Advent Continues

December 4 is the second Sunday of Advent.

The season of Advent, which comes comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians.

During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.

Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, in both Christian tradition and on the church calendar, the Christmas season lasts from sundown on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (Jan. 6). This is sometimes referred to as "the 12 days of Christmas."

Advent begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. 

The color for Advent has traditionally been purple, although some churches have adopted blue. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more red, green and gold are appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty, but also allows blue, the color of hope."

Adapted from https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/to-be-united-methodist-what-is-advent

United Women in Faith Ugly Christmas Sweater and Sing Along Party

The Women in Faith program is for all women in the church. It's an open meeting we were asked to host on December 4 for the District. There will be many UMC churches women's groups attending.

Youth Orchestra Concert

Winter Frost (Chamber Music Program), 7-9 pm

The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestras (TCSYO) provides a place for all student musicians within its four orchestras: Prelude Orchestra, String Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra. We also offer a Chamber Music Program (quartets) and Percussion Ensemble.

Christmas Caroling

December 11 at 2:30 pm. We’ll walk, sing, and invite the neighbors to Christmas Eve worship.

Build Your Own Gingerbread House

Build Your Own Gingerbread House, Christmas event sponsored by the Grow in God Cluster.

This is a multi-generational hands on event open to everyone in the church and Pender community,to be held in the Gathering Place. Saint Nick will be available for photos!

JDC Christmas Party

Bring some Christmas cheer to the teens at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Matthew 25:39 'When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ Pender is in mission to incarcerated Fairfax youth as they await their sentencing.

We worship monthly, and once a year, we host a Christmas Party. It is a particularly difficult environment in which to establish a party mood. Is joining me something you could do and is on your heart?

Covid restrictions are lifted and we can bring as many as who want to come. Still masks, though.

Christmas Cantata

The Pender UMC Sanctuary Choir and orchestra members will provide a music cantata during traditional worship service on December 18 at 9:00 am.

The Cantata will be live-streamed.

Christmas Social

Christmas Social between the services on December 18 at 10 am in our Gathering Place. We will have carols, cookies, tacky Christmas sweaters and ties. Please bring a plate of cookies to share!

Christmas Eve 4:00 pm

Family Service

This service will feature an extended “time with children” for the little ones. Kids will be invited to be a part of the nativity scene in an impromptu way. We will also have electric candles to light at the end. There will be scripture reading and preaching.

Music will be provided jointly by Traditional and Common Ground teams both services on Christmas Eve!

This night is about the tradition, about the familiar, about feeling at home in this newly renovated sanctuary. It seems that with the text from Luke this year that we can’t get enough of the shepherds. As they are among the first witnesses of the miracle, their presence is a clue to the meaning of this mystery. Come experience the joy with us!

This service will be live-streamed. and in person.

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

Christmas Eve 9:00 pm

Candles, Carols and Communion

Join us for a traditional candlelight service. You’ll hear and sing the traditional Christmas Carols. There will be scripture reading and preaching. We’ll serve Holy Communion. There will not be a children’s activity at this service.

Music will be provided jointly by Traditional and Common Ground teams both services on Christmas Eve!

This night is about the tradition, about the familiar, about feeling at home in this newly renovated sanctuary. It seems that with the text from Luke this year that we can’t get enough of the shepherds. As they are among the first witnesses of the miracle, their presence is a clue to the meaning of this mystery. Come experience the joy with us!

This service will be live-streamed and in person.

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

Christmas Morning

Birthday party for Jesus. A carol sing and a message for children and adults will be the order of morning worship. Then we’ll join for cake in the Gathering Place. Kids, and young at heart, can wear their pajamas if they like! There will be one service only that morning!

Hanging of the Greens

We decorated Pender for Christmas on November 20 after a light lunch was served.

Holiday Concert

Usher in the holidays with the sounds of the Harp, Flute, Piano, Organ, Soprano vocalist, Violin, Handbells, Jazz duo and an Irish session!

The concert concluded with everyone joining in singing some traditional carols.

See a copy of the program.

A reception followed.