Free Keller Video on The Reason for God

Westminster Bookstore and the Westminster Gospel & Culture Project recently presented Tim Keller in two events speaking about his bestselling book The Reason for God. To view Keller Rountable with WTS Faculty and Keller at U Penn, click here.

Baseball Report

"Gabe Cedeno, an athlete to watch." (quote from baseball authority Phil Ryken).

Second baseman Gabriel Cedeno doubled in Frankford High School's shellacking of Prep Charter. Ryken describes the player as smooth, fast - a pro prospect.

Ryken also notes that the Masterman Blue Dragons are having a winning season as well, which includes Josh "Born with a Bat" Ryken.

NTs Arrived

The New Testaments have been delivered to the church and will be given out after the Sunday services as people leave by the doors and in Reception Hall. Be praying now for whom you may give a New Testament to.

Reaching Out to Someone with Chronic Illness

1. Listen, listen, listen. “Don’t talk much,” says Philip Yancey. “Job’s friends sat in silence with him for seven days. But as soon as they opened their mouths, that’s when the trouble started.” And allow them to air their sorrow. “It’s possible to both lament and question in a faithful context,” says Michael Emlet [of CCEF]. “It can be liberating for them to know that they don’t have to suffer in silence before God.”

2. Be physically present. It means so much for you to take the time to visit. Your presence is enormously comforting.

3. Commit to the long haul. Don’t let the sufferer fall off your radar screen after their initial diagnosis. Sustained care demonstrates your commitment to a person with a chronic disease.

4. Find ways to laugh. Friends who love best draw us out of our suffering and help us to see the big picture. Encourage those who are ill to focus on other things, and to laugh. The church needs to show that there can be joy in the midst of tears.

5. Pray beyond healing. It’s important to pray for healing, but it’s also important to pray for endurance, faith, and growth. It’s also helpful to get elders involved in praying for those who suffer–they’re our shepherds.

6. Consider starting a support group at your church. “We’ve seen much comfort and emotional healing for chronic illness sufferers through our church’s pain support group,” said one leader. “There’s hope in seeing how God is helping others going through similar struggles.”

Copyright 2008, all rights reserved, byFaith magazine. This article first appeared in the February 2008 issue of byFaith and is reprinted by permission.

Bible Distribution this Sunday

Volunteers are needed to help distribute Bibles to church attenders (so they can pass them along to others) following all three services this Sunday (April 20). If you are able to help, please contact Anne Davies: x243 or adavies@tenth.org.

Prayer

The prayer-a-thon for the capital campaign has begun. Whether or not you have signed up for time slots, be committing the campaign and Commitment Sunday, April 20, to prayer the next three days.

Near the End

I completed chapter 30 of Proverbs this morning in the A Proverb a Day devotional (see right hand link). That leaves one more chapter, which should be completed the end of next week. It will have taken nearly three years (May 22, 20o5) and 612 postings.

When God Won't Heal

His life changed in the space of one heartbeat three years ago. The instant another car crashed into his, he lost many things precious to him — his health, his livelihood, and his trust in a loving God. Read more about people's experience with severe chronic pain that have resulted from tragic accidents and illnesses such as MS, Chron's, and other diseases on the web at http://byfaithonline.com/page/ordinary-life/when-god-wont-heal.

Prayer Appointment

Don't forget your prayer appointment if you signed up for the prayer-a-thon. I'll be praying tomorrow morning at 6:45. (Or I should say "The Lord willing" after Paul Tripp's sermon Sunday evening from James 4:15.

Georgetown School

Banana, mango and cocoa trees. Dirt roads and kiosks on corners. Donkeys, roosters and gangs of mangy dogs. Shingled roofs and soccer fields. This is Jesus de Otoro in the district of Intibuca in Honduras, Central America. In this town of 10,000 people, there sits a small bilingual Christian school called Georgetown School that Emily Carter wants you to come to and be a teacher...more

Saturday, April 19—help needed

We need help Saturday to straighten the sanctuary after Friday evening's event and set up for receiving capital campaign commitments—putting out envelopes, etc. If you can help in the morning, please email Dot.

