Worship Styles

At 9:00 am, Pender offers a traditional/blended worship service.  The service includes traditional music as well as some praise music.

You’ll find a variety of musical groups participating in these worship services, ranging from children, youth and adults, to vocal, flute and bell choirs.

At Pender’s traditional/blended service, you get the best of both worlds!  We celebrate the traditions of our faith at these services with the scriptures, the creeds of the church, the symbols of our faith and a word from the Bible that applies spiritual principles to everyday life.

Holy Communion is shared the first Sunday of every month.  Come and join us

We have digital bulletins available listed on this site.  If you would like one, either text the word "9am" (no quotations) to (540) 712-6278 or scan the QR code with your cell phone.

Be sure to note, that whatever you save that number as in your phone book, that is how it will appear on your phone. You can save it as the name of Pender UMC!


Welcome to Common Ground

Not everyone is cut out for the same worship style.

Common Ground is Pender UMC's contemporary worship experience led by our worship leader and a rock-style worship band. You'll find worship to be more interactive and energetic, and you'll hear messages that are relevant to everyday life. 

Young children are more than welcome! We have a play area within our worship space set aside just for them, or they can enjoy our awesome Sunday school program. We also have paid staff nursery care available for our littlest ones.

You will leave feeling closer to Jesus, challenged and more prepared to serve Him, and warmed by a relationship in a genuine community of Christ-followers. We hope to see you soon! 

We have digital bulletins available.  If you would like one, either text the word "11am" (no quotations) to (540) 712-6278 or scan the QR code with your cell phone.

Be sure to note, that whatever you save that number as in your phone book, that is how it will appear on your phone. You can save it as the name of Pender UMC!



Pender United Methodist Church has made a commitment to be an Accessible Congregation, as part of the National Organization on Disability campaign of the same name.  We proudly display their logo -- a wheelchair user surrounded by a heart -- to show that as a congregation, we strive to provide physical access and also open our hearts and minds to people with all types of disabilities.

Some of the ways we do this include:

  • Automatic doors at the front entrance (for security reasons, these doors are functional during certain times only, including worship and meeting times)
  • Large-print hymnals available upon request
  • Hearing assistance devices available during worship
  • Pews with space available to accommodate wheelchairs

May 28, 2023 is Pentecost.

Pender Lead Pastor Will White preached on “He Breathed on Them” based on Scriptures John 20:19-23 and Acts 2:1-21. “He Breathed on Them” is from the series When God Came Down Like Fire.

Pentecost calls for celebration, for signs and symbols of a God who pushes through, who rushes in when it seems all is lost. The traditional wind symbols – like balloons and kites and streamers – can be powerful reminders of movement and of an irresistible force and presence. The traditional color red reminds us of the flame and the passion of the one who calls and transforms us. Fire is also a great reminder of the power of the presence and speaks as well of the danger inherent in an encounter with the Spirit. Pentecost is traditionally full of sound and movement and song and joy. Many look forward to this exuberance and outpouring of laughter and celebration as the community gives thanks for the gifts of individuals and of the body as a whole.

Read the Sunday Bulletin for more information.

We look forward to seeing you!

All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person.

Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033


The Next Traditional Service will be June 4 at 9:00 am


The Next Contemporary Worship will be June 4 at 11:15 am