Memorial Services

› Memorial Reception

You are invited to have your memorial reception in Fellowship Hall after the service. Although families are responsible for providing food with help from friends or a caterer, hospitality is provided by SPC’s “Marthas,” volunteers from our church family who will help you with the reception. They were named in honor of Jesus’ friend Martha, who showed him warm hospitality.

We know that the reception becomes an important part of the mourning process and often turns into a meaningful reunion of family members and friends. The Marthas set up before the reception, arrange the buffet tables for food and beverages, serve during the event, and clean up afterward. They also provide hot and cold beverages, including coffee and tea, lemonade, cider or iced tea, and water. The church provides linens, paper napkins, candles, silver service, punch bowls, service plates, and cups and saucers.

After consulting with the church office (610-543-4712) or one of the pastors to arrange for the memorial service and deciding to have a reception in Fellowship Hall, the pastor will contact a Martha to work directly with you on the arrangements.

› Memorial Garden

Our Memorial Garden was created for rest, meditation, prayer, and the interment of cremated remains of active and former members and clergy who have been active in our congregation. This beautiful spot is located next to the church and adjacent to the Church Garden and is designed as a special resting place for the mortal remains of those whose spirit has been received into God’s eternal care. We hope that our Memorial Garden provides comfort to the bereaved by keeping the memory of loved ones alive in the place where they worshipped God and experienced the joy of shared life in the community of faith.

› Interment & Markers

Remains may be poured or scattered in the Memorial Garden or interred in a biodegradable container. Although interment locations may be chosen by the family, they will not be recorded or marked.

In keeping with the spirit of the Memorial Garden, all markers will be brass plaques of the same design, placed on the memorial wall of names. Each marker will include name and years of birth and death. No titles will be included. SPC will arrange for opening the interment site as well as ordering and installing the marker.

For additional information, please contact the church’s business office at 610-543-4712, which is responsible for processing applications and fees.

Regulations for the Administration of the Memorial Garden

Memorial Garden Rules and Application

For additional information, please contact the church’s business office at 610-543-4712, which is responsible for processing applications and fees.

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Week-at-a-Glance

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April 20, 2024

  • April 20, 20242:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Memorial Service (Sanctuary)

    A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the life of Charles Edward Gilbert.
    Guests are invited to a reception in Fellowship Hall following the service.

  • April 20, 20243:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    Memorial Reception (Fellowship Hall)

    Guests attending the memorial service for Chuck Gilbert are invited to greet the family, share remembrances, and enjoy some refreshments at a reception in Fellowship Hall.

April 21, 2024

  • April 21, 20248:00 am - 9:00 am

    Early Worship (Loeffler Chapel)

    This 45-minute service allows worshippers to engage with scripture through guided discussion in lieu of a sermon. Communion is served on the 1st Sunday of each month.

  • April 21, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • April 21, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Lord's Day Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    SPC's Lord’s Day services embody a classic reformed worship tradition. The Word is proclaimed through liturgy, song, and preaching. Scriptures are generally read by lay liturgists. Music leadership is anchored by our choir. Our pastors share leadership and preaching responsibilities from week to week. Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.

    Services are livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

  • April 21, 202411:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Our Parish Life team provides beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service and invites everyone to enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall. Please make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • April 21, 202411:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Alleluia! Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Alleluia! Singers develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship while deepening their sense of discipleship. All children ages 8-10 are welcome here.

  • April 21, 20244:30 pm - 5:30 pm

    Hosanna! Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Praising, serving, growing spiritually and musically through singing!  From 5:00-5:30 there is time for crafts and fellowship.
    Who? Children ages 5-7.
    Directed by Meghan Meloy Ness

  • April 21, 20245:30 pm - 7:00 pm

    Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

    After a great Youth Sunday, our youth group will be meeting this week for an evening of games, cooking and eating together, and exploring how and why we can pray for other people; our friends, families (including our animals!), and our church family. As always, friends are welcome! Suggested donation $5.00.

    Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

April 24, 2024

  • April 24, 20247:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Grief Support Group (Study)

    Facilitated by Barbara Sorin.  For information or to consider being part of this group, please contact Barbara directly.

April 25, 2024

  • April 25, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Weekly rehearsals to prepare music for sharing in worship once a month.
    Interested?  Contact Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • April 25, 20247:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall)

    Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings.  New singers always welcome! 
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • April 25, 20248:00 pm - 9:30 pm

    AA (McCahan Hall)

    Swarthmore Presbyterian Church welcomes AA participants to weekly meetings in McCahan Hall. Entrance is via a door on the west end of the parking lot (across from the ABC House) under a covered walkway there.
    For those who are fully vaccinated against COVID, masks are optional. For those not yet fully vaccinated, or working with children, masks are required. Seating/distancing is at the comfort level of the individuals attending.