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
Date Name Birthdays in march Member No pet name Prayer Group Telephone Mobile 1 REV. SUNIL JOY 00001 CANAAN 25635253 66030775 1 JINCY MERIN ISSAC 00133 JINCY CANAAN 25634270 66568667 1 TINU ANNA THOMAS 00215 TINU OLIVET 25616048 66290253 1 SANJAI MATHEW 00454 SANJAI MAHANAIM 25633985 99605899 1 SIVIN SOJI 01523 SIVIN OLIVET 25628044 66267537 1 SHIRLY JERRIN 02612 SHIRLY EPHRATH 66862436 1 BRYAN PHILIP THOMAS 03133 BRYAN EMMAUS 25643019 97220705 1 ALEENA MARY BINOY 03715 EDEN 25659318 60965292 2 TUSHAR ABRAHAM JOSHI 00683 TUSHAR KADESH 25620983 99517300 2 ELMA JOHN 01164 ELMA CANAAN 25630400 66588173 2 MANU ANN VARGHESE 01252 MANU OLIVET 25661269 99413536 2 JIJAN SAM THOMAS (DR.) 04761 JIJAN KADESH 97656253 3 JAMES THOMAS 01981 BEJO OLIVET 25657655 65105685 3 SHINU P. THOMAS 04731 SHINU CANAAN 67778443 4 FAITH MARIA ASHISH 01863 AMMU CANAAN 25645275 99858961 4 LINU CHACKO THOMAS 03531 LINU EPHRAIM 94090315 5 SINU JOHN 04791 SINU ARARAT 97159725 6 JEMY GEORGE 00764 AMMU MIZPAH 25732895 66897629 7 RENJINI SUNIL PHILIP 00812 RENJINI MAHANAIM 25349052 66197107 7 SUSY VARGHESE THOMAS 00832 SUSY EMMAUS 25629186 60631272 7 SAJI THOMAS 00833 SAJI EMMAUS 25629186 60631272 7 ANKITA ANN BINU 00923 ANNA GETHSEMANE 25661703 66523843 7 RENJI VARGHESE 00941 RENJI OLIVET 25629644 99770623 7 JASMINE SATISH 02262 JASMINE OLIVET 25667847 97220734 7 RUBEN GEORGE THOMAS 02954 RUBEN MAHANAIM 67785016 66257383 7 TOBBY MATHEW VARUGHESE 03971 TOBBY CANAAN 25632957 99550591 8 AARON ROY 00524 AARON EMMAUS 25652984 97862061 8 RENU CHRISTY 01282 RENU EDEN 25663520 97867814 9 ABRAHAM PHILIP 01374 ABY EDEN 25636526 99615724 9 ABEL MATHEW ALEX 01334 ABEL EPHRATH 24330564 67096495 9 PHILIP VARGHESE (DR.) 02871 PHIJU MIZPAH 23718450 66846021 9 ROSHAN P. JACOB 02891 ROSHAN EMMAUS 65062453 9 FENE MARY ABRAHAM 04412 FENE EMMAUS 55778350 10 JEEVAN VARGHESE JOHN 01254 JEEVAN OLIVET 25661269 99413536 10 SUNNY THOMAS 03431 SUNNY MAHANAIM 99969475 10 MINI CHERIAN 04132 MINI KADESH 25645717 97790304 11 REJI IDICULLA PHILIP 00981 REJI KADESH 25643271 65150212 11 SHERLY P.Y. 01732 SHERLY EDEN 66761362 99138548 12 JEE ANNIE MATHEW 02272 JEE MIZPAH 97157006 66888936 12 SARAH ROSE SONY 04464 SARAH GETHSEMANE 25650610 97677536 13 ROY VARGHESE 00521 ROY EMMAUS 25652984 97862061 13 NIDHIN K. RAJ 01223 NIDHIN MIZPAH 25728848 66957302 13 ALKA SUZA KURIAN 01535 ALKA GETHSEMANE 25663820 99468253 13 JOSEPH BEN JACOB 01833 BEN GETHSEMANE 25653582 94060957 13 SUBIN THOMAS (DR.) 02941 SUBIN OLIVET 25648202 97482940 13 GEORGE MATHEW 03271 SABU MIZPAH 25663459 99856518 13 VARGHESE I. CHEERAN 03601 IVYS ARARAT 94047776 14 ALIAMMA JOHN 00362 MOLLY MIZPAH 25616795 66782239
