Terms starting with O

Money given to the church during or around the service. A tithe specifically means ten percent of income; an offering is any gift beyond or apart from that.

The two main sections of the Bible: the Old Testament (39 books in Protestant Bibles; the Jewish scriptures, before Jesus) and the New Testament (27 books: Jesus' life, the early church, and the apostles' letters).

Extremely enthusiastic about faith — often newly so, and often visibly.

An opportunity that appears (open door) or falls through (closed door), read as God's "yes" or "no" about a decision.

The long stretches of the church year that aren't a special season — after Epiphany until Lent, and after Pentecost until Advent — when the Sundays are simply numbered and the liturgical color is green.

The ceremony that formally makes someone a minister, pastor, priest, or deacon — with prayer and the laying on of hands, after the church has examined and approved them.

"Correctly believing" — in line with historic Christian teaching, especially the creeds. With a capital O, it means the Eastern Orthodox Church. Same problem as "catholic," one letter over.

Church activities aimed at people outside the church — service projects, community events, food drives, anything that meets neighbors where they are.