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.
Spring 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.
Spring 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!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
August 20, 2022
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is on Zoom this month. Contact Sue LeStrange for more information.
Traditional Service
August 21, 2022
Sunday August 21, 2022 On Sunday, August 21, 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Rev. Will White will preach on "I Knew You" based...
Sunday School for All Ages
August 21, 2022
More information:
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. 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). 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. 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. During COVID this class has been on hiatus but will resume soon 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! 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. On Sunday, August 21, 2022, Pender Lead Pastor Rev. Will White will preach on "I Knew You" based on Jeremiah 1:4-10. We’re back on more comfortable ground this week. Here we have the promise of presence. Supposedly, John Wesley’s final words were “best thing of all, God is with us.” We love to celebrate that God is with us and we are not alone. That is a powerful message at any time of the year. "I Knew You" is from the sermon series titled Prophet Margins. We look forward to seeing you! All of Pender's services are streamed live and in person. Masks are currently optional. Join us live at Pender UMC
The Next Traditional Service will be August 21 at 9:00 am
The Next Contemporary Worship will be August 21 at 11:15 am JDC (Juvenile Detention Center) Join us in worship with the young men and women at the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center. You may feel like your individual participation doesn’t matter, but it does! Over and over again, the staff tells us how we make a difference in the young men’s and women’s lives and the lives of the staff! 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 to feel God's love and the support/encouragement of our Pender family! (Sundays, 10:15 - 11am. Sign up for 1 week or 40!) Please contact Jane McKee or Joyce Munt. Music Ministry Choir and Handbell Rehearsals resume in September Brian will find a place for you! Common Ground Have you always wanted to play or sing in a worship band? Common Ground is looking for a few good men and women. Contact Uriah Moore, common ground worship leader. The Safety Committee Our current needs: WFCM Food Pantry Donations All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed. Leave items in ehe Western Fairfax Christian Ministries blue cart outside Pender's main door. Item of the Week: Rice (through 8/25/2022) Technical and Creative Team We work together for sound, lights, recording, computer graphics, and motion video. We need to grow our AV team! Have you ever wondered how Pender Church produces our online live streaming services? Who runs the soundboard, slideshow, and camera, and what are their responsibilities? If you are curious or interested in volunteering to help with the online production of our church services, please attend an AV rehearsal on Thursday night at 6:00 pm Teens are welcome!
Welcome
Who to Expect
Hearing aid and large-print hymnals are available during the service. (See one of our ushers.)
What We Believe
For Your Kids and Youth
Newcomers Class
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:Worship Styles: Contemporary
Worship Styles: Traditional/Blended
We hope to see you soon!
Sunday August 21, 2022
12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA US 22033
Opportunities to Serve
More opportunities to serve
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