november 4 - 11
***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship
STUDENT MINISTRIES
UPCOMING WEEK:
11/8 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.
11/11 Wednesday - FIRE & WATER Girls' Bible Study
Girls only Bible Study in the Pier from 6:30-7:45.
11/12 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) CONNECTING THROUGH GENEROSITY AND PRAYER
Be Connected to God’s Mission is the theme of our financial campaign to support our operating fund for 2027. Each week, we’ll share a special video and prayer to help us reflect on God’s mission and our role in it.
WEEK 1:
Being a generous financial giver is only one way God calls us to support his ministries. He also calls us to be his hands and feet to carry out these ministries. Please watch the video below to see how a group of pickle ball players were made aware of a ministry need and after discussing and praying about it felt this was something they were being called to get involved in. They don’t know where this might lead, but God does. Sometimes a calling comes to us in a way that we don’t expect. A calling can seem to be a small thing, or a big thing, but God will provide what is needed to fulfill your call. Your generous support with your time, talents and resources allows us as a church to live into our mission.
PRAYER: Inspired by John 3:16 - A Prayer for Wisdom
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish by have eternal life.”
Heavenly Father, we love because You first loved us. In response to Your faithful love, grant us eyes to see and ears to hear Your calling upon our lives in order that we might share in ministry by loving and serving others.
Father, we ask for wisdom because Your Word reminds us that You give it freely to be able to discern Your will and direction for our lives and calling. Open our imaginations to ways that we have never thought of to serve Your Church and Community.
When You say stay, we will stay. And when You say go, we will go. Grant us the strength and courage to take that first step all with thanksgiving and with great joy.
Through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
***(NEW) CELEBRATE THE JOY OF ADVENT!
//Wednesday, December 2, 6-8p, Dining Room//
The Christmas season is almost here, and there's no better way to prepare our hearts than by celebrating together!
Join Fishers UMC Family Ministries on Wednesday, December 2, from 6–8p in the Dining Room for a special evening of faith, fun and fellowship! We'll enjoy dinner together, share a meaningful Advent devotion, get creative with a festive craft and celebrate the season through music. It's a wonderful opportunity to slow down during the busy holiday season, connect with others and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Bring your family, invite a friend or neighbor, and join us as we prepare our hearts for the joy and hope of Christmas! All ages are welcome!
(NEW) KOINONIA: PRAYERS OF WAITING AND HOPE - TRUSTING THROUGH THE UNKNOWN
//Wednesday, November 25, 7a & 7p, Library//
The Advent Season emphasizes both expectation and preparation to renew our hope in Christ’s first coming and His eventual return at the Second Coming. Join us November 25th at 7:00a for morning praise, or at 7:00p for evening gratitude as we pray together Scripture based prayers of hope waiting with renewed strength and courage. Prayer for both times will be held in the library. Tap the link below to sign up to attend.
***THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings and an opportunity to share them with others! The Come To Me Food Pantry is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to help keep its shelves stocked and continue providing food to neighbors in need throughout Hamilton County.
As you're shopping for your own family, consider adding an extra item or two to your cart to help support a local family. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference! Grocery bags with suggested donation items will be available after both worship services on Sundays, November 8 and 15. You can also view the list of suggested items by tapping the link below.
Ready to drop off your donations? Bring your filled bags to the Food Pantry on Sunday, November 22, from 8:30a–12p. Simply drive up to the north door of the Pantry, where volunteers will be ready to unload your donations. You can also drop off items in the Food Pantry donation boxes inside Fishers UMC at Doors 1 & 4 on Sundays or weekdays from 9a–4p.
Together, let's turn our gratitude into generosity and help provide food and hope to neighbors in need throughout our community!
***CELEBRATE WORLD KINDNESS DAY
//Friday, November 13, 6p, Dining Room//
A little kindness can make a BIG difference! Join Fishers UMC Family Ministries on Friday, November 13, from 6-8p in the Dining Room for a fun, faith-filled evening celebrating the power of kindness!
We'll enjoy a light dinner, share a meaningful devotion and participate in fun, hands-on activities that inspire us to spread kindness and share God's love with others, both in our own community and around the world.
Whether you're young or young at heart, this evening is all about coming together, making connections and discovering how simple acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.
Bring your family, invite a friend or neighbor, and join us for an evening filled with food, fun and kindness! All ages are welcome.
***WONDERING ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?
Have you been attending Fishers UMC for a while but aren’t quite sure whether you’re officially a member or a regular attender? Or maybe you’ve wondered what membership at Fishers UMC actually means.
We’d love to help answer those questions! Lisa Ellcessor, our Assimilation Director, is available to help you better understand membership and answer questions such as:
What is my current membership status?
What does it mean to become a member?
What does membership look like at Fishers UMC?
If you’d like to learn more, tap the link below to connect with Lisa. There’s no pressure or expectation to become a member, we simply want to give you the opportunity to ask questions, clarify your current status and consider whether membership might be the right next step for you.
GUEST SERVICES VOLUNTEERS
We're looking to gather a wonderful harvest of Guest Services volunteers for 2027, and we'd love for YOU to be part of it!
Our Assimilation Director, Lisa Ellcessor, is looking for volunteers to serve in three important roles:
Greeters: Be the first friendly face people see as they arrive, offering a warm welcome and helping guests find their way.
Ushers: Help create a welcoming worship experience by assisting with seating, passing offering baskets and supporting the flow of the service.
