Weekly Update 10/27/2020 – Fr. Cyril Gorgy
Beloved Holy Resurrection Church family, I am praying that you are well and safe.
We finalized our move to a new database system called “Church Community Builder”. This system allows HRC members to have personal login credentials to update all of your families information. I ask that you please set up your login account and update your families’ information such as emails and address, etc. An activation email from ‘Coptic Orthodox Diocese’ will be sent to you, immediately after this email. It’s a simple process that asks you to create a password.
HRC Fellowship Meeting will be held virtually on November 5th from 7-7:45pm. Fr. Mina Ghebrial will be speaking to us about “A Life of Virtues”. Please register using this link to receive notifications about the meeting.
REGISTRATION to attend SUNDAY Divine Liturgy is required. Please submit a request using this link. You will receive an email confirmation with the time and date.
No registration will be required for the 7-9am Wednesday’s Divine Liturgy. All participants are expected to read and STRICTLY follow the General Guidelines.
We’ve been praying and searching for a permanent home for HRC for many years. In preparation to purchase a property, we would like to identify contributors that are prepared to offer a lump sum donation to be applied for the down payment. We are also searching for anyone that is willing to provide a loan to assist in the purchase. Please contact the church’s treasurer at (310) 502-2957 if you or anyone you know are planning to partake of that blessing. A special thanks to all those who already reached out in support of this effort.
In the meantime offerings to the “building fund” can be mailed to Holy Resurrection Church, P.O. Box 91701 Los Angeles CA 90009. Also direct deposits can be sent to the church’s bank account. Account details may be provided upon request.
Last Sunday we learned, that the first virtue to demonstrate wisdom is to be pure (James 3:17). Also Matthew 5:8 reminds us that “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. More than the physical or moral purity, God wants an unmixed and undivided heart. Our heart is the root of all our actions, will, motives, desires, goals and emotions. First, it’s important that we identify (repent), and declare (confess) the impurities of our heart and strive for a pure heart, as it’s a prerequisite to experiencing God in our life. Second, we delight in the Lord (Eucharist) who will ultimately purify us by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
May our Risen Lord support and protect you, and your family by the power of His Holy Resurrection.
For His Glory,
Fr. Cyril
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General Guidelines
Please review and abide by the following guidelines prior to attending church:
- Please STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK, or if you have a history or are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including FEVER or COUGH.
- If you have traveled in that last TWO WEEKS, please do not sign up to attend a Divine Liturgy until, TWO WEEKS have passed since you returned and you do not have any COVID19 symptoms, or you have been tested negative twice.
- If you were in direct contact with anyone that tested positive for COVID-19, please do not sign up or come to the church services, whether with symptoms or not, until you are tested negative.
- If you test positive please do not sign up or come to the church services until you are tested negative, for two consecutive tests, regardless of the time it takes to be tested negative twice.
- You should attend the Divine Liturgy at the church you regularly attend.
- Every church will take all the precautions necessary to ensure your safety, but your attendance is entirely your choice, and the church does not accept any liability.
When you come to church:
- Arrive on time. The church gate will ONLY be open at the beginning of the service and will remain closed for the duration. No one will be permitted to open the church door other than the church servant assigned by the clergy.
- Your body temperature may be taken prior to entering the church.
- You should wear a mask and gloves at all times during the service.
- You should sanitize your hands when entering the church.
Inside the Church:
- You must keep a minimum distance of 6 feet at all times between you and others that are not in your household.
- Each family (same household) should seated together.
- Children will stand with their parents even if they are deacons.
- Please do not touch anything or anyone inside the church including icons, relics, clergy, and deacons, etc.
- For Ologea (Al Barka), the priest will wash his hands, cut it and distribute it. You will take it with your hand without touching the priest.
- After Liturgy, we need to stagger exiting from the church as individuals or families to ensure we maintain social distancing guidelines.
Partaking of the Eucharist:
- Please bring your own head covering, corporeal (for communion) and water to use for partaking of the Eucharist.
- Each family should come forward together to receive the Eucharist. As every family is approaching please maintain 6’ away from other families.
- During communion, you will remove your mask, open your mouth wide and have your tongue lay flat so the priest can place the Holy Body on your tongue.
- When taking the Holy Blood, open your mouth wide and the priest will pour the Blood from the spoon into your mouth.