FEBRUARY 4 - 11
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
2/8 Sunday - FIRE & WATER Sunday School Only
2/12 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4:00-5:00p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
***(NEW) BINGO = JOY + CONNECTION
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 through March 1. Thank you for being part of this special ministry! Questions? Contact Liz Simmonds, Director of Jr High Ministries at .
***(NEW) WHAT'S NEXT?
//Sunday, March 1, 10:30a, Library//
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, March 1 at 10:30a in the Library. Sign up to attend by tapping the link.
(NEW) MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, February 17, 7p, Room 280//
Due to winter weather, the January meeting was canceled, and has shifted the schedule forward by one month. Please note that February’s meeting will take place one week earlier than usual.
Join the Monthly Book Club in February 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 enjoy reading and are looking for a welcoming small-group setting with meaningful conversation and fellowship, this group is a wonderful place to connect. The Book Club typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, but for February only, they will meet on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
//Saturday, March 28, 1-3p, Million Meal Headquarters//
In Indiana alone, 1 million people - including 1 in 5 children - don't know where they'll get their next meal. Together, we can make sure they have one. Fishers UMC is partnering with Million Meal Movement on Saturday, March 28 from 1-3pm at the Million Meal Headquarters to pack meals to give to Indiana food pantries. Packers need to be at least 5 years old, sign up by tapping the link below.
Donations are also needed to help offset the cost of packing meals, even if you aren't packing meals, you can make a difference by donating to the cause! Meals cost $.50 each and a volunteer can pack 300+ meals in 2 hours. Our goal is to pack 10,000 meals at a cost of $5,000. Tap the link below to donate.
SIGN UP TO PACK MEALS
DONATE MONEY FOR MEALS
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
//Wednesday, February 18, 7p//
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent; a time of personal introspection as we seek to draw closer to Christ and build our faith leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. Join us for Ash Wednesday worship on Wednesday, February 18 at 7p in the Sanctuary.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE - BLOOD DRIVE
//Sunday, March 1, 8a-12p, Gym//
A single blood donation can be a lifeline for someone in need, including patients battling cancer or living with sickle cell disease. The need for blood is always great, and local hospitals rely on generous donors like you to meet that demand.
Fishers UMC will host a Versiti Blood Drive on Sunday, March 1, from 8:00a to 12:00p in the Gym. This is a simple, powerful way to make a real difference right here in our community. Donors are encouraged to sign up in advance using the link below, though walk-ins are also welcome. Thank you for sharing hope and helping save lives through your generosity.
***MID-WINTER PARTY
//Friday, February 13, 6p, Dining Room & Gym//
Beat the mid-winter blues and join us for a fun evening on Friday, February 13! From 6:00 to 7:30p, we’ll gather for a light dinner, games, an indoor snowball fight, snowcones, and more. This is a great chance for families, friends, and all ages to connect and enjoy a cheerful break from the cold. Mark your calendar and come warm up with some mid-winter fun—we hope to see you there!
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.
UPWARD HELP NEEDED
Upward Basketball is in 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 runs 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. To help with the concession stand, click the link below.
RINGERS NEEDED FOR BELL CHOIR
Do you love music and enjoy the bell choir? The Fishers Joy Ringers (bell choir) is about to start the new year and we need your help. If you have a love for music, we would love to have you join us, no experience needed! One of our "ringers" is moving and others are playing far too many bells. No problem if you don't read music, we will help you. We practice on Thursday evenings at 6p. Please contact Marilyn Bailey at for more information.
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!
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.
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
SUNDAY MORNING GUEST SERVICES VOLUNTEERS
Extending hospitality reflects our mission- to love as Christ loved us. Every connection begins with a welcome and every welcome leads to growth in faith and fellowship. Our Assimilation Director, Lisa Ellcessor, is looking for friendly volunteers to serve in 2026 for either of our Sunday morning services. Specifically, we are looking for Greeters, Ushers and Connection Central Volunteers. Greeters enhance hospitality with a welcome at the main entrances and allow for guided assistance. Ushers help with seating, passing offering baskets and supporting order during the service. Connection Central is a visible, welcoming hub at both main entrances. Guests are greeted by trained volunteers who focus on hospitality and next steps of faith. Our goal is connecting people to ministries, missions and each other. If you would like to be a Greeter, Usher or Connection Central Volunteer, tap the link to sign up.
sign up to volunteer
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.