Weekly Update - Oct 26
+
PEACE AND GRACE
The Departure of Joel the Prophet (Oct 31 / Baba 21)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
SERVICES THIS WEEK
Tuesday:
Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)
Wednesday:
Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)
Thursday:
Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)
Friday:
Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)
Saturday:
All Saint’s Night: 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday:
Indoor Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (registration required)
Sunday School: 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. (online)
Monday:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. (online)
Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)
OCT 31 || ALL SAINTS NIGHT (HALLOWEEN NIGHT)
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, we will be celebrating All-Saints Night at St. Basil’s! There will be booths set up outside with food, carnival games, “guess that saint”, pumpkin decorations, and other crafts. This will be for all kids, High School and below!
Following the activities, we will be praying the vespers raising of incense! All activities will be outside and please follow all COVID precautions (masks, distancing, sanitizers, etc.). It will be very fun for the kiddos and parents alike!
We need to make sure we have enough candy. Click here to let us know your coming!
NOV 2 || PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES
Join us on ONLINE on Monday nights at 8:00 PM for Baptism preparation classes. 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 .
STARTING IN NOVEMBER || SUNDAY SCHOOL LITURGIES
As long as God continues to allow us to have the privilege of praying in the Church, we will be starting additional liturgies on Saturdays specifically for the Sunday School classes and their families and servants. These are separate from the registrations we have for Sunday Liturgies which will continue as usual for the time being. Following the Liturgy, there will be some minimal-contact refreshments followed by the Sunday School lesson. Parents are welcome to stay or visit a nearby Starbucks!
Starting in November:
1st Saturday of each month: High School and Junior High School.
This first Saturday in November will also be used to assemble the Care Kits (see below)
2nd Saturday of each month: First through Fifth Grade
3rd Saturday of each month: Kindergarten and Preschool
Please observe all COVID precautions (masks, distancing, sanitizers, etc.)
NOV 7 || CARE KIT ASSEMBLY
Jr High and High School youth will be assembling CARE KITS for those in need on Saturday, November 7th, following the liturgy. You can help by signing up for items to be dropped off or delivered to the church. Items to be delivered may be obtained via our Amazon wish list or any other source of your choosing. Please update the sign-up sheet as you pick up/drop off or order items. We have less than one month to gather all the items SO DON'T BE SHY and sign up today! Care Kits will be available for pickup and distribution on the afternoon of November 7th.
You may reach out to Jessica Gharbawy at 518-281-7976 or jmalaty@gmail.com with any questions.
Sign Up document: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1APuULP74zyTZLbMTEAMxVDaBa6Z33F7elNcU57Z7e9o/edit?usp=sharing
Amazon Wish List: St. Basil Care Kit Project 2020
NOV 11 || ONLINE TUTORING FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Several college youth have volunteered to launch an Online Learning & Tutoring program gear for middle and high school students. We will host a pilot session on Wednesday, November 11th and God-willing fully launch the program in January 2021. This is an ideal opportunity to provide students in middle school and high school with supplemental support in core subjects like mathematics, English, and science. During the session, our volunteers will facilitate a basic study session that promotes productivity, focus, and fellowship. In addition, students with specific questions on their homework can join one of our volunteer tutors in a breakout session to work and get assistance one-on-one.
Save the Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2020 (additional time and Zoom information TBD)
RSVP: Sign-up form
REMINDER ABOUT LITURGY REGISTRATIONS
A reminder to only register once for a liturgy for each cycle so as to make sure everyone has a chance to take communion during each of the three-week cycles. If you wish to attend more than one liturgy during each cycle, there are a few ways you can do so:
Sign up on the waiting list. If there are cancellations, we will release tickets as seats become available. Preference will be given to those who have not signed up for a liturgy during the current cycle.
Check availability after 7:00 PM Saturday nights. If there is an opening, even if you have signed up for other liturgies during that cycle, please sign up again.
Attend weekday liturgies as they occur for feasts and as they are announced. Attendance at these liturgies is expected to be well below our maximum COVID19 occupancy guidelines.
Thank you all for your patience and cooperation and we look forward to the day, through your prayers with the grace of Jesus Christ, that these restrictions will no longer be necessary.
PROFESSIONAL MENTORS NEEDED
We are pleased to share the news that three professionals have stepped up to serve as mentors to college students and early professionals. We continue to seek others. For more information, please contact Sam Soloman at sam@samsoloman.com.
As a reminder, the Professionals LinkedIn group is an easy way to connect and network with fellow members of our community.
COVID-19 HARDSHIP
If you or anyone you know is suffering from hardships related to this virus, or any distress at all, please contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350 or FrMichaelMaximous@gmail.com.
Additionally, the servants of St. Basil have put together a list of spiritual, financial, educational, and employment resources that you may find helpful during the COVID-19. We hope that it is helpful. You can download the PDF here.
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:
FAMILY HOME VISITS
Father Michael is offering home visits for anyone who is interested. Please reach out to him directly to schedule a visit.
Phone: 949-378-0350
Email: FrMichaelMaximous@gmail.com
HELP WITH AMAZON SMILE
If you are looking into other ways to support our church, the AmazonSmile Foundation offers an easy way to give while browsing the Amazon shop. It will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases, at no cost to you. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com (you may want to add a bookmark to make it easier to return). You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on the product detail pages. If you already own an Amazon account you can use the same account for AmazonSmile. On your first visit, please select “Saint Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church” as your charity of choice. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation for our church. Thank you so much for your love and support.
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.