Hancock County Church Directory 2022

directory church

hancock county church directory 2022

HANCOCK COUNTY — People tell me a lot of things.

“They’re gaining confidence and some pride in themselves that they’ve never felt before.”

“God met me where I was.”

anne durham smith daily reporter

“We all get closer and grow in our faith through the week.”

“God made us to be relational.”

“I just felt like maybe our experience could help somebody else. Sometimes you feel like you’re really alone in something, but all kinds of people go through those things.”

“We tend to falsely believe that God is not for us, that maybe he’s against us.”

As I write about religion in Hancock County, people share a lot with me. They put into words their deepest beliefs and talk about their faith, about their congregations, and about the ministries they’re involved in — and why.

What they’ve told me in the past year points to discovering significance in life, finding encouragement amid struggles, and experiencing the power of community.

This is why thousands of Hancock Countians come together in faith every week, or more likely every day, as smaller groups meet for study and fellowship. This is why many of the same also reach out to others in compassionate ministry.

Every week, in the Daily Reporter’s Religion section, we tell some of their stories. And every year, in this annual directory, we highlight their work.

Anne Durham Smith has been with the Daily Reporter since 1995 and has covered religion since 2015.

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We rely on congregations to help us keep this information current for this annual directory. If your church’s information has changed, send email to dr-editorial@greenfieldreporter. com or call 317-477-3226 and leave a message. If you know of a new house of worship that has opened or one that closed, let us know that as well.

Churches are listed by township in Hancock County. Within each township, listings are alphabetical. Listings for areas surrounding Hancock County are by town, listed alphabetically. Services are on Sundays unless otherwise noted. Many congregations also stream their services online.

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Shiloh Christian Church

4980 S. County Road 500E Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-3238

Dale Holzbauer, minister

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; service, 10:30 a.m.

Westland Friends Church

2892 S. County Road 700E

Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4131

Phil Abram, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. westlandfriendschurch.org

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Carrollton United Methodist Church

1060 W. U.S. 52 Fountaintown, IN 46130

Heather Cress and Colin Cress, pastors

Bible study, 7:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.; worship, 9 a.m.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness

2783 S. State Road 9 Greenfield, IN 46140

317-467-8660

Public Talk and Watch Tower, 9:30 a.m. Sunday; Bible study, 7 p.m. Thursday.

Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church

3447 S. State Road 9 Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-1313

The Rev. Steve Brackney

Sunday school, 9:40 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. mtlebanonumc.net

Sugar Creek Baptist Church

3928 S. County Road 100W Greenfield, IN 46140

317-861-6138

Steve Blanchard, pastor

Coffee and donuts, 9:30 a.m.; adult Sunday School, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m.; Wednesday midweek prayer service, 6 p.m. mysugarcreekbaptist.com

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Righteous Oaks Baptist Church 8356 N. State Road 109 Wilkinson, IN 46186

765-785-2858

Steve Rayburn, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

Shirley Christian Church

202 S. Meridian St. (P.O. Box 10 for mail)

Shirley, IN 47384

765-738-6365

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

@ShirleyChristianChurchIndiana on Facebook

Shirley Church of the Nazarene

306 South St.

Shirley, IN 47384

Dan Jones, pastor

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday midweek service, 6 p.m.

Shirley Friends Church

101 S. Main St. P.O. Box 463

Shirley, IN 47384

765-414-3492

James Jackson, pastor Worship, 10:30 a.m.

Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church

309 South St. (South and White streets)

Shirley, IN 47384

765-738-6710

The Rev. Rick Hutson, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

“Shirley Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church” on Facebook

Warrington Church of the Nazarene

8381 N. Nashville Road

Wilkinson, IN 46186

Doug Wall, pastor

Life classes, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m.; sign language interpretation available.

warringtonchurch.webs.com

Wilkinson Church of Christ

7293 N. State Road 109

Wilkinson, IN 46186

765-781-2585

Tony Darling, minister

Traditional worship, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; contemporary worship, 10:45 a.m.; youth (K-12), 4:30 p.m. wccin.org

Willow Branch United Methodist Church

6244 N. Thomas Street

Willow Branch, IN 46186 317-326-2502

The Rev. T. Glen Davis, pastor Worship, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:30 a.m.

willowbranchchurch.weebly.com

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Amity Community Church

6042 W. County Road 100N

Greenfield, IN 46140 317-894-3047

Worship, 10 a.m.; Tuesday Bible study, 6:30 p.m. amitychurch.net

Harvest Church

6107 W. Airport Blvd. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-336-8850

Brad LeRoy, pastor Worship, 10:15 a.m. harvestchurchlive.com

Lifeline Baptist Chapel

1925 N. Buck Creek Road

Greenfield, IN 46140 317-894-2111

Shirley-Wilkinson

United Methodist Church’s crew at the meal pack included several teams. Pictured in one are, from left, Karen Willis, Kelley Fields, Pam Carlton and Jon Froman.

Dr. Robert Messer, pastor

Bible classes, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m.

Mohawk United Methodist Church

2045 W. County Road 400N Greenfield, IN 46140

The Rev. Kerry O’Brien, minister Worship, 9 a.m. mohawkumc.com

Mt. Comfort Church

Mt. Comfort campus 3179 N. Mt. Comfort Road Greenfield, IN 46140

Worship, 10:30 a.m. Philadelphia campus

2265 W. U.S. 40 Greenfield, IN 46140

Worship, 9 a.m.

Ethan Maple, lead pastor 317-894-8965

www.mtcomfortchurch.com

Otterbein United Methodist Church

2901 W. County Road 200N Greenfield, IN 46140

Dave Wise, pastor

Worship, 10:30 a.m.

greenfieldotterbeinumc.org

Anne DurhAm Smith | DAily reporter

Read about the meal packing on page 23.

