(For Private Circulation only)

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God”. (St. John 20:28)

A Monthly publication for the St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Kuwait

P.O. Box 25562 Safat 13116 KuwaitTel : 2563 5253 (Res.) Mob : 6603 0775 St. Thomas Centre Tel: 2564 7060E-mail: st.thomasmtcq8@gmail.comwww.st-thomasmtckuwait.com

Rev. Thomas Koshy PanachamoottilVicar

fatherpanachi@gmail.com

Parsonage Location Salmiya, Street 10, Bldg No. 20

1st Floor, Flat No. 14 Al-Dhahok Bin Qays StreetOpp. Bestow Super Market

Issue No. 7 Vol. VI July 2012

July 3 - St. Thomas Day

Branches of St. Thomas Christians

SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLEBorn in Galilee, Thomas the Apostle, also called Didymus (meaning “Twin”) and Doubting Thomas, was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was believed to have been the only Apostle who traveled outside of the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He is also believed to have crossed the

largest area, which includes the Persian Empire and India.

Thomas appears in the Gospel of John soon after Lazarus dies (Jn.11:16). He also speaks at the Last Supper (Jn.14:5), and is best known doubting the Resurrection of Jesus (Jn. 20:24-29)

in the upper room, but then comes to believe after seeing Jesus alive, declaring Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”

When the feast of Saint Thomas was inserted in the Roman calendar in the 9th century, it was assigned to 21 December, although the Martyrology of St. Jerome had a mention of the Apostle on 3rd July, the date to which the Roman celebration was transferred in 1969, so that it would no longer interfere with the major ferial days

of Advent. 3rd July was the day on which his relics were translated from Mylapore, a place along the coast of the

Marina Beach, Chennai to the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia.

From the Desk of VicarDearly Beloved in Christ,

Our Sabha is observing July 03rd as St. Thomas Day. The Mar Thoma Church holds the apostolic tradition of St. Thomas. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent”. The term ‘Church’ came from the word ‘ecclesia’ which means ‘a called out community for a mission.’ The risen Christ gave great commission to his disciples to make others his disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20). After receiving this commission, St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus came to India in 52 A.D. and preached the gospel thus started the Malankara church. This is the common belief that we have.

This church came in relationship with foreign churches; and received their faith practices. Through reformation in 19th century under the leadership of Abraham Malpan became a missionary church. The reformation was a process of going back to the apostolic tradition and apostolic mission. We are reformed church and reforming church. Preaching the gospel became main goal of the church. In 1888, Marthoma Evangelistic Association started to evangelize India. For this purpose the Marmon convention started, mission fields and Ashrams were formed at different parts of India. Many people were converted to Christian faith. At the same time the members of the Mar Thoma church in Kerala migrated to other states of India and other countries and they started parishes. Thus the Mar Thoma church became a global church.

The great vision of our church is that we are ”Lighted to Lighten” the world. The motto of our church is that every Marthomite is a missionary. St. Thomas day reminds us about the call and mission of our church. St. Thomas is the one who gave his life for the gospel. As we hold the tradition of St. Thomas, let us accept Jesus as our Lord and God as Thomas proclaimed. Let us hold up the faith and vision of St. Thomas.

We have set apart 1st July as Tithing Sunday. We should make our tithe offering on that day. We have the noble tradition of setting apart one tenth of our income and using it for evangelistic work. All the earning members of our church should set apart a tenth of their income for evangelistic work. Time, money, ability, intellect - all these are gifts from God. We must accept them with gratitude and use them for the good of others as God desires. We should give a part of our tithe for the gospel activities of our Church. The rest may be used for the growth of the parish and thereby for the growth of the Kingdom of God. This day challenges us to fulfill our role in the work for the Kingdom of God and for the good of others using the gifts God gives us.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 3:10.

May God Bless us and strengthen us to participate in the mission of Jesus that we are entrusted to do.

Yours in Christ

Panachamoottil Achen

Our Sevikasangham won the Trophy for the Bible Quiz Competition organized by Kuwait Centre Sevikasangham. Hearty Congratulations.

