Wednesday, September 16
Ruth Circle
Friday, September 18
Fun with Music
Saturday, September 19
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Sunday, October 4
Outdoor Communion
Tuesday, October 6
Christian Believers Class
Category Archives: Youth
Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Pender
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Rev. Will White will begin a new Worship Series
“Through the Wilderness”
A tweet is floating around that simply says, “I miss precedented times.” How often do you hear that these are unprecedented times?
Of course, like all broad statements of that kind, this is both true and untrue. It is true that most of us haven’t lived with a pandemic. The natural disasters and the political and racial unrest all roll together to create a miasma of despair unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Except we have. Maybe not exactly this, but we know the experience.
We’ve been here before. We call it wilderness. It is a regular occurrence in the lives of followers of Jesus. One might say it is standard operating procedure. But familiarity doesn’t mean ease. Wandering through the wilderness is a difficult journey at the best of times. Other times, it can seem impossible.
Our task in this series is to help us find our way through the wilderness of this time by allowing the first of God-wanderers in the book of Exodus to speak to us. The stories of the people of God, along with the hymns of the faith in the Psalms, become our guides through the wilderness today.
The first Message will be “Into the Sea”
The Scriptures for Sunday are
Exodus 14:19-31 and Exodus 15:1-4
There is an irony in the selection of texts for this week. We are two days past 9/11, a date when we mourn the loss of life in such large numbers in the terrorist attack on New York and Washington DC and Pennsylvania. And we read a story of a miraculous rescue through an impossible barrier and the subsequent loss of lives of the pursuing nation, while a song is sung in praise of the victory. We remember the false reports of Muslims in this country singing and dancing with joy at the devastation on 9/11. We were outraged that such a celebration should occur. Those lies were exposed, but some still cling to that image. So, how do we as the people of God celebrate the destruction of the Egyptian enemy in the sea with dancing and singing and feel good about ourselves? There is a rabbinic teaching that says that when the Israelites crossed the sea and were safe, a cheer broke out in heaven. Then when the sea crashed down on the pursuing Egyptian army, another cheer went up in heaven. But God turned to the angels and said, “Why do you rejoice when my children have drowned in the sea?”
We cannot resolve all these issues in one act of worship this month, any more than we can “explain” how the sea parted and the people were set free. But we can be aware of the implications of our celebrations and our praise. We can be aware that praying for freedom is threatening to the status quo and unsettling for many; some will be hurt in the struggle for liberation; blood will be shed. It is happening around us all the time. We cannot ask for an easy road; we cannot ask for painless transformation.
But we can, and we should, indeed we must, ask for God to go with us. That is the focus of our worship today—not a celebration over enemies, but a recognition that in the difficult times, and in the comfortable ones, God is with us. God goes before and God follows behind. So, like the people of God on the shores of the Sea of Reeds, let us rejoice that God is with us; when there seemed to be no way, God makes a way. When there seems to be no hope, God is our hope. And God continues to be our hope, the hope we live out in our moving forward, even when lying down and giving up seems like the logical thing to do.
Remember, we are in the wilderness. The people standing on the shore, amazed at what God had accomplished, were not done with their journey. They had only just begun. We are on a journey too, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And we have only just begun. We are still wandering, no matter how focused our mission and our goals might be, we are still wandering in the wilderness.
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The online services are at 9:00 am (Traditional) and 11:15 am (Common Ground Contemporary)
Also tomorrow:
Canned Fruit Drive – Last Day
Traditional Service (Online)
Sunday School for Children
Cornerstone Adult Class
Seeker Sunday School
Common Ground (Contemporary) Worship Online
Jesus Loves You (JLU)
Turning Point Youth Group
Sunday October 13, 2019 at Pender UMC
Destined in Love
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am services on October 13, Guest Speaker Thom Jones will preach on “Destined in Love” based on scriptures Ephesians 1:3-10 and Ephesians 1:11-14.
The book of Ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up their (our) heavenly calling. As we continue in our faith from day to day, month to month, and year to year, the temptation to get too comfortable will always exist. However, the Apostle Paul presented the gift of God in Christ and the benefits we receive so clearly that we cannot help but ask ourselves if our lives reflect that reality as they should.
How have you grown in your Christian life since you came to faith in Jesus Christ? The words in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians makes clear that spiritual growth occurs primarily in community with others – in other words: WE NEED YOU AT CHURCH.
Maturity yields benefits in believers’ moral lives, but it extends far beyond that as well. Increased maturity benefits the community at large, leading us to present a more consistent witness to the working of God in our lives as well as protecting us from the harmful divisions and quarrels that have plagued so many communities throughout history.
God so loved the world – He has destined us in love. Come to church; feel the love, and help spread His word.
We hope to see you in church on Sunday.
Also on Sunday
Other events this week:
Sunday, Oct 13
Monday, Oct 14
Tuesday, Oct 15
Wednesday, Oct 16
Thursday, Oct 17
Friday, Oct 18
Saturday, Oct 19
See you soon – at Pender
Sunday, September 8, At Pender
Sunday will be a busy day!
Taste and See That the Lord is Good
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11 am services Thom Jones will preach on Taste and See That the Lord is Good based on scriptures Psalm 34:1-10 and Psalm 34:11-22
Psalms 34: This psalm from David contains both thanksgiving to God and instruction for all of us.
First, David praises God for the experience which he and others had realized of His goodness.
Secondly, he encourages all good people to trust in God and to seek Him.
