Each year, as long as I can remember, every summer had a memory of my family going to the beaches in New Jersey. When you’re young, you’re obviously not the one driving the car. You rely on your parents or relatives to do that. But the older you get, the more you begin to notice the landmarks along the way: one of the big bridges in Philly (traffic-dependent which one you’d take, of course), the huge sign for the AC Expressway and Garden State Parkway… And eventually you’d see the signs for the beach. Now that I’m older, and especially as I have kids of my own… I’m the one jamming in all the luggage and doing all the driving. I don’t have to guess the way to go by recognizing landmarks – I know the way to go because I’ve been shown the way.
The book of Deuteronomy is Moses' final exhortation to the people of Israel who are about to cross into the Promised Land. Moses, due to his own sin of disobeying God, would see the land but was not permitted to cross into it. In large part, the other law book Leviticus was delivered to the generation prior that likewise failed to obey God, so Moses wanted to take the opportunity to reiterate the blessings and cursings that come from respective obedience or disobedience of God's law.
Turn with me to Deuteronomy 6, starting in verse 1. Moses is presenting "the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you." God has given Moses everything that He wants His people to obey, and God wants Moses to teach them and show them what He wants for them. Moses continues by saying the reason he is doing this is so that "you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged."
Does Moses mean by this that only the boys and men are supposed to follow this? No. The point behind this is to let us know that there is an intergenerational responsibility. Grandparents taught the parents to follow God, the parents and grandparents teach the children... There's a command to show the way to live to the next generations. And this is accompanied by a promise: that your days will be prolonged and that things will go well. Does that mean that nothing bad will happen if you follow God? Likewise, the answer is no. Trials and tribulations are still going to come (James 1), and we shouldn’t be surprised by that. However, when we approach these biblically-minded, it changes how we handle them. We can trust in God's faithfulness, we can trust that He will provide.
I think I may have said it before, but the weird and interesting thing about parenting is that you raise your children to no longer need you. The point of being a teacher is to prepare the student for the next stage of life. Kindergarten teachers prepare children for first grade, high school teachers prepare young adults for college, college or technical schooling prepares you for the work world. The expectation for being a part of the people of God is no different. We are called to teach these commands, not only through Moses in Deuteronomy, but also by Jesus Himself in the Great Commission (Matthew 28). And the best way to teach is by showing it in ourselves, our actions, and in our lives.
As each of us journeys through this life, remember that it's easy to become aimless or to not necessarily know the way. But be encouraged by the words Moses has taught and the commandments of God's that he showed to us: "Observe all these statutes, fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the Lord our God, just as he commanded us." We're shown the way. It's up to us to follow it.
Tim Leidy
Guest Speaker: Dave Armstrong
Date: May 2 - Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Fellowship Hall
Dave Armstrong is the Northeast Regional Director of Man in the Mirror. In his role, Dave helps men to step up into godly manhood and churches to develop effective discipleship ministries to men.
His involvement in men’s discipleship is not the result of his successes as a man, but rather the result of his failures. He is the undeserving recipient of God’s grace and forgiveness who today enjoys a renewed walk with God that he is passionate to pass along to other men.
Dave will share some of his testimony along with a challenge to become men of God from 1 Timothy 6:11-12. Discipleship changes everything!
Join us for a delicious breakfast, meaningful conversation, and an encouraging message. You won’t want to miss this powerful morning together. We hope to see you there!
The week of May 10th 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 13th and 14th, 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 $3, 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.
The Spring BMCE Business & Professional Breakfast takes place Thursday, May 21st at 6:30. Kathy Piepmeyer, the afternoon voice on radio station WBYN 107.5 Alive is the special speaker. Born and raised in New England, Kathy was drawn to PA in 1994. A widow, she lives in Boyertown with her youngest daughter, Sara, and enjoys being close to 3 of 5 daughters and 6 of 7 grandchildren. Meeting people, hearing their stories, and sharing words of encouragement in faith tops the list of her favorite things, which carries over into her workplace and over the airwaves. Kathy will share stories from her journey of following God’s call and overcoming personal challenges to arrive as the afternoon host at WBYN 107.5 Alive. Tickets are 25 p/person and may be obtained from the church office or from Jack Parry or John Niederhaus.
