NOVEMBER 20 through 27, 2024
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
11/24 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.
Spots are filling up quickly for the FIRE & WATER Winter Retreat. For more information and to grab your spot tap HERE.
ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
(NEW) THANK YOU FOR YOUR 2025 GIVING COMMITMENT
Thank you for your great support of our church for 2025 by your commitment of time, talent and money! The response was very strong as we all stepped up to continue to support the overall ministries of our church for the remainder of this year and on into 2025. If you have not yet had a chance to submit your commitment card you can fill out the card online at fishersumc.org/commitment, put it in the offering plate this coming Sunday, or drop it off in the church office. Please watch the video below if you were not able to attend service for Commitment Sunday.
***(NEW) HANGING OF THE GREENS
//Saturday, November 30, 10a-12p//
On Saturday, November 30 from 10a-12p we will be decorating the church for Christmas! As we prepare our hearts for celebrating the birth of Christ, we want our church home to reflect the joy of the season. Everyone is welcome: adults, kids, extraneous relations leftover from Thanksgiving, the more people we have, the more fun and faster the decorations get put up!
(NEW) LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP
//Wednesday, December 18, 7p//
Our Longest Night Worship Service is for anyone who has experienced a loss, not just in the past year, but throughout their life for which they are grieving. These losses can be very tangible ones, such as the loss of friends or family, but they can also be the loss of things like life goals, jobs, expectations, or things not turning out how we planned. While the holidays bring joy and happiness to many, for others, these different types of loss can seem more overwhelming and prevalent during this season. If you find yourself needing a time and space to grieve, take a breath, and remember God’s ever-present love, please come and share in this service.
(NEW) GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
//Through December 15//
Fishers UMC is partnering with Family Promise and Cumberland Road Elementary to provide Christmas presents for children and families in need. Now more than ever these Christmas gifts can shine the love of Jesus into these families' lives. View the wish list and sign up by tapping the link below. Details for each person (age, gender and family letter/number) can be found by clicking the arrow next to the requested item. Please bring wrapped gifts marked with the family letter/number to the drop off location located at the south lobby outside the Sanctuary (Connection Central) by December 15th. Please Note: We are still receiving wish list items from families, sign up will be updated regularly, please check back to see new items.
(NEW) CANDLELIGHT DESSERT
//Monday, December 9, 6:30p, Gym//
United Women in Faith invite all women of Fishers UMC, and guests, to their Christmas Candlelight Dessert on Monday, December 9 at 6:30p in the church gym. Desserts and beverages will be provided. Come enjoy music by the HSE Jazz Band and hear about two charities, Random Acts of Flowers and Turn Away No Longer. Donations of flower vases and new toys will be collected. Sign up to attend the Candlelight Dessert by tapping the link below.
(NEW) TOY DRIVE FOR TURN AWAY NO LONGER
//Through December 13//
United Women in Faith are partners 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. TANL is having a toy drive through December 13th, there is a special collection box inside Door #1 to donate new toys for foster children.
(NEW) ALTAR FLOWERS
We want to thank each individual and family who supported the Fishers UMC flower ministry in 2024. Solely through the generosity of over 30 donors, we celebrated and remembered over 50 loved ones by enjoying flower bouquets on the altar every Sunday. The ladies of Fishers United Women in Faith delivered over 45 bouquets to church members and friends in need of encouragement. This ministry truly exemplifies the spirit of ‘Be God's Light.’ Please look for the opportunity to join this ministry in 2025.
INTERGENERATIONAL ADVENT NIGHTS
Join us on Wednesdays in December for fun, interactive, family friendly Advent events. Dinner will be served each evening followed by family friendly programming. We will be making a fun Advent wreath, completing a service project and fellowshipping together as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. These evenings are open to everyone and a great way to spread Christmas cheer. Wednesday December 4, 11 & 18 from 6-7:30p in the Dining Room.
***CHRISTMAS CONCERT
//Sunday, December 8, 8:30 & 9:45a//
On Sunday, December 8th, at the 8:30 and 9:45a services, the Chancel Choir, along with special musical guests, will present a Christmas Concert celebrating Jesus as "The Lion and the Lamb." Join us as we worship our newborn King, who will one day be crowned Ruler of all.
***CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
//Sunday, December 8, 11a//
Children of Fishers UMC have been hard at work preparing for this year's Children's Christmas Musical, The Perfect Gift. Come see the performance on Sunday, December 8 at 11a in the Sanctuary. Discover through magnificent songs, hilarious humor, and a touching story that Jesus was “The Perfect Gift” from God to the world and the best gift we can give to Jesus is our hearts.