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Bethel Baptist Church

1610 S. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-5850

Tommy Hensley, pastor Sunday School, 10 a.m.; worship, 8:45 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, teen service and Kidz Club, 7 p.m. bethelbcg.org

Bradley United Methodist Church

210 W. Main St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-2662

The Rev. Steve McPeek, pastor Adult Sunday School, 8:30 a.m.; worship, 9:45 a.m.; livestream at bradleyumc.org and the church’s Facebook page. bradleyumc.org

Brandywine Community Church

1551 E. New Road Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4777

Mark Wright, senior pastor Worship, 9:30 and 11 a.m. brandywinechurch.org

Calvary Baptist Church

1450 W. Main St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4586

Roger Kinion, pastor Sunday school 8:45 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m.; evening activities/groups, 6 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study and prayer, 6:30 p.m. Also livestreaming on Facebook at “Calvary Baptist Church Greenfield.” cbcgreenfield.org

Calvary Bible Methodist Church

4465 N. Fortville Pike Greenfield, IN 46140

317-326-3601

Mark Potter, pastor Worship, 10:30 a.m. (also livstreamed) and 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer Bible study, Kids’ Church and teen service, 7 p.m. cbmchurch.com

Curry’s Chapel Church

3488 N. County Road 375E Greenfield, IN 46140

317-326-2386

Rich Bailey, pastor

Church school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

@curryschapel on Facebook

Evangel Christian Church

1221 E. Main St. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-919-2563

Jody Ballenger, lead pastor Free breakfast, 9 a.m.; Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.; men’s and women’s meetings throughout the week. evangel-cc.org

Faith Apostolic Church 70 Tyler Ave. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-468-3248

John Reading, pastor Worship, 11 a.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m. growinginfaith.org

Faith Baptist Church

1489 E. County Road 600N Greenfield, IN 46140 317-369-0042

Larry Hof, pastor Worship, 11 a.m.; discipleship for all ages, 2 p.m.; Wednesday prayer meeting, 7 p.m. faithbaptist.us

Faith Lutheran Church

200 W. McKenzie Road Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-4609

Rev. William Daniel O’Connor Worship, 9:15 a.m.; fellowship, 10:30 a.m.; children’s Sunday school and adult Bible study, 11 a.m. faithgreenfield.org

Faith United Methodist Church

328 N. Swope St. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-4163

Dr. Brent Smith, pastor Worship, 9:30 a.m.

Faithway Baptist Church

610 W. Sixth St. Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-2888

Josh Poole, pastor Sunday school, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m.; afternoon service, 2 p.m.; Wednesday prayer service, 7 p.m. fbcgreenfield.com

First Church of the Nazarene 1980 S. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-468-0298

David Huff, pastor Life groups, 9:30 a.m.; worship and children’s church, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 6:30 p.m. greenfieldfirst.org

Grace Baptist Church

4245 N. County Road 200W Greenfield, IN 46140

317-326-2362

Stephen Elmer, pastor Sunday school at 10 a.m.; worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer service, 7 p.m. growatgrace.org

Greater Grace of Central Indiana Church

320 W. Walnut St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-702-1017

Donald Barnes, pastor

Adult Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

Greenfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

23 N. East St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-6348

Merlyn Winters, senior minister Worship, 10 a.m. greenfieldchristian.org

Greenfield Church of Christ

1380 S. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-6728

Brandon Lavy, minister

Bible study, 9:45 a.m.; worship, 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m.

greenfieldchurchofchrist.org

Greenfield Church of God

1561 E. Main St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-2552

Jack Stout, pastor; worship and children’s church, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study and children’s and youth ministries, 7 p.m. @greenfieldcog on Facebook

Greenfield Friends Church

323 W. Park Ave. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-2756, 765-977-5167

Phil Baisley, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m. greenfieldfriends.org

Hancock Reformed Baptist Church

944 E. Davis Road (County Road 100S) Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-6722

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m., with lunch and devotions following. hrbchurch.org

Immanuel Holiness Church

1038 E. Fourth St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-7805

Robert Brown, pastor

Worship, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.

“Immanuel Holiness Church - Greenfield, IN” on Facebook

Liberty Missionary Baptist Church

1133 W. Main St., Suite B Greenfield, IN 46140

Elder C.G. Wilson, pastor

Worship, 11 a.m.

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

1009 S. County Road 100E Greenfield, IN 46140

Elder Nick Reuter, pastor

Sunday school, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. macedoniambcgreenfield.com

New Home Church

3891 N. County Road 200W Greenfield, IN 46140

New Hope Church of the Nazarene

52 N. County Road 500E

Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4960

Todd Reynolds, pastor

Connection Groups, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.; New Hope Kids, 7 p.m. Wednesday @newhopenaz.net on Facebook

Northside Christian Church

1304 Greenfield Drive

Greenfield, IN 46140

Kevin Powell, minister

317-318-1312

Worship, 10 a.m., with Sunday school following Wednesday Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

“Northside Christian Church” on Facebook

Park Chapel Christian Church

1176 E. McKenzie Road

Greenfield, IN 46140

David Barnett, teaching pastor

317-462-4513

Service times: 9 a.m. (chapel); 10:15 a.m. (gym) parkchapel.org

Riley Friends Church

323 W. Park Ave. (inside Greenfield Friends)

Greenfield, IN 46140

253-381-1358

Markus Dennis, pastor

5 p.m. Saturday

Brianna’s Hope recovery program, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

@JWRiley Friends on Facebook

St. James Lutheran Church

1741 S. State St. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-7340

The Rev. Dr. Richard Blue Jr., senior pastor

Worship, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. stjamesnalc.org

St. Michael Catholic Church

519 N. Jefferson Blvd. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4240

The Rev. Aaron Jenkins, pastor Masses take place at 4 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. Weekday Mass Schedule: 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. Friday.

stmichaelsgrfld.org

Trinity Park Church

207 W. Park Ave. Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4303

The Rev. Larry Van Camp, pastor Worship, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Faith Groups, 10 a.m.; youth, 4-6 p.m. Sundays.

trinitypark.net

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Eden United Methodist Church

2122 E. Eden Road

Greenfield, IN 46140

317-326-2212

Dave Crittenden, pastor

Worship 9:30 a.m.; Sunday school

10:30 a.m.

edenumc.com

Sugar Grove Bible Church

5482 E. CR 900N Greenfield, IN 46140

317-281-1306

Randy Badgley, pastor Worship, 10 a.m.; Thursday Bible study, 7 p.m.

@sugargrovebible on Facebook

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Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church 994 N. County Road 600E Greenfield, IN 46140

317-462-4910

Theodore Griffin, pastor Growth groups, 9 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

brownschapel.com

Charlottesville Friends Meeting Carthage Road (4 blocks south of U.S. 40)

Charlottesville, IN 46117 317-586-1967

David Deem, pastor Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

Charlottesville United Methodist Church

230 Carthage Road Charlottesville, IN 46117 317-717-0838

Debb Ebersole, pastor Church, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday school, 10:30 a.m.

