I hate waiting. I’m usually the guy who is standing there, impatiently shifting his weight from one foot to the other, anxiously checking his phone for the time, and just counting down the minutes until… well, just about anything. Could be in line for a roller coaster, could be waiting for a meeting to start, could be waiting for my kids to finish cleaning a room or eating dinner… Doesn’t matter, I hate to wait! And I know this is something that hasn’t changed from childhood, and I know that I’m not alone in thinking or behaving this way… But it’s still really hard to be patient sometimes.
I think that a big portion of our current cultural troubles are derived from impatience. $1.03 trillion dollars of credit card debt is current accumulated by Americans, who got burned buying the things of now with the dollars of the future. Can’t afford it? Finance it! To quote financial advisor Dave Ramsey, “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.” The United States has now exceeded $33 trillion dollars of national debt—instead of controlling how we spend money, we just mint more of it. Marriage nowadays is delayed, but only because young couples move in and play house with their boyfriend or girlfriend, enjoying certain benefits of marriage without any of the responsibility or commitment. The list goes on.
Social pressures plus my own temptation to be impatient have caused me recently to take a step back and remind myself of God’s word on these matters. The Bible speaks a lot about patience but also about just plain old waiting on the Lord:
· Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him… (Psalm 37:7)
· He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city (Proverbs 16:32)
· Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31)
· The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:24)
· Love is patient (1 Cor 13:4)
· But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23)
· Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction (2 Tim 4:2)
Remember also the many stories in the Bible about folks that had to wait. Abraham was one hundred years old (that’s almost as old as our good friend Stan Friday!) when Isaac was born, Joseph spent about 13 years in slavery and prison before becoming second to Pharaoh, the Israelites were to wander for 40 years before entering the Promised Land, Judah was in Babylonian captivity for 70 years before returning, about 400 years elapsed between the Old and New Testament. Needless to say, we’re not the first people who have had to wait!
We are beginning the search for new pastors, we are two weeks into starting Sunday School, and we’re looking to begin a lot of new initiatives, ministries, and programs. We are opening the book of Leidy’s Church to new and unwritten chapters. And of course, we long for the coming of Jesus and be united with Him. All of that makes us excited and hopeful, but also anxious and impatient. Why can’t we just skip ahead? Why can’t God just give us the things we want now? What we have to understand is that God’s timeline for His people is a lot different than that of us humans. We see time in a linear manner and experience time sequentially, like beads on a string. We are so used to living in four dimensions, that to live and perceive anything other than that is very difficult. It’s hard to grasp how God is outside of time and space, and sees the time before the created universe the same as time when the sun goes dim (and maybe supernova). What is important is that God has a better view of things than we do, and a better understanding on how to get us there.
Waiting isn’t a bad thing. It’s something we’re called to do, and demonstrate as a fruit of God’s presence in our lives. We might feel anxious and impatient in the present, and it really is hard sometimes. But we’re just like lumps of coal underground: God is subjecting us to heat, pressure and time not to overburden and discourage us, but to craft us and turn us into diamonds. As it says in Psalm 27:14, Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. He knows what He’s doing.
Tim Leidy
World Communion Sunday began as World-Wide Communion Sunday at Shadyside Presbyterian Church In Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1933. The Rev. Hugh Thompson Kerr and his congregation sought to demonstrate the Interconnectedness of Christian Churches, regardless of denomination. Rev. Kerr appropriately chose the Sacrament of Holy Communion to symbolize this unity. October 1st is World Communion Sunday, so we will be sharing the Lord's Supper together and with believers across the world.
This is also our Sunday in the Shade Service of Worship which will take place on the hill between the parsonage and the barn. Please bring a lawn chair. Not only will we be sharing the Lord's Supper together, we will also be sharing a meal and fellowship after the service of worship. There will be hayrides, a Corn Hole Tournament, crafts, a Fishing Derby, Bounce House and Root Beer Floats. Parking will be in the fields or in the lower church parking lots and walk across between the parsonage and the ponds. If you need to be dropped off closer, head up the driveway to the parsonage , but and do so carefully.
In the event of rain, we will be in the Fellowship Hall and gym. There is no Sunday School that morning.
10am - Sunday in the Shade Service of Worship & Communion on the Parsonage Hill
11:45am - Church Wide Lunch
12:45pm - Hayrides, Bounce House, Kids Games, Fishing Derby and Crafts will be starting
1:30pm - Corn Hole Tournament Begins
2:18pm - Josh Heebner and Jim Kinney lose to Ben and Evan Divens in the Finals of the Corn Hole Tournament
Our sincere Christian sympathy to Elaine Greene at the death of her husband John, and to Kathy Moyer, Ed & Cheryl Hall, and Ken & Wendy Murphy at the death of Ron. May God be with these families at this time.
