Elizabeth Snader, Director of Children and Youth Ministries continued the Love Rebooted series. Her topic was United in Christ based on Scriptures Ephesians 4:1-7 and Ephesians 4:11-16. This week Elizabeth preached on a portion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he focuses on unity. Paul reminds us all of our call from God and that we are one through Christ and that because of our very nature of being created by God, we are called to be united.

Rev. Dr. Catharine Guest preached on Loving All based on Exodus 20:12-17 and Matthew 22:39-40. The Ten Commandments - all about relationship - the first four - about our relationship with God - the last six about our relationship with the rest of the world. We try to obey the last six just as much as we try to obey the first four - and are so proud when we can check off boxes of our own law keeping - we've got this thing nailed! And even if we slip, surely our minor infractions are so much less than the things other people do! How often do we focus on the sins of others as greater than our own? How often do we try to keep judgment out there so that no one will judge us? And Christ says "love your neighbor as you love yourself' that is the second commandment! Do we love all? What does that even mean? Video of the Common Ground service is also available.

This Sunday, February 3rd, we welcomed our guest preacher, Rev. Drew Ensz, who preached on "What the World Needs Now." The scriptures were 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 and 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Drew is the Ministry Director of Arise Campus Ministry which is the United Methodist campus ministry at George Mason University. Drew grew up around the Baltimore area. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Religious Studies. He attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary and graduated in 2014. He has worked as a youth director for eight years in northern Virginia. He was ordained in 2018 in the United Methodist Church. In 2009 he met his lovely wife, Catie. They have three children, Josiah, Benjamin and Anna. Video of the Common Ground service is also available.

Rule of law - traffic laws - all kinds of rules and regulations! What good are they - just seems everyone wants to steal our joy. More often than not rules get expanded with corollaries and amendments and personality preference - so expanded and changed that the original intent gets lost in the shuffle - so......with all the rules in the scripture - and with some seeming so bizarre - how do we know what is true law - and what makes them important ... or not ... to us today?

Rev. Dr. Catharine Guest preached on Love Rebooted: In the Beginning…..and the New Beginning based on scriptures Genesis 1:26-31, Jeremiah 31:3, and John 3:16-17. in the beginning - God's intended creation of humankind for loving relationship with the creator and with each other was pronounced very good.....but then....things changed - and creation needed a reboot - and Christ came to live among us to show us how to live - seems we need another reboot - what do you think?

Epiphany - the day we celebrate the divine revelation of Christ to those beyond the Jewish nation. We think of Epiphany as the day we remember the coming of the wise men to worship the Christ child and we think immediately of camels, the star, and strange gifts - but is that all there is to the account? Of course not! There is so much more - join us Sunday as we consider how the movers and shakers in the 1st century CE responded to the heavenly sign of the presence of the Son of God among us. How would we respond? How DO we respond?

Rev. Dr. Catharine Guest preached on Missed Opportunity based on scriptures Luke 2:4-7 and Isaiah 55:6-12

Joseph is such an underrated person in the life of Christ - but Joseph sacrificed it all to guard the light that is Christ in a world at war with itself - all that he had, all that he was - all given to the Lord of Lord's and King of Kings - what does Joseph have to say to us this Advent season?

Mary, the one chosen to carry the Son of God, the Light of the world. What implications did saying 'yes' to the angel of God have on her life? So often it seems that it was such an easy thing to be the vessel of light in the world, but was it?

Darkness and Light - the prevailing theme of Advent. Always been interesting to me how oftentimes just a bit of light in a dark room - even the pinpoint of a cell phone screen can help me to see in the middle of the darkest night as I get my bearings if I need to get up and check out the sounds that go bump in the night. Without light to lessen the darkness we are immobilized because we don't want to run into anything - don't want to trip over anything. Advent is all about the coming of the Light - the Light that gives light to the world - a light that is to be carried into the world by the torch bearers - know of any torch bearers.....ever been a torch bearer?  

Sin is troubling - either being the one doing the sinning or the one sinned against. Forgiveness is necessary - but hard. Yet, even when we are forgiven do we receive the gift? Even when we forgive, do we release the gift - to truly forgive is a God thing.....with God-sized outcomes..... The scriptures were Nehemiah 2:17-18, 6:15-16, 8:1 and Nehemiah 8:2-3, 5-12.

What happens when it all comes together? When we come to that place when our lives become an offering? All that we have - all that we are - what happens then? The scriptures were Exodus 39:32-43 and Exodus 40:16-34.

