july 9-16
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
7/13 Sunday - FIRE Only Sunday Night
It's just for FIRE ( gr.7-8) tonight. Doors open with a free meal at 5:30p, our regular programming begins at 6:00p, and After Hours follows from 7:30-8:30p.
FIRE & WATER Summer Mystery Adventures are here!
To get 24 hours notice for when they take place you can sign up to be a FIRE & WATER Insider and/or follow FIRE & WATER on social media.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
(NEW) FIFTY+
//Friday, July 11, 11:30a, Dining Room//
Put on your best toe-tapping shoes and join us for Fifty+ on Friday, July 11! Our very own Doug Collins and Katherine Pittman will be sharing their musical talents with us, so don't miss out. As usual, we will have lunch and time for fellowship before Doug and Katherine sing. If you are able, the cost is $7. If this is a hardship in any way, please come and be our guest. There is always room at the Fifty+ table!
(NEW) BACK TO SCHOOL BASH - BUBBLE TRUCK
//Friday, August 8, 5:30-7:30p, Parking Lot//
Join us Friday, August 8 for our Back to School Bash featuring the Bubble Truck, an unforgettable, foam-filled experience for all ages! This free event is open to everyone, so bring your friends, neighbors, and classmates for an afternoon of food, fellowship, games, and hundreds of gallons of bubbly fun. Expect to get wet, so don’t forget your towel! Let’s celebrate the start of a new school year with joy, laughter, and lots of suds! If you have any questions, contact Penny Walker at .
(NEW) STUDENT MINISTRIES BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
//Sunday, August 10, 6-7:30p, Parking Lot//
FIRE & WATER Student Ministries is kicking off the school year with a Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 10 from 6:00 to 7:30p in the south parking lot of Fishers UMC. This event is open to all students in grades 7–12, including recent high school graduates. Join us for an evening of food, fun, and connection as we celebrate the start of a new school year and all things FIRE & WATER. Highlights include a water balloon fight, great food, and a dunk tank, where, for a small donation, you might get the chance to dunk your favorite Pastor. All proceeds from the dunk tank will go toward supporting students overseas. The theme for the evening is "All Things Water," so come dressed to get wet and ready to have a great time.
This is a fantastic opportunity to invite friends who’ve never been to FIRE & WATER before. Take a moment to pray and consider who you can bring with you to this exciting kickoff event.
***(UPDATE) 4H FAIR - MANY OPENINGS TO SERVE
Update - We still have about 70 volunteer spots open to help at the 4H Fair and around 30 spots available to help make cobblers! This is a fun and meaningful way to serve alongside others while helping raise funds that support life-changing missions both locally and globally. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, we’d love to have you on the team. Every shift makes a difference!
Join us and BE GOD’S FAMILY and assist the Fishers United Methodist Men and United Women in Faith by selling Tenderloin Sandwiches, Cobblers, and Ice Cream at the annual Hamilton County 4H Fair, July 15 - 22. These two groups will utilize the funds raised from this event to support numerous missions and outreach activities, benefitting local, regional, and international communities through over 30 different organizations. If you're available, kindly sign up for multiple time slots by tapping the link below and providing your email address for convenient reminders.
Cobblers for the Hamilton County 4H Fair booth are freshly baked & packaged each day July 16 - 20 in the Fishers UMC kitchen. Baking volunteers are needed each day at 9:00a and Packaging volunteers are needed at 1:00p, each task takes about 1.5 hours. See more details and sign up by tapping the link below.
SIGN UP TO HELP AT THE 4H FAIR
***NEXT
//Sunday, July 27, 9:45am, Bunny Room//
Are you interested in making friends? Learning more about the church? Getting involved and growing in your faith? Are you asking “what’s next?” Our church offers opportunities for you and it is called NEXT. NEXT is… a monthly welcoming session for adults who want to connect more with God and Fishers UMC. NEXT helps you find out who we are, what we do and how you can participate at Fishers UMC. A different NEXT opportunity is offered each month for a total of four months. Classes are facilitated by our Assimilation director, Lisa Ellcessor. Our upcoming NEXT opportunity is Sunday, July 27 at 9:45am in the Bunny Room (down the hallway near the nursery). Sign up to attend by tapping the link below.
