ST. STEPHEN’S MAR THOMA CHURCH
Volume XXVI | No. 03
423 DUNHAMS CORNER ROAD
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ 08816
Rev. Arun Samuel Varghese
www.ststephensmtc.org
MARCH
President
Rev. Arun Samuel Varghese
asv001@gmail.com
(714) 975-0239
Vice President Dr. Samuel Thomas (973) 722-0154
Secretary
Mrs. Bibina V
arughese
secretary@ststephensmtc.com
(848) 248-5863
Trustee Mr. Manoj Joseph (585) 747-1839
Accountant Mrs. Binu Raji (732) 789-6277
Lay leader Malayalam Mr. Shaiju Cheriyan (732) 768-5677
Lay leader English Mr. Sunil Thomas (732) 397-7218
Choir Mrs. Sherin Alex (609) 285-7674
Edavaka Mission Dr. Raji Varghese (732) 387-6128
Senior Fellowship Mr. John Thomas (Soman) (908) 295-7606
Sevika Sangham Mrs. Jancy Jacob (732) 895-5033
Sunday School Miss. Saniya Mathew (848) 256-8786
Young Family Fellowship Mrs. Akila De Alwis (908) 838-6126
Youth Fellowship Miss. Angelica Varughese (848) 248-5862
Yuvajana Sakhyam Mr. Jinu Varghese (508) 310-3777
Prayer Group 1 Mrs. Julie Koshy (732) 644-4858
Prayer Group 2 Mr. Abey George Philip (609) 815-5804
Prayer Group 3 Mr. Sunil Kurien (732) 546-1468
Mandalam Mr. Shibu Varghese (201) 675-9280
Assembly Mr. Earlin George (908) 255-0412
Assembly Mrs. Mini Cheriyan (732) 579 7558
Auditor Mr. Roy Varghese (848) 213-6309
Auditor Mr. Ben Samuel (215) 385-1653
Executive Committee 2025
Achen’s Message!
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your
heart of stone and give you a heart of fl esh. And I will put my Spirit in you…” Ezekiel
36:26-27
Dear St. Stephen’s Family,
The beauty of springtime is one that we gladly welcome into our lives – the fresh
green leaves and colorful fl ower buds beginning to sprout from the bare branches
is always a refreshing sight that stirs within us a sense of renewal and hope. The
arrival of Spring brings new life to the world around us, and it’s a time when nature
itself refl ects the wonder of transformation. We take in the fresh air, bask in the
warmth of the sunlight, and it’s all a rejuvenating experience for our bodies. We
open all the windows to let that fresh air in and clear out the cobwebs and dust that
accumulated during winter.
On the contrary, do we welcome the season of Great Lent in the same way? The
name ‘Lent’ itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Lenten’ meaning ‘Spring’, yet
we tend to approach and associate this time with a more solemn, even somber feel-
ing. However, every year the journey of Great Lent o ers us the great opportunity
to truly refresh and renew ourselves in a much deeper way. It’s the opportunity to
clear the cobwebs that have gotten in the way and refresh our senses, so we can
realize God’s presence much more in our life experiences. It’s the time to bask all
the more in the light of the Lord and God’s word and thereby be rejuvenated in
mind, body and spirit. It’s a journey which empowers us to live our lives fi lled with
the love revealed on the cross and the hope of His glorious resurrection.
Great Lent is the journey to the cross. Cross is the call to self-denial, sacrifi ce, and
service for the Kingdom of God. Though the path is not always easy, it is one fi lled
with the promise of renewal and the joy of salvation. Let’s make the journey with
open hearts and minds, submitted in God’s hands.
May these days of Great Lent be a time of repentance, renewal and transforma-
tion. As we walk this path together, may the Holy Spirit work in our lives to give us
deeper vision and a greater sense of purpose. Let our Lent journey be a testimony
of Christ’s love, bringing blessings not only to ourselves but to those around us, for
the glory of God.
With prayerful regards,
Rev. Arun Samuel Varghese
Announcements!
Sunday School
Sunday School will begin every Sunday at 9 am at Church.
Sevika Sanghom
The Sevika Sanghom Prayer Conference call will be held every Wednesday eve-
ning in March (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) at 9pm. Please Dial-in using phone number:
(716) 427-1395 and Access Code: 289872#
Sevika Sanghom meeting will be held on Saturday March 22nd at 10 am at the res-
idence of Mrs. Manju Joseph, Address: 23 Shepherd Way, Kendall Park, NJ 08824.
Youth Fellowship
YF meeting will be held on Friday, March 14th at 7pm, and we will have a YF Out-
ing on Saturday, March 22nd. Further details will be shared via the St. Stephen’s
Youth WhatsApp group.
