My oldest went away to summer camp this past summer. Mind you, this was his first time ever being away from home and family for longer than an overnight. But his best friend from school had asked if he would do it, and so he agreed that he would. My wife dropped him off, said her goodbyes, and came home. We got a note from him every single day stating the same thing: yes, camp is kind of fun, but I miss you guys so much and I’m very homesick. The poor kid survived the week, but he was very happy to come home.
The question I have for you, dear reader: Are you spiritually homesick? Paul describes this in Philippians as an “upward calling,” but let’s call it what it is. We were created to be with God. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, would literally walk with God in the cool of the day (Genesis 3). It’s how we were made. This hard-wiring isn’t gone: we can have some really great days here on earth, even some of the best days, but as the old phrase goes, all good things come to an end. No good thing or experience here on earth will last. Things break, feelings fade, people disappoint. And that’s not only external to ourselves, but also internal - how many of us really live up to the same expectations we put on others? Our hearts search for ultimate fulfillment, and consistently we find that we are left wanting. Moreover, in Ecclesiastes, the writer says that God “has set eternity in [man’s] heart.” We have a yearning for something that transcends, and no object, substance, person, or experience can satisfy that. We’re back at summer camp in our bunks, going to bed knowing that there’s something else we need and that the camp can’t provide.
Apart from Christ, we don’t understand this as homesickness, to be where God is. Because He created us, Jesus understands our confusion and gently lets us know that He is the desire of our hearts. He describes Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35), He describes Himself as Living Water (John 4, John 7), and whoever drinks of that water will never be thirsty. He tells His followers that He’s preparing a place for them. And in His greatest act of love, He died on our behalf to take the guilt and punishment we deserve. Jesus taught, lived, and died to demonstrate that the gift that God offers is the fulfillment that we so desperately seek. By placing our faith and trust in Him, we can know we are a part of His family. The feeling of unfulfillment transforms in us. We’re no longer aimlessly wandering looking for a purpose; instead, we’re at the train station anxiously waiting for our ride home!
Yes, the Bible describes what heaven will be like. Huge city, big walls made of precious stones, streets of gold (Revelation 21). But there’s a point that the Bible makes describing heaven in this way. It’s not to make us desire heaven because of the gold we will get; greed shouldn’t be our motivating factor to get into heaven. Instead, what I would ask is, how often do we pay attention to the bricks in our walls or stones in our roadways? The materials to make them are everyday and commonplace. They’re unimportant and irrelevant. Eternal communion with God will outshine and outdo any other desire that we might have, because it will fully satisfy all of our needs and desires. No wonder that there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow.
In closing, I want to direct your attention to Philippians 1:21-23. Paul wrote to his friends while imprisoned, saying: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” Paul was homesick. He knew that there was still important work to be done while here on earth, but he knew where home was. There’s a lot of work for us to do, and a lot of distractions to keep us from doing that work. Are you feeling homesick?
Tim Leidy
Ready for your next step? This class is for you! Join us to learn what we believe, who we are, where we're headed, and how you can get involved. Our Membership Class is the perfect place to start! This 4-week course is designed to help you get connected and explore the calling & benefits of church membership. Register on-line or email office@leidyschurch.org to sign up for the next class.
Calling all kids infants-senior high! Join us for a Rally Day breakfast with your class and teachers on Sunday September 7th starting at 8:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Classes will eat together giving them an opportunity to get to know their teachers and classmates while enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Chef Tony and his crew. Parents, please join your younger kids that may need help with their meal. You are also welcome to visit each child's table to meet their teachers and the other parents. We can't wait to see you all as we kick off a new Sunday School year!
Please join us for the Annual Pastors Masters Golf Tournament on Monday, September 22nd, with a 12:30PM shot gun start at the Indian Valley Country Club, 650 Bergey Rd., Telford. The tournament benefits Love Cradle International - a charitable organization that provides adoption services, humanitarian aid, and support for orphaned children in Eastern Europe and those placed in the U.S. Your support of this event will make all the difference in the lives of desperate children and displaced families, especially due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Cost is $210 and includes lunch, dinner and Mulligan Package. Visit our website to register ThePastorsMasters.com.
You're invited to join OASIS (Older Adults Sharing In Service, 55+) members & friends for our Fall Luncheon! It happens on Thursday, September 25 from 11:30-2pm. Come together with friends to enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter, fellowship, and mouthwatering dishes!
