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Sunday Bulletin

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December 14, 2025 at 10:00 am

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
  • Advent/Christmas Activities
  • December 11, Choir Rehearsals
  • December 13, Christmas Party with Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center
  • December 14, Third Sunday of Advent
  • December 15, Ruth Circle
  • December 15, Fun with Music
  • December 16, Handbell Rehearsals
  • December 17, AA Meeting
  • December 23, Music, Candlelight and Communion
  • December 24, Christmas Day Celebration
  • December 27, Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center
  • December 28, The First Sunday after Christmas
  • December 31, Watch Night
  • January 3, Bread of Life Baking Day
  • January 6, Epiphany
  • January 13, NoVa Training Day

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 October 31, 2025:

MTD actual revenue was $37,405;   YTD actual revenue was $457,096;
MTD actual expenses was $46,613; YTD actual expenses was $475,442;
MTD net loss was ($9,209);       YTD net loss was ($18,346).

"Joy in Waiting” on December 14, 2025, The Third Sunday of Advent

Join us at Pender UMC for a joyful and hope-filled worship service as Pastor Bruce Johnson preaches on “Joy in Waiting” The message will draw from Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, and Matthew 11:2-11, inviting us to reflect on the identity and presence of Christ in our lives and in the world.

As part of our Advent celebration, Ted and Teresa Rothschild will light the Third Advent Candle: Christ Our Joy.

Come worship with us as we continue the journey toward Christmas with expectation, joy, and faith.

Whether in person or online, those who join will be renewed by God’s Word, music, and the warmth of Christian community.

Come as you are, and be inspired to take your next faithful step and you'll be encouraged by Scripture, worship, and the promise-keeping nature of our God.

Services are also posted in our sermon archive.

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

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Pender Worship Service
December 14, 2025 at 10:00 am

Sunday School Classes
Sunday School for Everyone!

Time: Every Sunday
Location: On Zoom and In Person
Children's Sunday School

Time: Every Sunday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: In Person
Youth Sunday School Class

Time: Every Sunday, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: In Person
Adult Sunday School Classes

Time: Every Sunday, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: In Person

Connect

 

Next Events

Request a room by clicking here and choosing "Submit Event.
You will get an email when your event is approved.

Advent

December 12, 2025

The season of Advent, which comes comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four...

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.

Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA US 22033