BLESSED COPTIC NEW YEAR!
The Departure of Moses the Prophet (Tout 8, 1743 / September 18, 2026)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”
Exodus 33:17-20
SERVICES THIS WEEK
MONDAY:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (online)
WEDNESDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
SATURDAY:
Vespers: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
SUNDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Agape Meal: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Beginning Hymns Lesson: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sunday School Classes: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Annual Financial Update
This Sunday, September 20, 2026, right after the liturgy, Richard (our Treasurer) will be providing our annual financial update. Don’t miss this once-a-year presentation that provides for transparency to our congregation!
Living Stones Services - Next Meeting: September 25th
We had a wonderful first meeting on September 11th with a great turn out! God willing, we will be having meetings or events every 2nd and 4th Friday! Our next meeting will be on September 25th at 7PM with a guest speaker! Mark your Calendars!
Living Stones is a ministry dedicated to helping those who began their Orthodox Christian journey as adults continue to grow in Christ and become deeply rooted in the life of His Church. Through continued Orthodox Christian formation, fellowship, service, and events we seek to build a community where members encourage and strengthen one another. Inspired by 1 Peter 2:5, our mission is to grow together as “living stones” being built up into a spiritual house, each discovering and embracing our place in the life and service of the Church.
Young Adults Event
We had a great Young Adults event on September 13th with great fellowship, ice cream and a beneficial self-reflection exercise. More events to come!
Opportunity to Help New & Expecting Moms
Want to help the many new mommies in our church with much needed services? As you may know the first few months can be challenging! Consider joining the New Mommy’s Committee that helps in:
Connection to other moms for support and advice
Offer to babysit for a break
Provide supplies or food for them
Let them know the church is child friendly with a cry room and a changing room
Help to prepare a baby shower
Provide a gift and card from church
Visit new mommy with a group!
Invite them to the ladies meeting
Shopping for them
Baptism gift
Provide a home cooked meal for family or join a meal train
Click Here to join this wonderful service group or browse other potential services you may be interested in joining!
Want to get Involved?
Many have asked how they can volunteer to help in the many services St. Basil’s offers! CLICK HERE to browse through the services and check the ones you wish to get involved in! For example, we are actively looking for:
Prepare (bake) Urbon (holy bread) for Holy Liturgies
Social Media Manager
Visitor Welcoming Committee
Summer Camp Support
Agape Meal
Contact Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony if interested!
NEW CHURCH BUILDING CAMPAIGN
As many of you have noticed, our church family has been growing steadily over the past several years. This is a great blessing from God, and we thank Him for it. That growth comes with a demand for increased pastoral need and larger facilities.
Larger Building! The board gave a strategy presentation on February 22, 2026, on finding a new and larger home for St. Basil’s Church. If you missed it, reach out to one of the board members or Fr. Michael. CLICK HERE to discover ways you can help in this worthwhile venture that will positively impact our community for generations to come! If you did not receive it, contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350! God bless your efforts!
And the leaders of the fathers’ houses offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of God… according to their ability. ~ Ezra 2:68–69
AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY
Hello St. Basil family! After every Divine Liturgy, our agape meal means more than food — it is fellowship, healing, and a living expression of our unity in Christ. “They continued steadfastly… in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42) reminds us that from the earliest days of the church, believers gathered after worship to share life together. This simple meal becomes a lifeline for newcomers trying to find their place, for those who feel alone and long for community, and for every soul who needs to experience the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. The volunteers who serve in this ministry quietly carry a sacred responsibility: They help people feel seen, included, and loved. This is why hospitality is an amazing virtue! Hebrews 13:2 says “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
We are deeply grateful to the few who continue to offer their time, energy, and generosity despite the challenges. Your service is a fragrance of Christ among us! At the same time, we warmly invite others to join this beautiful ministry to lighten the burden on the few. Preparing or serving food may seem small, but in God’s eyes it is an act of love that strengthens the bonds of our parish family and proclaims, without words, that we are “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). If you feel called to help build St. Basil’s community so no one stands alone, please consider joining this blessed service. Your hands can become instruments of fellowship, hospitality, and grace.
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.
God bless your efforts!
PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES
Join us on ONLINE Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. 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).
Simply anyone 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 frmichael@stbasil.net.
DIOCESE EVENTS
Click on image for more information!
Interested in participating in missionary trips abroad? Join one the many happening soon! Click here to find out more!
Social Media
LinkedIn: As a reminder, the Professionals LinkedIn group is an easy way to connect and network with fellow members of our community.
YouTube: Subscribe to St. Basil’s YouTube channel to view live streams, Bible studies, and more!
More to come on Instagram, Facebook, and more! If you want to get involved, and have some skills in social media, let Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony know!
FAMILY HOME VISITS
Father Michael and Father Anthony are 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 them directly to schedule a visit!
Phone: 949-378-0350 (Fr. Michael) | 858-729-8655 (Fr. Anthony)
Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net | FrAnthony@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.
