Friday, October 31, 2008

Welcome, Nathan!

Gary and Sue Willcox are pleased to announce the arrival of Nathan Frederick, 7lbs 6oz, born today at 8:10am. They are doing well and thank everyone for their prayers.

Rescue Mission

This year we are again reaching out to the city of Philadelphia by sponsoring a Food Drive for the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission (SBRM). The details can be found in this Sunday’s insert but if you are like me, locating the bulletin when you need it can be a challenge, so here goes:
Grocery Bag Distribution: Nov. 2nd and Nov. 9th after each worship service
at the table for SBRM in Reception Hall
and at the church exits on Spruce and on Delancy St..
Collection Date: Nov 16t h only, in Reception Hall
Items: A list of items that are most helpful can be found on
both the insert and the grocery bag itself but all
non-perishable, non-glass items will be accepted.

Now that I have listed all the details I would like to share with you some of the occurrences that I found encouraging during last years food drive. It was wonderful to see how God used this endeavor to not only minister to the city of Philadelphia but also to people at Tenth.
A table for the SBRM was set up at last year’s mission conference and will be there again this year. At the table there will be pamphlets describing the services available through SBRM, a display of food items, the grocery bags for distribution, and a person from the mission. Last year I heard several stories from Tenth members about their memories and experiences with the mission. Did you know that the mission was started in 1878 and its first trustees were John Wanamaker, John Stetson and Atlee Burpee? Do those names sound familiar? Think department store, hats, and seed catalog. What a joy to learn about how God worked in the city of Philadelphia through these men and how this work is continuing on. While I was at the table I also learned that the mission does more than offer meals to the homeless and disadvantaged. A Tenth member learned that someone he had befriended might be a fit for the 12 month Recovery Discipleship Program. In Germantown a transitional home is available for women and their children.( I should have read the pamphlet before helping out at the table)
Several people stopped with various questions but one person’s question stayed with me for several months. A woman asked me to explain to her granddaughter why we were doing this. Trying to think in terms that a child could understand I found myself settling on an answer that just didn’t seem complete. What is the simple reason why we do anything? Read on and see if we accomplished this goal.
When collection day came the response was overwhelming. Over 180 bags were collected. Several people remarked with wonder at the response. Truly God had moved in the hearts of His people. His love for the poor and Tenths desire to be a witness to the city was obvious.
While turning in their food items parents shared how this opportunity had encouraged them to speak to their children about various subjects. Some of the topics were nutrition, stewardship, the poor, the homeless, serving others, Christ’s call to feed the hungry, and Tenth’s outreach to Philadelphia. Several parents took their children with them while shopping allowing them to choose the food items to be given. What a wonderful lesson of faith in action.
In the evening a worker and two men from the mission came to gather what they thought would be a simple collection. Upon seeing all of the bags they asked with astonishment if this was really all for them. In total disbelief they voiced their amazement that we cared for them this much. What a witness. I was later told that during prayer time, the men thank God for the people who gave to the mission. With help from Maranatha, we quickly filled two van loads of food. After receiving the second load the SBRM van drove away to fulfill its mission to “minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the homeless and disadvantaged in the Philadelphia area”.
So how will I answer the question this year as to why we are doing this, I’ll say, to glorify God and make Him known to the people in Philadelphia and I will be certain that we will have accomplished this goal.
I hope this behind the scenes look at the food drive was as encouraging to you as it was to me. I look forward to hearing about the different ways this endeavor has impacted your life this year and may our efforts to Glorify God and to make him known to the city of Philadelphia be pleasing in His sight.

Submitted by a Member at Tenth

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Phillies and Orchestra

See the Phillies parade tomorrow and drop in at the Kimmel Center for the orchestra at 2:00 for $10. Click here for more info.

Sunday Morning Bridge Closing

The Delaware River Port Authority is proud to host the 14th Annual Cooper-Norcross Bridge Challenge presented by AmeriHealth New Jersey on Sunday, November 2, at 8:30am. The event benefits the Larc School in Bellmawr, New Jersey. Registration is from 6:15am to 7:45am at Campbell’s Field, 401 North Delaware Avenue, in Camden.

The race starts at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge in front of the toll plaza in Camden. Participants will run over the bridge and back through the scenic Camden Waterfront passing the Susquehanna Bank Center, Adventure Aquarium and Battleship New Jersey before ending in Campbell’s Field for a total of 6.2 miles (10k). There is also a two mile bridge walk which begins immediately after the start of the run.

The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, FROM 7:45AM UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 9:30AM for the race. In addition to the bridge, a number of local roadways will also be closed.

Now that the Phillies have won...

You're free to enjoy Quizzo on Saturday night! Registration for dinner starts at 5:15 pm, dinner starts at 6:00 pm, and Quizzo will follow. We expect the laughter, fellowship, and learning to continue until 8:00 or 8:30 pm.

To register, click here. Come, join the fun!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

CHAMPIONS!

WE WON! WE WON!

Sunday Day Dreaming

ON A SUNDAY morning in 1974, Arthur Fry sat in the front pews of a Presbyterian church in north St. Paul, Minn. An engineer at 3M, Fry was also a singer in the church choir...while listening to the Sunday sermon, Fry started to daydream...more

Welcome, Andreya!

Drew and Kristie DeNardo are pleased to announce that Andreya Juliet arrived at 5:24pm on Monday! 8lbs 11.5 ounces. 20 ¼ inches…

Delaware County Christian School open house

Delaware County Christian School invites you to an open house on Saturday, November 8, 9:15-11am. A formal presentation begins at the upper campus followed by tours. For more information, call 610-353-6522 or visit www.dccs.org.

