to overcome the challenges. God is faithful though! The words thank you seems to be so limited in our expression of appreciation to you, yet we really don t know what else to say as you have all been a profound blessing in our responsibility during our service tenure. Our gratitude goes to you, the members of the St. Thomas family, for entrusting us with a responsibility beyond our reach; our debt of gratitude is immense. Your support and kindness over the months have far exceeded any of our worthiness and have extremely inspired us as a group to fulfill our responsibilities. We want to thank you all for the support, concern, cooperation, the words of appreciation and encouragement and above all yours prayers which strengthened us as a team to execute the responsibility entrusted in us. We express our whole hearted gratitude to all the Vicars who assisted us with our worship during our Achen s absence, especially our interim vicar Rev. Chacko Thomas who supported us with his valuable presence and guidance. Our gratitude to Very Rev. Dr. D. Philip, Rev. Siju C. Philip and Very Rev. George Zachariah is never ceasing and immense for all their timely assistance, guidance and the joy of fellowship we experienced. Words are not enough to express our gratitude to our beloved Vicar, Rev. Sunil Joy, who had been our guiding force while far and now near. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and gratitude to all the Kaisthanasamithi members, Office bearers of Prayer Groups, Choir, Edavaka Mission, Sevika Sangham, Sunday School and Yuvajana Sakhyam for all the assistance rendered and extended to us at all times during the tenure. In addition, our sincere thanks to Mr. Kripa and family who had been a constant help for us. The list is endless and there are too many to name specifically, but know that the concern and care of each of you is deeply appreciated and has helped us move forward as individuals and a faith community. Once again, it is that time of year when we pause to look back to appreciate both the work of Christ on the Cross, and of course, the evidence of the acceptance of His sacrifice the Resurrection! Happy & Blessed Easter Thank you once again for your generosity, continued support and encouragement, all of which is greatly appreciated and humbly request your whole hearted support with prayers for the Office Bearers Gratefully in Christ Jesus, Office Bearers Alexander Vaidyan (Vice President) Thomas P. Abraham (Trustee Finance) Lukose Raju (Lay Ministrant) Jiji Mathew George (Secretary) Binu John Zachariah (Trustee Accounts) Mathew Varghese (Lay Ministrant)

4 Birthdays in april Date Name Member No pet name Prayer Group Telephone Mobile 1 BLESSY BOBAN VARGHESE BLESSY CANAAN JOHN C.MATHEW JOBY EDEN MINI GEORGE MATHEW MINI EMMAUS CUCKOO ALEY MATHEW JOHN CUCKOO MIZPAH ANNAMMA JOSE RAJAMMA ARARAT SAJI THOMAS SAJI GENERAL AREA MARY KOSHI MATHEW MARY EPHRAIM SHARON ELSA BIJU CHINNU MAHANAIM DIANA BOBBY GEORGE DOLLY EMMAUS JOSYMOL ZACHARIAH JOSY CANAAN LIZY RAJU LIZY MIZPAH MATHEW MATHEW MATHAICHEN GIHON SUSAMMA ABRAHAM SUSAN CANAAN ANJALI MARY JOHN ANJALI KADESH SHIBU MATHAI THOMAS SHIBU EPHRAIM PRINCY MARY SAM PRINCY EPHRATH EVAN KOSHY ARUN EVAN ARARAT JINU JOHN VARGHESE KOCHUMOL CANAAN STEVE PHILIP BLESSON STEVE MAHANAIM LEYONA EBEY ABRAHAM LEYONA MIZPAH THOMAS PEEDIKAYIL OOMMEN BYJU GETHSEMANE THOMAS CHACKO P THANKACHEN EDEN THOMAS VARGHESE THOMAS MIZPAH BINOY THOMAS BINOY EDEN LEJU JACOB EASO LEJU MIZPAH IVY ABRAHAM VARGHESE (DR.) IVY GETHSEMANE ANGELENE ABRAHAM ANGELENE MIZPAH ANITHA THOMAS PETER ANITHA MIZPAH SIMMY VARGHESE SIMMY OLIVET ANGELA ANNA BAIJU ANGELA MAHANAIM RESHMI RAJAN RESHMI EPHRAIM JOHANN JOHN MATHEW JOHANN EMMAUS SUBIN SAM MATHEW SUBIN ARARAT ANNIKA ELSA ROY ANNIKA KADESH JOSE EAPEN JOSE ARARAT LALY GEORGE LALY MAHANAIM SANTHAMMA EASOW SANTHAMMA MIZPAH VARGHESE OOMMEN JIJI KADESH SUSAN MATHEWS (DR.) SALLY EMMAUS ALISHA MARY BINOY AMMU EDEN JITHIN CHACKO JACOB JITHU EPHRAIM SUNIL JOY SUNIL EDEN SUJA GEORGE CHERIAN SUJA EPHRAIM SUSAN MATHEW TIONA CANAAN SHEEBA SUNIL SHEEBA CANAAN BEVIN THOMAS THOMAS BEVIN ARARAT ANITHA ABRAHAM ANITHA MIZPAH GEORGE VARGHESE GIGI CANAAN JOTHI JOHN JOTHI MIZPAH MARYKUTTY ALEXANDER JESSY MAHANAIM LAURA ANN PHILIP AMMU OLIVET CHRISTI MARIAM CROSS MUTHU MAHANAIM ANGELINE SARA SANTHOSH ANGELINE GETHSEMANE MATHAI KOCHUMMAN JAMES OLIVET AJIT MAMMEN ABRAHAM AJIT GETHSEMANE

