Advent & Christmas 2024
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Sunday morning worship during Advent will feature the lighting of the Advent Candles by different groups in the congregation, as well as a special sermon series entitled "Christmas Through My Eyes".
This series will explore the Christmas story from the perspectives of the "characters" - Joseph, John the Baptist, the Shepherds, and Mary. Join us each Sunday to experience the season in its entirety! Advent/Christmas Worship -
9:30 am in-person worship services and live-streamed (the live-stream will also be available to view at any time when the service has concluded) Sunday, December 1, 2024 — 9:30 am 1st Sunday of Advent Communion Rev. Scott Hoffman, preaching Christmas Through My Eyes - Joseph Sunday, December 8, 2024 — 9:30 am 2nd Sunday of Advent Rev. Stephanie Weaver, preaching Christmas Through My Eyes - John the Baptist Sunday, December 15, 2024 — 9:30 am 3rd Sunday of Advent Rev. Scott Hoffman, preaching Christmas Through My Eyes - The Shepherds Candlelight Service — 4:00 pm (childcare available) Sunday, December 22, 2024 — 9:30 am 4th Sunday of Advent Rev. Scott Hoffman, preaching Christmas Through My Eyes - Mary Tuesday, December 24, 2024 — Christmas Eve All services on Christmas Eve include "Silent Night," sung to candlelight and a celebratory sending with “Joy to the World."
Sunday, December 29, 2024 — 9:30 am 1st Sunday of Christmas Rev. Scott Hoffman, preaching 
The Angel Tree
There are more Angel Tree tags than ever this year, thanks to an uptick in participation across the board from the 15 agencies and programs who receive gifts for their clients and participants. Gail Miller and Leslie Stafford jumped in to help early on and we have them (plus Todd, Chelsea, and Laura Green, and FISH) to thank for everything going so smoothly. We will need people to help on delivery days (12/17 and 12/18, weather date 12/19). Particular help is needed moving gifts from storage and checking the lists one last time so that no gift is misdelivered. Fill in the form to let Cricket know about your schedule and how you’d like to help at https://tinyurl.com/AngelTreeDelivery2024. For those of you who still have Angel Tree shopping or wrapping in front of you, we recommend making it an event. FISH and Chrysalis shop downtown and wrap together – and they look forward to it every year. The Stafford family chooses and delivers together as a key part of their Christmas season. All gifts are due in the church office Monday, December 9th (with the tag firmly affixed, please, so your gift gets where it should go!). You’ll find the date reminder and a few special wrapping notes on the back of your tag. There are tags for those who like to shop, and tags for those who want to contribute, but would really rather not shop (Out of the Cold gifts are the ones for the non-shoppers!) 
Christmas Caroling Party ~ December 8
Please join the Deacons on Sunday, December 8 for an evening of caroling. We'll meet at 5:30 pm in the SCPC Social Hall for some fellowship, then divide into groups and drive to local residences including The Village at Penn State, Wynnewood/Greenhills Village, and Harmony. Let us know if you plan to attend via the Sign-Up Genius: (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4DA8A82CAB9-52942922-scpc) Let's spread some Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear! 
Sunday Morning Christmas Party for Oasis & Pathways~ December 22
PATHWAYS and OASIS will have their ANNUAL joint Christmas Party on December 22nd following the worship service. For the last Sunday of our regular children/youth programs we will hold this Christmas Party during the Exploration Hour in the Fireside Room! Our party will be hosted by OASIS, and attended by all the PATHWAYS classes. All children will go to their regular classrooms first for check in/attendance, and then go right to the Fireside Room by 10:45 am for the party with OASIS youth. Our plans this year include COOKIE decorating (and eating) and singing/story time. There will be gluten free cookies available! Parents will pick up children outside the FIRESIDE ROOM at 11:30 am. If you are willing to volunteer that morning, please let Deannine Shipman know! A few more hands are helpful when it comes to cookie decorating! 
Blue Christmas Service ~ December 18th at St. Paul's United Methodist Church
On Wednesday evening, December 18th at 7:00 pm, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will hold an ecumenical Blue Christmas service as a way of helping folks whose grief is particularly poignant during the holiday season. 
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Or live stream below
2024 Poinsettias For those who ordered poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary - you may take your poinsettia(s) with you following the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service. 
Adult Education in Advent
December 1, 8 and 15 ~ "The Hopes and Fears of All the Years: What Were the Prophets Expecting?” with Daniel Falk, Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies ~ Westminster Hall This is a 3-part series exploring the biblical prophets who are quoted in the Gospel stories about Jesus’s birth, including Isaiah, Micah, Hosea and others. What were these passages about as part of the prophet’s message? What were they expecting/hoping? How are these oracles applied by the Gospel writers in explaining the significance of Jesus? December 22 ~ “Not There Yet: A Last Look at Advent” ~ with Pastor Scott Hoffman ~ Westminster Hall Join Pastor Scott for one last dose of Advent before Christmas—exploring some of the prominent themes and biblical texts of the season guided by the book Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine. December 1, 8, 15 & 22 ~ “Connect” ~ led by Zack Maser, Jamie Bauman, and Laura Millard in Room 10 Connect is an invitation to deepen your relationship with others and with God by contemplating scripture, lyrics, writing, poetry, and other topics of interest through small group discussions. This is meant to be a time to sit with questions without needing the answers, speak from the heart, pray, meditate, reflect, and be changed by the stories and sharing of others. Anyone with a desire to Connect more deeply, whether you are a believer or unsure what you believe, is invited to join us. Come as you are to listen, share, grow, and be! There are no Adult Education offerings on December 29 ~ be sure to join us in the new year interesting new topics. 
