Dear Church Family:

Happy Independence Day to you and your family!  My wife Nancy’s family will be celebrating with a family picnic on Saturday. It is always a joy to gather with her family that long ago adopted me as their own, and especially on this day when many Americans give thanks for the liberties we enjoy, as benefits of our citizenship and gifts of God.

In our worship this Sunday, we will sing, “America the Beautiful,” from the United Methodist Hymnal (#696). We rightly think of this as a patriotic hymn that celebrates the beauty of our natural land and gives thanks for “heroes proved in liberating strife.” But it is also a prayer for God’s grace, to enhance our “brotherhood,” to “refine” our successes and gains, and to “mend [our] every flaw.”  As a prayer of grateful thanks and humble petition, it is fitting for our worship of the triune God as Jesus’ followers.

It is customary at Pender to include the sacrament of Holy Communion with our worship on the first Sunday of the month. This Sunday will culminate also in a service of healing prayer and anointing with oil.  Following Communion, anyone who wishes to receive prayers for healing of body, soul, relationships, or other needs will be invited to come to the altar rail where I and a lay assistant will hear your request, anoint you with oil, and lay hands on you for your healing. Those who don’t come forward are encouraged to pray for those who do. Since it is difficult to know in advance how long this portion of the service will take, if you need to depart before the conclusion of the service, feel free to do so.  Go in peace and pray for others as you go.

As American Christians, we have much to celebrate; yes, our freedoms as citizens, but especially our place in the body of Christ where we feast at the Lord’s table and share the grace that restores us to be whole and holy. As we enjoy the events and fellowship of this weekend, let us be mindful of those who don’t share our joy and confidence, and look for opportunities to share with them the hope and grace that is ours in Jesus Christ.   

Pastor Bruce

Virginia Annual Conference Report | June 22, 2025 – Pender UMC

On Sunday, June 22, Pastor Bruce Johnson welcomed Mark Atwood and David Kinard to share their reflections from the 2025 Virginia Annual Conference, held June 11–14 at The Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA.

The theme of this year’s conference was "A Conference in Three Movements", with a special focus on the “Movement of the Heart”—exploring how God transforms, molds, and equips us to be agents of change in our communities and beyond.

Hear insights, stories, and takeaways from this powerful gathering of United Methodists across Virginia.

• July 4, The Pender Office will be closed
• July 9, AA Meeting
• July 18 to 26, Youth Mission to Philippi, WV
• July 19, Prayer Shawl Meeting online
• July 27, JDC/Juvenile Detention Center
• August 16, Community Day and Welcome Back to School Festival
• August 23, Pender United Women in Faith: Peach Picking
• September 13 to 21, Walk, Bike & Roll to Worship Week
• September 13, Women's Prayer Retreat
• October 18, Second Annual Walk to End Hunger
• October 24-25, Focus on the Heart Women's Bible Study with Rev. Christine Hanak
• October 25, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• December 6 (tentative), Craft and Christmas Market

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes on summer break until August 17. The children will meet in the sanctuary until just after Children's Time. They will then leave for Sunday School with their teachers. We are asking for volunteers to relieve the Sunday School teachers so they may periodically attend the full worship service.
• Youth Sunday School Class at 10:30
• Seeker Adult Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 am.
• Praying Our Faith at 9:00 am.
• The Impact Youth Group at 5:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music, Resuming September 8, 2025
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals will resume September 9, 2025
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle, will resume in September.
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal on summer break

Check here for other meetings.

Does your group meet at Pender—either in person or online?

Help us keep the church calendar accurate! If anything’s changing with your recurring meeting, just shoot an email to webmaster@penderumc.org.

Pender meetings follow the school year, so if your group meets weekly or monthly and wants to continue after June 30, 2025, you'll need to reschedule for the 2025–2026 year. You can start booking your dates on Monday, July 28, 2025.

With four other congregations now sharing space at Pender, it’s more important than ever to reserve your room—and release it if you're no longer using it.

Pender members and Pender-sponsored groups (like the Boy Scouts) can click here to add your event. Be sure to include your preferred room number.

Once your event is approved, you’ll get an email confirmation. Just remember: if someone else already booked the room, you'll need to pick another option.

Thanks for helping Pender stay organized!

Summer Hymn Sing!

In July and August, we’ll be celebrating the rich tradition of congregational singing during our weekly services.

Have a favorite hymn you’d love to sing? Drop the title in the basket on Vickie’s desk—we’d love to include it!

WFCM Walk to End Hunger & Fellowship Breakfast

Registration is now open for this year's Walk & Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday October 18, 2025 during Centreville Day.

Sign up today for breakfast, the walk, or both! All registered participants will be invited to participate in a Virtual Silent Auction October 6-9. 

The Fellowship Breakfast will feature a hearty breakfast including pancakes, eggs, crispy potatoes, and breakfast meat and family-friendly activities. 

The Walk to End Hunger is a one-mile family-friendly walk at the end of the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness about food insecurity in our communities and raise funds for our Free Food Markets in Chantilly and Centreville. 

