Lent at Pender

DURING THE FORTY DAYS OF LENT Christians have a special opportunity to engage in “acts of piety” and “deeds of mercy”. These acts do not help us earn God’s favor, but do cause us to focus on our faith in Christ. Thereby, we grow spiritually.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16-17

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the traditional day of celebration before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 40-day season leading up to Easter, a time historically marked by prayer, reflection, and fasting.

The word “shrove” comes from the old practice in which Christians confessed their sins and were “shriven, or absolved, in preparation for Lent. In Anglo-Saxon times, a bell was rung to call people to confession. This bell became known as the “Pancake Bell,” a tradition that continues in some places today.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date changes each year, occurring sometime between February 3 and March 9. In 2025, Shrove Tuesday will be on February 17.

Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to use up rich ingredients such as eggs and fats before the Lenten fast began—and pancakes were the perfect solution. Pancakes are thin, flat cakes made from batter and cooked in a frying pan. In the English tradition, they are served immediately and often topped with lemon juice and sugar or golden syrup.

Today, Pancake Day remains a joyful reminder of our spiritual preparation for Lent, bringing together faith, tradition, and fellowship around the table.

Want to know more about Shrove Tuesday?

Ever wonder why there's almost always a pancake dinner at church some time before Easter? Well, stick with Chuck because no matter if you call it - Shrove or Fat Tuesday - you'll be learning about it with a smile.

From 2025:

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 18, 7:00PM

Join us for a service blending contemporary visual and musical elements with traditional and familiar ones. Receiving the ashes is an ancient practice that began to occur just a few hundred years after Christ’s death and resurrection. You’ll have the opportunity to receive the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes from the burnt palm fronds from last Palm Sunday. Come participate in the mystery of our faith.

Ash Wednesday is an inside-out act of worship. We come and confess and are reminded of both our sinfulness and our mortality. And yet we are given a visible mark in the imposition of ashes, a way of letting the world know that we are people of faith.

Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The season of Lent is essential for those who truly seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because a part of what we learn in this time of self-examination is that we are what might be most in need of transformation. We might find that what might need to grow in faith and discipleship is the church and that the transformation of the world begins with building bridges and gathering up rather than with condemnation. We hope you’ll join in with churches around the world as we seek to be gathered up in Jesus.

“Lent Begins With A Warning,” Pastor Bruce Johnson
Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7 pm

Begin the holy season of Lent with worship, prayer, and reflection as we gather for our annual Ash Wednesday service at Pender UMC.

Pastor Bruce Johnson shares a meditation titled “Lent Begins with a Warning,” inviting us to honestly examine our hearts and return to God’s grace and mercy.

Scripture Readings:
Joel 2:1–2, 12–19
2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:2
Matthew 6:1–6
Matthew 6:16–21

This service includes the Imposition of Ashes, a sacred reminder of our mortality, repentance, and hope in the Gospel. Ashes — traditionally made from the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms — are marked on the forehead in the sign of the cross with the words:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or
“Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

During the imposition of ashes we will sing:
• Just As I Am
• Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
• Change My Heart, O God

Whether you are beginning Lent for the first time or continuing a lifelong journey of faith, we invite you to worship, pray, and prepare your heart for the season ahead.

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 1

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The first is Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross by Fanny Crosby

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 301

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915

Tune: NEAR THE CROSS, Meter: 76.76 with Refrain

The Pender UMC Traditional Service Middle Hymn "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" on Sunday January 29, 2023 was played by Liz Eunji Moon on piano, accompanied on guitar by Brian Stevenson, a student cellist  and sung the Pender Sanctuary Choir and congregation.

The First Sunday in Lent

“The Beginning of Happiness” (Psalm 32)
Pastor Bruce Johnson
The First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026 at 10 am

On Sunday, February 22, 2026 — the First Sunday of Lent, join us at Pender United Methodist Church as Pastor Bruce Johnson begins our Lenten journey with a message titled: “The Beginning of Happiness” (Psalm 32)

As we enter this sacred season of reflection and repentance, we explore a surprising truth: real happiness does not begin with perfection — it begins with honesty, confession, and grace.

Scriptures for the Day:
Genesis 2:15–17
Genesis 3:1–7
Romans 5:12–19
Matthew 4:1–11
Psalm 32

From the story of the first temptation in the Garden, to Jesus’ testing in the wilderness, to Paul’s reflection on sin and grace, these readings remind us that Lent starts with a clear-eyed look at human brokenness — and the deeper joy that comes when we return to God.

