OPMH E Gram (Mar 2, 2008)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

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

Scripture

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-4

Sermon

What Do You See? — Rev Herlin

Hymns

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Amazing Grace

Open My eyes That I May See

Other Special Music

Prelude:                                Sheep May Safely Graze – Joh. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Introit:                                    I want to walk as a child of the light – Kathleen Thomerson (b. 1934)

Anthem:                                The Lord is my Shepherd . . . – Thomas Matthews (1915-1999)

Offertory:                            Brother James’Air – Searle Wright (1918-2004)

Postlude:                               Psalm 20 – Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739)

Coffee Hour: Join us in Fellowship Hall after the 11:00 am service. The host this week is the Local Mission Committee.

Christian Education.

Children’s Education: This Sunday, our elementary children begin a series of workshops learning about the events of Easter. This series of workshops will be led by the youth of our middle school Sunday school class. Check the board in the Education Bulding for grade assignments.

VBS Reminder: VBS 2008 will be held June 23-27. This Sunday, March 2, there will be a VBS brainstorming meeting at 7:00 pm in Room 25 (Education Building). Bring your ideas as we begin to plan this special week of study and fun.

Adult Education

Westminster Hall: The Gospel of Matthew, this Bible study continues this Sunday through March 16. It is an in-depth study of the second part of the Gospel of Matthew (Ch 17-28).

Heritage Hall: The Bible of Jesus --- what we call the Old Testament is a new adult education class beginning this Sunday in Heritage Hall. Dr. William Phillippe will lead a three week series. These were the scriptures Jesus knew so well and upon which he based his teachings. This survey will trace the changing thoughts of our mothers and fathers in the faith as they attempted to understand who this desert God called Yahweh really was.

Fellowship Hall: Presbyterian 101 begins. This will be a four week series for anyone who has ever felt tongue-tied when asked “what do Presbyterians believe?” or just wants a better basic understanding of the particular tradition in which we stand.

Wednesday Night Bible Study: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Meets Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm beginning Jan. 9.in Flounder 1b. Join us for this weekly Bible study, as we dig deeper into the Scripture, and listen for how it speaks to our lives today. Please contact Ann at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 549.6670, x129 for more information, or to sign up.

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

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth: Meet from 5 to 7 pm this Sunday night to discuss politics. We’ll be concentrating on the Presidential Primary process and what it means to you, what it means to your community, and who you would vote for if you could. Join us!! YAC will also meet from 7 to 8 pm. Questions? Ask Cristy or Mark SooHoo.

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers hosts 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 meet in the Elliot House parlor following the 11:00 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.

20s30s –This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). Meet for brunch this Sunday after the 11:00 am service. We’ll gather in front of the Sanctuary. Join us Monday nights for dinner and discussion at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. 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 .

Celebration: Sign up now for the Married Couple retreat on Sat., March 29 from 9 am – 4 pm at Clifton Presbyterian church in Clifton, VA. The theme of the day-long retreat is “The Soul-work of Marriage.” The cost is $55 per couple and includes lunch. Our retreat leader will be Marjory Bankson, who, along with her husband Peter, is a much sought-after relations retreat leader, working artist, and author. To register, contact Jean or Larry Rood at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703.323.9503. Deadline for registration is March 23

Dine With Nine Dinner Groups: The initial dinner groups of folks who responded by Feb. 20 have been formed. You will be contacted directly by the coordinator or host of the first event. Don’t worry if you procrastinated and didn’t get your name and preferences submitted. You can still use the green form in the pew pads to sign up and if there is enough interest, additional groups can be added. Bon appetite!

Mission

One Great Hour of Sharing: Offering banks are available at Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall and in the church office.

Global Missions Committee: A trip is being organized to Bay St. Louis, MS, April 13-19 to help First Presbyterian Church with their community reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Please contact  Beth Roberts at 703.548.7938 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in participating.

Christian Peace Witness: Register now at www.christianpeacewitness.org for worship, witness and workshops on Fri., March 7 in downtown Washington, DC. There will be workshops in the morning, a dozen different worship services to choose from at noon, and an Interfaith witness at the Capital sponsored jointly by the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq and the new “Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partners” coalition. We also invite you to join in by sending a length of the “Rope of Hope” – more info. on the website. If you are hungry as a follower of Jesus for a principled, positive, nonviolent, affirming witness to end the war, this is the event for you. Contact Rick Ufford-Chase at 520.780.6928 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Help Identify Social Justice Issues in our Community: Meeting House organizers for V.O.I.C.E. – Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement – are holding meetings to help identify an advocacy agenda for this new organization. Join a listening meeting at Marsha Rhea’s home on March 6 at 7 pm. For directions, emal This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to a meeting in the Elliot House parlor after the 11:00 am service on March 30.

Music:

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.

Churchwide News:

Session and Presbytery Approval: We will be moving forward on a marketing agreement with Pegasus Communications to lease space in our bell tower to place cell phone transponders. If you would like to know more, join us in Heritage Hall after the 11:00 service on march 9. Bob Wiles, Mike Hazzard, and Rich Johnson will answer questions.

Congregational Meeting: There will be a brief meeting on March 9 after the 11 am service for the purpose of approving the clergy terms of call.

Lenten Study Guides: The Lenten Study Guide and Journal is available in the Narthex. A free will offering of $1 would be appreciated.

Daylight Savings Time Begins: Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour on Sun., March 9 at 2 am. Spring will be here before you know it.

A Note from the Flower Committee: The arrangements today reflect the call for penitence and preparation during this Lenten season.

Holy Week Services: Palm Sunday, March 16 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am; Maundy Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 pm; Good Friday, March 21 at 12:00 pm; Easter, March 23 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am (no education classes on Easter).