Tag: jesus

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – May 10 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, May 10
10am • Room 200
This Sunday: Help My Unbelief

Belief isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about trusting God even when you don’t. This week, we’re diving into a powerful moment in Scripture where someone says, “I believe… help my unbelief,” and discovering that God meets us right in that tension.

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is June 1. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room.

April 26 – May 15, Name the Youth Group

We’re getting close to choosing a new name for our youth group—and your voice matters! Current options include Roots and The Way, along with a write-in choice if you have another idea. Students can vote once per week, and we’ll officially announce the new name on May 17. Make sure to cast your vote and help shape what we’re called moving forward!

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

May 27, Youth Worship Changes

Big changes are coming to youth group! Starting May 27, we’ll launch our new Wednesday night youth worship, with Sunday morning small groups continuing weekly and Serve Sundays kicking off in August. Don’t miss our Sunday Sendoff celebration on May 17 as we look ahead to this exciting new season together.

May 31, Milestone Sunday

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors during NewDay Praise! The youth band, More Than Conquerors, will be leading worship, and our students will be sharing their gifts with the congregation.

June 28- July 2, Epworth Forest

Pastor Abby is directing a high school summer camp at Epworth Forest! Sign up at impact2818.org

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – May 3 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, May 3
10am • Room 200
This Sunday: You Belong Here

You ever feel like you don’t quite fit in anywhere? This week, we’re talking about Belonging—and how Jesus creates a space where you don’t have to have it all together to be accepted. Looking at Scripture, we’ll see that we’re not meant to figure life out alone—we’re meant to be part of something bigger. Before belief and before becoming, God invites us to belong. And we’ll challenge ourselves to be the kind of people who help others feel that too.

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is May 4. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room.

April 26 – May 15, Name the Youth Group

We’re getting close to choosing a new name for our youth group—and your voice matters! Current options include Roots and The Way, along with a write-in choice if you have another idea. Students can vote once per week, and we’ll officially announce the new name on May 17. Make sure to cast your vote and help shape what we’re called moving forward!

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

May 27, Youth Worship Changes

Big changes are coming to youth group! Starting May 27, we’ll launch our new Wednesday night youth worship, with Sunday morning small groups continuing weekly and Serve Sundays kicking off in August. Don’t miss our Sunday Sendoff celebration on May 17 as we look ahead to this exciting new season together.

May 31, Milestone Sunday

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors during NewDay Praise! The youth band, More Than Conquerors, will be leading worship, and our students will be sharing their gifts with the congregation.

June 28- July 2, Epworth Forest

Pastor Abby is directing a high school summer camp at Epworth Forest! Sign up at impact2818.org

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – April 26 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Apr. 26
10am • Room 200
This Sunday: Forgiveness Takes Time

We live in a world where everything is fast—and when forgiveness doesn’t work instantly, we assume it doesn’t work at all. But the truth is, forgiveness isn’t a quick fix; it’s a process that takes time. Looking at the story of Genesis, we see that real healing often happens slowly, over years—not moments. Jesus even teaches that forgiveness isn’t one decision, but something we return to again and again. The good news is that even if you’re not “over it” yet, you’re not doing it wrong—you’re just in the process of healing.

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is May 4. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room.

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

May 31, Youth Worship

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors during NewDay Praise! The youth band, More Than Conquerors, will be leading worship, and our students will be sharing their gifts with the congregation.

June 28- July 2, Epworth Forest

Pastor Abby is directing a high school summer camp at Epworth Forest! Sign up at impact2818.org

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – April 19 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Apr. 19
10am • Room 200
This Sunday: Cancel Debt, Not the Person

Let’s be honest—holding a grudge can feel kinda good sometimes. But what if there’s actually a better way? This week, we’re talking about forgiveness and why it’s way harder (and more important) than it sounds. We’ll dive into what it means to cancel the debt without canceling the person. And we’ll figure out how to move forward when someone hurts us—or when we mess up ourselves.

Read Ahead: 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Bowling April 19

Join us right after church on April 19 as we head to Pinheads for an afternoon of bowling and hanging out together! It’s a great chance to relax, have fun, and build community outside of our usual space. The cost is $5 per person and we’ll return by 2pm. RSVP to Brandon by 4/17 to save your spot!

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is May 4. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org.

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – Apr. 12 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Apr. 12
10 a.m. • Room 200
This Sunday: Why Bitterness Isn’t Worth It

Bitterness can start small—feeling left out or hurt—but it can grow and weigh us down over time. This week, we’ll explore how grudges quietly shape our thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Through the life and words of Paul, we’ll see a better way: choosing forgiveness over revenge. It isn’t easy or fair, but letting go is what frees us most. Join us as we take a step toward healing and learn to live lighter.

