A New Call

Rick Phillips has accepted a call to Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC, after five years of serving at First Presbyterian in Margate, FL.

Tenth Member in Play at Stagecrafters Theater

Rebekah Bonney, a new member of Tenth and an actress, is currently cast in a supporting role of A Shayna Maidel at the Stagecrafters Theater in Chestnut Hill. Donna and Mim from Rebekah's new members class in the fall attended the show last night and very much enjoyed it. The theater is very comfortable and quaint, and it’s easy to purchase tickets on line.

http://www.thestagecrafters.org/

Words on the Word

The PCRT pre-conference has begun. It is a wet start, but has not dampened the spirits of the attenders. Ligon Duncan is the featured speaker. His talks are "How the Word Builds the Church," "How to Preach a Good Sermon," and "How to Listen to a Bad Sermon." Hmmm...I'm sure it is a coincidence he picked that talk to give after I preached last Sunday.

PCRT

Here is the weekend PCRT schedule:

Friday
8:00-9:00 am - Pre-Conference Registration
9:00 am-3:15 pm - Pre-Conference: The Ministry of the Word, Ligon Duncan

5:30 pm - Conference Registration
7:00 pm - Opening of the 2006 PCRT
First Address: The True Word, R. C. Sproul

Saturday
8:00 am - Late Registration
9:00 am - Second Address: The Revealed Word, Donald Carson
10:00 am - Third Address: The Mighty Word, Philip Ryken
11:00 am - Question & Answer Session
12:00 pm - Lunch (at local restaurnats)
2:00 pm - Fourth Address: The Accessible Word, Ligon Duncan
3:15-4:30 pm - Seminars
- Recent Undermining of the Doctrine of Scripture, Donald Carson
- A Layman's Primer on Bible Interpretation, Richard Phillips
- The Ministry of God's Word through Music, Paul Jones
- Herman Bavinck: The Bible and the Amsterdam School
4:30 pm - Dinner (at local restaurants)
6:30 pm - Sacred Concert
7:00 pm - Fifth Address: The Sufficient Word, Philip Ryken

Sunday
9:00 am & 11:00 am - Sixth Address: The Saving Word, Donald Carson

Study Report

The PCA Study Report on Federal Vision has come out. It can be accessed at byFaith.

The Time

For those of you who are late nighters, you can witness the phenomenal event taking place May 6: At three minutes and four seconds after 2 am on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07.

The Locked Door

mereBreath begins a new season with a new play, The Locked Door. Their first performance will be May 6 at Tenth, beginning at 8:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. For information about the play, go to www.mereBreath.com.

Books for Free

Karl and Susan Russo are clearing out their house in preparation for their move to Washington, DC in July. They have discovered some redundant copies of the following Christian books. If
they don't find takers by this Sunday, they will be donated them to a thrift store.

When Life and Beliefs Collide, by Carolyn Custis James
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Renewing Your Mind, by R.C. Sproul
Protestant Biblical Interpretation, by Bernard Ramm
The Sacred Romance, by Curtis and Eldredge
America Looks Up, by Max Lucado
Prayer: A Holy Occupation, by Oswald Chambers
A Meeting of the Minds: Eastern Confusion, Western
Delusion., a set of taped lectures by Ravi Zacharias

Interested people can email Susan at smacdona@temple.edu

Welcome, Kirstyn!

The Fields' new baby's name is Kirstyn Grace.

Officer Training

Maryann Modesti gave a presentation to the Session and Diaconate last night on the subject of domestic trouble and abuse. Maryann is a church member and attorney specializing in this area. This is part of an ongoing effort to provide training for church leaders as they provide oversight and service to the congregation.

Staffing Plans

Undoubtedly you are wondering about plans to replace Aaron after his departure. The Session has appointed a a staffing committee to present recommendations. The committee includes Phil Ryken, Marion Clark, Pat Canavan, Brian Esterly, Fred Hill, and Clive Stockdale. We have met twice and have discovered the task to be complex.

It is difficult enough to replace Aaron, but thinking through the priorities from the strategic planning initiative and the budget constraints is challenging. Please pray for us during this process.

Jonathan Olsen's Call

At last night's Session meeting, the Session approved a call to Jonathan Olsen to serve as Assistant Minister for City Outreach. We rejoice in the Lord's calling of Jonathan for the gospel ministry and affirm his gift for this sacred office.