We all are willing to sacrifice in order to get something that is important to us. We all are willing to sacrifice everything for those we love. So when it comes to our Lord are we willing to sacrifice in order to serve Him?

Any God sightings in your daily living? Where have you seen God lately? AND have you shared these experiences with others - what’s your witness like? It matters! The scriptures were Acts 3:1-10 and Acts 3:11-16. A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Sticks and stones can break our bones but words can never hurt us - the rhyme of childhood which is incredibly misleading! We live in a culture of warring words that leave hurts and scars far more painful than any stick or stone we might be able to throw - how can we be better stewards of the words we use?

Gifts! Can we talk about this? We investigated the norm of life today and our understanding of how things are valued and just where God fits into the picture. The scriptures were Ecclesiastes 5:10 and Luke 12:15

What do you find joy in doing? In what things do you excel? These are the things defined as our God-given talents - the skills God has blessed us with as we go about our lives in the world. Once we have identified those talents, the question becomes WHY has God given us these talents? For ourselves and our own pleasure....or for something more? The 'something more' is the place of risk - what does that risk entail? ....... 

Time – a vanishing commodity – we never seem to have enough of it – and we more often than not have little to show for the time we have. Our priorities are constantly shifting, and we always seem to be playing catch up – trying to live into our plans – trying to make the best of our time……and suddenly, it’s gone – vanished. What if we could press a pause button – and allowed God to order our time – what would life look like then?

God has called us to so many things - so many opportunities to serve - so many opportunities to share the truth of Christ with all others - and we want to do just that - it's exciting - show us how, Lord! But the reaction from others is often - we're just people....these opportunities are too much for us to tackle! Such different responses to Christ's words to GO - how do we respond .... and what is the basis for our response.....?

We do so many things for God’s glory - and serving God gives us such joy in so many ways - but what if God calls us into new opportunities in new places - are we flexible enough to go? Are we ready to serve whenever and wherever? The scripture was James 2:14-26 A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

We will be looking at the story of the woman who touched Jesus’ robe and how her courageous faith can be an inspiration to us as we are living lives of faith. Do we have times in our lives when we must step out in faith even if it is uncomfortable or different? How can we as a community of faith be courageous in our faith?

When you think of the mission of the church, what is the first thing you think of? Which people, which place? Our first mission field may surprise you – it is closer than you might think! The amazing thing is, that if we are in mission to this particular group, the impact we can make for God in the world is overwhelming! It takes all of us lovingly serving together – not just some of us – but all of us in order for this transformation to take place – want to know who, what, when and where?

When you think of the mission of the church, what is the first thing you think of? Which people, which place? Our first mission field may surprise you – it is closer than you might think! The amazing thing is, that if we are in mission to this particular group, the impact we can make for God in the world is overwhelming! It takes all of us lovingly serving together – not just some of us – but all of us in order for this transformation to take place – want to know who, what, when and where?

By following Jesus and reaching out to others, we seek God’s transformation of ourselves and our world. This is our vision statement at Pender – but where do we each fit in? How can God use us as part of this vision – what is our mission as individuals and as the Body called for God’s purpose in the sharing of our gifts for the transformation of the world…..we may not think we have much to offer – we may not think we have many gifts – we may not think that we are worthy of being used by God in any significant way – that was THEN perhaps – in the time before today – indeed perhaps in the time leading right up to today…..but let me remind you of Simon Peter, that disciple on whose faith Christ would build His church. Peter knows EXACTLY how such thinking caught up in who we were and how we lived THEN can threaten to define us – but what about NOW? Peter came to his own answer – an answer we, too, should hear and appropriate for our own lives.

Ever feel that you have been trying so hard to live a life of blessing in the midst of hardship and sadness – so hard to answer God’s call on your life no matter what obstacles arise and things – but you just never seem to get a break? Hard not to check out isn’t it? Hard not to go back to the way things used to be– life seemed so easy then (even when we know it wasn’t!) How do we respond in the midst of the profound challenges and griefs of life? Do we give up or hear the call to joy in spite of it all? We can learn a lot from Moses and Miriam and their responses to the overwhelming challenges to their lives lived in God’s call. Hope you can join us on Sunday as we spend time in God’s word together – and just a hint…..never let them steal your JOY!

