Location
Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
We are just off Route 50
About a mile west
of Fair Oaks Mall
What to Expect
Parking
Happily, our parking lot isn't complicated. There is one path to the main entrance. Handicapped parking is available directly in front of the church.
After you've parked you will notice two doors, both under porticos so that you may get out of the rain if it is wet. To enter through the main sanctuary entrance doors, simply look for the semi-circular driveway. After you're inside, turn left.
Access for All
We are an “Access for All” church, meaning it is important to us for people with wheelchairs or other challenges to have easy access to doorways, hallways, bathrooms, ramps and elevator, seating (places for wheelchairs), and kid friendly (coloring books, booster steps for toddlers, high chairs).
Hearing aid and large-print hymnals are available during the service. (See one of our ushers.)
Arrival Time
Many people arrive a little ahead of our service times to grab some coffee and snacks in our Gathering Place.
Worship Styles
Pender is blessed to have many talented musicians. Each week we rotate through different groups who help bring us to a place of worship. Our blended worship is at 10:00 am each Sunday.
Got kids?
Children are welcome in every worship service. Traditional worship at 9:00 am features a special children's message. Children's church, childcare and a nursery are available if you wish! Sunday School is at 10:00 am. Throughout the week there are lots of other activities for children through the Music Ministry and Children's Ministry.
Nursery
Events on the calendar which feature a nursery or childcare have an icon similar to the one above. Our nursery is located downstairs. We provide infants and toddlers (newborns through age 4) with a safe, secure and caring Christian environment.
What to Wear
From flip-flops to suits, we have it all. Be relaxed or dress up, we're just happy to see you.
Teaching Style
Each service and Sunday school class shares a Biblically-focused message. We love to learn.
Getting to Know Others
Pender is a warm and inviting place. We want to meet you!
We would love to help you "get plugged in" and feel like you know other people. The best way is to jump into a Sunday School class, small group, Bible Study or join the next "Welcome to Pender" or "Coffee with the Pastor" time.
Fellowship
Join us for snacks and coffee after worship on Sundays..
Snow!
What if the weather is bad? If the Federal GOVERNMENT is closed for non-essential personnel, the church building will be closed. In addition, if there are severe weather conditions or a power outage, the church building will be closed. For more info, click on the snow icon (above).
More Questions?
Our friendly volunteers and staff will welcome your questions! Call Pender at 703.278.8023 (M-Th, 10am-5pm)
Children
Calling all children! We care so much for each child that walks through the door.
Children's Church meets at about 9:30 am during our traditional service. After the Children's Message, they will be dismissed for Children's Church.
Sunday School for all ages begins at 10:00.
Summer Events
Lots of things are happening this spring! A new Connections small group plus we're ready to spend extra time inside, make a difference in the community and have a lot of fun.
Youth
This year, we've set out to create a mentorship program to build up our youth. Learn more about the program and how you or someone you know could get involved.
Serve on Sundays
Giving back is so important. The Audio/Visual team can always use more help, your child can be an acolyte, you can be a reader, or sing in the choir. Find a place to serve today!
Creative Media Ministry
Have an artistic bent and a passion to create? There are new internships and volunteer opportunities listed for our Creative Media Ministry. That includes Audio Visual opportunities and working on our website.
Summer Missions
We are supporting 142 local and international missionaries who need lots of prayer and support. Sign up to send letters, sponsor a team, or learn about joining a trip team. See all God is doing across the pond!
Seekers Adult Class
February 1, 2026
We are using the Wiersby Bible Study Series: 2 Peter, 2&3 John, Jude: Beware of the Religious Impostors. Contact...
Praying Our Faith
February 1, 2026
Praying Our Faith Pender members and friends from both services meet in 218/220 to pray for the church and to...
Pender Worship Service
February 1, 2026
At 10:00 am, Pender offers a traditional/blended worship service. The service includes traditional music as well as...
Welcome
We're thrilled you're here! You're invited to visit us for a worship service or event, or listen to a sermon online to get to know us.
We’d love to learn more about you, where you are in your walk with Jesus, and how we can welcome you into the Pender Church family.
Our Vision Statement: By following Jesus and reaching out to others, we seek God's transformation of ourselves and our world.
