Women Connected

The Womens minisTries neWsleTTer aT Pender UmC Volume: 5 Issue Number: 4 Date: May 2013

Faith Sees the Savior

Be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Ephesians 6:10 I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a man who failedwho failed his Maker. Again. I promised I wouldnt, but I did. I was quiet when I should have been bold. I took a seat when I should have taken a stand. If this were the first time, it would be different. But it isnt. How many times can one fall and expect to be caught? Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face Your eyes see you faults. You faith sees your Savior. Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees is blood. When God Whispers Your Name From Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

Its Time for the Spring Flea Market and Boutique! Thursday, May 9th Saturday, May 11th Join us TODAY Sunday, May 5th to set up. Lunch will be served at 12:15 in the Cornerstone
room for those helping to set up for the flea market and boutique this afternoon.

Monday, May 6th- Wednesday, May 8th: The Sale Preparation Days. Come any time
for any amount of time. Pitch in and unpack boxes, straighten items or hang clothes. Well take any donations of clothing, housewares and toys until Monday evening.

Love to bake? Wed love to have donations for

the Bake Sale held Thursday, May 9th thru Saturday, May 11th. Please label items.

Second Hand Spirituality

Come near to God, and God will come near to you. James 4:8 Some of us have tried to have daily quiet time and have not been successful. Others of us have a hard time concentrating. And all of us are busy. So rather than spend time with God, listening for his voice, well let others spend time with him and then benefit from their experience. Let them tell us what God is saying. After all, isnt that why we pay preachers? If that is your approach, if your spiritual experiences are secondhand and not first hand, Id like to challenge you with this though: Do you do that with other parts of your life?... You dont do that with vacations.You dont do that with romance.You dont let someone eat on your behalf, do you? [There are] certain things no one can do for you. And one of those is spending time with God Just like Jesus From Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

Thursday, April 29th- Saturday, May 1st:

We need cashiers and floaters! Check out the assignment sheet in the Narthex to see where you can plug in! Saturday is also pack up daycome at noon to help us prepare the rooms for service on Sunday.

Most importantly: SHOP! Hours are 8am 8pm on Thursday and Friday, 8am noon Saturday. All donations support mission trips and missionaries around the world.
Sing-n-Celebrate May 5th at 7pm As women of faith, at some point in the past, God planted our feet firmly on the path of life, the path of true faith. We would never have found that path ourselves as we wandered through lifes wilderness. Join us this evening while two members of the laity share how Jesus searched for them and brought them home to life in His family, His church, here on earth.

UMW Executive Board Meeting

Our next Executive Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6th at 1:30pm in room 200. All are welcome to attend as we discuss our upcoming events.

Womens Circle Meetings

Bessie Gooding Circle will have their next meeting
on Sat., May 19th at the church, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. If youve ever wondered what it is like to enjoy the fellowship of a circle of women, please come to our meeting and see what its like! Any questions, please contact Kay Creel at KFinlawCreel@verizon.net or Janet McConaghie at JEMcConaghie@Netzero.net

Wednesday Womens Bible Study The Joyful in Jesus Bible Study and Small Group for women meets at Pender on Wednesdays from 7:309:30 p.m. Please contact Mary Wetzler at bigdubbs4@verizon.net with questions. Youth Bible Study This bible study meets Tuesday nights at 7:30pm in the youth room and is for youth in grades 7th-12th . If you would like more information, please contact Tim Lyberger at tim.l@penderumc.org.

Mary Martha Circle The members of our Circle look

forward to our opportunity to get together the second Monday evening of each month (except July and August) at 7 PM in Rooms 202-204. Our next meeting is May 13th. We enjoy sharing with each other through our devotionals, God Moments, special blessings and our time of prayer. Visitors are always welcome. For details, contact Carol Wilson at carolorguyw@cox.net. Ruth Circle Our May meeting will be working at the Flea Market/Boutique especially from 9:30am to 11:30am on Wednesday May 8th. Our group is also planning to work all week as much as each member has available time. Our last meeting until September will be the June meeting on the 12th. The restaurant has not been decided. We are also again selling necklaces for $5.00. The money goes to our charities of choice, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and the local backpack lunch program. Call Roberta Pont at 703-3787176 if interested in purchasing necklaces. They are great for teacher gifts and Mothers Day. These necklaces are easy to mail and are very light weight. There are many colors to choose from.

Mark Your Calendar!

