💙 Help Others Find Pender — Share Your Story!

Have you found a church home at Pender? Your story could help someone else find theirs!

When people are looking for a church, they often turn to online reviews to learn what a church is really like. Take a few minutes to share what Pender United Methodist Church means to you—whether it’s the welcoming people, meaningful worship, music, fellowship, or the many ways we serve our community.

Your words may be just what someone needs to take that first step through Pender’s doors.

👉 Share your Pender story and help others find us:

visit.penderumc.org/reviews

Thank you for helping Pender welcome our neighbors! 💙

• November 5, Choir Rehearsal
• November 6, Becoming a Godly Woman
• November 8, Operation Christmas Child gifts due
• November 9, Fun With Music
• November 9, Mary Martha Circle
• November 10, Handbell Rehearsals
• November 10, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
• November 11, The Church Office will be closed for Veteran's Day
• November 11, AA Open Meeting
• November 12, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
• November 15, Charge Conference
• November 15, Christmas in Philippi gift due
• November 20-21, Christmas in Philippi
• November 20-21, Handbell Festival
• November 21, Handbell Concert, 2:00 pm in Manassas
• November 22, Operation Christmas Child filled shoeboxes due
• November 22, Community Thanksgiving Service at Ox Hill Baptist
• November 26, Thanksgiving
• November 28, Celebration of Life service for Richard Taddeo at Ox Hill Baptist, 11:30 am
• November 29, Advent Begins
• December 5, Christmas Joy at Pender
• December 6, Fellowship Feast
• December 7, Santa's Ride Gifts due
• December 12, Christmas Concert
• December 19, JDC Christmas Party
• December 24, Christmas Eve, 7:00 pm

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes. The children meet in the sanctuary until just after Children's Time. They then leave for Sunday School with their teachers. We are asking for volunteers to periodically relieve the Sunday School teachers so they may attend the full worship service.
• 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
  Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle, Second Wednesday of the month
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal

Check here for other meetings.

To submit an event to our calendar please fill in this form:
 https://tockify.com/tkf2/submitEvent/eb89c10e1f3b459eaf46987291312ce5.

You’ll receive an email once your event has been added to the Pender calendar. We’ll also reach out if we have any questions about your submission.

Need help? Contact our webmaster.

Items below:

• WFCM News
• November Gratitude Challenge
• Pender Authors Saundra Sandrock and Chris Hanak
• Upcoming Events including Pender Ringers playing in a Handbell Concert, Community Thanksgiving Service — Giving Thanks Together!, Make as Advent Wreath, Christmas in Philippi, Flowers for Philippi, Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A, Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Joy, Practicing the Way, A Family Christmas Morning, JDC Christmas Party, Santa's Ride
• Financial News
• Christmas Crafts for Families: Week 3

WFCM Executive Director's Update 

In October we participated in Centreville Day with our 3rd Walk to End Hunger to raise awareness about food insecurity in our community and to raise funds for solutions. It was a great opportunity to interact with community members as we walked through Historic Centreville. I am thankful to all who were able to participate this year. 

As I shared during the Fellowship Breakfast preceding the Walk to End Hunger, food insecurity has risen over the past year due to rising costs and prolonged job instability in our region. The Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report for 2026 indicated that of the families they surveyed, 79% of those reporting food insecurity are employed. This is exactly the same percentage of WFCM client households that are employed and struggling with food insecurity. 

Just last week, we received the note below from Diana*. Diana began using the Chantilly Free Food Market in October 2025 when her income was impacted due to the government shutdown. She rents an apartment in Herndon with a roommate and has continued to select groceries in the market each month due to challenges regaining full-time employment as a senior citizen. She has also struggled due to increases in cost of living over the past year. 

"From the very first moment I walked through your doors, I was welcomed with kindness, compassion, and understanding. Every one of you showed such humble and caring hearts, and I will never forget how comfortable and supported you made me feel. When I reached out for help, you did not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Your kindness, generosity, and willingness to help me throughout this past year have meant more to me than words can express. During a time when I needed support, you were there for me with open hearts and helping hands. Your kindness has reminded me that there are still wonderful people in this world who genuinely care about others and are willing to make a difference in someone’s life. Thank you for your continued support, your compassion, and the love you show through your service to the community. Please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and I will always carry a deep appreciation for each of you."

This is the impact that your partnership with WFCM has on families in our community. It goes beyond providing the essential needs to ensuring resources are provided with compassion. Neighbors are welcomed and supported throughout their journey. 

