If you live in 2026, there is no escaping social media. If you're familiar with social media, you're constantly seeing your network of people. You're seeing friends living their best lives: going on amazing vacations, getting the next promotion at work, buying the really cool gadget or moving to the bigger and better house. And we can be happy for our friends and family, especially when the good things in the picture are the fruit of hard work or overcoming adversity. And yet.... Social media can be a snare if we're not careful.
The trap is not a new one, of course - people have bragged about their lives and their things since the beginning of time, which in turn has made the observer feel worse about themselves. But with the advent of social media and content feeds, we're receiving this in a concentrated form. All you ever see is the good. And in those rare instances where you see the bad going on in someone's life, often it can be presented out of the same motivation. That "look-at-me" attitude in many instances is because we all crave attention. We all want to be seen and heard.
In Genesis 16, Sarai's servant Hagar is fleeing the harsh treatment of her mistress. Admittedly it's a weird situation - Sarai and her husband Abram have fertility issues. In spite of God's insistence that she would have a child, Sarai didn't listen to God. Sarai instead decides to take matters into her own hands, by seeing if her husband Abram can produce an heir through a surrogate mother, her servant Hagar. And even when Sarai gets what she wanted - her husband gets Hagar pregnant - she realizes it's not actually what she wanted. Her servant Hagar starts to treat her with contempt. In response, Sarai then is abusive toward Hagar, so she runs away. While in the wilderness, the pregnant Hagar is found near a spring of water by an angel, who asks where she's going. Hagar responds that she's fleeing, to which the angel says not only to return, but says she will be blessed: that her offspring will be numerous. It's here in quick succession that we find two names that describe the Lord.
The first name is the name she gives to her boy - Ishmael (derived from shama meaning "hears" + El meaning "God"). Isn't it interesting that it wasn't Hagar who picked the name, but rather God (through the angel)? Names in the Bible typically held much greater meaning than names often do now. Just as your name follows you for your whole life, names in the Bible would carry the weight of a prophetic word or perhaps help to guide the way of the child through life. In this case, it certainly seems like God wanted Abram and Sarai to know something about God in this mixed-up surrogacy circumstance. Until the birth of Isaac, Ishmael would spend fourteen years growing up in Abram's (Abraham's) household. Perhaps this was a subtle way for God to remind Abram that in spite of their best efforts to conceal or hide their sins, God hears them. And further, even though she was an Egyptian, it was certainly a reminder to Hagar that God cares for and hears those who cry out to Him for help.
But also note the second name for God in the text. In verse 13, Hagar also called the name of the Lord "The God who sees", (El Roi). Even in her loneliness and most vulnerable - a pregnant woman alone in the wilderness - Hagar recognized that God looks after her. In her desperate state, Hagar correctly identifies God as One who sees and hears. And in the same way that we are in a helpless state with our sin, we know that God saw us and heard us. He knew our condition and pitied us. El Roi has done what is necessary to save us: He took on human form, living a perfect life to take on the guilt we deserve and the punishment intended for us. El Roi conquered death in the glorious and victorious resurrection.
We all feel a deep need to be seen and heard. Perhaps this is why people post pictures and sound off on social media (often way too much, with way too much detail...) And somewhat ironically, in this age of digital interconnectedness, people are reporting higher rates of loneliness, anxiety and depression. Maybe it's partly because we are missing out on actual, meaningful, in-person interaction with people and pretending that sending a few-sentence message is a sufficient substitute. Or maybe it's because we're so inundated with what other people are doing and saying, we feel inadequate because we're missing out on what others are experiencing.
What I want to remind you, my friend, is that there is a God who hears (El Shama) and a God who sees (El Roi). God wants you to talk to Him. God wants you to tell Him about your day, about the things in your life, your worries and concerns. God loves to hear from His children. And He sees what you're going through, and what kind of days you have. There's days where we had the best day, doing the most intensely wonderful things with friends or family. But there are also days where we feel overwhelmed with loneliness, with sorrow, with jealousy, with stress or with frustration. But don't let those thoughts be your only ones, and do not let that be the place where you dwell. Maybe take a break from posting it on social media this time, and instead turn to your Father. Never forget that there is a God who hears and who sees. And He cares for you.
