What can I expect on a Sunday?
Who are we?
What if I haven’t been to church much?
Getting to know people at Pender?
What can I expect on a Sunday?
- Three Worship Styles – Learn more about each Worship Time here
- Real People
- Lots of Children. Children are welcome during the services or our nursery is located downstairs. We provide infants and toddlers (newborns through age 4) with a safe and caring Christian environment
- An Opportunity to Connect with Others
- Time to Reflect Upon Jesus in our Lives
- Outstanding and Varied Music
- A Sense of Having Done Something Important with your Day
We are an “Access for All” church, meaning it is important to us for people with wheelchairs or other challenges to have easy access to doorways, hallways, bathrooms, ramps and elevator, seating (places for wheelchairs), and kid friendly (coloring books, booster steps for toddlers, high chairs).
Hearing aid and large-print hymnals are available during the service. (See one of our ushers.)
Who are we?
Our hearts cry out for more of God. Pender is a “big place” with a “huge heart.” We care about being a community.
In Fairfax, we know it’s possible for us to live a totally anonymous, distant-from-one-another life. At Pender, we desire a different kind of community and life together. We believe Jesus has called us to be a very special community who cares about the world. It’s the essence of what “makes us tick.”
Our mission statement says it this way, we exist to make disciples of Jesus Christ. For us, that takes a very special passion for real community.
What if I haven’t been to church much?
Pender is a warm and inviting place. We actually want to meet you!
Many of our folks started coming to church more recently as adults rather than as children. Some of our people have come all of their life. Some seem to know a lot about the Bible and faith. Others are just beginning that interesting journey.
Getting to Know People at Pender!
We would love to help you “get plugged in” and feel like you know other people. The best way is to jump into a Sunday School class, small group or join the next “Welcome to Pender” or “Coffee with the Pastors” time.
Our “Welcome to Pender” or “Coffee with the Pastors” times are opportunities to get to know the pastors and a few key leaders – as well as other newer folks at Pender. These class times are advertised in the bulletin, and generally held in the Fall and Spring.
Pender has many vibrant small groups who meet together weekly or bi-weekly to support, encourage, pray and be great friends together in faith. We believe everyone needs a place where they are cared for and known more deeply. To help newer people “get into” a group, new groups are starting just about every month.
We are the kind of church where you can earnestly explore, ask questions, and discover new pieces about God throughout your lifetime. None of us “have arrived.” Some can help others; some need the “basics” explained.
The messages are geared towards explaining the Bible and how it applies to real life. And, several of our classes are “for beginners only.”
If you feel like you need help when you arrive, please know that there is a “bulletin” that lists out what pages the songs are on from the hymnal book (song book) in the pew racks.
Also, there is an “offering” time at all of our worship times. Please do not feel obligated to give money, but do know that the money given is used to provide services to the congregation, community and world. You’ll see when other people stand (for singing) and sit (for prayer and listening). And, always feel invited to ask someone about what’s going on. They’ll love being asked!
This community takes Jesus seriously. How can we live our lives faithful to God? How can we know and act upon what the scriptures say? Where is Jesus at work, and how can we glorify Him? How can we love God with everything we’ve got, and also love one another just like Jesus?
We are people on a journey following Jesus to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
News and Views 