March 28, Easter Egg Hunt 10 am to noon
Bring the whole family and hop on over for a morning packed with smiles, surprises, and springtime fun! Your little bunnies will love the crafts, games, and egg hunts filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate the joy of Easter together — laughter, fellowship, and memories included!
Grab your baskets, invite some friends, and join us at Pender UMC for a morning your family won’t want to miss!
March 29, Holy Week Begins with Palm/Passion Sunday.
Holy Week in the Methodist tradition is the solemn, week-long commemoration of Jesus’ final days, spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is a period of intense reflection, community worship, and spiritual preparation that moves from celebrating Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to mourning his death on Good Friday and celebrating his Resurrection
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year. On this day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed him with palm branches and joyful cries of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
At Pender UMC, our Palm / Passion Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM with a Palm Procession led by the children, celebrating the joy of Jesus’ arrival. As the service continues, the mood turns more reflective as we hear the Passion story from the Gospel of Matthew, remembering the events that lead to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Through scripture, prayer, and special music, we journey from the celebration of Palm Sunday toward the solemn moments of Good Friday and the hope of Easter.
Holy Week reminds us of the central truth of our faith: Christ’s sacrifice and God’s promise of new life. As it has often been said, we are Easter people living in a Good Friday world.
Come begin this sacred journey with us.
“From Palms to Passion:
March 29, 2026 at 10 am
Holy Week in the Methodist tradition is the solemn, week-long commemoration of Jesus’ final days, spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is a period of intense reflection, community worship, and spiritual preparation that moves from celebrating Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to mourning his death on Good Friday and celebrating his Resurrection.
On Sunday, March 29, 2026 — Palm/Passion Sunday, join us at Pender United Methodist Church for a powerful and reflective service titled “From Palms to Passion.”
On this sacred day, we begin with the joy of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, waving palms and shouting “Hosanna!”—and journey toward the solemn events of the Passion. This service invites us to walk the full path of Holy Week, holding together celebration and sacrifice, praise and sorrow.
Scriptures for the Day:
Isaiah 50:4–9a
Philippians 2:5–11
Matthew 27:11–54
Through these readings, we witness Christ’s humility, obedience, and deep love—a love that carries Him to the cross for the sake of the world. As we prepare our hearts for Holy Week, we are called to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus not only in moments of joy, but also in moments of surrender and sacrifice.
Come and experience this meaningful transition into Holy Week through worship, Scripture, and reflection.
Pender United Methodist Church
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA
Join us in person or worship with us online. The service will be available live and as a replay on our YouTube channel.
Holy Week Devotion: Palm Sunday
Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, CEB
After Jesus said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
As Jesus came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he gave two disciples a task. He said, “Go into the village over there. When you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘Its master needs it.’” Those who had been sent found it exactly as he had said.
As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “Its master needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their clothes on the colt, and lifted Jesus onto it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their clothes on the road.
As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice because of all the mighty things they had seen. They said,
“Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”
Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, scold your disciples! Tell them to stop!”
He answered, “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”
Meditation
During the first part of my life in which I grew up as a Christian within one of the main denominations of the Catholic or Universal Church, I learned that during the Christian liturgical year, most of the Christian world celebrates five religious feasts.
These are Christmas Day, where we celebrate the incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday, and I left for last a feast that even many believers in Santeria and Spiritism attended, Palm Sunday. On that special day, even the santeros attended the mass or religious service to receive the "blessed palm branches". What a thing, isn't it, how even those considered idolaters join in the temples!
One thing that is to be commended is that even in our post-modern times, on that same day the following verse is sung which is centered on the Lord: "Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King".
That same day, my Sunday school teacher taught us to make crosses with our palms while we sang the previous verse of the song. But something that always caught my attention, because I could not understand it, was that on that same day the whole gospel of the passion was read, according to the evangelist who was sharing that year.
The big question, why on one day we honor and celebrate the King, and profess our faith to Him, and on the next day we forget how He demonstrated His power? Why do we forget that the example of the exercise of His kingship gave us an example of humility and submission to walk in obedience to the Father? How did He do it? Christ exercised ministry as a compassionate and merciful King, being steadfast in the face of adversity, standing firm facing the rocky and painful road to Calvary, in obedience to the Father, as a stepping stone to eternal life for mankind.
Christ exercised his kingship when He did not judge us for our faults but included us by welcoming us into His life. He ate and lived with sinners and the corrupt. He called to conversion sinful men and women like Levi, and Zacchaeus, who, being tax collectors, and possibly corrupt, He called them to follow Him and minister to Him.
Moreover, Christ manifested His kingship when He was humiliated, scourged, mocked, even after healing paralytics. He who gave sight to the blind, and even raised a man dead for more than three days was rejected. What a contradiction, isn't it, that we celebrate the King and the Crucified One on the same day!
Historically speaking, the day of the palms and the Friday of the crucifixion; both events occurred on different days, but not far from each other.
If we consider, and compare our lives, it is very easy for us to say in our churches that we are Christians, and we rejoice in worship services, praising Jesus, with praises, lively music, that our hearts are filled every day with worship and prayer services.
Many times, we don't want to admit it, but when we go out the next day to our daily tasks and jobs, we idolize leaders, the world of power, financial banking, luxuries, and we judge others, to feel better than them. Unfortunately, this even happens after we have been restored by God.
We begin to feel righteous, perfect, and many of us forget that we are no different than the sinners we criticize. We value power when we pardon the powerful, we idolize the politicians, the celebrities of this world. When that happens, we begin to despise the orphaned children, the poor, the homeless, the undocumented immigrants, those who are not of my political or sexual preference, we even feel we are better than all those who are not Christians. We despise atheists, we belittle Hindi, Jews, and Muslims.
