Pastor’s Column
Give Thanks to God!
It was recently said that we are starting a new chapter in the life and ministry of our church. This comment was expressed in the context of God answering our prayers by providing a new senior pastor. We give thanks to God for confirming His choice through a unified congregational vote to call Pastor Tony Jones, and by his acceptance of the call as our new senior pastor. The congregation singing the Doxology ending our congregational meeting served to voice our praise with thankful hearts to God for this wonderful blessing to our congregation.
Indeed, we are starting a new chapter in the spiritual life and ministry of our congregation. And with this new chapter, there is the necessity for on-going spiritual revitalization as the redeemed people of God. For this new phase is not only to be experienced corporately as the gathered body of Christ, but personally as members of it. The spiritual health and vitality of the whole body is dependent on the spiritual well-being and renewing spirit of each of its members. In other words, each one of us, as members of this local congregation, are vitally important to God and to the new chapter in the life and ministry of this local church. God has purposed, by His grace, that we be a growing, obedient people of faith in Jesus Christ, the Head of His Body, the Church. As the Apostle Peter encourages us to see the ultimate aim of being in Christ in 2 Peter 1.2-4, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
As members of Christ’s Body, we can give thanks to God for providing us with the indwelling Holy Spirit and the inspired Word to continue our spiritual growth and fruitfulness as we walk by faith with the Lord. This new chapter of our church family is but one of many new chapters we have yet to recognize and experience until our Lord returns. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” What God started in Christ Jesus; He promises to bring to full completion at the return of Jesus Christ.
So let us all, with grateful hearts, receive Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 3.13-14 of “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” As we join together by faith to carry out this blessed call, we will have many more reasons to give thanks to God, to the glory of God!
To the glory of God
Steven L. Myers
November Pulpit Schedule
7th – The Justice of God in the Distress of Man – Lamentation 3:39-66, Isaiah 61:1-3, Hebrews 12:1-6
What good does it do me to know that God’s compassion never fails, if He does not hear my prayers? At this point, the Lamenter has affirmed God’s great love and mercy but still languishes amidst suffering. Like the Lamenter, we need to look to the Lord who gives all good things. Though we may not understand all of His purposes at this time, we continue to look to Him and trust that He will work all things together for good in our lives.
14th – Agony, Horror, & Fear – Lamentation 4, Job 2:8-13, Revelation 21:1-4
When does the suffering end? Because of the fall of Adam into sin, we will know sin, suffering, and death until the Lord comes back or calls us home. Even with the knowledge that we will worship the Lord without sin, suffering, and death at some future time, God’s people often are desperate to avoid hurts and to be removed from pain as soon as possible. Often this leads to an unrealistic expectation of the world and to ungodly demands upon God.
21st – Pray to the God Who Hears – Lamentation 5, Matthew 26:36-42, Hebrews 4:14-16
Lamentations has offered multitextured prayers and petitions to the Lord who holds all things in His hand. Here at the end of the book a pattern of destruction which is broken by a final plea to the Lord for restoration. Individually, fallen, sinful people desperately need to be restored to the Lord. Christ has completed that restoration and allows His people to come before the Father with exceeding Joy.
24th – Thanksgiving Is Not Just a Holiday – Psalm 92:1-15; John 11:17-45; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy all of the feasts and festivities surrounding this special holiday. However, thanksgiving should be more than an annual celebration; it should be a way of life for all believers. We have so much to give thanks to God; not only the ample provisions sustaining our lives, but God’s salvation being worked out in us and in others all around the world. We are told to give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let us look at a few reasons for our thanksgiving to God!
28th – God Is Light, No Darkness – Proverbs 20:9 ; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; 1 John 1:1 – 2.2
When a person is clueless about an actual world-wide event affecting people around the world, we might conclude that person is ignorant or living in the dark. One world-wide incident today is a COVID pandemic. This viral pandemic has impacted global commerce, commodities, energy, employment, and medicine at an inconceivable rate, causing the minds of people to spin into confusion and division, nearly collapsing social structures of nations. John in his first inspired letter gives God’s light of truth, the antidote to dispel the darkness of false teachers, which has caused believers to be confused and divided over their relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
Inquirer’s Class to Start
A new Inquirer’s Class will begin on Sunday, November 7th. This class will meet in the Conference Room during the Sunday School hour. It takes place for six consecutive Sundays with a different presenter each Sunday.
Intended to give folk a broad overview of Leidy’s Church, topics covered will include organizations of Leidy’s Church, some history of the area and of the congregation, our denominational background and where we are with that now, how we are governed, and a session on what we believe and why. Though not a membership class, to become a member one must have taken this course within the last several years.
