OPMH E Gram (July 22, 2007)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Morning Service (10:00 am)

Scripture

Colossians 1: 15-28

Luke 10: 28-32

Sermon

Fatal Distraction — The Rev. Ann Herlin

Hymns

We Thank You Lord, for You Are Good

Seek Ye First

O Jesus, I Have Promised

Other Special Music

Prelude:       Aria– Paul Manz

Anthem:       How Firm a Foundation – David Dahl

Offertory:     Canzona on Forest Green – Based on Hymn # 454

Postlude:      Fantasia – Anon

Lemonade on the Lawn: Join us behind the Sanctuary after 10:00 am service. Hosted by Joan and Les Winslow.

Evening Service (6:30 pm in Heritage Hall, casual dress)

Scripture

Ephesians 5:15-20

Meditation (The Rev. Bill Kosanovich)

Hymns

Various selections, usually contemporary in nature.

Christian Education. (Sunday classes do not meet during the summer months)

Tuesday Night Bible Study: Meeting from 7:30-8:30 pm in Flounder House (Room 1b) on July 24 and 31 and August 7. This is a study on Phillipians, and on July 24 will focus on Phil. 1:27-2:16.

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth: Come to the 6:30 pm service in casual clothes.

20s/30s: This group is open to all in the 20s and 30s. Our “official” activities are on hiatus over the summer, but contact Make Campagna (703.785.4736) or Amy Anderson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to be added to the mailing list.

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: An informal time of fellowship following the 10:00 am service (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.

Mission

Each month, the Environmental Issues Advocacy Group shares ideas of how OPMH can better care for God’s creation. This month, the focus in on transportation. Have you ever considered commuting to work or running errands in a different manner? Taking public transit, biking, or walking are all ways to connect with your neighborhood while reducing your carbon footprint (amount of greenhouse gas (CO₂) emitted through burning fossil fuels).

The Meeting House Hunger & Poverty Advocacy Working Group will meet July 26 at 7:30 pm in the Elliott House conference room. After conducting two educational sessions this spring to explore the issue, the group is ready to decide where to focus our advocacy efforts. If you feel called to action on this social justice issue, we need you at this meeting. Scott Boggess will facilitate this chartering session. If you have questions or want to receive summaries from our precious sessions, contact Marsha Rhea at 703.299.9717 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Back-to-School Drive: The Deacons are sponsoring a drive again this year to help low income families provide the school supplies their children need to begin school in the fall. Last year the congregation gave generously and over 37 students in Northern Virginia received backpacks containing these supplies. Collections will be made this Sunday. Please plan to give generously to this cause.

Rebuilding Together Alexandria is taking its fifth trip to the Gulf to help rebuild houses and we need you! This fall’s trip is October 14-20. We’ll stay in New Iberia, LA and travel 15-20 minutes to rehab hurricane –impacted houses in close-by neighborhoods. Thanks to Countrywide Financial Corporations’s generous support, all lodging and meals willl be paid. Volunteers only have to get themselves there! Please call or email RTA for more information or to sign up at 703-836-1021 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Music:

Summer musicians needed while the choirs are on break Jun 17 thru Sep 2. Since Wayne will be on sabbatical, please contact Ina Berkey at 703.978.8558 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name, date, title & composer/arranger.

Churchwide News:

Our photo directories have arrived!  If you or your family were photographed for the directory, please stop by the Church Office to pick up your copy (one per family please.) The directories will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30. They will also be available at Lemonade on the Lawn this Sunday and on July 22.

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, medical 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.

Summer Evening Worship: Are you looking for an informal worship experience? Are you interested in singing some different worship songs, and worshiping in a smaller space? Does your vacation or summer schedule make it difficult to attend worship in the morning? Then check out the summer evening services at OPMH! Held in Heritage Hall at 6:30pm on Sundays in June and July. Join with people who are looking for hope in a difficult world, sharing their faith and fears while singing, praying and building community together. Come just as you are (yes, you can come in shorts and T-shirts), bring your family, friends and neighbors. Childcare will be provided in the Education Building. Watch this egram each week for information on the upcoming service. See you there!

Summer Evening Preachers are:

Damaris Christensen, June 3

Linda Lanam, June 10

Rory Mach, June 17

Rocky Laha, June 24

Larry Goleman, July 1

Joyce Mercer, July 7

John Hitchcock, July 15

Bill Kosanovich, July 22

Ann Herlin, July 29