Date: Saturday October 18th

Breakfast: 8:30am - 10:00am

Walk to End Hunger: 10:45am - 11:30am 

Walk Details: The parade route is officially .92 miles. The walk will not be timed. Children in strollers or wagons are welcome. For safety reasons, please no headphones/ear buds, pets, bicycles, or skates. Further locations about the location of the walk, parking, and shuttles will be provided to registered walkers.

All walkers must register by Thursday September 18th to receive a t-shirt. Please wear your Walk to End Hunger 2025 t-shirt during the walk.

All walkers must submit a signed waiver of liability

Together We Walk To End Hunger

Slideshow below!

Both Pender and KUMC shared in this year’s VBS from June 23 through the 27th, 9 a.m. to noon.

This year’s VBS was for potty-trained three-year-olds through ninth graders. We embarked on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS, based on Joshua 1:9 – “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

We discovered God’s presence everywhere as we explored new places, made new friends, and experienced God’s goodness together. It was a fun-filled adventure on the open road, taking all the kids (Travelers) on thrilling journeys to exciting destinations. Led by the Navigator and an adventurous pup named Scout, kids learned that God is always with them.

Through engaging stories from the Navigators’ Guide (the Bible), Travelers delved into timeless tales of faith from the Old and New Testaments. With twists, turns, and excitement, they faced new challenges and found strength in God’s presence on this unforgettable trip. Road trips are a great way to build strong relationships and create lasting memories. That’s what made Road Trip VBS not only a fun experience, but also an opportunity for kids to strengthen their faith and bond with others in the community.

With engaging activities, interactive games, and meaningful lessons, children had a blast while growing in their understanding of God’s love and promises for everyone.

Need a Pender Magnet for Your Car?

Show your Pender spirit on the road!

We have Pender UMC car magnets available in the church office.

Stop by and pick one up—while supplies last!

Our First Responders need bottled water!

Lend a helping hand to our local heroes by contributing to the Pender Police Rest Stop! We are collecting a variety of items that our officers greatly appreciate during their shifts. You can drop off your donations at the church office, clearly marked "Rest Stop."

Here’s what our officers are currently enjoying:

• Celsius Energy Drinks to keep them energized
• Drizzilicious Rice Cakes for a light snack
• A variety of chips for that perfect crunch

Additionally, we're always in need of:

• Full-size water bottles (Please note: the 4oz bottles are not utilized)
• Refreshing beverages like seltzers, Gatorade, Propel, Aspire, and other energy drinks
• Individual-sized snacks such as potato chips, jerky, cookies, and nuts

Your contributions make a real difference in the daily routines of our police officers, providing them with the sustenance and morale boost they need to keep our community safe.

Drop by with your contributions and show your support!

Singing at Sunrise – Team Members Needed!

Do you love sharing music, scripture, and encouragement? We’re forming a new outreach team to bring joy and worship to residents of a local assisted living facility—and we’d love for you to be part of it!

🎶 What is Singing at Sunrise?

A monthly 30–40 minute gathering (currently considering the 4th Sunday of each month) featuring favorite hymns, scripture readings, and prayer. We'll have a printed packet of beloved songs available—and we’ll even take requests on the spot!

🧡 What We Need:

We’re looking for supportive people of all kinds—singers, readers, instrumentalists, and those who just want to be present and participate. No rehearsals are planned, though we may have brief prep meetings.

🎹 Instrumentalists Welcome!

Jane McKee expects to accompany but is happy to share that role if someone else would like to play. All instrumentalists—piano, guitar, and more—are welcome!

🗣️ No Solo Speakers Required

This isn’t about having one designated leader. Instead, we hope to form a team where everyone can contribute. When this ministry existed in the past, different members took turns offering brief reflections month to month.

🙌 Let’s Create Something Together

Right now, this ministry is still in the planning stage. Jane and Andy are working to form the core team, and your ideas, energy, and presence could help shape the future of this outreach.

Interested?

Let us know if you'd like to be part of this meaningful and joy-filled ministry.

All are welcome!

The Pender Medical Closet Back!

Ruth Circle has restarted Pender's Medical Closet—a valuable resource we had years ago, and one that our community needs again! This lending library of medical equipment will provide wheelchairs, walkers, ice machines, canes and other essential items to those who need them, free of charge.

Here’s how you can help:

✅ Donate gently used medical equipment.

✅ Lend equipment you’re not currently using but may need in the future.

✅ Borrow items if you or a loved one has a temporary need.

Drop-off & Pick-up: Donations and borrowed equipment must be brought to and picked up from the church.

Sign-up Sheet: A log is available in the office to track donations and checkouts. Find it on MaryO's door.

For questions, donations, or lending, please call Roberta Pont.



Our goal is to support our church family and community by making these resources available to those in need.

Thank you for helping us bring this important ministry back to life!

Right now we have:

• A variety of braces for back, knee and wrist
• Rolling walker with basket
• Canes
• Blood Pressure Monitor
• Polar Active Ice Therapy
• Crutches

On Loan:

• Wheelchair
• Electric Wheelchair
• Rolling Walker

Interesting results from last week's hymn history question...

