Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
This Week at Pender
June 8, 2023
By following Jesus
and reaching out to others,
we seek God's transformation
of ourselves and our world. 
Greetings!
June 11, 2023
June 11, 2023 is Music Appreciation Sunday.

Since Pender Lead Pastor Will White is on renewal leave, Rev. Dr. Michelle Chaney will be our Guest Preacher. She will preach on "Vision for Healing" based on Matthew 9:9-13,18-26.



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
Prayer Requests
"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.
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.
Access the Sunday Bulletin
through the QR code above
and on signs at Pender
 
After starting with QR code bulletins last Sunday, there were some questions.

Online bulletins save money for Pender in paper and ink costs (color ink is extremely expensive - just a small bit of color on a page is enough to ratchet up the costs).  In addition to saving money, they allow our online worshipers to know what is going on during the service.  

Paper bulletins, which were traditionally printed on Thursday, could not be edited but online bulletins can be updated whenever new information is provided.

In addition to the online bulletin, all the service information is available on the screens during worship.

Announcements are already in this newsletter, on the slides during the service and in the narthex.

QR code stands for "Quick Response" code. Pender's QR code is a 2D barcode that stores a link to our Sunday Bulletin.

The bulletin can be read using a QR code scanner or a QR code reader app on your smartphone. Many cellphone cameras read QR codes automatically but you may need to download a QR reader from your app store.

Point your camera or QR scanner at the image and click the yellow link that appears. This link will open in your browser. It can be saved from week to week - just refresh for the next week's bulletin.

If you prefer not to use the QR code, the direct URL is https://penderumc.org/live/
iPhone instructions above.
Android instructions above.


More questions or comments? Let the staff know!
What Does Love Really Look Like?
It’s easy to feel bombarded with information about what it means to love and to be loved. But the template for true love isn’t found in cultural trends, it was given to us by the God who represents the concept itself. His love is different from any other kind of love. 
 
In fact, the Bible says that God is love. 
God sent His only Son to die for the sins of every person. There was only one reason for God to experience that kind of heartache: His love for us. God didn’t need us, but He wanted us. His love is unconditional, sacrificial, everlasting, and for everyone.
 
When we accept God’s love for us, we can then love Him in return and let Him change the way we see ourselves. And when we learn to see ourselves through the lens of God’s love, we start to love others like God loves us. Jesus modeled what God’s love looked like when He gave up His life for us. We didn’t deserve or earn it—but that didn’t stop Him from going to the cross on our behalf. 

We become His friends when we accept His sacrifice and receive His forgiveness. But Jesus says we will truly know that we are His friends if we do what He asks of us (John 15:14). 
 
And this is what Jesus asks of us…“Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13 NLT 

If we love Jesus, then we are His friends. But if we are His friends, then we will care about what He cares about. And He cared so much about us that He gave up His rights, authority, and life so that anyone could experience God’s eternal love. Jesus will call us His friends if we are willing to do the same thing. 

So what would laying down your life for a friend look like? Maybe this means giving up your plans for a day in order to serve someone. It could look like preserving a relationship by intentionally giving up an argument. Or maybe it means sacrificing your time, energy, or self-image in order to come alongside someone who is hurting. 

God’s love in action is selfless because it causes us to think about ourselves less. So today, ask God to show you how you can love others like He has sacrificially loved you.
 
You Version Bible App 29 May 2023
On June 6, 2023, we officially welcomed JaiVon Frederick into the Pender United Methodist Church family as our new Church Administrator. Growing up JaiVon attended school in 4 different countries. He’s lived in Guinea, Kenya, Niger, and Indonesia.

JaiVon has lived in Virginia for ten years and attended Chantilly High School, where he was awarded a Scholastic Arts & Writing award for an original art piece that was later displayed in Carnegie Hall.

Following his graduation from Chantilly in 2016 he was then accepted into Virginia Tech where he completed a double major in Digital Arts and International business studies in 2021.

His personal interests include animation, software engineering, fine arts, music, and fitness. In his spare time, he is a freelance digital artist, graphic designer and animator and produces digital assets and motion graphics. He is also a freelance web developer skilled in building and designing full-stack applications and websites for clients.

