Blood Drive

Our next Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Reception Hall Tuesday, December 5, noon–6:00 pm. Please sign up to give blood. Volunteers are needed for recruitment two days before and the day of the blood drive. Contact Janice Roberts at jroberts843@earthlink.net.

Children's Christmas Celebration

The Children’s Bible School will have its annual Christmas program this Sunday,
December 3, 4:30 pm, in Fellowship Hall. Several departments will sing, and students will
perform on their instruments. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Online Institutes

In the post below I refer to Calvin's Institutes. The full manuscript is available on line. Click here.

Coming to the Table

Sunday we will be observing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In preparation, consider these words from John Calvin's Institutes:

Let us remember that this sacred feast is medicine to the sick, comfort to the sinner, and bounty to the poor; while to the healthy, the righteous, and the rich, if any such could be found, it would be of no value. For while Christ is therein given us for food, we perceive that without him we fail, pine, and waste away, just as hunger destroys the vigour of the body. Next, as he is given for life, we perceive that without him we are certainly dead. Wherefore, the best and only worthiness which we can bring to God, is to offer him our own vileness, and, if I may so speak, unworthiness that his mercy may make us worthy; to despond in ourselves, that we may be consoled in him; to humble ourselves, that we may be elevated by him; to accuse ourselves, that we may be justified by him; to aspire, moreover, to the unity which he recommends in the Supper; and, as he makes us all one in himself, to desire to have all one soul, one heart, one tongue. If we ponder and meditate on these things, we may be shaken but will never be overwhelmed by such considerations as these, how shall we, who are devoid of all good, polluted by the defilements of sin, and half dead, worthily eat the body of the Lord? We shall rather consider that we, who are poor, are coming to a benevolent giver, sick to a physician, sinful to the author of righteousness, in fine, dead to him who gives life; that worthiness which is commanded by God, consists especially in faith, which places all things in Christ, nothing in ourselves, and in charity, charity which, though imperfect, it may be sufficient to offer to God, that he may increase it, since it cannot be fully rendered.

Tonight

Don't forget tonight's congregational meeting. Dinner at 6:oo; meeting at 7:30 in the sanctuary. Parking and nursery are available.

Advent Concert

Margaret Claudin (flute) and Paul Jones will be playing a 30-minute program at Arch Street Presbyterian Church as part of their Advent noon hour recital series this coming Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 12:05 pm. There is no charge to attend. Program is below.

Sonata in G major, BWV 525 - J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Rhapsodie - Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901)

Three Carols - Settings by Peter Crisafulli (b. 1946)
...Coventry Carol Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, 15th century
...Noel Nouvelet - Medieval French carol
...In dulci jubilo - German carol, 14th century

Parish Elder Notice

I like Parish Elder David Collins notice to his parishioners about tomorrow night's meeting.

Dear Parish Five Members and Friends -

Please note that the Congregational Meeting is occurring this Friday Night at 7:30PM. It is an important occasion for the congregation to meet to approve the slate of officers and the budgets of the church, and to receive the final report from the Strategic Planning Committee. If you are present in the Phila area on Friday, please consider with joy and seriousness the responsibilities of being Tenth members and make your best effort to attend the meeting.

Consider the mission of Tenth (Tenth Church is a regional fellowship of kingdom-minded disciples reaching Center City, evangelizing greater Philadelphia, and multiplying gospel ministry to the world) and prayerfully consider your part in that mission.

May God give us grace to live lives worthy of the gospel.

Grace and Peace,
Dave Collins, Parish Elder

Free Site

Thanks to David Apple for this website alerting nonprofits to free and reduced items.

Paul Tripp Blog

Diana Frazier cued me in on this blogsite by Paul Tripp.

New Exhibition

Gallery Siano, for which Tenth member Luella is curator, is presenting its 2nd annual abstract photography exhibition beginning Friday. Opening Reception is from 5:00-7:00 pm. First Friday exhibit is from 7:00-9:00 pm. Janett Bradley Smith, a former Tenth member is one of the featured artists. For more information, go to www.gallerysiano.com.

Sunday Caroling

Here are the hymns for Sunday:

9/11 am
194 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
230 Thou Who Wast Rich beyond All Splendor
193 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
378 Here, O My Lord, I see Thee Face to Face (Communion hymn)

6:30 pm
211 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
225 Once in Royal David's City
Grace Carol (A new carol by Ryken/Jones)
199 See, amid the Winter’s Snow

Offering Envelopes

2007 offering envelopes will be available throughout December. If you did not receive envelopes
this year but would like them for 2007, note this on a welcome card or contact Christina Corbett
x246 or ccorbett@tenth.org. Also inform her of any contact information changes.

Financial Assistant Needed

Tenth Church is seeking a part-time financial assistant to help with bookkeeping, payroll,
special projects, and administrative duties. Experience with Excel and Quickbooks is required.
The ideal candidate would be a college graduate with an interest in business or relevant
experience in bookkeeping. Please send résumé to Pat Canavan at pcanavan@tenth.org.

Biloxi Team

A team is forming to continue rebuilding efforts in Biloxi, Mississippi, December 28-–January 6. If you are interested in joining this team, contact team leader Aaron Snethen at aasnethen@aol.com.

It's Beginning to Look...

Decorations start going up today! The tree arrives.

How Many?

So, how many Tenth Presbyterian volunteers does it take to serve our children on a given Sunday?

How many cups does a communion tray hold?

I'll give the answers later today.

