Lent at Pender
DURING THE FORTY DAYS OF LENT Christians have a special opportunity to engage in “acts of piety” and “deeds of mercy”. These acts do not help us earn God’s favor, but do cause us to focus on our faith in Christ. Thereby, we grow spiritually.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16-17
2025 Lent and Easter Events at Pender
- ✓ Shrove Tuesday
- ✓ Ash Wednesday
- ✓ The First Sunday in Lent
- ✓ The Second Sunday in Lent
- ✓ Time with God, Week 1
- ✓ The Third Sunday in Lent
- ✓ Time with God, Week 2
- ✓ The Fourth Sunday in Lent
- ✓ Time with God, Week 3
- ✓ The Fifth Sunday in Lent
- ✓ Easter Egg Hunt
- Palm/Passion Sunday
- Time with God, Week 4
- Holy Thursday Seder
- Good Friday Stations of the Cross
- Good Friday Service
- Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil
- Easter Sunday
Shrove Tuesday
On Shrove Tuesday, we gathered for a fun-filled evening of delicious pancakes, savory sausage, and exciting games as Pender UMC and KUMC Koinonia came together to celebrate!
Friends, families, and pancake lovers joined in for a night filled with*food, laughter, and friendly competition. Whether it was the stacks of fluffy pancakes, the fun and games, or simply enjoying great company, there was something for everyone!
Thank you to all who joined us in this sweet and joyful celebration—we loved sharing this special tradition with you!
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, March 5, 7:30PM
Join us for an inperson only service blending contemporary visual and musical elements with traditional and familiar ones. Receiving the ashes is an ancient practice that began to occur just a few hundred years after Christ’s death and resurrection. You’ll have the opportunity to receive the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes from the burnt palm fronds from last Palm Sunday. Come participate in the mystery of our faith.
Ash Wednesday is an inside-out act of worship. We come and confess and are reminded of both our sinfulness and our mortality. And yet we are given a visible mark in the imposition of ashes, a way of letting the world know that we are people of faith.
Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The season of Lent is essential for those who truly seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because a part of what we learn in this time of self-examination is that we are what might be most in need of transformation. We might find that what might need to grow in faith and discipleship is the church and that the transformation of the world begins with building bridges and gathering up rather than with condemnation. We hope you’ll join in with churches around the world as we seek to be gathered up in Jesus.
The First Sunday in Lent | "The Resurrection & Life Everlasting"
The First Sunday in Lent | "The Resurrection & Life Everlasting" | March 9, 2025
On March 9, 2025, the First Sunday in Lent, Pastor Bruce Johnson will conclude the powerful sermon series: "What Christians Believe, and Why it Matters"
This final message will explore the hope and promise found in the words of the Apostles’ Creed: "...the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen."
As we begin the Lenten season, this sermon invites us to reflect on the gift of eternal life through Christ’s resurrection and what it means for our faith today.
Reminder: Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday—don’t forget to set your clocks forward!
Join us for worship, reflection, and renewal as we walk the journey of Lent together.
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code—whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Services are also posted in our sermon archive.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Sunday service here.
The Second Sunday in Lent
The Second Sunday in Lent | "Prayerful Living" | March 16, 2025
Join us this Second Sunday of Lent as Pastor Bruce begins a brand-new sermon series: "What Christians Do, and Why It Matters." This week, we dive into Prayerful Living—what it means to cultivate a life of prayer and why it is essential to our faith.
Scripture References:
- Acts 2:37-42 – The response of the early believers
- Ephesians 2:15-19 – Unity in Christ through faith
- Matthew 6:5-15 – Jesus' teaching on prayer
Discover how prayer shapes our relationship with God and strengthens our walk as followers of Christ.
Join us for worship and reflection!
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code—whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Services are also posted in our sermon archive.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Sunday service here.
Time with God
Time with God: A Midweek Lenten Reflection, Wednesdays | March 19 – Through Lent | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us for "Time with God", a peaceful, in-person drop-in gathering designed to help you deepen your Lenten journey.