Young Family Fellowship
We will be having a YFF meeting on Saturday, March 15th at 11am at the residence
of Mr. Nithin Chacko & Mrs. Akila De Alwis, Address: 9 Kemp Drive, Springfi eld NJ
07081. All YFF friends are encouraged to attend the meeting prayerfully.
Yuvajana Sakhyam
Weekly Bible study will be held on Wednesday the 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, via Zoom
from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Encouraging all to join via Zoom link
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/72771851287?pwd=n33Yc4rZOdN11CskxHpDjUC6K-
aquM4.1 (Meeting ID: 727 7185 1287 Passcode: deepdive).
Edavaka Mission
There will be a Southeast Region MTVEA meeting on Saturday, March 1st from
9am at St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, Address: 56 Ridgewood Road, Washington
Township, NJ. Registration fee will be $15 per person. All Edavaka Mission mem-
bers are requested to attend.
Lent Prayers & Worship Services
We will have Valiya Nombu Sandhya Namaskaram (Great Lent Evening prayers)
at Church after Mid-Lent this month on Friday, March 28th at 7pm and Saturday,
March 29th at 6pm.
Church Prayer on Saturday, March 1st at 6pm at the residence of Mr. George
Thomas (Aby), Address: 26 Blue Heron Way, Skillman, NJ 08558. Requesting all
to prayerfully join for this Memorial Prayer meeting in remembrance of the 1st anni-
versary of our Rene’s passing.
Prayer Group 1
Will have a prayer meeting on Sunday, March 30th at 5:30pm at the residence of
Dr. Joseph Mathew and Mrs. Remany Joseph, Address: 12 Lucinda Court, Edison NJ
08820. Requesting prayerful participation of all Prayer Group 1 members.
Prayer Group 2
Will have a prayer meeting on Friday, March 7th at 7pm at the residence of Dr.
Suresh Babu and Mrs. Siny Varghese, Address: 658 Snowden Lane, Princeton, NJ
08540. Requesting prayerful participation of all Prayer Group 2 members.
Prayer Group 3
Will have a prayer meeting on Saturday, March 15th at 5:30 pm at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. Sibi Abraham, Address: 7 Holmes Avenue, Monroe, NJ 08831. Request-
ing prayerful participation of all Prayer Group 3 members.
Newborn
Pleased to announce that our members Mr. Nibu Balan and Mrs. Anju Abraham are
blessed with a baby boy named Noah Nibu, on Monday, February 24th, 2024.
Both the baby and mom are in good health. On behalf of the St. Stephen’s family,
congratulating both the parents Nibu & Anju, grandparents, and extended family
members. Let us continue to uphold the family in our prayers.
Condolences
Mr. Anil Varughese (47 years, Chackalakuzhiyil House, Kochi), brother of our mem-
ber Mr. Sunil Varughese, passed away on February 13, 2025 in Thiruvananthapur-
am, Kerala, India. He is survived by wife Kezi and sons, Joel and Ethan.
During these di cult times, let us remember Mr. Sunil Varughese & Mrs. Serah
Thomas, Abel Varughese and Noel Varughese and all the extended families in our
family prayers. May our Lord Almighty give them comfort, strength and everlasting
peace.
On behalf of St. Stephen’s, o ering our deepest condolences and prayers to the
bereaved family members.
World Day of Prayer
Will be observed on Saturday, March 8th at 3pm at St, Thomas Syro-Malankara
Catholic Church, Address: 11 Delaware Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07206. Country of Fo-
cus: Cook Islands. Theme: “I made you wonderful” (Psalms 139:14). Guest Speaker:
Mrs. Liji Alex Kochamma (St. Paul’s Indian Orthodox Church, Albany, NY). Bible
Study: Mrs. Sally Mathew Kochamma (Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey, Randolph).
Diocese Summer Events:
35th Family Conference: July 3 – 6th, at Melville, Long Island, NY. Visit website to
register: https://mtfc2025.org
Important Days to Remember
March 2, Sunday Beginning of Great Lent
Diocesan Sunday
March 3, Monday Ministry of Reconciliation
March 7, Friday World Women’s Day of Prayer (WDP)
March 8, Saturday ECFNJ WDP Meeting
March 26, Wednesday Mid-Lent
2025 India Mission Trip:
July 8 to July 20, 2025. Deadline for Registration: March 31st
Native American Mission Activities: Registration deadline May 5, 2025
• Oklahoma VBS Camp (Broken Bow, OK): June 1 – 6
• Louisiana VBS Camp (Dulac, LA): June 6 – 9
• Alabama VBS Camp (Mt. Vernon, AL): June 11 – 14
• Arizona VBS Camp (Fort Defi ance, AZ): June 13 – 17
• Utah VBS Camp (Blu , UT): June 26 – 30
• New México VBS Camp (Farmington, NM): July 17 – 20
2025
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Birthdays!