Thank you for allowing us to walk with Diana and ensure food insecurity did not turn into hunger. Your partnership makes this type of critical difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors served by WFCM. 

Thank you and God bless you, 

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

*name changed for privacy

What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services 

In October, we provided client choice food selection for 714 unduplicated families (200 of those families were served at our Centreville Free Food Market). We served 43 new families. We are grateful for our partnership with DoorDash that enabled us to provide deliveries of groceries to 59 households during the month. 

Average weight of a bag of food is 21 lbs. 

Food value of 1 lb. of food FY 2027 = $1.92

Free Food Market Volunteers Needed

WFCM is looking for new volunteers to join our team. If individuals attending your congregation are interested in stocking shelves, bagging groceries for clients, or picking up food from local grocery partners, please contact our Senior Manager, Food & Volunteer Services, Kristine, at volunteer@wfcmva.org. You can also learn more and find an application at https://www.wfcmva.org/volunteer-details. Thank you for sharing this information with individuals interested in volunteering.

Community Connections

Partner Spotlight: TD Charitable Foundation

Thank you to TD Charitable Foundation 

for providing a grant for our Pathways to Success Program! 

The $10,000 grant directly supports families enrolled in WFCM's 

10-month upward mobility program

to reduce debt and pay closed-ended loans/bills 

while the families work to build emergency savings accounts. 

TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank U.S., founded in 2002 to support and improve the quality of life in communities across the bank's footprint.

Thank you, TD Charitable Foundation, for providing grant funds for the WFCM Pathways to Success program for five years! 

Checkout Hunger at Wegmans Chantilly 

Now through November 28th, when you shop at Wegmans (on Newbrook Drive in Chantilly), you can participate in Checkout Hunger. Your donations at checkout will benefit WFCM and the families we serve.

Thank you, Wegmans and Wegmans Shoppers, for supporting WFCM during the month of November! 

~~

On October 17th, supporters including board members, staff, sponsors, volunteers, and friends of WFCM, dressed in bright orange t-shirts, gathered for a Fellowship Breakfast, and participated in the third annual Walk to End Hunger.



During breakfast, WFCM's Executive Director shared insights into the growing challenges of food insecurity and how WFCM is responding to the needs of local families. Recent efforts include adding a Free Food Fridge at an affordable housing community in Fairfax and increasing the amount of financial assistance available to each family through a new Emergency Housing county grant. Board Member Emerita Deborah Forbes closed the gathering with a powerful poem, In the Pantry, she wrote based on her experiences volunteering that captures the compassion and commitment at the heart of WFCM’s mission.

Along the parade route, we distributed healthy snacks to spectators while raising awareness about food insecurity in our community.

Thank you to our sponsors and the Centreville Day Planning Committee for helping WFCM shine a light on food insecurity, and the difference we can make together. 

WFCM provides more than food to our neighbors – they also provide direct financial assistance for rent as well as other support programs to help families become self-sufficient. All of these activities are funding by financial donations.

How 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. 

On the Pender website.

Most people searching for a gratitude guide aren’t looking for a checklist. They’re looking for relief from stress, from comparison, from the quiet feeling that something is missing. Here’s what research and Scripture agree on: gratitude works, and it works faster than most people expect. Dr. Robert Emmons at UC Davis found that people who kept weekly gratitude journals reported 25% higher happiness than those who didn’t. Not after years of practice, but within weeks. The Bible made the same case centuries earlier: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This guide gives you a practical, daily way to build that habit: one verse, one reflection, and one action step at a time.

What Does Gratitude Actually Do for Your Mental Health?

Gratitude is more than a mood. It’s a practice that measurably changes how the brain processes daily experience. Dr. Robert Emmons at UC Davis has spent decades studying gratitude’s effects, and his research consistently shows that people who practice gratitude regularly report 25% higher happiness compared to those who don’t.

What makes this significant is that these benefits don’t require a major life change. They come from small, repeated acts of noticing and naming what is good. Scripture frames this the same way. Not as a one-time attitude adjustment, but as an ongoing posture: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). The practice shapes the person over time.

How to Practice Gratitude When Life Feels Heavy

The hardest part of gratitude isn’t knowing it’s good for you. It’s doing it when things are hard. When a relationship is strained, when a job disappears, when grief moves in and doesn’t leave, being told to “just be grateful” can feel hollow.