Samaritan’s Purse has a well-deserved reputation for doing the work of a good Samaritan in places of dire need all around the world. One part of that earned street cred comes from the Operation Christmas Child project. You can be part of that project this year.
The Mission Committee has assembled shoe boxes which are available in the narthex and other public areas of the church. The boxes are empty. The task of those who pick up a box (or two!) is to fill it. But don’t fill it with just anything. Inside each box is information explaining how to fill it, including what to include and what not to include. Read it!!! Again this year there is a tag you can put on “your box” which if you scan it into your phone, you can track your box’s destination!
Boxes are to be labelled for “boy” or “girl.” Also, each box is to be labelled for 2-4 years old or 5-9 years old or 10-14 years old. If you don’t read the instructions [and follow them!], you won’t be able to label your box properly.
Over the years we’ve received feedback from missionaries we support or who’ve stayed in the Mission House about the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. In each instance, the report is glowing with praise and appreciation. The kids are ecstatic, and the families are blessed. That’s true whether you’re talking about Ontario or Romania or Ukraine or Venezuela or Uzbekistan or Kenya or wherever. It’s an effective means of sharing goods and the Good News at the same time. Both are much needed.
All boxes are due back to the church by November 6th. Thanks for participating in the 2023 Operation Christmas Child project.
Please join us Tuesday evening, October 3rd at 7 pm in Room 123 for our monthly Ladies of Leidy’s meeting. Come out to hear guest speaker and Leidy’s friend, Nate Sims, talk about evangelism and discipleship. What does personal evangelism look like? What kind of practical ways can we employ to engage others in conversations of faith? Let’s learn more together! All ladies welcome. See you on October 3rd. Feel free to contact Karen Mirabella with any questions.
The week of October 8th is when our Gym will be transformed with all the donated items we have received, and our community is invited to shop for their family wardrobes, linens, jewelry, books, toys, household items, and much more!
The Big R actually takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, the 11th and 12th , but much work is done before then as well. Here’s when workers are needed:
- On Monday & Tuesday from 9am to 8pm items are unpacked and arranged.
- On Wednesday (9am to 8pm) we need friendly workers to bag items, serve as cashiers, and straighten items as many shoppers come to make their purchases.
- On Thursday (9am to 6pm) we need the same sorts of workers as Wednesday, plus more! It’s the sales day featuring bags of goods for only $2, quite an attractive deal.
- On Thursday at 6pm we need willing hands and strong backs to transform our facilities back for ministry before Sunday.
Mary Beth Musselman has a schedule she needs to fill, so be sure to speak with her if you can be plugged in at any time to help.
The funds raised at the Big R are disbursed where needed at Leidy’s Church and in our community by Ladies of Leidy’s. It’s a big undertaking, and with your help we can make it another great event.
Everyone seems to realize we need revival in our land. What would that look like? What should one expect? Are there steps we should take to help initiate revival?
Those are all good questions and they will be addressed at the Revive Us, O Lord conference taking place in Quakertown November 10-11. Held at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Quakertown, there are two sessions on Friday evening and a morning and afternoon schedule for Saturday. Sponsored by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, cost for the conference is $45 per person, or $35 per person for groups of five or more who register together. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Desk and at the church office.
Here is the line-up of presentations:
Friday evening: Way Am I So Dry? Remember Jesus Christ
Saturday morning: The Mechanics of Personal Revival, The Work of the Holy Spirit in Revival
Saturday afternoon: Reviving the Church, Wake Up! Restoring Sobriety in an Age of Drunkenness
John Niederhaus is looking for at least four folk who will join him in attending this conference so that he can get the reduced registration rate! Let him know if you’re interested.
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. A lot more fun than shopping online by yourself, grab a friend and get in the Christmas Spirit! Give the folks on your list a gift that was made with love! Plus 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!
Saturday, October 14th, will see another team of workers heading down to Wayne Avenue in Philadelphia to work on the Carriage House. That’s an outbuilding at the Life Turning Point Philly facility. We’re working to turn it into a two-apartment transition dwelling for women who graduate from the Life Turning Point program.
Recently, Sherman Focht was seen running around the narthex waving a Newsletter and saying, “This is what it’s all about!” It was the most recent newsletter from Life Turning Point. It told the story of Khaderah. A recent graduate of the Life Turning Point program, while she was doing it she became an Elementary School Teacher. She graduated from Life Turning Point on August 14th of this year. She went from a homeless, on-the-street, single mom, to a school teacher able to rent a two bedroom apartment for herself and her son. What a transformation! That’s what Sherman was so excited about. As we support Life Turning Point, that’s the sort of fruit we bear.
