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PEACE AND GRACE

Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord on Mount Tabor (Aug 19 / Mesra 13)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Tuesday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online

Book Review & Discussion: 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. (online)

Wednesday (Feast of Transfiguration): 

Outdoor Veneration Praise for the fast of the Theotokos St. Mary: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (outdoors/online)

Thursday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)

Friday:

Veneration Praise for the fast of the Theotokos St. Mary: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (outdoors/online)

Saturday:

St. Mary’s Feast Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (registration required)

Sunday: 

Outdoor Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (registration required)

Sunday School: 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. (online)

Monday:

Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 6:30 p.m. (online)

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (online)

August 18 || BOOK CLUB

Come join us online on Tuesdays for a review of “Interior Freedom” by Jacques Philippe. Books can be purchased through Amazon by clicking here. Below is a description of the book and which is very appropriate with the challenges we are facing today:

Interior Freedom leads one to discover that even in the most difficult circumstances we possess within ourselves a space of freedom that nobody can take away, because God is its source and guarantee. Without this discovery we will always be restricted in some way and will never taste true happiness. Author Jacques Philippe develops a simple but important theme: we gain possession of our interior freedom in exact proportion to our growth in faith, hope, and love. He explains that the dynamism between these three theological virtues is the heart of the spiritual life, and he underlines the key role of the virtue of hope in our inner growth.

ST. MARY’S FAST AND FEAST EVENTS

Join us this Wednesday (8/19/2020) and Friday (8/21/2020) nights (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM) at St. Basil’s Church for a Veneration Praise for the fast of the Theotokos St. Mary.  We will be meeting at the back of the church at the “garage door”. Hymns will be followed by a small talk from a special guest speaker! You can also participate in this through Zoom. The link will be posted on the website. 

• Wednesday: The Life of St. Mary, According To Tradition

• Friday: St. Mary, the Lilly Among Thorns

Also, there will be Liturgy Saturday morning (8/22/20) for St. Mary’s feast. The Eventbrite Event is posted and tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you find that it is full, please sign up for the waiting list in case there are cancellations. Click here to access the tickets!

Happy Fast of St. Mary!

AUGUST 23 || DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR STUDENT MENTORING PROGRAM

Coptic Club of San Diego hosted an online info session last Wednesday with a great turnout of new first-year and transfer college students, plus nine (9) panelists representing current students and recent alumni from various campuses. In total, we had about 30 students joined and exchanged questions for useful information and advice about starting college in our areas.

To continue supporting our newest college students, Coptic Club is launching a mentoring program to match returning students with upper-class standing with newcomer students (second-years are welcome, too). 15 mentors have volunteered so far. Please reach out and invite any new college students to apply for the mentoring & fellowship program. Apply here by Sunday, August 23. For more information, please email copticclubsd@gmail.com.

August 24 || PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES

Join us on ONLINE on Monday nights at 6:30 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 .

NEW LINKEDIN GROUP FOR SAN DIEGO

To support career advancement and support during these difficult times within our Orthodox Christian community, we have launched a new LinkedIn group!

“Coptic Network of Professionals in San Diego” (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13891157)”
 
Be sure to join this group which is intended as a platform to post job openings, career development opportunities, post your professional profile and as a means for networking. Whether you are looking for employment, have a job opening where you work, or can simply point someone in the right direction, this group is for you.   Please click on the link above and request to join this group.  
 
Also, if you are seeking direction in your career, please reach out to Sam Soloman  (510-936-1726) to discuss free career coaching. 

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

During these unique circumstances, Fr. Michael will be visiting families at home virtually through Zoom!  Please reach out to Fr. Michael directly to schedule an e-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.