Tim Leidy
July 15, 11:30am - 2:00pm
Itching for a picnic but don't like ants? You're invited to join OASIS (Older Adults Sharing In Service, 55+) members & friends, in the Fellowship Hall for an indoor picnic!
Join us for food, fellowship and community. Bring a picnic themed side dish to share. Hope to see you there! Sign up is on the narthex wall, or you can email the church office.
Join us for a Mid-Year Congregational Meeting & Luncheon on Sunday, July 19th at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall, a time to fellowship, enjoy a meal together, and engage in important church business. The meeting will take place immediately after the Worship Service.
We invite all members and regular attenders to participate in this event!
There will be NO childcare for this meeting.
Saturday, July 18, 6:30 PM
Get ready for a summer evening full of fun, food, and friends!
We’re kicking things off by meeting at Leidy's Church for leisurely walk to the Downtown Scoop for some sweet, cool treats. Afterward, we’ll swing by the Chestnut Street playground for some kid-approved playtime before looping back to Leidy’s.
It’s the perfect night out to connect with other young families and couples—casual, fun, and full of smiles!
Don’t miss it!
July 27-31, 2026
Program 6:00 - 8:00pm
Family Dinner at 5:15
Join us for an Irish Adventure through Psalm 23: In a world full of worry, kids will discover that God cares for them. At Emerald Crossing VBS, they’ll explore Ireland, learn about David the shepherd-king, and see how Psalm 23 leads them from worry to peace, fear to faith, and uncertainty to a firm foundation in God’s Word. Get your passport ready and join the adventure! For kids who have completed grades K - 5!
Get ready for VBS!
We hope you can join us!
An invitation to dig deep in the Word of God every Thursday morning in the book of Colossians & Philemon - “Gaining a True Knowledge of Christ So No One Deludes You.”
Please join us beginning on Thursday, September 10th from 9-11:30. During this time we have prayer and worship, teaching by long-time leader Marci Stunkard, class discussion and video teaching. Workbook cost is $25. Please contact Verna at gvbowman@comcast.net.
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.
The Red Cross Mobile Blood Unit will be at Leidy’s Church on Tuesday, August 11th to receive blood donations from 2 to 7 pm. There are two ways you can register as a donor. First, you can sign up for an appointment by going directly to the Red Cross website, which is www.redcrossblood.org and click on “Find a Blood Drive” and then go to the box type listed as leidyschurch. (no spaces or apostrophe). When you click on that link, you will see the times available to schedule your appointment.
The second way to sign up is by calling the church office or signing up in the narthex before or after the worship service on Sunday mornings. Also, there are options of blood donation one can choose, from the normal red plasma to donating blood platelets. The amount of time may vary depending on the procedure, but the average completion time is between one and one-half to two and one-half hours.
We want to thank everyone who sign up to donate blood at the summer blood drive.
Consistory President Josh Heebner opened the meeting with brief remarks regarding the purpose of the vote and expressed his hope that everyone would conduct themselves respectfully throughout the process. Josh Heebner asked for members to raise their hands and 118 were counted in the sanctuary alone. It was then declared that a quorum had been met in accordance with the church constitution and bylaws.
Jerry Kulp made the following motion: "I move that the congregation authorize the Consistory of Immanuel Leidy’s Church to proceed with the listing and sale of the old church building, upon such terms and conditions as the Consistory deems appropriate and in the best interest of the church." Josh Heebner called for a second to the motion. Jim Kulp seconded the motion. The floor was then opened for discussion.
During the discussion:
• One member stated that a school had at one time been the vision for the property, as expressed by her late husband.
• Another member asked whether there was a minimum monetary threshold below which the Consistory would not consider selling the property.
• Another member commented on the building’s significance to Montgomery County and expressed concern about how a sale might be perceived by the community.
After the discussion was concluded and no further comments were offered, ballots were distributed and collected. The ballots were counted by Consistory members at the communion table in full view of the congregation. A second count was conducted to verify the results.
The motion passed by a vote of 75 in favor and 66 opposed, thereby granting the Consistory the authority to proceed in accordance with the motion. Josh Heebner thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting.
Several members have asked about the quorum announced at our recent Congregational Meeting. A quorum is the minimum number of members who must be present in order to conduct official church business. According to our Constitution, a quorum is 25% of the congregation’s membership.
