Devotional Booklets

This year’s Lenten devotional guide is acollection of individual reflections written by church members on scripture passages chosen for each day in Lent. Copies are available in the Fellowship Hall lobby, outside the church office, in Loeffler Chapel, and on the members section of our website http://sites.google.com/site/swarthmorepres. (login required) You may have it emailed to you by making your request known to spcparish@swarthmorepres.org. There are also many books and devotional resources in the Study, the McQuade Library, (located just outside Loeffler Chapel) and the Children’s Library.

Ash Wednesday Worship
Wednesday, February 17
12:15 and 7:30 p.m. in Loeffler Chapel

A solemn observance of beginning of Lent through liturgy, prayer, music, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and the Imposition of Ashes.  The ashes are created by burning the palm leaves used in last year's Palm Sunday service.  Leadership is provided by our pastoral staff.

Theologian-in-Residence Jack Rogers       Jack Rogers (requires Adobe Acrobat)
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality

Saturday, February 20 & Suinday, February 21
see times and locations below

Former Moderator of the General Assembly and author of the book, Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the myths, Heal the Church argues that when we interpret the Bible through the lens of Jesus’ redemptive life and ministry, we see that the church is called to grant equal rights to all people. We invite you to hear from a scholar and theologian who has spent many years listening, reading, and thoughtfully examining this controversial topic, and openly shares his convictions and  the change of heart he experienced in reaching them.

Saturday, February 20

all events in Fellowship Hall

9:00  - "Learning from Luke 10, Matthew 19, and Acts 8"
11:00 - "7 Guidelines for Biblical Interpretation"
12:30 - Lunch suggested contribution $10.00; RSVP requested.
1:30 - "Stories from the Road; What I Have Learned from People Who Are LGBT"

Questions, RSVPs: please contact the church office at 610-543-4712 or spcparish@swarthmorepres.org

Sunday, February 21
9:00 a.m. education hour in Fellowship Hall
"Where the PC (U.S.A.) is on LGBT Equality"

10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
Guest preacher, Jack Rogers

For further background on Dr. Rogers & directions to the church please print the flyer.

Additional information and links to topical issues can be found at www.drjackrogers.com.

Our Theologian- in-Residence program is funded by the Mary Alicia and Seymour S. Preston, Jr. Memorial Fund.

Wednesday Morning Communion Services

Wednesdays, February 24 through March 24

in Loeffler Chapel

We gather each Wednesday in Lent for services of Word and Sacrament led by our pastoral staff.

Women’s Retreat
Saturday, March 6
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  in Fellowship Hall
"Praying Through Our Pens"    led by Rachel Hackenberg

So often we pray silently in our minds or aloud with our voices, yet "embodied prayers"  (walking labyrinths or knitting prayer shawls, for example) can help us to more meaningfully connect body, mind and spirit in prayer.

At this year's Women's Retreat, we will learn to embody our prayers through the movement of pen across paper. Participants will pray through their pens in words and images, guided with scriptural prompts to use their full senses and life experiences in the practice of written prayer. Participants will receive small booklets to take home from the retreat that will be helpful in establishing a practice of "praying through one's pen" for the remainder of Lent.

Cost: $10.00 per person (to cover honorarium and building costs)  Please bring something to share for breakfast or lunch.  Beverages are provided by SPC Presbyterian Women. The one constant in a long tradition of Saturday women's retreats is a smorgasboard of good food offered by participants!

Sponsored by SPC Presbyterian Women.

Benefit Concert: "King David" by Arthur Honegger

Sunday, March 14

4:00 p.m in Lang Hall, Swarthmore College
to benefit the Chester Children’s Chorus and the ABC Program

Suggested donation, $10.00

Under the direction of our Director of Music, Jeff DeVault, SPC's chancel choir, singers from Congregation Ohev Shalom, and soloists will present Arthur Honegger's "King David," a dramatic retelling of the biblical story of David from shepherd boy to mighty king.  Written originally as a staged play for which Honegger composed a score, the concert version will feature narration provided by Charlie Seymour, Jr. and vocal solos by Christine DeVault , Kerry Ann Erickson, and Brian Meneely.  Our orchestra will include members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.  Contributions will be divided to support two local organizations that have been important to our community and recipients of SPC outreach efforts for a number of years. 

Labyrinth Workshop
Saturday, March 20
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon beginning in the Study

Harriet Henderson will facilitate a session designed to acquaint newcomers with the ancient spiritual discipline of walking a labyrinth.  Harriet was instrumental in the planning and design of the SPC labyrinth which is located adjacent to the Memorial Garden.  Participants will have a chance to walk the labyrinth following the information session in the Study.  Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate attire are strongly recommended.

Lenten Chorales by J. S. Bach
Sunday, March 21
10:15 Worship in the sanctuary

We honor the occasion of the 325th anniversary of J. S. Bach's birthday with a special presentation of the Lenten Chorales from Bach's Orgelbuchlein.  Guest organist Michael Stairs will be at the console; Jeff DeVault will direct.

HOLY WEEK

Palm/Passion Sunday, March 28

Palms are distributed in church school classes and at both the 8:00 and 10:15 worship services.  The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is received and dedicated in worship this morning. This offering provides emergency aid to refugees and victims of disasters, supports community self-help programs, and funds hunger programs. Most recently OGHS was the immediate source of over $200,000 in emergency aid provided to Haiti through PDA.  This year’s theme is “Feed My Sheep.” One Great Hour of Sharing calendars and coin banks (for children) will be distributed in church school classes and are also available outside the church office.  Offering envelopes are available in the pews. Background and information is also available on the PCUSA website at pcusa.org/OGHS.

Holy Week Morning Communion Services
Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2
9:30 a.m. in Loeffler Chapel

Services of Word and Sacrament are held each morning in Loeffler Chapel at 9:30. Worship leaders vary daily and include a number of clergy who are active in the life of our church.  Elders assist with the serving of communion.  

Maundy Thursday, April 1
6:30 p.m.  Pot-luck dinner in Fellowship Hall
7:45 p.m.  Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in Fellowship Hall
8:00 p.m.  Tenebrae Service in the Sanctuary

Silently we process to the sanctuary to share in darkness the words and music of the Passion.
Childcare for children 8 and under during the Tenebrae Service is available by request.  Please contact Children's Ministry coordinator, Nikki DeVault at spcchildren@swarthmorepres.org and let her know the names and ages of children that will be attending.

Good Friday, April 2
12:00 noon  Community Worship
at Wallingford Presbyterian Church
Brookhaven and Avondale Rds.

Easter Sunday, April 4
Sunrise Garden Service
7:00 a.m. in the McCabe Garden

A joyful early morning celebration held in the McCabe Garden, adjacent to the Memorial Garden.  Light breakfast fare will be offered in the Fellowship Hall lobby at 8:00.

Traditional Easter Worship
9:00 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Please bring a flower for the cross!  Our Easter cross is fashioned from the Chrismon tree, stripped bare for Lent and decorated with fresh signs of new life on Easter morning.  Musical traditions include the sounds of a brass ensemble welcoming us to worship and the singing of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" in response to the Benediction.   There is festive fellowship during the coffee hour held in Fellowship Hall between the two services.