Day of Prayer

Sunday is our quarterly Day of Prayer. Please be faithful in attending. The 9:00 session is in Fellowship Hall and the 11:00 in the 315 Building, first floor rear. Let's make the focus this time on Philadelphia. That seems appropriate after Phil's sermon series. I'll work up a prayer guide and will post it by Friday, as well as have copies for use at the prayer meetings.

Friday's Congregational Meeting

Here are the official announcements for Friday's meeting. Please note that it is critical for members to attend. Last year we had to hold an additional meeting after a worship service because we could not get a quorum.


A meeting of the Congregation of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia is called for Friday
evening, December 1, 2006, for the purpose of electing Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, and
Nominating Committee members; adopting the Missions Budget for 2007; hearing the final report from the Strategic Planning Committee; and to consider any other business that may properly come before the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Sanctuary at 7:30 pm.
By order of the Session,
Samuel Hsu, Clerk
Corporation Meeting

A meeting of the Corporation of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia will be held on Friday evening, December 1, 2006, as part of the Congregation Meeting, to consider the Church Ministry and Building Improvements Budgets; and to transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Sanctuary at 7:30 pm.
By order of the Trustees,
R. Clive Stockdale, Chairman

Tonight's Meetings

The Session and the Diaconate have their monthly meetings tonight. Please uphold them in prayer.

Christmas List

It is time for Christmas shopping. Help me come up with the ideal Christmas gifts for the following: (the more fanciful the better)

Phil Ryken
Aaron Messner
Carroll Wynne
Bruce McDowell
Cora Hogue
Paul Jones
Jonathan Olsen
Jerry McFarland
Pat Canavan

Grace

Phil posted on reformation21 this tribute by Chun Lai for his father who recently died.

Grace.

One definition of the word grace is unmerited favor. That is, when you get what you don’t deserve, in the positive direction.Grace is an important word in my life. Grace is the basis of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Grace is what my wife gives me every day so that we might stay married to each other. Grace is so important that we named our daughter Karis, which means Grace in Ancient Greek.

As I thought about my Dad, I realized that Grace defined my relationship with him too. I did not deserve for him to fill a whole garbage bag full of toys instead of a little stocking at Christmas time - it was grace, unmerited favour from my Dad.

I did not deserve for him to endure most of his life in a third world country so that I could get an education and have a life in a first world country - it was grace, unmerited favour from my Dad.
I did not deserve for him to still like me even though my current career choice is one he did not understand - it was grace, unmerited favour from my Dad. I was delighted to hear that my Dad professed faith in Christ and was baptized a few years ago. If his profession and repentance was real, I have great hope that God will graciously give my Dad what he does not deserve - Eternal Life with Him in Heaven.

It is this great hope that makes this time of sadness bearable.

Warning

This was sent in: there was a robbery at gunpoint (single woman) I believe on 1700 block of Waverly Street early this morning ... we need to warn people coming to and from choir -- walk in groups and keep eyes out for any potential trouble. Click

Childcare for December 1

Wednesday, November 28 is the deadline for registering children for childcare during the congregational meeting on Friday, December 1. Please email nhala@tenth.org or call 215-735-7688.

Army-Navy

Hi Marion,
I was wondering if "Army/Navy" fervor has hit Tenth? Not only does our great city get to host this event, but there is a sort of "in-house" rivalry in the congregation as well. Aaron's brother-in-law is a Naval Academy graduate, so of course he is rooting for Navy....but with two current West Point Cadets who are Tenth members (Jeremy Brandenburg, senior & Colin Baggs, sophomore), the competition indeed hits close to home!:-)

Colin will be down Friday with the Spirit Band for the Army/Navy pep rally which will be at Liberty Place, 16th & Chestnut Sts., at noon. It would be great for Colin to see some familiar faces at the pep rally, no matter who they're rooting for! He plays the clarinet...since the Cadets all dress alike the instrument may be the only way to identify him!
:-))) Dori

Does anyone remember the Sunday I announced from the pulpit that Dr. Boice instructed me to congratulate the Army visitors for winning the game? I said I refused to because my father was a Navy man. Then Dr. Boice got up, announced his father was an Army man and then congratulated them. I'm trying to remember what Carroll said about his father.

Homegoing

The father of Andy and Julio Zamora recently died. Here is his obituary in the Gloucester County Times. Click here to go to the posting where you can send a response.

Andres C. Zamora was born in Manzanilla, Cuba. He and his wife came to the United States in Oct. of 1961 when they were sponsored by the 1st Presbyterian Church of Pitman. They moved to Pitman in 1962. He was employed in Food Services at Glassboro State College for 25 years, and was a member and past deacon of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Pitman. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge In Cuba.

Survived by his wife, Lucia E. (nee Rodriguez); sons Andres E. Jr. and Julio L., both of Pitman; brother Alejandro of Levittown, Pa.; sister Dulce Pichardo of Cuba; and many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to call at his late residence, 134 N. Brentwood Ave., Pitman, on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the 10th Presbyterian Church Missions, 1701 Delancey St., Phila., PA 19130-6714. Arrangements by the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, Pitman. Memorials may be shared at www.kelleyfh.pitman.com

Smiles Return to the Pulpit

This coming Sunday you will see Carroll Wynne's smiling face again on the platform as he returns from sabbatical. He's scheduled for the 11:00 service and then the 9:00 service the following Sunday.

The Other Sunday Sermon

I enjoyed preaching at Community Evangelical Free Church yesterday in Elverson. If you would like to read the message, click DMC Messages on the right. It is meant to be a sermon to transition us into the Christmas season.