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. 1 Vol. VII January 2013

(For Private Circulation only)

From the Desk of VicarDearly beloved in Christ

The celebration of the New Year is thought to be the oldest of all holidays, first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (which is the Crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (the first day of spring).

It makes sense to celebrate the New Year at the beginning of spring. After all, it is the time of year the new growth peaks out from the snow, new leaves burst from trees; it is the season of planting new crops and welcoming warmth. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian celebrated the New Year for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, Today’s one night and one day of celebration fails in comparison to those of the Babylonians.

Romans observed the New Year in late March, but their calendar was continually changed by various Emperors so that their calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

To set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But the changing of the calendar continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has now come to be known as the Julian calendar. It again established January 1st as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

We stand on the threshold of a new year. Most people generally look at the New Year as a fresh beginning, as an opportunity to kind of start over, to overcome a habit, or do a better job of something they see as important and that needs improvement. It may be parenting, being a better spouse, losing weight (which, by the way, is the number one resolution according to polls taken). It may be developing different priorities, using our time better, or a whole host of things that people would like to change.

So, we usually hear a lot about New Year’s resolutions, resolutions which are usually broken in a matter of weeks. Many people are very pessimistic about the whole issue of making resolutions, and rightly so, because so many good intentions are followed by a history of past failures.

But the New Year is a time to reflect and think about what the past year has brought and what the New Year could bring. It is a time to stop and analyze, to take stock of our priorities, values, pursuits, and goals. We need to ask questions like “Who am I, what am I doing with my life? What should I be doing as a Christian with my life and the stewardship God has given me?” After all, according to the Word of God, all of life is a stewardship--a stewardship of our time, talents, treasures, and God’s truth. In other words, since God’s plan and our stewardships revolve around and through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, we need to each ask “How well am I responding to the Savior and the spiritual life that He has given me?” Let us dedicate our life to be His stewards.

May God strengthen you to do His mission with a proper vision. Wishing you all a blessed and prospers New Year.

Yours in Christ

Panachamoottil achen

St. Thomas Fest 2013 Coupon Releasing

St. Thomas Church Christmas Carol 2012

Our Parish Festival's Coupon Releasing by Mr. Jacob Punnoose, former DGP of Kerala and the first coupon received by Mr Christy Thomas and Mr. John Varghese.

