Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
September 22, 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, September 25, 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on "Gulf is Crossed" based on Luke 16:19-31.
This week, we have a powerful story of reversal, the world turned upside-down. Or rather, right side up. This parable is what Mary sang about in the Magnificat way back at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel.
The poor are filled with good things, and the rich are sent away hungry; brought down the powerful and lifted up the lowly. Here it is acted out in the parable Jesus told to those who were ridiculing him because they loved money more than God’s kingdom.
"Gulf is Crossed" is from the sermon series titled Having Words with Jesus.
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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World Communion Sunday is October 2, 2022
Holy Communion joins us in Christian unity. This sacrament invites us to focus on the holiness of communion with God and one another. On World Communion Sunday, United Methodists, in conjunction with other denominations and believers worldwide, participate in communion to recognize our unity in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This universal and inclusive connection is the foundation of the special offering for World Communion Sunday.
Your donations support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals and transforming communities. In 2021, World Communion Sunday offerings awarded 242 scholarships and grants. Your generosity continues to provide scholarships, grants, mentoring and training for leadership development. Fifty percent of the offering provides scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries. Thirty-five percent supports racial and ethnic scholarships for students pursuing ordained ministry (deacon or elder) and includes a mentoring program.
Fifteen percent funds Ethnic-In-Service Training Grant for leadership development, recruitment, training, and retention of ethnic United Methodist persons in leadership positions in every level of the church and its ministry.
The United Methodist Church, the world and our communities are in a time of transition. Now, perhaps more than ever, we are called to extend healing and hope which will guide us to becoming a new creation in Christ. Through our gifts and support, we can invest in talented, qualified students from around the globe to transform the world as witnesses for Christ!
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Reaching New People – This is proven, current, methodology for “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” UMC BOD, 2016, ¶ 120, It utilizes local church strengths and people to “project the church’s presence” into the community.
The Rev. Melissa Dunlap has agreed to be our consultant. She is coming on Sunday, September 18, from 3-5pm, to lead an introductory workshop. Everyone is welcome with the goal that there will be a Reaching New People team, made up of both volunteer and recruited members, that will meet monthly with our consultant over a twelve-month period.
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Help Us To Use Our Gifts
God of love,
help us to use the gifts you give us
for the people who need us.
Help us to see their need and, inspired by your Son,
reach beyond ourselves,
beyond our institutions,
to the very margins and bring all to you, the center.
May all we do be in preparation to serve more fully,
seeking you in the world that we are invited to create
with you.
Send your Spirit to keep us aglow with the desire of
justice.
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GIVING FINANCIALLY
From the Finance Committee:
GIVING FINANCIALLY
Each act of financial giving to the Lord is a testimony to your willingness to TRUST God in your life. Each time you give, you are acknowledging your total and complete dependence on Him as your Heavenly Father. Not to give faithfully to the Lord’s work is a sign that you’re unwilling to trust God in your life. D.L. Moody, the famous Christian leader once said, “If you don’t have much, but give, you will have more. But if you don’t give, whatever you have will never be enough.”
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24,25
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.” Proverbs 28:27
SUPPORT PENDER THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS, GIVING AND SERVICE
We are asking everyone to prayerfully ask for God’s provision to fulfill the spiritual, physical, people and financial needs of Pender United Methodist Church. Some of the current needs of the church include the following:
· The church building needs a new roof so that when God blesses us with much needed rain, the rain stays on the outside of the building.
· Pender has faithfully paid its share of apportionments in the past. The apportionments represent the share Pender, as a local church, contributes to the Virginia United Methodist Conference to support local, national, and international missions and pastor retirements. Current levels of giving are currently insufficient to allow for the payment of apportionments this year.
Please prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to be the answer to prayer to meet the needs of the church.
The following prayer is being shared to guide you as you pray for Pender’s needs.
Dear Lord,
You are worthy to be praised. You are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Equip us to strive for Your kingdom and for Your righteousness. You promise that if we do so, all these things will be given us. You know what Pender United Methodist church needs.
We pray using Your word for the funding needed for a brand-new roof. We also pray using Your word for the funding to allow Pender to pay its share of apportionments this year.
We thank You for Your providence and we pray with gratitude and expectation. In Your Precious Name we pray. Amen and Alleluia.
We trust that the One who has been faithful in the past will be faithful in the future. Thank you for your continued giving, service and prayers.
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Postponed! You Are Loved: A Panel Discussion on Suicide Prevention; Talking Saves Lives
Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide.
Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.
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United Women in Faith General Membership Meeting
All ladies are invited to the Women in Faith general membership meeting on Saturday, September 24 at 9:30 AM. We will be meeting in the Gathering Space, having breakfast and working on a service project. Please contact Iris Salcewicz for additional details.
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GBE Back to School Stock Up
Pender will be partnering with Greenbriar East Elementary School again this school year to provide weekend food bags to students.
We will not start packing or delivering bags until later this Fall, but until then would like to start stocking up on many of the items we regularly include.
Please consider adding a few of these items to your grocery cart over the next few weeks: regular size boxes of Mac & Cheese, creamy peanut butter, Chef Boyardee ravioli or spaghetti & meatballs, granola bars, cereal bars, and peanut butter or cheese crackers. We would appreciate them in any quantities! Please make sure that their "best by" or expiration date is after the end of 2022 to ensure they are still good when we send them to GBE.
