march 13 THROUGH march 20, 2024

***Denotes the announcement was highlighted during worship


STUDENT MINISTRIES

UPCOMING WEEK:

3/17 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.

3/21 Thursday - WATER Supermarket Sweeps
Weekly shopping trip for the Food Pantry from 4-5p. Drop off and pickup at the Pantry.

3/22 Friday - WATER 30 Hour Famine
They're ready to help those in need around the world, please support our students HERE.

The Summer WATER Mission Trip sign is almost full! Visit Here for more information and to sign up.


ALL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

(NEW) FISHERS UMC LIBRARY

The Fishers UMC church library is a precious place that is highly sought after for meetings, studies, and support groups. We have found over the last several years that books (outside of study materials) are rarely checked out or borrowed. As a result, we are proposing that we limit materials in the library to:
• Bibles, commentaries, and other study materials.
• Devotional books and small group curriculum.
• Comparative religion texts and faith-based non-fiction books.
As a result, we would remove:
• Fiction books.
• Non-fiction books or materials without religious context.
• Aged materials that require VHS or cassette or have clearly diminished value.
Freeing up this space would allow us to have:
• Space to display memento's celebrating our past and present ministries.
• Increased capacity for meetings, studies, and worship.
Congregation members would be able to browse and take any displaced books. The remaining books would be donated.
Before we move forward, we wanted to give congregation members a chance to provide input and insight regarding this proposal and to help determine the most effective use of this space. Please reach out to Mark Stebbe at by March 30, 2024 if you would like to discuss, have questions, or have anything to share.


(NEW) MONTHLY BOOK CLUB
//Tuesday, March 26, 7p, Room 280//

Join the Monthly Book Club in March as they read and discuss When the Hart Speaks by Janet Hart Leonard. In this personal memoir, Janet shares her moving story of pain, redemption, and how she found God—not in the fifth pew of the church—but in the mud and mire of hurt, rejection, and disappointments. If you’re struggling through life, Janet invites you into her own journey of faith. Through her inspirational stories, you can learn how to find hope when life looks nothing like you planned. Janet hails from Noblesville and we are thrilled to have her join us for our meeting this month! 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! We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 797-8612 or .


ENDOWMENT FUND SESSIONS

For the past several weeks we have been rolling out the new endowment program to our adult bible study classes. This endowment is an opportunity to fuel the ministry of our 150-year-old congregation for the next 150 years! There are two open sessions for anyone interested in learning more: Wednesday, March 13 in the library at 7:00p and Sunday, March 17 in the library at 11:00a. Please sign up to join either of these sessions by tapping the link below. If you have additional questions feel free to contact Mark Stebbe at and he will be happy to connect you with someone to answer your questions.

sign up to attend


***HOLY WEEK AT FISHERS UMC

We invite you to join us for Holy Week Worship:
Maundy Thursday 3/28
7p Worship with Communion
Good Friday 3/29
7p Worship
Easter Sunday 3/31
8:30 & 9:45a Traditional Worship
11:00a Contemporary Worship
No Sunday School

Childcare for 5 & under will be available for all worship services
Livestream Worship available on our Website & YouTube


EASTER FLOWERS - PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Every year we offer the purchase of flowers to Help decorate the Sanctuary for Easter. Did you know we purchase the flowers from our Preschool as a fundraiser? Every flower pot purchased helps give money back to our Preschool, and you get to take them home after worship on Easter! Flowers are $12.00 each and can be purchased in memory of or honor of loved ones. Order online by tapping the link below, please submit orders by March 24.

purchase flowers


FOOD PANTRY - CREW CAR WASH FUNDRAISER

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 March. Tap on the link below to purchase car washes and the Food Pantry keeps 50% of the proceeds. There are three options to choose from: Basic Wash $11, Basic Plus Wash $17 and Ultimate Was $22. Car washes also make a great gift for friends and family, all while supporting those in need.

