State College Presbyterian Church ~ Welcome to our Congregation and our Worship! 

We believe that Jesus Christ came to reveal the fullness of God's love for us, and we continue to celebrate that love through praise,
sacraments, service, and community.

132 W. Beaver Ave
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-238-2422
email: officescpc@gmail.com

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Our Ministry and Mission Continue here at State College Presbyterian Church!

We are checking voice mail (814-238-2422) and emails (officescpc@gmail.com). Keep checking back here for spiritual offerings and church information and to stay updated on the latest news.

Click here to go to our Staff Page where you will find direct links to staff email addresses.

We continue to work on plans for how we will keep in touch with and care for one another in this time of isolation.
 
Pray for those who are most deeply affected, keep washing your hands, stay out of crowds and keep checking the website and emails for the latest information.

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Support Us ~ Thank you to everyone who has been able to contribute to our church during this challenging time; SCPC is blessed and fortunate to have such a caring and supportive church family.  For those who are able, please remember you can make your offering in any of the following ways:

• By check mailed to the church (address above)
• By direct bank e-check/bill pay (contact your bank)
• Through our online giving option: QR code to the right with your smart phone, or click the "give now" button.
•  ACH/direct debit option: click this link for the form and either mail it in OR scan a copy and email to Michelle.
  • Processing will occur on the 1st and 15th of each month; you may choose either (or both) days and one-time, monthly, or quarterly processing.
  • ACH processing occurs at no fee to SCPC.
  • Please contact Michelle with any questions.

                   Again, thank you for your continued support!

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About Us ~
State College Presbyterian Church is a warm, diverse, dynamic faith community with people of all ages and generations coming together to learn, serve and worship together​
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​In response to God’s unconditional love and Jesus’ example of hospitality, State College Presbyterian Church is called to be a welcoming community.  We affirm all people equally, regardless of, for example, race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, capability, religious background, or circumstance of life.  We are committed to removing barriers that separate us.  As we gather in worship, fellowship and service, all are welcome.

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Learn More About Us

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Listen to the Latest Sermon:

August 9, 2020 ~ Matthew 14: 22-33

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Click here to go to our 'Sermons" page to listen to more past sermons

Get Involved ~
SCPC offers a wide range of ministry opportunities. Whether you'd like to learn more, pray more, or serve more, we have a ministry for you.

Learn More About Ministries

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Learn About Church Membership
If you don't have a church home, we invite you to consider becoming part of our Church family.  Contact our Membership and Program Associate if you have questions  or click the button below to learn more about how to become a member.

Learn  More About Membership

 Join our Community ~
Click the Envelope Above and let us Know How You Would Like to Hear from Us!

Support Us ~
Making an offering of our financial resources is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian.
​We have a variety of ways to make it easy for you to support our church.

Giving Options
Along with paying by check or cash (plate offering), an online giving option is available to make it more convenient for those who wish to contribute by credit card or directly from a checking or savings account.  Click the "Give Now" button to make a contribution or to learn more.
We also have an  ACH/direct debit option: click this link for the form and either mail it in OR scan a copy and email to Michelle.

• Processing will occur on the 1st and 15th of each month; you may choose either (or both) days and one-time, monthly, or quarterly processing.
• ACH processing occurs at no fee to SCPC!

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Learn More About Stewardship

Stewardship ~ Make  your Pledge Online!   You can make your 2020 pledge by returning a pledge card or submitting an online pledge.  Click here to complete an online pledge.   This is submitted directly to the Financial Administrator.

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Worship With Us!
Though we cannot be together in our Sanctuary yet, brief worship services are being recorded for you to view.  We have also begun a brief Outdoor Worship Service on Sundays at 9:00 am (weather permitting).  Visit our Worship Service Videos page to view the library of recorded services.  Worship services are posted on Saturdays (as soon as the link is available). Visit our Adult Education page to view the library of available video adult education offerings. 

Click to go to our "News Page" to view the July Ministry Update video.

Many thanks to all of those who are helping to bring these messages to you along with Jerry Sawyer and Kerry Trout for producing, editing and posting these services.  We plan to continue offering this type of service for the foreseeable future.

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 Outdoor Worship Sundays at 9:00 am
We’ve held live Sunday morning worship several times now in the small lawn area outside of the Tower Entrance to the sanctuary.  We meet at 9:00 am, weather permitting (if it's raining, we won't meet).  Participants bring their own lawn chairs, wear masks, and maintain social distance.  We’ve had up to 30 people in attendance.  We can accommodate more in the space, but if the service grows much larger, we will have to find a new location or add an additional service time.
 
