OPMH E Gram (Aug 12, 2007)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Morning Service (10:00 am)

Scripture

Jeremiah 23:23-29

Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Luke 12:49-56

Sermon

A High Calling — Dr. Laha

Hymns

I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

Fight the Good Fight

Christ of the Upward Way

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      Prelude to the Te Deum – M. Charpentier

Anthem:                      Panis Angelicus – Beethoven

                                    Robin McConnell, Soprano

Offertory:                    Adagio (Sonata 1) – F. Mendelssohn

Postlude:                     Trumpet Time – H. Rohlig

Lemonade on the Lawn: Join us behind the Sanctuary after 10:00 am service. Hosted by the Budget and Finance Committee.

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

Childcare Volunteers Needed: Are you looking for a wonderful way to “get engaged” with the children from our church family?  Please help by taking care of our children during the 11:00 worship service.  It is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to meet the parents and children of OPMH.  We are recruiting volunteers for the Nursery, Toddler, 2s and 3s (combined) and 4 year old rooms.  We have reached out to many parents via e-mail.  However, if we have missed any parents or if others of you would like to volunteer to help care for our children, please contact Priscilla Andre-Colton at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703-549-6670.

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

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 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.

OPMH-wide Outing: Join us to watch the Washington Nationals take on the New York Mets on Saturday, August 18^th at 7:05 pm. Discounted tickets are $16 each. Reserve your seats by contacting Tim Elmore at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202.458.4364. Deadline for reservations is this Sunday.

On the Go: A trip is planned for 10 am Wednesday, September 5, to Huntley Meadows Park, a wetland preserve. This is located a short distance off Route 1 South, Alexandra. A park naturalist will present a short program in the center. John Mills, a member of OPMH, will guide participants on a boardwalk tour through the park after the program. Lunch will follow at the Italian Pie, located on Route 1 South. The church bus will return to OPMH between 1:30 and 2 pm. The fee will be $7 per person (excluding lunch costs). Please arrive at the OPMH parking lot by 9:45 am. Anyone interested in this event should call the church office at 703.549.6670 to sign up for the trip sponsored by the Spirit Group. The OPMH Spirit Group aims to provide fellowship and learning opportunities particularly for those 55 and older, but all are welcome.

Save the Date: All Church Retreat - October 19 - 21 at Massanetta Springs.  More details coming.

Mission

Each month, the Environmental Issues Advocacy Group shares ideas of how OPMH can better care for God’s creation.  The focus is on transportation this month. 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).

Next Sunday is Workcamp Sunday! The service will be led by participants from the Meeting House mission trips, and will include reflections on their experiences.

Mentor Orientation Event (free) on Wednesday, August 29, 6 - 8:30 pm at the Lyceum. More than 200 Alexandria youth need mentors. This event is sponsored by the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership. For more information about the Partnership, visit  www.alexandriava.gov/mentoring. Reference flyers with more information are available in the Church Office.

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 Corporation’s generous support, all lodging and meals will 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:

Adult Choir resumes rehearsals on Thursday, Sep 6 at 7:30 pm in the balcony. Everyone is welcome!

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 are available Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30.