Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
May 4, 2023
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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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May 7, 2023 will be the fifth Sunday of Easter.
Since Pender Lead Pastor Will White is on renewal leave, Rev. Dr. Sarah Calvert will return as our Guest Preacher. Her sermon topic is "A Stone and a Coat" based on Acts 7:54-60.
Sarah is the District Superintendent at Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Sarah grew up all over as a military kid (itinerate from an early age!), ending up in Fairfax, Va., graduating from Oakton High School. She has a BA in Economics from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg and then became an attorney with her own firm in Fairfax after receiving her law degree from George Mason Law School.
After an overwhelming and literal calling from God, Sarah attended Wesley Theological Seminary receiving her Masters of Divinity there and then again a few years later went back for her Doctorate in Church Leadership. Her dissertation work was on clergy peer groups.
She writes: "I currently supervise the 106 churches and 158 clergy in Northern Virginia. My vision is that we "Lead with Love" into the future of the UMC in Virginia. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 reminds us we can't see the future clearly, but God can - so until we know more we can trust God, be hopeful, and love extravagantly, with an emphasis on that last one - so that is what we will do.
"In 2012 I finished my doctorate in leadership with a project and dissertation on clergy accountability groups. I have studied extensively in Family Systems Theory from the perspective of a congregation as a system of families. I write and develop worship that is 'outside the box', including tactile experiences and dramatic arts to encourage and disciple a congregation. I am, at heart, a teacher, preacher and community builder. I believe love changes everything, and my mission is to be a part of the creation of beloved communities.
"I'm particularly good at: preaching, teaching, discipleship, church planting & growth, church leadership, Is clergy learning & accountability groups, worship planning and development, Family Systems Theory (from a congregational perspective), and as a hobby - the use of performing arts in church life."
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
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Pender's Traditional Service will be in person and live-streamed at 9:00 am |
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Pender's 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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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.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
NEW PASTORAL APPOINTMENT
On behalf of Bishop Sue Hapert-Johnson and the Virginia Conference Cabinet, Reverend Robert Bruce Johnson has been appointed to Pender United Methodist Church as its new lead pastor effective June 28, 2023.
Reverend Robert Bruce Johnson (he likes to be called Pastor Bruce) was born in Spokane, Washington and was raised in the the Seattle, Washington area. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), Nampa, Idaho. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary and later transferred to Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Historical Theology. It was at Nazarene Theological Seminary that he met and married his with wife, Reverend Nancy C. Johnson. After graduation, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued a doctorate degree in Theology with a concentration in Wesleyan studies at Emory University. During this period, he joined the United Methodist Church and became convinced that the parish is an appropriate and needed place to practice theology in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition. When the opportunity was presented to them, Pastor Bruce and Pastor Nancy moved to Virginia (her home state) to accept an appointment within the Virginia Conference. Within a few years, Pastor Bruce was ordained as an Elder. He has now served as a pastor for the last 27 years in four different appointments in the Virginia Conference.
Fun Facts about Pastor Bruce
He is a lifelong fan of Seattle, Washington sports (don’t be surprised if you see him wearing a Mariners or Seahawks t-shirt or cap). Other hobbies include reading, music, singing, walking, and especially spending time with his family. He and Pastor Nancy have two adult daughters, Lydia John, a video photographer with Channel 3 in Norfolk, Virginia and Anna Johnson, a figure skating coach and clinical nutritionist in Lynchburg, Virginia. As a “city-boy,” Pastor Bruce is looing forward to urban/suburban life again after spending many years livig i and learning to appreciate rural and small-town Virginia.
For many years, Pastor Bruce walked two to three miles a day with their dog Riley, his “four-legged evangelist.” Because Riley is an unusual mix (Corgi and Samoyed), Riley draws a lot of attention from neighbors and strangers. Those long walks have taught Pastor Bruce to welcome the opportunity to make contact with new friends who sometimes became disciples of Jesus Christ.
Passion in Ministry
The most important thing to know about Pastor Bruce is that he is a disciple of Jesus Christ who serves our Lord by helping congregations to become more intentional and effective in disciple-making (Galatians 2:20 and Ephesians 4:12). When Christ s at the center of our shared life, there is no problem that discipleship cannot fix.
Pender United Methodist Church has a rich history and he has been praying daily for the disciples at Pender and for our shared appointment in ministry. Pastor Bruce is excited about hearing from and getting to know the congregation and discerning how together we can fulfill Christ’s great mission in our time and place.
Submitted by
Arlether Williams, Chairperson
Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
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Encouragement that Builds
Have you ever regretted not saying something to someone? Maybe they were going
through a hard time and you didn’t know what to say, but you felt like you could have said something.
When Paul, the author of 1 Thessalonians, is writing to the church in Thessalonika, he gives them some practical advice. Paul tells the church to continue to encourage one another. This was something they were already doing, but Paul felt it necessary to remind them to keep doing this.
Encouragement can change someone’s attitude. It can lift someone out of a dark place. Encouraging someone can give them the hope and determination to push through a hard season. Maybe you can remember a time when someone encouraged you when you were going through a hard time, and the difference it made in your own life. Paul is encouraging us to do that for others.
