A Christian Man and Coach

Men, especially you fathers, check out this article on John Wooden, "Forever Coach."

Sad News

We received word that McKendree Langley, former CCA teacher and elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Willow Grove, died suddenly yesterday from a heart attack. Memorial service will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary. The family may be greeted between 10 and 11.

Grace Turns Ten

Lois Denier informed me that Grace, an outreach ministry to the disabled, the chronically ill, and their caregivers, turned ten this year as well. One of Grace's ministries has been a newsletter entitled "Jars of Clay." Seven of the issues are posted on the church website. They are an excellent resource for dealing with related issues. Click here to go directly to the page of postings.

Name the Year

In light of Phil's 10 year anniversary, let's test your knowledge about the other pastoral staff. Can you name the year that each began his/her work her? I'll give the answers late this afternoon.

David Apple, Marion Clark, Cora Hogue, Paul Jones, Bruce McDowell, Jonathan Olsen, Aaron Snethen, Carroll Wynne.

Phil at Ten

Don't forget that we are celebrating Phil's ten years at Tenth this Sunday during the morning services. You can read the Tenth Press article I wrote at the church website. It will be posted there sometime today.

Bookcase to Go

I've to clear out a bookcase/entertainment center from Bruce McDowell's study in the church. It is solid wood, 8 feet long and 3'3" high and is available to anyone who can move it out. Email me at mclark@tenth.org if you want it. It's free.

Women's Meeting Tonight

Tonight, Barbara Juliani is speaking at Tenth for the first of the women's Friday night teaching series. You can get full information at the church website on the first page.

Philadelphia Info

I'm checking out Philadelphia's city website for the church's Strategic Planning Committee. You can find a lot of useful info there. Check it out here.

The Next Great City

National Geographic's Traveler magazine has a story on Philadelphia: The Next Great City. Click here to check it out.

Christ Liberation Fellowship

Our Church Planting Commission meeting yesterday featured a report from Christ Liberation Fellowship, the church being planted by Lance Lewis. Steve Bachman also attended. He serves on the provisional session along with Michael Kennedy and John Felzer. The church meets at the Church of the Good Shepherd on 65th Street and Lansdowne Avenue in Overbrook Farms. I encourage you to visit the worship service sometime which meets at 9:00 a.m. Click the website to check them out.

TIF Dinner

TIF’s International Dinner will be held Saturday, October 15, 6:00 pm, in Fellowship Hall. Our focus is Southeast Asia. We will have cultural dance, folk songs, and exhibits. Elder Ron Ferner will speak. The meal is free for students and children, $6 for working adults. Contact Eunice Wong at tif@tenth.org or x239 for reservations.

Vacationing

The Jonathan Olsen family and Christiana Fitzpatrick are taking a vacation trip to Turkey, beginning today. Pray for safe travels.

Women's Friday Night Out

Ladies, do not forget Friday night's first event of the Fall Teaching Series. For complete information click the link to the church website. Info is on the front page.

World Missions Conference

Am about to walk into a meeting for the World Missions Conference preparations. Everything seems to be lining up well. You should be receiving very soon the conference brochure. I will be interested to hear your response to it. We wanted it designed in such a way as to get across the theme and emphasis of the conference.

Rehearsal

David Kim and Paul Jones are rehearsing soon in the sanctuary for the Oct 19 concert. If I get time, I'll sneak in the back and listen!

If You Plan to Go

Volunteers going to the hurricane-affected areas must have health insurance and up-to-date Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B shots. Please contact David Apple (215-735-7688x224 or dapple@tenth.org) and indicate 1) specific skills--nurse, carpenter, etc., 2) resources you can bring such as tools, truck, large van) as well as dates you are free to travel. We will plan appropriately as we receive adequate information.

Informational Meeting October 23

An information meeting will be held Sunday, October 23 at 12:30 in the Amen pews (18th Street side) to discuss the upcoming disaster relief trip to Gulfport, Mississippi.

Mississippi Trip in the Works

A team from Tenth will be going to Gulfport in December/January. The work will be to help rebuild homes. Members and regular attenders 15 and over are eligible. Specific dates are pending. To sign-up David Apple at dapple@tenth.org. There will be many opportunities for helpers to work alongside more experienced workers on each team. The initial focus for volunteers will mostly be repairing homes with water damage. In many homes the homeowner has already removed the contents, the flooring, the drywall, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, the exterior wall insulation and sprayed biocide on the walls and studs and let them dry. Next, exterior walls need insulation installed and stapled, followed by drywall installation and outside corner bead installation, taping, mudding, and sanding. Then, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, counter tops, and sinks need to be installed. Finally, trim molding needs to be installed followed by appliances.

Musicians and the Bible

This Saturday I am taking a turn teaching the Bible study connected with Curtis students. Paul Jones hosts the weekly study which is under the oversight of Jonathan Olsen. The group is going through the book of Hebrews. This Saturday I teach 2:1-13.

Tenth Website

You will want to be checking Tenth's website a couple of times or more each week. It is becoming my competition for church news which are being posted on the front page of the site. The site has the advantage of posting larger pieces of information. For example, you will find a copy of the new Missions Conference brochure there.

Calvin's Sport

Found in Books & Culture:

"I t seems patently clear that golf is a living apologetic for hard-core Calvinism. You hit a near-perfect iron to the green, so accurate it strikes the flag stick - and then ricochets off and ends up in a sand trap. So much for your perfect iron. On the next hole, you wickedly slice a drive into a thick cluster of trees, hear a frightening thud - and see your ball magically bounce out into the middle of the fairway. This sort of thing happens in every round. There is no sense shaking one's fist heavenward or cursing the ways of this inscrutable god. If one wants to get on in the life of golf, the best posture is to humbly accept this god's complete sovereignty and prepare for the next shot."

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my daughter Sarah!

O Canada!

On this Canadian Thanksgiving Day, we pay tribute to our two Canadian pastoral staff - Carroll Wynne and Paul Jones - with the lyrics to O Canada.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Marriage and Divorce

In Sunday's sermon, Phil noted that Tenth has a policy statement on marriage and divorce. That statement is now posted on the church website. Click "Resources" then " Policies and Articles."

Missions Tenth Press

If you have not read this past Sunday's Tenth Press article on the Missions Conference theme, be sure to do so this week. It is posted on the church's website.

Important Dates

Get these events on your calendar:

10/14.....Tenth Women's Friday Night Series, 7:00 pm
10/15.....TIF's International Dinner, 6:00 pm
10/19.....Tenth Concert, 7:30 pm
10/27.....Barnes & Noble booksigning with Phil, 7:00 pm
10/30....Reformation Hymn Festival, 6:15 pm

Information is in the bulletin posted on the church website.

Tenth in the News

Bob Timms of Channel 6 emailed me. He interviewed Tobias Klauder and me for a story on our webcasting. Here is when to expect it:

"Our executive producer just confirmed that the story on webcasting will air this Wednesday morning, October 12th. The show is on between 5 and 7am and the feature might occur at any time, but usually occurs toward the endof a half-hour."

I didn't know there was electrical power that early in the morning.

Celebrating Ten

Ten years ago, Tenth Church called a young man to fill a newly created position Minister of Preaching. He was to preach in the evening and fill in for the Senior Minister in the mornings. The church settled on Phil Ryken. This Sunday we will mark that momentous event during the Living Church in the morning services. You may want to take opportunity yourselves to let him know what you think of his service here. Use the Comments section or take time to write or email.