Weekly Update - Feb 14
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PEACE AND GRACE
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”Psalm 50:14 & Psalm 50:23
SERVICES THIS WEEK
Tuesday (Jonah’s Fasting):
Liturgy: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Minor Feast of the Entrance into the Temple
Wednesday (Jonah’s Fasting):
Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Thursday: (Feast)
Liturgy: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. (Jonah’s Passover Feast)
Friday:
Youth Online Hymn Meeting: 7:00 p.m. (Contact Mariam G. 562-456-6067 or clicking here to join!)
Saturday:
Vespers Raising of Incense: 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Sunday:
Divine Liturgy: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (ONLINE Sunday School at noon)
Monday:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. (online)
FEB 14-17 || JONAH’S FAST
Jonah’s Fast begins Monday, February 14, 2022 and ends with the Feast on Thursday, February 17, 2022. This three-day strict (no seafood) fast is also accompanied by the reading of the Book of Jonah, one of the minor Old Testament prophets, which is full of prophesies, resemblances of Christ and the spirit of repentance.
We hope you can make one or more of the following liturgies!
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Christ in the Temple
Wednesday, February 15, 2022 (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM)
Thursday, February 15, 2022 (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) Jonah’s Passover Feast
UPDATE || COVID PRECAUTIONS
The infection numbers are continuing to drop and we have re-started all in-person services with limited precautions such as masks. Weather permitting, Sunday school will be held outdoors as much as possible.
God protect you all. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350.
PARENTS: SUNDAY SCHOOL IS NOW IN-PERSON!
In-Person Sunday School as now resumed! Be sure to bring your child weekly so they can receive some essential Christian education!
Why is Orthodox Christian education essential for your child? We live in a time and place where things can be confusing for adults let alone for the children! This is especially the case in Southern California where you child WILL face every sort of doctrine and belief, many of which bombard your child with negativity, disbelief, despair, and immorality. And COVID has not made it easier over the last couple of years! Orthodox Christian education, at church but also (and maybe more importantly) at home, will be a strong defense your child will have to face these challenges. Do not miss an opportunity to expose your child to the truths of our Ever-Victorious Lord Jesus Christ, the power He has given the saints before us, the bible, and the promises He has given you and your children! Please reach out to your child’s Sunday School teachers for ways to get involved and partner with them. Let us all have a renewed sense of urgency in the proper Orthodox Christian education for our precious children!
CONGRATULATIONS MARIO AND RAJAA!
Congratulations to Mario and Rajaa for the baptism of their daughter Leah!
But if any one wishes to know why the grace is given by water and not by a different element, let him take up the Divine Scriptures and he shall learn. For water is a grand thing, and the noblest of the four visible elements of the world. Heaven is the dwelling-place of Angels, but the heavens are from the waters: the earth is the place of men, but the earth is from the waters: and before the whole six days’ formation of the things that were made, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water (Gen. 1:2). The water was the beginning of the world, and Jordan (where Christ was baptized) the beginning of the Gospel tidings; for Israel deliverance from Pharaoh was through the sea, and for the world deliverance from sins by the washing of water with the word of God(Ephes. 5:26). Where a covenant is made with any, there is water also. After the flood, a covenant was made with Noah: a covenant for Israel from Mount Sinai, but with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop (Heb. 9:19). Elijah is taken up, but not apart from water: for first he crosses the Jordan, then in a chariot mounts the heaven. The high-priest is first washed, then offers incense; for Aaron first washed, then was made high-priest: for how could one who had not yet been purified by water pray for the rest? Also as a symbol of Baptism there was a laver set apart within the Tabernacle. Baptism is the end of the Old Testament, and beginning of the New. The end he was of the Prophets: for all the Prophets and the law were until John (Matt. 11:13): but of the Gospel history he was also the first-fruit. For it says, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…John came baptizing in the wilderness” (Mark 1:1-4). St. Cyril of Jerusalem-Catechetical Letters: Lecture 3, on Baptism
ONLINE HYMNS LESSONS!
The Coptic Orthodox Church has hundreds of hymns that are beautiful, ancient and powerful in moving the soul! When sung, not just by deacons, but by every member of the church, they can uplift the spirit and mind to a place where the angels are! These hymns are rich tradition that we have inherited and now it is our responsivity to provide them to our children.
Please encourage your child to join us online to learn these hymns every Friday at 7:00PM by clicking here!
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.
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. 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.