About Our Worship Services
We worship as a gathered community of faith on Sunday mornings. Our Order of Worship follows the Reformed tradition, where Word and Sacrament are central. You can view a sample Order of Worship.
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is used for all Scripture references. Sermons are bible-based, usually following the New Revised Common Lectionary. The new Presbyterian Hymnal is used.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is offered monthly, usually on the first Sunday of the month during 10:15 am worship and on the third Sunday of the month during 8:00 am worship. All Christians are welcome at the Lord's table, without regard to church membership. To ensure this sacrament is available to all members, the deacons offer Home Communion.
The deacons also offer a
Tape Delivery Service to those unable to get to the church and a bus service Sunday mornings from two retirement communities, White Horse Village and Lima Estates.
Families serve as greeters to help all feel welcome. Once a month we have Name Tag Sunday, which helps everyone get to know each other a little better. Our congregation is inclusive in ethnicity and lifestyle. We welcome all.
Large-print bulletins, hymnals, and hearing devices are available. Please ask an usher if you wish them.
Prayers are offered in Loeffler Chapel on Wednesdays mornings at 9:30 am from September through May.
Early Worship
8:00 to 9:00 am in Loeffler Chapel
Early worship on Sunday mornings has a more intimate flavor than the traditional 10:15 service. In place of a sermon there is a time for sharing thoughts and reflections on the chosen lectionary scripture passage. Worship leadership is provided by either Dick Wohlschlaeger, Lisa Day, or John Weicher. Volunteers provide piano accompaniment to the singing of hymns. Musical responses are typically chosen from Taize worship materials.
Traditional Worship
10:15 to 11:30 am in the Sanctuary
The Chancel Choir provides music leadership in a variety of choral styles; texts are carefully chosen to fit the liturgy. Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger typically serves as worship leader and preacher, assisted either by Rev. John Weicher or Rev. Lisa Day. There is a children's sermon which we refer to as A Time with Children. The Bell Choir and Children's Choirs also participate periodically. The Sacrament of Baptism is observed typically on the third Sunday of the month. Sign language interpretation is provided occasionally upon request.
Childcare for infants and toddlers and Church School for children two and three years old are provided throughout the service. Children ages 4 through 5th grade worship with their families, leaving for Church School following a Time with Children, about 20 minutes into the service.
Summer Worship - June through Labor Day Weekend
10:15 to 11:30 am
June through Labor Day Weekend there is one service at 10:15 am. There is Childcare for children 3 and under during the whole service, and childcare after a Time for Children, about 20 minutes into the service, for children age 4 through 2nd grade.
Prayer Services
9:30 am on Wednesday mornings
Prayer services, led by our pastors, are held in Loeffler Chapel on Wednesday mornings. These are informal gatherings about 20 minutes in length where scripture is read and reflected upon and individuals known to be in need lifted up in prayer. Friends or relations of church members may be added to the prayer list by contacting the church office at 610-543-4712 or spcparish@swarthmorepres.org.
Special Services
Christmas Eve & Lenten
Our Christmas Eve tradition typically includes three worship services:
Children's pageant with carols at 4:00 pm.
Youth-led service of candlelight, lessons and carols at 8:00 pm.
Traditional candlelight service at 11:00 pm preceded by special music.
Lenten services typically include:
Holy Week communion services - typically at 9:30 am Monday through Friday of Holy Week in Loeffler Chapel.
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service - typically begins at 7:45 pm with communion in Fellowship Hall.
Good Friday Community Worship - held at 12 noon; hosting rotates among community churches.
Easter Sunday services - typically 7:00 am in the garden and 9:00 and 11:00 am in the sanctuary.
A Typical Sunday Schedule