Read Ahead: 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is May 4. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org.

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – Apr. 5 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Apr. 5
10 a.m. • Room 200
This Sunday: Peace Worth Rising For

This week in youth, we’ll celebrate the resurrection by focusing on when Jesus appeared to his disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Students will explore how this peace isn’t based on circumstances, but on Jesus’ presence in the midst of fear and uncertainty. We’ll talk about the cost of that peace—and why it was worth it. Together, we’ll reflect on where we need peace and what it means to receive it. A powerful reminder: the resurrection isn’t just about what Jesus did—it’s about what he offers us today.

Read Ahead: John 20:19-23

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is April 6. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

April 3, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
Good Friday Vigil:

Join us for a Good Friday Vigil, a quiet time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Through scripture, prayer and silence, we will reflect on Christ’s suffering and love, and prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. Come and go as you are able, and share this sacred time of reflection with our church community.

May 22 – 23, Lock in

Get ready for an overnight adventure at the church on May 22–23! We’ll have games, movies, late-night fun, and plenty of time to just hang out together. Make sure to RSVP with Brandon so you don’t miss out!

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org.

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – Mar. 29 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Mar. 29
10 a.m. • Room 200
This Sunday: On The Side of Forgiveness

This week in youth we’ll look at one of the most powerful moments in the life of Jesus—when, even on the cross, he chose forgiveness. Students will explore what it means to stand “on the side of forgiveness” instead of holding onto anger or seeking revenge. Through real-life examples, we’ll talk about how forgiveness can feel difficult but ultimately brings freedom. Together we’ll wrestle with what it looks like to let go of hurt and trust God with our pain. It’s a meaningful conversation about grace, healing, and choosing a better way forward.

Read Ahead: Mark 15:1-15

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is April 6. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room

Camp Adventure July 5-10

Middle School Summer Camp is approaching! We will be heading up to Camp Adventure on July 5th and return on the 10th. We will be rock climbing, blobbing (iykyk), paint-balling, and more while worshiping our God. You can sign up here impact2818.org/event/impact-camp-camp-adventure-11/ and let Brandon know if you need assistance.

Looking Ahead

  • April 3, 2026 @ 7:00 PM — Good Friday Vigil: Join us for a Good Friday Vigil, a quiet time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Through scripture, prayer and silence, we will reflect on Christ’s suffering and love, and prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. Come and go as you are able, and share this sacred time of reflection with our church community.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org.

What’s Happening with PUMC Youth? – Mar. 22 at 10:00 am

Youth Worship — Sunday, Mar. 22
10 a.m. • Room 200
This Sunday: And Then They Will Know Who We Are

This week in youth we’ll explore Jesus’ powerful words from the Last Supper: “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Students will look at how love—not popularity, talent, or influence—is meant to be the defining mark of followers of Jesus. Through discussion and real-life examples, we’ll talk about what that kind of love looks like in friendships, at school, and online. Together we’ll wrestle with the question: if people watched our lives, would they know we belong to Jesus? It’s a reminder that the way we treat others can be one of the clearest ways we show the world who we follow.

Read Ahead: John 13:31–38

Serve with the Homeless Ministry

We need two youth volunteers to serve on the first Monday of each month.
The next open date is April 6. Additional future dates are available—grab a friend and sign up in the youth room

Mission Trip 2026

We’re heading to Cleveland, Ohio, June 7–13, 2026!
Pre-register to save your spot and let Brandon know if you have questions.

College Connection

Do you have a college-age sibling or post-high school friend PUMC could support? Email Pastor Abby at alietz@pumc.org with their name, contact info, and school/major/graduation year or workplace and job title. We’re forming care teams and care packages to encourage young adults in the year ahead.

Looking Ahead

  • April 3, 2026 @ 7:00 PM — Good Friday Vigil: Join us for a Good Friday Vigil, a quiet time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Through scripture, prayer and silence, we will reflect on Christ’s suffering and love, and prepare our hearts for the hope of Easter. Come and go as you are able, and share this sacred time of reflection with our church community.
  • June 7–13, 2026 — Mission Trip Cleveland, Ohio. Meaningful service, deep friendships, and growing closer to God—don’t forget to pre-register.

Questions? Contact Brandon at brdenman@pumc.org.

What Is Christmas Like at Plainfield UMC?

Plainfield, Indiana • December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve at Plainfield United Methodist Church is a night filled with warmth, beauty, and the kind of sacred anticipation that makes this season so meaningful. Whether you’ve called PUMC home for many years or you’re planning your very first visit, you’ll find a community ready to welcome you, walk with you, and share in the joy of Christ’s birth.