Donations can be placed in the blue rolling bin in the Gathering Place until the end of September.
If you have questions, please contact Ann Hines or Jami Flemmons.
Thank you for supporting this ministry in our community!
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Spiritual Gifts Discovery Fair
A Spiritual Gifts Discovery Fair will be held on October 2nd between worship services from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM in the Gathering Place.
There will be a very brief video and attendees will be given the opportunity to fill out a short questionnaire that will help them to identify their spiritual gifts.
Everyone who fills out a questionnaire will receive a door prize. There will also be a few booths highlighting opportunities for service. In addition, there will be refreshments for all. If you attend the early service, stick around for the fair. If you attend the late services, come a little bit early.
We hope to see you there.
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Reaching Out to New People
By Pete Andrews
Have you ever wondered how to reach out to new people to bring him or her to God and to Pender UMC? Well, that is what the Reaching New People Team at Pender is all about. Reverend Melissa Dunlap, an Elder within the Virginia Annual Conference, is Pender’s consultant to discuss and implement ways to do just that in the community around Pender UMC.
Our first event will be Pender’s Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 29th. We are currently thinking of ways we can get to know the guests who will come.
We are looking for new members to join our group. If you would like to be a part of this, please email me at Andrepr100@aol.com.
We are just getting started and will be planning more events throughout the year.
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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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The Connections Sunday School Class will resume on Sunday, October 9, at 10 am.
Rev. White, Brian Stevenson, and other volunteers will lead the class based on the lectionary readings for each Sunday.
Come join us in Room 206 (Library)!
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Do you like to read and talk about books? Do you like to read current bestsellers or classic books - mysteries, thrillers or non-fiction?
The Book Lovers Group meets monthly on the second Sunday at 4:00 PM. We are meeting by Zoom and normally we meet about 1 1/2 hours. We have a lively discussion about the book since sometimes we all like the book and other times, we can’t agree if we like the book.
The Pender Book Lovers Group will be reading Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz in October. The group will be meeting by Zoom on Sunday, October 9 at 4 PM. The book is available for purchase on Amazon or at the local public library.
The TV series will premiere on PBS MASTERPIECE Mystery October 16th!
Contact Iris for more information or the webmaster for the Zoom link.
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The Pender Nursery is available on Sundays during services and Sunday School classes.
Please let us know the ages of your children so we can best prepare for them at pender.church/signup.
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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Presentation of Bibles to Children September 25.
Presentation of Bibles to children and sending blessings and prayers to all the Sunday School teachers and shepherds during the traditional morning worship service.
This worship experience is led by Pastor Will and facilitated by the Grow in God Cluster.
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Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
Youth Group Sunday - 4:00-5:30
TRIP TO ATWOOD’S CABIN FOR YOUTH October 7-9
The youth group is headed to Mark Atwood’s cabin October 7-9. This will be a great opportunity to relax in Christian fellowship. Youth and parents, please let us know if your youth will be coming. We’ll arrive on Friday, and most will stay until Sunday when they’ll return home. Others may leave earlier if need be. We’ll explore beautiful downtown Ruckersville, located a half hour from Charlottesville on 29 North. Perhaps we’ll take a hike, see some historical sites, BBQ, or tell stories. Rev. White may share the secret of “crossed and uncrossed”, but maybe not. We’ll try to do whatever else you are interested in. Please come.
By the way, we continue to meet on Sunday afternoons at 4pm. Be on the lookout for a trip to the Native American museum in DC in November.
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With the departure of Minister Howard Finley, church leaders are seeking ways to support the youth of our church and reach out to our community while continuing to investigate all options (including staff) to support youth ministries.
In the meantime, Mark Atwood is planning Sunday evening meetings with support from Rev. White.
Rev. White is discussing with youth and parents possible Educational Day trips and fun outings the youth might enjoy this fall. We’ll continue to let you know what we are doing as we seek to support the youth of Pender while reaching out to our community. ~Rev. White
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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 |
The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.
All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.
Item of the Week: Pasta
Please no:
* Expired food
* Glass jars
Thank you for your continuing generous support of WFCM.
Save the Date!
WFCM’s Annual Fall FUNdraiser
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Chantilly National Golf & Country Club
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Appetizer and Dessert Reception with in-person fun OR participate online only.
Online Auction for all participants.
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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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September 24, United Women in Faith General Membership Meeting Sign up at pender.church/signup
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Postponed: You Are Loved: A Panel Discussion on Suicide Prevention
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September 25, Presentation of Bibles to Children
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October 1, Walk to Fight Suicide
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October 2, World Communion Sunday
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October 2, Spiritual Gifts Discovery/Ministry Fair
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October 2, WFCM Annual Fall FUNdraiser
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October 7-9, Youth Trip to Atwood Cabin
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October 9, The Connections Class resumes
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October 9, Pender Book Lovers Group
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October 29, Trunk or Treat, 4:30
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November 12, Scouting for Food
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November 12, Boy Scout After-Party
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November 12, Orchestra Concert
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December 3, An Evening Out for Parents & Caregivers
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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 11, Build Your Own Gingerbread House
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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