Maunday Thursday. It’s also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries! Whew. . .but what exactly is this important day in the holy week? Chuck explains.
Pender Men – Upcoming Meetings
Regular 4th Wednesday Dinner Meetings:
- Join us and catch up on all the exciting activities we have planned for Pender Men in 2014!
- First time guests eat for FREE! Returning members pay just $6 for a fabulous meal and dessert made by our own Pender ladies: Ruth and her kitchen angels.
- Dinner starts promptly at 7 pm. Hope to see you there!
- Let us know you’re attending here
Wednesday April 23rd:
- Of note, guest speaker will be Mr. Hameed Afzali who spent 7 years as a top level interpreter for the US and coalition forces in Afghanistan. His experiences will provide a very different perspective regarding the war in Afghanistan vs. what we see on the news. Recently, Hameed and his family were identified as supporters of the coalition by the Taliban who threatened to kill all of them. Due to this high risk situation, he and his family were rapidly extricated by the State Department to the US under a special visa program. Currently, he is living in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and two children. Having arrived in the US with very little support, the NVMMO church coalition, of which Pender is a member, has been supporting Hameed and his family start their new life in America. We think you will find his story highly interesting.
Wednesday May 28th:
Wednesday June 25th:
Wednesday September 24th:
- Of note, find out the latest on Pender’s annual Fall Flea Market and Boutique, and sign up for cashier and grilling Thursday-Friday-Saturday 2-4 October. This is our biggest fundraiser so that we may supplement members’ short term mission trips and fund other service projects.
Wednesday October 1st:
- Flea Market setup and fellowship (Pizza!)
Easter Sunrise Breakfast
Please join us Easter morning as we prepare a pancake breakfast for our early risers and for the youth and their parents.
Please RSVP or sign up to help prepare/serve/clean at http://tinyurl.com/PenderEaster
Passover
One of the least understood Jewish festivals is Passover. Understanding Passover is critical for all Christians and Chuck gives you the highlights.
Passover 2014 begins in the evening of Monday, April 14 and ends in the evening of Tuesday, April 22
Holy Week at Pender
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the church year. At the other end of Holy Week is Easter, the most important day of the church year.
For Christians, this is the big event! And it’s all about the mystery that somehow Jesus Christ makes us one with God.
April 13. Palm Sunday: Give UP Being Fickle for Lent – Matthew 21:1-11 and Matthew 27:15-26.
It is Palm Sunday and we give praise but on Monday are we still faithful or do we act like the world? Fickleness is a must to be given up for Lent.
Monday, April 14 – Kids’ Easter Event. More information and signup
Thursday, April 17 – Holy Thursday Service. The Sanctuary Choir will present the Lenten Cantata, Colors of Grace, by composer Joseph Martin.
Each of the four main sections is devoted to one of the lessons of Christ, presented alongside the dramatic Passion narrative. The well-crafted music is simple, yet moving. This cantata provides a rich palette of tonal color for expressing the colors of grace.
Communion will be served.
Friday, April 18 – Good Friday Service
Sunday, April 20 – Easter – Fill Up on the Power of Easter. Matthew 28:1-10 and Romans 8:11
During Lent we gave up. Now it’s time to Fill Up. We need the power of the risen Christ for life. Let’s discover the risen Christ as he fills our lives.
- Sunrise Service
- Easter Breakfast
- 8:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
- 9:30 am Contemporary Service – Common Ground
- 9:30 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
- 11:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
- Easter plants are yours to take after the last service
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. Rev Kevin Havens 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, RevKev does!
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 instead 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!
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.
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