World Environmental Day Painting Exhibition organized by our

Yuvajana Sakhyam

Mahanaim Prayer GroupCommittee Members Biju George Thomas 66738237 25635729 Binu Thomas Kureekkattil 66180986 25658460

Emmaus Prayer GroupSecretary Sheeba Roy 97237390 25652984 Committee Members John George 99252794 25616846 Geevarghese Thomas 60631272 25629186

NEw PRAyER GROuP REPRESENTATIvESGethsemane Prayer Group Mobile Residencevice President Santhosh Mathew Kaithotta 99578545 25619359 Secretary Elizabeth Jessy Mathew 94060507 25650273 Committee Members Joshi Abraham 99517300 25620983 Binu John Zachariah 66523843 25661703

Shekam Prayer Group (Mangaf - Fintas Area) vice President Kunjachen John M. 66473650 66473650 Secretary Ebey Abraham 99132184 23717060 Committee Member Ebey Abraham 99132184 23717060

Birthdays in julyDATE NAME MEMBER

NOPET

NAMEPRAyER GROuP TELEPHONE MOBILE

1 LALOO THOMAS 00271 LALOO GETHSEMANE 25657655 995882441 SHERLY GEORGY 01062 SHERLY EDEN 25621374 972119812 ALEX M. GEORGE 02501 BIJU CANAAN 25625029 660627522 JACOB JOSEPH VELLOOR 01831 BIJU GETHSEMANE 25653582 940609572 KEZIA RACHEL GEORGY 03164 KEZIA EPHRATH 670584763 ABEY P. THOMAS 03581 ABEY ARARAT 944530953 SAMGEO PHILIP 04501 SAMGEO EMMAUS 656082214 VARUGHESE MATHEW 00311 BABU EDEN 25615823 997581704 JOMOL ABRAHAM 01382 JOMOL MIZPAH 66891075 992701274 NINI ELSA MATHEW 02352 NINI OLIVET 55479452 993816764 JACOB C. KOSHY 02831 JACOB EDEN 25615982 976431764 SEEMA RAJESH VARKEY 01932 SEEMA EDEN 670508204 LENI ELIZABETH MAMMEN 01922 LENI ARARAT 24341694 993628924 JIJI IDICULLA JOHN 01361 JIJI KADESH 25653028 992819955 BETH JOSEPH KOLLAMALA 00734 ISHA EMMAUS 25657821 996016045 AARON MATHEW MATHAI 03244 AARON MAHANAIM 25650429 998931105 STEFFY MERIN SUNIL 04103 STEFFY MIZPAH 666053585 NANMA MARIAM MATHEWS 01743 AMMU KADESH 25638554 978303256 ANNE THOMAS 01052 ANN CANAAN 25623273 979343816 SUNIL PHILIP 00811 SUNIL MAHANAIM 25349052 661971076 ALEYAMMA ISAAC 00972 SUJA EPHRATH 24316015 995615066 ANGEL MARIAM SUNNY 03433 ACHUS MAHANAIM 663573306 CHACKO PHILIP 01561 MANU ARARAT 24348934 972135227 MARIYAMMA SAM 00212 KUNJUMOL OLIVET 25616048 66290253

10 DANIEL THOMAS KOLETH 00493 DANY EDEN 25662952 9982738910 RON PHILIP IDICULLA 00984 RON EMMAUS 25643271 6515021211 VARGHESE PHILIP 02874 NIKHIL SHEKAM 23718450 6684602111 ISSAC JACOB 00131 JOY CANAAN 25634270 6656866711 BIJU THOMAS 04121 BIJU MAHANAIM 6709457811 BLESSEN BOBAN VARGHESE 00113 BINU CANAAN 25635156 6656253612 ANNI SHYLA PHILIP 04221 ANNI KADESH 25638554 6670688312 CIBY SHIBU VARGHESE 03362 CIBY ARARAT 24311746 6664480312 PRAKASH JOHN MATHEW 00284 PRAKASH OLIVET 25615203 9955099612 REVITHA THANKOM GEORGE 00623 ACHU ARARAT 24335198 6604400812 SMITHA THOMAS 02392 SMITHA MAHANAIM 25641963 9936935312 JERRIN VARUGHESE 02611 JERRIN EPHRATH 6686243613 ANN MARY SAJI 02134 MUTHU EDEN 6682948313 RIYA GEORGE MATHEW 03154 RIYA EPHRAIM 24316340 9710072713 MELVIN VARUGHESE T. 00484 MELVIN EMMAUS 25619683 9911291913 JACOB P. JABBU KOSHY 03181 JEBU MAHANAIM 25623596 9905603113 REUBEN RENJI VARGHESE 00944 REUBEN OLIVET 25629644 9977062314 ASHLY SHIBU CHERIAN 00414 NICHU KADESH 25649403 9989145014 PRIYA CHARLS 02582 PRIYA ARARAT 9926929115 SHIJU MAMMEN GEORGE 02821 SHIJU KADESH 25610934 9914200515 TOBY GEORGE MATHEW 01515 TOBY MIZPAH 25750317 9900410915 ELIZABETH JESSY MATHEW 00032 JESSY GETHSEMANE 25650273 97835292