In 2022, Life Turning Point in Philadelphia, a residency program for single mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness, was added to the Missions roster of Leidy's Church. This completely privately funded home builds a structured schedule of work, continuing education, Bible study, personal economics classes, parenting development, and private tutoring (as needed) for each mother during her residency at Life Turning Point. The rigors of the program are intended to help build positive habits and encourage responsibility structure through Biblical teaching and mentorship.
When mothers graduate the program, Life Turning Point helps them get set up with their own private housing through city programs for people transitioning out of homelessness. The availability of housing through these programs is incredibly limited and difficult to secure.
In 2022, Leidy's Church began work on a defunct single family home on the campus of Life Turning Point. Over the course of 4 years, thanks to work teams from Leidy's Church led by Brian Radcliff and Sherman Focht and the generous dedication of Rich Kapusta, this building (registered with the Historical Commission) is now able to be transformed into two apartment units intended for the use of LTP graduates.
Together with churches across Life Turning Point's support network, Leidy's Church will be honoring the future of women graduating from LTP through the Carriage House project this Mothers Day. On Sunday, May 10, a special offering will be collected for the Carriage House project. Please consider if you'd like to mark Mother's Day in 2026 with a gift to support this effort. Specially marked envelopes for your gift will be available at the Missions Month table or from the church office.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and your prayerful support of the women of Life Turning Point.
Our sincere Christian sympathy to Karen Brown and family at the death of her husband, Gary. May God be with these families at this time.
Please join us for our May Ladies of Leidy’s meeting, Tuesday, May 5th, at 6:30pm in Rm. 123. All ladies welcome. We look forward to seeing you.
A fellowship ministry for widows to connect and be encouraged. We meet in one another’s homes on the third Tuesday evening of the month at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join us, please contact Donna at weissdonna42@gmail.com or Verna at gvbowman@comcast.net.
In Their Shoes with Michael Sander is a free brunch event to catch up with Michael Sander, serving with Comfort for Africa. On Saturday, 5/30/2026, join us to hear about the work Michael and his wife Cathy have been doing in Eswatini within the deaf community there. Michael is taking on an additional role as a regional director with Perspectives, an organization that promotes and educates about the global framework of both the church and missions. Michael and Cathy Sander began training for their work in Eswatini after attending a Perspectives course that was held here at Leidy’s Church in 2018. Following Michael’s presentation, there will be an awards ceremony to celebrate the people who logged the most miles during the In Their Shoes challenge that launched on April 26th.
All ages are welcome and we encourage signing up to let us know you plan to attend. Food will be served beginning at 10:30am; we hope to see
you there!
Absent: Jim Foote, Jim Kulp, Dave Doran
Meeting was called to order by Josh Heebner,
Tony Kapusta led a brief devotion on his time at the 36 hours of prayer.
Approval of Minutes
A motion to approve the March meeting minutes was made by Jerry Kulp and seconded by Mark Kostishion. With no further discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.
Financial Report
A motion to approve the financial report was made by Brian Shoemaker and seconded by Jerry Kulp. With no further discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.
Old Church Property (276 W. Cherry Lane)
- Discussion held regarding next steps for the property.
- One motion will be brought to the congregation.
- Discussion included how to balance matters concerning the mission house.
Congregational Communication & Timeline
- Announcement: April 12
- Informational Meetings: April 21 and April 28
- Congregational Vote: May 3 (regarding sale of the old church property)
Staffing
- Discussion about the need for additional pastoral support.
- Consideration for an administrative role (Wednesday–Friday coverage).
Executive Pastor Role
- Discussed hiring an Executive Pastor to support Darren in both pastoral and financial responsibilities.
