OPMH E Gram (Feb 24, 2008)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

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

Scripture

Exodus 19:1-7

John 4:5-42

Sermon

Breaking Down Barriers — Dr. Laha

Hymns

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Help Us Accept Each Other

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      Air – Gerre Hancock (b. 1934)

Introit:                        I Hear the Voice of Jesus Say – Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

Anthem:                      Like as the hart desireth . . . – Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Offertory:                  Jesus Comforts the Samaritan Woman – Marcel Dupre (1886-1971)

Postlude:                    Fugue in G Minor – Joh. S. Bach (1685-1750)

                                    Janet Yieh, organist

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

Christian Education.

Children’s Education: This Sunday, our elementary children continue a series of workshops learning about the Lord’s Prayer. We say it every week but do we understand what it means? Check the board in the Education Bulding for grade assignments.

VBS Reminder: VBS 2008 will be held June 23-27. Next Sunday, March 2, there will be a VBS brainstorming meeting at 7:00 pm in Room 25 (Education Building). Bring your ideas as we begin to plan this special week of study and fun.

Adult Education

Westminster Hall: The Gospel of Matthew, this Bible study continues this Sunday through March 16. It is an in-depth study of the second part of the Gospel of Matthew (Ch 17-28). Lee Posey, Tom Roberts and Hal Collums will serve as facilitators during the spring term.

Heritage Hall: The Bible of Jesus --- what we call the Old Testament is a new adult education class beginning this Sunday in Heritage Hall. Dr. William Phillippe will lead a three week series. These were the scriptures Jesus knew so well and upon which he based his teachings. This survey will trace the changing thoughts of our mothers and fathers in the faith as they attempted to understand who this desert God called Yahweh really was.

Fellowship Hall: Making A Home for Faith.  This series, led by Priscilla Andre-Colton, D.C.E., will explore ways parents can nurture faith with their children. This class concludes this Sunday. Next week, Presbyterian 101 begins. This will be a four week series for anyone who has ever felt tongue-tied when asked “what do Presbyterians believe?” or just wants a better basic understanding of the particular tradition in which we stand.

Wednesday Night Bible Study: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Meets Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm beginning Jan. 9.in Flounder 1b. Join us for this weekly Bible study, as we dig deeper into the Scripture, and listen for how it speaks to our lives today. Please contact Ann at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 549.6670, x129 for more infomraiton, or to sign up.

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

Fellowship, Study, and Prayer Groups:

Youth:

Update from the Youth Director Search Committee: The committee has prepared a survey to obtain input and guidance from members and youth regarding the Youth Program and the desirable attributes for the position of Youth Director. The survey is located on the Meeting House website (www.opmh.org). Look under “Education” And go to “Youth Program”. Follow the link to the survey. For those without internet access who would like a paper copy of the survey, contact the Church Office or Rob Dunn, Chair of the Committee, at 703-836-9000 (work) or 703-998-9196 (home).

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers hosts an informal time of fellowship on the first Sunday of each month for those who are experiencing a difficult or challenging time and would welcome a willing listener. We meet in the Elliot House parlor following the 11:00 am service. If you would like more information or would like to spend one-on-one time with a Stephen Minister, call Susan Grandy at 703-780-4134 or 703.299.4749.

20s30s –This group is open to all in their 20s and 30s (married, single, members, visitors, friends). Join us Monday nights for dinner and discussion at 913 Oronoco Street at 7 pm. 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 .

Celebration’s annual winter wine-tasting will be on Sat., March 1, at the home of JC and Mary McElveen. If you wish to attend, the reservation deadline is Mon., Feb. 25. Email your request to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 703.299.1719. If you have already reserved your space, please bring your check for $30 (made payable to OPMH. Note: Celebration wine-tasting) to the Congregational Dinner.

Dine With Nine Dinner Groups: The initial dinner groups of folks who responded by Feb. 20 have been formed. You will be contacted directly by the coordinator or host of the first event. Don’t worry if you procrastinated and didn’t get your name and preferences submitted. You can still use the green form in the pew pads to sign up and if there is enough interest, additional groups can be added. Bon appetite!

Mission

One Great Hour of Sharing: Offering banks are being distributed through children’s Sunday School classes this Sunday. They will also be available at Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall.

Global Missions Committee: A trip is being organized to Bay St. Louis, MS, April 13-19 to help First Presbyterian Church with their community reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Please contact  Beth Roberts at 703.548.7938 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in participating.

Music:

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.

Churchwide News:

Photo Directory: If you haven’t already done so, please stop by the Church Office to pick up your photo directory.

Congregational Dinner: For those who have signed up, join us for dinner, dancing, and a silent auction this Sunday night., at 5:30 at The Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Rd., Alexandria. Overflow parking: The OPMH bus will be available to shuttle drivers from Beth El Hebrew Congregation (across Seminary Road) to the door of the dining hall. Drop your passengers off first.

Lenten Study Guides: The Lenten Study Guide and Journal is available in the Narthex. A free will offering of $1 would be appreciated.

Suggestions for Officers: The Meeting House needs your help in identifying qualified leaders to serve on the Session and Diaconate, and as Trustees. Please provide the Nominating Committee with one or more names and pertinent information about possible candidates. Officers will serve a 3-year term, beginning in June 2008, with training and orientation in March and April. Please submit names this Sunday. Forms are available at the designated boxes in the Narthex and church Office.

A Note from the Flower Committee: The arrangements today reflect the call for penitence and preparation during this Lenten season.