The third thing he does is give good counsel to us all, as unto children, to take heed of sin, and to show awareness of our duty both to God and to our fellow man (and woman). Finally, David enforces this good counsel by showing God’s favour to the righteous and His displeasure against the wicked, in which he sets before us good and evil: the blessing and the curse. As we sing the psalm, we are to give glory to God, but we are also ordered to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. It’s a joyful lesson, in a humbling sort of way.
We hope to see you in church on Sunday.
Traditional Worship Service
Common Ground Worship Service
Sunday School
Traditional Worship Service
First and Second Grade Bibles
Blessing of the Backpacks
Book Lovers Group
Fall Kick Off
JLU (Jesus Loves You)
Easter Sunday is Coming to PenderUMC
Easter Worship Services — April 21:
- 8:15 am Traditional Worship with Organ, Brass Quartet & Choir (in the Sanctuary)
Of course it is no surprise that this Sunday is EASTER! And we all know there will be flowers and brass and triumphant music and favorite hymns and excited children and dressed-up adults and both Alleluias and Hallelujahs and even rumors of an empty grave and eternal life . . . and there will be a story that reminds us of what we are celebrating. And just because it is no surprise to you, doesn’t mean there is not someone in your circle of acquaintances for whom our Easter Celebration might be a wonderful new thing to experience! Remember that part of the story? – when Mary saw the empty tomb, she ran to tell her friends Peter and John. Let’s do the same and have a great Easter together.
- 9:30 am Contemporary Worship with Live Band (in the Fellowship Hall)
Many of us love all the traditions of Easter, including the flowers, music and dressing up in our Easter best! We can worship in various ways though, including this informal service where you might see folks wearing anything from shorts and t-shirts to dresses, suits and ties. Feel free to grab a cup of coffee in our lobby and bring it in with you. Our worship is led with guitars and drums, and you might even recognize a song or two from the Christian radio station! We’ll share the Easter story, and talk about its significance for us today. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor, or coworker. Let them know you’re saving a seat for them as we save a seat for you!
- 11:00 am Traditional Worship with Organ, Brass Quartet & Choir (in the Sanctuary)
Of course it is no surprise that this Sunday is EASTER! And we all know there will be flowers and brass and triumphant music and favorite hymns and excited children and dressed-up adults and both Alleluias and Hallelujahs and even rumors of an empty grave and eternal life . . . and there will be a story that reminds us of what we are celebrating. And just because it is no surprise to you, doesn’t mean there is not someone in your circle of acquaintances for whom our Easter Celebration might be a wonderful new thing to experience! Remember that part of the story? – when Mary saw the empty tomb, she ran to tell her friends Peter and John. Let’s do the same and have a great Easter together.
Childcare:
Easter Sunday Services: On Easter, Sunday April 21, there will be no Sunday School so that families can worship the risen Christ together. There will be a Nursery and another room for 3-5 year olds open at the 8:15, 9:30, and 11 o’clock services. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth.”
What do you mean by Traditional-Blended or Contemporary worship?
We understand that people have different styles for connecting with God in a meaningful and personal way. Pender offers two styles: Traditional-Blended and Contemporary. You will discover the people who attend these worship services are varied in age.
Traditional-Blended is largely traditional in flavor from a wonderful organ and beautiful hymns, choral, orchestra, children’s or bell music and traditional surroundings in our main sanctuary. Mrs. Theresa Carpenter leads the choir, and several servant volunteers are involved. During these services there is a time for the children on the altar steps at the front, and all children are invited to enjoy!
Contemporary worship is led by our praise band in a rock-and-roll style with many contemporary Christian songs that you might hear on the radio. Pastor Catharine delivers the message, often enhanced with video or drama. Our contemporary worship services are more casual in nature, so wear your jeans or shorts if you want to.
Come for this Easter’s Traditional Worship to experience special music (Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus) and a special message brought by Pastor Catharine.
Come for this Easter’s Contemporary Worship to experience great rock-style music and a special message brought by Pastor Catharine. Our contemporary worship service is called “Common Ground” and is offered at 9:30 every Sunday, including Easter!
All of our worship is Christ-centered, Biblically-minded and relevant to life today. Pender UMC desires that you feel God’s Spirit nurturing you and that in worship you experience the very real presence of Christ with us. May you be blessed by God as you gather with us.
Where do I enter the building?
First, we want you to know that our church has worked hard to create a building with access for all. Whether you find yourself in a wheelchair or carting babies in a buggy, you’ll find automatically opening doors and large entrances.
As you enter the parking lot, 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.
If you enter the sliding glass doors entrance, make a left into the hallway to the end where you will notice the welcome area on your left.
What do my children do?
We invite older children (3rd grade and up) to become fully involved in worship. At the back of the sanctuary are “children’s bulletins” and supplies like crayons.
Our younger children have the option of remaining with their family or being cared for by our wonderful nursery and childcare staff. Childcare is available for children ages birth through 2nd grade in the lower level of our building. Ask an Usher to help you find where to take your children!
On Easter, Sunday April 21, there will be no Sunday School so that families can worship the risen Christ together. There will be a Nursery and another room for 3-5 year olds open at the 8:15, 9:30, and 11 o’clock services. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth.”
Where do I park?
We attempt to have plenty of parking on Easter morning for our guests. However, we suggest you plan to arrive early, and if parking is full on our lot, there is parking on the street.
What if I need further information?
Our friendly volunteers and staff will welcome your questions! Please call our church office at 703-278-8023 between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Once at Pender, ask any friendly face for help! We are here to assist you.
Easter Offering:
Our Easter Offering this year will support:
News and Views 