If you or someone you know would like to be part of this class, please contact the church office or speak with Pastor Myers.
From the Pastor to Youth & Children
This August marks the completion of the fourth trip of the earth around the sun since my family has come to Leidy’s Church. I quickly add that I am under no assumption that I am at the center of those revolutions. Rather, with each passing of the summer into the fall, I find an amazing opportunity for reflection upon the circumstances of my life. The biblical category of this sort of reflection is called providence. The Lord’s providential care is what sustains all people and orders the affairs of people.
Consider Psalm 139:16. It says, YOUR EYES HAVE SEEN MY UNFORMED SUBSTANCE; AND IN YOUR BOOK WERE ALL WRITTEN THE DAYS THAT WERE ORDAINED FOR ME, WHEN AS YET THERE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.” Take a minute and reflect upon that verse. In begins by a recognition that the Lord sees or has seen the unformed substance of the Psalmist. The unformed substance is potential for life. Hear what the Lord has done with this unformed substance. He has written all the days of life. This means that before each and every person is born, before they were even conceived, the Lord has a purpose and a detailed plan for their lives. Understand that the text does not allow us to conclude God has a general purpose for our lives. He has a specific plan which is down to the day. He is also the one who brings it about.
Once, when I was teaching a Sunday School class on the Lord’s providential care, I was accused of sounding like a Muslim fatalist. Truth be told, I had (and still have) no knowledge of how fatalistic Muslim people are. However, the accusation bears some scrutiny. How do Christians who understand the Lord’s providential care, avoid a fatalistic attitude toward their actions? Could you not conclude that if the fixed order of the planets and all my actions are planned out anyway, why should I care or be bothered to do anything?
The Lord Jesus Christ does not allow us to come to this conclusion. Let me explain. When the Scriptures talk about the Lord’s providential care, it does so in the context of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, when the Scriptures speak of someone being blessed with the gift of faith, it is always in the person of Jesus. If I, trusting to providence, conclude that it does not matter what I do because the Lord has determined to bless me with eternal life, then I am missing the point. The Lord, having written all the days that were ordained for me, has sought to bless me (like all of His people). He does so in uniting me to the Lord Jesus (like all of His people). He does so by giving me His Holy Spirit (like all of His people). As a result of all of this providential care, the Lord, by His Spirit, enables me to live wholeheartedly for the Him. The side effect of this sort of care is that I can in no way sit like a bump on a log and think the Lord’s providential care of me is enough. His care of me IS enough, but His care of me is also worked out through the good works He has called me to.
As I personally reflect upon the Lord’s providential care, I am reminded of the fourth circuit of the earth around the sun since I have come to Leidy’s. As I reflect upon my tenure as the Youth & Children’s Pastor, I reflect on another verse from the Psalter. Psalm 16:6 says, THE LINES HAVE FALLEN TO ME IN PLEASANT PLACES… In short, the providential care of the Lord has called me to Leidy’s Church to serve as one of her pastors, and I could not be more pleased with the Lord’s purposes. Thank you all so much for your love and care of me and my family. I look forward to many years of the Lord’s providential care as I have the privilege to serve as one of your pastors.
To the Praise of His Glory,
Michael
Brass Band Concert
The Penn View Brass Band will again be performing at Leidy’s Church on Sunday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m.
The British-style brass band will perform seasonal favorites, classics, popular tunes and well-known Christmas carols.
The band is made up of 25 brass players playing cornets, a flugelhorn, tenor horns, baritone horns, euphoniums, trombones, and two sizes of tubas. Three percussionists provide the pulse and punctuation, and the organ will round out the majestic sounds of the season.
The audience will be invited to sing along with the band for several Christmas carols.
Admission is free but a free-will offering will be taken.
November Ushers
Usher Captains: John DiLenge, Shaun Permar
Ushers: Lorne Slack, Dave Doran, Bob Hager, Christian Rau, T. Dale Leidy, John Rittenhouse, Brody Keeth, Mitchell VanDerbeek, Drew Weiss, Phoenix Smith, Alex Hager, Ben Smith, Lucas VanDerbeek, Tom Leidy, John Leidy.
Christmas Parade in Souderton
Souderton Borough’s Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 4th, starting at 11:00 am. This annual event is full of excitement for the young and the young at heart. The Care Committee of Leidy’s Church will have a float at the parade, and members are encouraged to volunteer by handing out Christmas candy and gospel tracts to the crowds in attendance.
Here are ways you can help the Care Committee make this year’s Christmas float the best ever:
- We need visionary people to create the theme of the float.
