November 2018
November 8
Fifty Plus
11:30am, Dining Room November 10 United Methodist Men 8:00am, Dining Room November 11 5/6th Grade Ministries 4:00pm, Dining Room November 27 Monthly Book Club Fishers Elementary collected 1,170 pounds of food for the pantry. Thank You!
When was the last t i m e y o u intentionally stood still? It’s one of the Bible’s constant reminders for we who are too busy: Be Still. Make time this morning for Jesus. Psalm 46:10 #VerseOfThe Day
Thanks to everyone that participated in the Habitat For Humanity Build! For those that were there: What was your favorite part of the day?
7:00pm, Library November 30 5th Friday for 5/6 Grade 6:30pm, Family Life Center
COMING IN DECEMBER December 3 UMW Candlelight Dessert December 9 Christmas Cantata December 11 Blue Christmas
CANNED YAMS, BOXED STUFFING, GRAVY, BEEF OR CHICKEN BROTH, BOXED POTATOES Donations may be dropped off in the pantry boxes located inside Doors 1 & 4 or at the Food Pantry on Wednesdays between 9:30am and 7:00pm
December 24 Christmas Eve Worship
A M ESSAGE F ROM T HE P ASTOR I met a man not long ago. I’ll call him “Jim.” He came into the office and said he just wanted to introduce himself to the pastor. “Jim” is not a member of the church and probably has never worshipped with us at Fishers United Methodist Church but I’m guessing he has been a fairly regular visitor to other churches and public offices around town, coming by to say hello and visit with the office staff and anyone who will take a minute to talk with him. From the body language and the apologetic tone of the staff person who told me there was a man who wanted to meet me I could tell that Jim has visited before and his visits were a little too regular and time consuming. From our brief meeting in the outer office it was clear that “Jim” has plenty of free time and that likes to visit and share stories about the Bible, his neighbors, the world, and just about anything else. I listened as he shared “today’s story” and visited with him for a few minutes and then, [as I held the office door open and offered him my hand to shake his] told him it was good to meet him and thanked him for coming in and that we might share a cup of coffee “one day.” He went on his way and I went back into my office to get back to whatever it was that was so important that I was doing when he came in…… Even though “Jim” is out the door and on his way to visit with someone else he is still here with me. I have replayed our conversation and my internal response to being “interrupted” by “Jim.” And I am not entirely comfortable
with my “handling” of my new friend “Jim.” I don’t think I was anything but friendly and warm to him [as are the office staff to all who come in] and that I treated him with apparent respect. But “inside” I saw him as much as a challenge – an interruption to my schedule to be dealt with as I saw him as a person to be valued. He didn’t come asking for help – he didn’t want money for rent, groceries, or a gas card. He didn’t come with a problem for which he needed counsel. He didn’t want anything…or did he? As I sit here at my desk and replay my visit with “Jim” it occurs to me that maybe he did come in asking for something – and that’s OK. I think he was asking for exactly what we all ask for: He was asking to be acknowledged. He wanted to be valued and affirmed as a person. He wanted someone to “see” him and to know that someone knew he was there. He wanted to mat ter to someone. How could I give “Jim” what he wanted and needed? A food voucher or gas card wouldn’t cut it or I would have done it – that would have been easier. What I needed to give him was just what I did not want to give him - a little bit of my time and focused attention. A few weeks ago I preached a message titled “I Stand Near the Door.” The scripture that day told of people wanting to meet Jesus. They approached Andrew who was the one who took them to Jesus and opened the “door” for them. Why did they come
to Andrew instead of one of the others of Jesus’ disciples? Maybe it was because Andrew looked like he could actually See them and would help them. Now back to Jim… Most of us have met our own “Jims” along the way. How have we dealt with them? Do we really “see” them as people seeking affirmation or are they more often “interruptions” to our schedules? God, give me Your eyes to see so the next time I meet a “Jim” I can see him for who he is – one of your precious children. Amen. For The Matters, Kevin
Only
FOR THE CAUSE MATTERS,
Cause
That
ONLY THAT
Pastor Kevin
*Last year the Come to Me Food Pantry served 2,661 families (11,381 Individuals).