What to Expect:
- Printed materials with Scripture, commentary, and prayer suggestions
- Quiet reflection in the presence of God
- Time for personal or guided prayer
- Opportunity to partake in the sacrament
Take a break from the busyness of life and spend intentional time with God in the sacred space of our sanctuary. Whether you come for a few moments or the full hour, this is a chance to listen, pray, and prepare your heart for the season of Lent.
No registration needed – just come as you are.
The Third Sunday in Lent
The Third Sunday in Lent | "Searching the Scriptures" | March 23, 2025
Join us on March 23, 2025, for the third Sunday of Lent at Pender UMC, when Pastor Bruce Johnson will deliver a sermon titled "Searching the Scriptures."
This message, part of the series "What Christians Do, and Why it Matters," draws on the enduring wisdom of the scriptures, highlighting passages from Deuteronomy 8:1-3 and 2 Peter 1:19-21, along with 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Explore how the teachings and truths of the Bible remain relevant and transformative in our lives today.
This Sunday promises to be a profound journey through the scriptures, enriching your understanding and strengthening your faith.
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code—whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Services are also posted in our sermon archive.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Sunday service here.
Time with God
Time with God: A Midweek Lenten Reflection, Wednesdays | March 26 – Through Lent | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us for "Time with God", a peaceful, in-person drop-in gathering designed to help you deepen your Lenten journey.
What to Expect:
- Printed materials with Scripture, commentary, and prayer suggestions
- Quiet reflection in the presence of God
- Time for personal or guided prayer
- Opportunity to partake in the sacrament
Take a break from the busyness of life and spend intentional time with God in the sacred space of our sanctuary. Whether you come for a few moments or the full hour, this is a chance to listen, pray, and prepare your heart for the season of Lent.
No registration needed – just come as you are.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
The Fourth Sunday in Lent | "Christian Fellowship" | March 30, 2025
This Sunday, March 30, 2025, join us on the fourth Sunday of Lent at Pender UMC as Pastor Bruce Johnson enlightens us with a sermon titled “Christian Fellowship: What Christians Do and Why it Matters”.
Drawing from the rich teachings of 1 John 1:1-4 and 1 John 4:7-21, Pastor Johnson will explore the profound impact of fellowship in the Christian community.
Additionally, we'll hear a special children's message and receive exciting updates on the ongoing efforts of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your faith and connect with your church family this season of Lent!
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code—whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Services are also posted in our sermon archive.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Sunday service here.
Time with God
Time with God: A Midweek Lenten Reflection, Wednesdays | April 2 – Through Lent | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us for "Time with God", a peaceful, in-person drop-in gathering designed to help you deepen your Lenten journey.
What to Expect:
- Printed materials with Scripture, commentary, and prayer suggestions
- Quiet reflection in the presence of God
- Time for personal or guided prayer
- Opportunity to partake in the sacrament
Take a break from the busyness of life and spend intentional time with God in the sacred space of our sanctuary. Whether you come for a few moments or the full hour, this is a chance to listen, pray, and prepare your heart for the season of Lent.
No registration needed – just come as you are.
The Third Sunday in Lent
The Fifth Sunday in Lent | "Searching the Scriptures" | April 6, 2025
Join us on April 6, 2025, for the fifth Sunday of Lent at Pender UMC, when Pastor Bruce Johnson will deliver a sermon titled "Searching the Scriptures."
This message, part of the series "What Christians Do, and Why it Matters," draws on the enduring wisdom of the scriptures, highlighting passages from Deuteronomy 8:1-3 and 2 Peter 1:19-21, along with 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Explore how the teachings and truths of the Bible remain relevant and transformative in our lives today.
This Sunday promises to be a profound journey through the scriptures, enriching your understanding and strengthening your faith.
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code—whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Services are also posted in our sermon archive.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Sunday service here.
Easter Egg Hunt, April 12
Event: Pender UMC's Egg-citing Easter Bash
Date: Saturday, April 12 Time: 1:00–3:00 PM Location: Pender UMC
Event Highlights:
- We're Moving Inside Due to Rain!
