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PEACE AND GRACE
Commemoration of St. Pope Kyrillos VI the Wonderworker (March 9, 2024 / Amshir 30, 1740)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 6:1-4
SERVICES THIS WEEK
MONDAY:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. (online)
TUESDAY:
Women’s Fellowship Night: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at St. Basil’s Church (see below)
WEDNESDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FRIDAY:
Bible Study: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Book of Esther) Click Here to join Zoom at 7:30pm
SATURDAY:
Saturday Youth Camp:
Elementary School Bible Study & Activities: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Vespers Raising of Incense: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Midnight Praises 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Agape Meal immediately after the liturgy
Beginner & Intermediate Hymn Classes: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday School Classes: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Women’s Meeting Event This Tuesday!
In anticipation of St. Pope Kyrillos’ commemoration on March 9th, we will be reflecting about him and the many lessons in his life that are a pattern for us to follow!
Location: St. Basil’s Church
Date: March 5, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Food: Potluck!!! SIGN UP HERE
Babysitting provided!
Contact Mariana Maximous with questions: 949-291-3546.
Congratulations for our New Members!
Congratulations to Shannon, Andrew, Dayna and Norah for their baptism/anointing! God bless your journey in the Coptic Orthodox Church with all the graces that He makes so readily available to all of us!
St. Cyril of Jerusalem on Baptism
Catechetical Lecture 20 - Fourth Century AD
4. After these things, you were led to the holy pool of Divine Baptism, as Christ was carried from the Cross to the Sepulcher which is before our eyes. And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and you made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ. For as our Saviour passed three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, so you also in your first ascent out of the water, represented the first day of Christ in the earth, and by your descent, the night; for as he who is in the night, no longer sees, but he who is in the day, remains in the light, so in the descent, as in the night, you saw nothing, but in ascending again you were as in the day. And at the self-same moment you were both dying and being born; and that Water of salvation was at the same time your grave and your mother. And what Solomon spoke of others will suit you also; for he said, “There is a time to bear and a time to die” Ecclesiastes 3:2; but to you, in the reverse order, there was a time to die and a time to be born; and one and the same time effected both of these, and your birth went hand in hand with your death.
5. O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again; but our imitation was in a figure, and our salvation in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things He has freely bestowed upon us, that we, sharing His sufferings by imitation, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and suffered anguish; while on me without pain or toil by the fellowship of His suffering He freely bestows salvation.
6. Let no one then suppose that Baptism is merely the grace of remission of sins, or further, that of adoption; as John's was a baptism conferring only remission of sins: whereas we know full well, that as it purges our sins, and ministers to us the gift of the Holy Spirit, so also it is the counterpart of the sufferings of Christ. For this cause Paul just now cried aloud and said, “Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death”? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into His death. These words he spoke to some who were disposed to think that Baptism ministers to us the remission of sins, and adoption, but has not further the fellowship also, by representation, of Christ's true sufferings.
St. Basil’s Bible Study: Friday Nights (7-8:30pm)
This week, we will review the Old Testament Book of Esther!
Read it before the meeting and come with questions, comments or thoughts on this inspiring book!
Refreshments: 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Discussion: 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Also, on Zoom for those who can’t make it to church! Click Here to join at 7:30pm
Checked Out Our Bookstore Lately?
Enter the world of the Early Church Fathers including St. Athanasius, St. Cyril, St. Augustine, and (of course) St. Basil! There are also books from modern authors such as Pope Shenouda III, Fr. Matthew the Poor, Bishop Epiphanius, and Paulos Mar Gregorios, and many more! You will also find books for children as well as some crafts as well. Be sure to stop by!
AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY!
Hello St. Basil’s family! We’re happy to continue our weekly Agape meal, but we can’t do it without your help!
You can help in the following ways:
Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).
Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.
Hall clean up following the Agape meal.
Please CLICK HERE to sign up.
We also need help with coffee so please sign up!
God bless your efforts!
PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES
Join us on ONLINE on Monday nights at 8:00 PM for Baptism preparation classes. Visit www.stbasil.net/baptism for more information. These classes are open for:
Anyone interested in becoming members of the Coptic Orthodox Church,
Those recently baptized (within the last few years), or
Simply anyone else seeking to better understand the basics of the Christian Faith and History.
Together, we will review the importance of baptism and its impact, the Sacraments, the inspiring church history, the Orthodox Creed, the Holy Bible, Orthodox Prayer and Spiritual life, and Church traditions. Reading material will be provided for those who wish to attend. To register for this class, please contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350 or FrMichaelMaximous@gmail.com.
DIOCESE NEWS, EVENTS, TRIPS & PROGRAMS
INTERESTED IN MISSIONARY TRIPS?
Click here for many opportunities!!!
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
As a reminder, the Professionals LinkedIn group is an easy way to connect and network with fellow members of our community.
ST. BASIL WELCOME PORTAL
Do you know about our Welcome Portal? You can use it to register as a member, update existing contact information, volunteer for a church service, make a donation, contact Father Michael, or provide private comments/questions/suggestions. Try it out and visit our Welcome Portal.
FAMILY HOME VISITS
Father Michael is offering home visits for anyone who is interested. It’s a wonderful practice to have a priest visit your home at least once a year. Please reach out to him directly to schedule a visit!
Phone: 949-378-0350
Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please let us know if you have any upcoming important events for us to share with our fellow congregants. Special events are best shared among our family, and we encourage you to share your special news with us.