Women Connected

The Womens minisTries neWsleTTer aT Pender UmC Volume: 5 Issue Number: 5 Date: Sept 2013 Making a Difference
Julia Bettencourt

two men that Joshua had sent out to spy on Jericho. She saved them from being found out. She did some good. Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Mary was a woman who was willing to be used of God. If an angel came to us like with Mary to tell us we'd be carrying the Christ Child, what would be our reaction? "Whoa! Not me." "Get someone else to do it." "I'll pass on this one!" Mary led a pure life and was tender to God's calling. She was willing. Conclusion: Have you ever noticed the epitaphs on headstones? "Beloved Mother" "Loving Son" and all sorts of things designed to reflect what those people were. It may be kind of a morbid topic but we are all going to die eventually unless the Lord comes back first. What will we have done with our earthly lives? Yes it will be wonderful to get to heaven someday but God left us here for a purpose. What kind of mark will you and I as Christian women leave on this world?

"And of some have compassion, making a difference" Jude 1:22 The holidays are a great time to find a charity or needy cause to bestow our good deeds on. Some people relish in that and I admire them for it, but sometimes I think that is all some of us have---seasonal compassion. Oh to have the heart and desire to do good all the time. To look at people the way Jesus did. When he looked at the multitudes, He was "moved with compassion". "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matthew 9:36 Not only did Christ see the people with compassion, but He was prompted to do something about it. He healed the sick and lame, fed the multitudes, and genuinely cared about people and about their souls. Look how He dealt with the Samaritan woman at the well. He knew all the things that had entangled her life and He took the time to let her know about the Living Water. Remember the man no one could control and went around cutting himself and crying in the tombs in Mark chapter five? Basically a crazy man running through the graveyards acting crazy. He was possessed with unclean spirits. We probably would have ran in the other direction. Most of us don't like dealing with the "crazies" of this world, but Christ cared for them. Christ went about making a difference in everything He did and with everyone He met on this earth. Our verse in Jude 1:22 is one of those verses that always just reaches out and grabs me with conviction. "And of some have compassion, making a difference". How much compassion do I have? How much of a difference am I making in this world? Do I encourage people? Do I share Christ like I should? Do I care for people's needs? Am I a blessing to others? I trust I can be a woman that makes a difference. Here are a few examples of women in the Bible that made a difference: Esther. Esther was one of those women who was right where God wanted her to be at the right time. Do you realize she even held her tongue when she was supposed to? That's kind of hard for some of us. Remember she didn't tell anyone her family heritage or who her people were until the right time? Because of the way she lived her life she saved her people. She had an impact. The Shunammite Woman. This woman made the first "prophet's chamber" for Elisha. She did what she could for the man of God (II Kings 4). She was a blessing. Rahab. Now Rahab wasn't the most respected woman in town but God gives us her story for a reason, maybe to show us what a difference she made. In Joshua 2 she hid the

So, are you making a difference?

Copyright 2001-2010 Julia Bettencourt www.juliabettencourt.com Scripture References are from the King James Version.

UMW Fall Women's Retreat Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9:00 to 3:00 in the Fellowship Hall

All women are welcome, so please invite your friends and family!
Our theme this year will be "Making A Difference," and we will focus on how we can make a difference in the lives of others near and far. We will be hearing from guest speakers from within Pender and from the local community about their experiences and about ministry opportunities. We will spend time during the afternoon working onsite in small groups on mission projects. Additionally, we will have several breakout discussions and fellowship activities focused on how the UMW can make a difference in our community. Doors will open at 9:00 am for registration and a light breakfast. The program will start at 9:30 and will last until approximately 3:00. The registration fee is $10 per person to cover the cost of breakfast and lunch, payable on the morning of the event. Please register online or at the sign up table in the narthex. Childcare is available for the retreat if we are notified of the need in advance. We look forward to seeing you in September! Please contact Ann Hines at ann_hines@hotmail.com if you have questions.

Sing-n-Celebrate Sept 8th at 7pm This Evening!

We hope you will choose to return this evening to be inspired by the testimonies of Kay Creel and Mike Williams. Max Lucado has inquiries for usWhen you hear of a soul saved, do you drop everything and celebrate? Is your good day made better or your bad day salvaged? We may be pleased---but exuberant? When a soul is saved, the heart of Jesus becomes the sky on the Fourth of July, radiant with explosions of cheer. Can the same be said about us? Will we be present to rejoice and celebrate upon hearing the personal, salvation stories of Kay and Mike?

jimandrobertapont@gmail.com for any questions. We are looking forward to a great year. 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

Pastor Kennys Tuesday Bible Studies Pastor Kenny's studies meet at 2pm and 7pm. Join us as we study the book of Jeremiah, who is known as the weeping prophet. This new study begins on Sept. 10th. 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 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. We have not yet picked a study, but will be starting up again on Oct. 2nd. 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. Adult Sunday School Beginning Sept 22nd at 9:30 am in the Cornerstone Room (#215): Christianity, Cults & Religions Six-week DVD-assisted study examines Christianity, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and more. Understand basic Christian beliefs. Learn why cultic groups are attractive. Learn what motivates each group, and why it is important biblically to have an answer for what we believe about Jesus Christ. Learn the do's and don'ts of talking with people of other religions in a loving way. Class discussion is encouraged by our team of Spirit-led Facilitators. DVD series is hosted by Paul Carden, Director of The Centers of Apologetics Research.
NEW

UMW Executive Board Meeting

Our next Executive Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct 3rd at 1:30pm in room 200. All are welcome to attend as we discuss our upcoming events. Our main focus of this meeting will be to begin our 2014 budget. If you have anything to add or ideas to share, and cant attend the meeting, please let us know.

