Children's Cantata 2012: Just Run!
Rehearsals begin Sunday, January 8
9:00 a.m. in the Hearth Room
They sing, they dance, they do so wearing pajamas and they are clearly having a great time sharing God’s love with all who will listen! Led by the creative, clever, and caring Ray Thompson this energetic group of musicians is gearing up for the big event of the spring season: a staged cantata that will be presented in worship on Christian Family Sunday, May 13. This year's choice: "Just Run" by Jaff Sandstrom. Rehearsals begin January 8, and continue every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. until May.
All children ages 4 through 5th grade that enjoy music are welcome. Children will be given scores and coached in some basic music-reading skills and expected to listen to the CD as much as possible, because by May it all needs to be memorized. There will be lots of help along the way and lots of room for creativity; participants even help to choreograph movement that helps reinforce the words they are singing. Join the group in the Hearth Room at 9:00 Sunday mornings.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Contributions benefit Chester Eastside Ministries
Sunday, February 5 following worship services
SPC youth invite members and friends to help fight hunger right here in Delaware County. On Souper (Super) Bowl Sunday, February 5 (also Youth Sunday), they will be standing by the sanctuary doors, outside Loeffler Chapel and in our new Outreach Center (Fellowship Hall Lobby) after both worship services with soup pots to collect donations. There will also be bins in which you may donate non-perishable food. Like our week-in, week out contributions, these donations will go to Chester Eastside Ministries. The need for food is great in the winter months, when high heating bills mean less money available for food. Many will celebrate Super Bowl Sunday later this afternoon with parties and food; let us celebrate this morning by helping friends right down the road who have a hard time putting food on their own tables.
Youth Sunday!!
Worship led by High School Youth
Sunday, February 5 10:15am in the Sanctuary
Come and see what God has done! High School Youth Group members plan and lead every aspect of worship this morning. Seniors preach, the Youth Choir sings, others lead us in prayer, serve as liturgists, and more. There will be both joyful noise and times of silence. Be here!
Film Fridays
Fridays, February 3,10, and 24
7:30 p.m. in the Study
PW Film Fridays are back! Our three films of choice this year are:
February 3: Strangers in Good Company. This laconically paced film follows a group of elderly women after they become stranded in the Canadian wilderness. Using non-actors and a mostly improvised script, director Cynthia Scott creates a touching homage to the lives of women often overlooked in every culture. Awards: Favorite Canadian film at Toronto Film Festival 1990.
February 10: Higher Ground. First-time director Vera Farmiga creates a compelling chronicle of a woman’s life-long struggle with her faith. This film was given 3.5 stars from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Carrie Rickey and often mentioned as the most overlooked film of 2011.
February 24: Household Saints. This ’90s film garnered three Independent Spirit nominations (one win for best supporting actress). Described by IMDB as an unsettling drama about three generations of women struggling to get by in post WWII New York’s Little Italy, it is also this year’s offering as our quirkiest film.
Films will be shown in the Study starting at 7:30 and ending when discussion ends. Hot spiced cider will be provided; feel free to bring additional snacks (and a bit to share.) Guests welcomed and encouraged.
Ash Wednesday Worship
Wednesday, February 22
12:15 and 7:00 pm in Loeffler Chapel
On Ash Wednesday we enter the season of Lent. It is a time of repentance and renewal, and we begin with the words of the psalmist, “Create in me, O God, a clean heart.” The outward sign of our intent to come clean with God is the imposition of ashes, an ancient ceremony in which ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful with the words from Genesis, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are created by burning the palm leaves used in last year's Palm Sunday service. The musical response, which we will sing in Sunday morning worship as well, is one from the Taizé, “Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Leadership is provided by our pastoral staff. Child care is available by request; please contact Ashley Kuly at 610.543.4712 or spcchildren@swarthmorepres.org by Sunday, February 19 with the names and ages of children so that we can plan staffing and space.
Lenten Devotional Booklets
Daily Reflections Authored by Members & Friends
Over 40 SPC members and friends have each signed on to write personal reflections on one of the lectionary passages for one of the days in our 40 days+ Sundays’ journey to the cross. The result will be a booklet of writings that walks alongside each of us, helping even the busiest non-church days to include a little time for prayer and praise. Booklets will be available outside the church office, in Loeffler Chapel, in Fellowship Hall lobby, and on the church website beginning Sunday, February 19. You may also (or instead) choose to receive each day’s writing by email: simply email the church office at spcparish@swarthmorepres.org advising that you would like to be on the Lenten Devotional email distribution list.
PW Lenten Retreat: Well Behaved Women (and Jesus) Rarely Make History
Saturday, February 25 8:45 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Registration in Fellowship Hall Sundays, February 12 & 19
SPC’s chapter of Presbyterian Women sponsors a Saturday retreat right here in Fellowship Hall. Bring your sister, your mother, or a friend. Or come by yourself and discover a new circle of friends. It will be a place for coming together in a supportive and joyful celebration of ourselves and each other.
Rev. Dr. Debra L. Sutton, a family therapist at Building Bridges: A Center for Healing and Wholeness, Media PA, will explore how we are often called into opportunities that challenge ourselves, our faith, our use of voice, etc. by looking at some of Jesus' "less behaved" moments (turning the tables in the Temple, dining with women and tax collectors, etc.). Debra enjoys facilitating events that connect people and Spirit. Ordained in the American Baptist Churches/USA, Debra previously served as an interim associate pastor at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and Director of Adult Education for the ABC/USA.
Program fee: $12.00 per person. Scholarships are available. Registration: Sundays, February 12 and 19 in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour or through the church office (610.543.4712 or spcparish@swarthmorepres.org).
Refreshment: potluck breakfast and lunch; please bring a dish to share.
PW will provide beverages and table service.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Special Offering Supports Hunger, Disaster Relief, and More
Calendar Encourages Daily Prayer and Thoughtful Giving
This annual offering, received on Palm Sunday, supports three pillars of Presbyterian outreach: the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. There will be colorful flyers with more information on each in upcoming Sunday worship bulletins, and it is all online at OGHS.
But the tool that is useful throughout the season is the Lenten calendar that invites a moment of reflection and thoughtful giving each day. Families have used this in a variety of ways at family meals — for prayer, to grow their offering one day at a time, or simply as a disciplined daily reminder throughout the 40 days of Lent to be mindful of the needs of others. Calendars are available on a table in the Outreach Center (Fellowship Hall lobby) and outside the church office.
Stewardship of Energy and Environment