- We need crafty artistic people to help with the design of the float.
- We need people to help with the float construction.
- We need a bunch of people to volunteer to ride on the float in costume.
- We need other folks to walk alongside the float to hand out special goodies to the crowds lining up and down the street route.
All of those involved can let their light shine for Jesus as they meet and greet the people of our community.
If you would like to join in the fun by volunteering in the preparations and participation of this special event, please contact Ken Merritt, Sarah Nowling (sarah.nowling87@gmail.com), or you can call the church office, so someone from the Care Committee can get in touch with you.
God bless us all as we reach out in the name of the Christ of Christmas!
Women’s Ministry
Ladies of Leidy’s
We invite all ladies of Leidy’s Church to the monthly meeting of Ladies of Leidy’s on Tuesday, November 2nd. The meeting starts at 7pm. We meet in room 123.
Come join us as we will be discussing and planning for events scheduled for November. This includes the upcoming craft show on November 20th, Advent Workshop on November 28th and a food collection drive for the beanbag feeding program for students in the Souderton school system.
Within the Fellowship
Our sincere Christian sympathy to Janie Inyang and family at the death of her mother-in-law, Alice, and to Sherry Moyer and family at the death of her mother, Harriet Woehr. May God be with these families at this difficult time.
It’s Time to Vote!
I am sure you have seen the yard signs as you drive around town. Whatever you may generally think about politics these days, you have the right to vote on November 2nd. Local schoolboard members are on the ballots, which will have an effect on the education of our children and grandchildren in public schools.
Leidy’s Church is a polling place for two precincts, which means that the Fellowship Hall and Kitchen areas are reserved for this election process, starting on Monday afternoon, November 1st, and ending on Tuesday evening around 9:30 pm.
If you are at the church during the voting hours on Tuesday, please park farther away, so that voters have access to the closest and most convenient parking spots. Please make it a point to go out and vote, because your vote counts in this election.
Calling All Men to a Feast!
No, this is not a Thanksgiving feast, but it is a breakfast feast for men of all ages to be nourished and encouraged by manly fellowship and challenged through a Bible-centered testimony on Saturday morning, November 13th.
This men’s gathering begins at 8:00 AM with an assortment of delicious breakfast burritos, steaming hot coffee or tea, and a selection of cold beverages that will satisfy your pallet and stuff your belly, in the Fellowship Hall of Leidy’s Church.
Our guest speaker for this men’s breakfast is Ike Jones, who will talk about being an effective Spirit-led witness for Jesus Christ in the workplace, community, and among friends and family.
A sign-up sheet is posted on the Narthex wall near the entrance to the kitchen. We are calling all men to a feast, so please make it a point to sign up, select your choice(s) of breakfast burritos, and come ready to be inspired and sharpened in your walk of faith.
Christmas Craft & Gift Sale
Saturday, November 20th from 9-2. Grab your Christmas gift list and head to our Annual Christmas Craft & Gift Sale. Nothing says love like a homemade gift, and our variety of vendors will be able to help you find something for even the most difficult person to shop for. And don’t forget to come hungry too, since we’ll be offering delicacies for breakfast and lunch . . . As well as baked goods for your sweet tooth! Please spread the word to your friends, neighbors and co-workers and join us. Skip that overcrowded, overpriced mall and give the folks on your list a gift that was made with love. And a portion of the proceeds benefit the Renovation Fund. Spread the word and help us make this the one “must attend” craft fair of the holiday season!
Give Thanks to our God!
There is a familiar chorus we love to sing entitled “Give Thanks”, and on Thanksgiving Eve Leidy’s Church will be hosting a service of worship, where we can collectively give thanks to God for the many blessings in our lives. We all have a variety of reasons to give thanks as we reflect on the life God has given to us and all the provisions of life we enjoy, such as our families, our jobs, and our health and freedom to be sure. But the greatest thing God has blessed us with is salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life in Him.
You are invited to come and join us at this special service that will focus on honoring and giving thanks to our God! The worship service will begin at 7:00 PM with elements of Scripture readings, prayer, testimonies, and of course corporate singing as we lift our hearts to God with thanksgiving and joyous praise.
So, on this solemn occasion whereby we as a nation celebrate Thanksgiving Day, may we as the people of God come together with gratefulness in our hearts to worship the Lord God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
Advent Workshop
On Sunday, November 28th, all members and friends of Leidy’s Church are invited to our annual Advent Workshop, which is sponsored by the Ladies of Leidy’s group. This event is all-inclusive, meaning that all ages are encouraged to participate in assembling different holiday crafts, while enjoying the fellowship around the craft tables.
