Celebrate Our Pre-K Graduates!

We are thrilled to invite our entire Plainfield UMC community to a very special occasion—the Pre-K Graduation Ceremony here at the church! Join us on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary as we celebrate an important milestone in the lives of our preschoolers.

Graduation is more than just a ceremony—it’s a moment of pride, joy, and hope. It marks the first big step in a child’s educational journey, and we’re excited to share that moment with the whole church family. Throughout the year, our Pre-K children have grown in incredible ways—gaining new skills, forming friendships, and discovering more about the world around them. Now, it’s time to celebrate all they’ve accomplished and send them off to kindergarten with love and blessings.
The evening will feature a delightful program with songs from the children, the presentation of certificates, and a celebration of each child’s unique personality and progress. Expect plenty of smiles, laughter, and maybe even a few joyful tears as we gather in support of these young graduates.

This is a moment to pause, reflect, and look forward with excitement—and your presence makes it even more meaningful. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, longtime member, or new to our congregation, you are warmly welcome. Bring your cameras and your love—there will be plenty of moments to treasure.

We are so proud of our Pre-K Class of 2025 and can’t wait to celebrate with you. Let’s come together as a church family to cheer them on as they step into a future filled with promise and possibility.

Friday, May 23 | 6:30 PM | Sanctuary at Plainfield UMC

Everyone is welcome!

Faith in the Fire: How God Led Us Through Every Storm

John Williams – PUMC Member

I was a miracle baby – I have an elder brother, 12 years apart. My late parents, Emily & Solomon, always introduced me to people saying “he is our miracle son.” My mother was told she could never conceive. She visited different doctors but all said the same. One day, my dad was informed a pastor from Houston, Texas was visiting Pakistan and their church as well. He was known to be a great healer. They were very fortunate to meet him. He prayed over my mum and told her with great faith she would conceive soon. After a few months mum conceived. People around them who knew their situation, including the doctors, were astonished with this great miracle.

The faith of my parents helped them achieve what they were longing for, as prayer without faith lacks power and purpose. It is so important to acknowledge and thank God at all times.

As years passed by, the anticipation of when I would finally find my wife approached. We met in 2005 and married in 2007 by Our Almighty Father who guided us in every setback we had, related to issues with our families in denial due to our different nationalities. My wife is a beautiful and strong woman who has always stood by me and our family in challenging times. came along my daughter in 2009, followed by my son in 2014. God has been so merciful and has blessed us with amazing children; we always ask for His guidance so we may teach them right from wrong & so they choose the path of life by keeping Jesus the center of it.

Our family has faced challenging situations. The worst was when my daughter’s life was threatened. Whilst I was already going through a desert experience, losing my job due to COVID and my wife was on thin ice with her job as well this led to our children not being able to continue schooling; I also lost my mother around this time. Under the circumstances, we completely became hopeless, problems came crashing upon us as all this happened too fast. This was my time to go on my knees and pray, which I did with tears pouring down, and all I had to say is, “Father I have no idea what comes up next for us, you guide and lead us to what you want for us as I have no clue of what I am going to do.”

Within a few months Almighty God navigated a new path for us and it led us to the United States of America.

Our lives took a U-turn as soon as we arrived. The greatest joy for us was to see our children attending school again. But what really stood out most was the church we came upon. Attending PUMC has been a transformative experience. The sense of community and belonging we’ve found here is inspiring. The sermons often provide us with valuable lessons we can apply to our daily lives, fostering a deeper connection with our faith. Overall, our time at this church has not only enriched our spiritual lives but has also welcomed us to many beautiful people and the love they bestowed on us.

I thought to myself when hardships and unmanageable situations occur, why is that the only time I approach God and implore Jesus for help? What I have understood is I should not only go to Him in tough times but also remember Him in the good. By doing this, I comprehended that God never judges no matter what I did or said. God has and will always be by my side under any circumstance. And I want to thank God for all God has done for my family and I. In the end I can say that from the very beginning until now my life along with my family has been nothing but a testimony to Jesus’ unending love for us. He is our living God, our strength and our shield.

