Special Worship Services

Here at SPC, we offer a variety of opportunities for worship. Some of our services are designed to draw in those who crave a quiet worship space. Others allow us to be led by the younger voices in our congregation. Still others let us bring our family pets to a common place for a blessing of all of God’s creatures. Won’t you join us?

 Youth Sunday

This service is shaped completely by the youth of the church. Scripture, hymns, and liturgy are all chosen and written by our youth, and sermons are written and delivered by at least two of our high school seniors. Even our music is performed by our young musicians and choir. We cherish this unique opportunity to get a glimpse at the world through their eyes.

 Taizé Worship

Our Taizé services are a place for quiet contemplation and prayer, enveloped by rich music. Modeled after the Taizé community in southern France, worship is a meditative experience created through music, scripture, and prayer, with an extended time of silence for personal reflection, creating a calm and welcoming space for the “still, small voice” of God. Weather permitting, we worship in the Courtyard. In the case of rain or severe heat, worship is in Loeffler Chapel.

 Blessing of the Animals

Members of our families that aren’t usually invited to church services now have their chance in the sun. Our family pets (along with their owners) are invited to spend some time on the front lawn of SPC for a short service of prayer, scripture, and music. If you have a pet that doesn’t play well with others, join us and bring a photo of your pet to be blessed.

 Children’s Cantata

Once a year, the youngest members of our congregation prepare a popular children’s cantata to lead us in worship. Participants range in age from 1st through 5th grade, so every performance is both lively and entertaining!

Taizé Worship at SPC

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Upcoming Events

March 28, 2024
  • March 28, 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.

  • March 28, 20246:30 pm - 7:15 pm

    Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper (Fellowship Hall)

    We gather as a church family to share supper together before worship.  Could you please provide a dish to feed 8-10?  Please bring your dish, including serving utensils, ready to be served, and add it directly to the serving tables in Fellowship Hall.  Please provide a list of ingredients if possible; this is helpful to anyone with allergies.  Labels for gluten-free offerings are particularly appreciated.

  • March 28, 20247:15 pm - 7:45 pm

    Maundy Thursday Communion (Fellowship Hall)

    After supper together we will transition into a communion service around shared tables that echoes the meal that Jesus shared with his friends on the night he was betrayed and arrested.  Communion will be served by intinction.  From here, we move then in silence to the Sanctuary to observe a Service of Tenebrae.

  • March 28, 20247:45 pm - 8:30 pm

    Tenebrae Service (Sanctuary)

    A Service of Tenebrae is also a Service of Shadows, moving methodically through the final stages of Jesus’ life and ending finally at the cross.  Passages of scripture, music, and prayer are each followed the extinguishing of light, until the entire sanctuary is in darkness.  We depart in quiet for the vigil of loss and expectation.

  • March 28, 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.

March 29, 2024
  • March 29, 20242:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Labyrinth Walk (begin at Garden entrance)

    You are invited this Good Friday to find some time for reflection and meditation using the ancient spiritual practice of walking a labyrinth.  This will begin with a time of gathering and centering.  The walking of the labyrinth will be in silence, after which participants are invited to meet for reflection and a blessing.  The experience will be led by Harriet Henderson, a labyrinth facilitator.

  • March 29, 2024

    Good Friday

March 30, 2024
  • March 30, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Special rehearsal in preparation for Easter Sunday!

March 31, 2024
  • March 31, 20247:00 am - 8:00 am

    Easter Worship in the Garden (Memorial Garden)

    This is a joyful early morning celebration of the resurrection held in the Memorial Garden.  We come with the women to the tomb and peer in. Among the new day light, the trees, and the early morning birds, we raise our alleluias! 

  • March 31, 20247:45 am - 8:30 am

    Easter Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

    Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!  Celebrate this days of days over a cup of coffee or tea and light breakfast that features fresh grilled fish and "communion bread pudding."

  • March 31, 20248:00 am - 8:45 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • March 31, 20249:00 am - 10:00 am

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!

  • March 31, 202410:00 am - 11:00 am

    Easter Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Hallelujah!  He is Risen!  Our Parish Life team provides beverages and cookies this morning in between services 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!

  • March 31, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!