Psalm 32 declares, “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven.” In a season often marked by solemnity, we discover that repentance is not about shame, but about freedom — and that forgiveness is where true happiness begins. Join us in person or online as we take our first steps into Lent, seeking renewal, courage, and the grace that restores us.

Watch live or catch the replay here on our YouTube channel.

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 2

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions at noon on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Second Hymn-based Devotion is Ah, Holy Jesus

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,

That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty- Who brought this upon Thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
‘

Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!

I crucified Thee.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,

For my salvation.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,

I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,

Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,

Not my deserving.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 289

Text: Johann Heermann

Music: Johann Crüger (1640)

Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU

The Second Sunday in Lent

Join us at Pender UMC on the Second Sunday of Lent as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares a message titled “A Mountain of Help,” inspired by Psalm 121 — a powerful reminder that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

As we journey through Lent, this sermon invites us to lift our eyes beyond our worries and fears and place our trust in God’s faithful presence and protection.

Scripture Readings:
• Genesis 12:1–4
• John 3:1–17
• Psalm 121

During this service, we will also celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, remembering Christ’s grace and love given for us and for the life of the world.

Whether you are walking through a valley or standing on a mountaintop, we invite you to worship with us and be reminded where our true help comes from.

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 3

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions at noon on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Third is When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

1. When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of Glory died;

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

save in the death of Christ, my God;

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small;

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 298

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

Tune: HAMBURG, Meter: LM

and

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 299

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Music: Anonymous; arr. by Edward Miller

Tune: ROCKINGHAM, Meter: LM

The Third Sunday in Lent

“A Prayer to Begin the Day” – Psalm 95
Pastor Bruce Johnson
The Third Sunday of Lent
March 8, 2026 at 10 am

On Sunday, March 8, 2026 — the Third Sunday of Lent, join us for worship at Pender United Methodist Church as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares a message titled “A Prayer to Begin the Day.”

Drawing from Psalm 95, this sermon invites us to begin each day with gratitude, humility, and openness to God’s voice. During the season of Lent—a time of reflection and renewal—we are reminded to pause, listen, and trust the One who leads us through both wilderness and grace.

Scripture Reading:Exodus 17:1–7

Gospel Reading: John 4:5–42
The Gospel passage will be presented as a dramatic reading from the Common English Bible, bringing to life the powerful story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This reading will be shared by Andy, Mark, and Jane.

Through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we will reflect on how God meets us in our daily lives, offering living water, renewal, and hope.

Join us in person or online as we continue our Lenten journey together. Watch live or catch the replay on our YouTube channel.

Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 4

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Fourth is Beneath the Cross of Jesus

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 297

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

“A Sheep’s Testimony”
(Psalm 23)
The Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 15, 2026 at 10 am

On Sunday, March 15, 2025 — the Fourth Sunday of Lent and UMCOR Sunday, join us for worship at Pender United Methodist Church as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares the message “A Sheep’s Testimony” (Psalm 23).

Scriptures for the Day:
1 Samuel 16:1–13
John 9:1–41
Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in Scripture, reminding us that the Lord is our shepherd who guides, protects, and restores us. In this message, we will reflect on what it means to trust the Shepherd who sees beyond outward appearances and leads us through both shadowed valleys and green pastures.

Through the story of David’s anointing in 1 Samuel and the healing of the man born blind in John’s Gospel, we are reminded that God often works in surprising ways—calling, restoring, and revealing grace where others may not expect it.

This Sunday we will also observe UMCOR Sunday, supporting the work of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). A special mission offering will be received to help provide disaster response, humanitarian aid, and hope to communities around the world.

Join us in person or online as we worship, learn, and share in God’s mission of compassion and service.

Lenten Hymn and Devotion 5

 Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The Fifth is Go Dark Gethsemane

“Go to Dark Gethsemane” is a Lenten hymn that spotlights scenes from the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life.

It takes us on a journey from the Garden of Gethsemane where we are charged to stand and watch, to the judgment hall and our denial of him, to the cross where we witness his death and his grace, and finally to his glorious resurrection and our redemption. We become part of the drama of Christ’s passion and resurrection.

The poet repeats the phrase “learn of” at the end of each stanza, charging us to apply each scene to our lives. James Montgomery uses repetition to draw attention to what he considers important about each scene and each stanza.