@christatcharlottesville on Facebook

Nameless Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

3856 N. CR 800E Greenfield, IN 46140

765-785-2953

Rev. Linda Trowbridge, minister Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

“Nameless Creek Christian Church (NCCC)” on Facebook

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Brookville Road Community Church

7480 W. U.S. 52 New Palestine, IN 46163 317-861-3880

Kris Sorensen, lead pastor Worship, 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday; 6 p.m. youth group meetings. brookvilleroad.cc

Calvary Christian Fellowship

79 S. County Road 700W Greenfield, IN 46140

317-912-2388

Toby Risner, pastor Worship, 10 a.m. ccf-indy.com

Community Christian Church

3123 S. CR 500W

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-5407

Todd Beale, pastor

Bible study 9:15 a.m.; worship, 10:20 a.m.; youth, 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 6 p.m. cccnewpalestine.com

Cross of Grace Lutheran Church

3519 S. CR 600W

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-0977

Mark Havel, lead pastor

Worship, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; worship, 10:45 a.m. (meets at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Memorial Day-Labor Day); nursery available. crossofgrace.org

Haven of Hope

5084 S. County Road 450W New Palestine, IN 46163 317-374-5810

Worship, 10:30 a.m. Sunday; Bible study, 7 p.m. Wednesday Rick Moreland, pastor rkmoreland56@gmail.com

His Place New Palestine United Church

15 E. Main St.

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-4548

Carl Coffey, pastor

Sunday school, 9:15 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness

3993 S. CR 650W

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-8759

Worship, 1 p.m.; Thursday service, 7 p.m.

daily reporter • hancock county, indiana

New Life Church

501 N. Buck Creek Road

Cumberland, IN 46229

317-891-4685

Mike Faulk, pastor

Sunday school, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m.; Wednesday adult Bible study, youth class and Kids Church, 7 p.m. connect2newlife.org

New Palestine Bible Church

5954 W. CR 300S

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-1210

Brett Crump, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m.; livestream, 10 a.m. Small groups, youth, children’s, men and women’s ministries newpalestinebiblechurch.org

New Palestine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

4053 S. CR 650W

New Palestine, IN 46163 317-861-4356

Rev. Daren Huber, pastor

Worship, 10:30 a.m. newpalchristianchurch.org

New Palestine Church of Christ

5947 W. CR 200S

New Palestine, IN 46163 317-441-0912

Dewey Williams, minister

Sunday school, 10:30 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m.

New Palestine United Methodist Church

3565 S. CR 500W

New Palestine, IN 46163 317-861-4390

newpalumc@comcast.net

Anthony Stone, pastor Worship, 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. npumc.com

Realife Church

5151 W. U.S. 40 Greenfield, IN 46140 317-468-1100

Adam and Kristin Detamore, lead pastors

Visit www.realifechurch.org for service times.

Victory Independent Baptist Church

3982 W. U.S. 40 Greenfield, IN 46140 317-894-8154

John Paul Nichols, pastor

Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; worship, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m.

victoryindependentbaptist.org

Zion Lutheran Church

6513 W. CR 300S

New Palestine, IN 46163

317-861-5544

Jason W. Taylor, pastor

Praise service, 5 p.m. Saturday; services, 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday (also viewable online at “Zion Lutheran Church — New Palestine” on Facebook or on YouTube). zionnewpal.org

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Christ Presbyterian Church

7879 N. County Road 700W

McCordsville, IN 46055

317-335-7600

Gretchen Schneider, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m. christpresby.org

Emerge Church

meeting inside Beeline Snack and Beverage

14 S. Main St. Fortville, IN 46040

317-674-3366

Curt Edmondson, lead pastor Worship, 10 a.m. emerge317.church

Fortville Christian Church

9450 N. County Road 200W Fortville, IN 46040

317-485-4934

Rob Rigsbee, lead pastor

Worship, 9 and 10:30 a.m.; Sunday school, 9 and 10:30 a.m. fortvillechristian.com

Fortville Church of the Nazarene

701 S. Maple St. Fortville, IN

317-485-6443

Phil Edwards, pastor

Classic service, 9 a.m.; contemporary service, 11 a.m.; Kidspring (K-6), 11 a.m.; youth, 5 p.m.; adult Bible study, 6 p.m. Sunday; Club Naz (K-4), Club 56 (preteen) and Club Naz Jr. (preschool), all at 7 p.m. Wednesday. fortvillenazarene.org

Gateway Community Church of Fortville

125 E. Staat St.

Fortville, IN 46040

317-485-5418

Kevin Smigielski, pastor Worship, 10 a.m. gatewayfortville.org

Geist Apostolic Church

8750 N. County Road 500W

McCordsville, IN 46055

317-335-2454

Joseph and Sylvia Horner, pastors Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.

Geist Community Church

6697 W. County Road 900N McCordsville, IN 46055

317-335-7500

Matt Walker, senior pastor

Bible fellowship, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m. (child care provided); Grades 5-12 student ministries, every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. geist.org

Grace Missionary Baptist Church

406 S. Maple St. Fortville, IN 46040 317-508-9487

Mark Kerfoot, pastor Sunday school, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m.

Living Streams Community Church

7061 N. County Road 700W McCordsville, IN 46055 317-306-9676

Greg Ruble, lead pastor Worship, 10:15 a.m.; ClassVTeens, 6 p.m. livingstreamscc.org

McCordsville Community Church

7397 N. County Road 600W, Suite 100

McCordsville, IN 46055

Steve and Amber Jones, lead pastors Worship, 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m.; First Wednesday service, 7 p.m. mc2church.com

McCordsville United Methodist Church

6247 W. Broadway St. McCordsville, IN 317-640-0560 or 317-335-3705

Rev. Daniel Payton, pastor

Traditional service, 9:30 a.m.; Modern Vintage service, 11:11 a.m. Services are in person but are also streamed on Facebook; find link at mccordsvilleumc.org. mccordsvilleumc.org

Mercy Road Church Northeast 611 Vitality Drive

Fortville, IN 46040

260-376-2900

Ken Primeau, lead pastor mercyroadne.com

Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church

9654 N. Fortville Pike Fortville, IN 46040 765-644-6295 church or 317-398-4895

Bill Blackburn, elder Worship, 10:30 a.m. first and fourth Sundays of the month.

