Welcome to Pender
We're so glad you're here today! Explore this Online Bulletin for this week's resources and announcements.
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April 26, 2026
All hymn, music and scripture information is on the screens during the service.
For a copy of this week's bulletin, please attend Sunday worship or view here.
Information
PENDER PRAYER TEAM: Send prayer requests via our website, Connection Card in the bulletin, or contact the Church Office. You can also text your prayer request to (833) 674-0619 or scan the QR code below:
To become a PRAYER WARRIOR, or if you wish to have a loved one who needs ongoing prayer listed in the bulletin, please contact the Church Office.
Pender Faith Promise Missions.
Pender supports 67 missionaries and cross-cultural workers worldwide.
Please lift up our Pender Philippi and Ethiopia Teams; 10 Mission Teams serving in the USA: Laura Bowers (CRU, DMV), Warren & Joy George (Navigators, CA), Rev. Neal & Shirley Hicks (TMS Global, TN), Stephen & Meiyun Hoyle (COM, VA), Stephanie Mberego (Bridges Int'l, DMV), Andrew & Karlayne Powars (CRU, DC), Rev. Ruston & Donna Seaman (Peoples Chapel, WV), Joe & Laura Sullivan (COM, PA), Kathie Virunurm (CRU, DMV), Rick & Debbie Yorgey (Navigators, DC).
Please select "Faith Promise Missions" for online contributions or indicate in the memo line of your check. Pender supports 67 Missions Teams and Cross-cultural Workers worldwide. For more info, please contact Greg or Maya Berry at
Save the Date
- April 22, Alpha Program Continues
- April 22, AA Meeting
- April 23, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
- April 23, Next Newsletter
- April 23, Choir Rehearsal
- April 27, Fun with Music
- April 27, Mary Martha Circle
- April 28, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
- April 28, Handbell Rehearsals
- May 1, Becoming a Godly Woman begins
- May 2, Celebration of Life Service for Mary Kelly
- May 3, Consecration Sunday
- May 9, Caring Hands/Knitting Group
- May 9, Chris Atwood Foundation Hopefest
- May 23, Pentecost Community Service
- May 30, Celebration of Life Service for Bill Passauer
- June 7, Bach Program
- June 20, Vacation Bible School (VBS) Register here.
- July 17-24, Philippi Mission Trip
PENDER NEEDS YOU!
Sign up to help at www.pender.church/signup
Pender Hill School Registration is open. Learn more at https://penderumc.org/pender-hill-school/
DO YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY & LOVE MEETING PEOPLE? Pender needs you! Help is needed during our 10am worship service. If you would like to be a Greeter or an Usher, please contact Glenn Lammi.
REACHING NEW PEOPLE Help your church grow! What does it mean to start thinking of “visitors” as being “guests”? Well, a visitor is someone who knocks on your door at night and you won’t let them in. A guest is someone you welcome! Pender is looking for some good men and women to help project Pender’s presence into the community for the sake of Jesus Christ. We want you to help us plan events and welcome guests! Contact Peter Andrews.
Support our First Responders– Help us restock our First Responders Rest Stop. The following donations are welcome: chips, 16 oz bottled water, energy drinks, vitamin water, snacks, frozen sandwiches, ice cream, candy, and cookies. Donations can be dropped off in the Church Office. Our officers continually let us know how blessed they are to have a safe place here at Pender! In turn, we are safer because of their presence!
Calling all Shepherds! If you like working with children (ages PreK - grade 6) and are willing to help distribute materials and assist children in the classroom, we'd love to have you join our Children's Sunday School team! Help our children feel God's love and the support/encouragement of our Pender family! (Sundays, 10:30 - 11:30am. Sign up for 1 week or 40!) Please contact Jane McKee.
Get Connected
Lectio Divina Prayer Group, Thursdays at 1:30-3:00pm. Lectio Divina, or “divine reading” is a traditional Christian practice that helps you dive deeply into a passage of scripture and see how God speaks to you. The group reads a Bible passage, reflects on the passage, responds to what God’s word is saying to us and meditate on the Bible passage. The group is meeting by Zoom. Please contact Carol-Anne Kaye for Zoom information.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:30am - We meet in person! Any questions? Please speak with Miss Jane McKee!
Impact Youth Group (for all rising 7th-12th graders)
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL meets every Sunday at 11:15am in person in the Youth Room.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING IN PERSON
Sunday Morning, 9:00 am, The Seekers Class meets in Room 220 Contact Stan Kurzeja
Financial Info
As of January 31, 2026:
MTD / YTD actual revenue was $30,542;
MTD / YTD actual expenses was $48,938;
MTD / YTD net loss was ($18,396).
April 19, 2026
On Sunday, April 19, 2026 — the Third Sunday of Easter, join us at Pender United Methodist Church as we continue to walk in the light of the resurrection.
Pastor Bruce Johnson will share a message titled:“Salvation, Jesus’ Way”
Scriptures for the Day:Acts 2:14a
Acts 2:36–41
Luke 24:13–35
Through Peter’s powerful proclamation and the story of the road to Emmaus, we are invited to rediscover how Jesus reveals Himself—through Scripture, through fellowship, and in the breaking of the bread. This message explores what salvation looks like when we follow Jesus’ way—one of grace, transformation, and renewed understanding.
