Sunday Worship:
In Person and
Streaming
at 9:00 and
11:15 am
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This Week at Pender
August 24, 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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For Back to Church Sunday Pastor Bruce Johnson will preach on "New Identity in Christ: We are a Turnaround People” (Acts 2:36-41).
At 11:15 am The Common Ground Praise Band under the direction of Uriah Moore will present "Searching? A Special Music Service of Songs and Stories".
This is the second in a contemporary music series.
Back to Church Sunday after Common Ground there will be a Traditional Southern Potluck. Please bring your favorite main course that serves six people.
We will provide the salads and desserts.
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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Dear Church Family:
Praying for the Church
The past two Sundays Pender members and friends from both services have met in the youth room between services (10:15-10:45) to pray for the church and to encourage each other. This brief in-person prayer meeting will continue for the foreseeable future.
We invite you to join us as together we seek the Lord for direction, support, unity, and wisdom in this time.
It is good to be serving our Lord Jesus Christ with you,
Pastor Bruce
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Pender United Methodist Church, Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) is announcing the following to Church Council leadership, our congregation, and the greater Pender UMC community:
1. Brian Stevenson has stepped down as Director of Music Ministries effective Friday, August 18, 2023. However, we are happy to report that he will not be leaving Pender, as he will assume the new position of Director of Handbells. This new appointment was effective as of Monday, August 21, 2023.
2. Uriah Moore is stepping down as Director of the Contemporary Worship Service. His last Sunday with us will be August 27th. He has both a new job (other than his musical pursuits) and a new baby which will keep him very busy. We want to wish Uriah the very best in his future endeavors. Uriah expressed that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve Pender and that he cherishes his interactions with many members of the congregation.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Brian and Uriah for their outstanding service to Pender, and for their contributions to the advancement of the Lord’s kingdom. Pender has been privileged to witness their exceptional musical talents and exemplary performances for some time. Brian has been our Director of Music since August 2020 and Uriah has served as Worship Leader for the contemporary service since November 2020.
Please continue to keep our congregation and staff in your prayers as we prayerfully search for new music ministry leadership for Pender.
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Charlie Tucker has stepped down as the Senior Nursery Worker. His last day of service in the nursery was August 20th. We wish Charlie all the best in his new professional career journey in the Arlington, VA. area.
We would like to thank Charlie for his invaluable service to Pender in the nursery, which has afforded many Pender families the opportunity to attend worship services.
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Who Do You Trust?
Maybe it’s a dream you’re holding onto, or a promise you’ve been given. Maybe you’re waiting on a person to change, or a situation to shift. Maybe you’re waiting for a prayer to be answered, hope to arrive, joy to replace sorrow, or clarity and hope to replace confusion and chaos.
It can be difficult in the midst of pain, loss, and suffering to patiently cling to the One who promises to come through for us.
Isaiah was a prophet to the leaders of Judah during a time of national corruption and spiritual destitution. He foretold of his people being dragged away into exile because they were trusting in idols, political rulers, and other momentary things.
But Isaiah also reminded the people that God was sovereign, God would bring them out of exile, and God would one day send a savior to rescue them forever.
Isaiah didn’t live to see all his prophecies fulfilled—but he held onto the hope that he prophesied about, and his words to the people of Israel can continue to encourage us today…
Trust in the Lord even when circumstances don’t make sense.
Trust in the Lord even when you’re suffering.
Trust in the Lord even when your heart is breaking.
Come what may, trust in the Lord.
Seasons may shift, situations may change, people may abandon, desert, or betray you—but the one who remains constant throughout history is the God over history. The Lord is unchanging and immovable. Nothing can stand against Him or overcome Him.
He knows what it’s like to suffer because He suffered for us. And so we can trust God because He keeps His promises—and He has promised to fight for us, never leave us, make a way for us, love us, protect us, and remain faithful to us.
Since God is our salvation, we can trust Him and not be afraid. So come what may, let’s choose today to trust in the Lord.
“Who Do You Trust.” YouVersion, 17 July 2023.
https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/.
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The latest challenging puzzle is all coffee cups.
The pieces have been sorted out already - see what you can do!
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The Grow in God Cluster and Pender's Youth Group invited everyone to join us in the Gathering Place for a free ice cream social with all the fixings.
See a slideshow from this event below:
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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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Starting Thursday, September 7. The Music Experience is a weekly 45 minute session for third through sixth grade children.
Children can perform, read, write, and experience music, no prior music knowledge necessary.
Cost is $25 for the first child and $15 for additional family members.
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Sunday Schoorol
Topic: Youth Sunday School
Time: Sundays @ 10:oo am-11am
At Pender
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Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals will resume Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 pm. All singers welcome! |
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Handbells are not just for children and teens! We have adult handbell groups for beginner to advanced ringers. The difficulty level of handbell music is rated from Level 1 (easy) to Level 6 (most difficult). Each of the groups rings 6-8 times in worship between September and June and participates in the annual Christmas handbell concert.
The groups also like to participate in the various festivals that are held by the regional handbell guild (Handbell Musicians of America – Area 3). Our rehearsals are full of laughing and ringing (sometimes more laughing than ringing!) You do not have to know how to read music to learn how to ring handbells!
Carillon Ringers group is for ringers who ring Level 2 and Level 3 music.
Carillon Ringers rehearse at 6:45 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks.
Joy Ringers group is for advanced ringers who ring Level 4 and Level 5 music
Joy Ringers rehearse at 7:30 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks.
Brian will make out the usual schedule at the beginning of rehearsals starting on September 5th
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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.
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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: Canned Pasta
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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August 27, Searching? A Special Music Service of Songs and Stories during Common Ground Worship
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August 27, Back to Church Sunday with the Pender Praise Band. Traditional Southern Potluck, bring your favorite main course that serves six people. We will provide the salads and desserts.
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August 27, JDC - Juvenile Detention Center
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August 30-31, Pender Hill School Open House
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September 5, Handbell Rehearsals return. Contact Brian Stevenson for more info.
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September 7. Every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:15 PM, all third through sixth grade children are invited to The Music Experience! Children can perform, read, write, and experience music. No prior music knowledge necessary. Cost is $25.00 for the first child and $15.00 for additional family members.
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September 7, Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals resume
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September 16, United Women in Faith General Membership Meeting
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September 17, Impact Youth Ministry Event: Activity to support Maui victims
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October 2, Fun With Music resumes
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October 21, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
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, online
- Tuesday
- Recorder Consort rehearsal on hiatus until fall.
- Handbell Rehearsals return September 5.
- Wednesday
- Ruth Circle meets in person the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
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3rd Wednesdays Romeos at 11:45
- Thursday
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Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here
- Choir Rehearsals return September 7.
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