OPMH E Gram (Mar 9, 2008)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

*Daylight Savings Time Begins March 9: Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour!*

This Sunday:

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

Sermon                If You Had Been Here — Dr. Laha

* Congregational Meeting: There will be a brief meeting after the 11 am service for the purpose of approving the clergy terms of call.

Christian Education for all ages from 9:40 – 10:40am.

For Children and Youth: Our elementary children continue a series of workshops learning about the events of Easter, led by the youth of our middle school Sunday school class. The high school class meets in the Youth Room (top floor of Flounder House).

For Adults

·             *Special Guest This Sunday!  Veeda Javaid, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Education Board of Pakistan, a PCUSA sponsored organization that runs schools for Christians and Muslims, will be with us to share news from the mission efforts in Pakistan.  Flounder 1b.

·             Bible Study: The Gospel of Matthew, through March 16. Westminster Hall.

·             The Bible of Jesus --- what we call the Old Testament, led by Dr. Bill Phillippe, concludes today.  In Heritage Hall.

·             Presbyterian 101 -- 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.  March 2, 9, 16, and 30 in Fellowship Hall.

After Worship

The Session and Presbytery have approved moving forward on a marketing agreement with Pegasus Communications to lease space in our bell tower to place cell phone transponders. If you would like to know more, join us in Heritage Hall after the 11:00 service on March 9.

Sunday Evening

Youth: Meet from 5 to 7 pm this Sunday night in Fellowship Hall to discuss Faith Journeys. Everyone is on one … whether it’s 15 years in the making or a 50-year adventure! We all experience God’s love in unique, personal ways. Come: listen to others’ journey and creatively express yours through an art project.

This Weekend:

Friday -- Christian Peace Witness: Visit www.christianpeacewitness.org for worship, witness and workshops TODAY (Friday)! in downtown Washington, DC. There will be workshops in the morning, a dozen different worship services to choose from at noon, and an Interfaith witness at the Capital sponsored jointly by the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq and the new “Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partners” coalition. If you are hungry as a follower of Jesus for a principled, positive, nonviolent, affirming witness to end the war, this is the event for you.

Saturday -- The Reformed Institute Presents: “What It Means to Be Reformed”, led by the Rev. Dr. Joseph Small, Associate Director of the Worship and Education Agency of the Presbyterian Church USA; and “To Rule and To Serve: Elders and Deacons in the Reformed Tradition,” led by the Rev. Dr. Susan Kendall, Director of the Doctor of Ministry program and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In Heritage Hall (OPMH) on Sat., March 8, from 9:30 – noon (coffee served at 9 am).  

Opportunities to Give or Serve:

Contribute sheets, towels, and writing materials for the children at the UO&A: Because the violence has abated in Kenya, particularly in the area around the United Orphanage & Academy in Moi's Bridge, two members from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria are making a long anticipated trip to the UO&A on March 17 (where they’ll be joined by our own Rhonda O’Bannon). To the extent their luggage space allows, they are hoping to bring (new or gently used) sheets, towels, and writing materials.  Sheets should be single bed size. Towels should be standard bath size (not bath sheets) and hand towels (no wash cloths). Writing materials can be paper, pens and pencils (regular or colored). Any supplies should be brought to the Westminster Pres. church office by March 16. 

Help Identify Social Justice Issues in our Community: Meeting House organizers for V.O.I.C.E. – Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement – are holding meetings to help identify an advocacy agenda for this new organization. Join a meeting in the Elliot House parlor after the 11:00 am service on March 30, or contact Marsha Rhea at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

One Great Hour of Sharing offering banks may be returned in worship on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday. You are also invited to make a special contribution on these Sundays by using the special envelopes in the pew rack. Just mark “OGHS” on the memo line. These gifts go to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People projects.

Vacation Bible School 2008 will be held June 23-27. Vacation Bible School 2008 is scheduled for June 23-27. If you would like to volunteer for this special week of learning and fun, contact Kristine Eelkema at 703.836.9871 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Upcoming Events / Register Now:

Holy Week Services: Palm Sunday, March 16 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am; Maundy Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 pm; Good Friday, March 21 at 12:00 pm; Easter, March 23 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am (communion at 8:30) There will be no education classes on Easter. Childcare available for all services except Good Friday.

Celebration: Sign up now for the Married Couple retreat on Sat., March 29 from 9 am – 4 pm at Clifton Presbyterian church in Clifton, VA. The theme of the day-long retreat is “The Soul-work of Marriage.” The cost is $55 per couple and includes lunch. Our retreat leader will be Marjory Bankson, who, along with her husband Peter, is a much sought-after relations retreat leader, working artist, and author. To register, contact Jean or Larry Rood at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 703.323.9503. Deadline for registration is March 23

Dine With Nine Dinner Groups: Use the green form in the pew pads or contact the church office to sign up.

Ongoing Events:

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 .

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.

More on Sunday’s service (March 9, 2008):

Scripture

Ezekiel 37:1-14

John 11:17-45

Hymns

Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

In the Cross of Christ I Glory

Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

How Firm a Foundation

Other Special Music

Prelude:                                Pavane – Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

Introit:                                    At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus wept – Joseph Parry (1841-1903)

Anthem:                                Cantique de Jean Racine – Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

Offertory:                            Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – Ernst Pepping (1901-1981)

Postlude:                               Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – Helmut Walcha (1907-1991)

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