When people are preparing to die to their lives in this world, they often speak their most important words and often take very significant actions – all those things they want us to remember when they are no longer with them. That night in the upper room as Christ and His disciples ate their last meal together this side of the cross, John 13 reminds us of this observation – “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” How did He love them? We know that it was by instituting a new covenant through the bread of life and the cup of salvation – but something most profound came even before this. Something Christ wanted His followers to remember and do? Know what it was? What implication does this act have on our lives if we are true followers of the One true Lord? A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to act in the presence of fear.’ Sometimes we are called by God in ways that might make us afraid – call us to change our mind – from the fear we have of what will happen when others find out we are wrong about something we were so sure of, to the fear of what will happen to us if we unreasonably put ourselves in a place of danger just because we sense that God is calling us to GO. When has God called you to do something, to go somewhere, and it just rocked your world with fear? In those times, the only thing to be sure of is the love of God that will go with you. After all, perfect love casts out all fear and our Lord’s love is just that - perfect!    Listen as we considered the lives of two men who had the courage to overcome their fear and serve God in mighty ways! The scripture was Acts 9:1-19

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. His most memorable quote is a good reflection point as we consider the call to stand as spelled out in this week’s sermon from the book of Esther.   First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.   Where is God calling us to stand? The scripture was Esther 4:1-14

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.   He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there." The scripture was Genesis 12:1-5

Did you know that even though God calls us each to different opportunities within our lives, each and every one of us is initially born to live out the ‘first call.’ It is a call that is sorely needed in our world – now like never before. It is a call that was ‘in the beginning’ and continues on today and into the future. What is this first call? How are we answering this call in the living of our lives? Come and join us for worship as we consider the ‘first call’ – the grounding of our legacy of the past and the framework of our hope for the future.

People are always talking about being called…..or not called…..to do things. It’s an expression that is tossed around a lot: and just as often misused to express preferences or to avoid unpleasant tasks. “I feel called to go to Hawaii" "I don’t feel called to be part of the community trash pickup." If I can sing, so I must be called to Broadway. If I don’t like getting sweaty, I obviously am not called to go to the gym and work out. Other times call is used in a correct yet limited way to refer to those called to ministry. Call is so much more! It is God’s invitation to each and every one of us to live our lives as witnesses to God’s love for the entire world 24/7. Every single one of us is called for a purpose as God’s children planned for since before the beginning of the world – all in the name of Jesus, our Lord. What is your calling? Over the next several weeks we will be exploring God’s call to people in pages of the scripture and how do these call stories awaken our own awarenes

As Dan and Jay complete their pastoral ministries at Pender Church this Sunday, they have chosen to have a dialogue with each other as the sermon. The scriptural text for the dialogue will be the end of the second chapter of Acts, as well as other scriptures which are a part of the dialogue. The dialogue will be mostly serious, and will be facilitated by our Lay Leaders who will ask the questions to which Dan and Jay will respond.   Listen to the fun and spontaneity of the dialogue at each worship service, entitled "One More Comment We'd Like to Make..." The scripture was Acts 2:41-47 A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Thom Jones preached at the 8:15 service Thom is a Certified Lay Servant and has begun his journey toward full-time ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary. The scripture was Matthew 7:7-14 A written transcript is included and a video of the 9:30 Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Often it feels like we live in a crowded world – there are many of us! And yet, each of us is one . . . unique . . . loved as a child of God. Do you ever wonder about your uniqueness, how you stand out, what makes you distinctive? Is it the way you dress, or walk, or say “Y-All,” or chew on an ear of corn? Jesus has definite ideas about our distinctiveness as followers of the Way, as persons who live out the Good News. When he came home to Nazareth, early in his ministry, he declared his distinctiveness . . . and some were amazed and some were appalled. We look together at Luke 4: 16-30, “Paradigm S-h-i-f-t.”

This month of June is one of endings and beginnings. The school year is ending as pools open and summer finally begins in earnest. For some, their high school or college journey has come to an end, and the next stage of life begins with great hope and expectation! We celebrated these achievements at our 11am worship service. With the end of the school year, our season of Children’s Choir ministry culminated in their musical performance presented at the 9:30 worship service. In the life of the United Methodist Church, June is the time in which pastors who are moving say, “Goodbye,” and transition to new appointments or retirement. This Sunday, Pastor Dan shared from one of his favorite scriptures, 1 Kings 19 at the 8:15 and 11am services. Endings and beginnings… they’re bittersweet, for sure, but they are a part of life through which our God is always with us, no matter what. Don’t let summer keep you away from worshipping with your church family through it all!