- Awesome Games: Show off your cornhole skills for a chance to win awesome prizes. Don't miss the estimation table where you can guess and win—winner announcements every half hour!
- Delicious Eats: Pizza and Eggs? Yes, Please!
What’s better than finding candy-filled eggs? Pizza delivered right to the party!
During our indoor Easter Egg Hunt, kids will dash through colorful rooms searching for hidden treasures—while the delicious smell of fresh, cheesy pizza fills the air!
As the egg hunt wrapps up, everyone will gather to enjoy warm slices of their favorite pies (and more!), laughing and sharing their Easter finds. It will be the perfect combo of fun, food, and fellowship—a truly egg-cellent time for all! - Streaming Music: Groove to continuous streaming music to keep the festive vibes going!
- Epic Easter Egg Hunt: Hunt for eggs loaded with surprises hidden both inside and outside. A thrilling adventure for all ages!
Special Note: Gather your little bunnies for a day filled with crafts, laughter, and hidden treasures. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the Easter season.
Don’t miss this chance for fun and fellowship. Invite your friends and family and join us at Pender UMC for an unforgettable afternoon!
Palm/Passion Sunday
Journey from Palms to Passion This Palm/Passion Sunday April 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Join us at Pender UMC as we embark on a profound journey marking the pivotal events of Holy Week, starting from Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His solemn journey to the cross.
This special service will intertwine the stirring prophecies of Isaiah 50:4-9a with the humble teachings of Philippians 2:5-11, culminating in an immersive Proclamation of the Passion from Luke 22:14-23:56.
MUSICAL MEDITATION: "Wounded Savior" composed by Patrick King, featuring soul-stirring solos and congregational responses drawn directly from Luke’s narrative.
Prepare your hearts for a deeply moving experience filled with reflection, music, and community. Let’s honor these sacred moments together as we approach Easter.
At Pender, you're welcome just as you are! There's no dress code - whether you prefer jeans and a t-shirt or a dress and suit, you'll fit right in.
Join us in person or tune in live to witness this powerful reminder of faith and sacrifice.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
The days leading up to Easter often have an understandably somber feel to them, particularly as we contemplate Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution. It’s easy to forget that the week begins with a joyful event: the Triumphal Entry!
Sunday, April 13, is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’ celebrated entry into Jerusalem just a few days before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
The “palm” in Palm Sunday refers to the palm branches waved by the adoring Jerusalem crowds who welcomed Jesus and proclaimed him King. The event is commonly referred to as the Triumphal Entry. Here’s the account from Matthew 21:1-11:
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
From Chuck Knows Church — Palm Sunday. Have you ever waved a palm branch in a worship service? If so, do you know why? Chuckle along and learn about Palm Sunday with Chuck
Time with God
Time with God: A Midweek Lenten Reflection, Wednesdays | April 2 – Through Lent | 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us for "Time with God", a peaceful, in-person drop-in gathering designed to help you deepen your Lenten journey.
What to Expect:
- Printed materials with Scripture, commentary, and prayer suggestions
- Quiet reflection in the presence of God
- Time for personal or guided prayer
- Opportunity to partake in the sacrament
Take a break from the busyness of life and spend intentional time with God in the sacred space of our sanctuary. Whether you come for a few moments or the full hour, this is a chance to listen, pray, and prepare your heart for the season of Lent.
No registration needed – just come as you are.
Holy Thursday Seder
Holy Thursday Seder with KUMC Koinonia at 7:00 pm
Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday!) We are excited to invite you for a warm and meaningful Passover Seder as we gather to experience the symbolism of this meal celebrating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, a pivotal event in Jewish and Christian history! Please note that the Seder Meal will not include a full meal. We have timed it for after the dinner hour.
On Holy Thursday, Christians often observe a "Christian Seder" or Passover meal, reenacting the Last Supper, which Jesus celebrated with his disciples, and drawing parallels to the Jewish Passover Seder.
