Short-term Medical Team Needed

CrossWorld has a staff member from Kenya joining the Samaritan's Purse medical team this weekend in Goma, Congo. Hundreds of wounded are showing up in hospitals, many with shattered bones needing the skills orthopedic surgeons. We will need to help thousands of displaced people, sleeping in the open (raining almost every day) with no water, food or clothing. I will be helping in the logistics of getting aid to them. One camp named Kibatu has over 50,000. Pray for us to get the best information so we can go in as prepared as possible. –Steve McMillan

In addition Ted and Dan Witmer are returning to Bunia, Congo on November 19. Fighting displaced most of the staff of the restored Nyankunde Hospital which was destroyed in 2002. Gratefully, the damage to the hospital itself was minor this time, and a skeleton staff continues to operate there. The UN and Congolese government officials are working to try and resolve all of these situations. Meanwhile, the displaced civilians are suffering greatly.

We are working toward building a short-term medical team for January 2009. If you are interested, contact Diana Frazier (diana.frazier@crossworld.org).

Mice Templar

Bryan Glass' MICE TEMPLAR #6 is now available at comic book stores. The oversized hardcover edition, collecting the first six issues, will be available at comic stores on December 10.

Praying for Obama

Ligon Duncan offers counsel on how to be praying for our President-elect Barack Obama...more

Wordy Shipmates

The Wordy Shipmates, is a book about the New England Puritans, people whom Sarah Vowell wants to stick up for because she admires "their love of language and learning and knowledge"...more

Interviewing Wynne

Tonight at 8:00 I will be interviewing Carroll Wynne on the subject of hospital visitation. This is part of the ongoing elder training I do on Thursday nights. You are welcome to tune in. Go to the webcasting section on our website. You will find past sessions under webcasting in the left hand column.

Food Distributions

Food donations for the Sunday Morning Rescue Mission are due this Sunday 11/16. All donations can be placed on the designated tables in Reception Hall. Items need not be in the grocery bags distributed or confined to the items listed. Please no glass or perishable items. Thank you for participating in this outreach to the homeless and disadvantaged in Philadelphia.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

Tenth has an opportunity to be a Christian witness to our neighbors at Penn Rittenhouse Hospice, 18th and Lombard. The hospice has volunteer ministry opportunities from baking cookies, greeters/receptionists, musicians, family support assistants, and flower arrangers. Anyone interested in attending the next volunteer orientation on Saturday, December 6th from 8:00-5:00, contact David Apple at dapple@tenth.org.

Bart Brooks art exhibited at Widener

October 28–December 6, 2008. COALITION INGENU: The WORLD APART: A collection of visionary, folk, primitive, and outsider art from the Coalition Ingenu Self-Taught Artists' Collective is featured at the Widener University Art Gallery. Bart Brooks is one of the artists.

Gallery hours are Tuesday, 10am–7pm; Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–4:30pm.

The gallery is on the main campus of Widener University on 14th Street between Walnut Street and Melrose Avenue in Chester. Directions.

Career Fair

Philadelphia Biblical University is sponsoring a Career Fair on Wednesday, November 19, 11:00 am–4:00 pm. For information go to their website or call Erin at 215.702.4379.

Sacred Marriage

I recently completed Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas. I highly recommend this book, whose premise is: What if God designed marriage to make holy more than to make us happy? It is worthwhile reading for every married couple and anyone contemplating marriage. The unspoken premise is that if we did seriously approach marriage as a means for the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, then we would learn the changes we need to make in our lives to enhance marital happiness.

"Reaching Center City" -- Why Should We Care?

This is a helpful article by Tim Keller (from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC), as he articulates why it's important for Christians to have a strong presence in the city.

Reopening

The Whosoever Gospel Mission, which burned down two years ago, is soon to reopen doors to a new facility. Check it out in today's Inquirer or go here.

Praying for Soldiers

From Rick Phillips:

One of the most valuable ways we can show our thanks to veterans is to devote ourselves in prayer for the veterans who defend us during our present time of war. We should be praying not only for soldiers who we know and love, but also for all the men and women presently serving in our military. Having been raised in a war-time Army and having spent thirteen years on active duty, let me suggest some items that would assist you in praying for our current veterans...more

Sermon Preview

I see from the sermon sign that Jonathan Olsen will be sharing his experience attending sessions 1 and 2 of the World Series' game 5. His message - "Temporary Insanity."