“Learn of Jesus Christ to pray” encourages us to remember the scene of the garden and to go to God in fervent prayer. “Learn of Christ to bear the cross” is a charge to lay down our lives, take up the cross and follow Christ. “Learn of Jesus Christ to die” is a reminder of what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Montgomery, considered one of the most important hymn writers of the English language, wrote this beautiful hymn in 1820. He was born on Nov. 4, 1771, in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, the son of Moravian missionary John Montgomery, and died April 30, 1854, in Sheffield, England.

When Montgomery was 5 years old, his parents moved him to a Moravian settlement at Bracehill, Ireland, near Ballymena in Antrim County. Soon after, his parents accepted a call to the mission field and left him behind in Bracehill. He never saw his parents again. They both died while in the Barbados Islands.

At age 7, Montgomery was enrolled at Fulneck Seminary in Yorkshire, where he would remain for the next nine years. Struggling to meet the expectations of his instructors, he left the school at age 16 and became an apprentice at a chandler’s shop in Mirfield.

After five years, he tired of the work and took an apprenticeship with Joseph Gales, the owner and publisher of the Sheffield Register. For two years he learned about the publishing business, and in 1794, when Gales was forced to flee the country to avoid imprisonment, Montgomery took over the Register and changed its name to the Sheffield Iris.

Montgomery published and managed the Sheffield Iris for 32 years. He used the Iris as a tool to distribute the 360 hymns written throughout his life. His most well-known hymns are “Angels, From the Realms of Glory,” “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” “Songs of Praise the Angels Sang” and “Stand Up and Bless the Lord.”

Montgomery’s “Go to Dark Gethsemane” is still one of his most widely used hymns, most often sung during Lent or during Holy Week. The first three stanzas are most commonly available in hymnals. The fourth stanza, though often omitted today, has been preserved in The United Methodist Hymnal.

Even though the text is now over 185 years old, it has rarely been altered. Many hymns from this era use language that is no longer common in today’s hymns or speech. Hymnal editors typically remove antiquated language and replace it with modern equivalents, but this hymn has remained essentially intact.

This beautiful somber hymn has stood the test of time. We benefit from the art and poetry of Montgomery still today.

Above essay from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-go-to-dark-gethsemane-1

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

“Deep Prayer”
(Psalm 130)
The Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 22, 2026 at 10 am

On Sunday, March 22, 2026 — the Fifth Sunday of Lent, join us for worship at Pender United Methodist Church as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares a powerful message titled “Deep Prayer” (Psalm 130).

As we move deeper into the season of Lent, we are invited into a deeper life of prayer—one that rises not from comfort, but from longing, struggle, and hope. Psalm 130 begins with the cry, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,” reminding us that even in our lowest moments, God hears and responds with mercy and steadfast love.

Scriptures for the Day: Ezekiel 37:1–14
John 11:1–45

From the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel to the raising of Lazarus in John’s Gospel, these readings proclaim God’s power to bring life out of death and hope out of despair. They remind us that deep prayer connects us to the God who restores, renews, and calls us into new life.

Join us in person or online as we continue our Lenten journey, seeking God in the depths and trusting in the promise of resurrection.

Watch live or catch the replay on our YouTube channel.

Pender UMC's Egg-citing Easter Bash, March 28

Bring the whole family and hop on over for a morning packed with smiles, surprises, and springtime fun! Your little bunnies will love the crafts, games, and egg hunts filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

It’s the perfect way to celebrate the joy of Easter together — laughter, fellowship, and memories included!

Grab your baskets, invite some friends, and join us at Pender UMC for a morning your family won’t want to miss!

Palm/Passion Sunday

Worship at 10:00am, with Palm Procession for children, followed by the Passion story from Matthew, with special music

Holy Thursday

Service of Holy Communion and Community in Jesus 7:00pm, Sanctuary

Good Friday

Showing of “The Passion of the Christ” 10:30am, sanctuary

Meditation on the Cross, 1:00-5:00pm, sanctuary

“The Last Words,” the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus, in Drama, Scripture, and Song, 7:00pm, sanctuary

Holy Saturday

Watching and Waiting, 7:00pm, outdoors
    An informal service of Scripture, song, and testimonies

Easter

Sunrise Service with KUMC-Koinonia, 6:30am, outdoors
    Pastor Youngbong Kim preaching, PUMC leading worship

Sunrise Breakfast, 7:30am, Gathering Place

Easter Worship with special music,10:00am