What to Expect
- Two Worship Styles - One Blended Worship at 10:00 am
- Real People
- Lots of Children. Children are welcome during the services or our nursery is located downstairs. We provide infants and toddlers (newborns through age 4) with a safe and caring Christian environment
- An Opportunity to Connect with Others
- Time to Reflect Upon Jesus in our Lives
- Outstanding and Varied Music
- A Sense of Having Done Something Important with your Day
We are an “Access for All” church, meaning it is important to us for people with wheelchairs or other challenges to have easy access to doorways, hallways, bathrooms, ramps and elevator, seating (places for wheelchairs), and kid-friendly (coloring books, booster steps for toddlers, high chairs).
Hearing aid and large-print hymnals are available during the service. (See one of our ushers.)
What We Believe
It is our desire to create disciple making communities. We do this through reaching people, teaching them to love and serve Jesus, and sending them to reach, teach, and send others.
Our hearts cry out for more of God. Pender is a “big place” with a “huge heart.” We care about being a community.
In Fairfax, we know it’s possible for us to live a totally anonymous, distant-from-one-another life. At Pender, we desire a different kind of community and life together. We believe Jesus has called us to be a very special community who cares about the world. It’s the essence of what “makes us tick.”
Our mission statement says it this way, we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ. For us, that takes a very special passion for real community.
For Your Kids and Youth
Our goal is that all children and youth will know and experience the love of God, and then extend that love to others.
Follow: We want those who are teaching and spending time with children at Pender to be followers of Jesus, who then teach children how to also be followers.
Reach: Our desire is for God to reach your child in a unique and meaningful way. This may come through some of our various Children’s Ministry events and activities, or through the loving community of Pender.
Transform: Ultimately, a relationship with Jesus changes lives. Living in the love that God has for us is a true gift and often times transforms the way in which we live.
Newcomers Class
During COVID this class was on hiatus but has resumed again
Special Needs
Pender United Methodist Church has made a commitment to be an Accessible Congregation, as part of the National Organization on Disability campaign of the same name. We proudly display their logo -- a wheelchair user surrounded by a heart -- to show that as a congregation, we strive to provide physical access and also open our hearts and minds to people with all types of disabilities. Some of the ways we do this include:
- Automatic doors at the front entrance (for security reasons, these doors are functional during certain times only, including worship and meeting times)
- Large-print hymnals available upon request
- Hearing assistance devices available during worship
- Pews with space available to accommodate wheelchairs
Worship Style: Traditional/Blended
At 10:00 am, Pender offers a traditional/blended worship service. The service includes traditional hymns and music as well as some more contemporary worship and praise music. Pender has an outstanding worship leader and a rock-style worship band. You'll find worship to be more interactive and energetic, and you'll hear messages that are relevant to everyday life.
You’ll find a variety of musical groups participating in these worship services, ranging from children, youth and adults to vocal, flute, recorder and handbell choirs. On special occasions, we bring in an orchestra
At Pender’s traditional/blended service, you get the best of both worlds! We celebrate the traditions of our faith at these services with the scriptures, the creeds of the church, the symbols of our faith and a word from the Bible that applies spiritual principles to everyday life.
Holy Communion is shared the first Sunday of every month. Come and join us for worship every Sunday in the main sanctuary at Pender.
We hope to see you soon!
Pender's Upper Lot is Clear of Snow and Ice!
Pastor Bruce says "the upper parking lot is much improved and will be mostly clear by tomorrow.
The church will be open for in-person worship.
Those who are vulnerable will still need to use caution and all of us need to be careful."
“The Scandalous Gospel”,
February 1, 2026 at 10 am
Join us in person or online for worship on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM as Pastor Bruce Johnson proclaims a message titled “The Scandalous Gospel.
Rooted in Micah 6:1–8, 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, and Matthew 5:1–12, this message invites us to reflect on how God’s wisdom often challenges the values of the world.
Through these scriptures, we are reminded of God’s call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly, and to live out the grace of Christ in ways that may feel countercultural—but lead to deeper faith and faithful discipleship.
As United Methodists, we believe faith is lived out through love of God and neighbor, service to others, and a commitment to justice and mercy. We pray this message encourages you to grow in grace and to follow Jesus more fully in your daily life.
Scripture Readings:
• Micah 6:1–8
• 1 Corinthians 1:18–31
• Matthew 5:1–12
Thank you for worshiping with us. Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome here.
Next Worship Service
February 1, 2026 at 10:00 am
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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