On Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, join us at Pender United Methodist Church for a sacred and deeply moving service of Holy Communion as we remember the final night Jesus shared with His disciples.
Pastor Bruce Johnson will offer a message grounded in the powerful story of covenant, remembrance, and love.
Scriptures for the Service:
From the Passover meal in Exodus to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and instituting the Lord’s Supper, this service invites us into the heart of Christ’s humility and commandment to love one another.
The service will conclude with the solemn and traditional Stripping of the Church, as the sanctuary is gradually emptied in silence—symbolizing the abandonment of Jesus and preparing us for the darkness of Good Friday.
Come and experience this holy night of remembrance, reflection, and grace.
Join us at Pender United Methodist Church for a day of reflection, remembrance, and worship as we journey through the meaning of Good Friday.
The day will begin at 10:30 am with a showing of The Passion of the Christ in the Sanctuary, offering a powerful portrayal of Jesus’ final hours.
From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the Sanctuary will be open for a Meditation of the Cross—a quiet, come-and-go time for prayer and personal reflection.
In the evening at 7:00 pm, we invite you to a moving service, “The Last Words”—the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus expressed through drama, Scripture, and song. This worship experience will guide us through Christ’s final words and the depth of His sacrifice.
Come for one part of the day or experience the full journey as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
Join us at Pender United Methodist Church for a day of reflection, remembrance, and worship as we journey through the meaning of Good Friday.
The day will begin at 10:30 am with a showing of The Passion of the Christ in the Sanctuary, offering a powerful portrayal of Jesus’ final hours.
From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the Sanctuary will be open for a Meditation of the Cross—a quiet, come-and-go time for prayer and personal reflection.
In the evening at 7:00 pm, we invite you to a moving service, “The Last Words”—the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus expressed through drama, Scripture, and song. This worship experience will guide us through Christ’s final words and the depth of His sacrifice.
Come for one part of the day or experience the full journey as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
Watching and Waiting at 7 pm. On outdoors informal service of Scripture, song and testimonies.
Celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday at Pender United Methodist Church—a full morning of worship, fellowship, and resurrection hope!
We begin the day at 6:30 am with a beautiful Outdoor Sunrise Service in partnership with KUMC-Koinonia. Pastor Youngbong Kim will bring the message, and Pender UMC will help lead this meaningful time of worship as we greet the risen Christ at dawn.
Following the service, all are invited to gather for a Sunrise Breakfast at 7:30 am in the Gathering Place—a time of fellowship and celebration as our church family comes together.
The 10 am Easter service will conclude with the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah by George Frideric Handel, lifting our voices in praise and celebration. If you would like to sing along, please join us for a rehearsal at 9 am.
At 10:00 am, join us in the Sanctuary for Easter Worship with special music, as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares the message: “The Day All Creation Shook”.
Scriptures for the Day:
Together, we will celebrate the Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper and rejoice in the victory of Christ over sin and death. The service will conclude with the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah by George Frideric Handel, lifting our voices in praise and celebration.
Come experience the fullness of Easter—from sunrise to song—as we proclaim: Christ is risen indeed!
Sunday School Classes |
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Sunday School for Everyone!Time: Every Sunday |
Children's Sunday SchoolTime: Every Sunday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Youth Sunday School ClassTime: Every Sunday, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Adult Sunday School ClassesTime: Every Sunday, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Lend a helping hand to our local heroes by contributing to the Pender Police Rest Stop! We are currently in need of bottled water.
We are collecting a variety of items that our officers greatly appreciate during their shifts. You can drop off your donations at the church office, clearly marked "Rest Stop."
Here’s what our officers are currently enjoying:
Additionally, we're always in need of:
Your contributions make a real difference in the daily routines of our police officers, providing them with the sustenance and morale boost they need to keep our community safe. Drop by with your contributions and show your support!
The Pender Mini Food Pantry is officially open and ready to serve our community! This little structure—built as an Eagle Scout Project by one of Pender’s Boy Scouts—is a beautiful example of service, compassion, and creativity.
At first glance, it looks a lot like a Little Free Library, but instead of books, it’s stocked with nonperishable food for anyone in need. It’s a simple yet powerful way to share kindness and nourishment in our neighborhood.
What’s Inside:
As of this writing, the pantry is filled with a wide variety of items, including:
It’s truly a community effort—and every contribution helps keep it going.
Anyone is welcome to take what they need or to donate food items to keep the pantry stocked. When you give, please remember our guiding principle:
Give with dignity. Only donate items you’d feel comfortable using yourself.
Hopefest is back! Join us for a recovery and family friendly spring festival with delicious Smokin Willy BBQ cooked on site, raffle prizes, games and crafts for kids and adults, cornhole, and community. All proceeds will help others access the profound hope of recovery, connection, and peer support.
HopeFest 2026 tickets are officially on sale—and it’s a day you won’t want to miss!
Join us Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax for a joyful, family-friendly celebration centered on connection, community, and recovery.
Come for the great food, stay for the fellowship, and experience recovery celebrated in the most welcoming, hope-filled way.
Reserve your tickets today HERE.
None this Wednesday - Spring Break | 6:30 PM (Dinner Included!) | Grades 6–12
Got questions about faith? You’re not alone.
Alpha Youth is a place where middle and high school students can explore the basics of the Christian faith together — in a relaxed, welcoming space. Each Wednesday kicks off at 6:30 PM with dinner, followed by real conversations about life, God, purpose, and what it all means.
No pressure.
No judgment.
No “perfect answers” required.
Just good food, honest discussion, and a chance to figure things out together.
Bring a friend. Bring your questions. Come as you are and see what you think!
This is a week-long hands-on mission trip for middle to high school teenagers that introduces the youth to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through missional living, confronting issues of social justice, and completion of a hands-on project in Philippi, West Virginia.
Adult volunteers are also needed to assist and support the youth.
This year's trip begins Saturday July 17, 2026
Get ready to turn your next summer VBS into an unforgettable adventure with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026!
Snowball Mountain Challenge invites kids to an exciting winter sports event where they become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope.
Your kids will be guided daily by the energetic Activities Director and the lovable Ollie the Arctic Seal puppet, who is reporting on the events. Challengers aren’t just playing games. Using their Challenge Companion (the Bible), they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories, while connecting the learnings to Bible Stories and Lift Lessons (Key Learnings). With a unique winter theme and solid theology at its core, Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV).
Bring your church family together to experience Snowball Mountain Challenge. Your VBS program will be transformed into a mountaintop experience filled with laughter, life lessons, and lasting faith. As children face their challenges and discover their strength in God, you’ll hear them say, “Challenge accepted – with God I am strong.”
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