During worship at Pender United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Worship Leader Glenn Lammi shared a special Children's Message inspired by the beautiful autumn reflection (above) on the word OCTOBER.

Using each letter of OCTOBER, Glenn explored meaningful reminders of how we can live out our faith every day:

🍁 O — Open Your Heart to God's grace, new mercies, and new opportunities.

🍂 C — Cultivate Compassion through kindness, patience, and love.

🍁 T — Trust God's Timing even when the path ahead is unclear.

🍂 O — Offer Your Gifts through service, sharing, and encouragement.

🍁 B — Bear Fruit in Love by letting our faith become visible through our actions.

🍂 E — Embrace Community by gathering as God's family and growing together.

🍁 R — Remember & Give Thanks for God's blessings and faithfulness.

As the leaves change colors and the seasons shift, we're reminded that God's love remains constant. 

Every day offers a new opportunity to grow in faith, show kindness, and share His love with others.

A wonderful reminder for children—and adults—that even the simple things around us can teach us important lessons about God's goodness!

November 1 is All Saints Day, a sometimes-overlooked holy day in United Methodist congregations. It is not nearly as well known as the day before, All Hallows' (Saints') Eve, better known as Halloween, but is far more important in the life of the church.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, enjoyed and celebrated All Saints Day. In a journal entry from November 1, 1767, Wesley calls it "a festival I truly love." On the same day in 1788, he writes, "I always find this a comfortable day." The following year he calls it "a day that I peculiarly love."

Read more on the Pender website.

Dear Church Family:

In a recent sermon, I referred to a book, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, in which Christian historian Alan Kreider documents the remarkable way that the post-New Testament church arose over 300 years from a poor despised Jewish minority in pagan Rome to become the official religion of that great empire. The process of bringing about this amazing achievement was not what we would imagine. There were no evangelistic campaigns, organized outreach efforts, political lobbying, clever communication techniques, or “seeker friendly” services to attract outsiders. Rather, the focus of their efforts was on letting the good news about what God has done for all humanity through his Son Jesus change them inside and out. They devoted themselves to learning and trusting the ways of God, and to cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s patient, persistent, and powerful transformation of them into the image of Christ. They knew that God was working slowly and surely to recondition them out of their habituated lives as pagan Romans, re-habituating them with new desires and habits into a brand-new life in Christ. They believed that the best way they could share the good news about Jesus was by simply by displaying the changes he brings in how they lived and behaved at work, in the marketplace, and in how they loved their neighbors and enemies. They discovered that, in a world of false promises and disappointments, violence and suffering, some of those neighbors found their lives of goodness, joy, and hope to be wondrously attractive. When confronted with an unimagined and undeniable alternative to their own lives, some of their neighbors also chose to leave behind their old life to embrace the new and transforming life offered to us all in Jesus Christ. With God-like patience and trust, the early Christians proved the power of the Holy Spirit’s fermenting grace to make them and all things new. The world would never be the same.

From the beginning, our Christian ancestors were devoted to the new life that God revealed in Jesus and offers to all people. The changes this brought to them were total. As they brought every aspect of life under the loving Lordship of Jesus Christ, they knew well that, while some found their lives attractive, others despised them and saw them as a threat to the religious, cultural, and political status quo. The rise of the early church came to pass despite waves of persecutions, and many martyr’s deaths. Nevertheless, they remained committed to living as witnesses to God’s saving alternative to the world’s brokenness and deadly rebellion.

One of the continuing hallmarks of the early Christians was their uniform commitment to life. In every way, they sought to live out the gospel of life, having been taught that the true God of the world is the God of life who they now know through Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord of life. And what they believed they lived out in their daily existence. When their Roman neighbors abandoned unwanted children, the Christians rescued them and raised them as their own. They cherished the lives and wisdom of the elderly. They rejected the promiscuous sexual practices rampant in their societies. They refused to kill, even when attacked. They wrestled with the morality of serving in the military, for they would not kill their enemies even on the battlefield. They refused to attend the gladiatorial contests that were Roman sport. When condemned to die in the Roman colosseum, they prayed for their captors and for strength to endure the violent suffering. And, yes, in an era when abortion was commonplace, they received every child as God’s good gift of life entrusted to them.  

Many have observed that we are now living in a repaganized world. Christians are called once again to hear and heed God’s call to new life in Christ that remakes us from the inside out, and to consider what a faithful witness to the gospel of life looks like in our time. For, like the early church, our mission is still to present a gracious and truthful alternative to our neighbors and strangers who are weary of the world’s false promises and suffering in brokenness. As we live out the ramifications of our faith daily and publicly, the Holy Spirit is still attracting many to God’s kingdom through the witness of ordinary believers.   