The difference between toxic positivity and genuine gratitude is honesty. Gratitude doesn’t require pretending things are fine. It requires looking for what is still true and good even when circumstances aren’t. The Psalms model this consistently: writers who were afraid, grieving, and exhausted still chose to return to what they knew about God’s character: “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1). That wasn’t written from a place of comfort. It was written as a choice.

A simple practice for hard seasons: before naming what is wrong, name one thing that is still true. One person who showed up. One moment of unexpected grace. One breath that came without asking for it. That’s where gratitude starts, not at happiness but at honesty.

What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude?

Gratitude runs throughout Scripture from beginning to end. The Psalms are the Bible’s longest book, and a significant portion of them are expressions of thanksgiving offered in real circumstances, not ideal ones. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1) is a refrain repeated in moments of rescue, not in moments of ease.

The New Testament carries the same thread. Paul writes from prison: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6). The instruction isn’t to be thankful because life is going well. It’s to bring thanksgiving into the hard thing, as part of the act of bringing it to God.

Gratitude in Scripture is also communal. It’s expressed in worship, in community, in telling others what God has done: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4). It’s not just a private discipline. It’s something that grows when it’s shared.

Does Gratitude Journaling Actually Work, or Is It Just Positive Thinking?

Gratitude journaling is one of the most studied interventions in positive psychology, and the results consistently distinguish it from general positive thinking. The difference is specificity. Positive thinking tends to be broad and aspirational: “things will get better.” Gratitude journaling is concrete and backward-looking: “here is the specific thing that happened, and here is why I’m grateful for it.”

Dr. Emmons’ research at UC Davis found that the act of writing gratitude down, not just thinking it, produced significantly stronger outcomes than reflection alone. There’s something about putting words to gratitude that makes it real in a different way. It creates a record that can be returned to when life gets heavy, which is part of why this 30-day guide includes a written action step each day, not just a reflection question.

Gratitude journaling is also not about manufacturing emotion. On days when you don’t feel grateful, writing down even the smallest observable good, whether that is sunlight through a window, a meal on the table, or a text from a friend, is the practice. The feeling often follows the act, not the other way around.

How Do You Build a Gratitude Habit That Actually Sticks?

Most gratitude habits fail not because people don’t want to be more grateful, but because the practice has no anchor. No time, no trigger, no routine to attach to. Research on habit formation consistently shows that new behaviors stick when they’re tied to an existing routine rather than added as a separate obligation.

Here are three simple anchors that work:

1. Morning anchor — Before checking your phone, name three things you’re grateful for. It takes less than two minutes and reorients attention before the day’s demands set in.
2. Mealtime anchor — Use a meal, breakfast, dinner, or any consistent one, as a prompt to name one moment of grace from the day. This works especially well with families and children.
3. Evening anchor — Before sleep, write one sentence in a journal or the notes app on your phone. One sentence is enough. “I’m grateful for _____ because _____.” Specificity is more powerful than length.

Colossians 2:6–7 frames habit beautifully: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Overflowing isn’t the starting point. It’s what happens after roots go deep. The 30-day practice below is how the roots form.

Can Gratitude Help With Anxiety or Stress?

Yes, and the mechanism is more direct than most people realize. Anxiety tends to pull attention toward what is uncertain, unresolved, or threatening. Gratitude pulls attention toward what is present, concrete, and good. These two orientations compete for the same mental space, which is why even a brief gratitude practice can interrupt an anxious thought pattern in the moment.

Philippians 4:6–7 makes this connection directly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The prescription isn’t “stop being anxious.” It’s “bring the anxiety to God with thanksgiving”, and the peace follows that act. The gratitude doesn’t deny the hard thing; it carries it into God’s presence.

Your 30-Day Gratitude Challenge



The daily practice below gives you one Bible verse, one reflection question, and one action step for each of the next 30 days. You can work through it on your own, at the dinner table with your family, or alongside a friend. There’s no right pace, the goal is consistent practice, not perfection.

Day 1 - 📖 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

• Reflect - Where have you seen goodness in your life this week?
• Action - Write it down and thank God for it.

Day 2 - 📖 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

• Reflect - What’s one worry you can let go of today?
• Action - Pair it with one thing you’re grateful for.

Day 3 - 📖 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

• Reflect - What everyday gift do you often overlook?
• Action - Pause and say “thank you” for it.

Day 4 - 📖 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

• Reflect - When have you felt peace in a hard moment?
• Action - Breathe deeply and whisper thanks.



Today - Day 5 - 📖 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34

• Reflect - Who has shown you love recently?
• Action -Tell them how much you appreciate it.

