On December 17, 2023, the third Sunday of Advent, Patrick King, the Director of Music Ministries at Pender UMC, led the congregation in a moving Traditional Worship service. The service opened with a reading from Isaiah 64, highlighting themes of awe and reverence before God's power and majesty. King's reading emphasized our relationship with God, likening us to clay molded by the divine Potter.

Following the Scripture reading, the congregation stood for the gospel lesson from Matthew 15, focusing on the authenticity of our faith and practices. King’s message challenged the congregation to examine the depth of their relationship with God, moving beyond mere ritual and tradition to genuine connection and obedience.

King's sermon was an invitation to introspection. He urged everyone to consider what truly matters to God and how to align their lives accordingly. He stressed the importance of unity, harmony, and personal connection with God over religious labels or external appearances.

King encouraged a deeper, more personal faith, cautioning against the dangers of a superficial relationship with God. He highlighted the necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit for genuine transformation and growth. King's message culminated in a powerful prayer, seeking God's guidance and intervention in the lives of the congregation.

The hymn "It's So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," was a fitting response to a sermon that called for trust and deeper reliance on God.

Maya Berry brought us a Missions Update

Good morning, Pender. Today, I bring an inspiring update from our faith-promise missionaries, particularly focusing on the vital work of Damien and Jung Hye Brooks. Serving in global leadership with Cru, a campus ministry, they have been instrumental in supporting mission fields globally. Recently, they returned from a series of conferences, including an enlightening visit to Albania. Surprisingly, they found Albania more receptive to their message than anticipated, a cause for much rejoicing and gratitude to God.

The Brooks have been actively involved in nurturing young believers and guiding leaders in various campus ministries. Their journey has been filled with meaningful encounters and the joy of spreading faith. In fact, we have a couple of remarkable photos to share. One showcases a large, enthusiastic group they met in Albania, a testament to the openness and hunger for spiritual guidance in the region. Another captures them in action, distributing specially designed boxes as part of their outreach, an initiative developed by Rich Wiewiora, who we spoke about earlier this month.

These boxes, marked with the message "God loves me," are central to their ministry's approach, bridging gaps and touching hearts. We're immensely proud of these young believers' dedication and urge you to keep them in your prayers, especially as they navigate challenging and sometimes perilous mission fields.

In addition to this, we have a heartfelt initiative at our gathering place. Christmas cards are ready to be signed by you, after which we'll send them to our missionaries, spreading joy and solidarity.

Finally, a gentle reminder of the faith-promised budget, which crucially supports 57 missionaries globally. Your contributions are invaluable, and if there are any queries regarding this, I am more than ready to assist.

Let us hold our faith-promised missionaries in our prayers this week, uplifting their courageous efforts and unyielding spirit in spreading the word of God. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to this noble cause.

We had a delightful children's message told by Worship Leader David Kinard.

It was a magical time as we explored the wonders of creation with something as simple as Play-Doh! From this squishy, colorful dough, we made all sorts of things - cups, plates, jars, just like a potter shapes clay. It was a playful yet profound way to understand how God, the greatest Potter, shapes us in His image, molding us with love and care.

We dove into the wise words of the prophet Isaiah, learning how we're like clay in God's hands, constantly being formed to serve His purpose. And what better way to grasp this beautiful concept than with the hands-on fun of Play-Doh?

Young and old gathered to share in this creative and inspiring message. Together, we concluded with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for His never-ending work in shaping our lives. It was a time of fun, faith, and Play-Doh magic that will be fondly remembered!

During the third Sunday of Advent at Pender, George and Karen Cross had the honor of lighting the Advent Wreath. They accompanied this meaningful ritual with a reading from Isaiah 35:10, adding a layer of spiritual depth to the ceremony.

The service was further uplifted by the congregation's singing of hymns, which included "From the Rising of the Sun," "’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," and "Trust and Obey." These hymns added a musical expression of faith and devotion, resonating with the Advent theme.

A special highlight was the Sanctuary Choir's performance of "A Song for Advent" by Jon Paige. Under the skilled direction of Patrick King, Director of Music Ministries at Pender, and the accompaniment of Heidi Jacobs on piano, the choir's anthem was a beautiful and stirring addition to the worship service, reflecting the anticipation and hope of the Advent season.