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Author Archives: MaryO

About MaryO

Cushing's and kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) patient, founder, owner and webmaster of Cushing's Help and Support, web designer, piano teacher and mom. I am a Cushing's patient who has dealt with Cushing's symptoms since 1983 (or earlier) and the aftereffects of pituitary surgery since 1987. Because I had very little support for my symptoms, diagnosis and surgery, I decided to try to make things a little better for other patients and started a support site called Cushing's Help and Support in 2000. The site has grown to astronomical numbers. This disease isn't as rare as doctors have told us! In 2006, I was also diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). My left kidney and adrenal gland were removed. Having an adrenal gland removed complicates my post-Cushing's symptoms. I am not planning to have any more rare and unusual diseases. My entire bio to date can be found here: http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm But, enough of that - it's not always about Cushing's, or even Cancer. This one is about Life!

The Offering Plate

08 Sep

Did you know that Pender offers online giving?

Giving is one of the central themes in the Bible. Jesus talked more about this subject than heaven, hell or prayer. Pender now offers online giving as an option to our congregation.

The Web has radically changed the way we shop, conduct our finances, get our news, participate in politics and it’s EVEN changing the way we give. These days, most people appreciate the ability to make a financial contribution even when they’re not able to give in person. Many people also appreciate the ability to plan their giving and set it up so that they don’t have to think about it every Sunday as they are running out the door to attend worship service.

If you are one of these people, Online Giving is here to simplify your life!

Giving online is safe and secure. Whether you want to submit a single donation, would like to set up scheduled giving or view giving history, you are able to do it all online. Online Giving processes donations directly from your bank account using the ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment method. Pender’s program is like the method many of you are now using to pay bills online and manage your bank accounts. You are completely in control of your giving. The process is easy to follow and the office staff will be available to give hands on assistance if you need it.

Online Giving also helps Pender by helping to ensure consistent donations throughout the year, particularly when winter storms, vacations or illness lowers attendance. Everyone benefits and the ministries we have in serving God are not impaired by periods of shortfall giving.

The following is the link to begin using Pender’s Online Giving function. If this is your first time, you will have to set up an account. It’s a very easy process and should only take a few minutes.

GIVE NOW

If you need detailed instructions, click here:

Also, as you go through the process and need help, there is a HELP button at the top right side of each page.

Here’s what Chuck has to say about The Offering Plate:

THE OFFERING PLATE. Do you know the history of taking up an offering? Didn’t think so. Chuck gives you the facts and a few blunders. Stay tuned to the very end for a surprise. Smile and learn with Chuck on his SEVENTH SHOW!

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Posted by MaryO on September 8, 2023 in Chuck Knows Church, Pender UMC, Videos

Tags: Chuck Knows Church, offering, online giving, Pender, The Offering Plate

Pender Music: Meditation from Thaïs

07 Sep

“Meditation from Thaïs” by Jules Massenet was the offertory at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on July 30, 2023. It was played on violin by Sean Wittmer, accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs.

“Méditation” is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The piece is written for solo violin and orchestra. The opera premiered at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on March 16, 1894.

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Posted by MaryO on September 7, 2023 in Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Special Music, Videos

Tags: Heidi Jacobs, Jules Massenet, Meditation from Thaïs, offertory, piano, Sean Wittmer, violin

Happy Labor Day!

04 Sep

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September celebrating the economic and social contributions of workers.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

It was first nationally recognized in 1894 to placate unionists following the Pullman Strike. With the decline in union membership, the holiday is generally viewed as a time for barbecues and the end of summer vacations – and time for the first long weekend for schools in Fairfax County.

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Posted by MaryO on September 4, 2023 in Holidays, Posts of Interest

Tags: Central Labor Union, Fairfax County Public School, Labor Day, Monday, New York, New York City, Pullman Strike, Trade union, United States

Hymn History: Tell Out My Soul/Be Still My Soul

04 Sep

The above is the melody to Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, which is commonly used for “Tell Out, My Soul” as well as “Be Still, My Soul”.

“Be Still My Soul” was the prelude at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on August 6, 2023. It was played on piano by Heidi Jacobs.

“Tell Out My Soul” by Joel Raney was sung at Pender’s 2022 Christmas Cantata by Laura Connors, soprano and Brian Stevenson, baritone

The main melody was based on Finlandia, a tone poem by Jean Sibelius.

From the publisher: This paraphrase of the Song of Mary calls for Christians to proclaim the greatness of the Lord, the greatness of his name, the greatness of his might, and the greatness of his word. For soprano and baritone solo with choir backup, this piece is equally effective with piano accompaniment or full orchestra. It originally appeared in Mary McDonald and Joel Raney’s best-selling Christmas musical, Sing Christmas.

Special thanks to the Sanctuary Choir, Liz Sellers, accompanist, Brian Stevenson, director and the Orchestra: Gwyn Jones, flute; Jeff Kahan, oboe; Alisha Coleman, clarinet; Jeanne Kim, violin; Sean Wittmer, violin; Ethan Chien, viola and Kyle Ryu-cello for all the effort in presenting Pender’s Christmas Cantata!

More from the Christmas Cantata at https://penderumc.org/music-ministry/concert-series/

The Finlandia hymn refers to a serene hymn-like section of the patriotic symphonic poem Finlandia, written in 1899 and 1900 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It was later re-worked by the composer into a stand-alone piece.

Finlandia used in Be Still My Soul:

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Posted by MaryO on September 4, 2023 in Christmas, Christmas Music, Hymn History, hymns, Music, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest, Videos

Tags: Be Still My Soul, Brian Stevenson, Christmas, Christmas Cantata, Finlandia, Heidi Jacobs, Jean Sibelius, Joel Raney, Laura Connors, liz eunji moon, liz sellers, Mary McDonald, Pender Orchestra, pender sanctuary choir, Prelude, Tell Out My Soul, The UMC Hymnal

The Ten Commandments

31 Aug

I bet you can name the ten commandments right? No? How about where they are located in the old testament? No? Well, let Chuck explain about the ten commandments.