Soup will be provided - bring your favorite dessert sides to share. Hope to see you there! Email the office if you'd like to sign up.
On Thursday, the 18th of September, Mike Reichenbach will be the special speaker at the BMCE Business & Professional Breakfast. Meeting in the banquet facilities of the Franconia Heritage restaurant, the breakfast will begin at 6:30 and conclude by 8. A full breakfast buffet is on the agenda, so come hungry. Tickets cost $25 p/person and may be obtained from the church office, Jack Parry, or John Niederhaus. You should order your ticket no later than the 10th.
Mike spent six years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (1984-1989), then continued his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and then the San Francisco 49ers. Following his professional career Mike worked in the pharmaceutical packing printing industry for 25 years. He also pursued various ministries over the past 25 years, including Calvary Christian Academy, Calvary Chapel Philadelphia, FCA Sports Camps and Forever Mentored Discipleship Ministry.
Kids Quest Fall 2025 theme is Road Trip and is based on Joshua 1:9 "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Kids Quest will encourage kids to discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together. Have fun learning with engaging activities, interactive games and meaningful lessons, while growing in your understanding of God's love and promises for everyone.
Family Dinner - Join us for dinner! Kids Quest participants will be sitting with their assigned Table Parents in order to get to know their peers and build friendships. Parents and other siblings are encouraged to stay for dinner and meet other families!
*Grace Notes - Join our kid's choir before Kids Quest for singing, games and fun!
Register participants, youth volunteers, or Table Parent/General Volunteers all at one place!
Join us on Saturday, September 27th beginning at 8am for a delicious breakfast, meaningful conversation, and an encouraging message. Come enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship with others, and hear an inspiring message from Pastor Darren DePaul. Pastor Darren will be sharing his personal testimony—and how the story of Samson has helped shape his understanding of strength, failure, and redemption. You won’t want to miss this powerful morning together. We hope to see you there!
We are excited to see what the Lord has planned for us as we gather for the kick-off meeting of the year ahead (September-June). We welcome all ladies to join us Tuesday evening, September 2nd at 6:30pm in Room 123 for our monthly Ladies of Leidy’s (LOL) meeting. Together, we’ll start planning how we can serve our Lord, church family and community through LOL ministry. All ladies are welcome. Hope to see you on September 2nd! Feel free to contact BJ Kulp with any questions.
If your desire is to know how to study Scripture in a deeper way and be part of a strong fellowship, please join us on Thursday mornings beginning on September 11th at 9am with longtime leader, Marci Stunkard. We will be studying 1st Timothy, a book about doctrine, discipline and discernment that provides a Holy Spirit given guide to living life in the community of Jesus.
If you would like to know more about inductive study and what we’re about, we’d love for you to come out on Sunday evening , September 7th at 6:30 pm for a Back to Precept Intro-Info Nite, held in Fellowship Hall. Workbooks for 1 Timothy ($22) will be available. Contact Verna for information 215.237.1370
Come Taste an International Community! Friday & Saturday, Sept 19 & 20, 12 noon to 8 pm. The congregation of St. Philip Orthodox Church invites you to their annual International Food Festival. Featuring dishes from Ethiopia, Greece, Lebanon, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, & the USA ALSO: Church tours, Children’s Activities, Gift Bazaar, Live Music, Iconography Display Taste and see an international Orthodox Christian community!
A portion of proceeds to benefit local charitable agencies. St. Philip Church is located at 1970 Clearview Road, Souderton (but in Hilltown township), directly across the street from Solar Atmospheres. You’ll recognize the golden dome!
Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm by Josh Heebner, Consistory President.
Jim Kinney led devotions on Psalms 94. Jim noted Psalm 94 teaches us not to envy people who do wrong, even if they seem to succeed. Their success is temporary, and God sees everything—they won’t escape justice forever. God will hold them accountable. Instead of being jealous or disheartened about the careless ways of the wicked, we can trust that God is teaching and protecting those who follow Him. We need to live with integrity and let our strength and trust be in God.
May Minutes Discussion: It was asked to have more of a description if we are at a deficit for transparency’s sake.
May Minutes Motions for Approval: First: Francis Weiss; Second: Brian Shoemaker; Unanimously Carried
June Financial Discussions: Seminary fund discussion. General Fund a little lower giving each week. Dipped a little earlier this year than it seemed past years. While we appear to be lower than usual, we are within 1.2% of the proposed budget. More expenses this year…Darren just started little over a month and one year ago.
