There’s a general rule in society not to ask people their age. I’ve always found this silly, because it’s not like it's something we could change if we wanted. Time marches in one direction. That said, it’s probably because there’s a degree of self-confidence tied to it. Maybe it’s because the further we get from that prime age of 18-25, the more we start to notice aches and pains. I went to the chiropractor the other day because I had some neck pain that wouldn’t go away. 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have even given it a second thought. Maybe it’s because the further we get from 18-25, the more self-conscious we get about weight gain, wrinkles, and gray hair. Sitting behind a desk most days, I lead a sedentary lifestyle. I realize I'm not as trim and muscular as I once was. But definitely the difficulty I find now is certainly tied to Newton’s First Law of Motion - I’m an object at rest, and I’m tending to stay at rest. It’s tough to just get up and get into motion!
What I hope is not the case (but if we’re honest, it probably is at least somewhat the case) is that one of the reasons we might be offended by the age question is that of regret. We’ve all heard the phrase, that youth is wasted on the young. And obviously there’s truth in that: when you’re young, you have no real responsibilities, no money, but lots of time. But as you get older, you have tons of responsibilities, no time… and still no money. (Just kidding, hopefully we are able to save, but it always seems that there's more bills and taxes out there for us...) And I know I’m not the only one, but I often catch myself daydreaming about what I could have done differently (shouldn’t have said that thing to a friend, should definitely have traveled more or invested in Apple, Google, or Bitcoin).
No matter your stage in life, there’s some encouragements I want to give, but admittedly this will probably be slanted for my more seasoned readers.
1) Don’t just live a regret-free life, but live a righteous life. In Proverbs 16:31, it says “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” While we know that stress and other external factors can cause one to have gray hair, the writer of this proverb wrote this with something more specific in mind. When we live an upright life, one that pleases the Lord and seeks to follow and love Him and love our neighbors, statistically speaking you’ll make it to old age. You worry less about getting killed or killing yourself doing something foolish (drugs, alcohol) or getting eaten up by guilt (stealing, cheating your way through work or life, greed and jealousy, etc). Your worries are less about the implications of sin, but rather about your family, your church and community, and performing your work for the Lord (Col 3:23-24). But especially in a life that embraces Christ and His saving work for us, we can be free from regret and guilt of the past as we press on toward the prize (our heavenward calling). In other words, if you’ve sought to live a righteous life, embrace the gray!
2) Wisdom comes with age. Again from Proverbs, this time from 20:29 - “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” I mentioned it earlier, about appearance. There’s a lot of pressure on young people to look good or be strong; after all, it’s the first impression you have when dating but also the first impression for jobs! But what are we supposed to make of the comment around gray hair? What splendor is in that? Well building off point #1, when living a life well-lived, you gain experience and wisdom. You know how to avoid the pitfalls in life (and may have the proverbial or even literal scars to prove it!). Like a crown on your head, let your senior appearance be a sign of your wealth of knowledge. And most importantly: be generous in helping and teaching those who are younger. You can spare us from making mistakes and help us to succeed faster!
3) Walk with God, as He continues to walk with you. Flip with me over to Isaiah 46:3-4. “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” Yes, this is a promise to the people of Israel, but this is also a promise to all of God’s people. God has not only sustained you since before you were born, but will help you and walk with you throughout your life. He has made you for tremendous purpose (to glorify Him and to have fellowship with Him), and He will carry and will save. Yes, old age brings challenges. Vision, hearing, strength and mental acuity decline. There’s mobility difficulties. But rest in the assurance that God sees you. He sees your difficulties in life. And He will save. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the church for help! It’s what family is there for. And for those of us younger people who haven’t gotten there yet: look for opportunities to help our more senior family. If you can help lift burdens, do it!
I guess if I had to sum it all up, don’t be embarrassed about age. It’s something that we all will face. And as you get older, ignore the haters. God has blessed you with the gray.
Tim Leidy
On the evening of February 18th, Leidy’s Church will have a 6:00 pm worship service, which will include the Lord’s Supper. Ash Wednesday typically begins the Lenten season, roughly six weeks before Easter Sunday. It is a time of contemplation of the days leading up to the Lord Jesus’ Passion in preparation of His historic bodily resurrection from the dead. Lent is for Christians a time to pray, fast and exercise abstinence from routine activities of life to give time for acts of charity. We encourage you to attend this special service of worship.
