Weekly Update - September 7, 2026

BLESSED COPTIC NEW YEAR!

Feast of the Coptic New Year

(Tout 1, 1743 / September 11, 2026)

 
 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.”

Isaiah 19:19-20

SERVICES THIS WEEK

MONDAY:

  • Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (online)

WEDNESDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

FRIDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy - Feast of Nayrouz/Coptic New Year: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

  • Living Stones (Post-Catechism Meeting): 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY:

  • Vespers: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

SUNDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

  • Agape Meal: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • Beginning Hymns Lesson: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

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

  • Young Adults Event: 12 p.m. (more information below)

 
 

Diocese Servants Retreat

Many servants from St. Basil attended the annual LA Diocese Servants retreat in Costa Mesa. The meeting focused on learning from the life and teachings of Pope Shenouda III. Our blessed servants benefited greatly from this edifying retreat!

 
 

Living Stones Services - Begins September 11

We're getting ready to start a new ministry at St. Basil for adults who have been Baptized/Chrismated into the Church. We’ll have regular meetings focused on continuing our Orthodox Christian education, along with fellowship and opportunities for service, and other wonderful events together. Mark your calander!

All who were Baptized/Chrismated as an adult are invited! Spouses and children are also invited (babysitting can be provided if needed).

 
 

Young Adults Event - September 13

Young adults are welcome and encouraged to start the Coptic New Year right - with reflection, fellowship, and sundaes!

  • When: Sunday, September 13 at noon (after liturgy)

  • Where: Allen Jones Park, 9950 Summers Ridge Road, San Diego, CA 92121

 
 

Opportunity to Help New & Expecting Moms

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 or join a meal train

Click Here to join this wonderful service group or browse other potential services you may be interested in joining!

 
 

Want to get Involved?

Many have asked how they can volunteer to help in the many services St. Basil’s offers! CLICK HERE to browse through the services and check the ones you wish to get involved in! For example, we are actively looking for:

  • Prepare (bake) Urbon (holy bread) for Holy Liturgies

  • Social Media Manager

  • Visitor Welcoming Committee

  • Summer Camp Support

  • Agape Meal

Contact Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony if interested!

 
 

NEW CHURCH BUILDING CAMPAIGN

As many of you have noticed, our church family has been growing steadily over the past several years. This is a great blessing from God, and we thank Him for it. That growth comes with a demand for increased pastoral need and larger facilities.

Larger Building! The board gave a strategy presentation on February 22, 2026, on finding a new and larger home for St. Basil’s Church. If you missed it, reach out to one of the board members or Fr. Michael. CLICK HERE to discover ways you can help in this worthwhile venture that will positively impact our community for generations to come! If you did not receive it, contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350! God bless your efforts!

And the leaders of the fathers’ houses offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of God… according to their ability. ~ Ezra 2:68–69

 
 

AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY

Hello St. Basil family! After every Divine Liturgy, our agape meal means more than food — it is fellowship, healing, and a living expression of our unity in Christ. “They continued steadfastly… in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42) reminds us that from the earliest days of the church, believers gathered after worship to share life together. This simple meal becomes a lifeline for newcomers trying to find their place, for those who feel alone and long for community, and for every soul who needs to experience the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. The volunteers who serve in this ministry quietly carry a sacred responsibility: They help people feel seen, included, and loved.  This is why hospitality is an amazing virtue! Hebrews 13:2 says “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

We are deeply grateful to the few who continue to offer their time, energy, and generosity despite the challenges. Your service is a fragrance of Christ among us! At the same time, we warmly invite others to join this beautiful ministry to lighten the burden on the few. Preparing or serving food may seem small, but in God’s eyes it is an act of love that strengthens the bonds of our parish family and proclaims, without words, that we are “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). If you feel called to help build St. Basil’s community so no one stands alone, please consider joining this blessed service. Your hands can become instruments of fellowship, hospitality, and grace. 

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 Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. 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). 

  • Simply anyone 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

Click on image for more information!

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 and Father Anthony are 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 them directly to schedule a visit!

Phone: 949-378-0350 (Fr. Michael) | 858-729-8655 (Fr. Anthony)

Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net | FrAnthony@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.