New Life Christian Fellowship

1574 W. Ind. 234 Fortville, IN 46040

317-485-7472

Mark Adcock, pastor

Worship, 8:55 a.m. and 10:35 a.m. nlcfonline.com

Outlook Christian Church

6531 N. County Road 600W McCordsville, IN 46055

317-335-6815

Rob McCord, senior minister

Worship, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., in person and online. outlookchurch.org

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

523 S. Merrill St. Fortville, IN 46040

317-485-5102

The Rev. Aaron Jenkins Mass, 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon Thursdays. stthomasfortville.com

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Carthage Early Methodist Church 406 Henley Ave. Carthage, IN 46115 765-565-7211

Carthage Friends Meeting

202 S. Main St. Carthage, IN 46115 765-525-9354

Jake Brown, pastor Worship, 10 a.m.

Walnut Ridge Friends Meeting

8956 W. CR 800N

Carthage, IN 46115 765-565-6121

Jake Brown, pastor

Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 6 p.m.

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Buck Creek Baptist Church

135 Muessing Road

Cumberland, IN 46229

317-894-5001

Randy Stone, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday prayer service, 7 p.m. buckcreekbaptist.net

Cumberland Christian Church

39 N. Starter St.

Cumberland, IN 46229

317-894-3756

Tom Scott, minister

Bible school, 9:30 a.m.; worship and children’s worship, 10:30 a.m. cumberlandchristianchurch.org

Cumberland First Baptist Church

116 S. Muessing Road

Cumberland, IN 46229

317-894-2645

Rev. T. Wyatt Watkins, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m.; fellowship, 11 a.m.; children’s and adult studies, 11:15 a.m. cumberlandfbc.org

Cumberland United Methodist Church

219 N. Muessing Road

Cumberland, IN 46229

317-894-3454

Ronnie Bell, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m.; Adult Sunday Learning, 11:15 a.m. cumberlandumc.com

Heather Hills Baptist Church

1421 N. German Church Road

Indianapolis, IN 46229

317-894-7474

Brian McCrorie, pastor

Worship and children’s programs, 9:30 a.m., with Adult Bible Fellowship and Sunday School following; adult Bible study, Teen Prime Time and AWANA for children, 6 p.m. heatherhills.org

St. John United Church of Christ

11910 E. Prospect St. Cumberland, IN 46229 317-894-7958

The Rev. Janna Meyers, pastor Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m. stjucc.com

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Community Church of Fountaintown

11715 N. Main St. (in the Fountaintown UMC building)

Fountaintown, IN 46130 317-501-3193

Michael Smith, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:45 a.m.

The Fountain (Fountaintown Christian Church)

797 W. Brookville Road

Fountaintown, IN 46130

317-861-5382

Joshua Hahn, senior minister

Worship 9:30 and 11 a.m. yourfountain.org

Fountaintown United Methodist Church

11715 N. Main St. Fountaintown, IN 46130 812-890-4016

Jan Bond, pastor

Worship, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:30 a.m.

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Burge Terrace Baptist Church

9345 E. Brookville Road

Indianapolis, IN 46239

317-862-6109

Todd Curtis, pastor

Worship, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School/ adult Bible study, 10:45 a.m.; Wednesday prayer service, Teen Time and Truth Trackers, all at 7 p.m. burgeterrace.org

Calvary Baptist Church

3255 N. German Church Road Indianapolis, IN 46235

317-894-4260

Rev. Roger Rayl, pastor

Sunday school, 9:15 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.;

Wednesday adult Bible study, 6:30 p.m.

Church52 Family Worship Center

8220 Brookville Road

Indianapolis, IN 46239

317-861-8648

Perry Meade, pastor

Worship, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m. church52.org

Irvington Presbyterian Church 55 Johnson Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46219

317-356-7225

Worship, 10 a.m.; Vespers, 6 p.m. irvpresby.org

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 8320 E. 10th St. Indianapolis, IN 46219

317-898-7807

Rev. Frank S. Impicciche, rector stmattsindy.org

Zion United Church of Christ 8916 E. Troy Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46239

317-862-4136

Worship 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. zionuccindy.net

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R.E.A.L. Community Church

528 N. Meridian St. Ingalls, IN 46048

317-485-5021

Chris Ondrovich, senior pastor

Sunday school, 10 a.m.; worship, 11 a.m.; Thursday service, 6:30 p.m.

Indiana United Pentecostal Camp and Conference Center

1900 E. Broadway St. Fortville, IN 317-485-5984

inupci.org/camps

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Bethel Presbyterian Church

112 S. Franklin St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

765-345-5390

Peter Zinn, pastor Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:45 a.m.

Christ Fellowship 4833 S. Ind. 109 Knightstown, IN 46148 765-545-0447

Worship, 10:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. discovercf.org

Faith Chapel Independent Baptist Church

359 E. Morgan St. Knightstown, IN 46148 765-345-7015

Eric Boling, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

Grace Temple of Knightstown

132 E. Main St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

Danny Silvers, pastor

Worship, 10 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m.

Knightstown Bethel Holiness Church

242 W. Morgan St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

765-345-2307

George Maloyed Jr., pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday prayer and Bible study, 7 p.m.

Knightstown Christian Church

138 W. Main St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

765-345-2854

Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 6:30 p.m.; Thursday breakfast and Bible study, 8:15 a.m. knightstownchristian.com

Knightstown Church of God

473 N. East St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

317-364-5180 or 765-686-1451

Tim Hensley, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 6 p.m.

