Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
December 8, 2022
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By following Jesus
and reaching out to others,
we seek God's transformation
of ourselves and our world.
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On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on "The Lord's Highway" based on Isaiah 35:1-10.
Joy Sunday says it all. The third Sunday of Advent is marked by the pink- or rose-colored candle in the wreath in many traditions. It is the one where we are reminded of the news that shall be a great joy to all people—the news that Emmanuel is born, God with us. And we stand in the promise even today, even here, in this place, in your place – God is with you. There can be no greater joy than that.
"The Lord's Highway" is the third sermon
in the series titled "An Advent Song of Ascents". Isaiah is our anchor text for this Advent worship series. But Psalms gives us the mood, theme, or even soul. “I was glad when they said to me ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”
The opening line from Psalm 122 captures something of the Advent spirit this year. From “I was glad” to “go to the house of the Lord.” We are singing a song of ascent this Advent season.
We look forward to seeing you!
All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person. Masks are currently optional.
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The Sunday Traditional Service is in person and live-streamed at 9:00 am |
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Pender Common Ground Contemporary Worship is in person and live-streamed at 11:15 am |
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"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.
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Christmas Love Offering
Gratitude is the appreciation of a gift received. Happiness is the enjoyment of completely living in the present while sharing God’s love and grace with our neighbors. Hope is the belief and knowledge that our Father will provide for all of our needs. Today, the Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) encourages all of us to think of these gifts and prayerfully consider providing a Christmas Love Offering for our staff. Our staff continually, faithfully, and with great reverence actively support Pender’s world-changing mission of: inclusive love, deepening our faith walk, racial and social justice, providing passionate worship, offering radical hospitality, teaching and encouraging each other to develop an authentic relationship with Christ, and participating in sacred resistance activities as the Holy Spirit calls us.
In partnership with the Pender family, our staff share the good news, provide hope, and they are actively engaged in making disciples for Jesus Christ—the core of what we do at Pender! It is HOPE that keeps us moving forward, towards becoming more Christ-like in our daily lives. HOPE has sustained our work in the domestic and international mission field for more than 150 years. We have celebrated and rejoiced with our children, youth, and families as they have connected with each other, in learning about Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit all through our recorded, streaming, and on-line Bible studies, Sunday School classes, and youth group sessions. The staff have delivered essential and insightful weekly podcasts highlighting sermons and critical conversations with people from the community. Our staff partner with us to provide opportunities of sharing the sacrament of holy communion together, and to joyfully engage with each other through a variety of evangelical outdoor parking lot and fireside chat events.
The collaboration of Pender staff and volunteers have provided worship music in both contemporary and traditional styles that encourages us to disconnect from the outside noise and be fully present in worship services, funerals, and weddings. Newsletters, Constant Contact announcements, outdoor message signs, as well as our creative social media presence on Facebook, You Tube, TicToc, and Twitter repeatedly provide information to us and the Fairfax community regarding Pender events. The powerful sermons that challenge and encourage us to reflect on our personal relationship with Christ and how we share the good news and the gospel with others is a testimony of our staff gifts and offerings to each of us.
S/PPRC encourages each of you to prayerfully consider making a love offering gift – indicate "Love Offering Gift" in the memo of your check or online giving by Saturday, December 31, 2022. Please note that love offerings are not tax deductible.
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Northern Virginia District Training Day is designed to give church leaders support, training, and inspiration for another year in Ministry.
2 Keynote Speakers. 40+ Additional Workshops.
Over the last 2.5 years we have needed to learn how to be resilient and adapt to the messiness of constant change. As we realize that the mess is not going away, we now need tools to sustain us today and in the foreseeable future. We are SO excited to welcome Kate Bowler AND Tod Bolsinger as our NoVa District Training Day keynote speakers to help give us context and perspective as we navigate the challenges ahead.
Plan to spend Saturday, January 14 with Kate and Tod live via webinar and then explore the 40+ additional prerecorded workshops we’ve prepared for you!
Event Schedule
9:00 AM - Introductions, Opening Remarks
9:30 AM - KEYNOTE 1: Kate Bowler
11:00 AM - Break
11:15 AM - KEYNOTE 2: Tod Bolsinger
12:45 PM - All Additional Content Releases
This year our schedule looks a bit different. We will all log into the first Keynote Presentation (Kate Bowler) at 9:00 for opening remarks, introductions, and some information about our day. Kate Bowler will begin speaking at 9:30.
Then, at 11:15 we will move to the second Keynote Presentation (Tod Bolsinger) together.
At 12:45 we break for lunch and all additional workshop content releases. Spend your afternoon exploring the prerecorded workshops that will enhance your ministry.
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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.
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Santa's Ride Toy Collection:
Pender Hill School is collecting toys for the Santa's Ride program again this year. We are excited to work with the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad to collect new toys and books for children in local hospitals during the holidays.
Items can be donated in the marked bins in the Church Lobby and the downstairs Preschool hallway until Sunday, December 11.
Please contact Ann Hines or Sarah Hocker with any questions.
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Update from Charlie & 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. Chris has been training women leaders in Peru, Paraguay, India, Pakistan, Zambia, and the Philippines. 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, and next week, we will look at their service in the country of Paraguay.
The Situation: Invasion Areas
Politicians there, permit displaced persons from the rural interior of the country to move onto private land without permission or compensation of the owners. Groups “invade” an area, seizing private land, and putting up temporary dwellings. Gradually the area becomes more permanent.
There are more than 3,000 of these displaced persons living on the edge of Asuncion in the suburb of Limpio. There are no churches in the area, no basic services. There is a nearby school, but typically poor children learn very little in their schools.
AFCI-PY looks to offer prevention rather than try to combat these problems once they become entrenched.