The celebration begins with the 4:00 p.m. children’s service in the Worship Annex—a lively, interactive gathering created especially for families with young children. This service is full of energy and wonder, using storytelling, movement, simple carols, and hands-on experiences to bring the Christmas story to life. Because it’s designed with safety and accessibility for little ones in mind, this is the only Christmas Eve service without candle lighting, allowing families to relax, participate, and enjoy the moment without worry.

As evening settles in, the Sanctuary opens for the traditional Christmas Eve services at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., longtime favorites for many in our congregation and community. These services are filled with stirring music from PUMC’s festival choir and orchestra, blending classical arrangements with beloved Christmas hymns that lift the heart. Through Scripture readings and a thoughtful Christmas Eve message, worshipers are invited to enter the story of Christ’s birth—its hope, its mystery, and its promise for today.

For those who cherish the stillness and sacred quiet of late-night worship, our 11:00 p.m. service offers a beautiful and contemplative way to welcome Christmas. This candle-lit service is accompanied by PUMC’s Festival Bell Choir, whose shimmering tones fill the Sanctuary with a peaceful, reverent glow. The gentle ring of the bells, the soft lighting, and the unhurried pace create a space where the mystery of the night feels especially near.

One of the most treasured moments of Christmas Eve at PUMC comes near the end of every Sanctuary service: the candle-lighting ceremony. The lights fade, one candle is lit, and the flame is passed across the Sanctuary—person to person, family to family—until the entire room glows with warm, flickering light. With candles raised, the congregation joins together to sing “Silent Night”, creating a moment of peace and stillness that stays with worshipers long after they leave.

Children are welcome at every service. Their excitement, questions, and even their wiggles add to the joy of the night. Christmas Eve is for everyone—every age, every background, every story.

For many, Christmas Eve at Plainfield UMC is a beloved tradition. For others, it becomes a first step back into a faith community or a quiet place to breathe in the middle of a busy season. And for all of us, it is a reminder that Christ enters the world not in perfection, but in presence—in light, in hope, and in love.

As we approach Wednesday, December 24, 2025, we hope you’ll join us for one of these meaningful services. Everyone is welcome, and a place is prepared for you at Plainfield UMC.

Plainfield UMC Christmas Food Drive: Sharing Hope With Our Neighbors

Donations Accepted Through Sunday, Dec. 21 • Donation Depot

As Advent unfolds around us—with its soft glow of candles, its quiet promise of hope, and its gentle invitation to make room for Christ—we are reminded that this sacred season is not meant to be experienced alone. It is a time when light grows in community, when generosity becomes an act of worship, and when compassion takes on flesh in the simplest of ways.

This year, more than ever, many families in Hendricks County are carrying heavy burdens. Rising costs of groceries, utilities, and everyday essentials have stretched household budgets beyond their limits. And while the world is decorating for Christmas, some of our neighbors are wondering how they’ll fill their pantry, let alone prepare a holiday meal.

A Family Waiting for Hope

Imagine, for a moment, a young family of three—a mother, father, and their newborn child. Their home is full of love and new-baby joy, but also the quiet worry that comes when bills stack up faster than paychecks. With a single income and the added expenses of formula, diapers, and medical needs, every dollar is weighed, every purchase reconsidered.

As Christmas approaches, they want to create a warm celebration for their baby’s first holiday. Yet behind their smiles is the question many families share this year:

Will we have enough?

It’s for families like this that our Christmas Food Drive exists. A few donated cans, a box of cereal, or a bag of rice can transform a season of worry into one of relief and gratitude.

How You Can Give

Throughout the Advent season, Plainfield UMC is collecting nonperishable foods to support local families facing food insecurity. Items such as:

  • Canned vegetables and fruits
  • Hearty soups, stews, and chili
  • Pasta, rice, and boxed meals
  • Peanut butter
  • Cereal, oatmeal, granola
  • Beans
  • Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives

Drop donations off during business hours at Door 2, or in the Donation Depot (near Door 1) on Sunday mornings, anytime before Sunday, Dec. 21.

A Call From the Heart of Advent

Advent is about preparing a place—for Christ in the world, and for compassion in our hearts. Giving to the food drive is a simple, beautiful way to live out that calling.
Your gift—small or large—can ease the burden of a neighbor and make Christmas morning brighter for a family who needs a sign of hope.
If you have questions or wish to arrange a larger donation, please contact Mary Raver at mraver@pumc.org.

May our generosity this season shine as brightly as the star that led the world to hope.