When we talk with each other about taking risks, we often hear phrases like all or nothing or go big or go home or taking a big leap . Yet if we were honest, we would need to admit that sometimes our risking and trusting are very calculated, weighing our options and our potential gain or loss. As the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Corinthian church, and as we conclude our sermon series on our households of faith and family, Paul throws all caution to the wind saying there is no middle ground: Either our faith in Jesus Christ is very right and our salvation is secure . . . or it is very wrong and “we are of all people most to be pitied!” Which is it?? “Jesus Is In the House: King Jesus Lives!”

This weekend we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday! It’s the observance of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles gathered in the upper room after Jesus had told them to wait there in prayer. When the Spirit came, gifts were given to the apostles and believers for the building of the church, the household of faith. What gifts does Jesus bring in our households? Not material gifts like some Santa Claus, nor gifts that we necessarily choose or want, but these are gifts that build us up in faith. How might your household be strengthened by living out the gifts of God in love?

It’s Mother’s Day weekend! It’s a time to gather our households to celebrate moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, daughters, and all those women who have nurtured us in life and especially in faith. It’s a day when typically we try to act like everything is fine. We try to stay on our best behavior. Yet, we don’t need reminding that everything is not always fine. In fact, often if Mom says she’s, “fine", be careful! Reality is that many households are less than fine. Many struggle with great brokenness. What does the Bible say about how God would have us deal with brokenness in our households at home and as the church? Did you know our households can be better than fine? Join us as we worship God and hear again the difference Jesus makes when he is in our house!

One of the things we all know about preschool kids is that we rarely have to wonder if they are “in the house” with us. They have many amazing and sometimes alarming ways of letting us know they are present. Our worship theme on “households” has been looking at the impact that Jesus makes when “Jesus Is In the House!” Both the households where we live and the households where we worship are radically and beneficially changed by Jesus’ presence. This week we will look at the blessing that derives from Jesus having a seat at the table – our table! Our text is I Corinthians 11: 23-26, 28, but you might want to check out the context of all of chapter 11.

Ever heard that saying, the family that prays together, stays together? So if this is true we might find ourselves wondering why so many families are flying apart! And then there is the church – a big family of believers, and they pray a lot too. So why is the church family flying apart? Our worship series is taking a close look at our households where we live and our households where we worship. What holds us together, what drives us apart? Paul’s letter to the Corinthians offers insights, solace, and truth. Can we handle the truth? This Sunday, “Fractured Households”

Jesus is in the house! Did you know that? If we claim to follow him, Jesus is in our household of faith, the Church, and in our households of family and friends, however they are composed. So then, how are we to live within our households if Jesus is there? This is the fundamental question that Paul addresses in his first letter to the Corinthians. He makes some bold claims that sound as radical today as they did then! In fact, maybe our worlds aren’t all that far apart. Join us as we launch this new sermon series and bring someone with you who needs to know that Jesus can be in their house as well!

John and Lisa Hamilton are the One Mission Society (OMS) team leaders for Uruguay. After serving 10 years in various pastoral and team roles in Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia, John and Lisa moved to Montevideo in early 2003. The OMS team in Uruguay currently works in partnership with Christ Church, an interdenominational church in Carrasco, an eastern suburb of Montevideo. In addition to leading the OMS team, John serves as lead pastor for Christ Church. Lisa participates in counseling, children’s ministries, women’s discipleship, and mentoring emerging leaders in the church community.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services. On Easter we heard about the first witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, and how they told others about what they saw and experienced. What have you seen and experienced about Jesus? Did you know we’re all being called to the witness stand? We will hear a witness from someone in the addiction recovery community and how Jesus has helped them in that journey, and consider how Jesus is calling each of us to be witnesses to his grace and activity in our lives. A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Of course it is no surprise that this Sunday is EASTER! And we all know there will be flowers and brass and triumphant music and favorite hymns and excited children and dressed-up adults and both Alleluias and Hallelujahs and even rumors of an empty grave and eternal life . . . and there will be a story that reminds us of what we are celebrating. And just because it is no surprise to you, doesn’t mean there is not someone in your circle of acquaintances for whom our Easter Celebration might be a wonderful new thing to experience! Remember that part of the story? – when Mary saw the empty tomb, she ran to tell her friends Peter and John. Let’s do the same and have a great Easter together. The sermon is entitled, “The Most Important Word of Easter!”, based on John 20: 1-18.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services. As Palm Sunday approaches, the old cheer comes to mind: “What do we want?” “Change/Victory/Whatever!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” That mindset of the masses was prevalent as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and it’s still prevalent today. We want what WE want and we want it NOW. We are eager for the quick fix… and in three easy steps we can have it, so hucksters will tell us. But is that ever reality? Join us for a new look at an old story from John 12:12-19. A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on March 18, 2018. Our names are important to us. We do not like for them to be mispronounced, misspelled, forgotten, or used as a launching pad for making a joke about us. For many of us, there is behind our name a story, or an ethnicity, or a nationality, or a significant historic connection, or all of these! Behind the name Lazarus, there is a well-known story about dying and being raised, entombed and walking out, being all wrapped up and then unwrapped. And then there is Jesus – quite a name, quite a story . . . and he has a “last name,” too. Jesus is still leading . . . but be careful, Jesus, danger ahead! “Leading from Despair to Possibility” (John 11:1-44) A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