Massage Therapist

Rebekah Frey is a Certified Massage Therapist who is looking to build her clientel. She has worked in a physical therapy office for two years, and would like to offer her service to others. She will make house calls for $45-50 an hour, depending on location (not available to single men). You can contact her by phone at 215.847.4727 or e-mail at reb_frey@mac.com

Face-Lift

The church is receiving a face-lift. Painters are painting the front of the building on Spruce Street.

Turkish Festival

The Philadelphia Turkish Festival will be held this coming Saturday, April 19, at the Ben Franklin Parkway, on Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. Click here for the website.

Center City Apartment

Beautiful, huge, loft apartment in center city (near 15th and Pine) available for 4 - 6 weeks this summer to responsible person(s) - June through early July and also mid August to late September. High ceilings, balconies, outdoor deck, Steinway piano. Ideal for someone who wants to "try out" living in town! If interested, please contact Andrea at aclearfi@aol.com

Final Stretch

We are in the final stretch of the Capital Campaign. This coming Sunday, April 20, is Commitment Sunday. All the weeks, indeed, all the months of planning and communicating are leading up to this Sunday. You are being asked to submit a commitment in the worship service during the offering. If somehow you have missed getting a commitment form, you can access one here.


Questions I have received:


1. Can I send in a commitment after April 20? Yes. You may make a commitment later or change your commitment. You may also give without a commitment. The reason it is important for the church to receive timely commitments is that it allows the leadership to plan accordingly for the campaign projects. We cannot begin projects without having either the cash on hand or the commitments of what to expect.


2. How do I decide what to give? Prayer is the most important step you can take. Then, review your financial situation and consider creatively ways to give. Some are foregoing or cutting back on other areas to make room for giving. Some are selling property or other belongings such as stock or even jewelry. Click here to consider the various ways.

If you would like a call or visit to discuss your particular situation, we can arrange for an elder or other appropriate person to help you with your questions. Email (mclark@tenth.org) or call me (215.735.7688x245) and I will see that you get a quick response.

Canteen Results

Yesterday, the children raised $925.11 selling baked and home-made products for the capital campaign. This brings the two week total to $1,499.61. We are particularly thankful for the spirit in which the children engaged in this "investment" of kingdom funds to multiply them for the campaign.

Prayer-a-thon

We are on the final stretch before commitment Sunday and, again, I appreciate greatly your faithful prayers in this journey of faith and learning. We had a good sign-up for the Prayer-a-thon scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. One member is praying at 3:45 am on Saturday! At other times, 2-3 people signed-up. If you did not get a chance to sign-up, please pick out a 15 minute slot and pray for the Campaign.

Praise the Lord for the good participation. Several members signed up for 3 or 4 fifteen minute slots. There were 96 slots to fill and only 15 slots remain to be filled. We have several slots where 2-3 have committed to pray, and we have some praying outside the designated times (one at 3:45 am).

The empty slots remaining are:
- 4 slots from 1:30 to 2:15 pm on Thursday
- 2 slots from 2:15 to 2:45 pm and 3 slots from 7:45 to 8:30 pm on Friday
- 1 slot at 12:45 to 1:00 pm, 3 slots from 1:15 to 2:00 pm, 1 at 2:30 to 2:45, 1 slot from 3:30 to 3:45 pm on Saturday.

Missing Your New Testament?

CityReachers officials, who are in charge of the distribution of Sunday's New Testaments, anticipated there would be some routes not getting the NTs. I am to let them know addresses that did not receive their subscriptions, so that they can follow up with the Philadelphia Inquirer about the routes and see that the NTs are delivered next Sunday. Email me at mclark@tenth.org and I will forward your address on.

General Assembly Link

If you would like to preview the docket and activities of this year's General Assembly, click here.