May 1st Music Camp registration begins May 5th Sing-n-Celebrate May 5th JLU th th May 9 -11 Flea Market & Boutique May 18th Water Station NOCC 5K May 18th An Evening to Remember May 19th Mother-Daughter Tea nd June 2 Childrens Musical all three services June 9th Church Picnic June 16th Senior Sunday July 8th-12th Vacation Bible School and Music Camp

Pender will be sponsoring the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) 5K WATER STATION on Saturday, May 18th
Please join us in providing water (H2O and the Living Water) to participants of the NOCC 5K! What: NOCC 5K To Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer When: 8-9:30am, Saturday, May 18 Where: Fairfax Corner Who: Outreach Through Fitness Ministry and YOU Why: Spread God's love (& refreshing water) in the name of Jesus! Sign up in the Narthex, or email Sean Niehoff

Susanna Circle We plan to get back in the swing of

our Super Simple Susanna Suppers, but havent set a date of the next one yet. Watch the bulletin for dates and times. Feel free to contact Jami Flemmons at jamiflemmons@verizon.net if you have any questions or would like to be involved. We welcome new members!

Current Bible Studies

The Womens Tuesday Morning Bible Study is studying the book of James. Contact the church office for information or questions. Pastor Kennys Tuesday Bible Studies Pastor Kenny's Tuesday studies meet at 2pm and 7pm. They began a study of Ephesians on April 9th. All of our basic beliefs are found here. It's like Bible 101. If you want to learn the basics of what Christians believe or just want to brush up on your faith come and join us as we study together! Twenty Somethings Bible Study This Bible study meets Monday nights at 7:30pm in the youth room. If you would like more information, please contact Tim Lyberger at tim.l@penderumc.org

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
Saturday, May 18th 6:30 - 8:00 pm Pender will host a special evening of music from the past, with JC Reigns. We invite residents of neighboring Senior Living Facilities to join us for an evening of Sinatra, Louie Armstrong and Dean Martin, to name a few, and fellowship with our members. Free to all, just a fun time, with dessert, music and laughs. The event will run from 6:30 until 8:00 PM. Door Prizes!

The UMW

TURNING POINT Penders Youth Group

The youth room is open Monday Thursday from 2:30 5:30pm for home work and fellowship. Remember Youth Group meets every Sunday at 6:30pm. Dinner is included. June 16th is Senior Sunday, where we honor our graduating seniors during the church service and a special dinner for them that evening. June 23rd all rising 7th graders are welcome to join us in youth group.

Mother-Daughter Tea
Sisterly Reminder The UMW Mother-Daughter Tea Penders UMW invites the women of the church to our MotherDaughter Tea on Sunday, May 19, at 2:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. It will be a time for mothers/grandmothers to gather with their daughters/granddaughters, but also please know that ALL WOMEN of the church are invited as special daughters of the King! Our theme of Reflecting the Beauty of the Lord should be enjoyed by both those as young as 4 yrs. and the older but young at heart! If childcare will be needed for any children of 3 yrs. or under, we must know by no later than May 5. This information needs to go to Carol Wilson. Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Chuck Swindoll

JLU Upcoming Events May 5th

Jesus Loves You (JLU) 4th 6th grade Junior Youth Group meets second Sundays from 5pm 7pm. This year's theme has been bible verses found in Christian Rock songs. Because of Mothers Day, this month we will meet on Sunday, May 5th from 5 7pm in the Youth Room. We are having a Music Jam covering all the songs we reviewed this year. Project of the month will be for our Music Ministry. Dinner is provided at 6:30pm with the youth group.

Family and Childrens Events

Get your cowboy hats and boots ready because we are getting ready for a Rip Roaring Time with Jesus! We will be traveling down the trail through the Old Testament stories of Moses to discover Gods ultimate plan of salvation in Jesus, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever Hebrews 13:8 Penders Annual Vacation Bible School is July 9th 13th. The Ranch will be open from 9am until noon. Registration is well underway, so dont miss your opportunity to be part of the fun! Register online at www.penderumc.org. Our VBS is for Cowboys and Cowgirls 3 years old (and potty trained) through 6th Grade. 7th-12th graders are welcome to come and assist as extra Ranch Hands just let Jami Flemmons know to expect you so that you can get a special shirt and a volunteer assignment. We are still in need of Deputies and Ranch Hands. The week is not a success without the help of many volunteers. We are still in need of lead teachers, teaching assistants and many general helpers. Please join us and earn your title of Deputy! You will be truly blessed by all you experience while you serve Gods children. If you are willing to volunteer, please sign up when you register or by contacting Jami Flemmons at jamiflemmons@verizon.net.