Connection Central Volunteers: Help guests and members take their next steps by connecting them with ministries, missions and opportunities to grow in faith and fellowship.
We're hoping to fill 48 Usher positions and 32 Connection Central volunteer positions, along with additional Greeters to welcome everyone through our doors!
Ready to help us grow a culture of welcome? Tap the link below to sign up.
Lisa will help you find the perfect place to serve. You pick the role, and together we'll plant seeds of connection that can make a lasting difference!
KAFAKUMBA MINISTRIES UPDATE
//Sunday, November 8, 6:30p, Dining Room//
You are invited to join a conversation to learn more about the ministries at Kafakumba Ministries in Zambia. Our church has supported this ministry over 25 years. Some in our church family sponsor a student at the school or have contributed to the health clinic. Nate and Elinda Steury and Mark and Jamie Steury will be at Fishers UMC on Sunday, November 8th to share the exciting things happening. Meet in the Dining Room from 6:30-7:30p to learn more.
CHRISTMAS DRIVE - BROOKE'S PLACE
//Through November 15//
After the death of Rich Rockwood, Rich’s wife, Julie, and their daughter, Kathryn, turned to Brooke’s Place. Brooke’s Place has played a unique role in Julie and Kathryn’s life, not only serving as a primary support role in their grief, but as an opportunity to serve others enduring similar grief.
Brooke’s Place provides support groups, therapy services and education to empower children, teens, young adults, and their families to thrive in the midst of grief. This year, as a part of our Christmas outreach, we will be supporting Brooke’s Place Annual Holiday Store, where Brooke’s Place kids, teens & young adults will come pick out items to gift to their loved ones during the Holiday season.
The collection ends on November 15th. Tap the amazon link below to see the wish list and donate.
AMAZON WISHLIST
GRIEF SUPPORT
Grief can be difficult to navigate, and you don’t have to walk through it alone. Beginning Thursday, November 5, Julie Rockwood, Licensed Counselor, and Pastor Ben will lead a six-week study and support group for those grieving the death of a friend or family member.
Together, the group will read and discuss Beyond the Darkness by Clarissa Moll, creating space to share, reflect and find encouragement alongside others who understand the journey of grief.
The group will meet Thursdays from 6:30–7:30p in the Library. The cost of the book is $10, sign up to attend by tapping the link below.
If you have questions, please contact Pastor Ben at .
NEXT: DISCOVER YOUR PLACE TO SERVE & GROW
//Sunday, November 8, 10:30a, Fellowship Hall//
Wondering what’s NEXT and how you can get more involved at Fishers UMC? With more than 102 missions and ministries, there are plenty of opportunities to serve others, grow in your faith and find a place that fits you!
Join us for a fun and informative NEXT session on Sunday, November 8, from 10:30–11:30a as we explore the many ways people of all ages are serving and growing through Fishers UMC. We’ll meet in the Fellowship Hall, the red brick building across the parking lot from Door 3 and home to the Come To Me Food Pantry.
This isn’t about signing up for everything, it’s an opportunity to know what’s available so you can discover where you might want to take your next step. And yes, there will be prizes!
Whether you’re brand new to Fishers UMC or have been here for years, you’re invited to come learn more, sign up by tapping the link.
UPWARD BASKETBALL & CHEER
The court will soon be buzzing and the sidelines full of cheers: Upward Basketball & Cheer is back for another season at Fishers UMC!
Open to kids age 5 through 6th grade, Upward gives children the opportunity to get active, build their basketball or cheer skills, make new friends and have plenty of fun along the way. But the season is about more than the game. Through practices and competition, participants are encouraged to grow in confidence, teamwork and faith while learning more about God and His plan for their lives.
Registration is open now, with practices beginning in January 2027. Partial and full scholarships are available because we want every child who would like to participate to have the opportunity. Tap the link below to register!
Whether they're ready to hit the court or cheer from the sidelines, there's a place for them at Upward! Questions? Contact Penny Walker at .
HELPING HANDS MINISTRY
Sometimes we all need a helping hand and at Fishers UMC, there’s a community ready to step in and serve. Helping Hands is a ministry designed to connect members of our church family who have practical needs with those who are willing to help.
Right now, there are many ways to lend a hand, with needs ranging from yard work and moving furniture to repairs and projects at the Food Pantry and around the church. Take a look at the current list below and see if there’s a project that fits your skills and availability.
Current Needs at Fishers UMC
Remove fencing on the Northside of the dumpster area in preparation of building a large storage shed.
Ready to help? Tap the I Want To Help link.
Have a project you need help with? Tap the I Need Help link to submit a request to the Helping Hands team.
LEARN ABOUT HELPING HANDS
sign up to HELP
i need help
QUESTIONS?
PASTORS INTERCESSORY TEAM (P.I.T. CREW)
As we continue focusing on Being Connected this year, one of the most meaningful ways we live that out is by praying for our pastors. The P.I.T. Crew provides daily prayer support for Pastor Mark, Pastor Ben, and Pastor Troy, lifting them up as they lead and care for our church.
We’re looking for ten people each month to commit to praying daily from home, just a few minutes a day, on your own schedule. Quarter 4 sign-up link is available below so you can find a time that works best for you. Questions? Check out the FAQ about how the P.I.T. Crew works or reach out to John Hughes at
. Thank you for helping us stay connected through prayer!
ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ITEMS NEEDED - TURN AWAY NO LONGER
UPDATE: PLEASE ONLY NEW CLOTHING AND ITEMS
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.
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.