General Respectful Conduct

A great characteristic of the Coptic Orthodox Church is the homelike atmosphere we enjoy
in the house of our heavenly Father. Let us also be aware that our heavenly Father is also the great and awesome God, the
Creator! As such, we must give Him the reverence and respect due Him, as do all the heavenly beings! It has been noticed
that this perspective has been lost. In general, unnecessary walking and talking have increased while focus and participation
have decreased. Please take responsibility for yourself and your family in being attentive to this matter. Do not let the
irresponsible behavior and actions of other become the way of conduct in the House of God.
Posted On 02-18-2013

Children and Food

With the exception of nursing babies, there should be no reason to feed children during services. The
common abstaining rule is 2 hours plus 1 one hour per year of age. For example, infants nurse about every 2 hours, so a 1-
year-old toddler can add 1 more hour to the 2 hours – so a 1 year old could abstain 3 hours.
Please be aware to encourage older siblings to abstaining more hours rather than feeding them with their younger siblings.
Much of the lack of spiritual strength in our Church today lies in the fact that parents’ compassion overrides the parental
responsibility of training and raising children properly. The reflection of this is seen in childhood obesity, poor hygiene,
underachievement in abilities and studies. May God add to our love wisdom, so that we can faithfully raise His children
entrusted in our hands.
Posted On 02-18-2013

Jonah/Nineveh Fast

will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25-27. This fast holds two purposes:
1) Preparation for the Great Fast (Lent) starts which would start two weeks after
2) That it sets the spirit of the Great Fast of repentance, strictness and self-discipline.
This fast is a strict fast, meaning longer abstinence hours from food and no fish.
God willing, the Great Fast will start March 11th
and the Feast of the Resurrection will be May 5th
.
May the Lord bring us to and sustain us through these great and holy days in peace and strength.
Posted On 02-18-2013

Direct Payments from Banks

Please be aware of an important matter having to do with direct payments from your bank.
When you request a one time or recurring direct payment from your bank, the bank makes out the check, deducts it from your account and mails it to the recipient.
If the check is lost or not cashed for any reason it seemingly remains deducted from your account until it is addressed… if it is addressed. After observing this, I would be cautioned to use direct payments only to institutions that provide monthly statements or notices if a payment was missed, such as credit cards accounts, mortgage payments, auto loans… etc. These types of accounts allow you to reconcile monthly or make you aware of an un-cashed check. In cases of sending direct payments to individuals or private parties, unless they will mention to you that they haven’t received payment, you risk your money falling between the cracks.With individuals and private parties, it may be a better idea to go back to the traditional check-writing, or do a direct DEPOSIT into their account. I would especially encourage you to do either of these with CHURCHES since they have a record of losing checks in the handling. Again, this is an observation. Please check with your bank to see if they have an automatic system of re-crediting un-cashed checks to your account.
Posted On 01-28-2013

Gentlemen’s Meeting

After the Feast of the Nativity, the Arabic Men’s Bible Study meeting will move from Thursdays to Wednesdays 7pm-8:30. Also, the topics will concentrate on theological and dogmatic subjects. Please encourage your family to come and attend Praises during that same time.
Posted On 01-14-2013

Patrashain

Beginning with the Feast of the Nativity, all teenage and adult deacons will be required to wear a unified
deaconate sash (patrashain/patrashail). Please ask one of the priests who will assist you in obtain one for yourself. All visiting deacons will be required to wear one reserved for guests.
Posted On 01-14-2013

Calendar Comments

The calendar team encourages your comments, reviews and corrections. As such, please leave them
on the church website by going to the link for comments and reviews. This link will be up all year.
Posted On 01-14-2013

Church Calendar

The church has produced a 2013 teaching calendar. This is a unique concept in which a theme is
elaborated on and a calendar is used as the mode of teaching. With God’s blessing, this will be the first of many more years to come, each year focusing on a different subject. We pray that you will make use of it for yourself and encourage your family to benefit from it.
Posted On 12-17-2012

Calendar Mailing

If you are on our mailing list – having received books from us before – then you will be receiving the calendar in a couple of weeks. However, if you think you’re not and want to be added to our mailing list, or will wish to send this calendar as a gift to someone, you can do this on the church website SMSANJ.net or click  Here
Posted On 12-17-2012

Food Service

For some time, the church has been providing home-cooked meals and recently added middle-eastern groceries. This service is provided because of the lack of grocery stores in the area. The groceries are available all week by the kitchen for you to take what you may need. The donations are to help replenish the groceries and materials for the meals. If you have any requests or further needs please feel free to write them down and insert them into the donation box designated for the food service.
Posted On 08-20-2012

Parking

Ushers are outside to provide parking instruction and assistance. Please take advantage of their service and may God bless them.
Posted On 08-06-2012