OPMH E Gram (Sep 30, 2007)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Morning Services (8:30 and 11:00 am)

Scripture

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Seeing for the First Time — Dr. Laha

Hymns

God of Grace and God of Glory

I Surrender All

Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      All My Hope on God Is Founded – Michael Burkhardt

Introit                          There’s a Song – Covenant Choir

Anthem:                      Poor Man Lazarus – Jester Hairston

Offertory:                    Beach Spring – David Cherwien

Postlude:                     God of Grace and God of Glory – Paul Manz

Coffee Hour: Join us in Fellowship hall after the 11:00 am service. Hosted by the Children’s Education Committee.

Christian Education. Sunday morning education classes and Bridges to Worship resume this Sunday

Childrens Education: Classes for children, age 3 years through Grade 12 meet at 9:30 in the Education Building and Flounder House. Children in grades 1-5 continue their study of Noah with a new series of workshops – check the board in the Education Building entrance for your grade’s room assignment.

The Preparation for Communion Workshop scheduled for Oct. 6, has been postponed. Please watch for the new date.

Bridges to Worship (B2W): (formerly Godly Play) continues during the 11:00 am worship service. Children ages 5 years through grade 2 are invited to the Education Building following the Time with the Children. Parents of first time B2W children are encouraged to join your child as they leave the Sanctuary if this will help your child feel more comfortable. All parents of children who attend B2W are asked to pick their children up from our new locations in the Education Building (Rm. 26 or Heaven) and to sign up to serve as doorkeeper for one Sunday.

All parents of children who attend B2W are asked to follow their children out of the sanctuary this Sunday! You will be led to the only orientation session offered this school year. B2W is different from Sunday School and we need your help to prepare your children to worship with the larger church family.

Third graders will receive their Bibles on Sun., Oct 28. If you have a third grader, or an older child who did not receive their Bible please contact Priscilla in the church Office.

Adult Education

Inquirer’s Class: This class will be held this Sunday and next, Sep 30 and Oct. 7. The times are from 9:30 to 10:45 am in Fellowship Hall.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study: The Book of Acts, 7:30-8:30 pm, Flounder 1b, through Nov. 28. Led by the Rev. Ann Herlin. Please RSVP to the Church Office; books are $12.

God’s Gifted People, an adult Bible Study, will begin Thurs., Oct 4. This class will meet at 9:30 in Flounder 1B. Examining Paul’s descriptions of the speiritual gifts, we will seek to discover our own gifts and how God wants us to use them. If you need child care please let Priscilla know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.

Sunday Morning Bible Study:  The Gospel of Matthew, 9:40-10:40 am, Oct. 7-Dec. 23, Flounder 1b. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? The early church had a manual on discipleship – the Gospel of Matthew. Come join us for an in-depth study of the book that comes first in the New Testament because of its importance in the life of the church. The class will use the Matthew study book in the Lifeguide Bible Study series, which divides the story of Jesus into two parts. The first part, “Discovering the King,” will be covered during the fall semester. The spring semester will address the second part, “The Rejection and Resurrection of the King.” Please contact the Church Office to register; books are $6. Class facilitators: Lee Posey, Tom Roberts, Ed Willis, and Hal Collums.

For the under 40 crowd: The Mystery of Evil – a theological discussion for young adults sponsored by the Reformed Institute. Sat., Oct. 13, from 9 am–1pm at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church. $15 includes lunch. Contact Ann Herlin, or register online at www.reformedinstitute.org.

Reformed Institute: Look on the web site for these special offerings.

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth:

Reminder: Confirmation class begins next Sun., Sept. 30 for those who signed up for the fall series. The class will meet 9:30-10:40 am in the Conference Room of Elliot House. If you have questions, please call Priscilla in the Church Office..

20s/30s: This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). Our fall organization meeting will be held at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. Also, please join us for brunch at a local restaurant next Sunday (Oct 7), following 11:00 worship. All are welcome! For more info., call Mike Campagna at 703-785-4736 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: An informal time of fellowship on the first Sunday of each month in the Elliot House Parlor. We welcome all who are experiencing loss or struggling to find joy in their lives to meet, one-on-one, with a Stephen Minister. Call Susan Grandy (703-780-4134 or 703.836.6701) if you have questions.

On the Go...For All Members! - There will be a special outing on Oct. 9 to the National Gallery of Art to see the brand new J.M.W. Turner exhibit, fresh from merry old England! Please call the Church Office to sign up now. We can take 15 people on the church bus. The cost for the day is $3 per person for the bus, plus lunch costs. We will meet in the church parking lot at 9:30 am for departure to arrive in DC at 10:00 am at the Gallery.

