Dear Church Family:

We are rapidly approaching the climax of the Advent season and the great celebration of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ at Christmas. Four significant services of worship will help the disciples at Pender to prepare for and respond to the Good News of God coming to live among us as one of us for our salvation.   

This Sunday, the 4^th Sunday of Advent, our worship will include a variation of a “Lessons and Carols” service in which the story of God’s salvation revealed in Christ is told in Scripture and song. Although I will be away this Sunday at another church, a host of Pender members and friends will help us to tell the story and celebrate the Good News.

On Christmas Eve at 7:30pm, we will host a traditional service of Carols, Communion, and Candlelight suitable for the whole family.

Christmas Day at 10:00am, come as you are (yes, PJs are welcome!) to sing your favorite Christmas carols and to hear the Good News of how the birth of Christ brings light and life into the world.

On December 31 at 8:00pm, we will have our first opportunity to worship with our new partners in ministry, Korean UMC-Koinonia, in a special Watch Night service of word and prayer that will help us all to prepare for the New Year and a new season of shared ministry in Christ’s service. The service will be bilingual (I will preach with a translator) and be preceded at 7:00pm by a time of fellowship in the Gathering Place hosted by the disciples of KUMC-K.

In this joyful season, the saving mystery of God in Christ is proclaimed and becomes our good news as we worship in faith. I hope you will join us for these special services, and invite a friend, neighbor, or stranger as well.  

Now and always, the Lord is with us!

Pastor Bruce

• December 21, Prayer Shawl Meeting, 10 am
• December 21, JDC Christmas Party, noon
• December 22, Service of Christmas Music, 10 am
• December 24, AA Open Meeting, 6 pm
• December 24, Christmas Eve Service, 7:30 pm
• December 25, Christmas Morning Worship, 10 am
• December 25-January 1, the Church Office will be closed
• December 26, NO Newsletter
• December 31, AA Open Meeting, 6 pm
• December 31, Time of Fellowship with KUMC-Koinonia, 7 pm
• December 31, Watch Night Service with KUMC-Koinonia, 8 pm
• January 6, Epiphany
• January 11, District Training Day
• February 23, Poetry Slam

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes. 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
• Connections Adult Class Time TBD
• Seeker Adult Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 am.
• Pray for Pender
• The Impact Youth Group at 5:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal at 6:30

Check here for other meetings.

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.

Now that we have 5 additional congregations meeting at Pender, it is more important than ever to get your room reserved and on the church calendar.

It is also important to remove it if you are no longer meeting so that other groups can use the space.

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.

Christmas Love Offering for Pender Staff

Dear Pender Friends,



This is a very special time of year when we prepare for and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. During this season, we do our best to be a blessing to our families and others who mean a lot to us.

On behalf of the Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC), I would like to extend an invitation to you to help us show our love and appreciation for Pastor Bruce and the wonderful Pender staff who continue to serve us faithfully and go “above and beyond” in so many ways to be a blessing to us and the community. I have had the privilege to meet with and better know our Pender staff since joining the SPPRC and have been so impressed with their dedication and hard work. While you may not interact directly with some of our staff members, please know that their efforts to serve Pender, make operations more efficient, and use our resources wisely are outstanding.

Please show your appreciation and gratitude by prayerfully considering a contribution to the Christmas Love Offering for our Pender staff. You may write a check and include Christmas Love Offering in the memo or designate a gift through your online giving. Gifts will be accepted until Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Yours in Christ,

Teresa Rothschild

SPPRC Chair

Ministry opportunity - would you like to serve your church and the Lord?

Please consider signing up to serve communion. We celebrate this sacrament on the first Sunday of each month and on other special Sundays throughout the year. 

Please contact Donna Parker at musicalmother@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of this wonderful ministry.

We need you! Our wonderful and dedicated children's Sunday School teachers deserve the opportunity to attend the worship service with their families. 

There are sign up sheets in the Narthex with two slots available each Sunday between now and the end of the year. 

You do not have to plan any lessons or even teach. 

We are just in need of extra hands and eyes in each of the two classrooms. 

Please prayerfully consider volunteering for just one Sunday and give our teachers a blessing. 

You will be equally blessed!! 

The Rest Stop could use some snacks, M& M’s and flavored waters.

It needs frozen items to munch on but since they are frozen it's hard to have them donated.

Please drop items off in the office so they can be given to our hard-working officers.

Thank you!

All Advent/Christmas Activities are listed at https://penderumc.org/christmas/

A Magical Family Christmas Breakfast – Highlight Slideshow

This festive event was truly the most wonderful time of the year, bringing joy to families and kids alike. Here’s what made the morning so special:

Meeting Santa Claus

The kids shared their holiday wishes with Santa himself, and families captured keepsake photos with the big guy to treasure forever.

Seasonal Games

Festive games brought the holiday spirit to life for both kids and parents, creating smiles and laughter throughout the event.

The Children’s Chimer group showed off some of their musical talents

Crafting Picture Frames

Guests let their creativity shine by making picture frames to take home, adding a personal touch to their holiday decor.

The day began with a delicious breakfast prepared by our talented Executive Chef and her team, setting the stage for an unforgettable morning filled with fun and festive activities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate! We loved sharing this magical holiday experience with you and your family.

Pender United Methodist Church, will host a Christmas Celebration party at the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

This is an annual social engagement of our congregation, people from the community, and incarcerated youth, and the staff that serve and support them at Fairfax JDC.

No special skills needed, come with an open heart and spirit to sing carols, eat pizza, and share God's love with incarcerated youth.

December 22 will be the fourth Sunday of Advent. 



Pender will have a 10:00 am Service with Lessons and Carols.

This beloved service, which has become a staple in United Methodist congregations over the past four decades, draws inspiration from the famous “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” held at King’s College in Cambridge, England since 1918.