American Heritage Girls

American Heritage Girls would like to thank Pender UMW for your support this year! We have over 80 girls meeting several times a month to learn skills, perform service for our community, and to enjoy friendships with other girls who love God. Your support has enabled us to train and register over 20 leaders and volunteers that run the troop. Thank you. Cherie Kronimus, Coordinator, AHG VA1907. Help support a camper! American Heritage Girls have an opportunity to go to Boy Scout/Cub Scout camp at Goshen Scout Reservation near Lexington, VA this summer. Last year we were very grateful for the support of generous donors from our Pender community! The girls enjoyed a week of learning new skills, growing up and learning to take care of themselves, and having fun. This year we have 16 girls going to camp the week of July 28th. If you would like to help support a camper this year, please contact Cherie Kronimus, at ckronimus@aol.com. Contributions may also be left in the American Heritage Girls mailboxes.

Pender Womens 2013 Theme:

Making a Difference from the Mirror Out

Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Rise! Let us go!
Mark 14:41a,42b

Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can. -John Wesley

Ways to Connect & Serve

Casting God's Love Ministry Good news! Calling all ministry knitters and crocheters, Pender now has yarn. The yarn harvest has come in now we need workers, patterns can be provided. If you would like to knit or crochet prayer shawls or lapghans for our ministry, contact Joyce in the office or Priscilla at pbvans@earthlink.net. You can work at home at your own pace, or you can join us at 6:30p on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in room 200.

Pender Regift Thrift

Pender ReGift Thrift Store is an outreach ministry of Pender United Methodist Church. Our nonprofit mission is the distribution of material goods to the poor, locally, nationally, and internationally. We have opportunities in volunteer coordination, and in sorting and pricing clothing and household goods. It feels good to make a difference! Our hours are 11am - 7pm Monday through Thursday, and 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday. Please stop by to donate, shop, or volunteer. Join our newsletter for weekly updates and coupons! Go to http://www.penderthrift.org/ for more information.

Our Lord's calling tells us: "Feed the Hungry and Clothe the Poor." His calling is upon us as the number of hungry in our own community is rising. In Fairfax County alone, there are 47,000 children being fed school lunches and receiving help from Backpack Programs which helps them cover hunger over weekends, holidays etc. Hundreds of families are being helped each month in facing the challenge of hunger and where their next meal will come from. Thanks to the generous support of our Pender Congregation, we are a local church at the center of confronting this issue and contributing weekly to the distribution needs of our own Food Pantry as well as Western Fairfax Christian Ministries Food Program. Hunger Knows No Season- That means fall, winter, spring and summer, we need to keep our contributions consistent. In doing so we meet our Lord's confirmation: "In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Thank you all Dear Friends in Christ!

Spring Clean Your Spirit

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV) My mom grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country, with a deep tradition of spring cleaning. She passed along the habit to me, although Ive never managed to emulate her degree of thoroughness. Each year, as soon as winter retreated enough to let us open the windows, shed dive in to days of hard work. Shed pull everything from a room, scrub the walls and floors, and wash the windows. Then she polished the furniture and also used the time to sort through drawers and declutter, wash curtains and linens, and flip mattresses. Every time I read Psalm 51, I think of spring cleaning. Repentance is a time to fling wide the windows of my soul and invite the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to enter. Its a time to invite Jesus to sort through the clutter Ive accumulated and toss out the little pet sins that grow like dust bunnies. He might push aside a larger dresser so I can see the dirt thats piled up behind it, or throw open a window shade so the light reveals where my spirit needs some polishing. He frequently uses Scripture to show me the actions, words or attitudes that He wants to clear out. Other times a friend might gently point out a blind spot, or Ill hear a sermon that convicts me. Sometimes Hell even show me the mess in my heart by letting me witness a similar problem in someone else. When Im offended by someones action, Ive learned to take a peek into the rooms of my soul, because its often a clue that Im battling with that same root issue. The wonderful part of inviting Jesus to spring-clean my heart is that I dont have to wait for spring. It can be a daily celebration of His forgiveness and the transformation He brings to my life. Faith step: Invite Jesus to clean every nook and cranny of your heart. Sharon Hinck
Excerpted from: http://www.guideposts.org/faith/daily-devotionals/springclean-your-spirit

Military Ministry
"A big "Thank You!" to those who generously donated Wish List items and money contributions for Pender's Operation Gratitude collection drive in April. Thanks to you, many military service members deployed around the globe will receive a care package that says "someone cares" during the next month or so. If you have any interest in working on future Military Ministry events at Pender UMC, please email Kay Creel at KFinlawCreel@Verizon.net

HUNGER KNOWS NO SEASONS

Gail Michel

We all know the feeling of being hungry, but do we experience that feeling day after day? Do we have to concern ourselves with where our next bite of food is coming from other than walking over to our refrigerator or pantry? Most of us would be able to answer "no", but today that is not true for many.