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"

Birthdays in julyDATE NAME MEMBER

NOPET

NAMEPRAyER GROuP TELEPHONE MOBILE

15 ARON ALEX 01944 ARON EPHRAIM 24346514 6626573316 MARIA CARMEN 02452 MARIA EDEN 25643263 9797981316 AGASTYA RAJAN AVINASH 00338 AGU CANAAN 25629747 9906851416 SLINJU MONCY 04032 SLINJU EPHRATH 9971853716 KEZIA ALEXANDER 00782 KEZIA MIZPAH 97214239 9795210216 JUVIN KURUVILLA JOHN 04473 JUVIN CANAAN 5007480017 SUSAN JACOB (DR.) 03092 JESSY EPHRAIM 24762691 6627874318 KRIPA ELSA VARGHESE 01393 KRIPA KADESH 25621469 6642085418 ALVIN MATHEW VARGHESE 01624 ALVIN EPHRATH 24317873 9791613419 VINCE VARGHESE 04111 VINCE OLIVET 5510834419 SHIBU THOMAS JOHN (DR.) 01261 SHIBU EMMAUS 25660975 6653328419 SINI SOJI PHILIP 01522 SINI OLIVET 25628044 6626753720 BABUKUTTY P. 02181 BABUKUTTY ARARAT 6691078220 MOLCY RACHEL ABRAHAM 00443 MOLCY GETHSEMANE 25639462 9945041121 GEORGE VARGHESE K. 03021 KUTTAPPAN GEEHON 25353394 6622429721 NEVIN MATHEWS KURUVILLA 01603 NEVIN OLIVET 25667304 9942373522 JACOB MATHEW 01544 CHACKOCHEN GEEHON 25341972 6693577722 CIBI AJU 02322 CIBI MIZPAH 25616347 6673220622 ABRAHAM T. MATHEW 02421 JIM EPHRATH 24753854 6689328822 SANDRA BIJU VARGHESE 02394 SANU MAHANAIM 25641963 9936935323 MATHEW P. ALEXANDER 00031 CHARLY GETHSEMANE 25650273 9783529223 SARAH GRACE MATHEW 01104 MEENU SHEKAM 25652861 9984436424 SASHA ANN JOSHI 00684 SASHA GETHSEMANE 25620983 9951730024 KEVIN JOHN THOMAS 01263 KEVIN EMMAUS 25660975 6653328424 DIYA SUSAN VINOD 04383 DIYA MAHANAIM 9763741025 JOMIN MARIAM JACOB 02863 CHINNU EDEN 25632914 6649038525 GEORGE KURIAN 00641 GIGI KADESH 25663826 9960820625 LEENA MARIAM MATHEWS 04202 LEENA OLIVET 9442706025 DIYA ELIZABETH SUJI 04193 DIYA KADESH 6627968727 ROBY D. MATHEWS 02661 ROBY KADESH 25627554 6677908927 ANDREWS CHERIAN 00401 SURESH OLIVET 25646983 6639636727 ROHAN JACOB MANI 02073 ROHAN EDEN 25624138 9752057327 MATHEW JOHN 02081 MANOJ MIZPAH 25659153 9722741327 MADATHILPARAMPIL VARGHESE 04321 JOHN GETHSEMANE 9748801728 IRENE MARY KURUVILLA 01604 IRENE OLIVET 25667304 9942373528 KUNJAPPAN ALEXANDER 00781 ALEX MIZPAH 97214239 9795210228 HANNAH ANNE FINNEY 00424 HANNAH MAHANAIM 25610329 6663176128 ALEXANDER VAIDYAN T.O. 01841 KOCHUMON ARARAT 24346876 6689659428 MATHEW K.C. 00971 JAMES EPHRATH 24316015 9956150629 SABU GEORGE 04071 SABU EDEN 99735194 6617425929 MILAN KOSHY PHILIP 02493 MILAN CANAAN 25662310 6623646929 EBY SAM K. 01871 EBY 25639980 9998537330 JACOB MATHEW CHUDUKATTIL 03091 RAJESH EPHRAIM 24762691 6627874330 SHARON ELIZABETH MATHEW 00245 SHARON EMMAUS 25642194 6671110230 JIJI MATHEW GEORGE 01711 JIJI CANAAN 25668174 97801302