Treasures report
May Financial Report Motions for Approval
First- Jerry Kulp; Seconded- Francis Weiss; Unanimously Carried
Consistory Nominations: Shaun Permar and Kendall Musselman are going off as they completed two terms. Ken Merritt is going off at the end of his first term. Francis Weiss is rolling over for another term, that leaves three vacancies at the end of the year that will need to be filled. Names were submitted and removed as it has been historically done. Once a list was finalized, the names were pulled out of the bible. The order in which they were pulled will be how the men will be asked if they are willing to serve on Consistory.
Children’s Wing: Looking to spend money in the children's wing. $14,700 came in from the auction for the children ministry. 10k reno for children’s wing, 10k children’s ministry fund from auction. There will be a team from the church working together for this, and will come back to consistory with a plan before executing.
Mission House: There was discussion that the mission house needs the outside cleaned up. It’s an embarrassment and needs to be addressed. Get a maintenance plan from Weitzel Landscape to clean it up and then a quote to maintain it.
Inside the Mission House is pretty decent. Sweat equity from Ed Schmidt, Brian Shoemaker and Brian Radcliff is much appreciated. Garage is getting emptied out soon. Water softener needs replacing and Levi Slack is getting it taken care of.
Congregational Meeting July 13 meeting
Skipping July and August: Jim will still close the books each month and send it out for everyone.
Prayer requests were gathered, and the meeting closed with reciting the Lord’s prayer at 10:37pm.
The Judgment and the Grace of God
Question 10: Will God let man get by with such disobedience and defection?
Answer: Certainly not, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, both against our inborn sinfulness and our actual sins, and He will punish them according to His righteous judgment in time and in eternity, as He has declared: “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, and do them.”
Question 11: But is not God also merciful?
Answer: God is indeed merciful and gracious, but He is also righteous. It is His righteousness which requires that sin committed against the supreme majesty of God be punished with the supreme penalty, that is, eternal punishment of body and soul.
Sweatshirt of Hope is bringing our community together to understand the mental, physical and spiritual needs of those struggling. Featured Speakers at HOPE Festival 25: Irving Fryar, David Leonard, Jay Davids, Sean Rodriguez, Vane & Donna King, Laura Williams, Grace & Max, Freedom In Christ. Do Not Struggle In Silence: There is help and support – come and experience the joy in life! Those who have HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
Christians are invited to attend and participate, but they are not the target audience. We should attend and invite folk we know who might be struggling: the teen who is headed down the wrong track, the woman who is disillusioned with life, the couple who is struggling with marital difficulties.
Lots of volunteers are needed. Go to www.sweatshirtofhope.org and click on the volunteer tab and you’ll find plenty of volunteer opportunities. You’ll find lots of other information at that website as well, so check it out.
This event takes place right across from Jesse’s Barbeque on County Line Road. The dates are September 20 and 21.
Our sincere Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Lula Kershner at her death, and to Dean & Beth Kulp and family at the death of their son, Jeremy. May God be with these families at this difficult time.
Mark your calendars NOW for the Annual Christmas Craft & Gift Sale! This year on November 22nd from 9-2; our Fellowship Hall will be filled with all the sights and sounds of the holiday season! You will want to shop early for one of a kind gifts, or maybe something special for yourself! And if you are a crafter, home sales vendor, or have a mission group you want to support…see Donna Frueh for details on how you can be part of this epic event. It's never too soon to start spreading the word!
Birthdays
1 Gus Niederhaus
2 LeRoy Gehman
8 Ryan Fisher, Laurie Weiss
9 Anna Kulp, Gerald Moyer
17 Andrew Camuso
22 Dave Guntz, Patty Kendall, Morgan Slack
23 George Frueh, Drake Hager, Dave Walbrandt
27 Judy Ott, Elaine Greene
29 Bekah Kulp
Anniversaries
2 Don & Karen Haggerty
4 Earl & Rose Jaunzemis
5 Brent & Marjorie Talbot
7 Steve & Debbie Bandura
12 Arlin & Donna Moyer
14 Sherman & Karen Focht
18 Andrew & Carly Camuso
19 Gary & Karen Brown, Ken & Connie Merritt
27 Tony & Kelly Wilwert
28 Rod & Yvonne Shoemaker, Francis & Judi Weiss
29 Tim & Rachel Leidy
30 Dave & Allison Walbrandt