A display table of “sample” crafts will be set up in the narthex near the main entrance of the Fellowship Hall, where people can choose a craft, and then sign-up on the sheets conveniently placed alongside each of the craft items. We do ask that parents assist their young child(ren) in selecting the craft.
Even if you think you are not crafty, do not let that stop you from joining in this fun-filled family-oriented holiday event. In addition to the craft-making there will be food provided for all in attendance. A delicious selection of pizza, beverages, and homemade desserts will be available for everyone to enjoy. So, if you do not want to do a craft, you are welcome to come for the meal and the fellowship time. Who knows, you might even get a chance to help one of the children with their craft as well.
Consistory
On Wednesday, October 6th, the Consistory of Immanuel Leidy’s Church met, and minutes were taken during the meeting, from which salient notes are listed below.
Ron Moyer led devotions on the topic of evangelism. He shared that evangelism is important, declaring that we all need to do more in this area. A segment of the video entitled, “The Overcomer” was shown to emphasize how simple it is to share our faith in Jesus Christ with people of all ages and backgrounds. Ron summarized how this movie touched him by its real-life depiction of how we can reach our young people as we share the Gospel.
Minutes from the September 8, 2021 were reviewed and then approved by Consistory.
Ron Moyer presented the monthly financial report for September 2021, and reminded everyone to submit their 2022 budget requests. Ron advised that we be prudent with our finances in lieu of potential expenditures when we call and hire the next senior pastor. The revision for reporting HUB expenses as one category to simplify the monitoring of those expenses is being prepared by Dana Gehman. The financial report was approved by Consistory.
Discussion ensued about the wicking and steeple issues as Dave Reich explained that a letter from R.K. Associates was sent to Penn Builders, expressing the Consistory’s frustration over the lack of progress to remediate the water seepage issues. Penn Builders was notified that if the work is not completed by the end of October, Consistory will use the remaining funds owed to Penn Builders to hire other contractors to remedy these problems. Penn Builders responded by submitting a timeline to remediate the wicking and steeple issues by the end of the year. Consistory discussed and reviewed this plan, noting that it does not address classroom sections of the building where there is evidence of water penetration. The plan was also lacking in explaining the steeple repairs by not remediating the steeple flashing as earlier prescribed. The treatment of sealing interior walls would need to be postponed until the “Controlled” outreach is completed at the end of October. These adjustments will be shared with Penn Builders by R.K. Associates.
An update of HUB property deed separation was reported by Jim Kinney. Jim shared that dividing the lots would not be in compliance with township regulations because of the HUB being too close to the road and the lack of permeable surface area. However, we may possibly be “grandfathered” in because the same non-compliance existed prior to building the new church. Rich Kapusta and Jim Kinney plan to present the details to the Zoning Coordinator on October 13th. If a subsequent planning board approval is required, Rich agreed to represent and advise the church.
The HUB lease renewal was discussed and confirmed that a six-month lease agreement be made with the main tenant, Saleem Wright, at the rate of $3,750 a month, and to give him the responsibility to negotiate and collect the sub-tenant’s rent payments to submit to the church. Saleem indicated reluctance from certain sub-tenants to his proposed increase of rent, stating it as not affordable. Consistory discussed the price and decided to keep the rent at $3,750 a month to meet the operating costs of the building, so that we do not incur a monthly loss. There is another church congregation desiring to occupy the building under either a lease &/or purchase arrangement. Jim suggested that it is possible to work out an equitable arrangement with this other church that may include provisions for all of the tenants presently occupying the facility. Consistory agreed to have Jim start the process of planning to have the other congregation move into the HUB when the current six-month lease ends.
Kendell Musselman reported that he has contacted three different contractors about remediating the cracks in the church parking lot. He will give an update at our next Consistory meeting.
Pulpit Committee report to Consistory indicated that the senior pastor candidate, Tony Jones, is scheduled to preach a sample sermon on Sunday, October 17th. Immediately following the service, a congregational meeting will be convened for the purpose of voting to call Tony Jones to fill the senior pastor position at Leidy’s Church.
Church Officers for 2022 were presented to Consistory and were approved. Jeff Schatz will be President of Consistory; Peter Martindell as Vice-president; Shaun Permar as Secretary. The process of officer selection was discussed, with a recommendation to consider a constitutional revision of this process. A sub-committee from the Spiritual Council will be assigned to consider this and other constitutional revisions in 2022.
Both the dissolution of the Usher Captain Coordinator, Covid protocol, and church safety procedures were all discussed, and Consistory’s decision was there be no changes at this time.