When finished, the Carriage House will enable graduates to rent one of those apartments as their first-time home until they are able to get a more permanent place of their own. It is part of the transformation of a homeless woman/mom into a woman with a vibrant faith, a learned disciplined structure of living, a clear vocational goal, and a fruitful-productive member of church and society. Pretty good, eh!
If you’d like to take advantage of an opportunity to turn lives around, then pick up a hammer or shovel of some other tool, and join the crew going down to Life Turning Point Philly on Saturday, Oct. 14th, to continue work on the Carriage House. Contact Brian Radcliff or Sherman Focht for more precise details.
Somehow, the word “thanks” does not seem to adequately express appreciation for the great send-off I received from the Leidy’s Church family on the occasion of my retirement. Going way back to late January when I declared my intent to turn over my duties in the church office in mid-May, our church family has expressed in so many words their love. Leading up to the end of August, when I actually did step aside, I received lovely cards and notes, even from friends who no longer attend Leidy’s Church.
And then there was the luncheon on September 17th. Teams of people cooked, prepared, decorated, and made it happen. There was a bit of the history of my time served shared by Pastor Niederhaus, who gave me the opportunity as a mom with three kids at home to replace Jackie Landis in the office. She had been there 16 years, and I thought that was forever! Then there was the presentation of a lovely illuminated Scripture verse from Ladies of Leidy’s that was created by Patricia Niederhaus, followed by fun gifts from Dorothy and Mary Beth (who love the Lord, and our Leidy’s Church family, and are the best office co-workers EVER!). There were also more cards and gifts from the church family. All this to say, I wish I could have addressed all of you attending that morning to say “thanks”, but emotions got the best of me…..I was overwhelmed by your love, and I am still a bit speechless, which is an unusual thing for me!
So, thank you, church family. You are all very special to me, and I look forward to more time serving the Lord alongside of you as we use our God-given gifts wherever He leads us.
Hugs! – Denise K
Present: Brian Shoemaker, Jerry Kulp, Shaun Permar, Francis Weiss, Bob Ott, Aaron Vogelzang, Jim Kinney, Tim Leidy, Ken Merritt, Tony Kapusta, Josh Heebner Absent: Kendall Musselman
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM. News was shared about the passing of Ron Moyer. There was a time of quiet reflection upon Ron’s life and expressions of thankfulness that he is in the arms of his Savior and with his brother. Francis opened with prayer.
Minutes from the Consistory Meeting of August 23rd were reviewed. On motion of Josh Heebner, seconded by Bob Ott, the Minutes were approved.
August giving was below what was forecasted, but our expense forecast was lower too. Last month we made the final insurance payments for the former pastors. The General Fund balance is just south of -$8,600. It was noted that we are through the months that traditionally have lower offering (summer months), so hopefully this fall will be the start a good strong finish to the year.
The Christian Education Team is planning for Rally Day, Faith and Fellowship, and Kid’s Quest. They are also in the preliminary stages of organizing a Bible Study option for Adult Sunday school.
The Property Team conducted a walkthrough of the recently vacated parsonage and they assessed that it’s clean, but dated. Rich Kapusta, Jerry Kulp, and Brian Radcliff will compile a list of recommended updates and present them to Consistory for consideration. Additional updates will need to be made to the apartment prior to it being occupied by Phil Shade’s new Sr. Pastor.
The Missions team met and is currently working on their 2024 budget, which they were advised to keep “flat.”
The AV Team continues to seek out and consult with professionals in an attempt to increase the effectiveness of our AV equipment.
The Food /Kitchen Team has planned the menu for Sunday in Shade and are currently planning food preparations for Wednesday nights.
The Communications Team continues to monitor and access the new website and will plan to help church members who aren’t technology savvy download the Church Center App.
A Draft Ministry Team document, outlining each team’s mission and responsibilities, was distributed for review prior to the next Consistory meeting. At that time, “gaps” will be identified and solutions to the “gaps” will be shared in an attempt to finalize the document. Preliminary planning was done for a future sign up day where congregants can sign up for various ministry teams.
Plans were made for the September 10th Congregational meeting and the September 23rd Pulpit Committee Selection meeting.
Two highly qualified office manager applicants were discussed. Both were interviewed and found to be highly qualified. Consistory approved offering the job to one of the individuals.
John Rittenhouse and Justine Smith continue to work together as the interim praise and worship leaders while we actively seek a paid staff member to fulfil the position. The job has been posted in several places.
Different groups are working to plan Sunday in the Shade on October 1st and Denise Kulp’s retirement luncheon on September 17th.
Shaun closed the meeting in prayer.