Christmas Candlelight Service ~ December 15
Year after year we bring out the same carols and tunes, listen to the same familiar scripture passages, and reenact the marvelous story of the birth of Jesus. Yet, each year there is something new to anticipate. There is renewed hope, the mystery persists for us to ponder anew. There is new life to celebrate. Join us for SCPC’s 97th Annual Candlelight Service! The Candlelight Choir, accompanied by brass, percussion, piano, and organ, will present Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, carol arrangements by Dan Forrest, “Born on a New Day” a beautiful reworking of a popular song with lyrics for Christmas, and others. Childcare available. Soup Supper ~ Keep the festive feeling going! The SCPC Deacons invite you to join them for a free Candlelight Soup Supper, immediately following the Candlelight service. The soup supper will be in the Social Hall beginning at approximately 5:00 pm. The Deacons will be preparing a variety of soups; wander through the soup stations and enjoy samples from as many as you would like. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Come enjoy the warmth of candlelight, soup and fellowship. Sunday, December 15, 2024
4:00 pm or live stream below 
Gifts for the Christ Child
Gifts for the Christ Child is our Christmas special collection. This year, the funds collected will be a gift for Hekima Place, a safe, loving and faith-based home for orphaned vulnerable girls in Kenya, which supports excellence in education and empowerment for the girls’ futures. While we are excited that an SCPC team will be going again this summer to visit and help out, this collection is strictly a gift to our friends at Hekima Place to help them do what they do: teach and learn, nurture and grow. Find envelopes in the pews, or donate by check or online, memo: Christ Child Gift. The collection will stay open through Epiphany. |
Christmas Eve Worship ~ Tuesday, December 24
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Christmas Eve Worship Services
4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 pm
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Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Service
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Christmas Eve 7:00 pm Service
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Christmas Eve 11:00 pm Service
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Christmas Day Dinner ~ December 25
The annual SCPC Christmas Day ham dinner will take place this year in the Social Hall from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. The menu will include ham, green beans, SCPC dressing, scalloped potatoes, pineapple-orange salad, dinner rolls, and Christmas cookies. While there are opportunities to volunteer and donate, the team wants you to know that, truly, your attendance is also a gift, helping to preserve the character of the dinner as a church-and-community event that offers a warm welcome to all. Reservations are helpful, especially for larger groups, but not required. They can be made at tinyurl.com/ChristmasDinnerRESERVATION2024, or using the QR codes. Meal delivery is available between 2:00 and 3:00 pm only for those who are unable to attend in person. Please call the church office (814-238-2422) to request delivery. As always, it takes many hands to make the dinner happen! We can use volunteers to set-up, serve, decorate, cook, and clean up. Food donations are also needed. Access those sign-up lists at tinyurl.com/ChristmasDinnerDONATION2024, and tinyurl.com/ChristmasDinnerVOLUNTEER2024. Of course you may also watch for links in your Weekly Update, or find them on the church website as well. Any questions can be directed to the church office at 814-238-2422. |
Thank you for supporting this long-standing SCPC service to the community. We look forward to seeing you on Christmas Day!
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First Night State College ~ December 31, 2024
SCPC will be hosting events on Sunday, December 31st as part of State College's First Night activities. Buttons are required for performances and may be purchased at various locations downtown or at each venue. In the Church Sanctuary - button required 2;00 pm - Allegheny Ukulele Kollective 4:00 pm - Natasha & the Spy Boys 6:30 pm - Callanish 8:30 pm - Across the Pond In the Social Hall 3:00 - 5:00 pm - Kids Workshops In Westminster Hall - button required 1:30 pm -Adam Swartz Puppet performance 7:30 pm - Adam Swartz Puppet Workshop In the Martin Room 4:00 pm -Allegheny Ukulele Workshop Click here to visit the First Night website |
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State College Presbyterian Church
132 West Beaver Avenue State College, PA 16801 Phone: 814-238-2422 Fax: 814-238-3524 email: [email protected] Sunday Worship (during the Program Year) In the Sanctuary at 9:30 am, followed by our Exploration Hour (Coffee Available in the Social Hall from 9:00 - 11:00 am) Summer Sunday Worship In the Sanctuary at 9:30 am followed by Coffee Hour (outdoors as weather permits) Live-Streamed Worship ~ An email is sent out on Saturdays (to those on our mailing list) with a link to our live-stream of the worship service on YouTube at 9:30 am on Sundays. If you would like to join our mailing list, please click here Stay and Play Preschool 814-237-1154 [email protected] Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am - noon |
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