Here's a breakdown of the significance and practice:
- Historical Context: Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover Seder, a Jewish ritual meal commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, on the night before his crucifixion.
- Christian Interpretation: Christians view this Last Supper as the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion), where Jesus shared bread and wine, symbolizing his body and blood, and establishing a new covenant.
- Reenactment of the Seder: A Christian Seder on Holy Thursday involves reenacting portions of the Passover Seder, such as the symbolic foods (like matzah, bitter herbs, and a roasted shank bone) and the retelling of the Exodus story.
- Symbolism: The symbolic foods and actions in the Seder are interpreted through a Christian lens, highlighting the sacrifice of Jesus and the establishment of the New Covenant.
- Examples of Symbolic Foods:
- Matzah: Represents the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, symbolizing the speed of Christ's sacrifice.
- Bitter Herbs: Remind of the bitterness of slavery, mirroring the suffering of Christ.
- Roasted Shank Bone: Represents the sacrifice of the Paschal lamb, symbolizing Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.
- Purpose: Participating in a Christian Seder on Holy Thursday allows Christians to deepen their understanding of the Last Supper and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, while also connecting with the Jewish roots of their faith.
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, commemorates the events that occurred in the Upper Room
Good Friday Stations of the Cross, 10:00 am
A contemporary expression of the traditional Stations of the Cross Prayer Walk to enhance your experience of the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday.
Please enter in silence, walk and pray in silence, and depart in silence. Our prayer walk recalls Jesus’ passion. Visit each of the four “Stations of the Cross” in order (left to right). You may pause to pray at anytime using the kneeling rail or seats in our sanctuary. Stations of the Cross is a devotional practice which originated in the early centuries of Christianity.
Join us in person at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Good Friday Service
Good Friday, The Passion of Jesus in Gospel, Drama, Song and Special Music at 7:30 pm.
We invite you to join us for a meaningful service as we come together to remember and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made for us. The Service will feature a moving combination of drama, scripture, and music, all designed to guide our hearts through the profound story of Christ's love, suffering, and redemption.
Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil
We warmly invite you to join us for a special service of prayer, song, and scripture to prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration ahead.
Resurrection Celebration, Easter Sunday, April 20
Sunrise Service with Korean UMC – Koinonia! 6am. Pender Parking area
Get ready to rise and shine on Easter Sunday at Pender UMC's Gathering Place for a spectacular Sunrise Breakfast!
Join us on April 20, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 AM for a delightful morning filled with the aromas and flavors of a heartwarming breakfast. Our menu features a tempting array of bagels with cream cheese, savory breakfast casseroles, golden French toast, sizzling sausage, and fresh fruit, complemented by freshly brewed coffee and tea.
It’s the perfect way to start your Easter with fellowship and good cheer. Don’t miss out—make sure to sign up for this festive breakfast gathering!
Please call the church office (703-278-8023) to find out more and reserve your place at the Easter Sunday Sunrise Breakfast or fill out the form below.
Resurrection Worship on Easter Sunday, April 20
10:00AM, Worship Service This resurrection celebration features music from our Sanctuary Choir and the Pender Praise Team directed by Patrick King.
Celebrate the pinnacle of the Christian faith with us on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Pender UMC, during our special combined service. Experience the power of resurrection and redemption.
This extraordinary service will not only explore the profound depths of Christ's resurrection but will also invite you to partake in the sacred act of Holy Communion, connecting us all in a moment of divine unity and grace. As we reflect on the scripture's revelations, we'll journey together through the awe-inspiring narrative of Jesus' victory over death, illuminating the path of faith, hope, and eternal life.
Be part of this glorious Easter celebration at Pender UMC. Let's come together to honor the resurrection of Jesus, embracing the message of hope and salvation that defines this holy day.
Read the Bulletin for more information.
All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person.
