• September 8, One Combined Service at 10 am
• September 8, Back to School lunch
• September 8, Kirk Nave Installation Service as new District Superintendent
• September 9, Fun With Music resumes
• September 11, Ruth Circle at Roberta Pont's house
• September 22, JDC, Juvenile Detention Center
• October 3, Girl Scouts resume
• October 19, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• December 7, Christmas Caroling
• December 14, Breakfast with Santa
• January 12, Poetry Slam

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Class at 10:15 am.
• Youth Sunday School Class meets at 10:15 am.
• Connections Adult Class meets at 10:15 am
• The Seeker Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 am.
• Pray for Pender, 11:15 am
• The Impact Youth Group at 5:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music resumes September 9
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study returns 9/17 at 7pm
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle returns September 11
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study returns 9/19 at 10:00 am
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal at 6:30
• Praise Band Rehearsal at 7:30

• Check here for other meetings.



Dear Church Family:

Are you enjoying the cool early fall weather? As a native of the Pacific Northwest, this is my kind of weather. Yet, even as we appreciate the relief from summer heat, we know also that winter is not far off. This mild moment will surely be followed by another and opposite kind of challenge. The present warmth and beauty are also a prelude to bitter cold and wind. Brilliant canopies of leafing trees will soon be replaced by brittle and soggy blankets of brown and grey. Shorts and t-shirts will be packed away, replaced by parkas and gloves. 

I love the fall. But I know better than to cling to what is surely passing away. This season is only temporary, for the Creator has established all the seasons of the earth, and each holds beauty, meaning, and purpose for those with “eyes to see and ears to hear.” Wisdom and satisfaction come in learning to enjoy (and sometimes to endure) all things that come to us from the will and hand of our loving Maker and Savior. 

Churches too have seasons. When I talk to pastors and Christians of many stripes these days, I find that all are learning to live with change, some familiar and some new. Of course, some changes we welcome more than others, and some we may find hard to recognize as from the hand of God. But, like the seasons of the earth, every changing season among God’s people speaks of the goodness of the triune God who has made all things for his glory and for our enjoyment. The Lord of the Church who entered into this world to live as one of us, and then to die for us, now lives in and among us by the Holy Spirit with resurrection grace and power in every season of our life and fellowship as his people.  When we welcome the grace of God that accompanies our every change, we are enabled to live more fully and faithfully as Jesus’ disciples in this world of flux, and to be his witnesses to others with hope and joy.

This Sunday signals a change in our life as a worshipping community. At 10:00, we will praise the Lord together in this new season of the earth, followed by a “Back to School” luncheon for all. Going forward, we will continue to worship together at 10:00 with services containing a variety of music and worship styles. Some elements may feel familiar, and others will invite us to receive and enjoy new ways to praise the Lord and enjoy our fellowship in Christ. I hope you will join us with an open heart and mind as we venture into this new season that will surely bless us all with gifts old and new. Then be sure to invite a friend who may need to find out what faith and church is all about.  

In every season of change, the best news is that God is unchanging, in his love and grace for us and the surety of his provision. Jesus Christ is “the same, yesterday, today, and forever,” and Christ our Lord walks with us through every change, for our good and his glory.  

I am grateful to be your pastor in this new season at Pender UMC,

Pastor Bruce

All Pender Meetings run by the school year. Recurring meetings (weekly or monthly) taking place after June 30, 2024 will need to be scheduled again for the 2024-2025 school year.

Pender Members and Pender-sponsored groups such as Boy Scouts should go here, click add event. Please list your first-choice of room number. 

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.

Back to School Luncheon!

Join us for a delicious potluck luncheon as we kick off the school year with great food and great company!

Date:  September 8, 2024

Time: Noon - 2pm  

Location: Gathering Place, Pender UMC  

12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033  

(703) 278 - 8023

What's Happening?  

We Provide: Mouthwatering BBQ  

You Bring: A dessert or salad to share  

Let’s celebrate the new school year together! See you there!

Pender UMC 

12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033  

(703) 278 - 8023

Calling All Musicians: Join Our Church's Vibrant Music Ministry! 🎶🙌

Are you passionate about music? Do you feel called to share your musical gifts in a community of faith? Pender is seeking talented musicians to join our vibrant Music Ministry team and contribute to our uplifting and spiritually enriching worship services!

What We're Looking For:

• Instrumentalists: Whether you shine on the strings, whisper with the woodwinds, or resonate with the brass, we need your skills to fill our sanctuary with harmonious sounds.
• Vocalists: Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses—lend your voices to help lead our congregation in song and praise.
• Handbell Ringers: We will teach you to play during our services and special events.

Why Join Us?

• Community Impact: Through your music, you can touch the hearts of our congregation and inspire joy and contemplation in our weekly gatherings.
• Spiritual Growth: Participate in a ministry that not only serves others but also nurtures your own faith and connection to the divine.
• Musical Development: Collaborate with experienced musicians and vocalists that will help you hone your craft and explore new musical opportunities.

Get Involved:

• Rehearsals: We meet weekly to practice and prepare, ensuring every service is both spiritually and musically fulfilling.
• Sunday Services: Be a part of our regular worship schedule and special holiday performances that highlight the church calendar.
• Community Outreach: Occasionally, our music ministry participates in local events and services, expanding our impact beyond the church walls.

If you're excited about making a joyful noise unto the Lord and enhancing our worship experiences, we would love to hear from you! Contact our Music Director today to learn more about how you can get involved.

