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 Jane Langley or 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.

Dear Church Family:

The UM Book of Discipline states that “The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” That is, the mission of every Christian, and every congregation, and every church and denomination, everywhere and all times, is to invite and form people into a shared life of following Jesus the Savior and Lord of all. A healthy and growing church will thoughtfully consider how everything we do and everything we are, is to live out this singular purpose of playing our part in making followers of Jesus Christ. As the church is faithful to our Lord’s purpose and living by the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin to see our world change according to God’s loving design, starting in the church.

Being Jesus’ disciples and making disciples of others takes many forms. In recent months, we have included in our worship “A Moment for Mission” to highlight the work of missionaries we support who spread the gospel across the world. Recently, we added to this a “Moment for Stewardship” to keep before us God’s call to be faithful stewards of all that has been entrusted to us as Jesus’ followers. Beginning this Sunday, we will extend these weekly “moments” to include a monthly “Moment for Ministry” in which we will celebrate the various ministries of the church by which we live into and live out our disciple-making mission. These moments will help to remind us of the many ways we are called to be faithful to Christ’s mission, to give thanks to God for his faithfulness to provide his grace to do Christ’s work, and to consider God’s call on our lives as Jesus’ disciples.  

Our monthly schedule for these various moments in worship will be 1^st Sunday: Moment for Mission, 2^nd Sunday: Moment for Ministry, 3^rdSunday: Moment for Mission, 4^th Sunday: Moment for Stewardship, 5^th Sunday: Moment for Mission. If you have a ministry that you would like to present on a second Sunday in months to come, please notify JaiVon in the church office who will help us put together a schedule.     

How good it is to know that the discipling work assigned to us is Christ’s great gift to his church, for our salvation and the transformation of the world. I am grateful to be Jesus’ disciple serving in his great mission with you,

Pastor Bruce

Learning to Live Humbly

Have you ever met an angry Christian? 

You may have come across Christians who love to grumble, complain, or even speak harshly about other people. Maybe you’ve even been that person at times in your own life.

If we're not careful, we can easily become self-righteous within Christianity.

After all, we know the truth and others may not. You might see how tempting it can be to look down upon other people, demean them, or consider them as worse off than ourselves.

But this misses the point of the gospel of Jesus. The gospel tell us that all of us begin at the same starting point. And it’s only through grace that we come to salvation and learn the truth about God’s love for us.

That doesn’t make us any better than other Christians! In fact, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:2, we should actually be humble and gentle with others, rather than harsh and critical. He says we are to be patient with one another, helping one another in every way that we can so that we all grow together.

These ideas aren’t original to Paul. They actually came from how Jesus lived his life. As followers of Jesus, we too should strive to be gentle, humble, and patient with everyone in our life. Regardless of whether they look or think a different way, every person deserves dignity, patience, and love.

Take some time today to think of a few ways that you can grow in patience, humility, and love with others. It could be slowing down long enough for people to know you care, saying something encouraging to someone, or admitting to someone that you’ve made a mistake. 



Make the decision today to live in humility and grace with others.

“Learning to Live Humbly.” YouVersion, 2 August 2023. https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/

Board of Discipleship Presentation of the Denman Award for Clergy for Pastor Bruce Johnson.

Award presentation and dinner to be held at 4:00 PM Sunday October 8 in the Gathering Place.

District Superintendent Sarah Calvert will be present along with representatives from the Virginia Conference UMC.

Please RSVP by tomorrow to the church office to let us know you will attend. 703.278.8023 or office.admin@penderumc.org

The Harry Denman Evangelism Awards honor a United Methodist clergy, youth, and layperson in each annual conference who has exhibited outstanding efforts in Wesleyan evangelism by faithfully carrying out the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ.”

The award is named for the late Dr. Harry Denman, a distinguished lay evangelist whom Dr. Billy Graham called “my mentor in evangelism.” The awards are made possible by The Foundation for Evangelism (www.foundationforevangelism.org), founded in 1949 by Dr. Denman, who felt it was the business of every Christian to be an evangelist. It is most fitting that annual conferences today honor persons who carry on the spirit of Harry Denman.