Birthdays in januaryDaTe NaMe MeMbeR

NoPeT

NaMePRayeR GRouP TeLePhoNe MobiLe

1 SAMSON JOSEPH 01851 SAMSON SHEKAM 97940757 979407571 JIA SIBU JACOB 02143 JIA EPHRAIM 24893157 660164842 MERLIN ABRAHAM 00724 MERLIN MIZPAH 25624177 662844272 SOUMYA MARY VARGHESE 04392 SOUMIYA MAHANAIM 66529639 665296393 SANJU MATHEW 00453 SANJU MAHANAIM 25633985 996058993 MICAH PRINCE RINU 02093 MICAH KADESH 25652342 990764943 COLIN SHIBU SKARIAH 02274 CILIN MIZPAH 97157006 668889363 VIJI VARGHESE 03681 VIJI EPHRAIM 97541288 975412884 SHARON MARIA MATHEW 00743 SHARON GEEHON 25344763 664093594 JEHOSHEBA SARAH BOBBY 01594 SHONA EMMAUS 25622547 651346504 ALAN GEORGE KOSHY 03671 ALAN ARARAT 24335198 667358284 MATHEW PHILIP 03861 MATHEW ARARAT 97133949 971339494 SANOJ K. MATHEW 04301 SANOJ MIZPAH 97176482 971764825 JINU CHACKO THOMAS 01231 JINU GETHSEMANE 25641796 991145625 MARTIN DILEEP KOLLAMALA 01465 MARTIN GETHSEMANE 25639678 670574795 NIYA JOSE 04594 NIYA KADESH 60424930 604249306 BIJI ABRAHAM 00722 BIJI MIZPAH 25624177 662844276 SUJA BABY 03504 SUJA EPHRAIM 24745215 993317387 MERCY SAJU 00862 VIJI EDEN 25650391 994214577 THOMAS CHACKO 01171 BIJU EPHRAIM 97335426 973354267 BENNY THOMAS 02041 BENNY KADESH 25659310 996710878 NISHA KURIAN 02022 NISHA GETHSEMANE 97230802 972308029 THOMAS GEORGE 00701 BABYCHEN EPHRATH 24330292 661910079 SELVIN JOSE 02674 MON ARARAT 24317585 661724259 VILAS JOSHUA 03343 JOSHUA GEEHON 99899379 9989937910 JEREMIAH MATHEW 00584 JERRY MAHANAIM 66194291 9719195310 VARUGHESE THOMAS M. 01201 BABU GETHSEMANE 25652006 9932023010 ANNAMMA THOMAS 01392 JESSY KADESH 25621469 6642085410 GEORGE KURUVILLA 03071 SURESH GETHSEMANE 97271695 9727169511 JOANNE REBECCA 02414 JOANNE CANAAN 25617784 6507845011 JISHAMOL KURUVILLA 02892 JISHA EMMAUS 65062453 6506245311 MANNA SYRAH VARGHESE 04063 MANNAH EPHRAIM 99967590 9996759011 GIBU KURIAN CHERIAN 04561 GIBU EPHRATH 97389302 6996350012 SHIBU T. JOHN 03001 SHIBU EPHRATH 24342128 9720107012 OLIVIA ELSA JIBU 03373 AMMU EPHRAIM 25624570 6655748613 MARY PHILIP 02873 NIDHI SHEKAM 23718450 6684602113 BLESSON GEORGE VARGHESE 03023 FEBY GEEHON 66224297 6622429715 SHAWN THOMAS 01734 SHAWN EDEN 66761362 9913854815 RAJU MATHAI M. 02721 RAJU EPHRATH 24330292 9754038115 DAN ANOOP ALEX 02913 DAN EPHRATH 24344721 9943607716 KIRAN ABRAHAM MATHEW 00283 KIRAN OLIVET 25615203 9955099616 SONAL JACOB 01244 SONAL CANAAN 25624312 6657706916 ASHA GEORGY 03162 ASHA EPHRATH 67058476 67058476