The following is his job description:

The Assistant Minister for City Outreach is responsible for helping to implement the church’s mission to reach Center City and evangelize Philadelphia. Under the oversight of the Executive Minister, the Assistant Minister for City Outreach is directly responsible to and guided by the Senior Minister.

The Assistant Minister for City Outreach will:

COORDINATE the efforts of church outreach ministries for Center City and Philadelphia, enhancing communication among them and helping them fulfill their roles in the church’s outreach mission.

OVERSEE the ministry of Tenth College Union, setting vision and direction, and giving guidance for interns.

SERVE AS LIAISON with churches of Philadelphia Presbytery to help Tenth partner in ministry and church planting.

SERVE AS LIAISON with city-wide ministries, city churches, and other Christians to partner in ministry and church planting.

SUPPORT Tenth’s local strategic partners and workers.

INTERVIEW prospective local ministry candidates along with the City Outreach Commission and respond to application inquiries.

SERVE AND PASTOR Tenth's congregation as an ordained minister through leading worship, preaching, administering the sacraments, conducting weddings and funerals, attending session meetings, doing visitation, and being available at the church for pastoral ministry. He is allowed to serve the PCA denomination and engage in outside ministry activity (e.g. publishing, speaking, serving on boards, etc.).

Summer Evening Preaching

The summer evening sermon series this year will be on the subject of stewardship. This is in response to the request by members to receive teaching in this area. Here is the schedule:

6/10 - Genesis 1.26-31 - The Stewardship Mandate - Marion Clark

6/17 - Genesis 4.1-16 - The First Offerings - Paul Tripp

6/24 - Genesis 14.17-24 - Abraham’s Stewardship - Robert Polen

7/1 - Genesis 25.29-34 - Esau’s Stewardship - Chuck Paul

7/8 - Genesis 28.10-22 - Jacob’s Stewardship - Jonathan Olsen

7/15 - Genesis 39.1-23 - Joseph’s Stewardship - Luke Herche

7/22 - Leviticus 10.1-20 - Unauthorized Offering - John Ferguson

7/29 - Numbers 13.25-33 - Undue Diligence - Jerry McFarland

8/5 - Deuteronomy 14.22-29 - The Tithe - Marion Clark

8/12 - 1 Chronicles 21.18-27 - David’s Stewardship - Chris Seah

8/19 - Matthew 23.16-24 - Misplaced Value - Bruce McDowell

8/26 - Mark 10.17-31 - The Rich Man’s Stewardship - Jonny McGreevy

9/2 - Acts 4.32-5:11 - Early Church Stewardship - Carroll Wynne

Boice Memorial

I will get a picture of the Boice plaque as it is on the wall. Meanwhile, many have been asking to see it. Here is a pre-installation picture. It reads:

James Montgomery Boice

Doctor of Theology

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

Born July 7, 1938

Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church

from Easter 1968 until his death

June 15, 2000

Sluggish Email

It is possible that you have sent email to Tenth staff these past two days and have noticed a slack in our response. Actually, we have noticed the small number of emails we have been receiving. Evidently something is amiss and our IT team is looking into it.

Spring Walk/Run Events

Penn Relays April 27–29 (Thursday–Saturday) may affect your route to Tenth for PCRT; please listen to traffic reports and adjust your route accordingly.

The following may affect your route to church on these Sundays; listen to local traffic reports and plan your route accordingly.Sunday, May 6, is the MS Walk.Sunday, May 6, is the Broad Street RunSunday, May 13, is the Philadelphia Race for the Cure

Parenting Class This Week

The April 29 parenting class is with Joe and Arlita Winston on discipline of younger children. The May 6 class is a panel discussion on educational options.

Rentals Available at Berzinskys

Berzinskys have a couple of apartments that will be available—a studio after May 15 and then another studio after August 15. Contact the Berzinskys.

Another in the Fields

Kevin and Vivian Fields announce the early arrival (two weeks) of their second daughter (I do not have a name). Mother and daughter are doing well, as is older sister Taryn.

Honoring Our Staff

For lunch today, the pastoral staff is honoring the administrative and support staff with a catered meal. These things are always tricky, because the pastoral staff is helpless without the others. (But don't tell the administrative and support staff I said that.)

PCRT Coming

It must be PCRT time again. Alliance workers have staked their territory in Reception Hall and are unloading books.

Sunday's Sermon

Sunday's morning sermon is now posted at DMC Messages.

Tribute to Dr. James M. Boice

Yesterday's tribute to James Boice is posted at DMC Messages.