Mission

Peacemaking Offering: On World Communion Sunday (October 7), we will receive one of the five special offerings of the Presbyterian Church USA – the Peacemaking Offering. The funds are used to support peacemaking initiatives and peace education throughout the church, programs such as a community garden for developmentally disabled adults, a travel/study conference in Israel and Palestine, and a seminar on global racism for high school and college students. Please give generously! Note “Peacemaking Offering” on you check or offering envelope.

Mark your calendars for an opportunity to connect with global missions right here at the Meeting House. On Mon. evening, Oct 15 at 7:30 pm in Heritage Hall, Dr. Sue Makin will share her experiences as a PC (USA) medical mission worker. Dr. Makin has been working in Malawi for the past 15 years and is visiting the National Capital Presbytery as part of a national PC (USA) initiative to engage congregations in global missions awareness. This will be an excellent opportunity to hear about today’s mission work directly from the field!

Rebuilding Louisiana: Rebuilding Together Alexandria’s next trip to the Gulf will be Oct 14-20. Lodging and meals will be paid for. Volunteers only have to arrange their transportation. Please call/email RTA with your interest or questions at 703-836-1021, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Benefit Concert for Haiti, featuring Cleve Francis, noted composer and vocalist, and the Howard University Community Choir, Sat., Oct. 6, 7:30 pm. at Schlesinger Hall, (3001 N. Beauregard St.). Tickets at www.cchaiti.org or contact John Klousia at 703-548-0290

Community Coalition for Haiti: This fall we have three mission trips planned. The dates are: Oct 9-15, Oct 23-30, and Nov 6-13. ALL THREE have space available and we would love to get some more participation from OPMH. Call or e-mail John Klousia with questions at 703-407-5287 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tutor a 1^st or 2^nd Grader in reading and make the difference of a lifetime! The commitment is just 30 minutes a day, one or two days a week (your choice). Volunteering through The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium offers you an opportunity to directly affect a child’s future learning success. Tutors meet with students during the school day for two thirty minute sessions per week, either on their own or with a partner.  Visit our website: www.alexandriatutors.org  for more information, to apply to tutor, and to register for training. Questions? Contact Meredith Wade, Program Manager, at 703-549-6670 x119, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Music:

Our organist and choir director for September is Lois Lehrer.

Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays, at 7:30 pm in the balcony. Everyone is welcome!

Children’s Choir’s rehearses on Sundays, in room 22, Education Building. 12:05-12:50 pm.

Concert With a Cause - From Sea to Shining Sea, Fri., Oct. 5 at 8 pm in the OPMH Sanctuary. Organist Jeannine Jordan presents a narrated musical and historic journey of the first 200 years of the pipe organ in America, complete with anecdotes, out-of-the ordinary American compositions, and eye-catching visuals.  An offering will be received to benefit the Katrina recovery efforts of the Bay St. Louis (Mississippi) Presbyterian Church.

Churchwide News:

The annual Church-wide retreat is Oct 19-21. Rev. Chris Edmonston from Tarboro, NC, will be our speaker. Fun activities are planned for people of all ages. Childcare will be available for our yougest children with special programming for older children. We will have professional storytellers on Sat. night and a sing-along around the campfire. You may register at the Retreat Table following worship, or download the registration from from www.opmh.org.

All are invited to attend a flower arranging demonstration on Sat., Oct 27 at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary. Anne Irving will give advice and a demonstration on arranging flowers, with particular emphasis on the liturgical church calendar and how it can be reflected in our Sanctuary flower arrangements. Coffee and light refreshements will be available before and after the demonstration. Pleas let Denise Ferguson know if you plan to attend at 703.535.1537 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Facilities Committee is hosting a Fall Workday on Sat., Oct. 13 from 8 am to noon. We will be working on several small projects for both buildings and grounds to include painting, light carpentry, gardening, yard work and more. All are welcome and no special skills or tools required. Contact Joe McCoy at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703-535-3575 for more info.

Are You Ready?  A Book entitled A Letter to My Loved Ones is available for sale in the Church Office. It is a self-help book to guide you through the process of collecting information your survivors will need after your death. It includes actual legal forms, listings, addresses and other useful hints to make it easy to compile your wishes. The book is offered for $10 by the Spirit organization of the church.