What do we choose to see? Have you ever thought of that? If you wander through an art museum you often find several people looking at the same painting yet choosing to see different aspects from each other. Children often pass the time on summer days by lying down, looking at the clouds, and seeing different animals in the different shapes of the clouds. There is great freedom in these ways of seeing. Yet, there are times when the ways we choose to see reveal how stuck we are, for we cannot, or choose not, to see otherwise. Though we may have the physical ability to see, we find ourselves blind to aspects of seeing fully. Does Jesus help with this? Can he clarify our ways of seeing freely, rather than with blinders?

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on March 4, 2018. Given the multiplicity of water fountains, coffee shops, healthy drink options, and fancy drink containers, we probably find ourselves hydrated all the day long. In fact, the concept of “thirst” is lost on us, because if we are ever thirsty, the remedy is easily within reach. Jesus knows that we thirst at a whole different level than our physical thirst, so when he met a woman at Jacob’s well, they shared their physical thirst, but so much more. One of the paradoxes of our faith is that God gifts us with what we most need but have never requested! This 3rd Sunday in Lent, we journey closer to Jerusalem, following Jesus our Savior, who is “Leading from Emptiness to Wholeness” (John 4: 1-42). A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services. John 3:16 is probably the most well known verse of the Bible. We see it on signs and car decals. Athletes write it on their uniform in some way. It’s one of the first verses we teach to our children. Yet, we cannot take these words out of their context. Someone comes to Jesus under cover of darkness, and Jesus ends the conversation by speaking of light. How does God loving the world and sending his only Son fit into that? And what difference does it make for us in our journey through Lent? A video of this sermon from the Common Ground service is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on February 18, 2018. “I’m just sure you can do this . . .” is the beginning of a conversation about our doing something that we already know how to do. So not surprisingly, Jesus was asked to perform a miracle, for he was known for his miracles. Jesus heard the request as temptation . . . he said “No,” not once but three times. What can Jesus teach us about freeing ourselves from temptation? Our Lenten sermons begin with Jesus in the desert, “Leading from Temptation to Deliverance” A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on February 11, 2018. The topic was Up the Foggy Mountain. Our integrity is put to the test every day, in virtually every situation. We are being watched closely to see how we will respond. The choice of our walk matching our talk, our behavior matching our beliefs, our character matching our confession is left to us. What will we do? We begin to wrap up this part of our series, Follow The Leader, as we look at Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 7:15-23. A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Our integrity is put to the test every day, in virtually every situation. We are being watched closely to see how we will respond. The choice of our walk matching our talk, our behavior matching our beliefs, our character matching our confession is left to us. What will we do? We begin to wrap up this part of our series, Follow The Leader, as we look at Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 7:15-23.

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on January 28, 2018. The topic was When Relationships are Broken. For many reasons, ours is a “throw away” society. When things break . . . we throw them away . . . and then we look around for a replacement. So what do we do when the “thing” that breaks is a relationship? Relationships are so valuable and yet so difficult to repair. A really good leader would give us some help with broken relationships. Our sermon series (“Follow the Leader) continues to ask hard questions . . . like will we let Jesus be our Leader in the healing of broken relationships? The Scripture was Matthew 5: 21-30 

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on January 21, 2018. The topic was When the Cultural Driver is Greed. Jesus asks his listeners, “Why are you worried about your clothing? . . . Why are you worried about what you can gather into your barn?” Our retort may well be, “Of course we worry . . . who doesn’t?” What if we don’t have the right outfit for the right occasion? What if we go to the barn and it is empty? What if . . . we followed a leader who has a different understanding of life’s essentials. Our sermon series, Follow the Leader: Do We Want to Play? continues with the challenge of a very familiar Jesus teaching: Matthew 6:25-33. So, search your “walk-in”, and try to find something suitable to wear as we praise God on Sunday!!