Just as the setting is somewhat different than our traditional sanctuary worship so also is the liturgy.  The service is a half hour in length and includes
Scripture, prayers, and preaching offered by Michael Ozaki, Dean Lindsey, and Allison Maus.  Ned Wetherald plays an electronic piano to provide music, and we do have hymns, though not sung hymns.  Karen Neff lines out the words of the hymn and gives worshipers hand motions that go with the words.  If you plan on coming on a Sunday morning, please take a minute or two to send a note to officescpc@gmail.com to let us know you (how many) will be attending.  Please respond by the Thursday before the Sunday service.
 
We will, of course, continue to offer our on-line service on our State College Presbyterian Church Youtube channel.  Whether we worship at home or outside the sanctuary, we lift our hearts to God, give thanks for his Son Jesus, and celebrate the gifts of the Spirit!
 
Here is what you need to do in order to attend:

• Bring a lawn chair.
•  Plan to spread out 6 feet from other worshipers. The space is limited, but shaded, and there should be adequate room for 50 to 60 participants.
• Wear your mask.
• Unfortunately, there will not be congregational singing, but there will be music.
• Perhaps it goes without saying, but we do want anyone who has been ill or has a fever to stay home and get some rest.
• Pray for our gathering that we might glorify God and together find spiritual nourishment.

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Young at Heart Hopes to Meet in 2021
Young at Heart is a potluck supper and program fellowship group for those SCPC folk who are “young at heart” although not so young in years. In previous years the group met one Friday evening a month from September to June. During this time of Covid crisis it is unwise for us to gather indoors to share food and possibly virus. As of now we don't know when it might be safe to make plans; for that reason, Young at Heart will be suspended at least for the fall and maybe for the whole year. If the pandemic situation dramatically improves so we feel we can safely meet for a meal, program and fellowship we will make an announcement.

Please take care of yourselves and we hope to gather as soon as it’s safe to do so.

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Out Of The Cold In SERIOUS Need of Volunteers
 Did you know that nearly 65% of the homeless individuals sheltered by Out Of The Cold work at least 25 hours a week or more? That is, until the quarantine hit and nearly all of them were laid off. In addition, OOTC has worked to house nearly 48 individuals in hotels or apartments over the last 5 months. Now, those who are able are staying overnight in the OOTC day shelter building (The Meeting House @ 318 S. Atherton Street) and need your help.
 
We are attempting to extend the OOTC season as long as we possibly can! We don't want to see these folks be un-sheltered during this time of uncertainty!
 
In order to stay open, we need your help in August - overnight volunteers are needed most from 8:00 pm - 8:00 am. Our goal is to have at least 7 volunteers from SCPC take at least 1 overnight shift from 8:00 pm-8:00 am, as well as those bringing dinner. 
 
Please consider helping out by signing up - Here is the sign up. 

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Small Groups and Committees Now Permitted to Meet in the Church Building
 he Session has opened our building for small groups and committees of up to twenty persons to meet, subject to several conditions. Group leaders will need to contact Janet Heasley, in order to schedule their meeting and receive a room assignment. She can be reached in the church office on Monday and Thursday mornings (238-2422) or by voicemail and email throughout the week.
 
Click here to see the complete list of requirements and precautions.

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Virtual Prayer Meeting ~ Tuesdays at Noon on Zoom
We hold a congregational prayer meeting via Zoom every Tuesday at noon. Contact Allison Maus if you want the details or to be added to the email list to receive the meeting information.

Virtual Centering Prayer via Zoom
 The regular weekly Centering Prayer group offering has changed to a Zoom gathering. and will continue to be offered Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.  If you would like to be added to the email invitation list and receive an access code, please contact Mary Boutselis or Mary Jane Kistler.

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Music during the Pandemic
We hope that you have noticed that we have been having choir anthems in our recorded worship services even though our choir is unable to meet and rehearse in person.  We have been using a new program called “My Choral Coach” to work on the music individually in the safety of our homes.  Here’s how it works.  Ned Wetherald, Director of Music Ministry, invites individuals to sign up for MCC via email.  The individual singers reply and Ned makes an “assignment” for them to practice.  Each individual singer can practice their part with the computer playing just their part or all the parts and accompaniment.  After singers attempt a recording, the computer algorithm critiques their work.  Most singers will tell you that the algorithm is much, much tougher than Ned! When the individual singers feel comfortable, they record their part using their computer and submit their offering to Ned.  Ned listens to the recording and makes suggestions and asks for another recording. When everything lines up, Ned accepts the submission and combines it with all the other submissions to create the final product.

