april 22-29
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
4/26 Sunday - FIRE & WATER Sunday Night
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.
4/30 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4:00-5:00p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.
5/2 Saturday - FIRE BINGO at Hamilton Trace
Jr. High students are invited to play BINGO with the residents of Hamilton Trace from 10-11a. Drop off and pickup at Hamilton Trace. Students are invited to come to church after to prepare communion for Sunday.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
***(NEW) TEN DAYS OF PRAISE: A SEASON OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP
//May 14-24//
Between Ascension Day (May 14) and Pentecost (May 24), you’re invited to join Christians around the world in a meaningful season of prayer and praise.
At Fishers UMC, we’ll be using a guided resource from WayMakers, written by Steve Hawthorne, to walk through Ten Days of Praise, a time to reflect on all that Jesus has done and prepare our hearts for Pentecost. This resource is both encouraging and challenging, helping us grow deeper in faith and unity.
Below you will find links to a vision overview and the Ten Days of Praise guide for you to follow along. There are also hard copies of the Ten Days of Praise guide in Connection Central. We hope you’ll take part in this special time of prayer with us! Questions? Contact John Hughes at .
***(NEW) CHATTING ABOUT RETIREMENT
//Tuesday, May 12, 7p, Library//
Please consider joining Chatting About Retirement on May 12 at 7p in the Library. This group is for couples or individuals nearing retirement or in retirement where we discuss various topics, questions and concerns about preparing for or living in retirement. This includes all aspects of retirement from financial topics to what you do every day. Bring your questions or just come and listen. Very relaxed discussion and sharing of ideas and experiences from the group. This group is led by Greg Arnott and Scott Gamble. Please let us know you are coming by tapping the link below to sign up.
***(NEW) NEXT - GOD'S STORY AND ME
//Sunday, May 17, 10:30a, Library//
NEXT is four, comfortable, fun and welcoming sessions for folks who want to be connected more with God and Fishers UMC. NEXT helps you find out what’s next in your faith walk and how you can enjoy meaningful participation at Fishers UMC. A different NEXT opportunity is offered each month for the total of four months. Sessions are facilitated by our Assimilation Director, Lisa Ellcessor. You don’t want to miss our upcoming NEXT opportunity called "God’s Story and Me." This is a favorite session because of the depth and real testimonies of faith. Plus, each participant will receive a Story Arc Cube that helps them share faith in a unique way. God’s Story and Me will be on Sunday May 17 at 10:30a in the Library. All are welcome. Sign up to attend by tapping the link.
KOINONIA - PRAYER OPPORTUNITY
//Wednesday, April 22, 7a & 7p, Sanctuary//
To support our 2026 Be Connected mission, we’re offering a prayer opportunity called Koinonia, defined as a deep, communal partnership of believers.
We had a meaningful first gathering in March, and we’re excited to continue building on that time together. Join us in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, April 22nd for two opportunities to come together in prayer for our church and community. We’ll gather at 7:00a for morning prayer and praise, and again at 7:00p for evening prayer and gratitude for the day.
This rhythm will continue on the fourth Wednesday of each month, and you’re invited to attend one or both Koinonia sessions.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact John Hughes at .
CAN YOU LIFT 25+ BOXES AT 8AM?
The Come To Me Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to pick up donations from Cumberland Road Kroger on Mondays or Thursdays at 8am and stock the pantry. Some days bring 25+ banana boxes of bread and dairy for families in our community. It is an incredible resource, but help is needed getting it from the store to the pantry. Serve once a month, or every week. Email Karyn Mitchel: .
NIGHT WITHOUT A BED FUNDRAISER
//Through May 2//
Update: Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, every dollar given will be matched, up to $2,000, doubling the impact of each gift. That means our new goal is to raise $2,000, which could turn into $4,000 to help families rebuild their lives.
Imagine facing a night without a bed. For many families in our community, this is a real and urgent need. Night Without a Bed is Family Promise’s primary fundraiser, supporting their Apartment Shelter Program, where families are welcomed into safe, fully furnished apartments for up to 90 days while they work with a Case Manager to overcome the challenges that led to homelessness.
We’re proud that Fishers UMC has been part of this mission since 1994 and a founding member supporting Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis! Tap the link below to donate through May 2nd.
Also, you’ll find a link below to Family Promise’s new Facebook page (their previous one was shut down). Tap to follow, stay updated, and show your support!
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, April 28, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in April as they read and discuss The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox. When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother's estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James, a homeless man, finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. He knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he's ever loved. In this dual-timeline story, truth takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go. 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, if you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
//Friday, April 24, 6-7:30p, Dining Room//
Come celebrate the beauty of God’s creation and what it means to Be Connected: to Him, to one another, and to the world around us! Enjoy a light dinner, a meaningful devotion, and hands-on Earth Day activities for all ages. No need to RSVP, just bring your family, invite a friend, and join us for a fun and faith-filled evening as we care for the world God has made! Questions? Contact Liz Simmonds at .
PASTORS INTERCESSORY TEAM (P.I.T. CREW)
As we continue focusing on Being Connected this year, one of the most meaningful ways we live that out is by praying for our pastors. The P.I.T. Crew provides daily prayer support for Pastor Mark, Pastor Ben, and Pastor Troy, lifting them up as they lead and care for our church.
There are still several openings for second quarter (May & June) If you’ve been considering joining, this is a great time to step in!
We’re looking for ten people each month to commit to praying daily from home, just a few minutes a day, on your own schedule. Quarterly sign-up links are available below so you can find a time that works best for you. Questions? Check out the FAQ about how the P.I.T. Crew works or reach out to John Hughes at
. Thank you for helping us stay connected through prayer!
2026 ALTAR FLOWERS
Only 8 bouquets remain to be sponsored for 2026! Can you help us finish filling them?
You can honor or remember someone you love by sponsoring a Sunday morning flower bouquet! It’s a simple, beautiful way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, baptism, confirmation, or to hold the memory of someone close to your heart. After the 10:30a worship service, you’re welcome to take your bouquet home or, if you’d like to spread a little extra kindness, the United Women in Faith can deliver it to someone in our church or community who could use a smile.
Each bouquet is a $37 donation, you can sponsor one or both, and you’re welcome to choose more than one date. Tap the link below to sign up and help fill our sanctuary with beauty and love. This is such a meaningful way to share your joy and your heart with others.
INTERGENERATIONAL MISSION TRIP
Everyone over the age of 10 is invited to be a part of the Intergenerational Mission Trip travelling to Louisville, KY June 21 through 26 and serve there Monday-Thursday that week. Serving days will be from approximately 9a to 3/3:30p with a packed lunch onsite. Our evenings will have some free time, dinner together, a few adventures, and an evening time of vespers. Cost is $300/person with a family max of $1,000. The church & student ministries are covering part of the cost of the trip in an effort to bring the cost down and encourage greater participation. Please speak to Liz Simmonds or one of the pastors about aid. To see all the fun you will have, check out the link below to view pictures from last year’s trip, and when you are ready to sign up, tap the link below.
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS NEEDED - TURN AWAY NO LONGER
UPDATE: PLEASE ONLY NEW CLOTHING AND ITEMS
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.