Lent 2024 - Cultivating Readiness for Renewal

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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Cultivating Readiness for Renewal
Throughout scripture, we see God’s commitment to forming a covenant relationship with creation. From the Garden of Eden, to the
Rainbow following the great flood, to calling Abraham on a journey of trust, God has time and again renewed and reclaimed the covenant relationship of compassion and commitment. 

We invite you to join us in reflecting on being ready to receive the renewal of the covenant relationship. How are we resistant to new expressions of God’s steadfast love, and the life that it calls us into? During the season of Lent please consider which services, opportunities for reflection, and devotional resources will help you assume a posture of receptiveness to the new life that we are being called into.

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Ash Wednesday Service ~ Wednesday, February 14 at
7:00 pm
The Ash Wednesday service is being led by our FISH Youth Group! There will be implementation of Ashes, Communion, and Prayer Stations. The service will take place in the Sanctuary and all physical prayer stations will be accessible from that space. It will also be streamed online.
​Join us for a creative and contemplative time! 

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Lent 2024

February 14 ~ Ash Wednesday
February 18 ~ 1st Sunday in Lent
February 25 ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent
March 3 ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent
March 10~ 4th Sunday in Lent
March 17 ~ 5th Sunday in Lent
March 24 ~ Palm Sunday
March 28 ~ Maundy Thursday
March 29 ~ Good Friday
March 31 ~ Easter Sunday
April 1 ~ Easter Monday (church is closed)

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Lenten Devotional Resources
Want something to engage with in your personal reflections during Lent? Here are some online devotional links that Spiritual Life recommends. 

Words that Matter- a close look at the words of scripture as an inspiration for reflection https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/allwomen/pdf/words-matter-lenten-devotional.pdf

Tread Lightly- active practices for Lent through the lens of environmental Impact https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/tread-lightly-for-lent/

A Beautiful Terrible Day- daily reflection prompts to embrace the full range of what Lent holds with Kate Bowler
https://katebowler.com/seasonal_devotional/have-a-beautiful-terrible-lent/

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Awaiting Renewal: A Spiritual Life Mini Retreat
Lent is a season that moves from the finite to the infinite, starting with reminders of our finitude and connection to dust, and finishing with the resurrection hope of Easter. During our journey through Lent, we can be attuned to the renewal that is ahead and already happening around us. In sharing the Parable of the Vineyard Workers, Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom is already present in unexpected ways, with God’s generosity at the center of renewal. As we anticipate Easter and enter into the Spring season, we are invited to witness together all that God is making new.
 
Join us for an afternoon as we reflect and share on the Parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew 20. There will be time for solitude, small group discussion, and a shared community meal provided by RE Farm Cafe.
When: Sunday, March 17, 3-6:30 pm
Where: RE Farm Cafe at Windswept (1000 Fillmore Road State College, PA 16803)
Suggested Donation:$30/person and $15/child (helps cover $55/adult and $25/child meal and program cost​)

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Adult Education Offerings for Lent

March 3  ~ "Peace" ~ Westminster Hall, led by Paul Mortimore
In a world where wars seem to never end, how do we find peace?  Both for ourselves and others?  Join Paul Mortimore in Bible study and reflection on the meaning and living of peace in the world today.
 
March 10  ~  "Meet SCPC’s New Director or Music Ministry, Heike Burghart Rice"  ~ Westminster Hall
 Heike Burghart Rice began work with SCPC on January 2, 2024.  She holds both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance. Heike comes to us from past positions in a variety of denominations, working with adults and children as singers and instrumentalists. She believes “that a church can use music to convey truths about God, to set the scene for the narrative, as a vehicle of our expressions towards God and each other, as a means of catharsis, as a teaching tool for young and old, for comfort and joy, or just for fun.”  This adult education session is a time to meet Heike and hear a little about her background and approach to music ministry.
 
March 17 ~ "Sunday Mornings at SCPC: A Listening Session" ~ Westminster Hall
A team is gathering input about the Sunday morning schedule at SCPC.  When is the best time for worship, education programs (Sunday school, Connect, Adult Ed), and coffee hour for our community?  Please join us for a special listening session to share your ideas and concerns and hear what others have to say on this topic.
 
March 24 ~ Palm Sunday Breakfast, Social Hall
 Please join us after worship for the Palm Sunday Breakfast, hosted by the Deacons! 
 
March 31 ~ "Easter Sunday Singing and Celebration with Zack Maser" ~ Westminster Hall
​​Celebrate Easter in joyous singing!  In our songs, we tell the good news to the next generation while helping our own hearts remember how it transforms our lives.  Zack Maser will lead this special Adult Education session.

“Connect"
February 18, 25, March 3 & 10
Room 10 (we will not meet on March 24, Palm Sunday)
This ongoing weekly small group discussion is led by Bizz Maser, Jamie Bauman and Laura Millard
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!

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Palm Sunday Breakfast!
Once again, the Deacons will be hosting their annual Palm Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, March 24th.
​Come to enjoy the free breakfast after the worship service from 10:00 - 11:30 am. The menu will be the usual Palm Sunday favorites of French Toast with Apple Cider Syrup, Sausages, Fresh Fruits and Cinnamon Coffee Cake. This year, additional seating and an extra buffet line will be available, so join us for breakfast and feel free to invite a friend to join the delicious tradition.

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​LOGOS Musical 2024 ~ Palm Sunday
In the March 24 worship service, the LOGOS Geckos will present “The Tale of Three Trees” a musical by Allen Pote with lyrics and narration by Tom S. Long. In this setting of an American folktale, three trees dream of becoming something grand. At first crafted into what seem like ordinary items, they are woven into the story of Jesus’ life, and discover God’s purpose was much grander than they even dreamed. 

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Holy Week

Palm Sunday -
Sunday, March 24
Join your Church family for breakfast and worship!
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 9:00 am.

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Maundy Thursday Shared Meal and Service Thursday, March 28 at 6:00 pm
​In-Person Only
Jesus shared many moments of truth and love around the table. As we anticipate the cross and the coming resurrection we too will share a meal. Join us March 28th at 6:00 pm in the Social Hall for a shared meal and worship experience. We'll expand our view of the communion table and invite everyone to bring food to share with our community as we pray, sing, and eat. 

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Good Friday Service - Friday, March 29 at 7:00 pm
Join us for a traditional Good Friday service on March 29.  Liturgists will lead this service which helps us recall & reflect on Jesus' crucifixion through scripture readings & music. Together we will respond through prayer and joining in the solemn reproaches of the cross, a traditional liturgy of confession acknowledging our common need for God's mercy and grace.

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If you ordered Easter flowers, you may take them with you after the Easter Sunday Service

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 Easter Sunday Worship - Sunday, March 31
Celebration of the Resurrection

• 6:30 am ~ A Sunrise Service with Communion at Windswept Farm ~ Our Youth Sunday School group, Oasis, is once again hosting SCPC's Easter Sunrise Service! Join us at 6:30 am (don't be afraid to bring some caffeine!) at Windswept Farm to enjoy an Easter service of outside natural beauty and Communion. Because we will be outside, bring something to sit on and dress for the temperature. We hope you can join us for a meaningful time as we celebrate the Resurrection with the Beloved Community!  
• 9:00 am at SCPC ~  we will worship in the Sanctuary for a celebration of our Risen Lord
• 10:00 am ~ Exploration Hour with Coffee Hour, Pathways, Oasis and Easter Sunday Singing and Celebration in Westminster Hall for the Adult Education offering

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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