Witnessing God’s Beauty Along the Way

Pastor David Neuen – Lead Pastor, dneuen@pumc.org

Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

In the early morning, we departed the bustle of Sydney city streets and skyscrapers to journey west to the Blue Mountains National Park, sometimes called “Australia’s Grand Canyon.” Within two hours, the urban sprawl gave way to a landscape that was ancient, wild, and rich with stories. We were welcomed into eucalyptus forests that stretched in every direction and cliffs that fell away into blue-tinged valleys.

We spent the day hiking beneath towering sandstone cliffs, along narrow stone paths carved into the rock itself. The trail hugged the side of the mountain, sometimes only wide enough for one person to pass. We clung to each other as the valley opened up beside us into the deep canyon.

We reached Wentworth Falls, where water tumbles in thin white ribbons into the canyon below. Just above the main plunge, the water glides its way across stone—softly, steadily, sacredly. Our brief pause to rest and listen to the water’s steady splash was a gift of prayer.

Later, we visited Echo Point and looked out over the famous Three Sisters, sandstone pillars standing like guardians above the Jamison Valley. There’s an ancient Aboriginal origin story of love, war, and magic that defines them, but even beyond the mythology, the spires evoke awe and wonder at creation’s unique display.

As evening approached, we made our way to Lincoln’s Rock, a flat cliff-side ledge often called the “edge of the world.” There, we watched the sun set over the valley, the sky painted in gold and tangerine. Everything grew quiet. Our family huddled together in the hush.

As God’s handiwork, each different perspective of the forest, cliffs, and valleys brings an expanded attitude of awe and praise for the Creator’s brilliance and imagination. Every vantage point of this unique landscape brought us back to the signature blue mist giving the range its name. The intense color is the result of oil particles from the eucalyptus trees lifting into the air where they are met by sunlight filtering through producing the inspiring beauty.

The greatness of God is the capacity to make all things and every person a grand wonder. In our every days, we share our words, ideas, energy, and emotion, and Holy Spirit light filters through producing splendor and inspiration for others to behold. It is no work we perform. We are here, grace is ever present, the light of Christ never fades, the majesty of God is evident. As we tend to our growing in God’s revealing and transforming rays, God will produce the love, joy, and hope that will sustain the earth.

Take those moments and find inspiration in this ball of life God has made. Yet remember that you too are equally God’s miracle, a vessel through which holy light shines, evoking awe, producing bright color, and drawing others into the excitement of life!

Support the PUMC Endowment Fund: Invest in the Future of Our Church

The Endowment Committee has distributed Endowment Banks for church members to use in support of the Plainfield UMC Endowment Fund. If you did not receive a bank last Sunday, please stop by the lobby this morning to pick one up.

No gift is too small.

Your donation will be invested permanently, and only the income it generates will be used to support church programs—helping PUMC thrive for generations to come.

Please return your Endowment Bank on the following first Sundays of the month:

June 1
July 6
August 3

Together, we can leave a lasting legacy of faith and ministry.

Pick up your bank today and help grow the future of PUMC.

Open Your Pantry, Open Your Heart: PUMC’s Spring Food Drive Is Underway

At Plainfield United Methodist Church, our mission is to love God, love people, and serve the world. One powerful way we live out that calling is by caring for our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity. This spring, we invite you to be part of our Quarterly Food Drive, beginning Sunday, May 4.

Each item donated helps stock the shelves of local food pantries, supporting families across Hendricks County and surrounding areas. Your generosity puts meals on tables and hope in hearts.

How to Take Part

Pick Up a Bag: Starting May 4, grocery bags will be available in the main lobby. Take one home and fill it during the week.
Return Donations: Bring your filled bag back the following Sunday, or drop it off anytime during the week at the Donation Depot.
Give Financially: Monetary gifts are always welcome and will be used to purchase the most-needed food items. Please mark gifts as “Food Drive” in the memo line or select that designation when giving online.

Most-Needed Items

Canned vegetables, fruits, soups, and meats
Boxed meals, rice, and pasta
Peanut butter, cereal, granola bars
Baby food and infant formula
Shelf-stable milk and juice

Why It Matters

Food insecurity continues to impact families throughout Indiana. In 2022, more than 950,000 Hoosiers, including 1 in 5 children, faced hunger. Even in our own community, many individuals rely on food pantries to get through the week. Your donations help fill the gap and offer relief to those who may not qualify for other forms of assistance.

Be the Church in Action

Jesus calls us to feed the hungry—and we can answer that call together. Whether by filling a bag, writing a check, or saying a prayer, your participation helps share God’s love in a tangible way.

