Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

This Sunday:

Worship Services (10:00 am): 10:00 am morning worship services will continue through August 31.

Preaching

at 10:00 am             A Welcoming Community;  Dr. Laha

Matthew 10: 40-42

Christian Education: Classes do not meet over the summer.  Classes and Bridges to Worship will resume on September 7.

Special Note:

A Special Reception and Appreciation for Casey Naatjes: After eight years as an integral part of the Meeting House community, Casey Naatjes is retiring. You are invited to a reception for him to be held this Sunday August 3 after Sunday worship. Please come and help the Meeting House express our appreciation for his presence with us . Join us

Opportunities to Give or Serve:

Flower Dedications/Memorials - Kerri Stevens, the point of contact for OPMH’s flower dedications, is seeking contributors for all of the Sundays in August.  Donation cost is $65. Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703-966-3895 to schedule your date and related dedication.

Back-to-School Drive: The deacons are leading a church effort in support of the Northern Virginia Family Service’s “Back-to-School Drive,” which provides backpacks and school supplies to needy children. The deacons will be taking donations following Sunday morning worship through today August 3. (Look for Deacons with backpacks) For more information, contact Linda Lanam or Bob Harris.

Youth Service Week: It’s not too late to sign up. Service week is August 25-29. It’s open to all youth, grades 6-12 and will include several service projects and fun outings. Activies will be scheduled in the afternoon so as to not conflict with morning practices. For more information contact Catherine Clinger at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration forms are available in the church office.

Looking for realatively large, strong fabric scraps: OPMH Youth are involved in a sewing project that requires your fabric remanants! Pleease contact Catherine Clinger at 703.548.8678 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also, we need several volunteers who know their way around a sewing machine who can assist us with this project during the week of August 25-29. Please call or e-mail Catherine Clinger if you can help.

Save the Date October 5 - Mission and World Communion Sunday. This is when members of all ages will gather for worship, fun, fellowship, picnickig and learning more about mission and opportunities for service druing Sunday School, during church as we celebrate communion with Christians aronund the world,and afterwards at the revival of our Mission Fair. You won’t want to miss this special time-more details to follow. (One hint of what’s to come- our own, for the first time ever, Metting House Mission Olympics for children!)

Upcoming Events / Church News:

Confirmation 2008-2009: Next year confirmation will be open to all youth in grades 8 and 9. For planning purposes we would like folks to let us know as soon as possible if they are intending to join the confirmation class. Please contact Priscilla Andre-Colton, D.C.E., for more information.

Inquirer’s Class: If you are interested in learning more about the Meeting House and its ministries, or in joining the church, please plan to attend one of our two-week Inquirer’s Classes. We have tentatively scheduled a class for 8:30 am on Sundays, August 10 and 17. Please RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend this class (703.549.6670; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Knowing that many people are out of town in August, we will reschedule (to October 12 & 19) if this doesn’t turn out to be the best date.

Summer Reading Opportunity to Make History – The 1805 diary of the Rev. Dr. James Muir, who served our congregation from 1789 to 1820, needs transcribing. Learn about a pastor’s life and help bring church history to life all at the same time! Copies of the diary, and instructions, are available in the church office – good reading!

Raising our VOICE! As faith communities around northern Virginia seek to raise their voice together for justice and righteousness, we need you to help our voice grow! The Meeting House is committed to bringing 15 people to Bethlehem Baptist Church (7836 Fordson Road, Alexandria) on Sunday, July 27, from 4:00 – 6:00pm, as the newly forming “Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement” seeks to present and ratify an agenda of concrete actions on affordable housing, immigration, homelessness, and health/mental health care that we believe can be taken on together with local political and corporate leaders.

Youth Hale and Farewell Ice Cream Social: Meeting House Youth (middle-school and senior-high) and their parents are invited to an ice-cream social and fellowship at the Elmores’ home (1795 Rampart Drive, Alexandria) on Friday, August 8 at 7:00 pm. This social is to welcome our new Youth Director Alice Tewell and her husband, Adam, and to say goodbye to our departing first-year college students. Please RSVP by emailing the Elmores at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Celebration: Married couples of all ages are welcome to join Celebration for its September kick-off social at 7:00 pm on Saturday, Sep 13, at the home of Gerry and Gloria Cooper. Save the date! More information will follow.

Mission and World Communion Sunday: Save the date, October 5, 2008.

Church-wide Retreat: Mark your calendars for October 24-26 for the weekend retreat at Massanetta Springs.

Ongoing Events:

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers host an informal time of fellowship on the first Sunday of each month for those who are experiencing a difficult or challenging time and would welcome a willing listener. We will meet today in the Elliot House parlor following the 10:00 am service. If you would like more information or would like to spend one-on-one time with a Stephen Minister, call Susan Grandy at 703-780-4134 or 703-299-4749.

More on Sunday’s Services:

Morning Service

Hymns

O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Today We All Are Called to be Disciples

Other Special Music

Prelude:            Communion – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Offertory:            People to Peopel - William J. Reynolds, Casey Naatjes soloist

Postlude:            Fugue in G – J.S. Bach  (1685 -1750)

A Special Reception: A special reception will be held for Casey Naatjes in Heritage Hall following the 10:00 am worship service. Please join us for fellowship as we bid farewell to Casey.

Bob’s First E-gram: As I sit at this desk I have a great appreciation for Casey and all his many contributions to the Meeting House. I hope to continue to provide you with Service information and other church related news. I want to thank Casey for his gracious welcome and look forward to serving you all here at the Meeting House. My email is  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . please feel free to contact me at any time.