Weekly Update - February 17, 2025

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PEACE AND GRACE

Holy Great Lent Fast: February 24th - April 19th, 2025

Departure of St. Elizabeth (February 23, 2025 / Amshir 16, 1741)

 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41

 
 

SERVICES THIS WEEK

MONDAY:

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

TUESDAY:

  • Marriage Enrichment/Preparation Course: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 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. Gabriel Iskander (St. Justina Church)

SATURDAY:

  • Bible Study: 5:45p.m. - 6:45 p.m. (First Timothy)

    • (Join us at St. Basil’s or Click Here to join on Zoom at 5:45 pm)

  • 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.

 
 

Marriage Enrichment / Preparation Classes

STARTING 2/18/25!

Click Here to Join on Tuesday, 8:00 PM -9:00 PM

Join us for a review of a book titled: “Preserve Them, O Lord.”  This marriage enrichment book includes:

  • A guide for Orthodox couples in developing marital unity and enrichment,

  • premarital counseling for engaged couples;

  • marriage enrichment for those who are already married;

  • the development of an Orthodox understanding of marriage.                           

“Preserve Them, O Lord” is an excellent resource you can use for marriage and family life enrichment. It gives you insightful guidance, supplemented by

  • workbook exercises that help you understand yourself and your partner;

  • over 70 pages of supplemental readings on topics both spiritual and practical;

  • quotes from Scripture, the Fathers,

  • and the wedding liturgy illuminating the patristic view of love, intimacy, and marriage.

We reviewed this book back in 2020 and it was helpful for those who are married but also for those getting married soon.

Click here for the textbook through Amazon

Click Here to join the Zoom meetings at 8:00 PM Tuesday nights starting on 2/18/25!

 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to John, Sydney, Richard, Wale, and Jaasiel for their baptism! They took the names of Saints Augustine, Photini, Mark, Moses the Black, and John Chrysostom!

Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 
 

Building Renovations!

There will be some much-needed renovations for some aging elements in our church building! Phase one will include improvements to both downstairs bathrooms and the kitchen area, with future plans for ceiling tiles, fresh paint, overall clean-up and organization, and other needed improvements to be announced in the future!

These improvements will enhance our use of the building and add value to it should we choose to sell it.

We invite you to take part in the blessing of giving as we begin these efforts! You can contribute by sponsoring specific renovation items, with suggested donation amounts available at St. Basil Church Giving Link:

Donations will remain anonymous and will be included in your annual tax exemption letter.

Thank you for your generosity and support in renewing our church home and partaking of this great blessing! If you have any questions, please contact Bishoy Said.

In Christ,

St. Basil’s Board

 
 

St. Basil’s Bible Study: Saturday Nights (5:45pm - 6:45 pm)

This week we will review St. Paul’s First Epistle to Timothy. St. Timothy was one of St. Paul’s most trusted students who would later become bishop of Ephesus!

  • Discussion at St. Basil’s: 5:45pm - 6:45pm

Also, on Zoom and YouTube for those who can’t make it to church at 5:45 pm!

 
 
 

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