Womens Circle Meetings

BESSIE GOODING CIRCLE will hold their next meeting on Saturday Sept. 21, 2013, at 9:30 AM at Pender UMC. Please feel free to bring your breakfast and enjoy fellowship, a devotional and planning as we do the Lords work. For information, please contact Kay Creel at KFinlawCreel@verizon.net or Janet McConaghie at JEMcConaghie@Netzero.net MARY MARTHA CIRCLE The members of our Circle look forward to being back together tomorrow evening, Sept. 9. We meet the second Monday evening of each month (except July and August) at 7 PM in Rooms 202-204. We would love to start our new Circle Year with the opportunity to welcome some new members. We enjoy this time of sharing with other women and have the privilege of reaching out to others less fortunate than ourselves in different ways during the course of the year. For more details, feel free to contact Carol Wilson at carolorguyw@cox.net. RUTH CIRCLE Our first meeting after our Kick Off Sunday will be September 11th in the Church Parlor. The time is 9:30am. Ladies, if you are interested in meeting other women in a small group setting, this is a great time to come and join our fellowship. We meet once a month on the second Wednesday at our church from 9:30 to 11:30. During the summer we met each month for fellowship and to stay connected. Please call Roberta Pont at 703-378-7176 or email to

Please come and share this experience with us.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Mark Your Calendar!

Sept 8 Sept 8 Sept 8 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sept 11 Sept 14 Sept 15 Sept 15 Sept 16 Sept 21 Sept 21 Sept 22 Sept 24 Sept 25 Sept 28 Oct 3 Oct 6 Oct 21 Oct 24-26 Sing-n-Celebrate JLU Junior Youth Group Kick-off Youth Group Kick-off Meeting Mary Martha Circle Meeting Pastor Kennys Bible studies begin Ruth Circle Meeting Party in the Dark Art of Parenting Youth Group Parent Meeting American Heritage girls kick off meeting Bessie Gooding Circle Meeting Peanut Butter Run Against Hunger New Members Class Begins Casting Gods Love resumes their work UMMs Kick off Dinner 7pm UMW Retreat at Pender UMW Board Meeting (all welcome) Sing-n-Celebrate: Celebration of Children Boutique Luncheon and set-up Flea Market & Boutique

Your girl will have a chance to see what troop meetings are like, learn about our troop, and have fun! Parents will also learn about the troop that night. Snacks will be served. Please RSVP to Cherie Kronimus at 703-8156197 or ahg1907@gmail.com.

5K Peanut Butter Run Against Hunger Fun Run and Walk at Lake Fairfax Park Saturday, September 21st
The event will raise money and food for LINK, a Loudoun County based food bank, to distribute to hungry families in the Reston, Chantilly, Sterling, Ashburn, and Herndon areas. Cost of admission: 2 jars of Peanut Butter and $4 or 3 jars of Peanut Butter and $10 per family Race begins at 9 am with a kids-dash at 10 am Pre-register at pbrunagainsthunger@gmail.com Providing emergency food to local people in need is the primary mission of LINK. Every month they deliver food to approximately 50-60 qualifying families and many more during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. LINK also makes food deliveries to other support organizations whenever possible, including the Embry Rucker Shelter, Good Shepherd Alliance Shelters, The Closet, William Waters House, and the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center.
SING N CELEBRATE note special Celebration of Children time! OCT. 6 AT 6:30 PM This celebration has become an annual time of worship due to our desire to give our children the opportunity to feel like the special members of our Body of Christ which they certainly are! The theme will be Heartprints Left By Children. A heartprint is formed when you do something kind. Your love touches others leaving heartprints behind. Elementary school age children will participate, and we will also feature a one-man band this year. Now is the best time to get this special time of casual worship on your calendar, and please remember that ALL CHILDREN are welcome!