Every time each one of us feels that we are better than those other people, we are doing the same thing as the Pharisees and Sadducees. They joined together to attack Jesus, and crucify him on the cross, because the truth of the Good News he preached was dangerous.
What does Jesus invite us to change to be more like him?
Jesus calls us to another path where we harbor spiritual poverty, meekness, cleanness of heart, service, and unconditional love, so that we can join in the pilgrimage of transforming our lives in love.
Yes, more than 2022 years ago, Jesus promoted the inclusion of all known rejects and sinners at the time. Spending time to draw them onto the path of transformation into good people, including them into the fold, so that they would see and feel in their hearts that, yes God is powerful, and changes lives, not by judging, but by including, forgiving, and loving all people.
Today this pilgrimage is more relevant than ever. Today we begin a very special journey. This week is one where God's Word invites us to see ourselves in Jesus, to walk in Jesus' footsteps, and we will do so by letting God's Holy Spirit guide us to transformation, sustaining us in the midst of the struggles and challenges we may be facing in our daily lives.
Christ invites us to follow Him in humility, seeking the inclusion and unity of all human beings.
The question for you and me is; What do I have to do so that Jesus alone can be King and reign in my life?
Let us pray
Faithful and nearby God, Your son Jesus revealed to us the means that lead us to become and be humble servants of God's kingdom.
His humble obedience to You cost Him to give his life on the cross. But thanks to His loving sacrifice on the cross, You grant us healing, hope and peace.
During this Holy Week that begins, we help to reflect and live in the love of Christ. May our words and actions point to and reflect Your grace and power.
We also ask You to bring peace in all the places where there is war throughout the world.
We pray, in Jesus' sweet Name, the King of Kings and Prince of Peace. Amen.
From https://www.umc.org/en/content/devocional-semana-santa-1
March 30, Holy Monday
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Holy Week
Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.
The Holy Week selection is "Lamb of God" by Twila Paris from The Faith We Sing, #2113
The Faith We Sing Number 2113
Text: Twila Paris
Music: Twila Paris
Tune: SWEET LAMB OF GOD, Meter: Irr. with Refrain
April 2, Holy Thursday
includes a Service of Holy Communion and Community in Jesus 7:00pm, Sanctuary.
Holy Thursday Devotion
Trimmed or chopped
Scripture: John 15:1-11, CEB
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me.I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.
“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.
Meditation
In the Bible we find the use of similes (indirect comparison) and metaphors (direct comparison). God uses them to bring to His people the teachings of what the kingdom of God is like and what He is like. He uses well-known examples to teach the people in these comparisons. The potter, the carpenter, in this case he uses agriculture-the growing of grapes. Whenever a seed is sown it is done in the hope that it will grow and produce its fruit. But there is a care to be taken so that the harvest is properly reaped.
Jesus teaches us what He and the kingdom of God are like by pronouncing the seven "I am's."
In John 10:11-14 I am the good shepherd; John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life; John 6:35-48 I am the bread of life; John 8:12; 9:5 I am the light of the world; John 10:7 I am the door; John 14:25 I am the way, the truth, and the life. And in the reading, we have chosen for today's meditation: John 15:1-5 I am the true vine. The vine is a grape plant, it is a vine. It has a root, a trunk, branches, shoots, leaves and fruit. Jesus compares himself to that plant "He is" and my father is the vineyard keeper, He is the owner and caretaker. He is the one who takes care, who cleans, who prunes. The use of agriculture to explain the kingdom of God, and its care.
He talks about trimming: What is it and why is it necessary? It is to clean, to cut, to pull up, to remove dry leaves, dry branches. Pruning is a sign of love, God is concerned about us. He takes care of us, He removes what is not necessary, He removes what is not productive, what is not useful to us. When God is closest to us, it is when He is trimming us. When a vinedresser goes to prune, He always has the branch in his hand. God has not let you go, you have always been in the hollow of God's hand. Pruning is not the absence of God, on the contrary, it is when He is closer than ever. John 15:2 he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.
To be cut off: John 15:2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit; the branch is a new shoot. The danger of not being attached to Christ is that this new shoot will dry up. In other words, the danger of not congregating, of not being in a church, can dry us up, it does not allow us to grow, mature and bear the fruit that is expected of us. The Lord gives us a piece of advice, a commandment or recommendation in John 15:4 "remain in me, and I will remain in you". A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. He is speaking of a relationship, a friendship and fellowship. John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches" is giving us identity. He is also giving us a promise John 15: 5b "he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit". He is telling us that we need him in order to go forward, John 15:5c "for apart from me you can do nothing".
For reflection
Trimming is the evidence of something new in our lives. Usually when something goes wrong or we are in a time of trial we get desperate. We tend to worry too much and try to solve. The pruning in your life has as a goal that you bear fruit as it says: Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control."; 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control". So do not stray from the vine and allow whatever the vineyard keeper desires to do in your life to be done, for the result will be a blessing.
Prayer
Blessed God, thank You for revealing Yourself to our lives with examples from our daily lives and with them help us to understand Your plans and purposes in our lives. Help us to stay attached to You and continue to work in our lives, take away what You need to take away, add what You need to add so that we may remain united to You and bear much fruit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Holy Thursday:
April 2, 2026 at 7 pm
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:
- Exodus 12:1–4
- Exodus 12:11–14
- 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
- John 13:1–17
- John 13:31–35
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.
Good Friday Drama:
April 3, 2026 at 7 pm
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.
In Person Only
Holy Saturday
April 4, 2026 at 7 pm
Watching and Waiting at 7 pm. On outdoors informal service of Scripture, song and testimonies.
Easter Sunday
April 5, 2026
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:
- 1 Corinthians 15:19–26
- Matthew 28:1–12
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!