Benefit Concert

Venus Garcia sent this notice in. Two of the performers have been attending Tenth.

"Benefit Concert"
Tuesday, October 30th - 7pm
@ Moore College of Art & Design in the Great Hall
Open to the Public
$3.00 + suggested donation
All proceeds go to MOMoblie of Philadelphia, an organization that brings gifts to children in need during the holidays.

Performers:
Lee - G
Lucas Carpenter
Emily Mineo & Sarah Tonemah

KD Report

Here is an update on progress for Kingdom Discipleship. If you have yet to pick up a copy, check the lobbies for the Kingdom Discipleship booklet I produced that gives an overview of what is going on in that area. The Kingdom Discipleship Commission is using that booklet to set the agenda for its monthly meetings and measure its progress.

We had a second quarterly TCA meeting last night. We are up to about 20 TCAs, with the goal of doubling that number by the next meeting in January. Melissa Clemens is doing a good job of recruiting volunteers for the City College & Career small groups.

We have begun the process of installing a new church database which we enhance our ability to keep up with address changes and other contact information.

David Apple has begun ongoing training in the diaconate, having held a seminar followed up by short sessions at the monthly meetings. Another seminar is scheduled for December 8.

Sunday Evening

Remember the Reformation Hymn Festival this Sunday evening. The service will start at 6:15. Come early. Street parking should be more scarce. Don't forget parking at the South Street garage.

Sunday Preacher

Here is a bio on our Sunday preacher.

W. Robert Godfrey
President of Westminster Seminary California
Professor of Church History

A.B., Stanford University; M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; M.A. and Ph.D., Stanford University.

Dr. Godfrey has taught church history at Westminster Seminary California since 1981, having previously taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Stanford University, and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is the third President of Westminster Seminary California and is a minister in the United Reformed Churches. He has spoken at many conferences including those sponsored by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and Ligonier Ministries.

He is the author of An Unexpected Journey, Reformation Sketches, Pleasing God in Our Worship and God’s Pattern for Creation. He has written chapters or articles in John Calvin, His Influence in the Western World; Through Christ’s Word; Theonomy: A Reformed Critique; The Agony of Deceit; Roman Catholicism; Sola Scriptura!; The Practice of Confessional Subscription; The Coming Evangelical Crisis; and in such journals as Archive for Reformation History, Sixteenth-Century Journal, and Westminster Theological Journal.

Dr. Godfrey and his wife Mary Ellen have three grown children.

Fire Update

For an update on Westminster Seminary California's situation with the fires, click here.

Old but Working

Jesse Hubley has an old computer (relatively speaking) in working condition that is up for grabs. Monitor, keboard, etc. also included. Anyone interested can email him at jessehubley@verizon.net for more info and/or to claim it.

ESV Literary Study Bible Event

Phil Ryken will be giving an author talk and book-signing at the Rittenhouse Barnes & Noble on Tuesday, November 13 at 7 pm. This is an excellent opportunity for you to introduce your friends and neighbors to Tenth Church in a neutral setting. The talk will last about 15 minutes, and there will be a time for questions. The whole event should last about 30 minutes.

Historical Documents

Do not panic if you are walking up the Delancy building stairs and notice our historic documents missing off the walls. That have been sent to a conservation company for evaluation.

Sew!

Sew-ers of Tenth, we need you! The children are having a Christmas pageant December 2 and costumes need to be sewn. If you can help, call in to the church and Vivian Dow or someone will get back to you. (As Martin Short exhorted the villagers in The Three Amigos - "Sew! Sew like the wind!)

Car Needed

A couple referred from Christ Church PCA in Grand Rapids are staying at the Ronald McDonald house, while their daughter is being treated at CHOP. They hoping to borrow or rent a vehicle for a reasonable price. They live in Costa Rica and don’t own a car in the states. If you can help, email or call me and I can pass on their cell phone number.

Desiring God

Jessie Bible alerted me to this offer: all the sessions of the Desiring God Conference 2007 are FREE to download in audio and video.

Christianity and Culture Conference

Calvin Presbyterian Church in North Huntingdon, PA, is hosting its second annual Christianity and Culture Conference, Pagan America, on January 18-19, 2008. TE Peter Jones, executive director of Christian Witness to a Pagan Planet and Scholar in Residence and Adjunct Professor at Westminster Seminary California, will be the keynote speaker. TE Aaron Garber of Calvin PCA and TE Shaun Nolan of View Crest PCA will also speak. The purpose of the conference is to provide biblical instruction for Christians on how to think about, live in, and engage the culture around us. For more information and online registration, go to http://www.calvinpca.org or call 724-863-1192.

Curators Report

The curators reported "great pleasure at the successful completion of several important improvements in the church buildings. Three new rooms have been added to the Sunday School room of west side, for library & Bible Class Room which with the young ladies' Bible Class Room & Infant School have all been arranged as to be thrown into one, when so wanted, making a Sunday School Room unsurpassed in beauty and convenience - the whole being carpeted with the same pattern producing a fine effect. The conception, execution, and provision of funds of this great improvement is due to Mr. W. Henry Grant, a young member of the church who deserves great credit for his efficiency. Mr. James Johnston of our church has done his part faithfully and performed his work according to contract. With the approbation of Mr. John McArthur, Jr., the committee has had the platform of the pulpit lowered about three feet - with the work made necessary by this alteration, it has proved to be a serious job, but has been done under the direction of Mr. S. McClellan in most satisfactory manner and appears to meet universal approval."

From Trustees minutes, October 4, 1882

Fire Evacuations

Westminster Seminary California, which includes the White Horse Media offices, is in the midst of mandatory evacuations and there was even some burnt areas touching the fringes of the property, but thankfully no damage was sustained. Robert Godfrey, President of the seminary, is scheduled to preach at Tenth this Sunday morning and evening.

Keep the fire-fighters and especially those who have lost homes in your prayers.

"Night Lights on South Broad" on Wednesday, November 7

Dwaine Vassal let me know about this: "Night Lights on South Broad" on Wednesday, November 7, 5:00 pm, celebrates new lighting on Avenue of the Arts. Here are several links to learn more:
www.centercityphila.org/incentercity/sbroadlighting/
www.aiaphiladelphia.org/events/event.cfm?id=459
www.planphilly.com/node/2100

We need photos

If you have photos of Tenth activities that you would permit us to use for print publication related to the potential capital campaign, please submit them to Brian Esterly. Here are the guidelines:

• Informal pictures of people and very small groups (worship, singing, ministry, talking, etc.)
• Close-up of faces and/or waist up
• Very few buildings or posed groups
• Blend of children, youth, adults, and seniors
• The pictures should show enthusiasm, intensity, joyfulness, love, or intensity

Biken Ryken

I am honored when young people try to emulate me, but Josh Ryken goes a bit too far by falling off his bike and breaking a metacarpal bone in his hand. At least he has a sister who can type all his school papers for him.

Reformation Hymn Festival

Be planning now to attend the annual Reformation Hymn Festival this coming Sunday, October 28. Have 6:15 p.m. in your mind as to when the service will start. Also expect a larger attendance, meaning the typical car spaces being taken up earlier. Don't forget the parking garage on South Street between 18th and 17th. In brief, aim to be at the church by 6:00.

If you have been to a previous hymn festival, you know to expect glorious music both in the balconey and throughout the sanctuary as the congregation sings. Dr. Robert Godfrey, President of Westminster Seminary in California, will be the speaker. He is an old friend of Tenth who has spoken at a number of PCRT conferences.