***MAC REYNOLDS JOHN DEERE GOLF SCRAMBLE
//Sunday, July 27, 2p, Edgewood Golf Club//
Fishers UMC will be having their annual Golf Scramble on July 27th, with a 2:00p shotgun start at Edgewood Golf Club. Coed singles, couples or foursomes are invited to attend this event that is 18 holes with a cart, prizes and great food! Back again is a special silent auction. Register early to take advantage of early bird pricing of $60, after July 1st cost is $70. Or, you can attend just the dinner & silent auction for $20. Cash, check or card can be taken at the door. The golf scramble is sponsored by Fishers United Methodist Men, with all proceeds going to missions. Register by tapping the link below.
SIGN UP TO ATTEND GOLF SCRAMBLE
***PORTILLO'S FUNDRAISER
//Wednesday, July 23, 5-8p//
Grab a bite and give back! On Wednesday, July 23, from 5 to 8p, Portillo’s will donate 20% of your purchase to the Come To Me Food Pantry. Just show a flyer when you order (either printed or on your phone). Physical flyers can be found in Connection Central on Sundays or in the Church Office during the week. Download a digital flyer by tapping the link below. Thank you for your continued support of The Come To Me Food Pantry.
BLOOD DRIVE AT FISHERS UMC
//Sunday, August 10, 8a-12p, Gym//
Donate blood and become a beacon of hope whose kindness saves lives, including those with cancer or sickle cell disease! Every donation is needed to meet the high demand from hospitals in our community. Fishers UMC is hosting a Versiti Blood Drive in the Family Life Center Gym from 8:00a until 12:00p on Sunday, August 10. Donors can sign up by tapping the link. It is preferred for donors to sign up prior, but walk-ins are welcome, too. Thank you for making a difference!
JOB OPENING - FOOD PANTRY DIRECTOR
The Come to Me Food Pantry is one of the many ministries of Fishers United Methodist Church that provides the opportunity to image the love of Christ to the community. After the unexpected passing of Linda Williams, the pantry has been blessed to have been led, on an interim basis, by Nicole Witzig. Nicole will support the onboarding of the permanent Director and provide ongoing support in a voluntary capacity. Nicole, thank you for your commitment to Christ and to serving the food insecure of our community!
We are beginning the hiring process for our permanent Director. The job description is available to view by tapping the link. In order to give all candidates the space to prayerfully consider the opportunity, we will be accepting applications through Monday, July 28. The application can be accessed by tapping the link below, or you may contact Julie Tillman in the church office at
This salaried position will be 25 hours per week and part of Fishers UMC staff. The position reports to Associate Pastor Ben Greenbaum.
APPLY FOR FOOD PANTRY DIRECTOR
BASKETBALL CAMP AT FISHERS UMC
//July 21-25//
The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever are hosting a Jr Hoops Basketball Camp at Fishers UMC July 21-25, 9a-2:30p. Boys and Girls 7-15 years old are invited to a week of concentrated basketball training that involves a lot of individual skill development. The camp will break the game down while enhancing specific skills in all areas needed to be an effective basketball player and have fun. All skill levels are welcome, and each player receives giveaways, awards, and a ticket to a Pacer's home game. Learn more and register by tapping the link.
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, July 22, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in July as they read and discuss The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith. A retelling of the story of Jacob, Joseph and his brothers. Jacob has made no secret that Joseph is his favorite son. When a chance comes along for the brothers to rid themselves of Joseph, they take advantage and deceive their father about his fate. Joseph, now serving Potiphar in Egypt, is imprisoned after being falsely accused of a crime. Decades later, the brothers will come face-to-face, and this time Joseph has the upper hand. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day? If you are looking for a way to combine your love of reading and books with a small group atmosphere of fellowship, this is the place for you! The Book club meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, this month on July 22 at 7p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
SHARE A SPECIAL MOMENT - ALTAR FLOWERS
There are still plenty of opportunities in 2025 to sponsor altar flowers in honor or memory of someone special. Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, baptism, or loved one’s life with a beautiful bouquet on Sunday morning! Each Sunday (except communion Sundays), we offer two bouquets, just $30 each. You can take them home after the 11:00 service or have them delivered by United Women in Faith to bless someone in our church or community. Tap the link to reserve your date for one or both bouquets. Let’s fill the sanctuary with beauty and meaning all year long!
