The Philly Deaf Annual Christmas Dinner is Here

Place:   Philly Deaf South, 3301 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19145 Time:   5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Date:   Saturday,  December 5th, 2009

To Bring:  A salad, side dish, or dessert to share.  Drinks/Meat provided by Philly Deaf



    It's the only Philly Deaf event during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday

  We believe in family, and God supports the family unit.  The Bible is clear about that. So, Philly Deaf leadership has planned to give families more time during the important and meaningful holiday season.  The season in which we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  The way we've planned the give more time to families, is by not planning any church events during the busy holiday season, and by planning a single holiday dinner together at the beginning of December instead of at the busiest time when families traditionally get together.  So, enjoy your time together; enjoy the family; enjoy celebrating the real reason for the season; enjoy celebrating the Christ child.  

Philly Deaf South, 3301 South 20th Street,  Philadelphia, Pa 19145
Video Phone: 215-600-1976 | Website: www.phillydeaf.com | Email: office@phillydeaf.com

 2009 Impact Prayer begins with the encouragement of the Word of God...  "PRAY!  I will answer!" the Lord says.

With approximately 17 people in attendance, almost every NF Deaf region is represented by attendees.  From Minnesota, to Oklahoma; from Oregon to Maryland.  All have come for one purpose; to touch the heart of God for Deaf people and Deaf ministry leaders in America!

One of the attendees of the 2009 "Philly" National Impact Prayer meeting, Emory Dively, made a comment that..."we often refer to Impact Prayer by it's initials "I. P."  When you think about it, that's right, because when, in the tech world you refer to an "ip address," you're often referring to a web, email, or vp contact address; it's the address someone else uses to contact you. " 

Heaven's IP Address:     Pra.yer.24.777

Impact prayer, 2009, was just that...contacting heaven on behalf of ourselves, God's people, God's church, and lost Deaf souls.

  The final morning of the 2009 Impact Prayer gathering in Philly was capped-off by sharing our "Dreams" for NF.  What can God do through us if we'll let Him; If we'll cooperate; if we'll know His will and direction; if we'll Just Do Something too big for us and perfect for Him to handle?


We spent the morning in worship led by Marva Petrus, and an extended, spontaneous prayer afterwards before we began throwing out ideas of what God might do in our local ministries, and in NF, through us. 


Next year's location was discussed but not decided on.  Locations on the West Coast, South, and Midwest were discussed.  The East coast wasn't offered since the IP was hosted on the East this year.  The location will be posted at the Impact Prayer link by February of 2010.  A concerted effort will be made, also, to invite and get a commitment from more of our pastors to join and share together in this most important event.

Philly Deaf Care Leaders: Pastor David, Grace Bishop, Antoine Robinson, and Trina Herzog are spending this weekend of Nov 6-8 in NJ at a retreat location to spend time devotions, discussions, and dreaming.  It's our annual PD Care Leader's Retreat where we non only look at the calendar in order to coordinate plans for next year's events at Philly Deaf, but we look at ourselves, look at the ministry and ask God where He wants us to be; where He wants us to go.  


So, please pray for your Philly Deaf ministry leaders that we will understand the will of God and have heaven's wisdom to make great plans for our 2010 Philly Deaf Ministries.


Thank you,


Pastor David
Philly Deaf
Care Pastor

Philly Deaf South will be returning to weekly meetings beginning September 27th,  from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm every Sunday evening.


The address of the new location:  Calvary Temple of South Philadelphia, is:  3301 S. 20th St, Philadelphia, 19145


Look for the Philly Deaf lawn signs, and directional signs to know where to enter and where the Deaf chapel is located.


Click on the "Directions" tab at the top to see a map and get exact directions to the Philly Deaf South meeting location (entrance is on "Geary St.".  park inside or outside of the fence and enter the building at door near black inside gate. look for Philly Deaf Signs).


Schedule is changed slightly to accommodate the Hearing church group that is meeting at the same time.


6:00 pm  - Deaf Chat Begins in the Chapel
7:30 pm - Fellowship of snacks, coffee, etc. Begins in the 'Fireside Room" (look for signs).

Regardless of the cloudy skies and the need to move indoors in case of rain, a good group was present and the final volleyball gathering was a success as friends came from Philly Deaf North, South and the Calvary Chapel Deaf ministry group joined with us.  There were also some new friends including, Anna, Audrey, Ray, and Trina's Hearing parents were with us (from Indiana).

With approximately 35 + people attending the fun and food were only eclipsed by the great fellowship that we had with one another.  Only a few arrived at the starting time, however, soon, there were people arriving steadily until and throughout the meal time.  We enjoyed grilled cheeseburgers and grilled hotdogs from the famous "Chef Dave,"  and the rest of the food that was brought be all of those attending.  After lunch there was an enjoyable time of general chatting and caring for the  many children who were with us.  Then, with only a little prompting, the games began.  A tournament of Volleyball ensued and when one team won the first game and the other team won the second game, a tie-breaker was a 'must.' (even though most were already tired)    The final game was close but, obviously, the best team won : ) smile.... barely.  After the volleyball game, there were scattered games of  toss, basketball, and some more eating and drinking as those in the volleyball battle returned to the fellowship room to regain strength.  We ended with goodbye's at about 4:30 and cleanup continued until a little after 5:00 pm. 

The Philly Deaf Care Leaders have decided that, because of a 50% + chance of rain this afternoon, the end of year BBQ will be held indoors at the new Philly Deaf South home of Calvary Temple at 3301 S. 20th Street, Phila, Pa 19145, located near the FDR Park.  The enterance is on the Geary Street Side of the building to access the Fellowship Hall for Lunch, and the Gymnasium for Volleyball and Basketball.


