Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and 11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
March 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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Rev. Will White will preach on “An Opportune Time” from the series “Gathered up in Jesus” based on Luke 4:1-13.
March 6, 2022 is the First Sunday in Lent.
We play a little bit with Luke’s words in verse 13, how the adversary left him “until an opportune time.” You could look at this from two directions. It could be those “opportune times” for temptation, when we are in the midst of struggle or questioning and find ourselves vulnerable to stray from our journey.
Gathered Up in Jesus
The season of Lent is essential for those who truly seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because a part of what we learn in this time of self-examination is that we are what might be most in need of transformation. We might find that what might need to grow in faith and discipleship in the church and that the transformation of the world begins with building bridges and gathering up rather than with condemnation. We hope you’ll join in with churches around the world as we seek to be gathered up in Jesus.
All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person. During Covid we are masked and socially distanced. Family clusters can sit together.
Join us live at Pender UMC
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The Traditional Services are in person and live streamed at 9:00 am on Sunday. |
The Common Ground Contemporary Services are in person and live streamed at 11:15 am on Sunday. |
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday.
During Pender’s Ash Wednesday service Pastor Will shared a sermon titled “Piety Practice” from the Lenten series “Gathered Up in Jesus”.
The congregation was invited to receive the ashes on their foreheads. Pastor Will dipped his finger into the ashes, spread them in a cross pattern on the forehead, and said, “From dust you came and from dust you will return.”
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DURING THE FORTY DAYS OF LENT Christians have a special opportunity to engage in “acts of piety” and “deeds of mercy”. These acts do not help us earn God’s favor, but do cause us to focus on our faith in Christ. Thereby, we grow spiritually. Consider making a gift to our Easter Offering this year which will support UMCOR Disaster Relief in Ukraine and for the FACETS thermal shelter held at Pender March 27-April 1.
Matthew 5:16-17 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
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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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With the current situation in Ukraine, now is a great time to dig into a variety of Christian perspectives on War and Peace.
Throughout history, the Christian community has struggled regarding the tension between faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus and the reality of aggression.
Rev. White will share four perspectives based on the work of the following Christian ethicists: Hauerwas, McClendon, Allen, and Bonhoeffer.
During this two-hour class on March 9th from 7-9pm, we’ll examine the origins of those three perspectives and will look at their Biblical roots.
Please let us know which dates and times you would be interested in attending using the sign-up genius.
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Care and Connect Team
A new team is being created at Pender called “Care and Connect”.
This team will be involved in assisting Rev. White with routine pastoral care during busy seasons, help provide care when the Pastor is out for educational leave or vacation, and will also engage in periodic efforts to reach out to inactive members.
An organizational meeting will be held on March 6 at 4pm.
If you are interested or want information please contact church leaders at care@penderumc.org
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Pender Night on the Streets
The FACETS temporary thermal shelter is coming to Pender UMC from March 27th to April 1st.
On Friday, March 4th, adventurous teens and adults from the Pender Youth and Scouting groups will spend the night out on the church grounds to briefly experience homelessness.
Rev. Will White, Minister Howard Finley, Ken Ferris (Lay Leader), and our scoutmasters will accompany them, while surprise guests will appear periodically throughout the evening.
This band of brothers and sisters will not be enduring long-term poverty—but in a very small way, our Christian Community has chosen to endure a portion of those struggles for one night to facilitate empathy and understanding.
Interested? Please contact Rev. White.
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Pender UMC held its traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on March 1, 2022.
Background music is by Pender pianist, Liz Eunji Sellers. She played ragtime versions of What a Friend we Have in Jesus and Every Time I Hear the Spirit.
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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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GBE Outreach:
With warmer weather on the horizon, our partner school Greenbriar East Elementary has asked if Pender would once again donate reusable water bottles. The bottles will be given to students for use during the school day, since they are not allowed to use the communal water fountains at this time. All shapes and colors are appreciated, and the bottles should be a size able to fit in the outside pocket of a small backpack. Donations can be placed in the church lobby. Thank you for your support of our GBE families!
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Children's Sunday School resumed in person and on Zoom
Welcome to Sunday School!
The children's Sunday School is meeting face-to-face (at the church).
Please note, teachers and children need to wear a mask during class. All children will get their own bag of materials to avoid sharing.
We hope to see you soon!
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Pender Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a week-long program where children explore, celebrate, and care for God's good creation! Through worship and drama, Bible study, nature-themed art projects and snacks, active games, songs, arts and crafts, skits, puppet shows and science explorations, elementary school-aged children will discover God's love for all of creation. They will be challenged to care for God's world in tangible ways - both during VBS and at home.
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Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
Sunday Night Youth from 7-8:30 PM. See you there!
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Confirmation Class for all 8th grade and above students that wish to be confirmed in the United Methodist Church. Students will study the beliefs of the UMC as well as what it means to be a Christian. Upon completion of the course and weekend students will stand before the congregation and proclaim their faith and commitment to Pender UMC. Class to be held in the youth group room. POC: Minister Howard Fickling-Finley. They begin March 27 at 12:30 pm. |
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The primary purpose of United Methodist Men is to declare the centrality of Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships. Accordingly, Virginia Conference United Methodist Men works with the District organizations, in developing programs to meet the needs and interests of men of all ages.