2 P. V. Varughese F/o Geogie Varughese (732) 355-0830
3 Mathew Johnson (732) 432-6444
3 Dilip S. Abraham (732) 647-5215
3 Jeslie Cherian (732) 654-7756
3 Dr. David Samuel (716) 307-2968
4 Philip Thomas Stephen S/o Bina Thomas Stephen (973) 324-2205
4 Sherin Thomas W/o Abey George Philip (609) 815-5804
4 Danielle Mathew D/o Pramod Mathew (732) 832-6784
5 Saji M.Mathew (609) 297-8825
5 Jennifer Kurien W/o Nidhin Johnson (732) 845-0031
6 Daniel Varghese (209) 292-7481
6 Sunil Thomas (570) 620-0226
6 Jacob K. Sam (732) 980-9154
6 Samara Jaya Suresh D/o Dr. Suresh Babu (908) 721-1907
6 Jiya Liyana Joseph D/o Blessen V. Joseph (732) 841-0814
8 Neha Thomas D/o George Thomas (908) 668-9676
9 Sujit V. John (973) 715-3048
9 Zoey Jeslie D/o Jeslie Cherian (732) 654-7756
10 Ruth Joseph D/o Dr. Emil Mathew Joseph (732) 402-7106
10 Baji T. Kunjumon (732) 738-3974
12 Aleyamma Abraham W/o Abraham Pulimoottil (732) 283-4855
12 George Yohannan (732) 325-0334
12 Philip J. Isaac (732) 226-2301
13 Philip Cherukara (732) 381-3633
13 Sherin Mathews W/o Libin Vaghese (405) 416-0993
14 Leon Soji Thomas S/o Soji Thomas (908) 241-0638
14 Nidhin Solomon Johnson S/o Nidhin Johnson (732) 845-0031
15 Sajan P. Chacko (908) 964-0735
16 Varkey Mathew (609) 286-9071
17 Ben Samuel (215) 385-1653
18 Pappen Varghese (908) 672-5378
18 Alice K. Yesudasan W/o K.J.John (908) 937-3446
18 Rohan Rubin Varkey S/o Thomas Varkey (908) 301-0084
20 Alexis Roy Cherian S/o Roy Varghese (848) 213-6309
20 Ashesh Mathew Abraham BIL/o Sam Kurian Thomas (631) 568-6524
21 Annamma John (732) 752-5033
21 David Mathew Abraham S/o Rev. Shibi Abraham (469) 546-0280
22 Rev. Shibi Abraham (469) 546-0280
22 Susan Matthews W/o John Matthews (732) 332-0067
22 Christina Philip Isaac D/o Philip J. Isaac (732) 226-2301
22
Dr. Ritty Elizabeth Abra-
ham
W/o Dr. Emil Mathew Joseph (732) 402-7106
23 Grace Varghese W/o Shibu Varghese (732) 348-8165
24 Manju Joseph W/o Manoj Joseph (732) 689-5511
24 Jaya Panicker W/o Jacob Panicker (908) 994-0428
26 Ann Mohan George
D/o Mohan George
Mathews
(848) 313-3454
27 Mammen T. Thomas (732) 422-0701
27 Asha Mathew W/o Juny Mathew (732) 543-4289
27 Simon Mathews (908) 889-8179
27 Joshua Steven Mullassery S/o Steven John Mullassery (732) 397-9103
27 Prasad Skariah Mathukutty (302) 438-7647
28 Steven Soji Thomas S/o Soji Thomas (908) 241-0638
29 Asha Anna Samuel D/o Jacob Samuel (732) 561-2359
29 Sneha Manoj Mathew D/o Manoj Mathew (732) 494-0889
29 Elizabeth Chacko W/o Jacob Chacko (732) 249-7318
29
Theodore Kochiyil
Mathews
S/o Robin Kochiyil Mathews (718) 710-7726
30 Kiran Thomas S/o Sunil Thomas (570) 620-0226
31 Jacob Samuel (732) 561-2359
Wedding Anniversaries
4 Mr. Saji M.Mathew & Mrs. Sittu Mathew (609) 297-8825
5 Dr. David Samuel & Dr. Ann Mary John (716) 307-2968
12 Mr. Vinoj Mathew & Mrs. Mini Mathew (732) 910-5689