Knightstown Friends Church

214 E. Brown St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

765-345-2371

Tim Basford, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

facebook.com/KnightstownFriends/ community

Knightstown New Birth Church

623 W. Main St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m.

Knightstown United Methodist Church

27 S. Jefferson St.

Knightstown, IN 46148

765-345-5912

Rev. Joel Troxell, pastor

Worship, 9:30 a.m.; fellowship time, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday school, 10:45 a.m. facebook.com/KnightstownUMC

MorriStoWn

Faith Independent Baptist Church 323 S. Washington St. Morristown, IN 46161

765-763-7657

Dr. Wayne Scott, pastor

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.; fellowship meal, noon; Wednesday Bible study, 7 p.m.

fbcmorristown.org

Morristown Christian Church 209 S. Washington St. Morristown, IN 46161

765-763-6155

Fred Hickman, pastor

Sunday school, 9 a.m.; worship, 10 a.m.; junior/senior high youth, 4 p.m. in Fellowship Center; Wednesday youth programs, 5:45 p.m.; Friday Youth GAP meeting in Fellowship Center, 7 p.m. facebook.com/

MorristownChristianChurch

Morristown United Methodist Church

221 S. Washington St. Morristown, IN 46161

765-763-6889

Colin Cress and Heather Cress, pastors

Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m.

facebook.com/MorristownMethodist

oakLandon Living Hope Church

11605 Pendleton Pike

Oaklandon, IN 46236

317-826-0520

David Allender, pastor

Get acquainted fellowship, 10 a.m.; contemporary worship, 10:30 a.m.; Kidz Blast and nursery, 10:30 a.m.

New Revelation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

6701 Oaklandon Road

Indianapolis, IN 46236

317-823-7222

Richard A. Reynolds, pastor Worship, 10:30 a.m. newrevelationcc.com

Servants of Christ Lutheran Church

7650 Oaklandon Road Oaklandon, IN 46236 317-823-9580

Wade Apel, pastor Worship, 9 a.m.; Sunday school, 10:30 a.m.

servantsofchrist.org

ShirLey (Henry County)

Grant City Wesleyan

4387 S. Grant City Road

Shirley, IN 47384 (765) 376-7497

Ron Ferguson, pastor Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; worship, 10:30 a.m. (with children’s church) and 6 p.m. with a meal; Wednesday Kids Club with a meal at 6:30 p.m. and adult Bible study at 7 p.m. Accessible to people with disabilities.

Kennard Baptist Church

6931 W. Henry County Road 100S (County Road 100S and Ind. 234) Shirley, IN 47384

765-520-6449

Brent Weaver, pastor Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; morning service, 10:45 a.m.; evening service, 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 6 p.m. kennardbaptist.com

SharinG in SonG

Church launches Music at Mohawk series

Anne DurhAm Smith | Daily

annesmith@greenfieldreporter.com

MOHAWK — Grab a lawn chair or blanket, go listen to music, and hang out.

That’s what organizers of a new free summer concert series in Mohawk hope people will do.

Mohawk United Methodist Church plans to launch a free series of summer concerts in the community northwest of Greenfield. Musical groups will play under the roof of the church’s shelter house, and listeners can spread out on the lawn west of the church building at 2045 W. County Road 400N, Greenfield.

The music kicked off off 6-8 p.m. June 25 with husband-wife band Acoustic Duo Patchwork and cconcluded Aug. 13 with The Occasional Blues Band.

“We’re trying to reach out to the public in an attempt to provide some wholesome free entertainment to families,” said Susan Edwards, chair of the church outreach committee that will sponsor the series, Music at Mohawk. She said organizers would still like to find a musical act for a July concert.

“We’ve got some local bands lined up, and we’re hoping to get more,” said the Rev. Kerry O’Brien, the church’s minister. “This is our inaugural season.”

The idea for free family concerts came as church leaders contemplated some of the assets of their location: a shelter, a playground, and an open lawn area.

“We were just talking about what we could do to be good neighbors to the people in Mohawk,” O’Brien

RepoRteR

“We’ve got lots of room for people to spread out. it’s an ideal place for people to come out and relax and listen to music.”

— the Rev. Kerry O’Brien, minister of Mohawk United Methodist Church

Pictured from top: Dave Baker (pictured), along with Malcolm Howell, Mike Mulvaney and Paul Ferguson, makes up The Occasional Blues Band. // A shelter house at Mohawk United Methodist Church will be a venue for band concerts in the new Music at Mohawk series. tom ruSSo | DAily reporter

“Why don’t we just have these free evenings of music?

“We’ve got lots of room for people to spread out. It’s an ideal place for people to come out and relax and listen to music.”

Children can play on the playground, restrooms will be available inside, and admission is free. The bands will play for tips and perhaps have their music available for purchase. Music will have some variety, organizers say. While Acoustic Duo Patchwork’s repertoire includes upbeat gospel songs such as “I’ll Fly Away,” concerts will also feature some country and pop music. Not all the music will be religious music, but it will be familyfriendly music.

“It’s just going to be a nice evening (to) chat with the neighbors … really just kind of relax and enjoy,” O’Brien said. “We’re hoping it will grow and we’ll get more groups out here.”

photoS proviDeD

Husband-wife team Rick and Holly Garrett are the folk/bluegrass group Acoustic Duo Patchwork.

Anne DurhAm Smith | Daily RepoRteR annesmith@greenfieldreporter.com

GREENFIELD — The sun beat down as Caleb Gradl gripped the black cordless drill and drove the long screw into another plank on the deck.

“I like doing it,” he said. “I like doing handiwork and stuff.”

The home-schooled sixth-grader had already painted mile markers on a path in Beckenholdt Park. Now, he was with a group replacing rotted planks on one of the park’s nature observation decks.

There were others who, like him, were doing the work as part of Park Chapel Christian Church’s annual Serve XP. There were also people working on the deck who were from Realife Church, participating in that congregation’s annual Serve Day.

Anne DurhAm Smith | DAily reporter

Caleb Gradl drives in a replacement plank to refurbish a deck at Beckenholdt Park. He was out July 16 with a team of volunteers from Park Chapel Christian Church participating in the church’s annual ServeXP.

Between the two churches’ community service events, more than 500 people each offered several hours of community service on July 15 and/or 16, and leaders of local schools, parks, non -profit organizations and others were grateful for the big influx of free labor.

“It’s awesome. We love volunteers,” said Joyce Jeffries of Changing Footprints, on site guiding Realife volunteers Saturday along with husband Stephen, a Changing Footprints board member. She said the group of more than 30 that day was the largest to come serve, and included a range of ages, and “they’ve all been able to work.”

In one room, Lisa Greene and Andrea Patton scrubbed donated shoes over a sink, estimating they’d washed at least 75 pairs so far.

Anne DurhAm Smith | DAily reporter

Aaron Eberhart lines up pairs of men’s shoes on a shelf at Changing Footprints during Realife Church’s Serve Day on July 16.

