Lent 2026
Lent is the 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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Lent 2026
February 18 - Ash Wednesday February 22 - 1st Sunday in Lent March 1 - 2nd Sunday in Lent March 8 - 3rd Sunday in Lent March 15 - 4th Sunday in Lent March 22 - 5th Sunday in Lent March 29 - Palm Sunday April 2 - Maundy Thursday April 3 - Good Friday April 5 - Easter Sunday April 6 - Easter Monday (church is closed) |
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Ash Wednesday Service - Wednesday, February 18,
at 7:00 pm Join us as we begin the Lenten season with a special Ash Wednesday service led by our FISH (Fellowship In Senior High) youth on February 18 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Worshippers of all ages are encouraged to attend. The imposition of ashes will be offered to all. 
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Lenten Devotional
Are you seeking a deeper connection to your faith this Lenten season? We suggest using the 2026 Lenten Devotional: Discipleship in a Divided Age: A Lenten Journey through Matthew’s Gospel from the Presbyterian Outlook. To receive this digital devotional, please contact Laura Green in the church office at [email protected], and she will ensure you are added to the distribution list. Additionally, printed copies of this devotional will be available in the church office.
You can also download it here to print at home or visit the church office to pick up a physical copy. 
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Easter Flowers
Orders are being taken until Wednesday, February 25, for spring flowering plants to decorate the sanctuary on Easter morning. Each plant costs $9.50. Look for order forms on the back tables in the Sanctuary or submit it online here. You may take your plant with you following the service on Easter morning. |
Adult Education Book Group
Please join us for a Lenten discussion of The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This short, deeply spiritual book reflects on our place in a gift economy and the practice of gratitude for what we are given. The Serviceberry has been recommended by the Episcopal Church as their Lenten reading for 2026 and was first suggested to us by Deannine Shipman after experiencing a similar Lenten program at another church.
State College Presbyterian Church has purchased several copies of the book for interested participants. If you would like to purchase it from us for $17, please reach out to Laura Green in the church office ([email protected]). It is also widely available through local bookstores and online retailers. The book is brief—about 100 pages (approximately one hour in Kindle format)—and includes beautiful illustrations.
Discussion Schedule
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/21/the-serviceberry-by-robin-wall-kimmerer-review-the-fruits-of-labour
For additional background, participants may also enjoy a shorter essay by the author—published two years before the book—which explores the themes of The Serviceberry. You may read or listen to it here: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/the-serviceberry/
State College Presbyterian Church has purchased several copies of the book for interested participants. If you would like to purchase it from us for $17, please reach out to Laura Green in the church office ([email protected]). It is also widely available through local bookstores and online retailers. The book is brief—about 100 pages (approximately one hour in Kindle format)—and includes beautiful illustrations.
Discussion Schedule
- February 22: First half of the book (through the “Little Library” drawing)
- March 1: Second half of the book (through the acknowledgements)
- March 8: Video of Robin Wall Kimmerer and closing discussion
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/21/the-serviceberry-by-robin-wall-kimmerer-review-the-fruits-of-labour
For additional background, participants may also enjoy a shorter essay by the author—published two years before the book—which explores the themes of The Serviceberry. You may read or listen to it here: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/the-serviceberry/
Holy Week
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Palm Sunday Breakfast
Once again, the Deacons will be hosting their annual Palm Sunday Breakfast on Sunday, March 29th. Come to enjoy the free breakfast after the service from 10:30 - noon. The menu will feature the usual Palm Sunday favorites of French Toast with Apple Cider Syrup, Sausages, Fresh Fruits, and Cinnamon Coffee Cake. A gluten and dairy-free option will also be available. Again this year, we will have two dining rooms and two buffet lines and will be adding even more seating! Join us for breakfast and feel free to invite a friend to join the delicious tradition. 
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Palm Sunday - March 29
Join your Church family for breakfast and worship! With palms waving and voices raised, we will worship the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Come, bring your worship to the King! Palm Sunday Breakfast follows worship. |
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Maundy Thursday Shared Meal and Service on Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 pm,
In-Person Only Join us as we gather to break bread, share a simple supper, and celebrate the sacrament of communion together at our dinner tables. This meaningful evening invites us to remember Jesus’ final meal with his disciples and the call to love and serve one another. RSVPs to the church office are helpful for planning purposes, though not required. A SignUpGenius will be shared closer to the date for those who would like to bring a dish to share. |
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Good Friday Service - Friday, April 3 at 7:00 pm
On Good Friday, we will gather in the sanctuary for a special Tenebrae service. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows,” and this service is marked by the progressive darkening of the worship space as candles are gradually extinguished while the passion narrative is read. This contemplative service includes multiple moments of silence, inviting deep reflection on Christ’s journey to the cross. All are welcome. In addition, we will be offering an interactive Stations of the Cross experience throughout the day. More details will be shared in the Weekly Update and bulletin—please keep an eye out. |
Easter Sunday Worship - Sunday, April 5
Celebration of the Resurrection
Sunrise Service with Communion - Early Morning at Re Farm Café at Windswept Farm
Bright and early on Easter Sunday morning, we will gather outdoors at Re Farm Café at Windswept Farm to worship the Risen Lord as the sun rises. All are welcome to join in this simple and powerful worship experience, led by our youth.
Easter Morning Worship at SCPC at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary
Come one, come all to worship on Easter Sunday morning as we pull out all the stops to praise the Risen Lord! Join your voice with Christians around the world as we celebrate this joyous day together, proclaiming: “Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!”
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
Celebration of the Resurrection
Sunrise Service with Communion - Early Morning at Re Farm Café at Windswept Farm
Bright and early on Easter Sunday morning, we will gather outdoors at Re Farm Café at Windswept Farm to worship the Risen Lord as the sun rises. All are welcome to join in this simple and powerful worship experience, led by our youth.
Easter Morning Worship at SCPC at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary
Come one, come all to worship on Easter Sunday morning as we pull out all the stops to praise the Risen Lord! Join your voice with Christians around the world as we celebrate this joyous day together, proclaiming: “Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!”
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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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) 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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