Lent 2022 - God of Grace and God of Glory

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.

Our theme for Lent this year is “God of Grace and God of Glory” and you will hear sermons using text phrases from this wonderful hymn. Our Introit for Lent is also based on this hymn written by Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969). Fosdick was one of the most influential preachers of his time. He wrote “God of Grace” while vacationing in Maine in 1930. It was an attempt to put his strong beliefs into a singable hymn. The hymn reflects the impact of The Great Depression between the two World Wars as well as Fosdick’s social gospel beliefs. The hymn was used for the dedication service of Riverside Church in New York City.  Fosdick was the first pastor of Riverside Church.  Despite the magnificent building being dedicated, almost every line of the text is a prayer for the congregation - reminding us that “church” is primarily about the people. The text was intended to be sung to the  tune “REGENT SQUARE” (“Angels from the Realms of Glory”) but it was paired with “CWM RHONDDA” a few years after publication. The new pairing was immediately popular and now almost universally used.

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Lenten Devotionals 2022 Begin Ash Wednesday, March 2nd
The theme for this year’s daily devotionals is God of Grace and God of Glory.  We invite your personal reflections about instances where you have been the recipient of grace or have witnessed God’s glory manifesting in the world.  All are encouraged to try their hand! To receive daily devotionals and more information on how you can contribute, please contact allisonscpc@gmail.com or mkistler1983@gmail.com

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MAKING SPACE FOR GRACE 
Fasting is a way to humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21)
 
The Spiritual Life Committee is inviting you to consider a weekly fasting practice during the 6 weeks of Lent and the (optional) opportunity to gather on Zoom each Monday evening at 7:30 pm to share and discuss our experience with the practice for the prior week.  Fasting is a tried and true spiritual discipline that was used in the Old and New Testaments to foster humility and a more intimate relationship with God.  

There will be a new fast each week.  Try one or all! 

Week 1 (March 6-12)- Fasting from Busyness
Week 2 (March 13-19)- Fasting from Impatience
Week 3 (March 20-26)- Fasting from Perfection
Week 4 (March 27-April 2)- Fasting from Judgment
Week 5 (April 3-8) Fasting from Fear and Doubt

Use this Zoom link to join the meetings:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88449773308?pwd=dWZvaklONUFpVldhZC85Sit0dGhRUT09

Questions?  Contact Allison.

View the Video Below to get an Overview of the Program

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Lent 2022

March 2 ~ Ash Wednesday
March 6 ~ 1st Sunday in Lent
March 13 ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent
March 20 ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent
March 27~ 4th Sunday in Lent
April 3 ~ 5th Sunday in Lent
April 10 ~ Palm Sunday
April 14 ~ Maundy Thursday
April 15 ~ Good Friday
April 17 ~ Easter Sunday

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Adult Education Offerings for Lent

"The Church and Loneliness" ~ March 6
Westminster Hall
 Dean Lindsey will continue his series on loneliness with what the church can do about it, and how we as a church family create meaningful relationships with all.
 
The Fear of God" ~  March 13 and 20
Westminster Hall
Paul Mortimore takes over the series, talking first about whether the fear of God means being afraid of God and then the link between the fear of God and love of God.
 
"The Modernist/Fundamentalist Conflict: How it Shaped the Church Today" ~ March 27 ~ Led by Dean Lindsey
Westminster Hall
The late 19th century was a time of great advance in many fields of learning.  Charles Darwin wrote his ‘Origin of Species.’  Advances in geology and archeology turned over many old assumptions about the age of the earth and events of the past.  How would the Presbyterian Church respond?  In the 1920’s Presbyterians William Jennings Bryan, J Gresham Machen, and the supporters of Harry Emerson Fosdick fought pitched battles over the direction of the church, disputes that have had a lasting impact our church and on our practice of the faith.

“Walking with God - A Unique Lenten Journey"
March 13, 20 and 27;
​April 3 and 10
Room 10
 Would you like to take a walk with God every day?  Join Tod McPherson for a continuation of his series for this Lenten Journey.  Fasting has been a traditional part of Lent for centuries promoting spiritual discipline.  But what if we turn fasting on its head and instead of giving up chocolate or Facebook we add something each day as a form of discipline.  What would we add?  Reading and Walking!  During the week you read, put on your walking shoes, and get outdoors to walk reflecting on the Word. 

​The goal is turning Lenten fasting on its head by adding a discipline rather than subtracting a practice. So read, put on your walking shoes, and get outdoors to walk reflecting on the Word. Then, on Sundays, you'll enjoy fellowship and discussion of Lenten devotionals. It's an Adult Ed series you don't want to miss.

Click here to go to the Walking with God Readings list

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Ash Wednesday Service ~ Wednesday, March 2
Our Lenten Journey of 2022  begins on Wednesday, March 2nd with Ash Wednesday. We will have an Ash Wednesday service with Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes at 7:30 pm. The Season of Lent continues through March and into April.

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Easter Flowers ~ Orders Due by April 3

Orders are being taken until Sunday, April 3rd, for spring flowering plants to decorate the sanctuary on Easter morning. Each plant costs $11 - order forms are on the back tables in the sanctuary or you may download and print it here. Please return your order, along with your check by April 3rd.

You may take your plant with you following the service on Easter morning.

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Palm Sunday -
Sunday, April 10
A Palm Sunday Breakfast is being planned - stay tuned!
Join us either in person or  online for our live-streamed service (on our YouTube channel) to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

​Worship is at 10:15 am.

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Maundy Thursday Service  Thursday, April 14 - In person or Live-Stream
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, we will will worship together in the Sanctuary or you may view the live-stream at 7:30 pm on our YouTube channel.  If you are worshiping at home, please have your communion elements prepared beforehand so we can partake together.

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Good Friday Service of Music and Word - Friday, April 15
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.  We will worship together at 7:30 pm on Good Friday, or you may join via live-stream on our YouTube channel.

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 Easter Sunday Worship - Sunday, April 17
Celebration of the Resurrection

• A Sunrise service at Windswept Farm at 7:00 am led by the Youth Sunday School class
• 9:00 am at SCPC ~ Adult Education led by Zack Maser
• 10:15 am at SCPC ~  we will worship in the Sanctuary for a celebration of our Risen Lord

All COVID protocols will be observed for services with worshipers being masked and remaining distanced from one another.

For the Sunrise Service at Windswept Farm
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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