JaiVon had the honor of conceptualizing and designing the menu for Union 41 a new fine-dining restaurant that opened in Bristol, Virginia, in March 2023.

In 2022, he was commissioned by St. Paul Baptist Church in Aylett, Virginia to design the cover of the 51st pastoral Anniversary and Retirement booklet for the leaving pastor, Reverend Robert Brown. He was also called upon by St. Paul Baptist church to build the church’s website and finished its development in May 2023.
We are very proud of our 2023 graduates and honored them during our Traditional Worship Service on Sunday, June 4 at 9am. A slideshow of our graduates was shown at the beginning of our 9 and 11:15 am worship services.
Johanna Holmes Berry

Johanna is graduating with honors from Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia. She will attend William and Mary in the fall, pursuing a major in Chemistry.

Her parents are Greg and Maya Berry.
Abby Rothschild

Abby has graduated from Old Dominion University where she majored in Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. She will be working as a Computer Engineer for DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center at Ft. Eustis in Newport News.

Her parents are Ted and Teresa Rothschild.
Don Andrew Staggs

Don has graduated from Creighton University, School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska Don plans to sit for the bar exam toward the end of July. (Please pray that he passes the bar exam in July.) Initial job after sitting for the bar exam will be with the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

His Proud Parents are Don and Karen Staggs.
Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee hosts a retirement dinner party and ceremony for Rev. Will White, his spouse Donna and their two sons.

This event is open to the entire congregation, Pender community, and persons Pastor White shepherd in previous UMC congregations.

The dinner and ceremony will take place in the Gathering Place.

