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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February 15, 2026 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
- Today through the 28th, Boy Scout Mulch Sale, https://bsatroop1530mulch.org
- February 9, Fun with Music
- February 9, Ruth Circle
- February 10, Handbell Rehearsals
- February 10, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
- February 11, AA Meeting
- February 11, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
- February 12, Choir Rehearsals
- February 12, Next Newsletter
- February 14, Knitting Group
- February 18, Ash Wednesday
- February 22, Woman of the Year Tea
- March 5, Joyful Thursday
- March 7, Pender United Women in Faith Prayer Retreat
- March 11, Alpha Program Begins
- March 14, Boy Scout Mulch Delivery
- March 28, Easter Egg Hunt
- March 29, Palm Sunday
- March 29-April 5, Holy Week
- April 3, Good Friday
- April 5, Easter
- May 9, Chris Atwood Foundation Hopefest
- 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 December 31, 2025:
MTD actual revenue was $47,343; YTD actual revenue was $553,491;
MTD actual expenses was $56,581; YTD actual expenses was $576,618;
MTD net loss was ($9,238); YTD net loss was ($23,127).
“The Transforming Vision,” Pastor Bruce Johnson
February 15, 2026 at 10 am
On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Pender United Methodist Church celebrates Transfiguration Sunday, the radiant culmination of the season of Epiphany, just before we enter the reflective journey of Lent.
Join us as Pastor Bruce Johnson preaches “The Transforming Vision.”
Scriptures for the Day:
- Good News from the Law: Exodus 24:12–18
- Good News from the Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16–21
- Good News from the Gospel: Matthew 17:1–9
Transfiguration means a complete change of form into a more beautiful and glorious state. On this holy day, we remember the breathtaking moment when Jesus was revealed in dazzling light before the disciples — a glimpse of divine glory that was both awe-inspiring and overwhelming.
Just as the Israelites waited in uncertainty while Moses ascended the fiery, cloud-covered Mount Sinai, the disciples stood in fear and wonder as Christ was revealed in radiant splendor. The Transfiguration reminds us that God’s glory often surprises us, stretches our understanding, and calls us to trust in moments of transition.
In this powerful story, we see not just a change in appearance, but a revelation of who Jesus truly is — the eternal, divine Son whose glory transforms everything it touches.
As we prepare to move from Epiphany into Lent, this service invites us to consider how God’s transforming light is at work in our own lives.
Join us in person or online for worship as we seek a vision that changes us from the inside out.
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.
Shrove Tuesday
February 17, 2026
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the traditional day of celebration before the...
President's Day / The Church Office is Closed
February 17, 2026
THE CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED From the National Archives, George Washington's...
Carillon Ringers
February 17, 2026
Handbells are not just for children and teens! We have adult handbell groups for beginner to advanced...
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's Egg-citing Easter Bash, March 28
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!
Alpha Youth!
Unpack the basics of the Christian faith together. No pressure. No judgement. Just open conversation over some good food. That’s it. Come along, see what you think.
Adults, we need you!
- Facilitator.
- Assistant.
- Meal prep.
- Prayer leader.
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.”
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