Core Seminars focus on the foundational truths of the Christian faith through teaching and discussion. Each Seminar connects Biblical truth to practical real-life application. Here is the run down for the month:
February 1: Embracing a Spirit of Reconciliation: Personal conflict is a consequence of living in a fallen world. So, it should not surprise us when it occurs in our relationships. But, how can it be dealt with Biblically and in a God-honoring way? In this brief teaching and discussion, we hope to provide Biblical knowledge and wisdom to navigate this difficult part of life.
February 8: Ten Rules for Resolving Conflict (Part 1). We will begin digging into Ephesians 4:25-32, where the Apostle Paul explains how a spirit of reconciliation applies to the conflicts you find yourself in.
February 15: Ten Rules for Resolving Conflict (Part 2). We will continue to learn and discuss how the spirit of reconciliation, which God demonstrated in the Gospel, can be demonstrated through your life. That may sound too optimistic but remember that the Gospel provides both an example for you and the promise of life-changing power in you.
February 22: Ten Rules for Resolving Conflict (Part 3). In the final week of our brief series on resolving conflict, we will learn, wrestle with, and discuss the most important and most difficult rule for resolving conflict – offering forgiveness.
Yep! It is time to start thinking about the annual church auction. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25th to come out and enjoy a night of fun, food and fellowship while maybe being the top bidder for a specialty dinner, a homemade pie, a vacation opportunity, sports memorabilia, or other such delightful item.
Also, it is never too early to think about what items you want to donate!
More information will be in coming in the future, or you can call the office with questions.
Spring 2026 Semester: February 25-April 8
Theme: Illumination Station
5:00-5:45 Grace Notes*
5:45pm Family Dinner
6:15-8pm KIDS QUEST
Kids Quest Spring 2026 theme is Illumination Station: Shining a Light on Who Jesus Really Is. Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12. We'll explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, to discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Make new friends and 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!
Our sincere Christian sympathy to Jane Leidy and family at the death of her husband, T. Dale. May God be with them at this time.
Congratulations to Steven & Katie Tyson at the birth of a daughter, Millicent Ruth. May God be with them as they grow in Him.
Ladies of Leidy’s
Join us on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30pm in Rm. 123, for our monthly meeting where we take time in prayer and seek ways to help our church family and local community by blessing them through Rummage, Advent Workshop, baking, giving gifts, and other activities. We will be planning our March PotLuck Dinner! Questions? Feel free to contact BJ Kulp. All women are welcome - Bring a friend! Please enter through the West Entrance.
When Seasons Change
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.
Pizza & Bowling
When: February 15
Time: 11:45pm
Where: Pizza Box & Earl Bowl
Join us at the Pizza Box for lunch immediately following the Worship Service. After lunch we'll head across the street for bowling. We hope to see you there!
The Pizza Box is located at 402 Morwood Road, across the street from Earl Bowl. Reach out to Justin Coale at 215-589-8173 or call the office at 215-723-8707 for more info!
Call to Order
Josh Heebner called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Absent: Brian Shoemaker, Francis Weiss.
Devotion
Jim Foote opened with a devotion focused on the “breath of God.” He reflected on online commentary surrounding a Steven Curtis Chapman concert and noted how self-proclaimed beliefs often center on self rather than truth. Jim referenced Genesis 1–2, Job (Elihu), Ezekiel 37:5, and the New Testament account of Jesus breathing on the disciples. He emphasized that life comes from God, that His breath gives life, and that all Scripture is God-breathed and given for our good.
Approval of Minutes
December 10, 2025 Meeting Motion to approve the minutes was made by Brandon Kehs and seconded by Mark Kostishion. Approved.
Treasurer’s Report
December giving exceeded expectations. Annual budget: $858,000; giving exceeded budget by $85,000.Expenses exceeded projections:
• Payroll: $13,000 over
• Multimedia: $40,000 over (½ reimbursed)
• Electric: $14,000 over
• Snow removal: $7,300 over total expenses were $60,000 over budget.
