Peace & Grace
The Martyrdom of St. Luke the Evangelist
Baba 22, 1743 / November 1, 2026
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
Luke 6:27-31
SERVICES THIS WEEK
MONDAY:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (online)
TUESDAY:
Midnight Praises: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
THURSDAY:
College Coptic Club meeting: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Service Event at St. Basil’s
FRIDAY:
Bible Study: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (online)
Epistle to the Galatians
SATURDAY:
Fall Festival: 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Vespers: 8 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
SUNDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Agape Meal: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Hymns Class: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sunday School Classes: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Annual Fall Festival - RSVP and Volunteer!
Saturday, October 31st
Mark your calendars for this year’s event on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This year’s theme is the desert monasteries of Shaheet: St. Macarius, St. Bishoy and Baramous.
Entertainment for kiddos and parents alike!
And like every year, there will be other saint appearances, and each will tell their story (consider volunteering)!
Farm petting zoo from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
There will be games, facepainting, crafts, bouncy house, food, fellowship, and of course candy!
Please RSVP here so we know how much candy and food to bring for the kiddos!
If you’d like to take the blessing of helping in this event, please sign-up here.
Living Stones Ministry
On Friday, October 23rd, His Grace Bishop Kyrillos enlightened our members with a wonderful talk on the Mystery of Christ. See below for our upcoming speaker schedule. We look forward to these enriching talks and many fellowship and service events! We hope you can join us!
ABOUT: Living Stones is a ministry at St. Basil’s Church for adults who have been Baptized/ Chrismated into the Church to deepen our Orthodox Christian experience! There will be regular meetings with guest speakers, fellowship events and opportunities for service, and other wonderful events together.
All who were Baptized/Chrismated as an adult are invited along with their Spouses and children (babysitting can be provided if needed).
Upcoming Speakers:
Young Adults
A lot of great events are coming up so mark your calendars so you don’t miss anything! Our next event is a trip to St. Paul’s Monastery in Murrieta on Saturday, November 14. We hope you can join us! Reach out to Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony with any questions.
St. Basil’s Bible Study: Epistle to the Galatians!
This week, we will review the beautiful and powerful epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians! Read it before the meeting and come with questions and comments (only 6 chapters)!
Friday, October 30, 2026
8:00pm - 9:00pm
On Zoom Only - Click Here to join at 8:00pm
San Diego Symphony Orchestra - Christmas Classics
December 20th
San Diego Symphony's holiday tradition, Noel Noel, returns outdoors to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Featuring favorite songs, Christmas classics, sing-alongs and holiday cheer, the concert will be led by celebrated San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children’s Choir.
Tickets are $35 each through St. Basil (regular price is $66 but the church is subsidizing a portion of the cost). Reserve your seat(s) by clicking here and the church will purchase your ticket. A payment link will be sent to you at a later date:)
Next Men’s Event
Mark your calendars for the next men’s event! More details to come.
Date: Sunday, November 15th
Time: 6 p.m.
Agenda: BBQ, Sunday Night Football & Spiritual Talk
New Junior Choir Leaders Hymns Class
Weekly on Saturdays from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. (before Vespers)
Intended for the next generation of choir leaders (boys and girls) with a focus on elementary/middle school ages
Curriculum will initially focus on hymns of the liturgy in both English and Coptic
Open to all
Church’s New Brokerage Account
On Sunday, Richard (our treasurer) informed the congregation that we opened up a new Brokerage Account. This account will allow us to take advantage of a higher interest rate a money market account can offer. It also allows congregants to have tax benefits when donating. Raphael also presented on these two advantages and stayed after to answer questions. To review this presentation, CLICK HERE and feel free to reach out to Richard or Raphael with any additional questions!
Opportunity to Help New & Expecting Moms
Help provide meals to new moms! Click Here to join the meal-train!!
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:
Connection to other moms for support and advice
Offer to babysit for a break
Provide supplies or food for them
Let them know the church is child friendly with a cry room and a changing room
Help to prepare a baby shower
Provide a gift and card from church
Visit new mommy with a group!
Invite them to the ladies meeting
Shopping for them
Baptism gift
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.
The board is actively looking for a new home. If you’d like to help in this important effort that will positively impact our St. Basil community for generations to come, please contact Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony. 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:
Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).
Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.
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
Annual ACTS Gala Dinner Event!
November 8, 2026 (5-8PM) in Costa Mesa, CA
This is the only fundraiser they do throughout the year so please consider purchasing a seat!
St. Basil’s has purchased a table of ten for $2,500
$ 250 per seat for you or sponsor a seat for someone!!
Contact Fr. Michael if you are interested!
Interested in participating in missionary trips abroad? Join one the many happening soon! Click here to find out more!
Social Media
LinkedIn: As a reminder, the Professionals LinkedIn group is an easy way to connect and network with fellow members of our community.
YouTube: Subscribe to St. Basil’s YouTube channel to view live streams, Bible studies, and more!
More to come on Instagram, Facebook, and more! If you want to get involved, and have some skills in social media, let Fr. Michael or Fr. Anthony know!
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.