Come and be inspired as we grow together in faith, hope, and the joy of Easter.
Pender United Methodist Church
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA
penderumc.org
Join us in person or online. Worship with us live or anytime on our YouTube channel.
Sunday School Classes |
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Sunday School for Everyone!Time: Every Sunday |
Children's Sunday SchoolTime: Every Sunday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Youth Sunday School ClassTime: Every Sunday, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Adult Sunday School ClassesTime: Every Sunday, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Next Events
Request a room by clicking here and choosing "Submit Event.
You will get an email when your event is approved.
Celebrate Earth Day With a Community Cleanup!
April 22, 2026
Join us this Earth Day for a Community Cleanup Extravaganza! Get ready to spruce up our neighborhood and make a positive...
AA Open Meetings
April 22, 2026
Discover a supportive space for new beginnings! Join us every Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the serene ambiance of Pender UMC's...
Alpha Dinner and Program
April 22, 2026
Wednesdays | 6:30 PM (Dinner Included!) | Grades 6–12 Got questions about faith? You’re not alone. Alpha...
Opportunities to Serve
Lend a helping hand to our local heroes by contributing to the Pender Police Rest Stop! We are currently in need of bottled water.
We are collecting a variety of items that our officers greatly appreciate during their shifts. You can drop off your donations at the church office, clearly marked "Rest Stop."
Here’s what our officers are currently enjoying:
- Celsius Energy Drinks to keep them energized
- Drizzilicious Rice Cakes for a light snack
- A variety of chips for that perfect crunch
Additionally, we're always in need of:
- Full-size water bottles (Please note: the 4oz bottles are not utilized)
- Refreshing beverages like seltzers, Gatorade, Propel, Aspire, and other energy drinks
- Individual-sized snacks such as potato chips, jerky, cookies, and nuts
Your contributions make a real difference in the daily routines of our police officers, providing them with the sustenance and morale boost they need to keep our community safe. Drop by with your contributions and show your support!
The Pender Mini Food Pantry is officially open and ready to serve our community! This little structure—built as an Eagle Scout Project by one of Pender’s Boy Scouts—is a beautiful example of service, compassion, and creativity.
At first glance, it looks a lot like a Little Free Library, but instead of books, it’s stocked with nonperishable food for anyone in need. It’s a simple yet powerful way to share kindness and nourishment in our neighborhood.
What’s Inside:
As of this writing, the pantry is filled with a wide variety of items, including:
- Canned tuna, chicken, chili, and soup
- Broth, vegetables, pumpkin, and apple sauce
- Shelf-stable milk, peach slices, mandarin oranges, and individual fruit packs
- Jello, pudding cups, mac and cheese servings, and mashed potatoes
- Coffee, oatmeal, ketchup, gravy packets, and cooking oil
It’s truly a community effort—and every contribution helps keep it going.
Anyone is welcome to take what they need or to donate food items to keep the pantry stocked. When you give, please remember our guiding principle:
Give with dignity. Only donate items you’d feel comfortable using yourself.
Hopefest is back! Join us for a recovery and family friendly spring festival with delicious Smokin Willy BBQ cooked on site, raffle prizes, games and crafts for kids and adults, cornhole, and community. All proceeds will help others access the profound hope of recovery, connection, and peer support.
HopeFest 2026 tickets are officially on sale—and it’s a day you won’t want to miss!
Join us Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax for a joyful, family-friendly celebration centered on connection, community, and recovery.
Come for the great food, stay for the fellowship, and experience recovery celebrated in the most welcoming, hope-filled way.
Reserve your tickets today HERE.
Wednesday at 6:30 PM (Dinner Included!) | Grades 6–12
Got questions about faith? You’re not alone.
Alpha Youth is a place where middle and high school students can explore the basics of the Christian faith together — in a relaxed, welcoming space. Each Wednesday kicks off at 6:30 PM with dinner, followed by real conversations about life, God, purpose, and what it all means.
No pressure.
No judgment.
No “perfect answers” required.
Just good food, honest discussion, and a chance to figure things out together.
Bring a friend. Bring your questions. Come as you are and see what you think!
This is a week-long hands-on mission trip for middle to high school teenagers that introduces the youth to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through missional living, confronting issues of social justice, and completion of a hands-on project in Philippi, West Virginia.
Adult volunteers are also needed to assist and support the youth.
This year's trip begins Saturday July 17, 2026
Get ready to turn your next summer VBS into an unforgettable adventure with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026!
Snowball Mountain Challenge invites kids to an exciting winter sports event where they become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope.
Your kids will be guided daily by the energetic Activities Director and the lovable Ollie the Arctic Seal puppet, who is reporting on the events. Challengers aren’t just playing games. Using their Challenge Companion (the Bible), they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories, while connecting the learnings to Bible Stories and Lift Lessons (Key Learnings). With a unique winter theme and solid theology at its core, Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV).
Bring your church family together to experience Snowball Mountain Challenge. Your VBS program will be transformed into a mountaintop experience filled with laughter, life lessons, and lasting faith. As children face their challenges and discover their strength in God, you’ll hear them say, “Challenge accepted – with God I am strong.”
Register now.
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