Question 34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to god; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
1 Peter 2:9-12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are Gods people; once you had not received mercy, but ow you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Commentary - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
So, then, dear friends, these good works must be in the Christian. They are not the root, but the fruit of his salvation. They are not the way of the believer’s salvation; they are his walk in the way of salvation. Where there is healthy life in a tree, the tree will bear fruit according to its kind; so, if God has made our nature good, the fruit will be good. But if the fruit be evil, it is because the tree is what it always was—an evil tree. The desire of men created anew in Christ is to be rid of every sin. We do sin, but we do not love sin. Sin gets power over us sometimes to our sorrow, but it is a kind of death to us to feel that we have gone into sin; yet it shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under the law, but under grace; and therefore we shall conquer it, and get the victory.42
Ligon Duncan
If salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—if we are saved and forgiven and accepted based not on our good works, not on our deserving, but on what Jesus has done for us—is there still a place for good works and obedience in the Christian life? The Bible gives an emphatic answer: yes. First, there’s a place for good works because, in salvation, we’re saved not only from the penalty of sin, but also the power of sin. In salvation, through the work of Jesus Christ, we not only find forgiveness, but we also find transformation. We are made new creations in Jesus Christ. He liberates us from the dominion of sin in our life. And so, salvation by grace does not mean that change or growth is unnecessary in the Christian life. It means that change and growth are now possible by God through his Holy Spirit working in us.
So what is the role of obedience to God’s Word, of God’s law in the Christian life? Gratitude, assurance, and witness. In the Christian life all of our obedience is an act of gratitude to God for the grace that he has shown us in Jesus Christ. Remember what Paul says in Ephesians 2: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (vv. 8–10). Now, did you hear what Paul said there? He didn’t say that we were saved by good works. In fact, he explicitly excluded that. But he did say that we were saved to good works, for good works. So the role of works in the Christian life is not to save us. It’s not to get God to love us. It’s to express our gratitude to God for the prior love that he’s shown us in Jesus Christ and for the salvation that he’s freely given us in Jesus Christ. And so all of our obedience to God’s Word in the Christian life is an act of gratitude. Second, good works done in faith also serve to assure us. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul explains that he knows that they are the chosen of God (1 Thess. 1:3–5). Now that’s a striking thing to say. How would you know people are chosen of God? In verse 3, Paul speaks of the Thessalonians’ works of faith, their labor of love, and their patience of hope. He’s essentially saying, “I see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, and that lets me know that you are the children of God.” And then he explains how that serves their own assurance (v. 5). We are given assurance in the Christian life when we see God at work in us to change us, and that’s expressed in our obeying God’s commands. A third way that the law works in the Christian life and that good works and obedience work in the Christian life, is in the area of witness. When we obey the Word of God, when we do good works, we glorify our heavenly Father. And those who see us are given reason to glorify our heavenly Father. Peter explains that when he says that he wants us to live godly lives quietly before the world so that the world will look at us and glorify our loving heavenly Father who saved us by grace (1 Pet. 2:12).
So, though we’re saved by grace, we’re saved to a life of joyful good works and obedience. Not to get God to love us, but because God does love us, and we want to be like his Son, who said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” (John 4:34).
1 Marge VanOmmeren
2 John DiLenge, Jim Eakins
3 Laura Heebner, Kendall Musselman, John Niederhaus
6 Andrew Heebner, Isla Iannotti, Kelly Wilwert
7 Mike Hughes
8 Dean Kulp, Eden Vogelzang
10 Josh Heebner
11 Sandy Cressman, Jeff Maxwell, Jethro Smith
12 Bonnie Doran, Earl Jaunzemis, Dolores Reed, Byron Rimmer
13 Tom Merritt, Rachel Tyson
14 Justin Coale, Renee Keeth, Rachel Leidy
15 David Freed
16 Lucas VanDerbeek, Jeremy Smith, Megan Walbrandt
17 Tara DiLenge, John Kroesser, Sallybeth McClaskey, Darlene Schmidt
18 Steve Landis
19 Abigail Hall, Terry Leidy, Hannah Niederhaus
20 Bob Bugge, LaRue Friday, Ron Miller, Bill Weigner
27 Phyllis Allebach, Mary Leidy
28 Mary Hoyt, Brian Lafty, Luke Reich
29 Helen Hahn, Kevin Kleiner
3 Brody & Renee Keeth
4 David & Beth Guntz
5 Irv & Denise Kulp
6 Bill & Miriam Weigner
7 Jim & Lori Pluda
8 Doug & Caren Elliott, Jim & Angela Kinney
9 Brian & Gina Shoemaker
10 Jeremy & Justine Smith
11 Ed & Darlene Schmidt
12 Bob & Val Hager
13 Brian & Wendy Radcliff
14 Michael & Karen Mirabella