WOMEN'S RETREAT
//Saturday, September 13, 9a-3p, Fishers UMC//
All women are invited to attend the Women’s Retreat hosted by United Women of Faith at Fishers United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 9:00a to 3:00p. Guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Martha FrizLanger, will lead a meaningful session titled “Harvesting Your Story,” paired with a hands-on creative activity. Each attendee will receive a complimentary copy of her book, Soul Design. Lunch and snacks will be provided, cost is $20 to attend. Tap the link to sign up and join in a day of inspiration, reflection, and connection! If you have questions, please contact Nancy Foust at
or Abby Mucha at
.
sign up for women's retreat
P.I.T. CREW - INTERCESSORS WANTED
The Prayer Ministry at Fishers UMC has recently started the Pastors Intercessory Team (P.I.T. Crew) to offer daily prayer support for Senior Pastor Mark Ellcessor, and Associate Pastor Ben Greenbaum. The Bible encourages us to pray for our leaders, as they direct the church to fulfill its mission, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The prayer team is seeking 10 intercessors each for the month who will commit to praying daily for our Pastors and families. This can be at home with your own schedule, and the time commitment is less than 10 minutes per day. To sign up to pray, tap the link below. Also below is a link to a document filled with more details about the P.I.T. Crew including a FAQ section. If you have any questions, please contact John Hughes at .
sign up to pray
learn more about P.i.t. crew
LOVE TO SING OR RING?
The Fishers UMC Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir are welcoming new members this fall! Whether you're a seasoned musician or just a joyful music maker, there's a place for you. Come be part of something uplifting and fun! Rehearsals start in September — contact Meghan Bartsch for more information!
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
This year we are diving into the theme Be God's Family. As a part of that, we want to ensure young people have the opportunity to worship alongside their church family as we seek to become disciples for the transformation of the world. On August 10, and August 31 there will be no Sunday school for children, 5/6, Junior High, or High school students. (Childcare available for children under 5.) This will allow for worship and celebration together on these holiday weekends and special days. Looking for help connecting your children in worship? There are worship clipboards with activities that explore the sermon scripture. Read the scripture together before worship and encourage children to look for how the sermon explores the passage. Utilize sermon note sheets, located by the worship clipboards, and discuss after the service. Attend a different service than usual and compare how the styles lead us into God's presence in unique ways.
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE - READ A CHAPTER A DAY
Join Discipleship Ministries and others across the country for a journey through the Books of Romans and 1 and 2 Corinthians this summer. The challenge began on June 9 and will conclude July 26, participants will read a chapter each day. This is a great opportunity to grow in faith and community. Details and registration can be found by tapping the link below.
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS NEEDED - TURN AWAY NO LONGER
CURRENT NEEDS: TEEN BOYS: JOGGERS, SWEATPANTS AND JEANS, KIDS: ALL SIZES OF PANTS, LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS: CLOTHES IN GENERAL.
United Women in Faith have partnered with Turn Away No Longer, an Indiana nonprofit faith based organization. Turn Away No Longer’s mission is to positively impact the lives of children in the foster care system. They believe no child should feel “forgotten” or “unloved” and strive to show them the love of Jesus in every program they create. As part of this partnership, Fishers UMC has become a donation location to collect items for their Swag Packs. What are Swag Packs? When a child or teen enters foster care, they may not get the chance to pack up their belongings and often they have to leave home or school with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing. This is where Swag Packs can help. Each Swag Pack is age-specific, ranging from newborn to teens. Tap the link below to view their donation list for Swag Packs, all items must be NEW. Drop off items at Fishers UMC in the Turn Away No Longer Bin inside Door #1 by the Church office. You can find out more about Turn Away No Longer by visiting turnawaynolonger.org.
HELPING HANDS MINISTRIES
If you, or someone you know, are in need of minor lawn maintenance (weeding, weed eating, trimming bushes, etc.), a ride to an appointment or church, minor plumbing work, or minor home repairs (a light fixture, electrical socket, light switch, etc. being changed) email Pastor Ben at . If you’d like to add your name to the Helping Hands Ministry team, please let Ben know.
GIVE BACK WHILE YOU SHOP
Did you know Fishers UMC is part of rewards programs at Kroger? Kroger gives to Fire & Water student ministries through your purchases-at no additional cost to you! It's quick and easy to set up Fishers UMC as your charity of choice on your Kroger Plus card, tap the link below and enter our number of SN812.