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 januaryDaTe NaMe MeMbeR

NoPeT

NaMePRayeR GRouP TeLePhoNe MobiLe

17 SHIBU PHILIP MATHAI 01371 SHIBU EDEN 25636526 9961572417 EVELYN MARIAM EAPEN 02803 EVA KADESH 25668263 6654399017 JANET SHUBY ABRAHAM 03302 SHIBY ARARAT 66474967 6647496717 JEENU SUNIL 04262 JEENU EDEN 66714543 6671454318 RINU MATHEW JOHN 01344 RINU ARARAT 24348934 6628096718 JISHA JOHN 03342 JISHA GEEHON 99899379 9989937919 NOEL GEORGE KOLETH 00844 NOEL EDEN 25625029 9750424319 ASHNA ANN BENNY 02044 ASHNA MOL KADESH 25659310 9967108720 SINI RENJI VARGHESE 00942 SINI OLIVET 25629644 9977062320 NIBU P.N. 04651 NIBU GEEHON 96970497 9697049721 TEENA TINI GEORGE 03292 TEENA ARARAT 24318091 9925068221 VARGHESE C.V 03301 MONCY ARARAT 66474967 6647496721 SAAYOOJ DENNIS JOHN 03694 SAAYOOJ MAHANAIM 25610139 6624924022 SHIBU PHILIP 01961 SHIBU OLIVET 658311508 65831150822 AJITH JOHN MATHEW 02083 AJITH MIZPAH 25659153 9722741322 CHINNU SUSAN CHERIYAN 03013 CHINNU SHEKAM 23727907 9946823923 GEORGE T. KOLETH 00841 BIJU EDEN 25625029 9750424323 ABRAHAM VARGHESE 01501 PRASAD OLIVET 25652846 9759235123 CRISTINA ELIZABETH SHIBU 02273 CHRISTINA MIZPAH 97157006 6688893623 TINKU ABRAHAM MATHEW 03981 TINKU CANAAN 66421904 6642190424 HANNAH GRACE ANDREWS 00403 AMMU OLIVET 25646983 6639636724 LEAH ELSA PHILIP 02284 AAMI OLIVET 25611291 9957469524 DENI DANIEL 02822 DENI KADESH 25610934 9914200524 NISHA MARIAM JOSHY 03673 NISHA ARARAT 24335198 6673582824 ASHA ANNIE PHILIP 04632 ASHA SHEKAM 23710871 6632152425 ARUN THOMAS LALOO 00273 ARUN GETHSEMANE 25657655 9958824425 ANNAMMA REJI 01142 BINDHU ARARAT 24344521 9721943325 MATHEW PHILIP 01373 NAMITH EDEN 25636526 9961572425 SAJU THOMAS 03061 SAJU EPHRAIM 66884238 6688423826 JOHEN VARGHESE JOHN 00204 JOHEN CANAAN 25627036 9908644926 SUSAN JOHN 00364 SUSAN MIZPAH 25616795 6678323926 GEORGY MATHEW 03101 GEORGY ARARAT 24316092 6510808427 ANGELA GEORGE KURIAN 00643 ANGELA KADESH 25663826 9960820627 ALEX MATHEW ALEXANDER 02633 ALEX GEEHON 22623051 9710085328 EASOW K.I. 00571 ABLE MIZPAH 25751147 9978060928 LITA STEVEN 04342 LITA MIZPAH 25627706 6659664529 SNEHA JOHN 04252 SNEHA EDEN 94917052 9491705229 VINOD THOMAS ALEXANDER 04381 VINOD MAHANAIM 97637410 9763741030 ETHAN BINOY 02373 ETHAN EDEN 25611281 9988011431 LEON VARKEY ABRAHAM 01933 LEON EDEN 67050820 6705082031 ABEL SHAJI GEORGE 03923 ABEL EDEN 60427100 60427100