Pastor Michael submitted a report, and he updated the progress on the installation of a new wireless system by the company called Team Logic. The hardware and installation are on track with the initial proposal approved by Consistory. Installation of this system by Team Logic is pending the new tech equipment arrival and the programming of the equipment purchased.
Pastor Michael reported on a recent court case, involving Classical Conversations (C.C.) homeschool as a “for-profit” organization, which has jeopardized the “non-profit” status of a church facility they were using in California. Since a Classical Conversation group meets in our church building, it was recommended that we find out this group’s tax status. Contacts with C.C. and Veritas homeschool groups will be done, and a report will be submitted to Consistory.
Pastor Steve submitted a report, and he updated the progress on the shepherding list and assignments being distributed to the shepherds of the congregation. Pastor Steve shared the need for more volunteers to help with the AV ministry. He also said that some of the small groups are receiving new Bible materials to study, and new members are being added to some of the groups. A couple groups that have not been meeting are planning to start up this fall.
Mission’s Committee report was submitted with a proposal to offer support to the relocation of Afghan refugees in our area by partnering with Bethany Christian Services. An elder of Consistory questioned this partnership, in lieu of us terminating our financial support of this organization, due to their recent position on adoption to same-sex couples. It was expressed that we are willing to support the Afghan refugee relocation program, but not through the Bethany Christian Services organization. The Mission and the Church and Community committees will meet again to discuss this development and will report back to Consistory.
Evangelism Committee is making plans to be involved in the “Controlled” Gospel drama.
The Care Committee shared that they are making plans for the Pastor’s Appreciation Luncheon on October 17th.
Other committee reports and items of business were discussed, but nothing noteworthy.
We concluded the meeting with intercessory prayer for certain requests and concerns and adjourned after praying together the Lord’s prayer at 10:50 PM.
New City
Question 13: Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?
Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed.
Romans 3:10-12: None is righteous, no, no one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.
Commentary – John Owen
As a traveler, in his way meeting with a violent storm of thunder and rain, immediately turns out of his way to some house or tree for his shelter; but yet this causeth him not to give over his journey; so soon as the storm is over he returns to his way and progress again. So it is with men in bondage to sin: the law meets with them in a storm of thunder and lightning from heaven, terrifies and hinders them in their way; this turns them for a season out of their course; they will run to prayer or amendment of life, for some shelter from the storm of wrath which is feared coming upon their consciences. But is their course stopped? Are their principles altered? Not at all; so soon as the storm is over . . . they return to their former course, in the service of sin again.
Never let us reckon that our work in contending against sn, in crucifying, mortifying, and subduing of it, is at an end. The place of its habitation is unsearchable; and when we may think that we have thoroughly won the field, there is still some reserve remaining that we saw not, that we knew not of. Many conquerors have been ruined by their carelessness after a victory; and many have been spiritually wounded after great successes against this enemy. . . . There is no way for us to pursue sin in its unsearchable habitation but by being endless in our pursuit.
Leo Schuster
God created us to love, enjoy, glorify and obey him, and in so doing, flourish as human beings. Why then do we struggle so much to do that? Like an incredibly sophisticated piece of machinery that’s broken, we don’t operate the way we were designed to because of the fall. What’s the fall? God created humans with the capacity to keep his law perfectly, but that was lost when the first human and representative of the human race, Adam, chose to rebel and disobey God. He fell into a condition of sin and dragged all of us with him. The Bible describes that condition in a variety of ways—spiritual rebellion, blindness, illness, bondage, and death.
How does it affect us today? As a result of the fall we’re not just spiritually impaired but incapacitated. We’re not just weak; we have no innate power to obey God’s law and glorify him. We’re estranged from our Creator, from one another, and from the rest of creation. In this spiritually disabled condition, we’re unable to obey God’s law not only in our actions and words, but even in our thoughts, attitudes, and motivations. As the prophet Jeremiah put it, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (17:19). And so we stand alienated and guilty before the holy God of heaven and earth.
That’s very discouraging, of course, to contemplate, but it’s not the end of the story; it’s just the beginning. It’s the bad news that stands at the backdrop for the spectacularly good news of the gospel, which brings life and hope. Though we’re unable to keep the law of God perfectly, there is One who kept the law perfectly for us. Jesus faithfully obeyed his Father, even to the point of death on the cross, so that we who trust alone in him might no longer live under the guilt, power, and bondage of sin but be set free. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). and though we fell in Adam, we have been raised with Christ. We’re confident that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is lovingly at work in us and won’t let us go until the day when he will bring us into his everlasting presence in glory where we will no longer struggle. There we will finally, fully, and freely obey the One who made us and redeemed us.