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PEACE AND GRACE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:3-4

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Wednesday: 

Divine Liturgy: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Friday: 

Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - The Feast of Transfiguration

Vespers and Veneration Praises: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (St. Mary’s Fast)

Saturday:

Vespers and Veneration Praises: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (St. Mary’s Fast)

Sunday:

Divine Liturgy followed by Sunday School: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Vespers and Veneration Praises: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (St. Mary’s Fast)

Monday:

St. Mary’s Feast - Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

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

St. Mary Veneration and Spiritual Talk: Friday, Saturday and Sunday Night

SUMMER CAMP FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS HAS ENDED!

As the new school year is about to begin, the Monday night summer camp has ended. Thank you for all the servants who made it possible and for all their hard work and sacrifices. God bless your efforts always!

8/27/22 | Servants Meeting at 5:30PM

On Saturday (8/27/22 from 5:30pm to 7:00 pm) on we will be having a servants’ meeting to have a spiritual discussion as well as discuss administrative matters. This meeting is mandatory for all servants, especially the Sunday School servants as we begin the new year. So, if you are a servant of any kind, or wish to attend to offer ideas (for example for Sunday School or other church services), please plan on attending!

New 2022/2023 Sunday School Classes

New Sunday School classes will be assigned on September 4, 2022, immediately after the Liturgy. Be sure to stay so the children can meet their new teachers and classmates on the first day of class!!!

In a few weeks, after the kids get settled in, we will have an open house for the parents for each of the classes. This will be a great opportunity for parents to provide feedback and expectations for their classes as well as understand the servant’s approach for the upcoming year!

Congratulations to Jasmine and Tyler!

Congratulations to Jasmine and Tyler for the birth of their son, Luke Shafik Sprague on August 9, 2022! A meal-train has been set up to assist the new mommy with meals during the sleepless nights caring for the new bundle of joy! Click here to join the schedule to provide a meal!

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:

1. Connection to other moms for support and advice

2. Offer to babysit for a break

3. Provide supplies or food for them

4. Let them know the church is child friendly with a cry room and a changing room

5. Help to prepare a baby shower

6. Provide a gift and card from church

7. Visit new mommy with a group!

8. Invite them to the ladies meeting

9. Shopping for them

10. Baptism gift

11. Provide a home cooked meal for family

Educational Vespers (Saturday nights 7:00pm-8:00pm)

This Saturday (8/20/22) on we will be having the St. Mary veneration vespers so we will be pausing the educational sessions and starting again the following Saturday on 8/27/22.

Want to teach your children the basics of Coptic praises, hymns, midnight praises, deacon movements and responsibilities, etc.? Or maybe you too want to learn? Vespers is a great opportunity to prepare your children for the basics and build a foundation for greater growth in the rich tradition of Coptic liturgical hymns.

Join us on Saturday nights (7:00-8:00 pm) where we will pause at important points during vespers to explain what is happening! Even if your children are not deacons / deaconesses yet, this is a great opportunity to participate nonetheless!

September 3rd | New Book Series on parenting!

St. Basil’s will be starting another book series on September 3, 2022! Meetings will be happening at St. Basil’s on Saturdays at 5:30 pm, before the vespers raising of incense prayers. Baby-sitting will be provided!

This time we will be reviewing “Parenting Toward the Kingdom: Orthodox Christian Principles of Child-Rearing”. Whether you are a parent now or hope to be one day, this book will offer valuable guidance and techniques. Purchase the book now to get a head start on the reading! CLICK HERE to purchase on Amazon! You can also listen to an overview and intent of the book from the author by CLICKING HERE.

AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY! 

Hello St. Basil’s family!  We’re happy to continue our weekly Agape meal, but we can’t do it without your help!  

You can help in the following ways:

1. Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).

2. Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.

3. 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 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.