As I write, many of us have or soon will vote in mid-term elections. We enter the voting booth as citizens of the United States and the commonwealth of Virginia. As Christians, we also know that we exercise this constitutional right and privilege mindful that our first and supreme loyalty is to Jesus Christ and his kingdom of life and love. Our vote is not just a personal or partisan preference, or the fruit of human wisdom and experience. It is a public expression or our deepest convictions as citizens of God’s kingdom who are committed in every way to the gospel of life.  

Included in our voting decisions this year are proposed amendments to the Virginia constitution that should cause Christians to think and pray carefully about what the gospel of life requires of us as citizens of Christ’s kingdom. We all know that Christians in our time disagree on what have become the contentious issues of abortion and marriage. But could it be that this is also a time to remember the witness of the early church, and to think carefully about the ramifications of codifying abortion and same-sex (or other) marriage as constitutional rights? If these (already) present rights are enhanced to become constitutional law, will there be any place remaining for a public witness for the sanctity of all life and the gift of God-ordained marriage in the future? And, if the amendments fail, will anyone be deprived of their existing rights?  

Yes, these issues are complex and warrant sustained discussion, much more than can be addressed in a short article. Personally, I have spent many years wrestling with the revelation of God’s Word, the uncommon witness of the Church, the experiences of a broken world, and the requirements of the gospel of love and life. Along the way, I changed my mind. For now, I challenge you to prayerfully consider: what does the gospel of life require of you as you exercise your public witness as a citizen of God’s kingdom? To do so will be to think and act in the long and faithful tradition our spiritual ancestors from the beginning.  

May the Lord of life give us grace and understanding, to live out the gospel of life we proclaim, in truth and mercy. And may many be drawn to Christ through our faithful witness.

Pastor Bruce

💙 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! 💙

• Today through October 31, National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice
• October 29, Choir Rehearsal
• October 30, Becoming a Godly Woman
• October 31, Pender's Boy Scout troop will install Pender's new Little Free Library
• November 1, Fall back (change your clocks back one hour)
• November 1, All Saints Day
• November 1, Church Council
• November 1, Rise Against Hunger with KUMC
• November 2, Fun With Music
• November 2, Mary Martha Circle
• November 3, Election Day
• November 3, Handbell Rehearsals
• November 3, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
• November 4, AA Open Meeting
• November 4, Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A!
• November 5, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
• November 5, Joyful Thursday
• November 11, The Church Office will be closed for Veteran's Day
• 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, 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 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
• Pender Authors Saundra Sandrock and Chris Hanak
• Upcoming Events including National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice, Rise Against Hunger, Pender Ringers playing in a Handbell Concert, Community Thanksgiving Service — Giving Thanks Together!
• 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
• Medical Equipment
• JDC Christmas Party
• Financial News
• United Women in Faith Announces 2027 Reading Program List
• Christmas Crafts for Families

WFCM Executive Director's Update 

I am happy to share that we were awarded Emergency Food and Emergency Housing grants from Fairfax County Government. These grants will provide $10,000 per month for us to purchase food and $20,000 per month for direct rent/utility assistance for a two-year period, as well as administrative funds to operate these programs. These funds and the county partnership are a key part of ensuring we can meet the needs of community members in western Fairfax County. While we have not received the funds yet, we look forward to this multi-year partnership.

One of the requirements of the Emergency Food grant is to ask community members selecting food in our markets, receiving home delivery, or picking up immediate pre-bagged food if the food offered is healthy, if it meets their needs (including cultural/religious), and if by receiving food at WFCM, they are ablet to use income to meet other needs (such as towards rent or utility bills) while reducing food insecurity. Wanting to keep this process as easy for community members as possible while respecting their dignity and voice, we have started asking individuals selecting food if they agree with these statements (in English, Spanish, Korean, or otherwise translated as needed).

• At WFCM I can get healthy food.
• At WFCM I can get food that meets my needs (including cultural or religious special needs).
• Getting food at WFCM helps me have food I need and use income for other needs.

During our first week of surveying, 97% of community members answered yes to all three questions. Some shared stories. One man said that the need to come to WFCM for food began earlier this year when he and his wife found out she was pregnant with twins. They were expecting and prepared for one child, but carrying two meant that she had to stop working earlier than expected when she was placed on bedrest by her doctor. The cost of two babies, and care for two babies, has kept his wife home while he is working to support the three of them. He said he is proud to do this and thankful for the help that WFCM provides. By getting food and diapers at WFCM, he is able to pay other bills.

