OPMH E Gram (May 4, 2008)

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

This Sunday:

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

Sermon           All for One and One for All — Dr. Laha

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

Children in Grades 1-5: begin a series of workshops learning about leaders in the early church. Please check the directory board for grade and workshop assignments. Our middle school youth are helping to lead these workshops.

For Adults

·        Bible Study: Parables, in Westminster Hall, through May 11. This in-depth study of parables in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, uses the study book “Parables: Stories for Life in God’s World” in the Kerygma Program series.

·        Mission: Alexandria, in Heritage Hall for the next two Sundays. We  will have a presentation by a panel of representatives from OPMH mission partners. We will hear about their ministry, how we can be involved, and have the opportunity to sign up for Service Sunday.

Sunday Afternoon/Evening

Youth: The youth are playing laser tag Sunday. Meet in the parking lot at 5 pm. From there, we go to Planet Play in the Springfield Mall and we’ll be back at the church by 7 pm for pick-up. Please bring $15 for the cost of laser tag. Let Mark SooHoo know if you’re planning on going so we can have an accurate headcount for transportation at 202-423-8843 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia: A free Building on Faith concert will be held at Annandale United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm.

New Announcements:

Next Sunday is Pentecost: Wear Red!

Summer Worship Schedule: Service Sunday, on May 18, will mark the switch to a single morning worship service at 10:00 am, through August 31. On Sundays in June and July, there will also be an evening worship service at 6:30 pm in Heritage Hall (casual dress encouraged!).

Food Drive: As we gear up for Service Sunday, we encourage you to bring non-perishable goods on either May 11 or May 18. Donations will be made to the food pantries at Christ House and at ALIVE! In a time of rising food prices, the need is great.

Step ALIVE!, the annual walkathon for the ALIVE! Child Development Center, will be held on Sun., May 4, at 1:30 pm. Join us as we gather at First Christian Church, 2723 King Street, and walk a 5-mile loop through Old Town. There will be a picnic for all walkers and volunteers immediately following the walk.  Alive provides subsidized early childhood education, childcare, parent education and family support services on a sliding fee basis to low-income, working families. The registration fee is $10 for adults; $5 for teens and seniors; and free for children 12 and under. Pledge forms and additional information about the event are available online at alive-inc.org or at the ALIVE! Child Development Center, 2723 King Street, 703-548-9255.

SPIRIT is planning a short trip on May 28 to the Museum of Natural History to view the very interesting butterfly exhibit. In this exhibit, a number of varieties of butterflies from all over the world are presented in a tropical setting. You will also want to the view the companion exhibit "Partners in Evolution". The latter exhibit shows how insects, animals, and plants have co-evolved with plants. All nature lovers (and others as well) will not want to miss this trip. Cost: $9.00 (includes the $5.50 fee for the butterfly exhibit); Lunch Dutch Treat.  Meet at the church parking lot at 9:15. Call the Church Office to make reservations.

The Concert With a Cause featuring Children’s Chorus of Washington raised $1,907 to benefit programs for United Orphanage and Academy in Moi’s Bridge, Kenya.

Opportunities to Give or Serve:

Sound Guild: If you are willing to learn to operate the church sound system and record the worship services for those unable to attend Sunday services, contact Skip Bea at 703-549-7040 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it We would especially like to involve folks who are available to assist with special services, such as memorial services, that sometimes occur during the week day

Docent Program: If you're interested in the history of OPMH, with ushering at special times and programs (Christmas Candlelight tours, concerts with a cause, etc.) and transporting us back to the 18th century, please join us as a docent. We hope to expand the program and thus our availability to the church. Call Susan Horne at 703-548-2759 or contact by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Vacation Bible School Reminder: VBS 2008 is scheduled for June 23-27. If you would like to volunteer for this special week of learning and fun talk to Kristine Eelkema, at 703-836-9871 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Registration forms are now available in the Church Office, Fellowship Hall and on our website.

Help Fill Our Box: Our children’s Sunday School classes are sponsoring a food drive as part of Service Sunday. Bring canned goods and other non-perishable food items to the baxes in Fellowship Hall. On Service Sudnay we will sort and pack the donations and deliver them to local food pantries.

West Virginia Work Camp: Closer to home, a group will travel to Pursglove, WV (just outside Morgantown) to help with light home repairs, June 22-27. Register now! For more information, contact Camilo Bearman at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Upcoming Events / Church News:

Portable Worship Services: We record the Sunday morning service. The lending library of audio and video tapes of the full service (going back several months) is maintained in the Church Office. You can also access audio recordings of the Scripture readings and sermons through the internet. To listen, go to our website at www.OPMH.org and click on WORSHIP, then SERMONS. There you can also find information on downloading our “Sermons to Go” podcast via iTunes.

Ongoing Events:

First Sundays with the Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers host 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 – Meet for brunch this Sunday following the 11:00 am service. Just gather in front of the Sanctuary. 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 7:00 pm, and for brunch following 11:00 worship the 1st Sunday of each month.  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:

Scripture

John 17:1-11

Hymns

Morning Has Broken

Behold the Goodnes of Our Lord

We All Are One in Mission

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      Gaelic Air – Keith Chapman (1945-1989)

Introit:                         The head that once was crowned with thorns – Jeremiah Clarke (1673-1707)

Anthem:                      A Choral Hymn for Asceniontide – Henry G Ley (1887-1962)

Offertory:                    Behold the Goodness of our God – Quentin Thomas (b. 1972)

Postlude:                     Govotte – G F Handel (1685-1759)

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

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