Join us live at Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Jesus' Journey to Bethlehem
Holy Saturday
Easter
Lenten Devotions
Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 1
The first is Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross by Fanny Crosby, The United Methodist Hymnal Number 301
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915
Tune: NEAR THE CROSS, Meter: 76.76 with Refrain
Brian conducts the handbells as well as plays a variety of instruments many Sundays at 10:00 am online and in person at Pender UMC, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 2
The Second is Ah, Holy Jesus
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
Who was the guilty- Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.'
Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!
I crucified Thee.
For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life's oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.
Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 289
Text: Johann Heermann
Music: Johann Crüger (1640)
Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 3
The hymn-based devotion is When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 298
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Tune: HAMBURG, Meter: LM
and
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 299
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Music: Anonymous; arr. by Edward Miller
Tune: ROCKINGHAM, Meter: LM
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 4
The Fourth is Beneath the Cross of Jesus
1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.
2. Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.
3. I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 297
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 5
“Go to Dark Gethsemane” is a Lenten hymn that spotlights scenes from the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life.
It takes us on a journey from the Garden of Gethsemane where we are charged to stand and watch, to the judgment hall and our denial of him, to the cross where we witness his death and his grace, and finally to his glorious resurrection and our redemption. We become part of the drama of Christ’s passion and resurrection.
The poet repeats the phrase “learn of” at the end of each stanza, charging us to apply each scene to our lives. James Montgomery uses repetition to draw attention to what he considers important about each scene and each stanza.
“Learn of Jesus Christ to pray” encourages us to remember the scene of the garden and to go to God in fervent prayer. “Learn of Christ to bear the cross” is a charge to lay down our lives, take up the cross and follow Christ. “Learn of Jesus Christ to die” is a reminder of what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Montgomery, considered one of the most important hymn writers of the English language, wrote this beautiful hymn in 1820. He was born on Nov. 4, 1771, in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, the son of Moravian missionary John Montgomery, and died April 30, 1854, in Sheffield, England.
When Montgomery was 5 years old, his parents moved him to a Moravian settlement at Bracehill, Ireland, near Ballymena in Antrim County. Soon after, his parents accepted a call to the mission field and left him behind in Bracehill. He never saw his parents again. They both died while in the Barbados Islands.
At age 7, Montgomery was enrolled at Fulneck Seminary in Yorkshire, where he would remain for the next nine years. Struggling to meet the expectations of his instructors, he left the school at age 16 and became an apprentice at a chandler’s shop in Mirfield.
After five years, he tired of the work and took an apprenticeship with Joseph Gales, the owner and publisher of the Sheffield Register. For two years he learned about the publishing business, and in 1794, when Gales was forced to flee the country to avoid imprisonment, Montgomery took over the Register and changed its name to the Sheffield Iris.
Montgomery published and managed the Sheffield Iris for 32 years. He used the Iris as a tool to distribute the 360 hymns written throughout his life. His most well-known hymns are “Angels, From the Realms of Glory,” “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” “Songs of Praise the Angels Sang” and “Stand Up and Bless the Lord.”
Montgomery’s “Go to Dark Gethsemane” is still one of his most widely used hymns, most often sung during Lent or during Holy Week. The first three stanzas are most commonly available in hymnals. The fourth stanza, though often omitted today, has been preserved in The United Methodist Hymnal.
Even though the text is now over 185 years old, it has rarely been altered. Many hymns from this era use language that is no longer common in today’s hymns or speech. Hymnal editors typically remove antiquated language and replace it with modern equivalents, but this hymn has remained essentially intact.
This beautiful somber hymn has stood the test of time. We benefit from the art and poetry of Montgomery still today.
Above essay from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-go-to-dark-gethsemane-1
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Holy Week
The Holy Week selection is Lamb of God by Twila Paris from The Faith We Sing, #2113
Text and music: Twila Paris.
Tune: SWEET LAMB OF GOD, Meter: Irr. with Refrain
Lent and Easter Events
Lenten Blog Posts
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A little bit of Methodist music, history, fun facts, Bible verses, trivia...
Verse of the Day: Holy Monday
April 14, 2025
Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Holy Week
April 13, 2025
Lenten and Easter Music
About
A little bit of Methodist music, history, fun facts, Bible verses, trivia...