Weekly Update - January 20, 2025

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PEACE AND GRACE

The Commemoration of the Miracle at Cana of Galilee (January 21, 2025 / Toba 13, 1741)

 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:25-33

 
 

SERVICES THIS WEEK

MONDAY:

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

WEDNESDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.

  • Midnight Praise: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

THURSDAY:

  • College Coptic Club meeting: 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

    • Guest Speaker: Fr. David Benjamin - Archangel Michael Church, Santa Ana

SATURDAY:

  • Vespers Evening Raising of Incense Prayers: 7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

  • Agape Meal immediately after the liturgy

  • Beginning Hymn Lessons 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Sunday School Classes: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 
 

Message from Fr. Michael Maximous

On behalf of my entire family, I wish to thank all of the St. Basil family for your outpouring of love and care after the passing of my father. It is a blessing to serve with all of you and we are honored to be part of this blessed community.

Christ is Risen!

 
 

Blessed Feasts of the Church Calendar

January is truly a blessed and joyful time and a wonderful way to start the New Year! During this month, we celebrate the glorious birth of our Saviour in the Nativity, the fulfilling of the law in the Circumcision of Christ, the annual Commemoration of St. Basil the Great (our patron), the Theophany (Baptism of Christ), and the Wedding of Cana of Galilee.

We must always keep at the forefront of our memory, the words and works of our Lord Jesus Christ that He accomplished for our sakes and because He loves us beyond words. This doesn’t happen on accident: we must be proactive in having spiritual memory because it’s critical to our spiritual life.

Participating in the liturgical services throughout the church Calendar is an easy way to have healthy spiritual memory which can be life altering and holds many benefits!

It will allow us to live a life of thanksgiving, contentment and joy as we remember what the Lord has done for us. Remembering gives us a life of faith as we recall the wonders our Lord has performed in the bible and throughout our 2,000-year history. When we remember God’s power, we are encouraged when faced with daunting tasks and remind ourselves that nothing is impossible with God. When we fall, we remember God’s unshakable love for us. When we stand, we remember it’s by His mercy.

So let us remember: by proactively participating in church services, reading scripture, fellowship with one another, confession, and sprinkling God’s works in our conversations with friends, strangers, children and family. May the Lord always cause us to remember His greatness, His ever-presence in our lives and His love for us!

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what deeds You did in their days! ~ Psalm 44:1

 
 

Nativity Picnic!

We had a wonderful time at the Nativity picnic on Sunday! There was plenty of fellowship, fun and food. We even had a live performance from a couple of our talented youth!

CLICK HERE to see some photos and videos!

 
 

Used Clothing Drive! (extended through January)

Keeping in mind these colder evenings, we will be gathering some used (but usable) blankets, jackets, socks and other clothing that might be lonely and unused in the closet. A bin is located on the first floor next to the stairs until January. We will be distributing these to our brothers and sisters who have need of them on the streets this season. May God bless you all. (If the bin is full, kindly place your item on the floor next to the bin.)

 
 

Men’s Group Fellowship! This Sunday (January 26, 2025)

Join us this Sunday at 3:30 PM for our Men’s group fellowship meeting to watch some football! There will be a short spiritual talk during halftime on Spiritual Athletics!

 
 

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.

We also need help with coffee so please 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 frmichael@stbasil.net.

 
 

DIOCESE EVENTS

Interested in participating in missionary trips abroad? Join one the many happening soon! Click here to find out more!

 
 

Social Media

 
 

FAMILY HOME VISITS

Father Michael is offering home visits for anyone who is interested. It’s a wonderful practice to have a priest visit your home at least once a year. Please reach out to him directly to schedule a visit!

Phone: 949-378-0350

Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net

 
 

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.