Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
November 17, 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, November 20 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on "Scoffers On a Hill" based on Luke 23:33-43.
This text may seem out of sequence. Here we are on the last Sunday of the Christian year, and we are reading Holy Week texts? And where does “Reign of Christ” Sunday come from? Has someone done away with the traditional designation of Christ the King Sunday?
"Scoffers On a Hill" is the final sermon in the series titled Face to Face with Jesus. What would it be like to encounter Jesus face to face? That’s the question this series sets out to help us answer. We can’t know, of course, but we can get a glimpse of what happened to those who did meet Jesus in the Gospel texts we examine here.
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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Dear Friends of Jesus Christ,
As most of you know, three UVA football players were killed and two wounded on Sunday night. This is a tragic occurrence, and a shocking event. On Monday, I reached out to the Rev. Alex Joyner, Lead Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. On behalf of Pender UMC, I pledged our material and spiritual support for the UVA community. Through the Virginia Annual Conference, we support a campus minister at UVA, as well as the Wesley Foundation facility used by United Methodist students for Christian activities at UVA.
On Sunday, we’ll offer prayers for the UVA community, the Wesley Foundation campus minister there, and the sixteen other Wesley Foundation campus ministers across the Annual Conference. I’ve been talking with some of them about their response to this crisis, as well as their plans to respond to similar events. I’m inspired by what they are doing, and I’ll share what I learned this Sunday.
For now, please join me in praying for the families of the victims, the UVA student community, and the campus ministers. While it is challenging, let us also pray for the perpetrator as his family also grieves and his life is in ruins.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21 NRSV
I hope to see you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Will White
Lead Pastor, Pender UMC
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Week Six
In the coming weeks, a short segment of the overall presentation will be included in the newsletter each week.
We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the structure and missions of Pender.
For the sixth week, we present a discussion of decision making at Pender.
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The Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church has just announced our new Bishop for the Virginia Annual Conference will be Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson! Bishop Sue has served as the Bishop for the North Georgia Conference over this last (extended) quadrennium and will begin her term in Virginia in January 2023.
Our current Bishop, Sharma D. Lewis, will be transitioning to the Mississippi Conference in January. Virginia’s own Episcopal nominee, Tom Berlin, will be consecrated within the next hour and has been announced as the new Bishop for the Florida Conference.
This is a momentous day for the Virginia Conference & our denomination - praying for these leaders as they guide us into this next season!
Welcome, Bishop Sue, and congratulations to Bishop Berlin and Bishop Lewis!
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Follow Up to Vision Team Presentations
The Vision Team hosted two presentations on November 6 and November 13th. Information was shared from the Annual Conference about local church dissolution from the United Methodist Church. If you were unable to attend, you can find a great deal of the information that was presented on the following links:
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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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Come join us for a free concert of holiday music December 3 at 7 pm!
Usher in the holidays with the sounds of the Harp, Flute, Piano, Organ, Soprano vocalist, Handbells, Jazz duo and an Irish session!
The concert will conclude with everyone joining in singing some traditional carols.
A reception will follow.
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Leaders Wanted
The Nominations Committee is currently in the midst of its annual nominations campaign and we are looking for leaders for a number of key positions. Two of these are the leads of the Finance Committee and the Serve God/Nominations Cluster. Following are very brief descriptions of the duties. If you think you might have the skill set and spiritual gifts for either of these positions, please contact David Hensley at dhhensley@gmail.comor 703-408-7750. Thank you very much.
Serve God/Nominations:
1. Recognize retired leaders from the previous year.
2. Highlight opportunities for leadership training.
3. Present leadership training, e.g. Pender 101.
4. Identify and recruit candidates for leadership positions.
Finance:
5. Lead Finance Committee meetings.
6. Track Church finances.
7. Oversee stewardship.
8. Compile an annual budget.
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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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The Prayer Shawl Ministry group will meet this Saturday from 10 AM - Noon.
We are currently meeting by Zoom.
If you crochet or knit, please join us. The group makes prayer shawls, lap blankets, baby blankets, scarves, hats and slippers. We have show-n-tell so we can see what the group is working on.
