Isaiah 11:1-10
Matthew 3: 1-2

Time to Change - Dr. Laha

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Song of Zechariah

Prelude:    Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Johannes Brahms
Introit:    People, Look East - French Carol
Anthem:    And the Glory of the Lord from 'Messiah'- G.F. Manz
Offertory:    Comfort, Comfort You My People - Paul Manz
Postlude:    Sleepers, Wake! A Voice Astounds Us - Robert A. Hobby

Westminster Hall: The Gospel of Matthew, Bible study continues through Dec. 23.
Heritage Hall: "The Nativity in the Arts," in Heritage Hall. Bonita Billman from Georgetown University will lead a discussion of how the Nativity Story is portrayed in paintings, using slides from the Georgetown University Art Images Collection.
Reformed Institute: Look on the web site for these special offerings.

Youth: No meeting this Sunday night.
20s/30s: This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). Join us Monday nights at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. Our Christmas party will be Dec. 17. 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
Advent Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Holidays can be hectic, stressful, lonely, and difficult times for us. We welcome you for a cup of tea and time to connect with Stephen Ministers during the month of December. We will host an informal fellowship hour each Sunday in December in the Elliot House parlor following the 11:00 am service. We hope you will join us as we all search for joy and meaning during this Advent season. If you would like more information or would like to spend one-on-one time with a Stephen Minister during the holidays, call Susan Grandy at 703-780-4134 or 703.299.4749.

Wondering What To Get All Those Hard-To-Shop-For Relatives and Friends For Christmas? Local and National/Global Missions will again be sponsoring Alternative Giving Fair this Sunday and on Dec. 16 in Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 am service. You may "purchase" items destined for use by various charities, such as book bags, medical supplies, Bibles, or livestock; we'll provide a gift card for communicating your purchase. A limited amount of other gifts - such as pins, notecards, or ornaments - benefiting OPMH-supported charitable organizations will also be available.
Hats-n-Mittens are being collected. Bring your donations to the tree in Fellowship Hall. They will be shared with neighbors in need in Alexandria and Washington, DC.
Christmas Joy Offering: Each year the Meeting House receives five special offerings that support the larger work of the Presbyterian church (USA). On Sunday, December 23, we will receive the Christmas Joy Offering. Fifty percent of this offering goes to financial assistance programs for retired and active church workers and their families; fifty percent supports scholarships and costs at historically racial-ethnic Presbyterian schools and colleges. Gifts may be made by using the designated offering envelope from you boxes or found in the pews, or by marking "Joy Offering" on your checks's memo line.

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.

Advent Devotions: To aid in directing your thoughts toward Jesus' coming and all that it means,members of the Meeting House have contributed their own Advent meditations which have been compiled in "A Wreath of Prayers", a small green booklet available in the narthex today. (A limited number of large-print copies are available in 8-1/2"x11" format.) Our thanks to all our writers, and particularly to Betty Heiby, whose lovely sketches of the church have been incorporated into the book. A donation of $1-$2 is requested to defray the printing costs. Also available on our website, or by email if requested ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Noonday Noël's (Wednesdays, Dec. 12, 19 at 12:05 pm). Refresh your spirit with a half hour of singing, praying, and special holiday music in the OPMH sanctuary. An outstanding line up of community artists will be here to share their talents with us. This week's program features Tim Howe, singer-guitarist (Dec. 12). The final Noël will feature Neil Gladd, mandolin, with Marjorie Bunday, alto soloist (Dec. 19.) A light lunch will be served for $5 after each program to help you get back to home or work full of good cheer. Invite your friends and neighbors to join for this new series of musical offerings here at the Meeting House.
This Sunday, December 9, plan to come to the G.I.F.T. (growing in faith together) Christmas Caroling. Gather in Heritage Hall at 4:00 to practice carols. Following caroling in the neighborhood, we will return to Heritage Hall for fellowship and pizza supper. RSVP to Priscilla or the Church Office so we know how much pizza to order. A $5.00 per family donation is asked.
News Update: 2008 Stewardship Campaign - After four weeks we have received 231 pledges, 36 of which are new. These pledges total $996,0500 with the repeating pledges showing some significant increases. But in order to meet the identified needs for the upcoming year, we will need everyone's pledge. So, if you have not yet turned in your pledge, please do so as soon as possible. For your convenience, you may submit your pledge online to our Administrator, Casey Naatjes at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Pledge cards are available in the friendship pads. Thanks for your support!
Christmas Storytelling - Our 17th annual Christmas Reading & Carols will be on December 16 in Heritage Hall where you can hear holiday stories and verse to entertain and inspire. It starts at 5 pm with stories that children, as well as adults, will enjoy. After a short refreshment break, the program will continue at 6 pm, with readings more attuned to youth and adults. Childcare for infants and toddlers is available throughout. Bring neighbors, friends and family. Our cast of readers will do their very best to make you laugh, cry and give you that special holiday feeling.
On Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), services will be at 4:30 pm (family service) and 10:30 pm (candelight communion service). On Dec. 30, there will be one service (11:00 am), and no education classes.
December Offerings: If you wish to record your offerings in the 2007 tax year, please remember to precess stock donations early in the month. It takes several days for these transactions to clear through the brokerage houses. If you are prepaying a 2008 pledge make sure that you mark that very clearly in the memo line of the check. Finally, your checks must be dated with a December date and delivered or postmarked with the same December markings.
Give to OPMH from your IRA, save on your Taxes - If you are over 70 ½ and have an IRA, you are required to make a "Minimum Required Distribution" each year or incur significant penalties. If, however, you ask your financial instutution to designate that the distributions go to OPMH, you will pay no taxes on the amount you designate to OPMH. You must act before December 31, 2007 - so if this is of interest, check with your financial advisor. (Unfortunately, this contribution cannot exceed $100,000).
Flower Dedications/Memorials - Kerry Stevens, the new point of contact for OPMH's flower dedications, is seeking contributors for January 27 forward. Flowers dedicated during Lent will reflect the more sombor tone of the season - that is they will be less colorful and perhaps more sparse. Donation cost is $65. Please contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703.966.3895 to schedule your date and related dedication.