*Each family received 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners along with snacks and personal care items. *The Pantry distributed 198,027 pounds of food; 97,000 pounds of it was donated and $100,000 was used to purchase the rest of what we needed.
At this time of year we think of those who are less fortunate and live with constant hunger. We will be handing out bags and lists of requested food on Sunday November 4th and Sunday November 11th at all of the services. Please fill them and bring them to the altar on Sunday November 18th. Thank you! Linda Williams
A DULT O PPORTUNITIES UNITED METHODIST MEN The congregation has been blessed to have Dave Nelson join the staff as a valuable asset in maintaining and improving facilities. But Dave has many other abilities and interests. At the November Fishers UMM breakfast we will have an opportunity to learn more about Dave as he relates the tale of the SS Eastland shipping disaster, which he has studied extensively. The Eastland event is the most deadly shipwreck in Great Lakes history and took more passenger lives than the Titanic or Lusitania. Saturday, November 10, 2018, 8:00 AM in the Dining Room. A hot breakfast will be served. All men of the congregation are invited.
FIFTY PLUS Please join Fifty Plus in the Church dining room on Thursday November 8 at 11:30am for lunch, learning and fellowship. We’ll enjoy another fabulous luncheon, and then professional Storyteller Bob Shimer will share a new, original program titled “Things that Go Bump In the Night.” This trilogy of “gentle ghost stories” is sure to be entertaining; you won’t want to miss it! Bob will also bring a few pieces of his artwork to display. No reservations are necessary; just come and bring a friend! Please contact jenni debaun at 317.849.1805 or
[email protected] if you have any questions.
MONTHLY BOOK CLUB Join the Monthly Book Club in November as they read and discuss Growin’ Up White by Dwight Ritter. A white boy grows up in a black neighborhood of Indianapolis during the racially tumultuous 1950s. Growin' Up White is the story of the Stoner family, told from the perspective of middle child Rick Stoner. Set during the start and peak of the American civil rights movement in Indianapolis, the story revolves around Rick's coming-of-age— making friends, experiencing first love, and looking racism in the face—in a mostly black neighborhood. 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 each month in the Library at 7:00pm. This month they are meeting on November 27. If you are interested or need more information, contact Kim Arnott at 317-797-8612 or
[email protected].
S TUDENT M INISTRIES DID YOU KNOW FIRE & WATER STUDENTS SUPPORT COMPASSION CHILDREN? Many years ago a student in our ministry asked if we would be able to support a child through Compassion. After praying and talking together as a group, students decided they would like to help students their own age, just like them, overseas. We have graduated a few Compassion students since then and are now sponsoring two high schoolers, Samuel and Novita. Every penny that our students give in offering (plus money raised from events like the dunk tank at the Back 2 School Bash) goes to support these Compassion children. Our students also give support by writing Samuel and Novita letters, who write us back and we share their letters with the group on Sunday nights. Thank you for providing so much support to FIRE & WATER Student Ministries that they are able to support others, living out their faith just like the church in Corinth in II Corinthians 9. Thank you for all you do for students!
NOVEMBER FOR FIRE & WATER STUDENT MINISTRIES
F.I.R.E. (JUNIOR HIGH)
W.A.T.E.R (SENIOR HIGH)
November 1 November 4 November 11 November 15 November 16 November 18 November 25
November 1 November 4 November 7 November 8 November 11 November 15 November 16 November 18 November 25
Pumpkin Patch Tear Down @ 4:00 pm Sunday School, Refinery, After Hours Sunday School, Refinery, After Hours Bingo at Hamilton Trace @ 3:15 pm Fire & Water Night Out @ 7:00 pm Sunday School Sunday School, Movie Night@ 6:00 pm
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Sunday School @ 9:45 am Refinery @ 6:00 pm, After Hours @ 7:30 pm Bible Study @ 7:00 pm
FIRE & WATER NIGHT OUT!