Those eligible for this prestigious award practice the Great Commission. This can involve personal witnessing, speaking, and inspiring individual persons or the local church to be actively involved in helping people experience God’s transforming love through Jesus Christ. Neither the size of the local church with which the person is affiliated, the age or gender of the person, nor the length of their service should limit one’s eligibility. What is essential are the persons whose lives have been changed by the life and ministry of the nominee.

The Virginia conferences honor an individual each year and present the awards at the Virginia Annual Conference gathering.

The selection process is directed by the Board of Discipleship of the Virginia conference, and all nominations are collected through the nomination process set by the board.

Patrick King is our new Director of Music Ministries.

Patrick King is a skilled composer, producer, pianist and singer/songwriter from Portsmouth, Virginia and is married to the beautiful scientist, Dr. Kameron King. They have two sons.

He started with a passion and ear for music early in life that would be developed through piano lessons, sitting under great musical influences and receiving his first synthesizer at age 14, through which he gained many musical abilities.

Patrick has produced, written, arranged, played for and provided background vocals for many music artists from Virginia, as well as helping to establish and enhance the music careers of other artists with his advice, coaching and influence. Furthermore, he has two solo projects under his belt titled From the Soul (2019) and Love (2021) which feature mixed-genre styles of music.

Outside of composing and writing, Patrick has served as the Music Director and Worship Leader for a number of churches throughout VA., of which he has helped to establish and enhance their music and sound departments through ministry workshops and training programs. Since then, he has earned his Associate of Fine Arts in Music from Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, VA. and will be receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music for Film, TV and Games from Berklee College of Music.

Patrick has a fervent passion for learning, teaching and influencing others with his life’s story centered around divinely inspired events that only God could bring about that have molded him into the man he is today and is the inspiration for his music school he started in December 2020, All Muzic and Arts Academy where he serves as CEO and lead piano, voice and music production instructor.

Patrick thrives in being innovative to push musical boundaries, as well as staying open to current trends and with his past experiences, along with a career as an established composer, singer/songwriter and producer, he seeks to inspire and be a resource for others so they can be the best versions of themselves.

Please join the Pender Book Lovers on Sunday, October 8th at 4 PM as we discuss "Hello Beautiful" by Ann Napolitano. 

The group meets by Zoom so please contact Iris Salcewicz for Zoom information. 

Pender's Annual Trunk or Treat is returning bigger and better than ever!

Our 2023 upcoming fall festival features trunk or treat (wear costumes), snacks, games for all ages, and live music by our Common Ground Praise Band (including karaoke so everyone can get involved). 

This will be a lot of fun for everyone. 

The main date is Saturday, October 21 from 2-4 pm) and the rain date is Sunday, October 29 from 2-4 pm. Please wear a costume!

~~~

There are two bins in the narthex for the congregation to supply individually wrapped candy and snacks for the Fall Festival on October 21. 

~~~

We also need helpers for our Fall Festival! We will be decorating items for the Fall Festival on October 14.

~~~

We also need the following items:

1. Plastic pumpkins (small and medium). Need both completely closed pumpkins and open pumpkins with a hole on top. 

2. rings (for ring toss)

3. bowling pins

Please put your name on the items so the items can be returned to the owner after the fair. There are two boxes in the back room behind the kitchen (marked "for fall festival"). These items can go into these boxes. 

~~~

We need volunteers to help during the Fall Festival. In particular, we need people to help with the following:

1) Trunk or Treat cars

2) passing out candy

3) corn hole game

4) pumpkin bowling game

5) guess the number of candy in a jar game

6) ring toss (on a pumpkin) game

7) hot apple cider bar

8) football (nerf) toss into a hole game

9) Put one oreo cookie on forehead and have the person try to put the cookie in to his or her mouth without using hands game

10) parking

11) face painting

We need people to sign up by October 8 so we know many people to expect to help us out during the festival. 