CHATTING ABOUT RETIREMENT
//Tuesday, December 3, 7p, Fishers UMC Library//
You are invited to discuss retirement related questions on Tuesday, December 3 at 7p in the church Library. This group includes those that are nearing retirement and have questions or concerns over what retirement will look like. Others are in retirement or have experience working with retirees on planning for retirement. This is a relaxed get together where they primarily discuss questions and concerns which generally revolve around five critical areas of retirement planning: taxes and income in retirement, medical expenses, legacy considerations and investment planning. Please sign up if you are planning to attend using the link below.
SIGN UP FOR CHATTING ABOUT RETIREMENT
HAMILTON TRACE BLANKET DRIVE
//Through December 1//
Help warm a heart this Christmas by providing a blanket for the residents at Hamilton Trace Assisted Living. Blankets, throws and lap robes of all kinds will be given to residents to make sure they feel the love of Christ this Christmas. Purchased or handmade items may be brought to Connection Central outside the Sanctuary or the Church Office through December 1st.
CONFIRMATION 2025
Confirmation is coming in January! Open to students in grades 6 and over who have not been confirmed and who would like to take this next faith step. Confirmation offers young people the opportunity to learn more about what it means to live a life following Christ and take the step of confirming the vows made on their behalf at their baptism. Learn more, view calendar and sign up by tapping the links below. Questions? Contact Liz Simmonds .
GIFT WRAPPERS NEEDED
Spread Christmas cheer to preschool parents & Fishers UMC staff by wrapping holiday gifts for them. Share your skills & reduce the stress for others. Bring a pair of scissors. Wrapping will occur Monday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 10 from 9:30a to 1:30p on both days. Your help is welcome for whatever time you can provide. Please sign up to help by tapping the link below.
THIRD GRADE BIBLES
December 8th at the 11:00a worship service we will be presenting all 3rd graders with a bible. If you have a 3rd grader in your life and would like them to receive one, please contact Penny Walker at .
TURKEYS AND PIES FOR GOOD NEWS MISSION
As in years past, Milt Yakey is coordinating Thanksgiving turkeys and desserts for the Good News Mission in downtown Indianapolis. If you’d like to donate a turkey to be cooked, please deliver it to the church before Monday, November 25. If you’d like to cook a turkey and bring it hot and ready for Milt to deliver, please have it to the church on Thursday, November 28 by 1pm, enter Door 6. Milt will also need volunteers to help cook the turkeys on Thursday, November 28 beginning at 8am. Desserts and pies are also needed, those can be dropped off the week of Thanksgiving. For questions or to help, please contact Milt at 317-294-0416.
***THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE - FOOD PANTRY
The Come To Me Food Pantry is having their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to help those in need in Hamilton County. We will be distributing grocery bags with suggested items on November 10th and 17th after each worship service. The list can also be found by tapping the link.
Please bring your filled bags to the Food Pantry Sunday, November 24th from 11a-1p. Simply drive by the north door of the pantry and we will have staff available to unload donations. Or you can place donations in the Food Pantry Donation boxes located inside Doors #1 and #4 at Fishers UMC.
CREW CAR WASH FUNDRAISER - FOOD PANTRY
//Begins November 1//
You can help over 16,000 hungry citizens of Hamilton County by getting your car washed! The Come To Me Food Pantry is partnering with Crew Car Wash as a fundraiser in the month of November. Beginning Friday, November 1, tap on the link to purchase car washes and the Food Pantry keeps 50% of the proceeds. There are three options to choose from: Basic Wash $12, Basic Plus Wash $18 and Ultimate Wash $24. Car washes also make a great stocking stuffers for friends and family, all while supporting those in need.
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, November 26, 7p, Room 280//
Join the Monthly Book Club in November as they read and discuss The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. Lisa Wingate brings to life stories from actual "Lost Friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold off. This is the story of three young women (Hannie, Lavinia, and Juneau Jane) on a journey in search of family amidst the destruction of the post-Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher (Benedetta) who rediscovers their story and its connection to her own students' lives. 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 they will meet on November 26 at 7p in Room 280. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
//Friday, November 22, 6-7:30p, Dining Room//
Join us November 22 from 6-7:30p for a Family Movie night in the Dining Room. All ages are welcome to join us for snacks, crafts and to watch 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'. This will be a fun way to kick off your families Thanksgiving celebrations.
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS NEEDED - TURN AWAY NO LONGER
Update: Turn Away No Longer is currently in need of: Toys (any age) for the Christmas Angel Toy Drive and Young men's size clothing and shoes
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.