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 25, 2024

  • 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.

April 27, 2024

  • April 27, 202410:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Missa Gaia concert rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Joint rehearsal for singers and instrumentalists preparing for Sunday afternoon's concert.

April 28, 2024

  • April 28, 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 28, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • April 28, 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 28, 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 28, 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 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    Missa Gaia Concert (Sanctuary)

    All are invited to this choral concert celebrating the beauty of the earth, featuring Paul Winter’s Earth Mass, or “Missa Gaia.” The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Agape Singers, and Alleluia! Singers, under the direction of Meghan Meloy Ness, will be joined by soloist Liz Seymour, guest choristers from the community, and an instrumental ensemble made up of professional musicians and church members. 
    This concert is shared as a gift to the community, in celebration of all of creation. A free-will offering will be accepted and a reception will follow.

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    High School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    High Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!
    All are welcome.  We will enjoy dinner, shared with middle schoolers, at 5:30.  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 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Middle School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    Middle Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!

     All are welcome.  We conclude with dinner, shared with high schoolers.  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 28, 20245:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Concert reception (Fellowship Hall)

    All who enjoyed this afternoon's concert are invited to share some light refreshments and one another's company.

April 30, 2024

  • April 30, 202412:30 pm - 5:00 pm

    Presbytery Meeting (Thompson Memorial Pres)

    Quarterly stated meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. All Commissioners are invited to attend.
    Information available here: Presbytery Meeting