5 Date Name Birthdays in april Member No pet name Prayer Group Telephone Mobile 16 ABRAHAM MATHEW P KUNJUMON OLIVET JOEL KOSHY NOBLE JOEL GIHON THOMAS GEORGE BUBEN CANAAN JAISON JOY JAISON EPHRAIM OLIVIA MARIAM GEORGY OLIVIA EPHRATH GEORGE MATHEW MONI EMMAUS JOHANN SHIBU MADATHIL AKKU EPHRATH SANOJ MATHEW THOMAS SANOJ CANAAN JESLEAN JOSE ANJU ARARAT JERALD PHILIP MATHEW JERRY CANAAN GEORGY M. CHERIAN GEORGY EDEN NISHA MARIAM DANIEL NISHA EDEN NIGEL SHAJI PHILIP NIGEL OLIVET NINAN P. I OLIVET REEBA MARIAM DANIEL REEBA EDEN SUSAN VARGHESE SUSAN EPHRATH JACOB CHACKO ABRAHAM SHAJI KADESH CICILY VARGHESE CICILY KADESH TIMOTHY VARGHESE THOMAS KADESH ANISHA ANNIE BINU ANU GETHSEMANE JOEL VARGHESE BAIJU JOEL MAHANAIM ANNAMMA CHACKO DAISY EDEN AILEEN ANN LALU AILEEN ARARAT SHINTU KURIAN SHINTU ARARAT MONSON MATHEW ABRAHAM MONSON GETHSEMANE ELIZABETH ANU ELIZABETH EPHRATH SUSAN JIJI MATHEW RAJI CANAAN CISAL GEO CISAL MAHANAIM JERRY GEORGE MATHEW JEFRY MIZPAH SOJI PHILIP ZACHARIAH SOJI OLIVET ELIZABETH MATHEW SHEEBA CANAAN BENCY ANNIE CHACKO BENCY EPHRAIM BOBAN VARGHESE K BOBAN CANAAN JERRIN CHERIAN GEORGY JERRIN EDEN RAJESH ABRAHAM VARKEY RAJESH EDEN JOANNA JOHN CHINNU KADESH VIJOY MATHEW ALEXANDER VIJOY GIHON SAMUEL SUNIL PHILIP SAMUEL MAHANAIM BEENA ANN TOBBY BEENA CANAAN ELCY RAJAN ELCY EPHRAIM JOHN MAMMEN SAJU OLIVET DAVID PHILIP DAVID EDEN JOSE KUTTY KUNJAPPAN KOCHUMON ARARAT KRISTAN KURUVILLA JOHN KRISTAN CANAAN RINU ABY PRINCE RINU KADESH RONE GEORGE MATHEW CHACKOCHEN EPHRAIM JINCY JOHN JINCY MIZPAH KEVIN GEORGE JOHN KICHU EMMAUS JERINA SUSAN MATHEW JERI GETHSEMANE JOSE BABY SIMON JOSE ARARAT 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"

6 OFFICE BEARERS Dr. Abraham Kurian Vice President Abraham Varghese Secretary Mathews Koshy Trustee - Finance Mathew John Trustee - Accounts Kunjappan Alexander Lay Ministrant Byju P. Mathews Lay Ministrant John Mathew Auditor Roy John Auditor Abraham Mathew Reserve Auditor PARISH DAY 2014 The 7 th Parish Day of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Parish will be held at St. Thomas Centre on April 11 th, 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. We thank God Almighty for the blessings He has showered upon our parish and also for keeping us under His care. NEW MEMBERS Ms. Ajimol J. Mem No Prayer Group - Eden Home Parish - Bethel Mar Thoma Church Thrippilazhikom - KUNDARA Mr. Lovin Mathew Matahi Mem No Prayer Group - Olivet Home Parish - Anamala St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church PULLAD