To help out during the Festival, please sign up using our SignUpGenius or the QR code below.

Jim and Roberta Pont will be offering Fun With Music again starting in early October. They could use a few more toys for children ages 0 to 5.

Also any children's books also for ages 0 to 5 that would be in good condition to give to the children on their birthday month. During their birthday month we sing Happy Birthday and the children get to pick a book to take home. 

They are really looking forward to beginning this program again after the pandemic when we had to shut down.

Please bring toys and books to Pender. Roberta has left a bin marked Fun With Music in the narthex. 

Any questions? Please feel free to call or email Roberta Pont.

Fun With Music started October 2nd. There is a fee of $25.00 to cover the food and supplies for the semester. This is per family. 

The  program will start at 10AM and end at 11:30AM. 

This program is for children 0 thru 5 and their parent, grandparent, or caregiver. The program will begin with age appropriate singing for the children for 30 minutes. 

It is a very interactive session, making use of instruments, parachutes, stuffed animals and other props. 

The children then will have a snack and then play with toys . The adults are served breakfast and have time for fellowship while the children play. 

We will meet in the Cornerstone Room. 

Please feel free to call Roberta Pont at 703-725-7597 or email at jimandrobertapont@gmail.com. 

Friends and Disciples,

You may have noticed that we no longer have a "My Pender Page" link on our website menu, that is because we have changed the name to "Realm Connect"!

Do not worry, all of your information and accounts are still there, we have just changed the name of the link to organize and reflect on the updates our database has recently experienced. 

Click the "Realm Connect" link on the menu to visit the page. 

On this page, there is a link that reads:

Quick Link to Realm Connect

You can click on this link to access the sign-in page to get to your original account that had all of your My Pender Page information.

If you have trouble logging in, contact the church office for a new "invitation".

Thank you!

Please note that the link to add an event to the Church Calendar remains the same.

PUMC members may add events to the Church calendar.

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. You cannot add an event to a room that is already reserved for another meeting.

More information at Building Use

The Pender UMC United Women in Faith will host a women’s retreat on October 28 from 9:30 to 3:00.

The Registration Fee of $25 includes Breakfast and a Boxed Lunch.

RSVP here or use the QR Code below.

Please note that you may need to update your Pender account. If so, email the church office for an invitation.

"For nothing will be impossible with God" Luke 1:37 NIV

"I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20 NLT

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

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!

October 15, 2023 - Youth Ministry Event: Maui Hygiene Kits

Pender's Impact for Youth will host a youth ministry event: Maui hygiene kits. Help pack 500 kits to help those affected by the fires in Maui.

Nov 5: making 100 sandwiches

Nov 19: birthday in a box

Dec 3: Christmas party and kitty catnip socks

Common Ground Praise Band Rehearsals continue this evening Thursday, October 5 at 6:30 pm.

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals continue this evening Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 pm.

Come meet our new Director of Music Ministries!

All are welcome!

Handbells are not just for children and teens! We have adult handbell groups for beginner to advanced ringers.  The difficulty level of handbell music is rated from Level 1 (easy) to Level 6 (most difficult). Each of the groups rings 6-8 times in worship between September and June and participates in the annual Christmas handbell concert. 

The groups also like to participate in the various festivals that are held by the regional handbell guild (Handbell Musicians of America – Area 3). Our rehearsals are full of laughing and ringing (sometimes more laughing than ringing!) You do not have to know how to read music to learn how to ring handbells! 

Carillon Ringers group is for ringers who ring Level 2 and Level 3 music.

Carillon Ringers rehearse at 6:45 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks. 

Joy Ringers group is for advanced ringers who ring Level 4 and Level 5 music

Joy Ringers rehearse at 7:30 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks. 

Interested? Contact Brian or the Music Ministry

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries ("WFCM") Current Request for Donations

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.

~~~

The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.

All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.

Item of the Week: Oatmeal

Please no:

* Expired food

* Glass jars

Thank you for your continuing generous support of WFCM.

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.