Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
November 3, 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 6, 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on"Band of Puzzlers" based on Luke 20:27-38.
The gospel writers love these stories—stories where Jesus gets the better of those who seek to outsmart him appear in all the gospels. But a key to the stories is that Jesus always engages. He could have simply dismissed the questioners, the scoffers, and sarcastic accusers, but he doesn’t. He takes on all comers. And he hopes to crowbar open their closed minds. He has high standards for the leaders of his people and shows his disappointment in how they are leading on more than one occasion. But he never gives up, never refuses to engage.
"Band of Puzzlers" is the second sermon in the sermon 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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November 3, 2023
Dear Friends of Jesus Christ,
The Visioning Team is hosting two upcoming sessions regarding news within the United Methodist Church as we approach the 2024 General Conference in which LGBQT plus inclusion will be discussed.
As you may be aware, a few churches within Virginia have chosen to disaffiliate. There has been misinformation, disinformation, and even fabrication regarding this. The team will present the information it has received from Annual Conference sources. Participants will be asked to write down questions.
At the close of the meeting, team members will answer the questions they can. Questions we cannot answer yet will be researched. This is not a debate or voting session. Church leadership is providing information for clarification purposes, nothing more.
Please join us EITHER Sunday, November 6th or Sunday, November 13th from 2:30-3:30pm in the Gathering Place.
Grace and Peace,
Will
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Week Four
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 fourth week, we continue our discussion of Pender’s clusters and committees.
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Flood Buckets
Thank you for your generous support of building the flood buckets. Pender completed 11 buckets and we had extra supplies to donate also.
There was even show and tell with some of the Burke UMC preschoolers. The kids were very interested to see what was inside the buckets and what they were for. You’re never too early to learn about missions.
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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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We need volunteers to put door hangers on the homes along Alder Woods Drive on Sunday, November 13 at 2:30 pm. |
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The Pender Book Lovers will be reading Patricia Cornwell’s Body of Evidence.
We will be discussing the book, by a Zoom meeting, on November 13 at 4 PM. The discussion only lasts about one hour.
Please join us. Contact Iris Salcewicz for more 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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Woman of the Year forms are on the desk in Pender's front office.
They're due November 6, 2022
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GBE Backpack Program Update:
Thank you all for your generous donations of food this month. Please look for the next set of shopping bags to be in the church lobby on Sunday, November 6th with a return date of November 20th!
Your involvement in the ministry is essential to it's success!
If you have any questions, please contact Ann Hines or Jami Flemmons
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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 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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Pender's Trunk or Treat had 315 participants with 22 volunteers and youth. 90 children went from car to car.
Enjoy the slideshow of photos below.
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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!
- Saturday, November 5, 9:30am – Meet in the church parking lot. We’ll car caravan to the Metro. We’ll travel to The National Museum of the American Indian downtown. After the tour, we’ll have lunch. Please bring $20. We’ll call for rides on the way home, returning in the early afternoon.
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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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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 |
The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.
All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.
Item of the Week: Tomato Paste
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 5, Youth Trip to The National Museum of the American Indian
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November 6, Woman of the Year Nominations Due
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November 6, Visioning Team: Information about Disaffiliation
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November 12, District Conference
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November 12, Scouting for Food
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November 12, Scout After-Party
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November 13, Door Hanger Delivery
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November 13, Information about Disaffiliation
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November 16, Common Ground Growth team Meeting #2
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November 20, Thanksgiving Eve Community Service
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November 20, Hanging of the Greens
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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, 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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