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services . In Monopoly, we know we’re doing well when we have lots of money, houses, and hotels. In Checkers, we know we’re doing well when we have more of our opponent's pieces than they have of ours. And when we play Follow the Leader, we know we’re doing well when we do what they do and go where they go. How do we know we’re doing well in real life, though? Is it by how much money and property we have? Is it how much we’re defeating our opponents? Or is it when we do what our leaders do, and go where they go? And what does that look like if we claim to follow Jesus Christ? Our message series, “Follow the Leader: Will We Play?” continues this Sunday by looking at Jesus’ measures of success in Matthew 5:1-12.  A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org in the Common Ground archives

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services . Leading is hard, whether in our home, our workplace, or whatever our sphere of influence may be. What does that look like? Who’s in charge anyway? We naturally look to others for these and other answers, when really the solution might be found within. Join us as we wrestle with these questions from Matthew 3:13-17.  Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17.  A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org in the Common Ground archives

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services on December 31, 2017. The topic was "Endings and Beginnings" based on the Scripture from Luke 2:22-38.

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services . December 24th , the fourth Sunday of Advent – the last of a three part sermon series entitled “The Redemption of Scrooge”. “A Christmas Carol” moves through dramatic shifts and turns, murky darkness and hoped for light. How will it end? Our journey to Christmas Day has its own shifts and turns, and as we near the finish line, we too ask, “How will it end?” Let us resolve with Ebenezer Scrooge to end well, seeing clearly the gift that God has chosen for us. Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

PastorDan preached at all 3 services . December 17th , the third Sunday of Advent – the second of a three part sermon series entitled “The Redemption of Scrooge”. Scrooge meets with the Ghost of Christmas Present, and is shown an alternative way of seeing reality that is normally hidden under the ways of the world. Upon learning that she is to bear God’s Son, Mary’s soul is opened to this way of seeing God’s reality, as we’ll read in Luke 1:46-55. It’s easy to view the world through miserly eyes like Scrooge. What does it take to view it through the eyes of Mary, indeed, through the eyes of God? Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services . December 10th , the second Sunday of Advent – the first of a three part sermon series entitled “The Redemption of Scrooge”. Can it be that the novelist Charles Dickens has important insights into our preparation for the Christ Child? Scrooge is visited by the “spirit of Christmas past”, and his life begins to change. The sermon looks at Scrooge, Isaiah, and Jesus, asking “What Shall We Count?” Scripture: Isaiah 63:15-64:1. Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16. A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes And Lenny Bruce is not afraid…” What on earth are we talking about? The end of the world as we know it, of course! Many have tried predicting when it will happen, and yet we’re still here. Theories of how it will come about tantalize our imaginations, at least for some. For others, we’d rather just keep our heads down and not think about it. Yet, Jesus talked about it. As we prepare to conclude another trip around the sun, it will be good to hear again the Good News in a world that seems to be getting worse and worse.

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services . As we move together into our national observance of Thanksgiving Day, we will look to the scriptures to guide us in our distinctive understanding of being thankful, of fleshing out a life-style of gratitude. Our scripture focus will be Psalm 65, one of the many psalms of praise, and Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18: 9-14). It turns out that gratitude is quite a spiritual challenge. The written transcript will be available soon. A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Jay preached at all 3 services and concluded the three week series on the three simple rules of our founder John Wesley. These are rules which call forth the best in each of us, and challenge us to be Jesus’ disciples every day. The key to our success is in the third rule: Stay in Love with God. (Mark 12:28-34). Early Methodists boiled the essence of following Jesus down into three simple rules: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These are good rules to apply to our lives, but especially when it comes to managing our money. What might that look like? Join us and discover together.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services and began a message series on Three Simple Rules for Money", This week's sermon was entitled "Do Good" (Galatians 6:7-10). Early Methodists boiled the essence of following Jesus down into three simple rules: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These are good rules to apply to our lives, but especially when it comes to managing our money. What might that look like? Join us and discover together.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services and began a message series on Three Simple Rules for Money, This week's sermon was entitled "Do No Harm" (Galatians 5:13-15). Early Methodists boiled the essence of following Jesus down into three simple rules: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These are good rules to apply to our lives, but especially when it comes to managing our money. What might that look like? Join us and discover together. A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Our Pender Supported Missionary, Rick Yorgey, was our guest speaker. Rick has been serving on the pastoral staff team of Dominion Church in Washington, DC, and has personally been involved in work of racial reconciliation. Rick will be sharing God's Word with us in light of recent events in Charlottesville, Ferguson, Baltimore, and continued racial tension in America, and how God might be calling us to respond.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services and continued his sermon series based on our church-wide study, "Solve: Finding God's Solutions in a World of Problems." This week's sermon was entitled "The Beauty of Name-Dropping" (Nehemiah 3:1-5). A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services and continued his sermon series based on our church-wide study, "Solve: Finding God's Solutions in a World of Problems." This week's sermon was entitled "Oppositionists" (Nehemiah 4:1-15). A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org in the Common Ground archives.

