St. Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church

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Weekly Update - April 5

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PEACE AND GRACE

Commemoration of the Live Giving Annunciation (Apr 7 / Baramhat 29)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, and perjury. Privation of these is true fasting."

St. Basil the Great

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Tuesday:

Liturgy: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Lent Book Series: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (in person and zoom)

Wednesday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Online Hymn Lessons for our youth: 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Thursday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Friday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Saturday:

Sunday School Divine Liturgy (Kindergarten & Preschool): 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School (in person): 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Sunday: 

Divine Liturgy: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (registration required)

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

Parenting Series (11-12 years): 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (see details below)

Monday:

Vespers Prayer: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (join Zoom here)

Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. (online)

APRIL MESSAGE FROM FR. MICHAEL

We are now approximately halfway in this year’s journey through Lent and I hope all of you are enjoying the spiritual benefits of this holy season. During this time we remember that though every spiritual effort has its refreshments and encouragement provided by the Holy Spirit, the effort also exposes challenges and weaknesses that make the journey difficult at times. However, whether it is during a time of strength or a time of weakness, we press forward in faith and hope in our ever-victorious Lord Jesus Christ. Both the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the obstacles put before us by our enemy, encourage us to continue with every assurance that our path is a beneficial and profitable one. Let us remember what our Lord told St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In April:

  • We hope to continue Sunday School Liturgies on Saturdays (no registration), Sunday Liturgies (with registration) and Wednesday liturgies.

  • Our Tuesday night book review meeting, where we review “All That I Have Is Yours” continues through April 20th. So far the discussions have been great and for those who came in person, the food has also been great! If you cannot make it in person, a zoom link will also be provided.

  • Also, Holy Week service schedule will be posted soon, with registration information. Palm Sunday, one of the busiest liturgies of the year, will have a combination of upstairs and downstairs seating, along with tents outdoors (weather permitting).

God grant us every blessing as we approach the victory of the Feast of the Resurrection on May 2nd.

Fr. Michael Maximous

949-378-0350

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

God willing, we will be celebrating Holy Week at Church this year, so long as the COVID infection numbers continue to drop. Please check back here in this weekly newsletter (or www.stbasil.net/announcements) for the schedule and registration information!

  • Friday, April 23, 2021 (Last Friday of Lent Liturgy)

  • Saturday, April 24, 2021 (Lazarus Saturday Liturgy)

  • Sunday, April 25, 2021 (Palm Sunday Liturgy & General Funeral)

  • April 25th - April 29th (Pascha Praises)

  • Thursday, April 29, 2021 (Covenant Thursday Liturgy)

  • Friday, April 30, 2021 (Good Friday) 

  • Saturday, May 1, 2021 (Apocalypse Night/Joyous Saturday)

  • Sunday May 2, 2021 (Feast of the Resurrection)

CONGRATULATIONS TO VIVIAN CHOW!

Congratulations to Vivian Chow who was baptized on Sunday, April 4 th under the name of Ruth! God bless your life with the work of the Holy Spirit and continuous newness of life in Jesus Christ.

“Blessed be God! Behold, there are stars here on earth too, and they shine forth more brilliantly than those of heaven!

There are stars on earth because of Him who came from heaven and was seen on earth.” St John Chrysostom on the newly baptized

CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNY AND PETER NOUR!

Congratulations to Jenny and Peter for birth of their daughter, Chloe!

APR 6 || LENT BOOK SERIES – IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM ONLINE

We excitedly announce our Lent book review series! This year we will be reading a book produced by Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim titled, “All That I Have is Yours”. This book contains 100 daily meditations each including a prayer, a meditation, and a story of an encounter with St. Pope Kyrillos the Sixth. It is a great book to focus on the Love of God during Lent as we look to the Cross and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Join us at 8:00 PM Tuesday nights at St. Basil’s Church beginning Tuesday, March 23rd . On April 20th , the author will join us for an interview where we will ask him questions about the book. The series will be at church (as long as the COVID numbers continue to be low) but you can also join us online on Zoom by clicking here (passcode: stbasil).

We will have some copies at church for purchase and you can also order the book from smile.amazon.com (be sure to pick “Saint Basil American Coptic Orthodox Church” as the charity of choice!). Try to have your book by March 23rd !

APR 7 || ONLINE COPTIC HYMN LESSONS

Join us online Wednesday nights at 7:30 for Youth Coptic Hymn Lessons.  Those in High School and younger will learn both seasonal and standard hymns and congregational responses that are sung during the Divine Liturgy.  Click here to join.

DURING LENT || SUNDAY SCHOOL LITURGIES

God willing, we will continue to have additional liturgies on Saturdays specifically for the Sunday School classes and their families and servants DURING LENT. These are separate from the registrations we have for Sunday Liturgies which will continue as usual for the time being. Following the Liturgy (8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) there will be some minimal-contact refreshments followed by an in-person Sunday School lesson (11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.). Parents are welcome to stay or visit a nearby Starbucks!

  • Saturday April 3, 2021: First through Fifth Grade

  • Saturday April 10, 2021: Kindergarten and Preschool

  • Saturday April 17, 2021: High School and Junior High School

We want to thank all the amazing students, servants, and parents who made the last cycle of Sunday School liturgies (8:30 – 11:00) and in-person classes a great success! The kiddos (and the parents) truly enjoyed getting back together again face-to-face (or at least mask-to-mask)! God willing, normal in-person instruction, events, and activities will resume soon, through your prayers. Please continue to observe all COVID precautions (masks, distancing, sanitizers, etc.)

APR 12 || 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.

APR 11 || PARENTING SERIES (6-10 YEARS)

COPTIC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

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