OCTOBER 8-15
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
10/12 Sunday - FIRE & WATER Sunday School Only
10/16 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4:00-5:00p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.
10/18 Saturday - FIRE & WATER Pumpkins Arrive
The next shipment of pumpkins arrive at 10:00a
The pumpkins are here and we would love your help selling those beautiful orange orbs. If you are able to help us sell pumpkins please sign up for a two hour shift by visiting HERE. More pumpkins arrive Sat. 10/18 at 10:00a, we'd really appreciate any help with unloading them.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
(NEW) WOMEN'S SMALL GROUP
//Beginning Monday, October 20, 1:00p, Room 203//
You are invited to join other women of Fishers UMC to put together your spiritual story and find ways to improve your spiritual life. This group gathering will be based on the book “Soul Design”, which is available for purchase for $5.00. The small group begins on Monday, October 20 thru December 15 at 1:00p in Room 203, enter Fishers UMC at Door 1 and head upstairs. Please contact Nancy Foust to let her know you are interested or have any questions. She is looking forward to seeing you!
***(NEW) FOOD FLORIST FUNDRAISER
//Wednesday, October 22, Back Parking Lot//
The Come to Me Food Pantry is hosting the Food Florist again (local Fishers business) on Wednesday, October 22 in the back parking lot of Fishers UMC near Door #4. The Food Florist will be there from 12:30-2p and 5-7p selling her delicious frozen prepared meals as a fundraiser for the Food Pantry. You do not need to pre order. Just show up during one of the time slots, pay, and leave with some delicious food! She accepts cash, check and cards. The trucks will be stocked full with the items. These are perfect meals for busy sports families, large gatherings, or just for two! Tap the link below to view the list of items available.
(UPDATE) PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS
The Pastors Intercessory Team (P.I.T. Crew) offers daily prayer support for Senior Pastor Mark Ellcessor, Associate Pastor Ben Greenbaum, and now the addition of Pastor Troy Richards who is currently serving at Bethlehem UMC (while also serving as Director of Sr. High Ministries at Fishers UMC). 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
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SIGN UP TO PRAY
LEARN MORE ABOUT PIT CREW
***COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
//Through October 26//
For several years, Fishers UMC has been sending Care Packages to our college students. We will once again be blessing them with gift cards from some of their favorite places. Donations are needed of $5 or $10 gift cards to places such as Target, Amazon, McDonalds, Door Dash, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts or Subway. Please bring Gift Cards to Connection Central by October 26. Or, if you would prefer, you can donate money online that will go towards purchasing gift cards. If you would like your college student to receive a gift card, please sign them up by tapping the link below. If you have any questions, please email Troy Richards or Liz Simmonds .
DONATE $ FOR GIFT CARDS
SIGN UP YOUR STUDENT
***PUMPKIN PARTY
//Friday, October 24, 6-7:30p, Patch//
You are invited to a fall evening full of fun and fellowship! Fishers UMC Family Ministries is hosting a Pumpkin Party on Friday, October 24, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Pumpkin Patch. We’ll start with a simple dinner, then move into pumpkin decorating (bring your own pumpkin or buy one from the patch). There will also be games for all ages, and plenty of time to laugh, connect, and enjoy being together as a church family. Everyone is welcome, so bring your family, invite a neighbor, and join us for a night of autumn fun at the Patch!
WHAT'S NEXT? MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES
//Sunday, November 2, 9:45a, Fellowship Hall//
NEXT is four, comfortable, fun and 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 Missions and Ministries - Sunday November 2, check in at 9:30a in the fellowship hall. Sign up to attend by tapping the link.
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, October 28, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in October as they read and discuss What If It’s True? By Charles Martin. Years ago, Charles Martin cracked open his Bible and began wrestling with a few fundamental questions: What if every single word of Scripture is absolutely true and I can trust it? How do I respond? Something in me should change, but what? How? This book is the result of that exploration. Martin brings key moments from the life and ministry of Jesus to life through his descriptive, novelistic words. Martin shares key moments from his own journey as a disciple. The result is an exploration of truth that will help you not just think differently but live differently. 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, with this month being on October 28 at 7:00p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
PUMPKIN PATCH
The Fire & Water Student Ministries Pumpkin Patch is officially open!
Monday - Friday: 12-8p
Saturday - Sunday: 10a-8p
The patch is a fundraiser to send Fishers UMC students on mission trips, and there are plenty of opportunities to help, because it is open the whole month of October! Shifts are just 2 hours, and anyone can join in, you don’t need to have a student in Fire & Water to make an impact. Tap the link below to sign up! Wondering what it's like to work at the patch? Check out the pumpkin patch instructional video by tapping the link.
volunteer at the patch
UPWARD BASKETBALL & CHEER
All children deserve opportunities to learn, be active, and have fun! Join us for a season of basketball and cheer where participants develop their skills as athletes and their understanding of God’s plan for their lives. We are partnering with the Pacers and Fever Jr. Hoops Program this year, so each player who registers will receive a complimentary ticket to a Pacers game, free registration for a skills camp, and some amazing resources to improve their league experience! Practices begin January 2026. Kids 5 years old to 6th grade can sign up now. Partial and full scholarships are available. Learn more and register by tapping the link.
register for upward
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
Does your child or grandchild love to sing, dance, or act? If so, the Children’s Musical is the perfect opportunity! This year, the children of Fishers UMC will present "Unplugged Christmas" on December 14, and we’d love for your child to be part of it. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 2:30-4:00p in the Sanctuary. The musical is open to all kids from Kindergarten through 6th grade—no experience required. Contact Penny Walker at with questions.
ALTAR FLOWER UPDATE
All altar flower sponsorship spots for 2025 have been filled, thank you! Because of your generosity, our Sanctuary will be beautifully decorated with flowers, reminding us of God’s creation and your love for others. Opportunities to sponsor flowers for 2026 will be available later this year.
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!
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.