At the recent congregational meeting, church members counted 118 members present in the sanctuary. Since 68 people were needed to meet the quorum requirement, a quorum was achieved. When the Consistory President announced the number 118, it was simply to confirm that enough members were present for the meeting to proceed. It was not a vote count. Most congregational decisions require a simple majority vote to pass. Constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority vote.
We hope this explanation is helpful.
Question 69: How does baptism remind and assure you that the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross avails for you?
Answer: In this way: Christ has instituted this external washing with water and by it has promised that I am as certainly washed with His blood and Spirit from the uncleanness of my soul and from all my sins, as I am washed externally with water which is used to remove the dirt from my body.
Question 70: What does it mean to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
Answer: It means to have the forgiveness of sins from God, through grace, for the sake of Christ’s blood which He shed for us in His sacrifice on the cross, and also to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and sanctified as members of Christ, so that we may more and more die to sin and live in a consecrated and blameless way.
Question 71: Where has Christ promised that we are as certainly washed with His blood and Spirit as with the water of baptism?
Answer: In the institution of baptism which runs thus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” “He who believes and is baptized will be saved: but he who does not believe will be condemned.” This promise is also repeated where the Scriptures call baptism “the water of rebirth” and the washing away of sins.
Question 72: Does merely the outward washing with water itself wash away sins?
Answer: No; for only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.
Question 73: Then why does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
Answer: God does not speak in this way except for a strong reason. Not only does He teach us by baptism that just as the dirt of the body is taken away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Christ; but more important still, by the divine pledge and sign He wishes to assure us that we are just as truly washed from our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water.
Question 74: Are infants also to be baptized?
Answer: Yes, because they, as well as their parents, are included in the covenant and belong to the people of God. Since both redemption from sin through the blood of Christ and the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit are promised to these children no less than to their parents, infants are also by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, to be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Covenant by circumcision. In the New Covenant baptism has been instituted to take its place.
Sunday School will look a little different in July.
Kids - There will be NO Sunday School during this month. Your dedicated
teachers are taking some time off to join the Core Seminar. In place of
Sunday School we'll be having a time of church wide (kids included) fellowship.
Adults - Join us for CORE SEMINAR in the Fellowship Hall.
Friends Class & Women's Ministry will continue to meet in July!
Childcare will be available during the 10:00AM Church Service.
We hope to see you there!
Our sincere Christian sympathy to Beth Kulp and family at the death of her mother Shirley Kulp, and to Lori Maxwell and family at the death of her father Ken Bishop. May God be with these families at this time.
Congratulations to Ben & Brittany Mellinger at the dedication of their daughter, Mallory. May God be with them as they grow in Him.
7 Rose Jaunzemis
8 Ellen Pavie, Elein Yagilnicky
9 Baird Thompson
10 Margaret Bivighouse, Tosha Kogel,
Brooks Vogelzang
11 Sandy Nase, Karen Sciacca
12 Joan Thomas
14 Navi Hager
17 Frank Bivighouse
18 Judi Weiss
20 Karl Floczak, Adam Foote
22 Barbara DiLucia, Susan Leidy-Slack
25 Alice Kraus
27 Connor Fisher
28 Paul Kulp, Fern Vasey
29 Michael Mirabella
31 Brett Hager, Melody Smith
2 Jake & Hannah Niederhaus
5 Pete & Kate Massey
7 Terry & Darlene Leidy, Skip & Donna Smith
10 Josh & Laura Heebner
11 Rich & Jane Saurman
24 Steve & Sue Landis
1 Helen Roberson
2 Rob Massey
3 Oliver Olsyzk
4 Elaine Frank, Jane Saurman, Donna Smith
5 Diane Weber
6 Karen Brown
7 Ginna Foote, Cindy Schilling
11 Laurie Pappas
12 Kathy Moyer, Susan Merritt
13 Tom Leidy
14 Stewart Kendall, Suren Pakhtigian
15 Frank Allebach, Wanda Brunner,
Liberty McClaskey, Bonnie Smith
19 Oskar Huber
22 Zigrida Gift, Tim Leidy
23 Bob Shafer
29 James VanDerbeek
30 Deb Hughes
3 John & Ellen Pavie
6 Karl & Jenny Ernst, Gerald & Sherry Moyer
9 Frank & Phyllis Allebach
11 Darren & Jenny DePaul
18 Shaun & Meghann Permar
29 Delton & Laurie Plank