The Church is meant to be a place of encouragement. We should never leave any encouragement unspoken, but we should generously uplift one another. Spend some time today thinking about someone in your life who you can encourage. It might be someone who is going through a hard time, or it might be someone who needs to be reminded that others care about them. Never let encouragement go unspoken, as it is one of the ways we can build each other up.
“Encouragement That Builds.” Bible App, May 2023.
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Please welcome our new staff members! |
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Welcome Aboard Monica!
And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever. Isaiah 30:8
Please join Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee in welcoming Monica Argueta as Pender United Methodist Church new Secretary!
Monica was raised in Fairfax, and is a Oakton High School graduate. After graduation to attended and graduated from the Year Up, National Capital Region,Information Technology Program in Arlington, Virginia. Upon completing her IT training, Monica was accepted for an Administrative Assistant Intern program with Maximus Federal Services, in Falls Church. Thereafter she accepted a full-time permanent position as a Front Desk Manager with Best Western Hotel, in Fairfax. Monica brings strong verbal and written communication skills, time management, and problem solving capabilities with a deep love and passion for people and children.
In her spare time, Monica enjoys reading books, learning new things, and spending time with her spunky cat Nyla.
Please extend a hearty and warm Welcome Aboard to Monica.
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Welcome Aboard Sergio!
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Please join Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee in welcoming one of our very own in the Pender community, Sergio Saez as Pender United Methodist Church new Facilities Manager!
Sergio was born in Chile, Santiago and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. After graduation, Sergio immigrated to the United States in 1977, where he was initially employed with the Rouse Engineering Development Company as an engineer. After accepting a variety of engineering and project management positions, Sergio retired from Stubber Brothers & Eckles Company as their Superintendent and Plant Manager.
In 2020, Sergio relocated to Fairfax, Virginia where he engaged and was invited to participate in worship service at Pender, where he fell in love with the people and how we spread the gospel of making disciples in the United States and around the world. Sergio is the proud father of 12 adult children, and he currently resides in the Alder Woods community.
Please extend a hearty and warm Welcome Aboard to Sergio.
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Sunday May 7 at 10 am
From 10 to 10:15 we'll have coffee and fellowship. At 10:15 there will be a short 10 minute video and then conversation.
Our music director, Brian Stevenson facilitated the “Nooma” series to start this group off, and then look to class members for areas of topic and/or service ideas (books, lunch meetings, mission work etc.)
All are welcome. The classes are not sequential so nothing is missed if a week is missed.
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UPDATE ON SHORT TERM MISSIONS
As donated items became available, the Pender Missions Committee collected and stored them to be used for future short term missions. There have been no mission trips since the beginning of Covid.
Recently, three trunks of donations were given to a ministry for transport to Ukraine.
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"I am a 28 year old woman. I used to be religious, but I left my traditional faith as I believe it is false. I became an atheist but I feel lost. I love going to churches ,and lighting candles; they bring peace to my heart.
I have dreams that tell me to embrace Christianity, the religion of Jesus who gives forgiveness, salvation and peace. I want to become a Christian. Would you help me please??"
Pender supports many missionaries who often receive requests such as this. Because of the location of their ministry, we cannot share names and places of these missionaries or their contacts. But, they need our support and prayers. As you can see from this testimony, God is working and He is asking us to join Him.
If you would like to contribute to Pender's Mission outreach, please contact the church office. 703-278-8023 http://www.penderumc.org. And please pray that many who have dreams about the Lord would respond in repentance and in faith in Him.
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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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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!
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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.
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Sunday School
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
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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.
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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.
During 2022, WFCM was able to support the needy in the community by:
* $0.96 of every $1 spent was used on programs.
* Served 4,489 individuals, providing the equivalent of 458,745 meals to 2,733 individuals and $4,658,637 in financial assistance to 2,454 individuals keeping them housed.
* Provided 427,075 diapers through a partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank
* 110 volunteers served 10,437 hours along 11 staff members
* Were supported by 568 individual household donors, 36 Congregation Partners and 38 Corporate Partners in addition to 48 Grantors, Foundations and Organizations and Fairfax County Government
Together we can do it - provide help for the less fortunate in our community.
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The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.
All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.
Item of the Week: Tomato Sauce
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.
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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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May 6, The Chris Atwood 10th Birthday bash
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May 13, Spring Concert
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May 21, Common Ground Contemporary Cantata, "Songs and Stories"
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June 5, Masterclass with United States Army “Pershing’s Own
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June 10, Rev. Will White Retirement Dinner Ceremony
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June 11, Music Appreciation Sunday
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June 26-30, Vacation Bible School
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July 16, Meet & Greet Barbecue for PUMC New Pastor
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October 21, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
Weekly Events
- Sunday
- Choir Rehearsal at 8 am
- Coffee, Video and Conversation, 10 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
- Handbell Rehearsals at 6:45 and 7:30.
- Wednesday
- Ruth Circle meets in person the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
- Thursday
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4th Thursday Romeos at 11:45
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Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here
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