Because this is a new area, there is an opportunity for preventive work to keep the area from following the path to pervasive crime, drug addiction and prostitution found in similar areas around Asuncion. AFCI-Paraguay has 4 major program emphases. We will look at 2 or them today.
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Let’s Learn: After school Tutoring. There are separate classes for those who need to learn to read and write and those who need to reinforce their abilities in math and writing and in reading comprehension. Equally as important is the personal attention that strengthens the children’s self-confidence. The program also requires parents to attend monthly. This allows AFCI team to connect with the families and also an opportunity to share the gospel. This is a great achievement since parents in this social group are almost never involved in any way with their children’s education. They are beginning to see changes in family life as well.
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Christ Restores is a program for Christian ex-offenders. Many men come to Christ during their time in prison but have nothing to look forward to when they get out – no job or skills, no home, and usually no family. Christ Restores helps ex-offenders transition to life with a supportive place to live and learn without needing to depend on drugs or crime. They receive training and job placement so they can earn money.
Please pray for Charlie as he oversees and helps the AFCI Paraguay and as he works with their grant writer team to raise funds for this Paraguay Community Development Project called C-Deco.
And come back next week to “hear the rest of the story”. Two more major projects that Chris Hanak and Emi Monges, (a local missionary also supported by Pender)have started and continue to lead for the women in C-Deco.
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Please remember the church in your year end giving. It is important for your tax records to have released control of your gifts (and document having made them) on or before December 31, 2022.
It will make members of the church staff life easier if you make your gifts on or before December 26!
We thank you for your contributions in 2022.
In the New Year, we will have a financial campaign for the general budget.
Please begin praying now about your giving for 2023.
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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!
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Hi Sunday School Families & Friends,
There are some wonderful family/children's activities happening in December. Please come and enjoy! All are welcome -- and invite a friend!
Friday, Dec 9 at 7pm -- Youth Orchestra Concert
Sunday, Dec 11 at 10:15am -- Sunday School
then at 2:30pm -- Christmas Caroling
then at 4pm -- Gingerbread House Decorating & Photo with St. Nick!!
Sunday, Dec 18 at 9am -- Christmas Cantata
then at 10am -- our Sunday School children will dress up and perform a Live Nativity inside the Gathering Place during a social hour. Refreshments will be served and the congregation has been invited.
** Please let us know what part your children would like to play. Mary? Shepherds? Wisemen? Angels? We have some awesome costumes and fittings will take place in Sunday School this week.
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Matthew 25:39 'When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
Pender is in mission to incarcerated Fairfax youth as they await their sentencing. We worship monthly, and once a year, we host a Christmas Party.
It is a particularly difficult environment in which to establish a party mood. But I am Maryann Weber, and I bring party. Is joining me something you could do and is on your heart?
Covid restrictions are lifted and we can bring as many as who want to come. Still masks, though.
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Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
Pender December Youth News
Hi youth! Exciting things are planned for December.
Sunday, December 11th 2:30 pm-- 6 pm "Christmas Caroling/ Gingerbread Houses"
We'll walk, sing, and talk as we meet others in our community. Then we'll don elf hats and help the adults and children with gingerbread house making and photos with St. Nick in the Gathering Place.
Thursday, December 22nd, at 6 pm, Guapos Restaurant/Youth Christmas Party. Meet at the restaurant-13050 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA
Looking Ahead: Watch your phones. Rev. White will be texting you about attending a Wizard's Basketball game for Mid- January. Please invite a friend or two. Texts will be forthcoming to ask about potential dates.
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Do you order from Amazon?
Pender United Methodist Church (EIN: 54-0856924) has been issued a $43.12 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between April 1 and June 30, 2022.
So far, AmazonSmile has donated:
• $1,133.46 to Pender United Methodist Church
• Over $306 million to US charities
• Over $346 million to charities worldwide
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During the month of December, enjoy 50% of a great meal at Sedona Taphouse (4970 Westcroft Blvd) in Chantilly while supporting WFCM!
For every* HALF PRICE 8 oz. Black Angus Flat Iron Steak, 8 oz. Grilled Chicken, or 7 oz. Norwegian Salmon entrée sold on Mondays in December, Sedona Taphouse will donate $1 to our organization!
*You must dine in on a Monday, purchase a beverage, and the promotion is limited to one entrée per person.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
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Thank you to the Sully District Boy Scouts, Coordinator Michael Adere, and all the community members who donated food to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries during Scouting for Food this year. We received 56,673 pounds of food and toiletries! At the beginning of the day, the warehouse was bare but by the end, nearly 2,000 crates of food were full and the shelves were stocked.
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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.
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The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.
All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.
Item of the Week: Vegetable Oil
Please no:
* Expired food
* Glass jars
Thank you for your continuing generous support of WFCM.
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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.
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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.
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December 9, Youth Orchestra Concert
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December 10, United Women in Faith General Membership Sign up here.
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December 11, Santa's Ride Gifts Due
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December 11, Christmas Caroling
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December 11, Build Your Own Gingerbread House and photo with Saint Nick
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December 17, JDC Christmas Party Sign up to help.
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December 18, Christmas Cantata
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December 18, Christmas Social
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December 22, Youth Christmas Party
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December 24, Christmas Eve Services
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December 25, Christmas/Birthday Party for Jesus
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January 1, Covenant Service at 9 and 11:15
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January 14, Northern Virginia District Training Day
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February 12 through the 18, Hypothermia
Weekly Events
- Sunday
- 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.
- Handbell Rehearsals at 6:45 and 7:30.
- Wednesday
- Ruth Circle meets in person.
- Thursday
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4th Thursday Romeos at 11:45
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Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here
- AV and Worship Team
- Choir Rehearsal
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