Lent 2021 - A Faith that Asks Questions

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Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

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Lenten Devotionals
Our theme for Lent this year is “A Faith That Asks Questions.” Join us as we reflect and ask ALL the questions together through our Lenten devotionals. Why is it important to our faith to ask questions? How can someone be born again? Who is my neighbor?  What does it mean to forgive when I don’t feel like it? How am I being called to bring more of my gifts? What becomes possible when I can’t resort to my usual way of doing things?  How can I learn from others so I might grow to see my faith differently? What makes my faith come alive? How do I remove the plank from my eye? What am I waiting for? We won’t find all the answers, but we hope journeying with our questions will draw us closer to each other and our hope in Christ. Share a question, reflect on why that question informs or challenges your faith, and offer a prayer or piece of scripture. Submit your reflections to Mary Jane Kistler (mkistler1983@gmail.com) or Allison Maus (allisonscpc@gmail.com)

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Congregational Art Project for Lent

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Adult Education:  “Questions Jesus Asks" ~
led by Dean Lindsey
 Our theme in the season of Lent is “A Faith that Asks Questions.”  Questions are a good thing.  They open doors; they lead to deeper understanding.  Through the season of Lent, members of the congregation will be encouraged to think about our questions to or about God and Jesus and about the life of faith.  Additionally, Dean Lindsey will be taking a look at the questions Jesus himself asks.  There are over 307 of them in the gospels.  We won’t be looking at them all, but we’ll try to focus on some very important ones! 

• Part 1 “Questions Jesus Asks:  Identity and Faith”
  Sunday, March 21, 11.00 am via Zoom - CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS - we'll start with Part 1 on Wednesday, March 24
  
• Special Time:  Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm via Zoom  ~ Come join Pastor Dean for a special edition of Adult Ed that comes on a weekday! We will  continue our discussion on some of the important questions about faith Jesus himself asks.
  

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Lent 2021

February 17 ~ Ash Wednesday
February 21 ~ 1st Sunday in Lent
February 28 ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent
March 7 ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent
March 14 ~ 4th Sunday in Lent
March 21 ~ 5th Sunday in Lent
March 28 ~ Palm Sunday
April 1 ~ Maundy Thursday
April 2 ~ Good Friday
April 4 ~ Easter Sunday

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Resurrection Garden Kits - A Lenten Family Activity
Families with young children - if you didn't get a Resurrection Garden Kit and would still like one, there are a few left inside the Parking lot entrance that will be there through March 28.

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Holy Week is Sunday, March 28 - Saturday, April 3

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Palm Sunday -
Sunday, April 28
There will be a recorded service as well as In-Person worship (with restrictions (see worship article above) for Palm Sunday. Join us either online or in-person to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Mike Ozaki will preach.

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Make Your Own Palm for Palm Sunday!

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A Good Friday Walk-Through Experience (Inspired by The Stations Of The Cross) - Friday, April 2 - Noon  - 8:00 pm
This year we will be offering a “Good Friday Walk-Through Experience” inspired by the work of Rev. Emily Scott (found here).  From Noon – 8:00 pm you are invited to walk through different areas of the church (with ‘Covid-19 Safe distancing), each focusing on part of the Crucifixion story using readings, activities and contemporary images of struggle and pain to help us contemplate and experience the story of Jesus’ saving work in our modern world and lives.

• Participants can move through the experience at a pace of their choice, but with 13 stations, it is expected to take 30-45 minutes (similar to the worship service).
• No reservations are needed. The walk through is open Noon – 8:00 pm to allow ample room and time between participants. A host will also be present at the entrance to help guide you upon arrival.
• All participants must wear masks at all times. Only 1 ‘group’ will be allowed at a station at a time.  
• No live actors or presenters are involved. Each station will have images, readings or simple actions to help guide prayer and contemplation.
  

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Maundy Thursday Service  - Thursday, April 1 on Zoom
Maundy Thursday is remembering the night Jesus gathered around the table with his disciples, the intimate washing of feet.  and the offering of body and blood.  This year, while our gathering will be virtual (on Zoom), we hope to create space for genuine connection with reflective moments, small group sharing, and a shared communion meal. We hope you will join us on April 1st at 7:00 pm via Zoom.  Please have your communion elements prepared beforehand so we can partake together.

Join the service by clicking on the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88466636394?pwd=OVZ4WlFUeEd1Tllub2trZ0RDU05iZz09

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Good Friday Service of Music and Word - Friday, April 2 on YouTube
Good Friday is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Gospels.  Musicians have long used the dramatic liturgy of Good Friday to create beautiful music that reflects the love and passion of the day.  This simple service of the reading of the Passion of Our Lord according to the Gospel of John will be interspersed with organ music for Good Friday.  The Gospel story will be read by members of SCPC and will be available on the State College Presbyterian Church YouTube channel.

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Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil - April 3
Holy Saturday is a day of hopeful anticipation, and we invite you to spend the day in prayer with us. April 3rd we will be opening up the sanctuary to those who want a place to pray from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Please come in through the Fraser St. entrance. Masks and 6’ distancing will be required. The sanctuary will also be streamed live via our YouTube channel so you can tune in virtually from your home during the same hours with this link: https://youtu.be/L8hbHNobIWU.

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 Easter Sunday Worship - Sunday, April 4
Celebration of the Resurrection
As we have been doing for the last year, there will be a recorded Easter service available on Youtube to join in the worship of our risen Lord. We are also planning outdoor services on Easter morning at the Windswept Farm thanks to the kindness of Duke and Monica Gastiger, owners and proprietors of the ReFarm Café at Windswept Farm.

• A 7:00 am sunrise service will be led by the Explore group (young people exploring their faith with adult mentors) under the direction of Mike Ozaki
• A 10:00 am service will also be held, led by Dean Lindsey and Ned Wetherald

Each service will last for a half an hour, and worshipers will all be masked and remain distanced from one another, since many members have not yet received their vaccines.

What to Bring: Please bring a folding chair for seating, and we suggest wearing warm clothing and appropriate footwear for walking in wet grass. We will be seated widely in a beautiful field below the gazebo. The walk to the field may be muddy if there has been rain. Please pray for good weather!

How to Get there: From State College, take Fox Hollow Road towards the airport. Prior to reaching the main entrance to the airport, take a left off of Fox Hollow onto S. Fillmore Rd. Go 1.1 miles on Fillmore and you will see the sign on the left for the ReFarm Café at Windswept Farm.

Parking: Parking is limited, but deacons will be in the parking lot to help direct you and squeeze all of the cars into the space

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