A New Verse each day through November.

Pender Authors: Sharing Faith Through the Written Word

During his sermon, “What’s Right with the Church,” on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Pastor Bruce Johnson highlighted two talented authors from our own Pender family whose books offer inspiration, encouragement, and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Saundra Sandrock, author of A Closer Walk: Spiritual Awakening Through Poetry, invites readers on a journey of faith through heartfelt poetry. Her reflections encourage us to draw closer to God, discover His presence in everyday life, and deepen our spiritual connection.

Some books are read. This one is quietly lived with.

A Closer Walk: Spiritual Awakening Through Poetry is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and let the Holy Spirit speak through verse. Organized into seven deeply felt sections -- Poems of Praise, Prayerful Petition, Health Issues, Holidays and Seasons, Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, and Renewal and Awakening -- this collection accompanies readers through the full rhythm of the Christian life.

From the quiet trust of a morning prayer to the raw ache of illness, from the wonder of the manger to the weight of Good Friday and the joy of resurrection, these poems meet readers wherever they are. Each one carries the warmth of someone who has walked the faith journey herself -- through pain, gratitude, doubt, surrender, and praise.

Whether used as a daily devotional, a companion through a difficult season, a gift for a loved one, or a resource for private reflection and group study, A Closer Walk offers words that linger long after the page is turned.

For every heart that longs to draw nearer -- one poem at a time.

Saundra will autograph any copies of her book that you bring to Pender

~~~~

Chris Hanak, author of Following the Shepherd: Devotional Reflections on Missionary Stories from Around the World, shares devotional reflections inspired by the experiences of missionaries serving around the globe.

Her book offers glimpses of faith in action and reminds us how God's love reaches across cultures, communities, and continents.

~~~~

Both books reflect the many ways God works through the gifts and talents of His people. As Pastor Bruce reminded us in his message, there is much that is right with the Church—and the faithful witness of people like Saundra and Chris is certainly something worth celebrating!

Congratulations to both of our Pender authors! We are grateful for the ways they share their faith, creativity, and love of God through the written word.

Share the Joy of Christmas in Philippi! 🎄❤️

Pender United Methodist Church invites you to help make Christmas special for children and families in Philippi, West Virginia.

This Christmas, we want to bless local families by providing Christmas gifts for their children—and we need your help!

🎄 What Will Happen in Philippi?

Pender volunteers will arrive in Philippi on Friday afternoon, November 20, to prepare People’s Chapel to welcome local families.

Friday evening, families will gather for fellowship, prayer, gift wrapping, and sweet treats! This will be a wonderful opportunity for our Pender team to connect with the community, build relationships, and share Christ’s love.

At the end of the evening, Philippi and Pender UMC volunteers will come together to share smiles, stories from the day, and hugs.

Praise God for this beautiful opportunity to share His love!

❤️ Would You Like to Join Us?

We welcome anyone who would like to travel to Philippi with the team and help make this special evening possible!

To volunteer, please speak with Jane McKee or leave a message for Vicki in Pender’s main office at 703-278-8023.

🎁 Gift Reminder

Please place all UNWRAPPED gifts, with their gift cards attached, under the gifts tree by Sunday, November 15, 2026, so everything can be packed and ready for the trip.

Together, we can share Christ’s love, bring hope to families, and make Christmas brighter for children in Philippi.

Thank you for helping Pender UMC spread Christmas joy!

🌸 Flowers for Philippi Returns!

Beautiful Flowers, Generous Hearts, and the Spirit of Christmas!

November 1–8, 2026 | Pender's Gathering Place

Just in time for the season of giving, Flowers for Philippi is back!

Pender's own Saundra Sandrock has once again been busy creating beautiful seasonal flower arrangements, and she's sharing her talents to help families in need in Philippi, West Virginia.

From November 1 through November 22, Saundra's handcrafted arrangements will be available in Pender's Gathering Place, both during the week and on weekends.

Whether you're looking for a lovely centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, a thoughtful gift for someone special, or a little seasonal beauty to brighten your home, you're sure to find something wonderful!

💐 Take What You Want — Give If You Choose!

There are no set prices for the arrangements. Simply choose the flowers you love and make a donation if you wish.

Donation Information:

• Checks payable to: Pender UMC
• Memo line: Philippi-Bonnie
• Where: Pender's Gathering Place
• When: November 1–22, 2026

❤️ Every Dollar Makes a Difference!