Aiden Carter Wood is born!

Some may remember Bobby and Courtney (now in Los Angeles) who welcomed a little boy on October 29! If you want to see more pictures, go to babyboywood.blogspot.com/. Congratulations Bobby and Courtney (as well as Bailee and Brunson)!

Volunteers Needed

I am a bit surprised to see that the Deaf Ministry is still looking for volunteers for two tasks. They'd like 2 or 3 persons to rotate being the Sunday evening supporter, which takes only 15 minutes of time. They also need a scheduler with a time commitment of 30 minutes a month. Contact Kristen Harnley (tenthcsn@msn.com) if interested.

Here are the job descriptions:

Interpreter Support
· Check large print hymnal in mailroom to be sure large print bulletin and all evening service hymns are correct (this may be done on Sunday morning)
· Make copies of any missing hymns
· Check to see that lectern and stool are set up for interpreter
· Ask music assistant for copy of vocal music to be sung during Soli Deo Gloria
· A couple weeks before special choral services (Spring Choral, Reformation Sunday, Christmas Eve), ask music assistant for copies of all vocal music for interpreter to review; these may be placed in the Deaf Ministry mailbox and returned to Dr. Jones’ mailbox after the choral service
· Greet interpreter and thank her for coming to help us!

Interpreter Scheduling
· Set up tentative six-month schedule (see sample) and email it to interpreters, requesting their feedback on any changes (allow 4-6 weeks to get the details worked out)
· Check back with interpreters to finalize schedule, then print out a copy for each one, plus one as a reference for the Deaf Ministry mailbox
· Contact substitute interpreter or Deaf Hearing Communication Center (DHCC) if neither regular interpreter is available
· Provide answers to church administration regarding questions about interpreters’ dates/hours worked, pay, and annual budget
· Contact deacons to place “Reserved Seating” signs on two front right rows of chairs for the candlelight Christmas Eve service; confirm the arrangement in mid-December

Glimpses of the Heart

The streets of Gaza are cleared at night. Curfew? No, everyone is home watching the Turkish soap opera, Noor...more

Gospel and Culture Project

The Gospel and Culture Project is a Philly based group equipping "Christians to understand and apply the Gospel as truth capable of transforming human culture." Check out the site.

Welcome, Judson!

Rich and Ana Shoemaker are pleased to announce the birth of Judson Roger, born on November 2,2008 @ 3:47 a.m. He weighed in at 7lbs 7oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.

City Line Church

City Line Church is the latest church plant to organize as a new church. Their organization service will be this Sunday, November 16, 10:30 a.m. at the Palmer Seminary chapel.

The Phillie Duo

For Jonathan and Jesse, a night to remember.

Coffee House Music

Danny Bombaro will be providing music at next Sunday's Coffee House following the evening service. He'll be joined by Andrew Lengel, Ted Voboril, and Dave Hirshblond. His album, “Between Now & Then,” will be available for sale for $10.00.

Aid Requested

Bagudekia Alobeyo is a PCA church planter in Philadelphia supported by Tenth. He is from the Congo and is working among African immigrants. His home region has come under attack by rebels, and he is hoping to return home to evacuate his parents and others to Uganda. Click here for his letter detailing what is happening and the help he is seeking.

South Street Bridge

The City of Philadelphia has announced that the South Street Bridge will close for reconstruction on Monday, December 1, 2008 for twenty-four months. This project will completely close the structure between Convention Avenue and 27th Street, including the on and off ramps connecting South Street and I-76.

Other streets will be periodically closed, have lane restrictions and/or be changed to one-way travel. The City will attempt to schedule/restrict street closures to nights and weekends. To view the most recent information regarding the South Street Bridge project, including detour routes and other related information, please go to one of the following websites:
http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/ssbridge/default.asp
http://www.phila.gov/southstreetbridge

Welcome, Jason!

Joe and Beth Bushra announce the arrival of Jason Daniel Bushra, 11/8/08. Beth and the baby are great.

Tickling the Keyboard

How hard can playing an organ be? Phil Ryken demonstrates his mastery of the instrument in Odessa.