OPMH E Gram (Sep 23, 2007)
Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Morning Services (8:30 and 11:00 am)
Scripture
Revelation 5:1-12
Sermon
The Naked Faith — Dr. Blount
Hymns
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
Guide My Feet
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Other Special Music
Prelude: Allegretto from Organ Sonata #4 – Felix Mendelssohn
Introit As Morning Dawns – Knapp, Anderson
Anthem: We Praise Thee, O God – Gordon Young
Offertory: St. Anne – Paul Manz
Postlude: Te Dewn – Marc Antoine Charpentier
Coffee Hour: Join us in Fellowship hall after the 11:00 am service. Hosted by the Congregational Life Ministry.
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 sutdy of Noah with a new series of workshops – check the board in the Education Building entrance for your grade’s room assignment.
On Sat., Oct. 6, 9:30-11:00 am, the Education Ministry Committee will offer a Communion Preparation workshop for children in Kindergarten through Grade 2. For more information contact Priscilla in the Church Office or check the church website.
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. Sign up will be held today at Lemonade on the Lawn.
All parents of children who attend B2W are asked to follow their children out of the sanctuary on Sunday, 9/30/07! 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.
Adult Education
This Sunday in Heritage Hall: Dr. Brian Blount, President of Union Theological Seminary/Presbyterian School of Christian Education, will lead the Adult Education Forum in Heritage Hall.
Inquirer’s Class: This class will be held on Sundays, Sep 30 and Oct. 7. The times are from 9:30 to 10:45 am in Fellowship Hall. These sessions are designed for those interested in considering membership in the Meeting House, or who have recently joined the church. The two-week class offers a brief overview of Presbyterian beliefs, and of the mission and ministry of the Meeting House.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study: The Book of Acts, 7:30-8:30 pm, Flounder 1b, Sept. 19–Nov. 28. Led by the Rev. Ann Herlin. Please RSVP to the Church Office; books are $12.
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..
BBQ: BBQ today from 5 to 7 pm at Sally and Rocky Laha’s home, 4313 Agnew Avenue, Alexandria. Burgers and hot dogs provided. Last names A-L please bring a side dish to share and M-Z a dessert. Come prepared to talk about “What I did over the summer…” Questions? Call Cristy at 571-235-6475.
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. All are welcome! For more info., call Mike Campagna at 703-785-4736 or
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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.
It’s not too late to sign up for the Church-wide retreat October 19-21 at Massanetta Springs. You may register at the Retreat Table following worship.
Mission
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,
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A New Perspective on the Israeli - Palestinian Conflict – This Sunday., Sept. 23 at 12:15 pm at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (6601 Bradley Blvd, north Bethesda), Dr. Mark Braverman will make a presentation “The Light of Prophecy, My Peoples Shadow, and the Living Stones: An American Jew’s Journey to The Holy Land”. Dr. Braverman recently traveled to Israel and Palestine as the co-leader of the Fellowship of Recognition’s Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation. A catered Middle Eastern Luncheon will be available from 12:15-1:00. Adult $10; children $5. For reservations call Nancy at 301-630-3479. For general information call Bonnie at 301-229-5105. For directions, see Today, Sept. 23 at 12:15 pm at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (6601 Bradley Blvd, north Bethesda), Dr. Mark Braverman will make a presentation “The Light of Prophecy, My People’s Shadow, and the Living Stones: An American Jew’s Journey to The Holy Land”. Dr. Braverman recently traveled to Israel and Palestine as the co-leader of the Fellowship of Recognition’s Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation. For directions, see www.bradleyhillschurch.org.
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
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Tutor a 1st or 2nd 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
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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 will have a brief rehearsal in the front of the Sanctuary the Sunday immediately following the 11:00 service as they prepare to sing on September 30.
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:
We welcome to our pulpit today the Rev. Dr. Brian Blount, President of Union-PSCE in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to assuming this position, Dr. Blount was Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a gifted preacher and teacher and a prolific author, including a book done in collaboration with former OPMH pastor, Gary Charles. Please join us in extending a warm, personal welcome to Brian and his wife Sharon. Also welcome, Ms. Gayle Haglund, the Director of Development for Union-PSCE who is here to share more information about these schools to all who are interested.
Lunch on the Lawn: Join us this Sunday for lunch and fellowship in the churchyard with guest preacher Brian Blount, the new president of Union Seminary/Presbyterian School of Christian Education. A limited number of lunch tickets will be on sale beginning this Sunday in front of the Sanctuary after the worship services (adults $5 and children $3.50).
Worship Sound System Guild: Would you like to help people hear the worship service and make recordings for shut-ins? We are seeking volunteers to operate the Meeting House sound and video equipment during worship services. You will be trained. No experience is necessary. All you need is an aptitude for knob turning and button pushing and an inclination to lend a hand. Contact Skip Bea at 703.549.7040 or
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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
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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.
eGram 