Trinity Park Church

(317) 462-4303 • www.trinitypark.net

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

We exist to make, mature, and mobilize disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

9 & 11 AM IN PERSON worship

10 AM Faith Groups for all ages

Trinity Park Livestream on YouTube for online viewing

Children’s Activities & Adult Classes During Worship Services

Serving God, By Serving Others

Home of Alpha & Omega, a before & after school program

Kindergarten - 6th graders in Greenfield schools

207 West Park Avenue, Greenfield IN 46140

info@trinitypark.net

IN-35122448

1304 Green eld Dr. Green eld, IN 317-318-1312

Northside Christian Church is a nondenominational church who believes the Bible is the infallible Word of God. We believe Jesus Christ was born, died and rose again.

Come join us as we worship Him and learn more about our Saviour.

Sunday Service: 10:00 am

Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:30 pm

Kevin Powell - Minister

photo proviDeD

Brayden Simpson, Annabel Simpson and Wagner Conway repaint a bridge in Riley Park on July 16 during Park Chapel Christian Church’s annual ServeXP.

Being part of Realife’s Serve Day was important to Patton, who is newer to the church, because “You just kind of feel a calling or a tug to do something — just the impact you can make,” she said.

Within and outside the building other volunteers sorted donated used shoes, labeled shelves, spruced up landscaping, pair new socks and other tasks. About 150 of the volunteers on Saturday worked in Greenfield parks. Parks maintenance foreman Joshua Gentry said Realife supplied volunteers for tasks that included mulching flowerbeds and painting fences at the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home, cutting back overgrowth at Wilson Park, and spreading

mulch at Brandywine and Commons parks. Park Chapel volunteers worked at several parks as well, installing more than 40 new benches, building six boardwalks and spreading mulch along Pennsy Trail flowerbeds, among other jobs at park sites.

“It was amazing everything that was accomplished!” Parks Director Ellen Kuker wrote in an email.

Park Chapel’s Serve XP — which offered community service time slots on the evening of July 15, the morning of July 16, and the afternoon of July 16 (and saw one team serve July 10) — also included sending volunteers to Eastern Hancock Schools and to several GreenfieldCentral schools for projects

such as weeding, mulching or painting. Parishioners could also participate by donating supplies collected for several additional organizations: styrofoam clamshell containers and freezer bags for God’s Open Arms to use as it visits people who are homeless with a hot meal; bottled water for Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen; individually wrapped snacks, candy, coffee and bottled water for The Landing; and toiletries and clothes for Journey Bags of Hancock County’s ministry to children in foster care.

Realife’s Serve Day on July 16 also included sending volunteers to two additional GreenfieldCentral Schools, three Southern Hancock schools

in New Palestine, Hope Center Indy, Talitha Koum Women’s Recovery House, and a luncheon in Beckenholdt Park for international students from IUPUI.

Also, one Realife team traveled to Shelbyville to help a church plant, The Ville Church. Volunteers helped with some maintenance projects at the Ville’s building at 1115 St. Joseph St. ahead of the church’s launch on Sept. 18.

“Realife showing up and serving our church plant shows that it is about building God’s kingdom, not our kingdom,” Ville founder and lead pastor Max Southern wrote in an email. “I watched Realife work like it was their own building. We’re so thankful for their friendship and help.”

Lord’s Acre Festival celebrates 70th anniversary Seed that took root

By Anne DurhAm Smith | Daily RepoRteR annesmith@greenfieldreporter.com

McCORDSVILLE

— Marylen Vail remembers standing beside the truck bed filled with soybeans, the stake of a sign planted into the mounded top of the pile.

The sign read, “We have a Lord’s Acre project for the McCordsville Methodist Church.”

It was 1952, and the growing congregation had

been looking for a way to raise additional funds for a church parsonage, a house where its pastor could stay. Vail remembers being part of a group visiting a similar festival at a church in another town. They came away thinking such an event would do well here.

It did. The fish fry drew a crowd, one that filled chairs carried out from the church and set up under a festival tent on the west lawn.

The festival took its name

from the practice of, in a mostly agricultural community, setting aside the crops from one acre of land as “the Lord’s acre.” A farmer then gave money from the sale of crops from that acre to the church. Those gifts were presented at the close of the festival weekend, during a church service under the festival tent.

Between those gifts, and the cod members fried and sold, the congregation reached the parsonage

fundraising goal.

The goal was met, but the festival continued — and has for 70 years. It’s raised funds for various projects, from a new roof for the church, to restoring stainedglass windows, to stocking a food pantry, or building a playground in memory of a young boy in the congregation who died.

Bert Ross Brooks, another longtime church member, said the festival of today is different from that first

Clockwise from top left: Howard and Marylen Vail pose in 1952 with their Lord’s Acre project. Church members who were farmers often donated the proceeds from an acre of land; other members found other methods, such as a day’s worth of egg sales from those who kept chickens or soft drink machine sales from a storekeeper. // Mable Belcher, later Mable Belcher Brooks, was crowned queen of the first Lord’s Acre Festival in 1952. // Emily Vail (left) and Susie Scott help prepare fish sandwiches during the 2015 Lord’s Acre Festival // Jim Turney reloads a tray of fried fish Sept. 18, 2021, at the food tent for the Lord’s Acre Festival. SubmitteD photoS; DAily reporter file photoS

one in 1952. Back then, a festival queen was chosen from among the young single women of the church. Mable M. Belcher was crowned the first festival queen. She and Brooks were just classmates at the time, but several years later they married.

The early festivals, he said, were the fish fry and not as many activities. Maybe there’d be a simple game such a tossing wooden rings, aiming for the neck of a Coke bottle to win a small prize.

Over the years, festival organizers tried different ideas, such as having an ox roast instead of a fish fry. “We had to dig a pit out here. You fill that with wood and burn it. That created the coals,” he said, for cooking the meat. It was an arduous process, and before long festival leaders went back to a fish fry menu.

That menu has stuck and expanded over time to include cheese fries, funnel cakes and a variety of pies. Brooks is partial to apple, pecan and sugar cream. There have also been years when the festival included a parade. Vail remembers different classes in the church fashioning parade floats with chicken wire wrapped around wagons and filled in with paper. “We were all in competition” for the best float, she said. “They would block off (State Road) 67, and the (high school) band would lead the parade.”