This is the difference that WFCM is making for families in our community. Your monetary and food donations enabled us to turn each $1 the county allocated for the Emergency Food grant into $13 during the month of September. Your partnership is the reason that families are able to receive hundreds of dollars worth of food each month (including toiletries and diapers) that last up to two weeks.

Your support is critical and impactful for thousands of community members!

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

School's Out/ Holiday Food

Thank you to the partners who have already signed up to provide Thanksgiving or December food boxes and or funds for fresh food. We have commitments for 960 out of the 1,100 boxes needed for Thanksgiving and 800 of the 900 we need for December. If your congregation wants to support these distributions, please complete the survey below by October 16th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MFB5RXM

What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services



In September, we provided client choice food selection for 729 unduplicated families (212 of those families were served at our Centreville Free Food Market). We served 73 new families. We are grateful for our partnership with DoorDash that enabled us to provide deliveries of groceries to 63 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

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. 

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.

~~~~

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.

The United Women in Faith and the Virginia United Methodist Church Conference will host the National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice in Atlanta, Georgia this faith-based gathering is for pastors, justice-impact leaders, prison ministry teams, advocates, and change-makers providing innovative strategies, tools, and best practices to create lasting transformation in their communities and advance systemic reform.

Pre-summit Intensive United Women in Faith Workshop: Oct. 28;

National Summit workshops, small groups, town halls: Oct. 29-31

Pender has worked with Rise Against Hunger for several years. This year, KUMC is hosting this meal-packing event on November 1 at 3:30 pm in our shared Gathering Place and Pender people are welcome to help out.

Join Rise Against Hunger, KUMC and Pender members for a family-friendly service opportunity bringing people together to make a difference in the fight against hunger. 

Together, volunteers will package meals that will support nutrition, education and health for families facing hunger around the world. The event is an opportunity to celebrate what unites us and demonstrate what is possible when we work together.

November 3, 2026 - General and Special Elections

U.S. Senate

U.S. House of Representatives

Virginia House of Delegates, District 20 Special Election

Local Offices (General and Special Elections*)

Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Local Referendums**

*2026 November Special Elections (rev 8-21-26) 

**2026 November Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Local Referendums

🌸 Flowers for Philippi Returns!

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

November 1–22, 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! 🌸❤️

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

Join us for Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Chick-fil-A in Fair Lakes!

Enjoy some food and fun while supporting Pender Hill Preschool. A portion of the evening’s sales will be donated to the preschool.

When ordering:

• Mention Spirit Night when ordering in person.
• For online orders, enter the code PENDER.

Bring your family and friends, enjoy a meal, and help support our preschool community. Thank you for participating!

Location: Chick-fil-A, Fair Lakes 4516 Fair Knoll Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033

🍁 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 Shoebox gifts for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child through November 23. 

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 will be in the Narthex starting October 25.

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 a special outdoor Nativity!

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.

Video

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 second:

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.

2. Light of the World Lanterns

Verse: John 8:12

Turn a jar or cup into a glowing lantern that reminds your kids Jesus is the Light of the World, a simple visual they will remember.

Supplies:

Clear plastic cups or mason jars

Tissue paper in Christmas colors

Glue sticks or Mod Podge and brushes

Battery operated tea lights

Markers

Optional verse tag: Jesus is the Light of the World

Instructions:

1. Tear or cut tissue paper into small squares.

2. Use glue to cover the outside of the cup with overlapping tissue.

3. Let dry for a few minutes.

4. Place an LED candle inside and watch it glow.

5. Add the verse tag or write it directly on the lantern.

United Women in Faith Announces 2027 Reading Program List

We are delighted to announce the release of the 2027 Reading Program! It is available at uwfaith.org/read for free download.

This year's Reading Program features a carefully-selected collection of contemporary books on spiritual growth, social action, leadership development, nurturing for community, and education for mission for readers of all ages. Selections include books in English, Spanish, and Korean.

Borrow the 2027 Reading Program books from your local library or purchase them from the bookseller of your choice, as you prefer. If you're looking for a centralized spot to buy most Reading Program books while earning 10% cash back for United Women in Faith, visit bookshop.org/shop/uwfaith.

If you would like to receive invitations to author talks, book discussions, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year, click here to join our Reading Program email list.

Finally, thank you to the wonderful group of 175+ volunteer evaluators and eight Reading Program Committee members who do the behind-the-scenes work to make the 2027 Reading Program possible. Extra special appreciation goes to Reading Program Committee Chair Kelly G. Loeb and Administrative Assistant Robin Johnson.

Here's to another year of reading and growing together!

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.