100% of the money collected will go toward purchasing Christmas gifts for families in need in Philippi, WV.

This special Christmas outreach ministry is coordinated by Bonnie DeRouchie, who helps bring the joy and hope of Christmas to families in the Philippi community.

Through Saundra's creativity, Bonnie's dedication, and the generosity of our Pender family, we have another wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action and share God's love beyond our church walls.

A heartfelt thank-you to Saundra for sharing her time, talent, and beautiful creations for such a meaningful cause!

Stop by the Gathering Place, pick out something beautiful, and help spread a little Christmas joy to our neighbors in Philippi.



Beautiful flowers. Generous hearts. Christmas blessings. That's Pender love in action! 🌸❤️

Create a Beautiful Advent Wreath!

Sunday, November 22 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Pender’s Gathering Place

Welcome the Advent season with a fun family activity! Gather together to create a beautiful Advent wreath to enjoy throughout the Christmas season. Each family group will receive a wreath-making kit with all the materials needed to create a special wreath together.

Yummy snacks will be provided, too! The cost is $20 per family group, which covers the wreath kit and snacks.

Come share some creativity, fellowship, and Christmas spirit as we prepare our homes and hearts for Advent!

Please let us know you're coming so we have enough kits.

Or click this link to sign up.

Free Handbell Concert!

Come experience the joy and beauty of handbell music on Saturday, November 21, at 2:30 p.m. in the Grace UMC Fellowship Hall in Manassas!

We’re especially excited that Pender’s Joy Ringers and Carillon will be among the 10 handbell choirs coming together for this special concert, directed by renowned composer and conductor Jason Krug.

Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music, ringing bells, and joyful fellowship. Admission is free, and you won’t want to miss it! 🔔🎶

• Grace UMC Fellowship Hall
• 9750 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110

🍁 Community Thanksgiving Service — Giving Thanks Together!

Ox Hill Baptist Church is hosting its Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM. 

Event Details

• Date & Time: Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM 
• Location: Ox Hill Baptist Church, 4101 Elmwood St., Chantilly, VA 20151 
• Participating Churches:
• Ox Hill Baptist Church (host)
• Pender United Methodist Church
• King of Kings Lutheran Church and Preschool
• Christ Presbyterian Church
• Chantilly Baptist Church 

What to Expect

• Community Worship: An evening of shared worship, celebration, and reflection on the Thanksgiving season alongside neighboring congregations. 
• A reception will follow.

Pender will be collecting packed Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child through November 22. 

Shoebox gifts are distributed around the world to children to demonstrate the love of Jesus, and invite them to learn about our savior. For more information, see the display in the Narthex.

Additionally, items are needed for boxes packed by Pender's children and youth. Suggestions are small toys, dolls and stuffed animals, toothbrushes, washcloths, combs, hair accessories, crayons, pens (no pencils needed), thin notebooks, etc. A collection box is in the Narthex. These items are due Sunday, November 8

Another way to help is to make a $10 donation per box towards shipping & logistics, printing and program expenses. Add OCC to your memo or note in your online donation. 

For more information, go to the OCC website at: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/

Create • Celebrate • Share

A Family Christmas Morning at Pender UMC, December 5, 10:30 am

🍪 Decorate Christmas Cookies

✨ Celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World

🎄 Make Chrismons & Christmas Ornaments

👼 Create Angels

🎶 Sing Christmas Carols Together

Plus: Homemade treats for sale, prayer shawls for those in need, Christmas music, and more!

🎅 Santa's Ride Is Coming to Town!

Help Bring Christmas Joy to Children in Need!

This Christmas, let's make sure no child is left out of the holiday magic!

Since 1988, the Fairfax County Police Department's annual Santa's Ride has been spreading Christmas cheer by delivering toys and gifts to children in hospitals and through local charities.

This year, inspired by the beloved Christmas movie Home Alone, Santa's Ride is teaming up with community partners to remind us that no child should feel forgotten during the holidays.

And Pender United Methodist Church is helping make the season brighter!

🎁 How You Can Help

We're inviting our Pender family and friends to donate:

• New, unwrapped toys
• Children's books
• Games for children of all ages

Simply bring your donations to Pender UMC by Monday, December 7, 2026.

Your generosity will help the Fairfax County Police Department bring smiles, laughter, and a little Christmas magic to children who need it most.

❤️ The Greatest Gift Is Giving

Christmas is a season of love, hope, and generosity. Through Santa's Ride, we have a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action and share the joy of Christ's love with children and families throughout our community.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35

Let's fill Santa's sleigh with love, one toy at a time!