Closing
Meeting was closed in prayer by Tony Kapusta.
Submitted- Tony Kapusta Consistory Secretary
& Parsonage Dedication
Join us on the parsonage lawn by the pond on May 31 at 10:00AM for an outdoor Sunday worship service and the dedication of the newly renovated Parsonage. Enjoy a meaningful time of worship, great food, and a joyful celebration together—it’s a day you won’t want to miss!
Question 59: But how does it help you now that you believe all this?
Answer: That I am righteous in Christ before God, and an heir of eternal life.
Question 60: How are you righteous before God?
Answer: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. In spite of the fact that my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God, and have not kept any one of them, and that I am still inclined to all that is evil, nevertheless, God, without any merit of my own, out of pure grace, grants me the benefits of the perfect satisfaction of Christ, imputing to me His righteousness and holiness as if I had never committed a single sin or had ever been sinful, having fulfilled myself all the obedience which Christ has carried out for me, if only I accept such favor with a trusting heart.
Question 61: Why do you say that you are righteous by faith alone?
Answer: Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God, and I can accept it and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone.
Question 62: But why cannot our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?
Answer: Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment of God, must be absolutely perfect, and completely in conformity with the divine Law. But even our best works in this life, are all imperfect and defiled with sin.
Question 63:Will our good works merit nothing, even when it is God’s purpose to reward them in this life, and in the future life as well?
Answer: This reward is not given because of merit, but out of grace.
Question 64: But does not this teaching make people careless and sinful?
Answer: No, for it is impossible for those who are ingrafted into Christ by true faith not to bring forth the fruit of gratitude.
Primary Election
Tuesday, May 19th, is the date for Primary Elections in PA this year. Leidy’s Church serves as a polling place for two precincts. Both precincts vote in the Fellowship Hall, so it will not be available for our use on that day or from mid-afternoon the day before.
If you would like information on the candidates, a good site to visit is www.pafamily.org. They will have info regarding where the candidates stand on particular issues and questions you might want to ask some local candidates as well.
If you want only information on who’s on the respective ballots, a good site to visit is www.ballotpedia.org. Just enter your address and follow the links as they come up. It will show both the Democratic and Republican ballots or only the party you’re registered in if you prefer that.
Get some exercise on May 19th by exercising your right to vote.
Applications are now being taken for this year’s craft show to be held Saturday, November 21, 2026! Why not use the summer to make things to sell! You could earn some extra cash for Christmas, or donate your proceeds to a charity. (Members who are donating their profits are exempt from our table fee!) Perhaps your small group or Sunday School class would like to raise some money for their favorite missionary. Contracts are available in the church office or contact Donna Frueh for more info!
3 Bob Ott
4 Alex Hager, Janelle Rittenhouse
8 Olivia Vogelzang
9 Chandler Camuso, Ashley Merritt
10 Alicia Niederhaus
11 Brian Shoemaker
12 Jenny Ernst, Aiden Kehs, Ken Ritter
13 Judah Kehs
14 Mabel Neal, Donna Weiss
17 Stan Radcliff
18 Jim Kulp, Janice Kulp
21 Steve Paine
23 Bailey Kinney, Nora Kowalski
25 Shaun Permar
27 Donna Frueh
29 Anna Heebner, Linda Stretch
30 Adine Doran, Skip Smith
2 Mike & Shannon Kehs
4 Joe & Karen Sciacca
6 Ron & Diane Miller
7 Gus & Sunhwa Niederhaus
11 Charlie & Carol Kretschmer
15 Tom & Susan Merritt
16 Jerry & BJ Kulp
18 LeRoy & Diane Gehman
19 Mike & Deb Hughes,
Dave & Marcy Kirkpatrick
20 Levi & Morgan Slack
21 Jim & Janice Kulp
25 Dave & Vicki Freed
26 Jim & Ginna Foote
30 Aaron & Alisha Vogelzang
30 Anthony & Ruthie Reinford