P. C. Thomas & FamilyMember No : 0445

Prayer group: MahanaiMMother Parish:

Thambaram immanuelTel. No: 97279954

Manoj Kuruvila & FamilyMember No: 447

Prayer Group: CanaanMother Parish:

Christ Church, PalayamTel. No: 50074800

Willy Mathew & FamilyMember No: 449

Prayer Group: EMMaUSMother Parish:

Jerusalem, nanthancodeTel. No: 97239423

Sony Thomas & FamilyMember No : 446

Prayer Group: GEThSEManEMother Parish:

Cherukole, MavelikaraTel. No: 97677536.

Mrs. Sunu anie ThomasMember No: 448

Prayer Group: GihOnMother Parish:

Sehion arayanpara, KunnamTel. No: 97803473

Samgeo Philip & FamilyMember No: 450

Prayer Group: EMMaUSMother Parish:

Kumplampoika SalemTel. No: 65608221.

NEw MEMBERS

NEw BORN BABIESROyCE RinU

Date of Birth: 14-06-2012S/O Rinu Sam Thomas

& Shiny N SamPrayer Group: Ephrath

Family No.: 0365

MiChEllE CyRa SaMDate of Birth: 04-03-2012D/o Sam Thomas Samuel &

Princy Mary SamPrayer Group: Ephrath

Family No.: 0188

FaiTh SUnny ThOMaS (ThOMU)

D O B - 26-05-2012S/O Sunny Thomas

Chakkumchira& Viji Sunny Thomas

Prayer Group: MAHANAIMFamily No.: 0343

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” - Proverbs 27:9

“Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share troubles?”- Proverbs 17:17

“Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.”- Proverbs 18:24

Wedding anniversaries in julyWe 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

REGuLAR PROGRAMS AT ST.THOMAS CENTRESunday School Closed for Summer VacationJunior Choir Every Thursday at 6.00 to 7.30 PMSenior Choir Every Thursday at 7.30 to 9.30 PMYuvajana Sakhyam Every 1st and 3rd Friday after the Worship serviceSevika SanghomEdavaka Mission All Saturdays at 7.00 PM

5 THOMAS PHILIP KOLETH & SHERIN THOMAS EDEN 25662952 998273895 JACOB MATHEW & MARY JACOB EPHRATH 24338098 972083536 GEORGE EAPEN & SHEENA ANNA GEORGE MAHANAIM 972540387 GEORGE MATHEW & SUMA P. EAPEN CANAAN 994329848 ROSHAN P. JACOB & JISHAMOL KURUVILLA EMMAUS 650624538 JAMES NATHANIEL & SHEEBA JAMES ARARAT 24315306 972875469 CHACKO V.J. & LEELAMMA CHACKO. K EDEN 25648169 995193549 SAJI VARGHESE SAMUEL & LOVELY CHACKO MAHANAIM 25611739 998459049 BLESSON DANIEL PHILIP & SHERLIN MARY VARGHESE EMMAUS 25638325 66035539

10 JACOB CHACKO ABRAHAM & SUBY M. VARGHESE KADESH 25617209 9922844811 ANU ABRAHAM K. & ELIZABETH ABRAHAM EMMAUS 25649072 9760987611 RONI THOMAS JOHN & SHERIN ANU RAJU MIZPAH 5504108515 BIJU GEORGE THOMAS & SEEMA ANNIE JOHN MAHANAIM 25635729 6673823717 SAJI MATHEW GEORGE & SOSAMMA CHACKO MIZPAH 25750317 9900410919 JACOB C. KOSHY & TERSY THOMAS EDEN 25615982 9764317623 CHACKO DANIEL & LISSY DANIEL EDEN 25652751 6616529223 ALEXANDER DAS & MARYKUTTY ALEXANDER MAHANAIM 25637873 9958229124 EBY SAM K. & SHALU EBY OLIVET 25639980 9998537324 ANU GEORGE THAKADIYIL THOMAS & ELIZABETH ANU ARARAT 66565360 6656536026 SUNIL PHILIP & RENJINI SUNIL PHILIP GEEHON 25349052 6619710727 SANTHOSH PHILIP & LINCY SOSA VARGHESE GEEHON 25652543 9791038528 VINEETH ABRAHAM PAZHOOR & SHERLYN MARIUM SOMAN MIZPAH 25612559 6627736329 SAM MATHEW & BEENA THOMAS EPHRATH 24348036 9710430730 SHOBIN K. MATHEWS & PREETHI ELIZABETH CHERIAN OLIVET 25638289 65010514