Let’s open our pantries and our hearts to bless others this spring. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Together, we can feed hope.

You’re Invited: Men’s Breakfast – Saturday, May 17

All men attending worship on Sunday, May 11, 2025, will receive a special invitation to join us for the next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, May 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Held on the third Saturday of each month, the Men’s Breakfast is a time for great food, good conversation, and genuine fellowship. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, all are welcome to gather, share, and connect.

Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and come hungry—we’d love to see you there!

May is Endowment Awareness Month

Small Change, Lasting Impact

As we step into May, Plainfield United Methodist Church celebrates Endowment Awareness Month—a time to reflect on how our small acts of generosity today can create lasting blessings for tomorrow.

On Sunday, May 3, 2025, every church member will be invited to take part in a special summer giving opportunity: the Endowment Bank initiative. Each person will receive a small bank to collect pocket change throughout the summer months. These “Endowment Banks” will be distributed during worship on May 3 and will be collected on the first Sunday of each month in June, July, and August.

Why participate? Because your gift to the PUMC Endowment Fund is more than a donation—it’s a legacy. The principal of each gift remains intact, while the income it generates helps fund meaningful ministries for years to come.

Already this year, the Endowment Committee has made a significant

Second Saturday Lunch: Takeout with Heart

Saturday, May 10 | 11:00–11:30 AM

Mark your calendar for the second Saturday of every month, and stop by PUMC between 11:00 and 11:30 AM for a warm, delicious meal—ready to go! Simply enter through Door #14 and head to the kitchen for pick-up.

Know someone who could use a meal or a little extra care? Reach out to MaryAnn at m.a.hamilton2@gmail.com. Let’s share the love and extend our hospitality beyond the church walls.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy great food and brighten someone’s day. See you there!

United Women in Faith – May Happenings

All women are welcome to join the United Women in Faith at Plainfield UMC this May! Come connect, serve, and grow with us:

Rachel Circle

Tuesday, May 13 | 9:30 AM | Church Parking Lot
We’ll caravan to Lucille Raines Residence in Indianapolis for a tour, lunch, and a ride in the new $750,000 elevator we helped fund!
Lunch is $10 – RSVP to Jane Meyer at 317-839-0738.

Hope Circle

May 7 – Hosting an appreciation lunch for Preschool Teachers.
May 13 – Dinner at Arni’s in Brownsburg.
Also collecting children’s books for School 34’s May Food Pantry—donations welcome!

Mary Martha Circle

Wednesday, May 21 | 1:00 PM | Wesley Room
Join us for fellowship and conversation.

Come find your place in United Women in Faith—there’s a seat for you!

Need help connecting? Contact the church office or a Circle leader.

Open Your Pantry, Open Your Heart: PUMC’s Spring Food Drive Begins May 4

At Plainfield United Methodist Church (PUMC), we believe in caring for our neighbors—and that begins with making sure no one goes hungry. As food insecurity continues to affect families across our state and county, we’re launching our Quarterly Food Drive to support local food pantries and nourish our community.

Quarterly Food Drive: Starts May 4, 2025

Beginning Sunday, May 4, members of the congregation can pick up a paper grocery bag in the main lobby, fill it with non-perishable food items, and return it the following Sunday or during the week to the Donation Depot. Suggested donations include:

Canned vegetables, fruits, soups, and meats
Pasta, rice, and boxed meals
Peanut butter, cereal, granola bars
Baby food and formula
Shelf-stable milk and juice

Can’t shop? You can still help. Monetary donations are also welcomed and will go directly toward purchasing needed food supplies for the pantries we support.

Why This Matters

Food insecurity remains a critical issue in Indiana. In 2022, more than 950,000 Hoosiers—including 1 in 5 children—faced hunger. Even here in Hendricks County, many families rely on local food pantries to make ends meet. Your donations help bridge the gap for those who are struggling but may not qualify for federal assistance.

When and Where to Donate

Pick Up Bag: Starting May 4 in the main lobby
Return Bags: The following Sunday in the South lobby or during the week in the Donation Depot
Donate Online or By Check: Mark gifts as “Food Drive” in the memo line

Let’s open our pantries and our hearts to make a difference this spring. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Together, we can feed hope.