In Bethlehem Inn Dinner Theater

Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 pm

First In Bethlehem Inn, December 11 at 5:00 PM

Get your tickets NOW! All proceeds will be used to support Pender assistance to an Afghan refugee family, FACETS (Hypothermia Shelter), and Layette and Hygiene Kits for the United Methodist Commission on Relief.

The church’s newly remodeled Gathering Place will become the Bethlehem Inn!

Come be one of the firsthand observers of the events that occurred on the night Christ was born. The Innkeeper and his family will preside. Be one of the guests to travel to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago for the census. Be aware though, as our dinner will be interrupted by famous travelers and astral influences. Others will arrive looking for the promised birth of a baby.

There will be music too! Bring your coats as our host asks that we watch a miracle unfold.

Join us for a unique, fun, humorous, and memorable way to experience the Nativity of the Lord.

Boxed dinners from Jason’s Deli will be supplied in a safe, COVID friendly, way. ALL proceeds will be divided equally among the three mission priorities listed above. Ticket sales will be 100 percent direct aid!

Buy Tickets Here

Santa's Ride Toy Collection

Pender Hill School is collecting toys for the Santa's Ride program again this year. We are excited to work with the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad to collect new toys and books for children in local hospitals.

Items can be donated in the marked bins in the Church Lobby and the downstairs Preschool hallway until Sunday, December 12.

Please contact Ann Hines or Sarah Hocker with any questions.

JDC Holiday Party

Bring some Christmas cheer to the teens at the Juvenile Detention Center on December from 18th 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

When you sign up, Maryann Weber will e-mail instructions closer to the date.

Sign up at pender.church/signup

Christmas Cantata

The PUMC Sanctuary Choir and members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra will provide a music cantata during traditional worship service on December 19 at 9:00.

The Cantata will be live-streamed.

Christmas Social

There will also be a Christmas Social between the services on December 19 at 10 am in our Fellowship Hall.

Join us for carols, cookies, and wear your tacky Christmas sweaters and ties. There will be a tacky Christmas outfit contest. You may win a prize!

Bring the children as St. Nick will be on hand for photo opportunities.

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 service will be live-streamed.

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 service will be live-streamed.

Journey to Bethlehem

For children and their families…

Kids will have the opportunity to walk along with Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They’ll complete a census with the Roman guard before they meet Mary and Elizabeth to grind some grain and sew a quilt square, help Joseph in his carpentry shop, and visit the manger scene to take a photo with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the animals in the stable.

Children can also create their own ornament and draw a picture to remember the Nativity scene. This is an excellent way for preschool and elementary age children to develop memories of Christmas. Moms and Dads will want to tag along, rather than dropping kids off, as children walk through the journey at their own pace.

Christmas Caroling

Meet in the church’s parking lot on December 5th at 6:30 pm. Join us as we reach out to our community though singing. Do you like to sing in the shower? You need not be a choir member. Come if you enjoy singing.