CBSE XII Std Top ScorerKevin varughese Thottungal

Science Group: 92.6% Indian Community School

(CBSE XII) S/o Mr. Varughese Mathew & Mrs. Mini Varughese Mathew

(Emmaus Prayer Group)

We the St. Thomas family congratulate for his excellence and wish him a

bright future.

“An honest answer is the sign of true friendship.” - Proverbs 24:26

“A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder - watch out!” - Proverbs 27:6

“The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them.” - John 15:13

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RS

HIP

SC

HE

Du

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H O

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2012

Prayer Groups shall identify and assign appropriate personnel as 2 Laymen to assist in Church services, 2 Lesson Readers and 4 Children/Adult to collect offertory, during Worship

services and Holy Communion services for both St.Thomas Centre & Hall of Peace. Please co-ordinate with our Lay Readers.

St. Thomas Messenger for the month of July is sponsored by the following couples on the occasion of their wedding anniversaries: Mrs. & Mr. Christy Thom

as, Mrs. & Mr. Roby D. Mathews, Mrs. & Mr. Thomas Chacko and Mrs. & Mr. Jacob Philip.

St.Thomas family takes this opportunity to thank them for their support.

ST.T

HO

MA

S O

FF

ICE

BE

AR

ER

S 2012-2013

vice PresidentLaloo Thom

asSecretary

Shibu C

herianTrustee - Finance

Abraham

Mathew

P.Trustee - A

ccountsC

hacko Daniel

Lay Ministrant

Boban Varghese K

.Lay M

inistrantD

r. Abraham

Kurian

99588244 / 2565765599891450 / 25649403

66565496 / 2563052166165292 / 25652751

66562536 / 2563515699468253 / 25663820

Sponsorship for St. THO

MA

S MESSEN

GER

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.

DATETIM

EvENuE

THEME

PROG

RAMM

EEPISTLE

GO

SPELFIRST

LESSON

SECOND

LESSON

PRAyER GRO

uP/ O

RGANIZATIO

N

3 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK

St.Thomas Apostle’s Day

HOLY

COM

MUNIO

N1 Tim

othy 3:10-17

St. John 20:24-29

Isaiah 52:7-15

1 Thesssalonians 1:1-9

EPHRAIM & EPHRAT

6 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYA

Tithe Offering Sunday -

The Gift of giving

HOLY

COM

MUNIO

N2 Corinthians

9: 6-15St. Luke 6:

27-38M

alachi 3:7-12

Acts 5:1-11

EDEN

10 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK

Ordained M

inistry - Im

itation of Christ HO

LY CO

MM

UNION

2 Corinthians 4: 1-6

St. John 10:1-11

Exodes 40:1-16

Hebrews 10:8-25

KADESH

13 FRI10.00 AM

STC, SALMIYA

The Priesthood of the B

aptized

FASTING PRAYER

EDAVAKA MISSIO

N

17 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK

HOLY

COM

MUNIO

N1 Peter 2:1-10

St.John 13:1-11

Gensis

18:16-331 John 3:1-12

GATHASEM

ANE

20 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYA

Anointing the Holy Muroon:

Gift of the Holy Spirit

HOLY

COM

MUNIO

N1 Corinthians

12: 4-13St.M

atthew 3: 8-12

Exodes 30:22-33

Acts 1:1-8

GEEHO

N

24 TUE07:30 PM

HOP, NECK

CANAAN

27 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYA

Christian Witness of the

DiasporaHO

LY CO

MM

UNION

2 Thesssalonians 1:3-12

St. John 12:20-28

Deuteronomy

28:1-14Acts 8:1-8

MIZPAH

31 TUE07:30 PM

HOP, NECK

OLIVET