Thank you, Pender, for helping make Christmas a little brighter for children in need!

Please join us at the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center located at 10650 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA. 22030, on December 19 from 11:30 to 1:00 PM, for our annual Christmas Party with the JDC staff and students.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share the love and joy of the Christmas season with at-risk youth.

We serve pizza, soda, and home made cookies, sing Christmas carols with a live Christian band.

Questions please reach out to Arlet Williams.

Growing in Faith Through Sunday School | David Kinard | Pender UMC

Discover the joy of learning, growing, and walking together in faith!

During worship at Pender United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 25, 2026, David Kinard shared a special Moment for Ministry highlighting the importance of Sunday School and the opportunities it provides for spiritual growth, fellowship, and Christian discipleship.

Sunday School is about so much more than studying the Bible. It's a place to ask questions, explore Scripture, build meaningful friendships, encourage one another, and discover how God's Word speaks to our everyday lives.

📖 Coming in January 2027: “Practicing the Way”

David Kinard is proposing an exciting new Sunday School class called “Practicing the Way,” based on the book by John Mark Comer.

This study invites participants to explore what it truly means to follow Jesus—not simply believing in Him, but learning to live as He lived.

Through Scripture, discussion, and practical spiritual disciplines, participants will explore how to:

• Be with Jesus — Deepen our relationship with Christ.
• Become like Jesus — Grow in spiritual maturity and Christlike character.
• Do as Jesus did — Put our faith into action through love, service, and everyday discipleship.

📅 Proposed Start: January 2027

📍 Location: Pender UMC Library

Whether you're new to Bible study or have been growing in faith for many years, this class offers an opportunity to connect with others and take another step on your spiritual journey.

At Pender, we're never too young—or too old—to keep learning, growing, and becoming more like Jesus!

We invite you to watch David's Moment for Ministry and prayerfully consider how Sunday School might enrich your own walk with Christ.

WINNER OF ECPA’S CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry calls us to rediscover the path that leads to a deeper life with God.

“One of the most important books I have read in a decade . . . If we would all follow in this way, our lives would change and the world would change.”—Jennie Allen, author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People

We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.

To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.

This introduction to spiritual formation is full of John Mark Comer’s trademark mix of theological substance and cultural insight as well as practical wisdom on developing your own Rule of Life.

These ancient practices have much to offer us. By learning to rearrange our days, we can follow the Way of Jesus. We can be with him. Become like him. And do as he did.

Stewardship is about more than weekly donations. It is a demonstration of your trust, gratitude, and commitment to the Lord Almighty. 

Take some quiet time through bible study and heartfelt prayer to discern God’s will in your life. 

During this time, we appreciate your continued generosity in providing your weekly tithes and offerings.

As of September 30, 2026:



MTD actual revenue was $36,261;  YTD actual revenue was $396,164;

MTD actual expenses was $45,320; YTD actual expenses was $449,643;

MTD net loss was ($9,059);      YTD net loss was ($53,478).

Each Thursday from now until December 24, there will be a new Faith-Based Christmas Craft you can make with your family.

Here's the third:

Looking for simple Christmas crafts that keep the focus on Jesus? Some of the most meaningful moments of the season happen in small, ordinary activities at home.

Here are 10 easy, low-prep crafts your family can make together this Christmas, each one paired with a Bible verse to help keep the true meaning of the season front and center. They work for a range of ages, so siblings can craft side by side, and most use simple supplies you probably already have at home.

3. Candy Cane Crosses

Verse: John 3:16

Glue two candy canes together into a heart or cross shape and share the Legend of the Candy Cane as a simple conversation starter about Jesus.

Supplies:

Mini candy canes (2 per child)

Hot glue or glue dots

Ribbon or string for hanging

Small tags with the Legend of the Candy Cane or John 3:16

Instructions:

1. Pair two candy canes facing each other to make a heart, or cross them for a cross shape.

2. Glue together where they meet.

3. Tie a ribbon through the top to hang.

4. Add a tag explaining how the candy cane points to Jesus.



Legend of the Candy Cane

The candy cane legend tells of a candy maker who created the treat to reflect his faith. The white stick represents purity, the hard candy represents the firmness of God's promises, the J shape represents Jesus or a shepherd's staff, and the red stripes represent the blood Jesus shed. Another version traces the candy cane to a choirmaster in Germany who bent sugar sticks into shepherd's crooks for his choir.

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.