God has been good to the Pender ReGift Thrift Store with a never-ending supply of donations and a world in need that we can help just a bit. Our loading dock “overfloweth” and we could use some assistance clearing and pricing merchandise so that we may install some donated shelving.
If interested in assisting, please notify Dave Cacner by clicking on this link or join us at 4447-C Brookfield Corporate Dr in Chantilly, between 8 am and noon on the 16th.
Les Esmond has acted as chief cashier at Pender Re-Gift Thrift Store since May 2012, volunteering forty hours a week, fifty weeks a year. Pender Thrift Store, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pender United Methodist Church, accepts clients from government, nonprofits, and other churches for the distribution of material goods.
When Les comes to work every day, he tries to make each and every person feel better — he talks and laughs with the lonely. He has overcome computer phobia to learn two new software systems. He instructs others on how to “cashier.” He is diligent about learning the names of the customers, and if they have a minute, he regales them with a history lesson or relates a story of pride in his family of three children, two grandchildren.
What this description doesn’t tell you is that Les Esmond has battled serious health issues for over fifteen years; however, despite adversity, but he tackles life with gusto! He buys lunch for others, provides bags and paper products for the store, offers rides and picks up groceries for others at the independent senior living facility where he stays.
Maryann Weber, Executive Administrator of Pender Re-gift Thrift Store is certain that their capacity to accomplish their mission would be diminished, if not impossible without Les Esmond’s continued and diligent service.
Maryann Weber says, “My own life has been enriched by knowing him. He reminds me of everything I take for granted, and retains a positive attitude in spite of all circumstances….My favorite quote is his favorite quote, ‘In life, you will experience some pain, discomfort, and disappointment. Misery, however, is optional!’”
From http://www.volunteerfairfax.org/non-profits/Breakfast-winners.php
Please join us this Sunday, January 17, in worship at the 8:15, 9:30 or 11:00 Services.
Rev. Gene Thomas will be preaching at all 3 services on John 2:1-11.
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)
Listen to 259 past sermons by Pastors Kenny Newsome, Dan Elmore and others in the Pender Podcast.
Directions to Pender
Sunday Childcare
Wondering where to take your children on Sunday mornings? Below is a summary. More detailed information is available at the Welcome desk located in the main lobby and here.
Also Today:
SING ‘N CELEBRATE
January 17, 5-6 PM, IN Fellowship Hall
We feel sure you will enjoy our newly hired praise band, so we hope you plan to join us in an effort to give SNC’s band a BIG PENDER WELCOME!!! Also, we will hear Mark Powers and Tyna Wright sharing about their experiences when serving the homeless the previous week, and how this opportunity has enriched their personal lives.
Read more at http://www.penderumc.org/snc
Donations can be left in the blue grocery cart in the coat rack section.
Our Christmas offering this year will go to support 2 important ministries:
(1) Up to $4,000 will go to cover expenses of the Hypothermia Center in January.
(2) The remainder will go to Holyland 4 Jesus – An outreach in Israel among Muslim people that establishes churches of new disciples of Christ. Outreach is done through music and the gifts of milk and rice to individual families. The gospel is shared with each gift.
Our Christmas Offering this year will go to support 2 important ministries:
(1) Up to $4,000 will go to cover expenses of the Hypothermia Center that will take place at Pender January 3-10, 2015.
(2) The remainder will go to Holyland 4 Jesus – An outreach in Israel among Muslim people that establishes churches of new disciples of Christ. Outreach is done through music and the gifts of milk and rice to individual families. The gospel is shared with each gift.
News and Views 