What to Expect in Worship
We would love to have you worship at RPC this Sunday! To prepare you for your first service with us, here is an overview of what to expect. Having this knowledge should make you feel more at ease as you encounter what might be a slightly different or completely new way of worshiping God.
Worship Times
Worship is celebrated on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The early service is non-traditional and informal; the 11:00 a.m. service is more traditional and formal. Services are generally one hour in length, except on occasion when worship is modified by a special congregational meeting, activity, or program. Communion Sundays are usually fifteen minutes longer. At the 11:00 a.m. service, members and visitors may worship remotely by streaming on our Facebook page or by viewing recorded services on YouTube later in the week.
General Features of Worship
The basic order of our service remains largely the same each week, yet within that familiar framework there is variety and innovation. Some of our more memorable services have featured special musicians and youth involvement. Through praise, prayer, song, scripture, sermon, and sacrament (baptism and communion), we seek to worship God with the dignity and reverence due to Him, but also with that joy that Jesus Christ brings to our lives. Integral to our services is a music ministry that is considered one of the best. Our music is inspiring and eclectic, featuring a 14-rank pipe organ of 860 pipes that supports a choir whose voices resound in the Sanctuary. When you enter the Sanctuary, you will receive a bulletin that contains the order of service; everything is written out, so there will be no surprises. To learn more, click on sample bulletin and pipe organ.
Holy Communion
At RPC, we believe that communion is a sacrament of the Lord in which we nourish our spiritual union with Christ by receiving the elements of communion—bread and grape juice usually served to worshipers in the pews or down front by intinction. At our church we have an open table for communion which means that everyone can participate—no matter their faith or denomination. Our communion is held the first Sunday of each month and during specific church seasons, such as Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. We serve gluten-free bread so that all may partake.
Children
Children are welcome in our worship and our church. We have a secure nursery for children from birth through three years old. The nursery is available before and during worship and at times when the church schedules special events. The pastor includes a special children’s message during mid-morning worship for children, who are invited to participate by joining the pastor down front for the brief lesson. Afterwards, they are invited to Children’s Church, where they’re taught the week’s message along with fun crafts and games. For young children whose parents want them in worship with them, the church provides activity bags that can be picked up in the Narthex before worship and returned afterwards.