We must admit that there have been as many technology problems as singing problems!  We would also admit that this process can be frustrating at times.  Finally, we know that this is not as satisfying as being together where we can work together, socialize a bit, and laugh a lot.  It is still our worthy offering to the worship of our congregation. Would you like to try it out?  Email Ned and he will send you an invitation to the program.  Give it a try!

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Providing Pastoral Support
As a wise saying that describes the pandemic goes, “We are all in the same storm, but we are not in the same boat.”  It is certainly the case that some among us bear weightier burdens than others.  Our congregation has been able to respond to financial crises within several of our member families who have suffered from job losses.  The continued fear and isolation have taken a toll on spiritual and emotional life, too.  Pastors Mike and Dean encourage you to reach out if you are having trouble in these days. 

We are available by phone or email.  We have church officers and a Crisis Response team that will come to your aid, as well, if you let us know what you need.  We are always ready to receive prayer requests and can include these during weekly worship or our Thursday email that Martha Trout sends to the congregation.   We also invite you to a weekly prayer time, Tuesdays at noon to share your joys or concerns.  Please, do not suffer alone and in silence.  Make some noise.  We want to hear from you!

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Men's Covenant Group
The Men's Covenant Group has been meeting via Zoom.  They are considering safe ways to meet in person.  They meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 7-8:30 pm.  If you are interested in being added to the email invitation list and to receive the access code, or would like more information, please contact Rob Huffard.

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Wednesday in the Word
Wednesday in the Word will continue the Kay Arthur study, "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times."  We welcome newcomers . Folks are invited to bring a Bible and join us for this study and time of fellowship. We meet via Zoom at 12:30 for lunch then 1:00 to 2:00 PM for the study. Questions? Contact Connie Curilla or Linda Edvar.

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If you're having any trouble accessing our online resources, please call the church office and leave a message (814-238-2422).
 
Likewise, if you know of someone who is not receiving our emails with access to our worship services, and they do have an email address, please contact Martha Trout so they can be added to the email list. We'd love to have cell phone numbers as well for those shut-ins that may not have a landline number - so we can stay in touch!

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Online Member Portal and Online Directory Now Available!
 An online membership portal and online church directory is now available for our members! We are pleased to offer this convenience - now more than ever as we are separated from each other.
 
Invitations have been sent out to our active members, active members who live out of town, active non-members, affiliate members, regular attenders, friends of the church, and regular visitors - those who are listed in our church directory - if you fall into one of these categories and did not receive an invitation email, please contact Martha Trout, Membership and Program Associate.
 
As a reminder - this information is provided solely for our congregation's use and is not to be shared or used for any other purpose.

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Stay Connected!
Your elders, deacons, and church staff are working hard to on ways to continue church life now that public worship and meetings have been suspended for the foreseeable future.

Here is how you can stay connected until we are able to resume our regular worship and program schedule:
 

• Sunday Worship will be available each weekend on our YouTube channel (State College Presbyterian Church) with a brief sermon, music, readings, prayers, and a children's message - we will send out a link after the service is posted to YouTube, watch for an email on Saturday
  
• A brief Virtual Prayer Meeting is offered on Tuesdays at noon. Join us on Zoom, as we share the joys and concerns of our congregation and pray together for our community and the world.
  
•  Ned Wetherald is providing occasional musical offerings Click here to access his Youtube page
• Deacons have been reaching out to all church families to keep in touch and learn about needs of the congregation.
• A Response team is available to help with member needs.

Let us all be in prayer for our church, our community, and our world, seeking out God’s healing and strength as we move through these days, and please keep in touch with the church and with your neighbors!

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Scam Email Reminder
 
Please be wary of scam artists trying to fool people into thinking that they are getting an email or text message from a pastor or staff member. 
 
Please be assured that the pastors or any staff member will NEVER contact you by email or text message with any urgent request to call or to donate money or purchase gift cards (or even a message saying "We need your help" or "are you available right now?"). Review any such emails carefully and skeptically; it's best not to even open them.  If you dig around a bit you will see that the email is not authentic and doesn't even come from the correct email address or phone number.
 
Please do not respond to fake emails. Deleting them without a response is the very best approach.  you can report these scams by contacting the Federal Trade Commission at their website or by phone (1-877-383-4357).

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Online Giving Reminder
Remember - if you have signed up for an automatic plan for your pledge and arranged for a once or twice a year deduction the charge will show up as "VP*STATE COLLEGE PRESTATE COLLEGE PA" so don't be alarmed when you see this charge. 

Also, if your credit card number or expiration date changes, you will need to login to your account to change that information.
 
Thank you for your continued support!  Please contact Financial Administrator Michelle Fortin if you have questions.

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 News & Events ​
There is more news to check out on our "News" Page -- click here!

View the Church Calendar

Quick Links

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State College Presbyterian Church