Wedding anniversaries in januaryDaTe NaMe PRayeR GRP. TeL. ReS. MobiLe1 SAJU PAPPACHAN & MERCY SAJU EDEN 25650351 994214571 JOSE EAPEN & ANNAMMA JOSE ARARAT 24338529 666607643 MATHEW JOHN & CUCKOO ALEY MATHEW JOHN MIZPAH 25659153 972274133 SAMGEO PHILIP & PRIYA SAIRA ABRAHAM EMMAUS 65608221 656082215 JACOB CHERIAN & ALEYAMMA THOMAS EPHRAIM 97459430 974594305 PHILIP VARGHESE (DR.) & MARIAM JOSEPH SHEKAM 23718450 668460217 ANDREWS CHERIAN & ANU ALICE ANDREWS OLIVET 25646983 663963677 MATHEW GEORGE ABRAHAM & SALLY GEORGE ABRAHAM GETHSEMANE 25639462 994504119 PAZHOOR VARUGHESE ABRAHAM & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM MIZPAH 25612559 662773639 RENJI VARGHESE & SINI RENJI VARGHESE OLIVET 25629644 9977062311 LIJU CHACKO VARGHESE & BINNEY LIJU EPHRAIM 66883181 6688318111 ABRAHAM THOMAS (DR.) & FENE MARY ABRAHAM EMMAUS 55778350 5577835012 ABRAHAM ISSAC ABRAHAM & DAISY ISSAC ABRAHAM GENERAL 25634157 6623965612 AVINASH RAJAN DANIEL & JEENA AVINASH CANAAN 25629747 9906851412 VARUGHESE THOMAS & JANCY JOSEPH EPHRAIM 24808395 9952606212 GEORGE MATHEW K. & BEENA THOMAS EPHRAIM 24316340 9710072712 RENJI RAJU & VINCY RENJI EPHRAIM 66857851 6685785114 GEEVARGHESE THOMAS & SUSY VARGHESE THOMAS EMMAUS 25629186 6063127215 THOMAS P. ABRAHAM & LIZY THOMAS CANAAN 25649170 9794421415 REJI MATHEW PHILIP K. & ANNAMMA REJI ARARAT 24344521 9721943315 VARUGHESE GEORGE (DR.) & KITTY VARGHESE MAHANAIM 25630261 9956240515 ABIN BOBY & PRECY ABIN BOBY MAHANAIM 97140352 9714035215 JOSE MATHEW & LINY THOMAS KADESH 60424930 6042493016 RAJU VARGHESE & SUSAMMA ABRAHAM CANAAN 25641839 9940611516 PHILIP A. NINAN & VALSAMMA PHILIP CANAAN 55160182 5516018216 MATHEW C. OOMMEN & ALEYAMMA MATHEW EPHRATH 24314590 6676007516 JOHNSON GEORGE & SUSAN JOHNSON SHEKAM 66725394 6672539418 EAPEN VERGHESE & REXY GIGI OLIVET 25658549 9955625718 THOMAS K. S. & MARY THOMAS EDEN 25611281 9959081918 BINOY THOMAS & SHIYA MOL TOM EDEN 25611281 9988011418 JACOB T. ABRAHAM & ALIN T. JACOB EDEN 25632914 6068074619 PHILIP C. M. & SARAH PHILIP CANAAN 25629665 9979653619 SHIJU MAMMEN GEORGE & DENI DANIEL KADESH 25610934 9914200519 VINOO VARGHESE ABRAHAM & LEENA MARIAM MATHEWS OLIVET20 ACHANKUNJU K. M. & SHALI ACHANKUNJU KADESH 25646384 6654782020 SHIBU SKARIAH & JEE ANNIE MATHEW MIZPAH 97157006 6688893622 MATHEW PHILIP & SUSY MATHEW GEEHON 22657126 9973069922 ALEYAMMA VARGHESE & VARGHESE K. A. GEEHON 25319557 6683018522 JACOB JOSEPH P. & MARIAMMA JACOB OLIVET 25635798 6648161822 JOHN P. MATHEW & BEELA MATHEW MAHANAIM 25632457 9980071323 REGI ALEX MATHEW (DR.) & SHEJI ALEX (DR.) EPHRATH 24330564 6709646523 ANIL KURIAN JACOB & NANCY KURIAN ARARAT 25610029 9953196523 SUBIN SAM MATHEW & LENI ELIZABETH MAMMEN ARARAT 24341694 9936289223 AJU PAUL & CIBI AJU MIZPAH 25616347 6673220624 ABRAHAM T. C. & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM EMMAUS 25758782 9980763224 PHILIP GEORGE & SOPHY VARGHESE (LATE) EPHRATH 66674980 6667498024 NISHA MARIAM JOSHY ARARAT 24335198 6673582824 BYJU JOHN & ASHA ANNIE PHILIP SHEKAM 23710871 6632152425 JACOB M. CHANNAPETTA & SUDHA JACOB CANAAN 25624312 6657706925 MON MATHEWS C. JOHN & SEENA M. MATHEWS KADESH 25665482 99785934

