Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
November 10, 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 13 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Will White will preach on "Open-Mouthed Tourists" based on Luke 21:5-19.
What are you distracted by? That’s a question underlying our text this week. What is it that draws your attention away from your call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? Not that followers of Jesus aren’t allowed to enjoy the beauty and wonder that this world has to offer. The Christian life is marked by joy and surrounded by wonder. Yet, like the disciples in our text, we can be distracted by what we see around us and lose sight of our reason for being, to live a life of proclamation and invitation.
"Open-Mouthed Tourists" is the third sermon in the 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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Week Five
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 fifth week, we continue our discussion of Pender’s clusters and committees.
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The Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church has just announced our new Bishop for the Virginia Annual Conference will be Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson! Bishop Sue has served as the Bishop for the North Georgia Conference over this last (extended) quadrennium and will begin her term in Virginia in January 2023.
Our current Bishop, Sharma D. Lewis, will be transitioning to the Mississippi Conference in January. Virginia’s own Episcopal nominee, Tom Berlin, will be consecrated within the next hour and has been announced as the new Bishop for the Florida Conference.
This is a momentous day for the Virginia Conference & our denomination - praying for these leaders as they guide us into this next season!
Welcome, Bishop Sue, and congratulations to Bishop Berlin and Bishop Lewis!
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Last Saturday, Pastor Will, Mark Atwood, Arlet and a couple of our youth visited the Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC in honor of Native American Heritage month. During the trip, we had a wonderful opportunity to catch up and talk about "stuff" and at one point in the conversation the question of tradition and its role in the United Methodist Church was discussed. Pastor Will provided an excellent reminder of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. The four components or "sides" of the quadrilateral are: (1) Scripture, (2) Tradition, (3) Reason, and (4) Experience. For United Methodists, Scripture is considered the primary source and standard for Christian doctrine. Tradition is experience and the witness of development and growth of the faith through the past centuries and in many nations and cultures. Experience is the individual's understanding and appropriating of the faith in the light of his or her own life. Through Reason the individual Christian brings to bear on the Christian faith discerning and cogent thought. These four elements taken together bring the individual Christian to a mature and fulfilling understanding of the Christian faith and the required response of worship and service.
This Sunday, November 13th from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in the Gathering Place, Pender's visioning team will hold its second information session regarding the United Methodist Church and the upcoming 2024 General Conference. We are encouraging folks to attend, to listen, to respectfully ask questions, but most importantly to bring the four Wesleyan elements of Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience to this information session. Christianity is not a spectator sport. We need everyone to bring their gifts, talents, skills, and abilities so that we Pender people can go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We Are Pender.
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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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Pender has a Blessing Box! It’s at the end of the driveway near the lower parking lot.
When you’re near Pender, please pay it forward and share a few groceries with those in need.
There is no lock on it- it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Take what you need.
Leave what you can.
Little becomes much
In the Master’s hand.”
Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
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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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MISSION UPDATE
There are over 153 million orphans in the world today. Major contributing causes to this staggering number are war, poverty, disease, accidents, malnutrition and natural disasters. Other complex factors to the orphan crisis are human trafficking, child prostitution, and child slavery. Globally, a child who has lost one or both parents is considered an orphan.
Former Pender member, Dave Shuping, is the newly appointed Executive Director of Path International, working in several countries in Africa. Their approach to orphan care takes the whole child into account. They begin with meeting their basic human needs: food, clean water, a safe home, medical and dental care. Then they build upon that foundation by proving high quality education, spiritual formation and counseling. A child deserves to do more than just survive, our passion is to see them thrive. To that end they get to the root of the problem through community development work.
As a Jesus-centered organization, they aim to rescue and bring restoration to orphaned children living in the harshest places. They accomplish this by partnering with families, community leaders, and churches to eliminate extreme poverty by addressing vulnerabilities, providing education, and creating opportunities to empower those who have been forgotten.
A former resident gave this testimony: “The biggest lesson I learned is love. The bond between us remains wherever we go. We look at others who were like us and see how we can love and help them. I learned spiritual strength at Otino Waa- to trust God even when things are hard. My advice for current Otino Waa kids is to work hard. Have confidence that you can do more than you think. You can do even more than you imagine. You are capable of greater things. Work hard and trust God.” -- Lydia
Prayers are always welcome. For more information or to support with your gifts, see the web site: www.pathinternational.co
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Baby Finley was born ten weeks early and has been in the NICU for several weeks. The family could use gift cards to Uber Eats, Grubhub, Target, or Amazon.
Gift cards can be placed in the envelope marked “Gift cards for Baby Finley’s Family”, which is on the front desk in the office.
If you have any questions, please contact Iris Salcewicz.
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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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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!
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Mark Atwood is planning Sunday evening meetings with support from 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
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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: Peanut Butter
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 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 17, ROMEOS
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November 20, GBE Food Bags Due
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November 20, Lunch and Hanging of the Greens
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November 20, Thanksgiving Community Service at King of Kings
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November 24, Happy Thanksgiving!
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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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