The Rev. Daniel Payton, the church’s pastor, recalls more recent festivals such as the year he was sitting in the dunk tank and it was 55 degrees outside.

A father of three, Payton points to ways the festival has grown in its variety of family-friendly activities

Sugar Creek Baptist Church

such as bounce houses and face painting. This year, a Touch a Truck feature included police cars, fire trucks and combines.

These days, the church operates the festival out of an expanded building with a larger kitchen and fellowship hall. When McCordsville United Methodist Church added on in 2009, the new part included a row of outlets on the west side of the building to more easily power the cooking and lights at the festival, Brooks said. Tables and chairs are rented and set up, Vail said, instead of everyone carrying chairs out.

The festival of today also includes vendors. It also, this year, will seek to streamline the lines for those eating at the festival and those ordering takeout. The latter has been particularly popular the last couple of years, Payton said.

But amid what’s different, there’s something from that original festival — a kernel, if you will — that is very much part of Lord’s Acre to this day, say people of the church.

“The fellowship — I enjoy that as much as anything,” Vail said.

Payton remembers when he was new at the church years ago and saw about 50 people of the church, at the time, come together and feed more than a thousand at the festival. It blew his mind, he said. He sees the feelings people of the church, and particularly those who’ve seen many Lord’s Acres, have for this shared endeavor.

“You can see the joy coming up in people’s eyes,” Payton said. “There’s this deep old-school camaraderie.

“The memory stays alive.”

Christ in the Sinner’s Place

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:8-11 ESV

We invite you to rejoice with us in the sovereign grace of God to sinners through our Lord Jesus Christ.

944 E. Davis Road, Greenfield (beside Brandywine Park)

SoMethinG BiGGer than theMSeLVeS’ ‘PeoPLe Become a Part of

New Palestine church reflects on more than 150 years

Anne DurhAm Smith | Daily RepoRteR annesmith@greenfieldreporter.com

nEW PALESTINE —

Barbara Biersdorfer remembers them: The minister in the blue suit who drove out from Butler University to speak at services, the organist who painted a mural on the back wall of the church baptistry, her own father’s knack for keeping church board meetings on point.

The story of New Palestine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) includes many people who worshiped together on Sundays and from there went out and made a mark on the

community. Stanford Furry, who church people say is the namesake of Furry Road, was one of the original members when the church organized on Sept. 4, 1870. Harold Modlin — or “Harry Martin,” as the Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame member was known in his television farm and weather reports — was part of the church.

On Sept. 17, many members and ministers of the church, past and present, came together to reconnect with each other, share stories and names long remembered, and reflect on the church’s long history. Some came from far away,

such as from Kansas, Michigan and other states.

“We saw people we hadn’t seen for quite a while,” Biersdorfer said.

For people who grew up in the church to come back from so far, said longtime member John Kottlowski, “It must have been really important to your story — and it was.”

It was a 150th anniversary celebration 152 years in the making, since the milestone fell during 2020 when many events were canceled and people were practicing social distancing amid COVID-19. There was a feeling, said member Patty Chambers, that it was still

important to celebrate. “We want to grow our church … to let them know we’re here,” she said.

There was barbecue, a pitch-in and singing to go with the reminiscing, which was aided by a video and some 15 photo albums depicting past activities, celebrations and milestones. Someone sang “Victory in Jesus,” a favorite of Biersdorfer’s late husband, John.

Over the years she’s participated in the life of the congregation in various capacities in different seasons, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving as an elder, and completing a stint as board chairman.

Pictured from left: The late John Biersdorfer leads a Children’s Moment during a service at New Palestine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during the years services were at 27 W. Main St. The congregation moved to a new building at 4053 S. County Road 650 West in 2003. // Members of the church’s Christian Women’s Fellowship pause for a photo estimated to be from the 1960s or 1970s. SubmitteD photoS

“That’s one thing I like about this church,” she said. “They’ve accepted women in leadersip roles.”

Like Biersdorfer, Kottlowski remembers a lot of people from his decades as part of the congregation. He recalls meeting hardware store owner Les Bennett. Kottlowski had moved back to New Palestine with his family after college and was “new” in town when the Bennetts invited him and his wife, Connie, to a church spaghetti supper in early 1972.

A church elder for most of the 50 years since then, Kottlowski is among those in the church who’ve been entrusted with checking in on members who are ill or could use a visit, or need a ride. “(It’s) to make sure that everybody doesn’t get forgotten,” he said. “Sometimes when you’re going through rough times, you

need that support network.” That spirit of caring extends to community outreach, Biersdorfer said, such as filling 25 Easter baskets for children in need, or gathering coats, mittens and scarves in cold weather. A decorative tree in the church lobby often has tags on it with items people can contribute toward Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen in Greenfield or some other endeavor.

“We’re small, but I think we’ve always managed to care for other people,” she said. “We’ve always tried to care for people who are less fortunate.”

Kottlowski saw that sense of a small group doing something big when the church set out to build a new building on County Road 650 West more than 20 years ago. There were about 55 families in the church at the time, he said, and it

was an act of faith to move forward.

“Anytime we needed something financial, whether it be a new roof, or a sound system, it came for us,” and sometimes from others in the community, he said. “We didn’t know the source, but we knew the unifying part of it, and that was the love of God…

“What’s gratifying about it is people become a part of something bigger than themselves.”

While he’s made longtime friends at the church, he’s also encouraged to see the faith of a new generation, including teens in the church who share original worship songs with the congregation.

“I would probably describe it as a church that has a lot of old wisdom, that has a lot of young energy,” he said, “and together they have a lot of faith.”

Sunday School 9:30

Sunday Worship Service 10:30

Family Experience (FX) Sunday evenings 5-7 P.M.

Youth Bible Quizzing Practice: Thursday 6-7 P.M.

We support local charities and organizations including: Women’s Ministry: Once Monthly Hope House Homeless Shelter

Love INC of Greater Hancock County

Life Choices Care Center

Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen

We host an annual car show every Labor Day (first Monday in September). More than 300 cars participate in this community outreach event. Free food, games, Hot Wheels races, White Elephant sale, cake walk and much, much more.

