Journey to Bethlehem

For children and their families…

Kids had the opportunity to walk along with Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

They completed a census with the Roman guard before they met Mary and Elizabeth to grind some grain and sew a quilt square, helped Joseph in his carpentry shop, and visited the manger scene to take a photo with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the animals in the stable.

Children also created their own ornament and drew a picture to remember the Nativity scene.

This was an excellent way for preschool and elementary age children to develop memories of Christmas. Moms and Dads tagged along as children walked through the journey at their own pace.

Christmas Caroling

We met in the church’s parking lot on December 5th at 6:30 pm. We reached out to our community though singing. Do you like to sing in the shower? You need not be a choir member.

In Bethlehem Inn Dinner Theater

Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 pm

In Bethlehem Inn, December 12 at 5:00 PM

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

This is a slideshow of the firsthand observers of the events that occurred on the night Christ was born. The Innkeeper and his family presided over the guests who travelled to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago for the census.

Our dinner was interrupted by famous travelers and astral influences. Others arrived looking for the promised birth of a baby.

There was harp music and singing too!

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.

This was a unique, fun, humorous, and memorable way to experience the Nativity of the Lord.

Santa's Ride Toy Collection

Pender Hill School collected 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 were 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.

Christmas Cantata

The Pender UMC Sanctuary Choir and members of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra provided a music cantata during traditional worship service on December 19 at 9:00 am. The Narrator was Ken Ferris. Selections included Let There Be Christmas, Breath of Heaven, Angels We Have Heard on High and All is Well.

The Cantata was live-streamed.

Christmas Social

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

We had carols, cookies, tacky Christmas sweaters and ties. There wias a tacky Christmas outfit contest. Someone won a prize!

Slideshow coming soon.

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 this year’s dinner theater and 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!

The scriptures will be Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20.

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 this year’s dinner theater and 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!

The scriptures will be Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20.

This service will be live-streamed and in person.

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