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services and continued his sermon series based on our church-wide study, "Solve: Finding God's Solutions in a World of Problems." This week's sermon was entitled "Food Network Solutions" (Nehemiah 5:1-19). A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org under Common Ground sermons

Pastor Dan continued the sermon series based on our church-wide study, "Solve: Finding God's Solutions in a World of Problems" and the second sermon in the series is entitled "Let’s Do This!" based on Nehemiah 2:11-16.

Pastor Dan began a new sermon series based on our church-wide study, "Solve: Finding God's Solutions in a World of Problems" and the first sermon in the series is entitled "Problemists" (Nehemiah 1:1-11). 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations...

Pastor Kenny preached at our 8:15 & 11am services on Galatians 6:9-10, Do Not Grow Weary. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Tony Hines preached at our 8:15 & 11am services on Building a Wall (2 Chronicles 36:15-21). The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians,[a] who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and did not spare young men or young women, the elderly or the infirm. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the Lord’s temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there...

At our 8:15 and 11:00 Services, Pastor Dan preached on For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20). He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

Pastor Kenny preached at our 8:15 & 11am services. Over this past weekend, we have witnessed what evil and hate can do in our midst. Charlottesville is an example close at home of the violence which is filling our world by the Evil One using people. Let me say in the strongest terms as your Senior Pastor that I and our United Methodist Church condemn violence, bigotry and racial prejudice in all forms it presents itself. I call upon the people of Pender to pray for peace and justice in Charlottesville. Jesus told us to stand fast against evil. We are also called to pray for our enemies. As followers of the Christ of the cross, we know that love overcomes evil ultimately. Let us together claim that hope and stand fast to the power of Christ that defeats evil, heals those who are mourning, heals hearts filled with hatred and proclaims God's peace (shalom) and wholeness for the world and our commonwealth.

Dr. Gene Thomas preached at all 3 services. on Matthew 14:22. Jesus Walks on the Water. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

Pastor Kenny began a sermon series entitled "The Games We Play" and preached at all three services on John 10:10. The title was Game of Life & Priorities. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Pastor Kenny concluded his sermon series entitled "Book of Joy" and preached on "Rejoice" (Philippians 4) at our 8:15 and 11am services. "...Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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..."

Pastor Kenny continued his sermon series entitled "Book of Joy" and preached at our 8:15 and 11am services on Philippians 3. The sermon title is Joy of the Journey. Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence..."

Pastor Kenny continued his sermon series entitled "Book of Joy" and preached at our 8:15 and 11am services on Philippians 2. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Sunday, July 9th, we welcomed Pastor Kenny back from his sabbatical! He began a new sermon series entitled "Book of Joy" and preached at our 8:15 and 11am services on Philippians 1. ...3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ...

Pastor Dan preached at all 3 services on "True Freedom: Free Indeed" (John 8:31-36).

At our 8:15 & 11am Worship Services, our guest speaker Dr. Robert J. Stamps preached on "The Most Profound Witness" (Matthew 5:14-16). Dr. Stamps received the BA from Wheaton College, Illinois ('63), the MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky ('68), and the PhD from the Council for National Academic Awards, Saint John's College, University of Nottingham ('86). Dr. Stamps also studied at New College/University of Edinburgh, Garrett Theological Seminary/Northwestern University, Illinois, and the Institute for Holy Land Studies, Palestine. Ordained in 1966 through the United Methodist Church, he has served appointments as university chaplain and as pastor of congregations across the United States. He is also the writer of several published hymns, a connoisseur of great music (BBC Radio Three online), and a student of the American Civil War. Dr. Stamps is married to Ellen Stamps (who was our guest speaker for our most recent Missions Celebration) and father of a son a

Sunday, June 18th was Father's Day and our very own Tony Hines preached at all 3 services on "As For Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord" (Mark 5:21-42) This Sunday was also Graduation Sunday and we honored our high school and college graduates at our 11am Worship Service. Together we celebrated this wonderful milestone in their lives!