Date Name Birthdays in march Member No pet name Prayer Group Telephone Mobile 14 JACOB JOHN 00381 GEE MIZPAH 25616438 65066601 14 SHOBA ANNIE MATHEW 00982 SHOBA KADESH 25643271 65150212 14 NEENA ANN VARGHESE 04812 NEENA KADESH 25620572 66046936 15 JOHN SAM GEORGE 00213 JOE OLIVET 25616048 66290253 15 SONIA MOHAN GEORGE 01272 SONIA EPHRAIM 66691680 15 GIJI SAJIMON 02132 GIJI EDEN 60798969 15 JOHN MATHEW ALEXANDER 02634 JOHN GIHON 22623051 97100853 15 MATHEW M.M. 03241 ANIYAN MAHANAIM 25650429 99893110 16 ROSHITA MARIAM GEORGE 00664 RICHU ARARAT 24335198 66044008 16 SIMON GEORGE (DR.) 02101 MANOJ EPHRAIM 24891688 65017096 16 SOSAMMA THOMAS 02642 BIJI GETHSEMANE 25651132 99204016 17 DEENA GEOL 02032 DEENA KADESH 25621963 66588150 17 AMY MARIIE ALAN 03853 AMY CANAAN 66246413 18 JAGAN JOHN THOMAS 00251 JAGAN OLIVET 25636918 66289971 18 BRITO MATHEW VARGHESE 00294 BRITO GIHON 25319557 66830185 18 DAVE MATHEW ZACHARIAH 01673 DAVE CANAAN 25629532 99107822 19 CHACKO DANIEL 00231 RAJU EDEN 25652751 66165292 19 NOEL SHAJI PHILIP 01353 NOEL OLIVET 66763090 19 PREETHI VARGHESE 02572 PREETHI GIHON 25626196 99835773 20 TOBIA JOEL ALEXANDER 01084 TOBIA MAHANAIM 25637873 99582291 20 GREESHMA ELIZABETH GEORGE 01194 GREESHMA CANAAN 25641749 66575826 20 AKHIL KURIAN 01533 AKHIL GETHSEMANE 25663820 99468253 20 REJITA MARY JOSEPH 03042 REJITA EPHRAIM 24755693 96961688 21 MARY MATHEW ABRAHAM 00282 MARY OLIVET 25615203 99550996 21 ALAN ALEX VINOD 04384 ALAN MAHANAIM 97637410 22 JIBI JOHN KIDANGIL 01631 JIBI MIZPAH 25743908 97214572 22 LIZAMMA ALEX 01942 KOCHUMOL EPHRAIM 24346514 66265733 23 SUBY MATHEW THOMAS 00991 SUBY CANAAN 25640153 66750875 23 THOMAS GEORGE 01093 THOMASKUTTY MIZPAH 25637568 99463476 23 MERCY JACOB 01442 KOCHUMOL OLIVET 25632578 55774249 23 SHAWN VARGHESE BLESSON 04094 SHAWN MAHANAIM 25638325 66035539 24 JOMOLE SUSAN GEORGE 04401 JOMOLE GENERAL AREA 99568783 25 ABRAHAM ISSAC ABRAHAM 00021 ISSAC OLIVET 25634157 69977286 25 MARIAMMA VARGHESE 00752 KUNJUNJAMMA GENERAL AREA 25642079 66488490 25 NOBLE TOM JOSEPH 04421 NOBLE GIHON 65100023 66051760 25 MONSY MATHEW (DR.) 04851 MONSY GETHSEMANE 25618174 66252901 26 JUSTIN RAJ 01224 JUSTIN MIZPAH 25728848 66957302 26 SHARON ELIZABETH MATHEW 01794 SHARON KADESH 25613750 99291895 26 SHAJI THOMAS 02641 SHAJI GETHSEMANE 25651132 99204016 26 MATHAI ALEXANDER 02991 RAJU MAHANAIM 25619976 99515448 27 NIKHILA MARIAM THOMAS 00264 NIKHILA EMMAUS 25610213 99795431 27 GRACY THOMAS 00702 GRACY EPHRATH 24330292 66191007 27 NIDHIN JACOB GEORGE 00893 NIDHIN MIZPAH 25659639 66552969 27 BENITA SARA MATHEW 02004 BENITA OLIVET 25661536 97839101 27 VALLIYA THAZHEL SAJAN 04131 SAJAN KADESH 25645717 97790304 27 MANOJ K. VARGHESE 03471 MANOJ ARARAT 24346703 97153151 27 JOSHUA STEPHEN MULLASSERY 04343 JOSHUA MIZPAH 25627706 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 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. 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 STEVEN VERGHESE GIGI 00353 STEVE OLIVET 25658549 99556257 28 NANCY KURIAN 01762 NANCY ARARAT 25610029 99531965 29 JOE JOHN 00543 JOE EDEN 25633251 66777350 29 SANDRA ANN THOMAS 01074 SANDRA CANAAN 25649170 97944214 29 ROBY JOHN GEORGE 02155 ROBY KADESH 25635609 65134650 29 THOMAS K. MATHEW 04241 THOMAS EMMAUS 25758782 65719207 30 ALEYAMMA ISSAC 00132 PONNAMMA CANAAN 25634270 66568667 30 RONA VARGHESE RAJU P. 00794 RON CANAAN 25641839 99406115 30 SAVITHA MATHEW 01622 SANGEETHA EPHRATH 24317873 97916134 30 ABRAHAM VARUGHESE 01911 REJI EPHRAIM 66295483 31 JONATHAN