august 20-27
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
8/24 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.
8/28 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4-5p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.
Reminder: there is no Sunday School or Sunday night activities on August 31st due to the holiday weekend.
Registration is open for FIRE & WATER's Fall Retreat! Get more information HERE.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
(NEW) FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
//Begins Wednesday, September 17, 6:30p, Room 203//
According to a study by the Ramsey Solutions research team, 40% of Americans say their financial situation has caused them to lose sleep in the past month. If that's you, it's time to make a change. Take the first step and take back control of your finances by signing up for our Financial Peace University class. Class (and better sleep) starts on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6:30p in Room 203. Ready? Let's do this. If you have any questions, please email Greg Arnott at . If you would like to see a 10 minute video summary of what the class is about please tap below.
REGISTER FOR FINANCIAL PEACE
WATCH VIDEO
(NEW) FISHERS UMC BOWLING LEAGUE
Fishers UMC Bowling League begins a new season on September 15th at Bowl 32 in Noblesville at 7p. Bowling takes place every Monday night at 7p with 3 games per session. The league will have at least 4 teams, and participation is open to men and women of all ages and skill levels. Cost is $15 per session. Cash prizes are awarded at the end of the season, along with weekly competition for the Kim Brown travelling trophy! Contact Dick Bailey to register at 317-459-3003, either phone or text.
***BINGO PRIZE DRIVE
//Through September 7//
Fishers UMC 5th through 8th grade students serve monthly at Hamilton Trace Assisted Living playing BINGO with residents. BINGO helps residents with their cognitive function, promotes social interaction, provides a sense of community between them and our students, and they LOVE getting prizes. You can help support this ministry by donating prizes with two easy ways to donate. Tap the links below to see the Amazon wishlist or donate money to go towards the purchase of prizes. Thank you for supporting this ministry! Questions? Contact Liz Simmonds, Director of Jr High Ministries at .
VIEW AMAZON WISH LIST
DONATE MONEY FOR BINGO PRIZES
***PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS
The Pastors Intercessory Team (P.I.T. Crew) offers 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. Ten intercessors are needed each month to pray 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. There are openings through the end of the year, 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 PIT CREW
***GRIEF SUPPORT
//Thursday, September 4, 6:30p, Fishers UMC Library//
On Thursday, September 4th, Julie Rockwood (Licensed Counselor) and Rev. Dr. Ben Greenbaum will co-lead an eight-week study/support group for those wrestling with grief. Read and discuss Clarissa Moll’s book, Beyond the Darkness on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 7:30p in the library. The cost of the book is $15; scholarships are available for anyone in need. If you have any questions, please email Ben at . Sign up to by tapping the link below.
FOOD PANTRY FUNDRAISER - MEIJER SIMPLY GIVE
//Through September 10//
The Come To Me Food Pantry has another opportunity to participate in the Simply Give hunger relief program through Meijer. When the Food Pantry purchases $10 gift cards from Meijer, they will receive bonus money, making their gift cards worth $30. The pantry uses these gift cards to then purchase food to stock the pantry. You can donate money so the Food Pantry can purchase these Simply Give gift cards the following ways:
-Put cash in the offering plate marking it for Simply Give
-Put check in the offering plate made out to Fishers UMC with Simply Give in memo line
-Give online by tapping the link below
-Please donate by Wednesday, September 10
SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 7
Our annual Dan's Fish Fry is coming up soon on Tuesday, October 7. Please reserve the date and be thinking about where you would like to serve. Many hands are needed to make this another successful evening. Ticket information and signups will be coming soon.
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, August 26, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in August as we read and discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah. Twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath’s world is changing. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America. 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 August 26 at 7:00p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
NEXT - TABLE TALKS
//Sunday, August 24, 9:45a, Gym//
You are invited to attend NEXT Table Talks on Sunday, August 24. Table Talks is created for anyone who wants to become familiar with activities and opportunities at Fishers UMC. It is part of NEXT, 4 sessions designed to help discover who we are, what we do and how to enjoy meaningful participation at Fishers UMC. It is also a great way to meet new friends! As a NEXT Table Talks attender, you pick a table with topics that pique your curiosity, and the presenter talks with you for a short time (6 minutes). Then you are off to another table for another interesting topic of your choice. Prizes and laughter are involved too! You will be blessed to learn how to discover and develop new passions and ministries with others here at the church. Table Talks is on Sunday, August 24, Check-In is 9:30a, Session is 9:45-10:45a, in the Gym. Sign up by tapping the link below.
WOMEN'S RETREAT
//Saturday, September 13, 9a-3p, Fishers UMC//
Hey Ladies and your friends! We would love for you to sign up to attend the United Women In Faith - Women’s Retreat on September 13, 2025 at Fishers United Methodist Church from 9a-3p. Our speaker will be Martha Fritz-Langer and will help us all - Harvest our story. Cost is $20 which includes lunch and one of her books. Space is limited. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Foust at
or Abby Mucha at
.
sign up for women's retreat
MEN'S STUDY
This August, Pastor Ben will be leading a men’s study through Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert’s book, What Is the Mission of the Church? It will challenge your understanding and deepen your relationship with Christ; the book is not a difficult read, but it is not short. The study will last ten weeks and will be offered on both Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The cost of the book is $15; scholarships are available to anyone in need. The study begins Wednesday August 20th (6:30pm to 7:30pm) or Thursday August 21st (9:30am to 10:30am). If you have any questions, contact Pastor Ben at
Tap the link to sign up.
COMMUNION STEWARDS NEEDED
After three years of serving, Tiffany and Lincoln Frash, our Communion Stewards, are ready to pass the torch. We are looking for multiple individuals to step into this serving role, making it easier to manage and a lesser time commitment. Each month, Communion Stewards prepare the elements for Holy Communion for all three worship services and between services replenishes the elements. This role does not include finding communion servers. Please prayerfully consider if this is a way you can serve our church, and contact Jennifer Pugh at or 317-849-1805. Thank you in advance and thank you to Tiffany and Lincoln for being such a blessing to our church family!
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!
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!
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.