OPMH E Gram (Oct 28, 2007)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

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

Scripture

Luke 18:9-14

Joel 2:23-32

Sermon

Right as Rain — The Rev. Ann Herlin

Hymns

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Praise Is Your Right, O God, in Zion

Spirit

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      I Stand at the Threshold – J. Pachelbel

Anthem:                      Little Innocent Lamb – Bartholomew

Offertory:                    Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott – J.N. Hanff

Postlude:                     Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott – J.G. Walther

Coffee Hour: Join us in Fellowship Hall after the 11:00 am service. The host this week is History and Archives.

Christian Education. Sunday morning education classes and Bridges to Worship resume this Sunday

Children’s 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 study of Stewardship – check the board in the Education Building entrance for your grade’s room assignment. Next Sunday, children in Grades 1-5 will begin a new series of workshops digging into the story of Jonah. Check the board inside the Education Building for grade assignments.

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.

Third Graders receive their Bibles this Sunday at the 11:00 am service. They are: Savannah Demarais Beeby, Grayson Rebecca Brightbill, Andrew Joseph Fischer, John Conor Fitzpatrick, Zachary Herr Gardner, Madeline S. Hazzard, Greta Shepard Holt, Ross Arthur Hotchkiss, IV, Daniel Patrick Jennings, Samuel Vincent Lally, Catherine Forsythe Luther, Abigail Ridley Merrifield, Catherine Lucas Regen, and Eliza Grace Worrall.

Adult Education

Wednesday Evening Bible Study: The Book of Acts, 7:30-8:30 pm, Flounder 1b, through 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, continues this Sunday, October 28 through Dec. 23, in Westminster Hall, (Flounder House). 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. Books are $6. Class facilitators: Lee Posey, Tom Roberts, Ed Willis, Hal Collums.

Heritage Hall: Dr. Joyce Mercer will lead “Practicing our Faith,” a discussion of faith practices identified by Dorothy Bass in her book by the same title. In the midst of such activities as prayer, hospitality, singing, forgiveness, keeping Sabbath, and household economics, participants will find ways to “practice faith”. Dr. Mercer is the Assoc. Professor of Pastoral Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. The class will meet this Sunday through Nov. 25.

Fellowship Hal: Church Staff will lead “Presbyterian 101,” a four-week study exploring our Reformed heritage. Week 1 will be a quick survey of our history; week 2 will focus on our unique theology and basic beliefs; week 3 will delve into our worship and sacraments; and week 4 will explore our polity and form of church government. The class will meet this Sunday through Nov. 18.

Special Event! Theologian John de Gruchy will be here all the way from South Africa for a presentation, Christian Humanism and Reformed Identity, to be held here at OPMH on Sat., Nov. 3, from 10 am to noon in Heritage Hall. For more information or to register, go to www.reformedinstitutue.org or call 703.518.5125.

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

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth:

We will be meeting this evening at 4:30 to discuss and begin planning Youth Sunday, which is scheduled for Nov. 18. At 5:00 pm, we will be joined by Bush Hill Presbyterian church's youth group for a game of kick ball and dinner. Please come play with us – and wear your tennis shoes! Let's show Bush Hill how great we are! This week, please buy 5 Christmas stockings - to hand out next Sun. (Nov. 4) after both worship services, and 1 to fill yourself. Also, we need help collecting mailing boxes for the stockings – please start saving boxes and bring them in when you can!

20s/30s: This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). We meet on Monday nights at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. All are welcome! 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

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.

Mission

Community Coalition for Haiti: The planned dates Nov 6-13 for the mission trip. There is still 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding to the string of wildfires in southern California.  Beth Goss (minister member of National Capital Presbytery) and Mark White, members of the PDA National Response Team, are on their way to Los Angeles to offer spiritual and emotional care giving to staff of the Pacific Presbytery and the Malibu Presbyterian Church that burned Sunday night, Oct. 21. One Great Hour of Sharing funds are also being made available to help the Malibu congregation continue their ministry and to help provide a humanitarian response to the community. Additional information on the fire that destroyed the Malibu Presbyterian Church can be found on the PNS web site at http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07678.htm.

Music:

Our organist and choir director for this Sunday and the remainder of the year is Robert Saladini.

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.

Hymn Festival, Nov. 4: As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the “new” Lively-Fulcher organ, we are delighted to have Michael Burkhardt with us at both worship services on Sun., Nov. 4 to lead a hymn festival titled “I sing a Song of the Saints of God!” Through readings and hymns, we will remember with thanksgiving those who have lived and died in the faith, and sing together the praises of the god who brings life out of death. A special offering will be received at both services to benefit the Family to Family program of the Meeting Hosue, witch provides emergency assistance to the working poor.

The Concert With A Cause, From Sea to Shining Sea, raised $1,022 for the Katrina recovery efforts of the Bay St. Louis (Mississippi) Presbyterian Church.

If you’ve ever thought about singing with our adult choir but don’t have the time to devote to it permanently, you might consider joining for only a few weeks. On Sun., Dec 2, the choir is performing Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” during both worship serivces and we welcome you to join us. Rehearsals begin at 8:15 pm on the Thurs evenings in Nov. You don’t need to be a budding Pavarotti or ‘American Idol’ finalist to join, a nice voice and the ability to read music is helpful. For more information contact Robert Saladini at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Churchwide News:

Flower Dedications/Memorials: Kerri Stevens, the new point of contact for OPMH’s flower dedications, is seeking contributors for the next three months. Dedications are needed for Sunday, Oct 21^st onward. Donation cost is $65. Please contact Kerri at 703.966.3895 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to schedule your date and related dedication.

Are You Ready? A book entitled A Letter to My loved Ones is available for sale in the church Office. The book is offered for $10 by the Spirit organization of the church. 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.

Anyone interested in training to be a Lay Reader on Sun. mornings, please meet Skip Bea and Christine Heiby in the Sanctuary immediately following the 11:00 service on Sun., Nov. 18. This is a refresher course for current Lay Readers and a chance to learn how to become a Lay Reader. All are welcome.

Blood Drive sponsored by the Deacons, coming Nov. 25! Start thinking now about this innovative way to give thanks for the gift of good health! Feel NO GUILT as you partake of turkey, ham, chicken, raisins, dates, shrimp, and other iron-rich foods during the Thanksgiving feast! This will only increase your chances of being able to donate! More details will follow during each week before Thanksgiving! Sign up after worship today, and check coming bulletins for amazing facts about blood donation.