Pastor Dan preached on Get in the Flow for Pentecost and Confirmation at all three services.. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. ~John 7:37-39

Sarah is a United Methodist elder beginning her fourth year serving the Arlington and Alexandria districts as the Bi-District Coordinator for Church Revitalization and Leadership Development.  Sarah says you can shorten the title to: "I'm from the Districts, and I'm here to help!"  Sarah grew up all over as a military kid, ending up in Fairfax, Va. She has a BA in Economics from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg followed by J.D. from George Mason Law School, opening a law firm in Fairfax as her first career. After an overwhelming and literal calling from God, Sarah attended Wesley Theological Seminary for her Masters of Divinity and then again a few years later for her Doctorate in Church Leadership. Her dissertation work was on clergy support groups. 

Pastor Kenny preached at all 3 services on Our Life as a Sacrament (Philippians 1:27, 2:5) "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)

At our 8:15 and 11:00 am worship services, Rev. Tony Yeo, Pastor at Covenant Evangelical Free Church in Singapore, preached on "Making a Difference" (Matthew 4:18-22).    As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. ~ Matthew 4:18-22

At our 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 Traditional Services, Pastor Kenny preached on Sacraments Matter: Holy Communion. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a numbe

Sunday, April 30th, was Missions Celebration Sunday! Our Key Note Speaker, Ellen Stamps, preached at all 3 services on "What if God Gives You a Roof?" (Mark 2:1-5) Ellen Stamps had anticipated she would be a missionary, but God had other plans and she received her RN degree from the Academic Hospital of Utrecht in the Netherlands. In 1976, she was asked by Corrie ten Boom, evangelist and author of "The Hiding Place," to become her nurse, secretary, and traveling companion. Ellen authored an account of their 10 years of life and travels together: "My Years with Corrie." After serving with Corrie, Ellen met and married Bob Stamps in 1976. They have a son and a daughter and continue in ministry together.

Ruston Seaman from New Vision Renewable Energy (NVRE) was our special pre-Missions Celebration speaker at all 3 services. Ruston, president and CEO of NVRE , has dedicated his adult life to ministry and community development in under-resourced rural communities in the U.S.

At our 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 Easter Services, Pastor Kenny preached on Easter Hope. "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said...

At our 8:15 & 11:00 Services, Pastor Kenny concluded a five-week sermon series using Scriptures and video clips from the film The Shack to help you trust God more completely, connect with Him in a deeper way and experience life-changing love and forgiveness even in the midst of pain. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:37-38)

Pastor Kenny continued a five-week sermon series using Scriptures and video clips from the film The Shack to help you trust God more completely, connect with Him in a deeper way and experience life-changing love and forgiveness even in the midst of pain. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

At all three services, Pastor Dan continued a five-week sermon series using Scriptures and video clips from the film The Shack to help you trust God more completely, connect with Him in a deeper way and experience life-changing love and forgiveness even in the midst of pain. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Pastor Kenny continued a five-week sermon series using Scriptures and video clips from the film The Shack to help you trust God more completely, connect with Him in a deeper way and experience life-changing love and forgiveness even in the midst of pain. Scripture: Hebrews 13:5 (traditional) and Matthew 14:22-33 (common ground) A video of this sermon is available on PenderUMC.org in the Common Ground area.

At our 8:15 & 11:00 Services, Pastor Kenny began a five-week sermon series using Scriptures and video clips from the film The Shack to help you trust God more completely, connect with Him in a deeper way and experience life-changing love and forgiveness even in the midst of pain. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

At our 8:15 & 11:00 Services, Pastor Kenny concluded his sermon series "Coming to Terms with the Story - Parables of Jesus" and his message for this Sunday is entitled "The Invitation" (Luke 14:15-24).

I don’t want to think about that. Jesus didn’t really say that did he? The rich man went where? Come & let’s see. (Luke 16:19-31)