ABRAHAM PAZHOOR 00043 JONATHAN MIZPAH 25612559 66503684 31 ELIZABETH SOMINI ABRAHAM 00462 SOMINI GETHSEMANE 25637067 99860513 31 KEZIA ANN JACOB 01443 KEZIA OLIVET 25632578 66502340 31 ALLEN JACOB MATHEW 02515 ALLEN MIZPAH 66270297 31 SAM CHERIYAN 03011 KOCHUMON MIZPAH 23727907 99468239 31 LIJI VARUGHESE 03252 SONNY MIZPAH 66751937 31 BEELA MATHEW 03932 BEELA MAHANAIM 25632457 99800713 31 P.K. CHERIAN 04331 CHERIAN GETHSEMANE 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 Name M. No. Prayer Grp. Tel. Res. Mobile 2 DEEPU MOHAN & SUSHA ZACHARIA 03721 ARARAT 99583014 3 BOBAN VARGHESE K. & SUJA BOBAN 00111 CANAAN 25635156 66562536 3 LALU BABY & RINI V. CHANDY 03441 ARARAT 94967896 94063349 4 JOSEPH OORIYATHARA P. & CHRISTY MARY JOSEPH 04371 MAHANAIM 60957080 5 DAVID GEORGE & LALY GEORGE 00711 MAHANAIM 25649742 97439377 8 CHACKO THOMAS & RAHALAMMA THOMAS 00221 EDEN 25644965 99727126 10 THOMAS CHACKO & REENA THOMAS 01171 EPHRAIM 97335426 16 SHIBU CHERIAN & SOMY SHIBU CHERIAN 00411 KADESH 25649403 99891450 16 SINU JOHN & SHIJI GEORGE 04791 ARARAT 97159725 25 JOHN MATHEW & MERCY PHILIP 01341 ARARAT 24348934 66280967 26 SANTHOSH JOHN VARGHESE & TIJI ANS ABRAHAM 04141 EMMAUS 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
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2014 DATE TIME VENUE THEME PROGRAMME EPISTLE GOSPEL 4 TUE 7.30 PM STC, SALMIYA Pethrutha - Beginning of Great Lent - Transformnation of Creation Romans 11:13-24 St. John 2:1-11 FIRST LESSON Isaiah 44:21-28 SECOND LESSON 1 Timothy 1:12-17 PRAYER GROUP/ ORGANIZATION EMMAUS 7 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Cleansing Christ ( 2nd Sunday in Lent) Ephesians 2:1-10 St. Mark 1:40-45 Zechariah 13:1-9 11TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City OLIVET 1 John 1:5-10 KADESH 14 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Forgiving Christ ( 3rd Sunday in Lent) Romans 5:6-11 St. Mark 2:1-12 Genesis 4:8-16 Acts 16:11-18 GETHSEMANE 18 TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City MIZPAH 21 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Accepting Christ ( 4th Sunday in Lent) Galatians 6:1-5 St. Matthew 15:21-28 Hosea 2:14-23 Philemon 1-21 ARARATH 10.00 AM FASTING PRAYER EDAVAKA MISSION 25 TUE 7.30 PM HOP, NECK, Kuwait City IN ENGLISH Galatians 6:1-5 St. Matthew 15:21-28 Hosea 2:14-23 Philemon 1-21 SUNDAY SCHOOL & JUNIOR CHOIR 28 FRI 7.30 AM STC, SALMIYA Redeeming Christ ( 5th Sunday in Lent) Galatians 5:1-12 St.Luke 13:10-17 Exodus 3:1-10 Romans 8:31-39 MAHANAIM 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. 97205846 / 24318176 pkalexandervaidyan@gmail.com Secretary Jiji Mathew George 97801302 / 25668174 jiji.raji@gmail.com ST. THOMAS OFFICE BEARERS 2013-2014 Trustee - Finance Thomas P. Abraham 97944214 / 25649170 thomaskwt@gmail.com Trustee - Accounts Binu John Zachariah 66523843 / 25661703 binujohnz@yahoo.com Lay Ministrant Lukose Raju 66957302 / 25728848 lukoseradisson@gmail.com Lay Ministrant Mathew Varghese 66232678 / 25659976 manojannivilla@yahoo.com Note : Any changes in worship venue or time will be informed through e-mail.