RSVP to the Church Office.

~~~

Now, it is time for Pender and the Fairfax community to say thank you and extend Best Wishes to Pastor Will and Donna White as they enter retirement. 

You have three opportunities in addition to any personal notes you may want to offer: 
 
  1. You can make a love offering gift – indicate "Love Offering Gift" in the memo of your check or online giving. Please note that love offerings are not tax deductible.
  2. You can send him a card and place it in the collection plate.
  3. You can send any pictures of Pastor Will and/or Donna with our children, youth, and/or adults from the congregation or community. We will incorporate the pictures into a PowerPoint slideshow to be viewed at the Saturday, June 10th dinner celebration. 
Kathie Virunurm served with Campus Crusade for Christ in Estonia at Tartu University many years ago. Now she is serving with CRU at George Mason University. Every summer Kathie leads a group of students from George Mason university on a 6-week mission. She is thrilled to be in Estonia again for this year's mission trip.  The following is Kathie's description of that mission.  

"The focus of our summer mission is to meet new students in Tartu so that we can share the gospel with them and get them connected with Agape Estonia. We will be meeting students through a variety of ways such as initiating conversations by doing spiritual interest surveys and inviting students to social events which we are hosting. Estonia is a European country on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Estonia is rich with culture and beautiful, yet it is in great need of the good news of the gospel. It is considered one of the least religious countries of the world. In meeting a new student this week, the Estonian student who is not a Christian, even used this fact to describe their country. The majority of the 13,000 college students at the University of Tartu have either never heard the gospel or don’t even think faith in God is important in their lives. We have the opportunity this summer to come alongside of the Estonian staff and student leaders to build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations about Jesus. My role this summer is mainly training our students on mission in how to share their faith. Often times in Estonia the process of someone coming to faith in Christ is a longer journey as they are thoughtful as they consider about Jesus and the gospel.

- Please pray with us that the Lord would open doors to have continuing conversations with students who seek to    know God, for open doors to share the gospel, and for Estonians to come to trust in Jesus!
- Pray for the American students to courageously take steps to share the gospel as well as grow in their faith. 
-Pray for us to be an encouragement and help to the Agape Estonia staff and student leaders. 
-Pray for the outreach retreat that we are hosting on June 9-12 on an island named Hiiumaa. The Agape Estonian  staff have done this retreat in past years. We will invite all of our new friends to come join us for the retreat. During  this retreat, there will be many discussion groups as well as unstructured time to hear what students believe and to  share the gospel."
Pender Faith Promise Missions.  For the month of June, please lift up our 10 Mission Teams serving in the USA: Laura Bowers (CRU, DMV), Warren & Joy George (Navigators, CA), Rev. Neal & Shirley Hicks (TMS Global, TN), Stephen & Meiyun Hoyle (COM, VA), Stephanie Mberego (Bridges Int'l, DMV), Andrew & Karlayne Powars (CRU, DC), Rev. Ruston & Donna Seaman (Peoples Chapel, WV), Joe & Laura Sullivan (COM, PA), Kathie Virunurm (CRU, DMV), Rick & Debbie Yorgey (Navigators, DC).
 
Please select "Faith Promise Missions" for online contributions or indicate in the memo line of your check. Pender supports 62 Missions Teams and Cross-cultural Workers worldwide. For more info, please contact Greg or Maya Berry at church.missions@penderumc.org
Pot Luck supper with the Paige Family (TMS Global-Spain) in Rooms 202-204.

POC is Maya Berry
As we prepare for the arrival of Pastor Bruce, we want to “pound” him with items to fill up his pantry.

Please bring items such as rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, soup, canned fruit and any other non-perishable food items. Cleaning supplies can also be included. Gift cards to local grocery stores and local restaurants are also welcomed.

Pastor Bruce likes Thai food and does not like mayo.

Items can be left on the table outside the Gathering Space, near the stairs.

Please bring any items by Sunday, June 25.

Questions, please contact Iris Salcewicz.
Join the Pender Book Lovers Group as we read The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.
 We will be discussing the book on Sunday, June 11 at 4 PM. 

We meet by Zoom and would enjoy to have your thoughts on the book. 

Please contact Iris Salcewicz for Zoom details.
Pender's Got Talent Show

Do You Sing, Dance, Play an Instrument, 
Perform Magic, Mime, Spoken Word or Poetry?
Then we want YOU to perform!
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2023
Time: 12:30-2:30 PM
Place: Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA.
Sign Up: Sign Up Genuis; All Acts Must Be Family Friendly & No Use of Profanity; Maximum of four (4) minutes/act
Questions: Send an Email to office.admin@penderumc.org
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!

Pender Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a week-long program from June 26-30, 2023 from 9:00am-12:30pm, for children ages 4-12.

This week at VBS, we will be exploring the Rocky Railway! Your child will experience Bible stories about God’s amazing world and discover the ways God cares for every part of creation.

Your child will make new friends, sing fun songs, watch dramatic presentations of the Bible stories, play active games, go on a nature scavenger hunt, do art projects and science explorations, and dig into the Bible.

Be sure your child arrives by 9:00 am each day. Children will gather with a small group and leader in the same place each day.
Turning Point Youth
Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
If anyone would like to contribute items for the Rest Stop, those items can be left in the blue bin or in the church office labeled "Rest Stop".

Items often needed are: full size water bottles (They do not use the 4oz ones), seltzers, energy drinks, Aspire, Gatorade and Propel.
WFCM


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: Canned Fruit

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.
Save the Date

  • June 10, Rev. Will White Retirement Dinner Ceremony
  • June 11, Music Appreciation Sunday
  • June 11, Book Club
  • June 18, Volunteer Appreciation Sunday
  • June 20, One Board Primer
  • June 25, Pounding Items Due
  • June 26-30, Vacation Bible School
  • June 29, Missions Potluck
  • July 2, Rev. Bruce Johnson's first Sunday
  • July 8-9, Reunion with Rusty Seaman and Chestnut Ridge
  • July 16, Meet & Greet Barbecue for PUMC New Pastor, Rev. Bruce Johnson
  • July 16, Talent Show
  • August 27, Back to Church Sunday and potluck
  • October 21, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat


Weekly Events

  • Sunday
  • Choir Rehearsal at 8:15 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 rehearsal at 6:00 pm
  • Handbell Rehearsals at 6:45 and 7:30.
  • Wednesday
  • Ruth Circle meets in person the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
  • Thursday
  • 4th Thursday Romeos at 11:45
  • Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here