Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
|
|
This Week at Pender
January 26, 2023
|
|
By following Jesus
and reaching out to others,
we seek God's transformation
of ourselves and our world.
|
|
|
|
On Sunday, January 29, 2023, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on "Blessed Are" based on Matthew 5:1-12.
This will be Liz Eunji Moon's last Sunday playing piano at Pender's Traditional Worship Service.
For the next three weeks, we dip into the Sermon on the Mount, perhaps the most famous extended teaching from Jesus from the gospels. This week, we look at what are called the Beatitudes, the first part of the Sermon.
"Blessed Are" is the fourth sermon in the series titled "Glimpses of the Kin-dom". We are counting the weeks after Epiphany and attempting to get a glimpse of what life as the people of God might be like. We consider some of the most famous passages of scripture to help us shape a vision of the life we are called to live—not just a special, rise-to-the-occasion kind of life, but an everyday life, an ordinary life that isn’t ordinary. Because we believe that followers of Christ who live their faith day by day are anything but ordinary. They stand out; they become models and mentors; they are examples of what life is all about. At least that is our hope and our belief: that our lives represent the kin-dom of God. We are the evidence that our faith is true and our God is at work in the world. In other words, we are now the epiphany, the light shining forth for the world to see. And of course, we will fail from time to time. But how we deal with failure is also a sign of that presence and glimpse of the kin-dom. So, this ordinary time is extra-ordinary in the living of it. Let us embrace the call with grace and with joy.
We look forward to seeing you!
All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person. Masks are currently optional.
Join us live at Pender UMC
|
|
Pender's Traditional Service will be in person and live-streamed at 9:00 am |
|
Pender's Contemporary Worship is in person and live-streamed at 11:15 am |
|
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. " 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pender is a church committed to the power of prayer. Our "prayer chain" is a group of church members constantly in prayer for the needs of our congregation. To make your prayer needs known, you may email the prayer chain by clicking here to send an email to our group of prayer warriors.
|
|
Information Session
The Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert, Northern Virginia District Superintendent, will lead another information session on Monday, March 14, at 7pm in The Gathering Place. There has been a lot misinformation, by various entities, regarding both LGBQT plus inclusion within the United Methodist Church and disaffiliation. As Superintendent of our District, The Rev. Dr. Calvert will share information with the hope of bringing greater clarity regarding inclusion and disaffiliation. Nothing more should be implied or inferred by the offering of this opportunity.
If you have been keeping up at church, you’ll recall that the Vision Team previously had two information sessions on November 6 and 13. The Vision Team presented answers to frequently made assertions and a slide show was presented based on the Annual Conferences’ “Team Jeremiah” work. Approximately 10-15 people showed up each afternoon. As a follow up, links to Team Jeremiah information was provided in the weekly news and church bulletin for those who could not attend.
The upcoming session with our DS on March 14 does not obligate Pender in any way. As a member of Pender, however, it is important that you receive, and share, accurate information. Please come!
~The Vision Team
|
|
Pender has a powerful group of individuals who pray for the needs of the congregation. This group offers prayers of thanksgiving, for strength, for healing power for family and friends and for other issues in your life.
Please contact Iris Salcewicz with any prayer requests you have and if you would like to become a prayer warrior for Pender.
Your joys and concerns will be added to the prayer list.
|
|
God is Good!!
Blessings and great news from Uriah! Carrie Ann, baby, and the entire family are well.
Lana Rose Moore arrived on January 18th at 10:51 pm! She is 7lbs 5 oz, 19 1/2 inches long and is happy and healthy.
|
|
There is a video version below and a podcast version (they are the same), but opens up to if you want to watch or just listen!
|
|
Thanks to Karen Staggs who who learned that Pender already has an unused iGive account.
Help Pender every time you shop online, it's all free and so easy to be socially-conscious.
The stores make this possible because they want you to like them and shop at them over and over again. There's 2015 socially-responsible stores helping to make donations happen.
|
|
Preschool Moms - Bible Study
Moms meeting for Bible Study, small children are welcome, the Pender Hill School will provide toys for children during class.
This Study will meet in Cornerstone.
|
|
|
|
Children's Sunday School meets Sunday in person from 10:15 - 11am.
Welcome to Sunday School!
Any questions? Please speak with Miss Jane or Miss Maya!
|
|
Hi Sunday School Families & Friends,
There are some wonderful family/children's activities happening ithis year. Please come and enjoy! All are welcome -- and invite a friend!
|
|
Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
Youth News
Basketball Game Date— Now that everyone has weighed in, the youth are going to see the Portland Trailblazers against the Wizards on Friday, February 3, at 7pm
With all these shenanigans, please make some time to talk about faith at a regular youth meeting on January 29th at 6:30pm in the Youth Room. Free pizza…please come!
|
|
MISSIONS UPDATE from Charlie and Chris Hanak, Pender's own homegrown missionaries.
Charlie is serving as the Regional Director for the Americas for Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI). Chris assists Charlie with AFCI Focus on the Heart ministries in the Americas and in other regions as requested by AFCI National Directors. Together they have served as missionaries in the Nations of Paraguay and Peru, and have visited these fields yearly during the past 33 years.
Today, we will look at their service in the country of Peru.
Chris Hanak has an ongoing ministry with her Focus on the Heart (FOH) women’s ministry led locally by Luisa Cardenas. These past few months they have held training in several denominations including the Methodist churches. Chris Hanak will visit to train more FOH facilitators in February 2023.
