OPMH E Gram (May 18, 2008) - Amended May 21, 2008

Meeting House Worshipers: Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Last Sunday:

Worship Services (10:00 am): This Sunday begins the shift to a single morning worship service. These 10:00 am morning worship services will continue through August 31. On Sundays in June and July, there will also be a more contemporary service at 6:30 pm in the evening, held in Heritage Hall. Casual dress is encouraged for these evening services.

Service Sunday: This special worship service will focus on God’s call to service, with mission reflections by the Rev. Laha and Herlin, Atilla Kocsis, and Kathy Prudden. Following the morning service, we’ll enjoy a brief period of fellowship, and then those who are able will divide into teams and go out into our community for a few hours of hands-on service. There are activities appropriate for all ages and ability levels, including young children and those with lesser mobility. Opportunities include light home repair, office or yard work, sorting food, baking cookes, and more. See the yellow sheets in the pew for more information.

Food Drive: Even if you can’t stay to help with one of the service projects, you can help by bringing canned goods and other non-perishable food items to the boxes in Fellowship Hall or the Sanctuary. We will sort and pack the donations and deliver them to the food closets of Christ House and ALIVE after the service.

Christian Education: Classes do not meet over the summer. Classes and Bridges to Worship will resume on September 7.

New Announcements:

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.

 

New York, New York! Get on board early by signing up and pre-paying for a Yuletide day trip to New York City! The December 10, 2008 excursion is sponsored by the SPIRIT group and is open to all of our church members who would like to participate in the fellowship. We will travel by commercial bus leaving the OPMH parking lot around 6:00 am. The bus will transport the group door to door, for all stops during the entire trip. The main feature of the trip is the Radio City Music Hall Show, featuring the Rockettes, and then a back stage tour. The sign up and pre-pay deadline is June 2. The charge for the trip will be $145 per person (excluding meals).

 

Opportunities to Give or Serve:

 

Relief for Myanmar: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will be responding to the crisis in Myanmar in cooperation with Church World Service and Action by Churches Together. If you would like to help, you may write a check to OPMH with “Myanmar” on the memo line, or donate directly at www.pcusa.org/pda.

 

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 (due by June 1).

 

Mexico Work Camp: More volunteers are needed! Members and friends of OPMH will travel to Reynosa, Mexico from July 20-26 to build a home for a Mexican family in partnership with Faith Ministries. Work camp brochures and registration forms are available in the narthex or may be obtained via e-mail. If you are interested, please contact Tim Elmore ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Laura Cassidy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by May 20! Registration forms and deposits should be sent to the attention of Cynthia Ehlinger in the OPMH office.

 

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 –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 through May 29. Everyone is welcome!

More on Last Sunday’s service:

Reflections

Luke 10:25-37 Atilla Kocsis

Matthew 25:31-40 Kathy Prudden

Genesis:1:1-2:4 (selections) Dr. Laha

Matthew 28:16-20 Rev. Herlin

Hymns

I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Take My Life

We All Are One in Mission

Other Special Music

Prelude:                      All Glory Be to God on High – Georg Böhm (1661-1733)

Introit:                         Allein Gott in der Höh'

Anthem:                      Give laud unto the Lord – Ernest Bullock (1890-1979)

Offertory:                    Above him stood the Seraphine – Richard Dering (1550-1630)

Postlude:                     All Glory Be to God on High – Joh. G. Walther (1684-1748)

Coffee Hour: Join us in Heritage Hall after the 10:00 am service. The host this week is the Social Justice Committee.

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