Worship
Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship worship services are now onsite at 9:30am Sundays. Those who are not able to join us in person can still connect during the service via Zoom. Please visit our This Week page for details about each week’s worship service and other events.
Service times may vary due to holidays and other special congregational events. Please check our calendar or view specific information for each week’s services by clicking on the button below:
What Do We Do in Worship?
Welcome to worship at Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship (RPF), a Christian faith community that embraces a unique approach to spirituality. If you find traditional discussions of sin and miracles uncomfortable, RPF is the perfect place for you.
Our worship service begins with announcements at the start, allowing the flow of the service to remain uninterrupted. We set the stage with an introit, a brief musical piece that helps create a reverent atmosphere. To draw ourselves into God's presence, we engage in a call to worship using a responsive reading of a Psalm, recognizing the power of poetic language.
Our first hymn is followed by what we call the "Confessional Liturgy," although we may consider renaming it. This moment is not about confessing our wrongdoings and fearing divine punishment. Instead, it's an opportunity for introspection and personal growth. Together, we acknowledge the areas in which we'd like to improve, recognizing that we can influence each other positively or negatively. We then silently reflect on our lives from God's perspective. To conclude, we hear Words of Assurance, affirming that God seeks our perfection, not our destruction.
The Word portion of our service involves reading from the Bible and listening to the pastor. We approach the scriptures with a critical mindset, understanding that they were written within specific worldviews that may differ from our modern understanding. However, we believe that these texts offer deep insights into the nature of God and our relationship with the divine. Preaching is a conversation that has been unfolding for thousands of years.
After the sermon, we take a moment of quiet reflection, often accompanied by music. Occasionally, the pastor may invite conversation to further explore the sermon's themes. We then create a space for prayer requests, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community. We genuinely care about what's happening in your life and want to offer our prayers and hopes for you.
During the offering, we want to make it clear that we do not expect visitors to give. Our members often contribute through automatic debit, so the offering plate isn't typically filled. Following that, the pastor prays for those who shared their joys and concerns.
As we sing a final hymn, we encourage you to sit and reflect while listening to the Benediction and the Postlude. This time allows for introspection and a deeper connection with the worship experience.
Afterward, we gather for snacks and fellowship, fostering genuine community and friendship. Many of us often go out for brunch at local establishments like Café 260 or Slant Door, and we would be delighted to have you join us.
In our hybrid worship approach, we have made significant efforts to ensure quality worship both in the sanctuary and through Zoom. You are welcome to join the service via Zoom, where we have implemented features that allow interaction during prayer time, enabling us to see and hear Zoom attendees. We open the Zoom Room around 9:10 AM, and here is the link for your convenience.
At Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship, we strive to create an inclusive and engaging worship experience where questions are welcomed, and spiritual growth is fostered. We invite you to join us on this unique journey of faith.