7 Wedding Anniversaries in April Date Name M. No. Prayer Grp. Tel. Res. Mobile 1 MATHEW P. ALEXANDER & ELIZABETH JESSY MATHEW GETHSEMANE VILAS VARGHESE & JISHA JOHN GIHON SHIBU MATHEWS & SWAPNA SEBASTIAN ARARAT MATHAI ALEXANDER & ANNIE ALEXANDER MAHANAIM GEORGE JOHN & BEENA MARY GEORGE KADESH NINAN P. I. & GRACY NINAN OLIVET VIJOY MATHEW ALEXANDER & MARY MATHEW ALEXANDER GIHON THOMAS VARGHESE & RUBIN K. THOMAS MIZPAH SHIBU OOMMEN VARGHESE & CIBY SHIBU VARGHESE ARARAT EAPPEN P. MATHEW & SILY MARY MATHEWS EPHRATH VIJU GEORGE & BEENA CHACKO MAHANAIM SAJI THOMAS & SHEEJA SAJI GENERAL AREA JACOB CHANDY & RACHEL CHANDY CANAAN SAJAN SKARIA & REEMA MATHEW KADESH ANOOP K. ALEX & RAJI ANU KOSHY EPHRATH P.K CHERIAN & NEETHA CHERIAN GETHSEMANE SHAJI PHILIP THENASSERIL & SHOLLY THOMAS OLIVET JOHN MATHEW & SUSAN JOHN MATHEW EMMAUS SHAJI JOSEPH & DITTY SHAJI JOSEPH KADESH REV. SUNIL JOY & SHEEBA SUNIL CANAAN VARGHESE P. C. & MARIAMMA VARGHESE GENERAL AREA JOHN SAM GEORGE & TINU ANNA THOMAS OLIVET ANIL MATHEW & JESSY ANIL EDEN GEORGE T. J. & PREMSY ANNAMMA GEORGE MIZPAH SHIBU THOMAS JOHN (DR.) & PREETHA ABRAHAM (DR.) EMMAUS JOSEPH GEORGE & ANNAMMA JOSEPH GEORGE MIZPAH GEORGE MATHEW & SUNITHA GEORGE MIZPAH SABU GEORGE & ALEYAMMA PHILIP KADESH ASHISH KURIAN MATHEW & SIMI MIRIAM ASHISH CANAAN 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 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. Rajamma Philip (83), Cheruvettolil House, Kumbanad, mother of Mr. Reji Idiculla Philip, Membership # 98, Kadesh Prayer Group, Tel: / Mrs. Mariamma Varghese (83), Viruppil House, Paippad, Haripad, mother-in-law of Mr. George Cherian K. (Raju) and mother of Mrs. Suja, Membership # 376, Ephraim Prayer Group, Tel: / St. Thomas family expresses our heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members on the sad demise of their beloved ones. May the Lord strengthen and comfort them.

8 WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF april 2014 DATE TIME VENUE THEME PROGRAMME EPISTLE GOSPEL 1 TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City Redeeming Christ ( 5th Sunday in Lent) 4 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Restoring Christ ( 36th Sunday) Galatians 5:1-12 Ephesians 2:1-10 St.Luke 13:10-17 St. Mark 10:46-52 FIRST LESSON Exodus 3:1-10 Job 42:10-17 SECOND LESSON Romans 8:31-39 Philippians 2:5-11 PRAYER GROUP/ ORGANIZATION 8 TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City KADESH 11 FRI 7.00 AM STC, SALMIYA EDAVAKA DINAM 13 SUN 7.00 PM STC, SALMIYA HOSANNA Christ the King of Peace 15 TUE 7.30 PM STC, SALMIYA Passion week (Hasa) 17 THU 7.00 PM STC, SALMIYA 18 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Passover - Holy Qurbana; Jesus the Bread of Life GOOD FRIDAY. Cross; Self giving Love of Christ SANDHYA NAMASKARAM Acts 17: : :15-23 St.Luke 13:1-9 St. Mark 11:1-11 St. Matthew 23:13-22 St. Matthew 26:17-30 Isaiah. 60 Zechariah 9:1-12 Numbers 21:1-16 Genesis 22:1-14 Philippians 2:1-18 Hebrews 5:1-10 Ephesians 2:1-10 Hebrews 5: LESSON: Isa. 53:1-12 Zech. 13:1-9 Num. 21:1-9 2 LESSON: 1 Pet. 1:1-25 Gal. 3:1-22 Heb. 3: LESSON: St.Mat.26:47-75 St.Mat.27:1-44 St.Mat.27:45-56 CANAN EDEN WILL BE ASSIGNED EPHRATH & EPHRAIM WILL BE ASSIGNED GEEHON WILL BE ASSIGNED 20 SUN 5.00 AM STC, SALMIYA EASTER SUNDAY, Resurrection : Celebrating New life in Christ (End of Great Lent) 1Corinthians. 15:20-28 St.Luke 24:1-12 Isaiah 60:1-22 1Corinthians. 15: TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City GETHSEMANE OLIVET 25 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA New Sunday - Affirmation of Christ as Loard and God (First Sunday after Easter) 1:15-23 St. John 20:24-29 Exodus 3: :1-11 SUNDAY SCHOOL & JUNIOR CHOIR AM FASTING PRAYER EDAVAKA MISSION 29 TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City 1:15-23 St. John 20:24-29 Exodus 3: :1-11 MAHANAIM 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. Dr. Abraham Kurian Vice President / amie_kurian@yahoo.com Abraham Varghese Secretary / abrahampanamthottathil@gmail.com ST. THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS Mathews Koshy Trustee - Finance / mathek54@yahoo.com Mathew John Trustee - Accounts / matsmanoj@gmail.com Kunjappan Alexander Lay Ministrant / alexander @gmail.com Byju P. Mathews Lay Ministrant / byjuparappattu@gmail.com Note : Any changes in worship venue or time will be informed through .