Let your talent soar in a place where music meets ministry, and together, we'll create beautiful worship experiences that resonate with all who attend.

Join us and be a key note in our melody of faith! 🎵✨

Blessing Box

Pender has a Blessing Box at the end of the driveway near the lower parking lot which could always use donations. 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.”

No clothing, note cards, calendars, plastic utensils, glass items, expired food, fresh, or frozen food items.

Some ideas:

Rice

Dry beans (red, black, pink, pinto, black recipes)

Pasta

Canned spaghetti sauce (traditional)

Canned tomato sauce

Canned diced or whole tomatoes 

Canned tomato paste

Flour

Sugar

Yeast packets 

Baking powder

Baking soda

Oil

Salt

Pepper

Soy sauce

Taco seasoning mix

Canned tuna

Canned mackerel 

Canned chicken 

Canned salmon 

Spam

Canned luncheon meat

Canned fruit (packed in juice)

Canned jalapeños

Canned adobo peppers

Oatmeal

Grits

Yellow or white cornmeal

Together We Walk To End Hunger is a one-mile family-friendly walk during the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community and fund solutions. Generously sponsored by Keener Insurance Agency, Inc., 100% of walker registration fees benefit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) and our Free Food Market operations. 

Date and Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024. Parade line-up begins at 10:45 am with the parade starting at 11:00 am and the walk finishing by approximately 11:30 am.

Walk Details: The parade route is officially 0.92 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. 

Registration: All walkers must register online by Friday, September 20th to receive official walk swag. Please wear your t-shirt and/or wristband on October 19th. 

• Adult registration, includes commemorative t-shirt: $35 (+$2.42 online payment processing fee)
• Youth, aged 13 - 17, includes adult-sized t-shirt and wristband: $35 (+$2.42 online payment processing fee)
• OR Youth under age 18, includes wristband (no t-shirt): $15 (+$1.21 online payment processing fee)
• Children aged 3 - 12, includes wristband (no t-shirt): $15 (+$1.21 online payment processing fee)
• Children age 2 and younger: Free

​

Swag Pick-Up: You will be emailed with dates and times to pick up your commemorative t-shirt and /or silicone wristbands at WFCM offices in Chantilly. Walk items will not be delivered.

Location: The Centreville Day Parade takes place in Historic Centreville at the intersections for Route 29 and Braddock Road. A street address you can use to locate the event is 5714 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville 20120. NOTE: streets are closed to vehicles! The parade begins at the very end of Wharton Lane and marches down that road past the Centreville Day stage on Mount Gilead Road and ends on Braddock Road. 

​

Parking: Remote parking is available on Rt 29 near Carrabba's. Free shuttles will take you from parking on Rt 29 to Braddock Road. 

Centreville Day Activities: For more information about Centreville Day activities, please visit https://www.historiccentrevilleva.org/

Waiver required to participate. Return signed waivers to donorsupport@wfcmva.org. 

Support our First Responders by helping us restock our Rest Stop.

The following donations are currently needed: individual packages beef jerky, 16 oz bottled water and energy drinks. They don't currently need chips.

Donations can be dropped off in the Church Office.

Our officers continually let us know how blessed they are to have a safe place here at Pender! In turn, we are safer because of their presence!

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!

Pender's amazing new tuba player, Mark Severeniuk, will be playing in this concert. He's love to see some familiar Pender faces!

New Worlds

Saturday

September 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

• Michael Giacchino: Voyage

• Duke Ellington: New World a-comin with piano soloist Russell Wilson

• Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9

A season of new beginnings opens with three vibrant takes on new worlds. Join us as we blast off with Giacchino’s Voyage celebrating the 60th anniversary of NASA; explore Ellington’s rhapsodic piano concerto evoking his vision of a world without greed or war; and traverse Dvorak’s most famous symphonic work incorporating the musics he heard while living in America.

howard county center for the arts

8510 High Ridge Road

Ellicott City, MD 21043

410.465.8777

New sekunda balalaika player, Mary O'Connor, will be playing in this concert supporting an important cause.

If anyone can find Culpeper, she'd be happy to find you in the audience.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries ("WFCM") Current Request for Donations

WFCM has been providing food and services to the community for 37 years! Pender was one of the twelve founding churches that set the path and began the journey.  Becky Bryan is our current liaison with WFCM.  Please contact her with any questions.

In May more than 700 families were provided groceries from the Food Pantries, a 15% increase over May of 2023. Serving more families means we have a greater opportunity to make an impact with our donations. 

There are multiple ways you can support this community ministry.  The ways we hear of most often are donations of goods or money. Another way to participate is through volunteering of time to work in the Food Pantry.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact the WFCM office or Becky Bryan.

Financial donations to be used to stock the Food Pantry can be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM.  In a recent newsletter, WFCM explained that, because of the savings that flow out of bulk purchases, a donation of $100 is used to purchase the equivalent of $600 of food. 

For donations of food and toiletry items, you may leave your gifts in the grocery cart located by Pender’s front doors.  OR, you can order from Amazon for direct delivery to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151.

~~~

The WFCM blue cart is between the two front doors of the church.

Most needed items in the Free Food Market this month:

• Flour (Maseca preferred)
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil 
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix 
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels) 
• Canned Chicken 
• Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

Please no:

* Expired food

* Glass jars

* Egg Cartons

Read this month's WFCM Newsletter.

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.

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.