Net surplus of $25,000 due to increased giving. Planned deficit was $70,000; year-end deficit closed at $43,000. Josh Heebner and Jim Kinney will prepare a motion for the next meeting regarding the use of undesignated funds. Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Jerry Kulp and seconded by Brian Radcliff. Approved.
General Discussion
2026 Congregational Meeting Outline:
• Josh Heebner will highlight 2025 improvements, membership statistics, baptisms, and births.
• Brian Shoemaker and Vangie will provide an update from the Missions Committee.
• Brian Radcliff and Mark Kostishion will discuss property needs.
• Darren DePaul will present Auxano updates and future needs.
• All consistory members will be introduced to encourage congregational connection and team involvement.
HUB/Old Church Property Discussion
Josh Heebner reported ongoing discussions regarding the HUB/Old Church property. Subdivision work is in progress pending zoning approval, with an estimated cost of $20,000. Options discussed included:
• Selling the property
• Demolishing the old church building
• Retaining the land for use as a field or park and renovating the mission house
Josh will present options at the congregational meeting; no vote will be requested.
2026 Auction
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026. Leadership team: Darren DePaul, Dave Doran, Jim Kinney, Tony Kapusta. Fund designation: Parsonage
Closing Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer were led by Jim Foote.
God the Son (continued)
Question 41: Why was He “buried”?
Answer: To confirm the fact that He was really dead.
Question 42: Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die?
Answer: Our death is not a payment for our sins, but only a dying to sin and an entering into eternal life.
Question 43: What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?
Answer: That by His power our old self is crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil passions of our mortal bodies may reign in us no more, but that we may offer ourselves to Him as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Question 44: Why is there added: “He descended into hell”?
Answer: That in my severest tribulations, I may be assured that Christ my Lord has redeemed me from the anguish and torment of hell, by the unspeakable anguish, pains, and terrors which He suffered in His soul, both on the cross and before.
Question 45: What benefit do we receive from “the resurrection” of Christ?
Answer: First, by His resurrection He has overcome death that He might make us share in the righteousness which He has obtained for us through His death. Second, we too are now raised by His power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.
Question 46: How do you understand the words: “He ascended into heaven”?
Answer: That Christ was taken up from the earth into heaven before the eyes of His disciples and remains there on our behalf until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.
Question 47: Then, is not Christ with us unto the end of the world, as He has promised us?
Answer: Christ is true man and true God. As a man He is no longer on earth, but in His divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit, He is never absent from us.
Question 48: But are not the two natures in Christ separated from each other in this way, if the humanity is not wherever the divinity is?
Answer: Not at all; for since divinity is incomprehensible and everywhere present, it must follow that the divinity is indeed beyond the bounds of the humanity which it has assumed, and is nonetheless ever in that humanity as well, and remains personally united to it.
Question 49: What benefit do we receive from Christ’s ascension into heaven?
Answer: First, that He is our Advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven. Second, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, as the Head, will also take us, His members, up to Himself. Third, that He sends us His Spirit as a counter pledge by whose power we seek what is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God, and not things that are on earth.
1 Chloe Olszyk, Marje Talbot
2 Jerry Kulp
3 Carly Camuso, Andrew Leidy
4 Cheyenne Kehs
6 Shaun Permar, Sr.
7 Jim Foote, Delton Plank, Miriam Weigner, Herb Wolgemuth
13 Jack Parry
15 Pearl Walter
16 Ed Hall
17 Reagan Wetzel
18 Shawnee Kehs, Lorraine Shoemaker
19 Jenny DePaul, John Leidy
20 Owen Permar
21 Dylan Camuso, Corbin Hostelley, Shannon Kehs
22 Tom Kraus
22 Emma Ward
24 Ted Brunner, Jane Leidy
26 Mabel Eisenhauer
27 Sherry Moyer, Levi Smith
28 Robert Frank
1 Byron & Dottie Rimmer
3 Stan & Joan Radcliff
15 Peter & Bonnie Smith
16 Harvey & Lorraine Shoemaker
26 Phil & Renee Shafer