All are Welcome.  we currently have approximately 30 people signed up to attend.  We are planning to begin at 11:00 am and continue activities until approx. 3 or 4:00 pm.  We'll stay longer if those attending want to continue talking or playing.


Philly Deaf End of Year BBQ
Location: Calvary Temple, 3301 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19145
Date:   9/12/09 (TODAY)
Time:  11:00 am - 4:00 pm


What to Bring:  a salad or dessert to share

Philly Deaf has begun a tradition of enjoying one final BBQ gathering before the winds of Summer end and the cold breezes of Fall and Winter begin.  We are meeting in a location near Philly Deaf South's new home, in South Philly. 

We have chosen two BBQ locations.  One for good weather; the other in case of rain. 

Good Weather Location:  FDR (Franklin Delanore Roosevelt) park at Broad Street & Pattison Avenue.  This location is just across the street from the Pattison Station on the Orange Line of the Septa subway system.  The picnic areas are the first from that corner along the one way park road inside of FDR Park, and on the right hand side of the park road.  Picnic areas are:  # 2 and # 5. This area is across from a playground, and only a short distance from the baseball field and tennis courts.

Rain location:  In case of poor weather conditions (rain or heavy clouds and wind), we've reserved the fellowship hall, kitchen, and Gym of our new home church, Calvary Temple of South Philly. We'll meet there for our BBQ fellowship and enjoy gym activities and chatting after lunch.  The address of this location is:  Calvary Temple, 3301 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19145

We hope to see all of you at this end of year gathering.  Whether we meet outdoors or inside, we'll have fun, food, and fellowship before the cold weather arrives.  see calendar for time.  check this blog for the update of exact location on Saturday morning before you leave home.  Better yet, sign up to receive this Blog Feed automatically when it is updated or a new blog is entered, by adding your email address on the right column of this page.

Some in the community have said recently to various members and Pastor David, "I heard that DCC (Deaf Christian Church is closing..."  The truth is that the name "DCC" has been officially changed to "Philly Deaf" over a year ago.  But to answer the question about closing...  The answer is "No."  Philly Deaf has not closed, and is not planning to close.  However, the Brookhaven care group has changed locations as of September 1st.  The original ministry name of DCC was in Brookhaven, Pa for 14 years; first in the Full Gospel Assembly of God building, then, the past 8 years, at the 24 Radio Park Lane location. 

The care leaders of Philly Deaf, after much consideration and deliberation decided NOT to renew it's lease with the current building owners at that Radio Park Lane location, and, instead, to begin looking for a new host church where the lease payments would be lower each month.  That location, Calvary Temple of Philadelphia, was the answer to our prayers and the end of our searching. 

Calvary Temple
3301 South 20th Street
Philadelphia, Pa 19145

This location for Sunday evening meetings is now begin called:   PHILLY DEAF SOUTH, while the current meeting location for Thursday evenings is being changed from Kensington Care Group, to:     PHILLY DEAF NORTH.

The scheduled meetings will continue to meet at Philly Deaf North on Thursday evenings; 6:30 p - 8:30 p
and the new Philly Deaf South meetings will continue to meet on Sunday evenings; 6:00 p - 8:00 p

You can contact the Philly Deaf Admin Care Leaders, Trina Herzog at:    Trina@phillydeaf.com or Office@phillydeaf.com, with any questions that you might have regarding this move.  We'll be emailing to the PD email list and will post on the web, directions and map of the new location, as well as public transportation to get to the new Philly Deaf South location (just off of I-95).

(Author: John Piper)

I saw the fast-moving, misshapen, unusually-wide funnel over downtown Minneapolis from Seven Corners. I said to Kevin Dau, "That looks serious."

It was. Serious in more ways than one. A friend who drove down to see the damage wrote,

On a day when no severe weather was predicted or expected...a tornado forms, baffling the weather experts—most saying they've never seen anything like it. It happens right in the city. The city: Minneapolis.

The tornado happens on a Wednesday...during the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's national convention in the Minneapolis Convention Center. The convention is using Central Lutheran across the street as its church. The church has set up tents around it's building for this purpose.

According to the ELCA's printed convention schedule, at 2 PM on Wednesday, August 19, the 5th session of the convention was to begin. The main item of the session: "Consideration: Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality." The issue is whether practicing homosexuality is a behavior that should disqualify a person from the pastoral ministry. 

The eyewitness of the damage continues:

This curious tornado touches down just south of downtown and follows 35W straight towards the city center. It crosses I94. It is now downtown. 

The time: 2PM. 

The first buildings on the downtown side of I94 are the Minneapolis Convention Center and Central Lutheran. The tornado severely damages the convention center roof, shreds the tents, breaks off the steeple of Central Lutheran, splits what's left of the steeple in two...and then lifts.

Let me venture an interpretation of this Providence with some biblical warrant.

1. The unrepentant practice of homosexual behavior (like other sins) will exclude a person from the kingdom of God.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

2. The church has always embraced those who forsake sexual sin but who still struggle with homosexual desires, rejoicing with them that all our fallen, sinful, disordered lives (all of us, no exceptions) are forgiven if we turn to Christ in faith.

Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

3. Therefore, official church pronouncements that condone the very sins that keep people out of the kingdom of God, are evil. They dishonor God, contradict Scripture, and implicitly promote damnation where salvation is freely offered.

4. Jesus Christ controls the wind, including all tornados.

Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41)

5. When asked about a seemingly random calamity near Jerusalem where 18 people were killed, Jesus answered in general terms—an answer that would cover calamities in Minneapolis, Taiwan, or Baghdad. God's message is repent, because none of us will otherwise escape God's judgment.

Jesus: "Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:4-5)

6. Conclusion: The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.