How Great Is Our God – Laity Sunday | June 29, 2025 | Pender UMC

As part of our Laity Sunday celebration, the Pender UMC congregation joined in singing “How Great Is Our God” on June 29, 2025.

This moment of heartfelt worship was led by Patrick King, Jane Yoo, and Kaitlyn Yoon, inviting all present to lift their voices in praise of God’s greatness.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this special service honoring the ministry of laypersons in the life of the church!

The Story Behind the Hymn

Few worship songs have impacted the global church like “How Great Is Our God.” Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash, this powerful anthem first appeared on Tomlin’s 2004 album Arriving, where it quickly resonated with worshipers and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.

Its simple, reverent lyrics and soaring melody have helped it become a modern classic—one sung in sanctuaries, stadiums, living rooms, and even around campfires. The song's message of God's unmatched greatness is both timeless and accessible, which has contributed to its widespread use in worship settings across the globe.

In fact, by November 2014, “How Great Is Our God” ranked as the fifth most popular worship song according to CCLI’s Top 25 Worship Songs chart. It also held the No. 1 spot on Christian Music Weekly's Top 20 Worship Songs Chart, reflecting its widespread influence.

Recognition followed. The song received Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year at the 2006 GMA Dove Awards, and won Worship Song of the Year again in 2008.

In 2009, gospel and jazz keyboardist Ben Tankard released a smooth instrumental version of the song on his chart-topping album Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, bringing its beauty to a new genre and audience.

Perhaps most memorable was Passion 2012, where Tomlin introduced the world to “How Great Is Our God: World Edition.” This moving version featured the lyrics sung in multiple languages, including Hindi, Zulu, Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin—a powerful reminder that God’s greatness transcends every border and tongue. It became the opening track on Chris Tomlin: The Essential Collection, further anchoring the song’s place in worship history.

Whether performed by full bands or sung a cappella by small choirs, “How Great Is Our God” continues to inspire awe, unite believers, and point hearts heavenward.

A Message from the Finance Committee

Dear Pender,

Thank you for your generous gifts to Pender and its many ministries.

We have recently analyzed the financial data from January and were concerned that our offerings were about a third less than what we projected based on the annual estimate of giving cards that were turned in late last year.

While we realize that everyone has a different pattern of giving, we greatly appreciate those who are able to give on a regular basis so that we can pay our bills.

We would like to offer a gentle reminder for you to please update your offerings for 2025 if you have not already done so.

Thank you for your support of Pender and God’s work here.

The Finance Committee

As of May 3, 2025:

MTD actual revenue was $41,244;  YTD actual revenue was $239,848;

MTD actual expenses was $45,749; YTD actual expenses was $250,945;

MTD net loss was ($4,505);      YTD net loss was ($11,096).

Join us for an evening of fun, food, music, and games as we celebrate the end of summer with KUMC Koinonia and kick off the new school year!

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a free community event packed with excitement:

🎸 Live Bands

🍕 Tasty Food

🎯 Outdoor Games

🎨 Kids' Activities

🎈 And so much more!

Whether you're a student gearing up for school or just love a good neighborhood party, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s send summer off with a smile and start the school year with joy!



Come one, come all — we can't wait to see you there! 😄

Hi, Sunday School Families & Friends, 

There are some wonderful family/children's activities happening this year. 

Please come and enjoy! All are welcome -- and invite a friend!

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries – WFCM - programs are designed to serve as a critical safety net to keep individuals and families in financial crisis housed and fed while providing resources, support, compassion services, and connections to help them work toward financial stability and food security. 

In 1987, Pender UMC along with 11 other local churches saw the need for coordinated aid and formed WFCM. Nearly 40 years later, its primary programs are the Emergency Food Program including two Free Food Markets, 15 satellite site refrigerators, and home delivery and Emergency Housing Financial Services Program (assisting with rent, mortgage, and utility bills) serving an average of 700 families/month, nearly 5,000 individuals/year. WFCM, the anchor community-based organization in Region 4 of Fairfax County, provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in 9 zip codes in western Fairfax County (Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Herndon, and Oak Hill).

The WFCM Mission:

As an expression of God’s love and a demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries provides food and financial support to those at risk of hunger and homelessness.

If you would like to participate in helping our neighbors, there are several ways you can help: 

1. Place needed items into the cart at Pender for weekly delivery to WFCM
2. Provide a monetary donation through Pender by designating WFCM on your check or on-line giving. 
3. Order from Amazon for direct delivery to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite H, Chantilly, VA 20151 (Amazon is best for heavy items.)
4. Donate your time by volunteering in the Food Pantry or another of their many services.

To learn more, click here to link to the WFCM website. www.wfcmva.org​

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Bryan, the Pender coordinator with WFCM. 

CURRENT MARKET NEEDS.

Food & Beverages​​​

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Canned Vegetables (beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
• Pancake Mix
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, applesauce, pineapples)
• Kidney Beans
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.) (no glass bottles)
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries

NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by our clients with SNAP​​

• body wash
• lotion
• deodorant
• mouthwash
• hair conditioner
• feminine hygiene products (pads), and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

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.