This month FIRE & WATER Night Out will be an Escape Room Experience at the church. 7:00-10:00pm, free of charge, and there will be prizes.
Pumpkin Patch Tear Down @ 4:00 pm Sunday School, Drink Deep, After Hours Real World Retreats Starts at 7:00 pm Supermarket Sweeps @ 3:30 pm Sunday School Supermarket Sweeps @ 3:30 pm Fire & Water Night Out @ 7:00 pm Sunday School Sunday School, Movie Night@ 6:00 pm
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Sunday School @ 9:45 am Drink Deep @ 6:00 pm, After Hours @ 7:30 pm Home Bible Studies take place throughout the week
SUNDAY NIGHT MEALS
When we meet with students Sunday nights we provide a meal for them from 5:30-6:00. FIRE & WATER will pay for all the food; we need adults who are willing to serve the meal and stay and take part in what we do for the evening. Please sign up at http://signup.com/go/ZLeXhas. If you have questions feel free to email
[email protected] or
[email protected].
CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM BY SEARCHING FOR FIRE & WATER STUDENT MINISTRIES OR VISITING FUMCFIREANDWATER.COM
W AYS Y OU C AN S ERVE THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
THANKSGIVING TURKEYS AND PIES
Fishers UMC is partnering with Hoosier Road Elementary once again to provide Christmas presents for children and their families. Tags with wish list items will be in Connection Central beginning November 18th. Please drop off presents by December 9th.
Turkeys and Pies are needed for the Good News Mission on Thanksgiving Day. Sign up in Connection Central beginning November 4th and bring items to church kitchen by 1:00 pm on November 22nd. Call Milt Yakey at 317.294.0416 with questions.
CHRISTMAS EVE USHERS & GREETERS
REYNOLDS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Ushers and Greeters are needed for all Christmas Eve services and communion servers are needed for the 9 and 11 pm services. Sign up in Connection Central beginning November 18th.
Sign up in Connection Central beginning November 4 to help collect donations at the Reynolds Farm Equipment Christmas Light display on the weekends beginning November 30. This is a great way to support the Pantry and wish hundreds of people a Merry Christmas!
U PCOMING E VENTS A FUN WAY TO RING IN CHRISTMAS!
Children K-4th grade are invited to participate in a Christmas hand bell performance during both the 9:45 and 11:00 services on the 12/16/18. Rehearsals will be on 12/2/18 and 12/9/18 from 5-6 pm in room 218. This is a very easy way for children to celebrate the season. Register your child online at fishersumc.org/ handbell or at the first rehearsal. No musical experience required.
PURCHASE POINSETTIAS
//November 4 through December 2// Order poinsettias to adorn the Sanctuary in memory/honor of loved ones for only $10.00 each. Use designated envelopes found in Connection Central and the church office. Following services on Christmas Eve, take your poinsettias home!
CHRISTMAS CARDS
U PCOMING E VENTS
Send your Christmas Cards to fellow Fishers UMC members this December, postage free! Bring the cards to the South Narthex and the Pathfinders Sunday School class will sort them into the recipient's folders. As you leave each Sunday, check your folder and take your cards. There is no charge, as this is a service provided by the Pathfinders Class.
WOMEN’S CANDLELIGHT DESSERT //Monday, December 3, 6:30pm, North Gym// All Women of Fishers UMC are invited to A Candlelight Dessert complete with beverages and childcare. Sign up to attend in Connection Central or online at fishersumc.org/candlelight beginning November 11th. Come enjoy Matthew’s Voices, a choir that offers access to, and addresses the need for the arts in populations in our city that often go untouched, unloved, and underserved. They invite people who are marginalized throughout Indianapolis to experience the joy of singing, enjoy companionship and support, and share their voices with the community by singing songs of hope, faith, and love, together.
9691 E. 116TH STREET FISHERS, INDIANA 46037