Family and Childrens Events

TURNING POINT Penders Youth Group
We will be having our youth group kickoff tonight Sept. 8th at 6:30pm. We will be having our parents meeting on Sept. 15th at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall. The youth room will open beginning Sept. 16th Mondays Thursdays from 2:30 - 5:30pm for homework and fellowship. Remember Youth Group meets every Sunday from 6:30pm 8:30pm. Dinner is included! JLU Upcoming Events Sept. 8th TONIGHT! JLU (Jesus Loves You) Pender's Junior Youth Group (grades 4 - 6) meets the second Sunday of every month from 5-7pm. This year our theme will be the 12 Disciples. In our two hours together we break things into blocks of Lesson, Mission Project, Fun Activity, and Dinner at 6:30 with the youth group. Our first meeting is this Sunday, Sept. 8th! Bring a canned good for donation and angry birds

Words of Appreciation
AN ONGOING BLESSING Hip hip hooray! Because of Pender's continued generosity to the Food Pantry, hungry children are being fed, families' needs are being met and the stress level of individuals is being reduced. May we continue to depend on your generosity to fill the weekly needs of ever-increasing numbers of those who have fallen on hard times. We have been blessed by your participation, kindness and concern for those who are less fortunate. Our Lord has said, "When you care for the least of these my brethren, you care for Me!" A few cans a week may not seem like much, but, it has made a significant impact on those with limited resources.

American Heritage Girls

Do you have a girl aged 5 - 18? Come learn more about American Heritage Girls! We provide a scouting experience, offering girls a breadth of opportunities in a Christian environment. Check us out at www.ahgonline.org AHG Kickoff Meeting at Pender Monday, Sep. 16th, 2013, 6:15 7:45 PM

It is our privilege to be part of this ongoing ministry and local mission. A special thanks to those who have contributed up and above the food items with gift cards and cash donations. God Bless you - each and every one!! Jessie B and Gail M BACKPACK SUCCESS Yes, Pender, thanks to all of you who contributed to the collection of backpacks for Rocky Run Middle School we met our goal of 40 and then some. The staff at Rocky Run was elated and most appreciative. There will be some grateful and happy faces come September! 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

Making a Difference
Check out this new section of our monthly newsletter that will let you know how to help different ministries with simple donations of either your time or specific items. Pender is truly a church with a heart for missions and you are a big part of it! Take a moment and see how you too can make a difference!

Donation Sorting, Pricing, and Merchandising: Help our ministry distribute material goods to the poor by sorting and pricing incoming soft donations, including clothing, accessories, and linens. In this role, you will set aside certain items for our distributing partners... for example men's T-shirts go the Lamb Center, torn and ripped clothing go to Celebrate Fairfax, and good condition logoed clothing goes to Art for Humanity. For our efforts, gently-used clothing needs to be priced and tagged, and set out on our showroom floor. Have first pick at the fashions! Feel good about the aid you are giving to those in need. Warehouse Manager: Help keep the warehouse space organized by maintaining efficient utilization of space for donations awaiting pricing and restock the sales floor. Receive donations and organize distributions to other nonprofits or clients. In addition, have great customer service skills and help customers and clients load their purchases or donations. Maintain warehouse safety. Please call Maryann at 703-378-7371 or email at penderthrift@gmail.com to volunteer and schedule.

Childrens Sunday School

We are in need of a Second Adult for 2nd Grade with Darlene Bell for Children's Sunday School. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve. We must have two adults in the classroom at all times. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Tim and Carolyn Fink at 703391-1373, tefink1@verizon.net. Thank You!

Military Ministry
Casting Gods Love for Deployed Military Service Members: Love to knit or crochet? Have a heart for our military service members? Please pick up some yarn in the basket near the coat racks and make a hand-made scarf for holiday care packages going out via Operation Gratitude. Crochet and knit patterns provided as a hand out near the basket. Feel free to attach a tag with encouraging words or your email address. Finished items will be collected at the end of October. For more information, contact Kay Creel or Priscilla Van Steelant.

Casting God's Love Ministry

Casting God's Love Ministry will resume meeting on September 24. If you would like to knit or crochet prayer shawls, lapghans and other craft projects for our ministry , contact Joyce in the office or Priscilla at pbvans@earthlink.net. Please join us at 6:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in room 200 or you can work at home at your own pace. We will be assembling our Chrismons in October. If you can sew, cut fabric and help stuff the Chrismons please join us. If you have a portable sewing machine and can bring it please contact Priscilla at pbvans@earthlink.net.

Party in the Dark

When you spend one hour in the dark, you will bring light to families who live in complete darkness every night. On September 14th at 6:00 pm, Pender will be making solar powered lights to take to the border villages that have no electricity in Thailand as part of the Thailand Short-Term Mission Team. Please bring your family and come out to help assemble the lights. We will start the evening with an Asianthemed pot luck dinner. Every family should bring food to share and then we will assemble the light kits. Donations to defray the costs of the light kits can be placed in the jar in the Narthex or placed in the offering with a note for "Party in the Dark". Questions contact: Laura and David Shuping by emailing shuping.missions@verizon.net.

Pender Regift Thrift

Outreach Coordinator: We are looking for an Outreach coordinator to work with our Administrator to identify and coordinate outreach opportunities with other nonprofits in the service of reaching and supporting those in need in our area. This position can be performed from home with a phone and email in your spare time.

Eek! Out of room! Dont forget about the Flea Market and Boutique on Oct. 24-26! Set up starts Oct. 21.