Construction of the Cristo Redentor School in Chimbote:
The Cristo Redentor School (Christ the Redeemer) was started in the Villa Maria Methodist church in the city of Nuevo Chimbote, Peru to aid poor barrio children. This is a private Christian school that emphasizes love, education, and faith. After two years, the school outgrew the church and moved to a nearby location where a four-story education building was built to eventually be a primary school and high school. This school year ended in December of 2022 with 167 paying students in the grades of kindergarten through 6th grade. Charlie Hanak led 16 short term mission teams to help build the school. The school now has a library, computer room, science room, central office, and sports patio with cover. Pender UMC sponsored at least 10 short term mission trips helping with the construction of this school.
Seven Methodist churches and Sunday School classrooms have been built in and around Chimbote, Trujillo, Huancayo, and in the Amazon Jungle.
Charlie and Chris Hanak have put together a team of 4 couples in Chimbote to minister to the churches in this City of 1 million people. These couples are the Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI) Peru team. In 2022, the team received Alpha ministry training from the Alpha South American coordinator and Chris Hanak. Over half of these people are extremely poor and live in small bamboo huts. Additional outreach includes marriage seminars and preaching in local churches. These ministries will help spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the area.
|
|
Do you use Amazon Smile to support Pender?
However, Amazon is stopping these donations by February 20, 2023.
Amazon said:
In 2013, we launched AmazonSmile to make it easier for customers to support their favorite charities. However, after almost a decade, the program has not grown to create the impact that we had originally hoped. With so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin.
We are writing to let you know that we plan to wind down AmazonSmile by February 20, 2023. We will continue to pursue and invest in other areas where we’ve seen we can make meaningful change—from building affordable housing to providing access to computer science education for students in underserved communities to using our logistics infrastructure and technology to assist broad communities impacted by natural disasters.
To help charities that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program with this transition, we will be providing them with a one-time donation equivalent to three months of what they earned in 2022 through the program, and they will also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes in February. Once AmazonSmile closes, charities will still be able to seek support from Amazon customers by creating their own wish lists.
As a company, we will continue supporting a wide range of other programs that help thousands of charities and communities across the U.S.
We’ll continue working to make a difference in many ways, and our long-term commitment to our communities remains the same—we’re determined to do every day better for our customers, our employees, and the world at large.
Thank you for being an Amazon customer.
|
|
Spring is coming! Please support BSA Troop 1530’s Mulch Sale!
3 cu. ft. bag of premium, hardwood mulch for $5.50.
Delivered to your driveway March 11.
(Also accepting donations, if mulch is not on your shopping list this year.)
Thank YOU for your consideration & support!
|
|
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
|
WFCM has been providing food and services to the community for 35 years. Pender was one of the twelve founding churches that set the path and began the journey.
Thanks goes out to all of you who continue to support WFCM many programs.
During 2022, WFCM was able to support the needy in the community by:
* $0.96 of every $1 spent was used on programs.
* Served 4,489 individuals, providing the equivalent of 458,745 meals to 2,733 individuals and $4,658,637 in financial assistance to 2,454 individuals keeping them housed.
* Provided 427,075 diapers through a partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank
* 110 volunteers served 10,437 hours along 11 staff members
* Were supported by 568 individual household donors, 36 Congregation Partners and 38 Corporate Partners in addition to 48 Grantors, Foundations and Organizations and Fairfax County Government
Together we can do it - provide help for the less fortunate in our community.
~~~
The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.
All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.
Item of the Week: Canned Stewed Tomatoes
Please no:
* Expired food
* Glass jars
Thank you for your continuing generous support of WFCM.
|
|
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries ("WFCM") Current Request for Donations
The WFCM Food Pantry is accepting outside donations at their address below. There is a greater need for food but fewer donations.
You can also help by ordering from Amazon for delivery to WFCM. Rice, beans, canned fruit, diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6), pasta, pasta sauce, etc.
WFCM
4511 Daly Drive, Suite J
Chantilly, VA 20151
Financial contributions are also accepted (cash, check or through our website). Please mark your tax deductible donation "WFCM Food Pantry." This will be recorded on your giving statement.
Thank you for your continuing support of WFCM. In 2021, Pender donated 6,128.74 pounds of food and personal care items to help the needy in the community. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support of WFCM.
|
|
Pender is an open and welcoming church. We accept and embrace all persons, period. All people are blessed children of God. Pender is a caring and praying church community; we believe as Christians that we are called to follow and practice the ways of Jesus Christ, who is our ever present and living God.
Our mission is to practice and embrace, providing unconditional love and acceptance of all of God's children as He loves and accepts all of us.
We do not discriminate based on age, mental, physical, or intellectual ability, culture, gender, race, religious belief or unbelief, or sexual orientation.
|
|
|
|
-
January 29, Liz Eunji Moon's last Sunday
-
February 3, Youth Basketball Game Date to see the Portland Trailblazers against the Wizards
-
February 8, Preschool Moms Bible Study begins
-
February 11, VAUMC Installation Service for Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson
-
February 12 through the 18th, Hypothermia
-
February 15 Common Ground Growth Team Zoom Meeting #3
-
February 22, Ash Wednesday
-
February 22, Lent begins
-
February 23, Last day to use Amazon Smile
-
February 25, Pender Hill School Open House.
-
March 14, Disaffiliation Session with Sarah Calvert, District Superintendent
-
June 11, Music Appreciation Sunday
Weekly Events
- Sunday
- Choir Rehearsal at 8 am
- Children's Sunday School Class at 10:15 am.
- Youth Sunday School Class meets at 10:00 am.
- The Seeker Sunday School Class meets at 10:15 am.
- The Turning Point Youth Group at 4:00 pm
- Monday
- Mary Martha Circle, in person and online
- Tuesday
- Staff Meeting at 11:00 am.
- Recorder Consort
- Handbell Rehearsals at 6:45 and 7:30.
- Wednesday
- Ruth Circle meets in person.
- Thursday
-
4th Thursday Romeos at 11:45
-
Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