Our service will feature a sequence of readings and music that traces the story of God's redemptive plan through the ages, beginning with creation and culminating in the joyous anticipation of Christ's birth. This format, while established just over a century ago, is deeply rooted in ancient vigil traditions, providing a profound sense of continuity with the past.

The service is a festive blend of scripture and song, including performances by our choir and vibrant congregational singing. It’s a chance to experience both classic and contemporary carols that resonate with the spirit of the season.

Come and be part of a celebration that not only honors a historic practice but also enriches our worship during this sacred time of year. Whether you’re drawn by the beauty of the choral music or the depth of the scriptural narrative, this service of Lessons and Carols promises to be a moving lead-up to Christmas.

Candles, Carols and Communion

Step into the warmth and joy of our Christmas Eve candlelight service, a time-honored tradition that promises to fill your heart with the spirit of the season. As flickering candles cast a soft, inviting glow, you'll be enveloped in the rich harmonies of cherished Christmas carols. Sing along with us, letting the familiar melodies transport you to a place of peace and nostalgia.

Immerse yourself in the profound beauty of scripture reading and inspiring preaching, offering moments of reflection and hope. This is a time to reconnect with the essence of Christmas and find solace in its timeless messages.

A highlight of our service is the Holy Communion, a sacred and unifying experience that brings us closer together as a community of faith. It's a moment to pause, give thanks, and feel the presence of something greater than ourselves.

But that's not all – our service holds a special treasure for our youngest attendees. A children's message, crafted especially for them, will light up their eyes with wonder and fill their hearts with the joy of the season.

And, for a truly unique experience, our music will be a harmonious blend of the old and the new. The Traditional and Common Ground teams are joining forces to create a musical tapestry that weaves classical hymns with contemporary tunes. This blend of music promises to lift your spirits and leave you with a heart full of Christmas cheer.

Join us for an evening where community, tradition, and celebration come together in a beautiful tapestry of festive joy. We can't wait to share this special night with you!

Get ready for a Christmas morning like no other at Pender UMC! On this special day, December 25th, at 10:00 am, we're throwing a joyous Birthday Party for Jesus, and you're invited to be a part of this unforgettable celebration. Imagine the sanctuary alive with the spirit of Christmas, adorned with festive decorations, as we gather to honor the reason for the season.

 The air will be filled with the sound of beloved carols, as we host an exuberant carol sing that promises to lift spirits and warm hearts. This isn't just any sing-along; it's a chance for every voice, young and old, to come together in a jubilant chorus, echoing the joy of Christmas.

 And there's more! We've crafted a special message that will resonate with both children and adults, capturing the essence of Christmas in a way that's meaningful and engaging for all. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Christmas story and its message of hope, love, and joy.

 In the spirit of cozy Christmas mornings, kids and those young at heart are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas! Imagine the delight and comfort of worshiping in your festive PJs, surrounded by family, friends, and your church community.

 Please note, there will be only one service on Christmas Morning, making it a unique and special gathering for our whole church family. This Christmas, let's come together to celebrate, sing, and share in the joy of Jesus' birth at Pender UMC's Birthday Party for Jesus. It's more than a service; it's a heartfelt celebration of the greatest gift of all!

As the clock ticks towards a new beginning, join us in a heartfelt celebration to welcome 2025!

On December 31st, at 8 pm, we're bringing everyone together for a special combined worship service, embracing the new year with open arms and uplifted spirits.

Gather with us in an atmosphere filled with joy, reflection, and anticipation, as we bid farewell to the old year and step into the promises of 2025.



This will be more than just a service; it’s a moment to come together in faith, hope, and community, marking a new chapter in our shared journey.

https://2025.novatrainingday.com/

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!

As of November 30, 2024:

MTD actual revenue was $44,419; YTD actual revenue was $502,099;

MTD actual expenses was $46,370; YTD actual expenses was $548,407;

MTD net loss was ($14,066); MTD net loss was ($1,951);

YTD net loss was ($46,308).

Bridge of Hope Fund:

2023 $37,159

2024 (as of 11/30/24) $$131,626

------------------

Total as of 11/30/24 $168,785

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.

~~~

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries - “WFCM”

Update from Becky Bryan, our liaison with WFCM:

From the November WFCM letter we learn that 850 families were served Thanksgiving food as a result of the food donations.  One of the important donations was from the Scouts who collected 44,145 pounds of groceries and toiletries for WFCM. 

These toiletries and canned goods help stock our shelves and provide more options for families WFCM was grateful that the Scouts collection provided enough toilet paper and bar soap donations to resume providing those items to each family in addition to the usual one toiletry per person in the household each month. 

Thanks to each of you at Pender who support these amazing programs with your donations of funds, non-perishable food and toiletries.  

There are 2 ways to support the WFCM food provisions through Pender:

1.     Financial donations designated WFCM may be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM.

2.     Donations of food and toiletries may be left in the blue grocery cart located by Pender’s front doors.

Another way I’ve found to be quite easy is to make purchased through Amazon and have them delivered directly to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Chantilly 20151.

The most needed items in the Free Food Market this month:

Food

·       Flour (Maseca preferred)

·       Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)

·       Vegetable Oil

·       Pasta Sauce 

·       Pasta 

·       Cereal (low sugar preferred)

·       Pancake Mix

·       Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.

·       Canned Chicken

​

Toiletries

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

·       Body Wash

·       Toothpaste 

·       Tooth brushes

·       Hair Shampoo

·       Toilet Paper

·       Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers) 

·       Size 6 Diapers 

·       Baby Wipes 

​

Financial donations designated WFCM can be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM. 

Donations of food and toiletries may be left in the blue grocery cart located by Pender’s front doors.

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.