We’re calling on helping hands for a Parking Lot Workday this Saturday, April 5, and we’d love your support!
The HOA across the street recently alerted us to a fallen tree on our property that needs to be cleared. Thanks to coordination by Robert Parker, head of Trustees, we have a tree cleanup scheduled for that day to take care of it.
In addition to the tree removal, we’ll be refreshing the parking lot with newly painted lines to clearly define parking spaces and give the area a much-needed spruce-up.
We’re also excited to share that KUMC Koinonia will be joining us to lend a hand — so it’s a great opportunity to work together, build community, and take care of God’s house!
Come dressed for outdoor work and bring any tools you might have that could help with clean-up or painting prep. Many hands make light work!
Thank you for supporting the care and upkeep of our church grounds!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, is the final day to let Pender know you’re attending the Holy Thursday Passover Seder hosted in partnership with KUMC Koinonia.
Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday!) We warmly invite you to a meaningful and reflective Seder experience, where we will explore the powerful symbols of Passover and remember the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt—a cornerstone story in both Jewish and Christian faith traditions.
This Seder is a time to gather in community, reflect on God’s deliverance, and draw connections between the ancient story of freedom and our faith today.
Please note: This will be a symbolic Seder, not a full dinner. We’ve timed it after the dinner hour, so come ready for a spiritual feast rather than a physical one!
We look forward to sharing this sacred evening with you.
On Holy Thursday, Christians often observe a “Christian Seder” or Passover meal, reenacting the Last Supper, which Jesus celebrated with his disciples, and drawing parallels to the Jewish Passover Seder.
Here’s a breakdown of the significance and practice:
Historical Context: Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover Seder, a Jewish ritual meal commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, on the night before his crucifixion.
Christian Interpretation: Christians view this Last Supper as the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion), where Jesus shared bread and wine, symbolizing his body and blood, and establishing a new covenant.
Reenactment of the Seder: A Christian Seder on Holy Thursday involves reenacting portions of the Passover Seder, such as the symbolic foods (like matzah, bitter herbs, and a roasted shank bone) and the retelling of the Exodus story.
Symbolism: The symbolic foods and actions in the Seder are interpreted through a Christian lens, highlighting the sacrifice of Jesus and the establishment of the New Covenant.
Examples of Symbolic Foods:
Matzah: Represents the haste of the Israelites’ departure from Egypt, symbolizing the speed of Christ’s sacrifice.
Bitter Herbs: Remind of the bitterness of slavery, mirroring the suffering of Christ.
Roasted Shank Bone: Represents the sacrifice of the Paschal lamb, symbolizing Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.
Purpose: Participating in a Christian Seder on Holy Thursday allows Christians to deepen their understanding of the Last Supper and the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice, while also connecting with the Jewish roots of their faith.
Worship
A service that brings to life the night in which Jesus began the practice we call the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. On that first Holy Thursday, there was tension in the air as religious authorities had been conspiring against Jesus. There will be a little tension in our service too as you’ll be invited to become a part of the events of that night. But relax, you can simply watch if you wish.
Jesus met with the disciples in an “Upper Room” to reveal to the mysteries of the Lord’s Supper. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked them to stay awake as he agonized over the direction to which he had been called. He spoke the truth before the religious elite and Roman rulers alike. Join us for Holy Communion, great music and singing, and a service that ends with a twist.
A recommitment to obeying that command is a part of why we gather. We remember Jesus, and we remember his words, and we once again pledge to learn to live by the command. In other words, on this night, we gather and offer ourselves to be gathered up in Jesus by choosing to live by the call to love.
“Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning “darkness.” The service of Tenebrae as practiced in most Protestant Churches is an adaptation of medieval Roman Catholic practices for each of the days of Holy Week dating back to the ninth century. For Protestants, this single service is typically held at night on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Pender will hold it’s Tenebrae service on Maundy/Holy Thursday this year.
For United Methodists and some other Protestants, the story of the suffering and death of Jesus from John’s gospel is divided into 16 readings. After each segment of the story is read, a candle is extinguished. After the fifteenth reading, which confirms that Jesus had died on the cross, the last of the 15 lit candles is extinguished or taken away, and a loud sound (called strepitus in Latin) is made to convey the sense of total loss of God’s presence and the effect of the death of Jesus on the universe. The final story of the burial is read in near darkness.
Worshipers leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection.
Both Pender and KUMC will share in this year’s VBS.
This year’s VBS is for potty-trained three year olds through ninth graders.
Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS, based on Joshua 1:9 – “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Discover God’s presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God’s goodness together. Join us in a fun-filled adventure on the open road, taking all the kids (Travelers) on thrilling journeys to exciting destinations. Led by the Navigator and an adventurous pup Scout, kids will learn that God is always with them.
Through engaging stories from the Navigators’ Guide (the Bible), Travelers will delve into timeless tales of faith from the Old and New Testaments. Get ready for twists, turns, and excitement as they face new challenges and find strength in God’s presence on this unforgettable trip! Road trips are a great way to build strong relationships and create indelible memories. This makes Road Trip VBS not only a fun experience for kids, but also an opportunity for them to strengthen their faith and bond with others in their community.
With engaging activities, interactive games, and meaningful lessons, children will have a blast while they grow in their understanding of God’s love and promises for everyone.
Date: Saturday, April 12Time: 1:00–3:00 PMLocation: Pender UMC Parking Lot & Grounds
Event Highlights:
Moon Bounce Madness: Jump and hop like a bunny in our giant Pender/KUMC Bounce House!
Awesome Games: Show off your cornhole skills for a chance to win awesome prizes. Don’t miss the estimation table where you can guess and win—winner announcements every half hour!
Delicious Eats: Enjoy complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers, cooked fresh and served up with all the fixings!
Streaming Music: Groove to continuous streaming music to keep the festive vibes going!
Epic Easter Egg Hunt: Hunt for eggs loaded with surprises hidden both inside and outside. A thrilling adventure for all ages!
Special Note: Gather your little bunnies for a day filled with crafts, laughter, and hidden treasures. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the Easter season.
News and Views 