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Category Archives: Ministries

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 3

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Music, presents a series of hymn-based devotions at noon on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Third is When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

1. When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of Glory died;

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

save in the death of Christ, my God;

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small;

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 298

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

Tune: HAMBURG, Meter: LM

and

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 299

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music: Anonymous; arr. by Edward Miller

Tune: ROCKINGHAM, Meter: LM

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Posted by MaryO on March 19, 2025 in Holidays, Lent, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Brian Stevenson, Christ, devotion, Greek, HAMBURG, Hebrew, hymn, Isaac Watts, Latin, Lent, Liz Eunji Sellers, Lowell Mason, major, melody, minor, ROCKINGHAM, stanza, video

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 2

12 Mar

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Music, presents a series of hymn-based devotions at noon on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Second Hymn-based Devotion is Ah, Holy Jesus

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,

That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty- Who brought this upon Thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
‘

Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!

I crucified Thee.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,

For my salvation.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,

I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,

Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,

Not my deserving.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 289

Text: Johann Heermann

Music: Johann Crüger (1640)

Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU

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Posted by MaryO on March 12, 2025 in Holidays, Lent, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Ah Holy Jesus, breathing, Brian Stevenson, calmness, Christ, cross, Crucifixion, devotion, HERZLIEBSTER JESU, hymn, Johann Crüger, Johann Heermann, Lent, minor, organ, Peter, poet, Saint Paul Lutheran, sin, spiritual, suffering, video

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 1

05 Mar

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Music, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The first is Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross by Fanny Crosby

Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 301

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915

Tune: NEAR THE CROSS, Meter: 76.76 with Refrain

The Pender UMC Traditional Service Middle Hymn “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” on Sunday January 29, 2023 was played by Liz Eunji Moon on piano, accompanied on guitar by Brian Stevenson, a student cellist and sung the Pender Sanctuary Choir and congregation.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=u3zwpS2slc4%3Frel%3D0

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Posted by MaryO on March 5, 2025 in Holidays, Lent, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: blind, breathing, Brian Stevenson, calmness, Celtic, cross, devotion, earth, Fanny Crosby, healing, heaven, hymn, immortal, Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross, joy, pain, peace, refuge, spiritual altar, thin places, video

Sign up for the Poetry Slam

16 Jan

Scan the QR code below for the Poetry Slam Application and Guidelines.

POETRY SLAM GUIDELINES

Please review and make sure to adhere to the following guidelines before submitting your poem:

Submit only one poem.
Your poem must be an original piece of work. Plagiarism is a very serious offense.
The theme is TRANSFORMATION.
Poetry can be written in any style on the subject of TRANSFORMATION.
Please use proper language. Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or wholly inappropriate will not be accepted.
All poems must be written in English.
The writer must be a student, at least 13 years old in the 7th grade.
By submitting your poem to this poetry slam, you accept that your poem will appear online and may appear in a print anthology. Regardless of how your poem will appear, you will be credited as the author.
We reserve the right to not publish a poem for any reason.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Originality and creativity.
Quality of the poem – is the idea of TRANSFORMATION communicated clearly?
Is the poem well organized?
Poets can recite poems from memory or read from paper.
Poets cannot use props, costumes, or musical instruments.
The delivery of the poem is just as important as the content.
Performers will be treated with respect.
A poet who is physically unable to read their poem onstage due to a permanent or temporary impairment may have a substitute reader perform the poem as long as: (a) the primary author is in the space and positioned where they are clearly visible to the audience and (b) the reader delivers the poem without significant affectation that draws attention away from the author.

We recognize that being on stage may be terrifying. A poet who experiences extreme anxiety about being on stage or who otherwise requires physical support to be on stage may have a teammate or coach accompany, provided that the accompanying support person remains physically neutral on stage and does not engage in anyway that could be considered to make them a performer.
Entries can be submitted electronically with this poetry slam application completed to Pender United Methodist Church OR mailed to Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033, or dropped off at the church office.
All entries must be received in Pender United Methodist Church office no later than Saturday, February 15, 2025.

PRIZES

Three swag bags will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winner.
Each swag bag will have a variety of items to include a $100, $75, and $50 Amazon gift card respectively included.

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Posted by MaryO on January 16, 2025 in Get Involved!, Impact Youth, Ministries, Pender UMC

Tags: poem, poet, Poetry Slam, Teens

Fun with Music

09 Aug

Step into a world of giggles and song with “Fun “with Music at Pender! This is not just any music class – it’s a journey through sound and imagination designed especially for preschoolers and their favorite grown-ups. Since 2013, Jim and Roberta Pont have been creating a space where tiny toes tap, and little voices echo with joy, crafting a magical musical experience for children from birth to five years old.

Wave ‘hello’ and join us every Monday morning for a delightful 30-minute musical escapade! Our littlest musicians and their families come together at 10 AM to sing, dance, and make friends with tunes. We dive into a treasure trove of stuffed animals and toys, transforming the room into an enchanting stage for our budding performers. With every stuffed lion’s roar or elephant’s trumpet, your child’s imagination will soar!

After the musical fiesta, it’s time for a yummy snack, followed by playtime where kids can explore and make-believe. Meanwhile, moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers can relish a homemade brunch prepared with love – a perfect chance to mingle and share stories.

Our box of wonders is always brimming with surprises! One day it’s a car zooming around, another day it’s a train chugging along. Flip it over and voilà, it’s a drum or even a rumbling thunder to match the beat of our songs. From “The Wheels on the Bus” to sparkling new Bible-based rhymes, we have tunes that will make your little one’s heart dance with every beat!

Last week, our pint-sized percussionists marched on bubble wrap to the rhythm of a march, popping and hopping with glee. And guess what’s next? A tunnel adventure awaits their curious little eyes and eager hands!

So, if you’re a parent with a playful tot between zero to five, and Monday mornings are open, come and make a splash in our sea of melodies at ‘Melody Mornings’. It’s not just fun; it’s a musical hug for the heart and soul. Can’t wait to sing and swing into a new day of joy with you and your little one!

This class meets every Monday starting September 9 at 10 am except for school holidays. Register at 9:30 on September 9.