Reading and discussing each chapter from The Wesley Challenge will deepen your faith and lead you and those you mentor to a closer relationship with Jesus.
Bean will lead the discussion about The Wesley Challenge and share best practices and training materials for preparing mentors and helping new Christians become disciples.
Meeting ID: 898 2460 7164
Webinar recordings from previous Love, Learn, and Lead webinars are posted on the conference website https://vaumc.org/UMM.
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The United Methodist Women will host a general membership meeting for existing members and women who are interested in participating in this ministry.
UMW General Membership Meeting
March 5, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Ladies, please join us for a UMW general membership meeting on Saturday, March 5 at 9:30 AM in the Gathering Place/Fellowship Hall.
A boxed breakfast, orange juice and bottled water will be served. There is a lovely coffee bar in the Gathering Space where you will be able to make your own coffee.
We will be discussing gratitude and will talk about what we are grateful and thankful for. Think about what you are grateful for and can share with the group. Everyone attending the meeting will be taking home a gift bag with items to help us think and remember all our blessings.
Please contact Iris Salcewicz with questions.
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The Hypothermia Shelter at Pender is the week of March 27 to April 1st. Claire needs your help!
Please come to a planning meeting on March 5th in the Cornerstone Room (Rm 215) from 10 am to 11:00 am!
See you there!
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REFUGEE CRISIS ON OUR BORDERS
Samuel Cekov, one of Pender’s missionaries who lives in Slovakia shares this message concerning the refugees from Ukraine.
"We have connections with local churches in Slovakia who are opening their doors to accommodate especially women and children coming from Ukraine.
Good News Church in Nove Zamky are using their church building and many of our Christian friends are opening their homes to as many as we can. There are many basic needs that we can provide for them. As AFCI Slovakia we believe that our local churches are a key in showing the love of Christ to Ukrainian people.
God never promised that suffering would not come. God has never promised that we will not despair, that we will not be in distress, that it will not be too difficult or beyond our power, that we will not despair over our lives or even of death, all to trust not ourselves but God who raises the dead. “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." 2 Corinthians 1:10
“Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, let us bless the whole country that the hearts of the people will turn to God, who will set us free again and again, giving us comfort, hope and future!
Let us also pray for our country, for our brothers and sisters here at home, let us bless the whole country so that the hearts of the people may turn to God, who sets us free again and again, gives us comfort, hope and love of Christ in our hearts to help the Ukrainian people!
Let us also pray for our brothers and sisters in Russia, let us bless the whole country that the hearts of the people will turn to God, who will set us free again and again, giving us comfort, hope and real freedom!”
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Missions Conference April 30-May 1
Rev. White is graciously relinquishing his pulpit on May 1 for our guest/keynote speaker for the conference.
We now have confirmed that Chris Hanak will be our Sunday worship guest speaker. As you know, she is an ordained minister with the UMC, and we are thrilled to have her back at her home congregation where her missionary life began.
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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: 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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March 4, Game Night, 7:00 pm
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March 4, Pender Night on the Streets
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March 5, Hypothermia Planning Meeting
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March 5, UMW General Meeting
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March 6, Care and Connect Team
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March 6, Girl Scout Service Project
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March 13, Youth Group Parent Meeting
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March 15, UMM Webinar
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March 27, Confirmation Classes begin
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March 27-April 3, 2022, Hypothermia Center Sign up to help at pender.church/signup
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April 10, Palm Sunday
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April 14, Holy Thursday
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April 15, Good Friday
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April 16, An Easter Experience
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April 17, Easter Sunday
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April 22-23, Confirmation Class Retreat Weekend
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April 23, Hope in Motion (The Chris Atwood Foundation)
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April 30-May 1, Missions Conference
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May 1, PUMC Confirmation Class Ceremony
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June 20, VBS (Vacation Bible School). Register here.
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July 9, Summer Cycle Ministry
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July 22, Missions Trip to Philippi, WVa
Every Sunday - In Person and Streaming Services.
- Traditional at 9:00 am
- Common Ground Contemporary at 11:15 am
Weekly Events
- Sunday
- The Cornerstone Class meets at 10:00 am.
- Children's Sunday School Class meets at 10:00 am.
- Connections Video and Discussion meets at 10:00 am
- Middle School Class meets at 10:00 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 7:00 pm
- Youth Group
- Monday
- Mary Martha Circle, in person and online
- Boy Scout Troop 1530 meets in-person at 7:00 pm
- Tuesday
- Staff Meeting at 11:00 am.
- Carillon Ringers at 6:45 pm
- Joy Ringers at 7:30 pm
- Wednesday
- Ruth Circle meets on Zoom at 10 am
- Thursday
- AV and Worship Team Rehearsals in-person at 6:00 pm
- Choir Rehearsal at 7:30 pm
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