Please contact Iris Salcewicz for Zoom information.
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Operation Christmas Child
Pender will be packing shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, and there are many ways you can help!
* Pack a box with your family or small group! Boxes due Nov. 20th. Info in the Narthex or at www.samaritanspurse.com/occ
* Donate items for shoeboxes, such as: small toys, washcloths, school supplies, hair accessories, kid's jewelry
* Donate towards shipping costs, $10 ships one box, please add OCC to your memo
* Sign up to help receive shoeboxes from the community,
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Pender has a Blessing Box! It’s at the end of the driveway near the lower parking lot.
When you’re near Pender, please pay it forward and share a few groceries with those in need.
There is no lock on it- it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Take what you need.
Leave what you can.
Little becomes much
In the Master’s hand.”
Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
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GBE Backpack Program Update:
Thank you so much for signing up to help us with the shopping for the GBE meals!
We just wanted to send out a friendly reminder that the bags are due back this Sunday so that we have time to organize, prepare and deliver the items.
Thank you again for supporting this ministry. The students and counselors are very grateful!
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Office Volunteers
We are looking for a few volunteers that would be willing and able to help out at the Church Office during the week. We could use some volunteers to help answer the phone, sort mail, and fold the bulletins if anyone feels so called to help. We would want help primarily on Monday and Wednesday mornings, but if you have availability on Thursdays, we can also use your help then as well!
Please contact Joe Mace or Pastor Will for further details and information.
As always, thanks for everything that you all continue to do for Pender and the Church. We are truly blessed to have a foundation in Christ upon which we can always depend on in these crazy days that have made up the past few years!
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Baby Finley was born ten weeks early and has been in the NICU for several weeks. The family could use gift cards to Uber Eats, Grubhub, Target, or Amazon.
Gift cards can be placed in the envelope marked “Gift cards for Baby Finley’s Family”, which is on the front desk in the office.
If you have any questions, please contact Iris Salcewicz.
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The Pender Nursery is available on Sundays during services and Sunday School classes.
Note that all children must wear masks and have their temperature taken.
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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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Calling all Shepherds! If you like working with children (ages PreK - grade 6) and are willing to help distribute materials, and assist children in the classroom, we'd love to have you join our Children's Sunday School team!
Help our children to feel God's love and the support/encouragement of our Pender family!
(Sundays, 10:15 - 11am. Sign up for 1 week or 40!)
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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
Pastor White and Mark Atwood continue to meet with the youth on Sunday evenings, unless otherwise indicated. Join us!
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Mark Atwood is planning Sunday evening meetings with support from Rev. White.
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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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All Pender Meetings, Classes and Events on the Church Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year expired at the end of June 2022.
If you are the leader of a meeting, Sunday School Teacher or event leader, please add your events for the 2022/2023 school year to the Event Calendar.
This applies to events at Pender, Zoom Meetings, groups at people's homes, enjoying a meal at a restaurant. All Pender events must be accounted for as they are reported to the District Office.
Pender Members can add your own events to the calendar through MyPenderPage.
Log onto MyPenderPage, find "Events" on the menu bar, then "Calendar". On the right top, click on "Add Event" to add it to the Pending Calendar.
You will get an email when your event is approved. Note that you cannot add an event to a room that is already reserved for another meeting.
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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: Canned Pasta
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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November 20, GBE Food Bags Due
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November 20, Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due
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November 20, Lunch and Hanging of the Greens
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November 20, Thanksgiving Community Service at King of Kings
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November 21, ROMEOS
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November 24, Happy Thanksgiving!
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November 27, Advent begins
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December 3, Christmas Concert
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December 4, United Women in Faith Ugly Christmas Sweater and Sing Along Party
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December 9, Youth Orchestra Concert
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December 10, United Women in Faith General Membership
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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
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December 17, JDC Christmas Party
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December 18, Christmas Cantata
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December 18, Christmas Social
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December 24, Christmas Eve Services
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December 25, Christmas/Birthday Party for Jesus
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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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