January 7 - January 14
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
1/11 Sunday - FIRE & WATER Prayer Night
Being the end of Winter Break and some people are travelling we will be having a game night tonight. Come hang out and have fun. Doors open with a free meal at 5:30p, then at 6:00 the fun begins. We play until 8:30.
1/15 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4:00-5:00p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.
1/17-1/19 - FIRE & WATER Winter Retreat
Registration for the FIRE & WATER Winter Retreat closes 1/4. Find out more and sign up.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
UPWARD BASKETBALL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Upward Basketball is in urgent need of referees, concession stand help and people willing to walk around and greet/welcome people to the church. These commitments are 2-hour shifts on Saturday mornings. The Upward season is from Jan 24 to March 16 and volunteers are needed from 8am-2pm, (referees are not needed until 9am). Contact Katherine Pittman at
to volunteer as a referee or greeter. Visit the link below to help with the concession stand.
***(NEW) SOUPER BOWL
//Through February 8//
Soup is one of the biggest needs for The Come To Me Food Pantry. From now through Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, they are collecting soups of all kinds. While Tomato and Chicken Noodle soup are always appreciated, every type of soup is needed. Please bring donations to the Food Pantry collection bins inside Doors 1 or 4 or to Connection Central outside the Sanctuary. Let’s turn the Super Bowl into a SOUPER win for our neighbors in need!
***(NEW) HAMILTON COUNTY KIDS COATS DRIVE
//Through February 1//
Fishers UMC is partnering with Hamilton County Kids Coats to help keep children and families in our community warm this winter. This organization provides coats and cold-weather gear to children in need within the HSE School System and surrounding district. We are collecting clean, new, or gently used, coats in sizes infant through adult, as well as hats, gloves, mittens, boots, and snow pants. Donations may be placed in the collection boxes located in Connection Central through February 1. To learn more about Kids Coats of Hamilton County, visit their website. Thank you for helping share warmth and care with our neighbors this winter!
(NEW) MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, January 27, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in January as they read and discuss Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde. 12-year-old Trevor accepts his social studies teacher’s challenge: come up with a plan to change the world. His idea is simple: Do a good deed for three people and ask them to “pay it forward” to three others in need. He envisions a vast movement of kindness and goodwill spreading beyond his small California town and across the world. The project, however, appears to falter. Ultimately, though, unusual things start to happen. Crime rates dip across the nation, and nobody seems to know why. Then a journalist tracks down the source: an epidemic of random acts of kindness. 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! They meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month, this month January 27 at 7:00p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
2026 ALTAR FLOWERS
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.
We have two bouquets available each Sunday (except communion Sundays), and each one is a $37 donation. You can sponsor one or both, and you’re welcome to choose more than one date. We even have openings all the way through 2026! 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.
BE CONNECTED RESOURCES
Beginning Sunday, January 4, we will be kicking off our year long theme of Be Connected. Our study in 2026 will be on the New Testament books that focus on books related to the Apostle John. Starting Monday, January 5, there will be a weekly podcast and a daily guide filled with scripture and devotions which are written by several people from the congregation. The weekly guide with all the readings and links for the week will be emailed on Mondays, sent through the Fishers UMC App, can be found on the website or there are hard copies available in Connection Central.
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Women of all ages are invited to take part in an 8 week study of Ruth beginning January 12, 2026 on Mondays at 1:00p in the Library (Enter Door 3). Ruth’s story confirms that there is hope for all of us found on the power and Protection of God, who always is watching out for us. The study will use the book “Ruth, loss, love & legacy” by Kelly Minter. We'd love for you to join us and feel free to bring a friend! If your interested or have any questions, please contact, Nancy Foust at .
WHAT'S NEXT?
//Sunday, January 25, 9:00a, Bunny Room//
NEXT is four welcoming sessions for adults who want to connect more with God and Fishers UMC as we explore the Bible, our beliefs, God’s story, missions and ministries. NEXT helps you find out who we are, what we do and how you can enjoy meaningful participation at Fishers UMC. A different NEXT opportunity is offered each month for the total of four months and is a precursor to Membership Class. Sessions are facilitated by our Assimilation Director, Lisa Ellcessor. Our upcoming NEXT opportunity is "Word" and is on Sunday, January 25 at 9:00a in the bunny classroom which is located in the Preschool hallway, near the nursery. Sign up to attend by tapping the link.
JOIN THE PASTORS INTERCESSORY TEAM (P.I.T. CREW)
As we step into a year focused on Being Connected, one of the most meaningful ways we can stay connected as a church family is by praying for our pastors. The P.I.T. Crew offers daily prayer support for Pastor Mark, Pastor Ben, and Pastor Troy. These leaders pour so much into our church, and your consistent prayers help strengthen and encourage them as they guide us in ministry.
We’re looking for ten people each month who will 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 choose a time that works best for you. You’ll also find a link with more details and a short FAQ about how the P.I.T. Crew works. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to John Hughes at . Thank you for helping us stay connected through prayer!
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS NEEDED - TURN AWAY NO LONGER
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.