PURCHASE CREW CAR WASHES


***MISSION OPPORTUNITY
//Saturday, March 23, 1-3p, Million Meal Headquarters//

Looking for a way to BE GOD’S LIGHT in March? Fishers UMC has committed to packing meals on Saturday, March 23 from 1-3pm at the Million Meal Headquarters--9250 Corporation Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46256. Please arrive a few minutes early to be ready to go at 1:00p. Packers need to be at least 5 years old, sign up by tapping the link below. If you would like to make a donation to help offset the cost of packing meals, please do so by tapping the designated link below. Our goal is to pack 10,000 meals at a cost of $5,000.

sign up to pack meals
donate to help offset costs


WHAT'S NEXT?
//Sunday, March 17, 9:45a, Room 273//

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 Sunday March 17, 2024, at 9:45am in room 273 upstairs. Sign up to attend by tapping the link.

sign up to attend what's next


***(UPDATE) SAVE THE DATE - 150 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
//Sunday, April 14//

Did you know Fishers UMC turns 150 this year? On Sunday, April 14 we will have a special Sunday to celebrate all we have accomplished in the past 150 years! Current and past Fishers UMC families are invited to attend a special all-church worship at 10am where will we learn about our past and celebrate our future with our new endowment fund. Please note: there will be no Sunday School on this day, childcare will be available during worship for those 5 & under.

After worship, we will go to the gym for an all-church meal together. Fishers UMC will provide all the food, but we are asking our Fishers UMC family to bring desserts. In order to make sure there is food enough for everyone, if you plan on attending the meal, please R.S.V.P. by tapping the link below or call the Church Office at 317-849-1805. Want to bring a dessert or help with tear down after the event? Just let us know on the same R.S.V.P. form. We look forward to celebrating with you!

rsvp to church meal


***30 HOUR FAMINE

WATER students (Sr. High) are participating in the 30 Hour Famine March 24th through 25th. During the 30 Hour Famine, they will be fasting and learning about global hunger. Every 15 seconds, a child under 5 dies—and nearly half of those deaths are from hunger-related causes. That’s why WATER Students are taking action now! They would love your support, you can sponsor them by tapping the link below, you can either give to them in general or select a student from the roster and sponsor them individually.

donate to 30 hour famine


MEN'S 2024 LENTEN BREAKFASTS

All Fishers men are invited to attend the 2024 Lenten Breakfast Series hosted by several Hamilton County Methodist Churches this year, including Fishers UMC. The theme this year is "Answering the call, when God has your number," and each Saturday morning breakfast includes good food, a speaker addressing the theme, and fellowship with other Methodist men in the county.
March 16 7:30a: First United Methodist Church of Sheridan, 207 E Second St., Sheridan
March 23 7:30a: Fishers UMC, 9691 E. 116th Street, Fishers
For the Westfield and Sheridan breakfasts, Fishers men can drive direct to the location or meet in the Fishers UMC north parking lot near Door 1 at 7:00a to car pool or take the church bus, if warranted. Since Fishers UMC is hosting the March 23 breakfast, volunteers will be needed to help set up, prepare food, and clean up. Possibly over 100 men will be in attendance. More information to come.


INTERGENERATIONAL MISSION TRIP

Everyone over the age of 8 is invited to be a part of the Intergenerational Mission Trip travelling to St. Louis June 23rd through June 28th and serve in the city Monday-Thursday that week. The team will be housed at The River @ Eureka, a UMC in Eureka--a St. Louis suburb. Serving days will be from approximately 9am to 3/3:30pm 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 $200/person. 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. There will be a fundraising lunch in April or May to help offset the cost, but we do not want anyone to miss the experience due to finances. To that end, financial aid is available. Please speak to Liz or one of the pastors about aid. Tap the link below to find out more and to sign up.

sign up for the mission trip


TURN AWAY NO LONGER - SWAG PACKS

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.

view packing slip for turn away no longer


ALTAR FLOWERS

Are you looking for a way to Be God's Light in 2024? You can honor or remember a loved one by sponsoring a flower bouquet on Sunday mornings! This is a great way to mark special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmation, and the memory of a loved one. You can choose to take your bouquets home after the 11:00 service or bless someone else by having the bouquets delivered by United Women in Faith to persons in our congregation and community. We have two bouquets each Sunday (except for communion Sundays). The donation is $30 per bouquet. Sign up by tapping the link below. You may sign up for one or two bouquets per Sunday, and also for more than one Sunday. This is a wonderful way to bring beauty to the sanctuary and to share your special life event with others.

SIGN UP FOR ALTAR FLOWERS


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.

sign up kroger