727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 543-4712
About our Worship Services
Please join us for worship services on Sunday! See This Sunday's Schedule.
We worship as a gathered community of faith on Sunday mornings. Our Order of Worship follows the Reformed tradition, where Word and Sacrament are central. You can view a Sample Order of Worship (pdf format).
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is used for all Scripture references. Sermons are bible-based, usually following the New Revised Common Lectionary. The new Presbyterian Hymnal is used.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is offered monthly, usually on the first Sunday of the month during Church Family and Traditional Worship and on the third Sunday of the month during Early Worship. All Christians are welcome at the Lord's table, without regard to church membership. To ensure this sacrament is available to all members, the deacons offer Home Communion.
The Sacrament of Baptism is observed as needed/requested, typically on the third Sunday of the month.
Greeters welcome worshipers and signs are posted at main entrances to help newcomers find their way to worship, classes, etc. Our congregation is inclusive in ethnicity and lifestyle. We welcome all.
Large-print bulletins and hymnals are available at Traditional Worship. Please ask an usher if you wish them. They will be provided if needed at Early or Church Family Worship; simply make the church office aware of the need.
Early Worship
8:30 to 9:30am in Loeffler Chapel
Early worship on Sunday mornings an intimate flavor. In place of a sermon there is a time for sharing thoughts and reflections on the chosen lectionary scripture passage. Worship leadership is provided by either Dick Wohlschlaeger, Lisa Day, or John Weicher. Volunteers provide piano accompaniment to the singing of hymns. Musical responses are typically chosen from Taize worship materials.
Church Family Worship
10:30to 11:15am in Loeffler Chapel
45 minutes of thoughtful, engaging worship for family members of all ages. Pastoral leadership varies from week to week. Hymn choices are not limited to those found in the 1993 hymnal. Volunteers provide offertory music. Participants are often invited to usher, to read, to collect the offering, and the like. There are roles for children of all ages. Child care for infants ad toddlers is available in the nursery. And every Sunday is Nametag Sunday!
Traditional Worship
10:30am in Fellowship Hall
The Chancel Choir provides music leadership in a variety of choral styles; texts are carefully chosen to fit the liturgy. Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger typically serves as worship leader and preacher, assisted either by Rev. John Weicher or Rev. Lisa Day. Elders serve as liturgists. Psalms are responsorial, often led by cantors from the Chancel Choir. The Bell Choir and Children's Choirs also participate periodically. Sign language interpretation is provided occasionally upon request.
Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided in the nursery throughout the service. Children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to leave following "A Time With Children" for Service learning.
Summer Worship - June through Labor Day Weekend
10:00am in Fellowship Hall
June through Labor Day Weekend there is one service at 10:00 am. There is Childcare for children 3 and under during the whole service, and class after a Time for Children, about 20 minutes into the service, for children age 4 through 2nd grade.
Special Services
Advent/Christmas & Lent
Our Christmas Eve tradition typically includes three worship services:
- Children's pageant with carols at 4:00 pm.
- Youth-led service of candlelight, lessons and carols at 8:00 pm.
- Traditional candlelight service at 11:00 pm preceded by special music.
To learn more about special Advent worship services, please visit our Advent Worship page.
Lenten services typically include:
- Holy Week communion services - typically at 9:30 am Monday through Friday of Holy Week in Loeffler Chapel.
- Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service - typically begins at 7:45 pm with communion in Fellowship Hall.
- Good Friday Community Worship - held at 12 noon; hosting rotates among community churches.
- Easter Sunday services - typically 7:00 am in the garden and 9:00 and 11:00 am in the sanctuary.
To learn more about special Lenten opportunities, please visit our Lent Worship page.
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