Senior Pastor: Rev David Huff 317-417-6238

Associate Pastor: Dave Fish 317-557-7632

Greenfield First Church of the Nazarene

SERVICES:

Praise Service: Saturday at 5:00pm

Traditional Service: Sunday at 8:00 & 10:30am

Sunday School & Adult Bible Study: Sunday at 9:15am

file photo

New Palestine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) moved into its current building in 2003.

Churches work together to pack

Anne DurhAm Smith | Daily RepoRteR

annesmith@greenfieldreporter.com

MT. COMFORT — With a spoon, Amelia Melby added more grains of rice to the plastic bag. Then she eyed the number on the scale to be sure the bag was at the right weight.

With the sealing of the bag, six more meals were ready to send to Ukraine.

She was among the youngest of the hundreds of volunteers who gathered Oct. 1 at Mt. Comfort Church to help package 80,220 meals to be shipped overseas through Pack Away Hunger. Having recently moved to the area, she and her family had come

with friends who are part of Mt. Comfort Church.

This is the third time a group of local churches has collaborated on a meal

for Ukraine

packers worked in the gymnasium of New Palestine United Methodist Church, sending 50,000 meals to Guatemala and Haiti.

The Rev. Anthony Stone, pastor of the New Palestine church, has packed meals at such events before. In 2016 he was also in Guatemala to help unload a shipment and see people eat the food.

packing event. A 2019 meal pack took place at Mt. Comfort Church, and meals were sent to Haiti. The 2020 event was canceled. In 2021 meal

He said “definitely, there’s a general conversation and excitement” at church about participating in these events, and this year’s meals going to Ukraine adds particular interest to the work: “I think it does (resonate) … I think that has an impact.”

Anne DurhAm Smith | DAily reporter

Several area churches

— Amity United Methodist Church, Gateway Community Church of Fortville, Mt. Comfort Church, New Palestine United Methodist Church and Shirley-Wilkinson Community United Methodist Church — provided funds and/or volunteers for the Oct. 1 event.

It cost $12,650, the cost of packaging 40,220 meals, to do the event. (That’s about 31 cents a meal.) A grant from ADM Cares, a foundation established by nutrition company ADM, covered 40,000 more meals.

Members and friends of the participating churches staffed two shifts, one from 9-11 a.m. and one from noon to 2 p.m. Also offering their time were student-athletes from the Eastern Hancock High School football team.

“People need help,” Eastern Hancock senior Cody Masters said, as he

pressed packing tape onto a cardboard box filled with meal packets. “… God calls us to do the little things to help people.”

“It’s for a great cause, helping people out that are in need,” said Eastern Hancock junior Gavin Scroggins, in between scoopfuls of soy he dropped into the meal packets. “You’ve got to do what’s best for everybody.”

A couple of tables over, Marissa Baugh and her friend Olivia Hartnett were packing meals along with Marissa’s grandparents. Both eighth-graders at Mt. Vernon Middle School, they had seen the meal-packing event as a worthwhile way to log community service hours for their membership in the school’s chapter of National Junior Honor Society.

“It’s something where you can help others, and it would affect people in a good way,” Olivia said.

Volunteers were grouped around tables in the church’s gymnasium, with each of the 12 groups staffed by 8-10 people.

In assembly line fashion, they added their ingredients to the bag. Soy. Rice. Veggies. A micronutrient pack.

Someone weighed the bag, adding rice as needed to reach the target weight. Then the bag was pressed and sealed.

The contents of the bag make six meals. Thirty-six bags are packed into each cardboard box, meaning each box contains 216 meals.

The boxes were loaded onto a truck and driven to Pack Away Hunger’s headquarters in Beech Grove before being shipped out through Convoy of Hope. The faith-based organization can partner with Pack Away Hunger and other organizations to fill cargo containers and ship food overseas.

“They’ve been really helpful,” said Abigail Harlan. executive director of Pack Away Hunger. “We have contacts in Ukraine … Convoy of Hope is able to get meals to our contacts and into Ukraine.”

The Oct. 1 event resulted in 80,220 meals packaged for the people of Ukraine. Volunteers filled a truck, which carried meals to Beech Grove and then was driven back empty to hold more meals at the end of the afternoon shift.

“The great thing about this event is, it’s 5 to 95,” said Mt. Comfort Church pastor Ethan Maple. “You can sit down for the pack if you need to do it … (and there are) stools for the kids that need it. Anybody can participate in something like this.

“And it’s from every corner of our county in this particular pack. So it’s a really great event for the community.”

Exalting the Savior through the Exposition of the Scripture

Sunday School

Morning Worship

Sunday Evening Prayer Service

Sunday Evening Service

As FRIENDS OF JESUS, our purpose is to KNOW him as Savior, FOLLOW him as Teacher, PROCLAIM him as Lord, and GROW in our love and service for God, one another, and all people.

Wednesday Evening Service Bible Institute, Thursdays

For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord (2 Cor. 4:5a)

JOINING A MEAL PACK

You can initiate a meal packing event by visiting www.packawayhunger. org. It involves recruiting volunteers to pack the meals and raising funds to cover the cost of packing thousands of meals at the event (about 31 cents per meal).

“We come in and we take care of everything,” said Abigail Harlan. executive director of Pack Away Hunger. “We do all the setup, we help people fundraise, we run the event and also handle the distribution.” The website also suggests other ways to get involved.

From left, Annabell Feeney, Amber Klinck, Jordan Marshall and Mason Crisman fill meal packets Oct. 1 at Mt. Comfort Church. The meals are being sent to Ukraine. “I just believe it’s important to help those who are struggling,” Crisman said.

Eastern Hancock High School senior Cody Masters seals a box filled with more than 200 meals for the people of Ukraine. He was among a group of EH football players who volunteered at the Oct. 1 meal packing event at Mt. Comfort Church.

Judy Eastwood of Mt. Comfort Church scoops rice for meal packs.

New Palestine High School sophomore Julia Champ (center) holds the bag while the Rev. Marianne Nichols (lower left), Mary McCarty (left) and Susan Van Rooy (right) scoop their respective ingredients into it.

Julian Marshall of Mt. Comfort Church boxes meal packets. Each box holds 36 six-meal packages, or 216 meals.

Jiovanni Walker (lower left) and Scott Mosbarger (left) of Mt. Comfort Church fill meal packs along with Eastern Hancock High School football players Daniel Denny (center) and Mark Kube.