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 more traditional worship is at 9:00 am and our contemporary service is at 11:15 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 before worship begins at 9:00 am or between services.
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-F, 8am-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!
General Conference 2024
April 25, 2024
After a four-year delay, the 2020 General Conference will take place April 23-May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. More...
Submit Info for Graduation Sunday
April 25, 2024
Graduation Sunday is May 5th. We want to honor ALL of our high school, trade, technical, apprentice, vocational...
Pastor Bruce Bible Study
April 25, 2024
New Study to begin on a topic of importance to us all. As Christians we know that God has acted in Jesus Christ to...
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.
Who to Expect
- Two Worship Styles - Learn more about each Worship Time here
- Traditional Worship at 9:00 am
- Common Ground Worship at 11:15 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 has been on hiatus but will resume soon
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 Styles: Contemporary
Not everyone is cut out for the same worship style.
Common Ground is Pender United Methodist Church's contemporary worship experience led by our 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.
Young children are more than welcome! We have a play area within our worship space set aside just for them, or they can enjoy our awesome Sunday school program. We also have paid staff nursery care available for our littlest ones.
You will leave feeling closer to Jesus, challenged and more prepared to serve Him, and warmed by a relationship in a genuine community of Christ-followers. We hope to see you soon!
Worship Styles: Traditional/Blended
At 9:00 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.
You’ll find a variety of musical groups participating in these worship services, ranging from children, youth and adults to vocal, flute and bell 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!
Embrace the warmth and wisdom of Easter's message on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024. Join us at Pender UMC as Pastor Bruce delivers a heartfelt sermon on "The Witness of Love," drawing upon the tender passages of John 10:11-18, Acts 4:5-12, and 1 John 3:16-24.
In this service, we will contemplate the selfless love of the Good Shepherd, the courage of the apostles' testimony, and the practical implications of love in action as expressed in the Epistles. Pastor Bruce's sermon will illuminate how love is not just a concept, but a living witness that resonates through our actions and defines our faith.
Whether you're with us in the pews or joining from the comfort of your home, this Sunday will offer a chance to reflect on how we can embody the love Jesus showed, a love that lays down life for others, a love that speaks truth to power, and a love that acts with compassion and conviction.
Let's gather to honor the teachings of Christ and carry the torch of His love into the world. This Fourth Sunday of Easter, let's be witnesses of love together.
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
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Traditional service here.
The Next Traditional Service will be April 28, 2024 at 9:00 am
Do you need Closed Captioning/Subtitles?
You do not need to be a Facebook member to watch the Contemporary Worship here.
The Next Contemporary Worship will be April 28, 2024 at 11:15 am
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Opportunities to Serve
GBE Backpack Meal Program Thanks and Update
The next bags are available now to be returned by April 21st.
We wanted to thank you all so much for your very active participation in filling the blue bags for GBE. Each time we put them out they are all taken and brought back full! We can't tell you how much we and the counselors and students at GBE appreciate this! The bags will once again be available this weekend.
We have just been requested to provide 74 bags for each of our remaining three weeks versus the 50 we have been providing weekly. Because of this...there are even more blue bags in need of filling, but a friendly note that this is the LAST time for us to do this for the school year, because of the help of WFCM.
In addition to filling the blue bags if you have any plastic grocery bags that you would like to recycle, they have said that would be of great help in distributing the additional WFCM provided items. Thank you again for your continued support. If you have any questions, please contact Jami Flemmons or Ann Hines
Rest Stop
Items can be left in the blue bin or in the church office labeled "Rest Stop".
Items often needed are: 16 oz water bottles (They do not use the 4oz ones) and energy/protein drinks.
They also enjoy individual size bags of potato chips, jerky, cookies and nuts.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM)
Food & Beverages
- Cereal (low sugar preferred)
- Hot Cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
- Maseca Corn Flour
- Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
- Red Beans (low salt preferred)
- Black Beans (low salt preferred)
- Canned Tomatoes (stewed, crushed, diced, paste)
- Canned Pasta
- Pasta Sauce
- Flavored Pasta (Pasta Helpers)
- Flavored Rice (Rice A Roni)
- Risotto
- Pancake Mix
- Peanut Butter
- Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
- Canned Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
- Coffee (ground, no k-cups)
- Individual juice boxes (100% juice preferred)
Toiletries
NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by our clients with SNAP
- Body Wash
- Body Lotion
- Toothpaste
- Hair Shampoo
- Hair Conditioner
- Lotion
- Toilet Paper
- Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
- Size 6 Diapers
- Baby Wipes
NOTE: Only size 6 diapers and large pull-ups are needed at this time thanks to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank.
JDC (Juvenile Detention Center)
Wanted: Volunteers to attend Pender's monthly church service at the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center. Our next date will be April 28th..
We meet at the jail at 12:30p, and are out by 2:00p.
Our ministry at the jail is growing, and the young people thirst for the water of life because of their circumstances. It is easy fishin' as they already stepped out of their cell to come to church.
It is a showing up thing. That's all you need to do... show up. Contact Arlet if interested.
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