Wedding anniversaries in january

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. MobiLe25 RINU ABY PRINCE & SUSAN RINU KADESH 25652342 9907649425 ALEX M. GEORGE & SHIMSY ALEX CANAAN 66062752 6606275225 SHIBU T. JOHN & JESSY KOSHY EPHRATH 24342128 9720107026 MATHEW ABRAHAM & MARY MATHEW ABRAHAM OLIVET 25615203 9955099626 JIJI IDICULLA JOHN & TRESSA MARIE JOHN KADESH 25653028 9928199526 CROSSBLE THOMAS & DANI ABRAHAM GETHSEMANE 25649357 9959728227 IDICULA MATHAI & SUSAN IDICULA MATHAI MAHANAIM 25633985 9960589928 JAMES V. KOTTARAM & BINCY JAMES ARARAT 99450894 9945089429 SAJU THOMAS & RESHMI RAJAN EPHRAIM 66884238 6688423829 GEORGE ABRAHAM ARUTHUKKAL & ALEYAMMA ABRAHAM EPHRAIM 55720525 5572052531 GEORGE MATHEW & MINI GEORGE MATHEW EMMAUS 97615189 9761518931 JOSHAN P. ABRAHAM & DEEPA ANN MATHEW EDEN 25647805 9743414731 KURIAN OOMMEN & JINCY GEORGE EPHRAIM 66173407 66173407

“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. Mariyamma John (64), Vennikkulam, Chamathackal-Baby Villa, mother of Mrs. Beena Elizabeth, Member. No: 03912, Ephraim Prayer Group, Tel: 97341068.Mrs. Sosamma Mathen (81), Parackamannil House, Manjadi, Thiruvalla, mother of Mrs. Aliyamma Varughese, Member. No: 0292, Geehon Prayer group, Tel: 66830185.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.

Sevika Sangham Cake sale Inauguration Rev.Thomas Koshy Panachamoottil presenting the memento to Mr. Philip A. Ninan (Member No.0100)

during the farewell meeting.

Sevika Sangham Farewell

ReGuLaR PRoGRaMS aT ST.ThoMaS CeNTRe

Sunday School Every Friday at 2.30 pm 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

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St. Thomas Messenger for the month of January is sponsored by the following couples on the occasion of their wedding anniversaries: Mr. Crossble Thomas & Mrs. Dani Abraham, Mr. Saju Pappachen & Mrs. Mercy Saju,

Mr. Sam Cherian & Mrs. Binu Thomas, Dr. Reji Philip Athyal & Dr. Preethi Simon.St.Thomas family takes this opportunity to thank them for their support.

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Vice PresidentLaloo Thom

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Sponsorship for St. Tho

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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.

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N4 FRI

7.30 AMSTC, SALMIYA

Danha (Epiphany): Baptism of our Lord -

Outside Kerala Mission

HOLY COMMUNION

Romans 6: 1-11

St.Matthew 3: 13-17

2 Kings 2:19-22

Acts 19:1-7

CANAAN

8 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK, Kuwait CityEMMAUS

11 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYADestruction of Body and Soul - Loosing the Kingdom of God

-Temperance Sunday

HOLY COMMUNION

(English)

Galatians 5:16-24

St.Mark 5:1-19

Isaiah 28:1-7

Ephesians 5:15-21

SUNDAY SCHOOL / Jr. CHOIR

11 FRI10.00 AM

STC, SALMIYAFa

STiNG

PRayeR

EDAVAKA MISSION

15 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK, Kuwait City HOLY

COMMUNIONGalatians 5:16-24

St.Mark 5:1-19

Isaiah 28:1-7

Ephesians 5:15-21

OLIVET

18 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYA"God of Life, Lead us in to Justice

and Peace" - Eccumenical Sunday

HOLY COMMUNION

Ephesians 6:10-17

St.Matthew 5: 1-11

Genesis 6:13-22

James 5:1-11

GETHSEMANE

22 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK, Kuwait CityARARAT

25 FRI7.30 AM

STC, SALMIYACost of Discipleship

HOLY COMMUNION

1 Peter 4:12-19

St.Luke 14:25-33

Isaiah 42 : 1-7

2 Timothy 2:1-13

EPHRAIM & EPHRAT

29 TUE7.30 PM

HOP, NECK, Kuwait CityMIZPA