Fall Back

Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend. If you do not want to show up to church an hour early, turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night.

The Marathon Man

Tenth member Jeff Hagen ran the Marine Corps marathon in 2:52 -- #88 out of 18,000. Way to go!

Hate the Phillies?

One of the Philadelphia papers raised a grave theological question today. Does God hate the Phillies? Again, I turn to the highly trained Tenth pastoral staff for answers.

Phil Ryken: Hate is a strong word. But if you want to know who God favors - the Phillies or the Cardinals...need I say the obvious?

Paul Tripp: This question illustrates again the tendency of placing blame on others and not dealing with one's heart issues. Phillie fans need to look into their own hearts and see why they really are to blame.

Jonathan Olsen: Why, God? Why do you toy with me like this?

Carroll Wynne: No, God does not hate the Phillies, but he does have a sense of humor!

Cora Hogue: The problem is not God hating the Phillies, but that we aren't praying. Come on, people! Let's pray!

David Apple: God allows these things to happen to the Phillies so that we may have the opportunity to show them mercy. But they better not blow it this year!

Bruce McDowell: God does not hate the Phillies. He wants all people to be saved. I am writing a book now about how to witness to this unreached people group.

Marion Clark: The Phillies are not my responsibility, and I am NOT a jinx!

Paul Jones: The Phillies? Are they a hockey team?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Mediterranean Night

TAFSUS (Turkish American Friendship Society of the US) is pleased to invite you to a MEDITERRANEAN NIGHT, an Evening of Turkish, Greek, Italian music and food
at the PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART, Friday, November 7, 2008.

Includes the participation of DisCanto from Abruzzo, Italy, and Animus, World Fusion Music & Dance. There will also be an ongoing demonstration of Ebru (Turkish Marbling) throughout the evening by artist/teacher Richard Aldorasi. The performances are scheduled from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm and 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm. The museum is open until 8:45 p.m. Guided gallery tours are offered throughout the evening.

Admission to the Museum (not including food) is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors (65+); $10 for students with ID and children 13-18. Free for children 12 and under. Admission to the museum is free for members at all times.

What Would Luther Say

R. C. Sproul wonders what Luther would have to say today about evangelical churches. Actually, he thinks he knows...more

Quizzo AND Dinner

Yes, it's two for the price of one! We will have a full international dinner featuring foods from our focus area AND an interactive, family-friendly game. Additionally, for young children there will be a special time of crafts and activities.

You can register online by clicking here. This will enable you to simply pay at the door and enjoy a great evening of fellowship.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Atheism vs. Christianity Debate

On Thursday, October 30 at 6:30pm, Christopher Hitchens, renowned atheist and author of God is Not Great, and Doug Wilson, author of The Case For Classical Christian Education, will be debating at Westminster Theological Seminary** in Glenside, PA in a debate titled, “Apologetics in Action: Aesthetics and the Existence of God - Atheism vs. Christianity” to promote their new book, Is Christianity Good for the World?. Dr. Scott Oliphint notes,

“Christopher Hitchens is convinced that ‘religion poisons everything.’ If he's right, then every religious person has a serious and fatal problem. Doug Wilson is convinced that every religious and non-religious person has a serious and fatal problem. But the only remedy to that problem is found in Christianity. At stake in this debate is one's entire view of the world. Either religion is the main and universal problem, or Christianity is the only and universal answer for our problem. Which view is correct? Are they both wrong? Come find out...”

The event is FREE, but seating is limited to 400 people including an overflow room, so get there early. There will be a time for question and answer following the debate, and the Westminster Bookstore will be open before and after the debate to purchase their book and other books related to the debate topics. All are welcome! Feel free to circulate this to anyone in your congregation. Your prayers are appreciated as we prepare for this event.

**Westminster Theological Seminary does not necessarily endorse either participant’s views or method. The debate is hosted by Dr. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics, as part of his class, Introduction to Apologetics.

Christian Hospitality

With the elections coming up, Christians should reassess their civic responsibility beginning with hospitality...more

Proud Coach

HI Marion,

Some news that may interest you for your Blog.

I had a girl (Beth Coradino) finish fourth in the District Cross Country meet yesterday at Lehigh and qualified for the State meet new weekend. This is the first girl from DC to qualify for the meet.

George McFarland
DCCS Cross Country Coach

Homecoming

Here is a link to Phil's homecoming talk at Wheaton College.

Scam

This could happen to you. Over the weekend someone somehow accessed the email account of a staff member and sent this email out to everyone in the account:

Hi,
I am sorry i didn't inform you about my traveling to Africa for a program called Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which are Ghana,South Africa and Nigeria. It as been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that I found myself is very hard for me to explain. I am really stuck in Nigeria because I forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the Hotel am staying, I am facing a hard time here because I have no money on me. I am now in debt of an hotel bill of $650 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon else they will have to seize my bag and hand me over to the Hotel Management., I need this help from you urgently to help me back home,I need you to help me with the hotel bill and i will also need $536 to feed and help myself back home. Can you help me with a sum of $1186 to sort out my problems here? I need this help so much and on time because i am in a terrible and tight situation here,I don't even have money to feed myself for a day which means i had been starving so please understand how urgent i needed your help.
I am sending you this e-mail from the city Lagos, I will appreciate what so ever you can afford to send me for now and I promise to pay back your money as soon as i return home,you need to transfer the money through Western Union, please email me back so that i can email you one of the Hotel Management name that you will send the western union to.
Thanks.
"Name of individual"

Tips to protect yourself:
1. Change your password frequently (using numerals)
2. Be sure your anti-spyware and anti-virus software are up-to-date

Prediction

Tonight's the Night!
Phillie authority, Jonathan Olsen