To celebrate our anniversary this year we will have an all-church picnic on August 22 at Brookside Park, beginning at noon! Join in as we fellowship together and celebrate 18 years of our church history. We’ll also experiment with a “random acts of kindness” event. Some highlights:

• Lots of food, of course. The church will provide burgers and dogs, and each individual or family will bring a side or dessert to share. Want to help with the grilling? Contact Melody Merida to be part of the grill squad.
• Playgrounds, swimming ($3; $2 for youth/seniors), frisbee golf, and other park amenities to enjoy. Bring your lawn games.
• It wouldn’t be a church picnic without some trash talking! Our newest staff member has challenged Pastor Jeff to a “friendly” basketball competition. Mark Brown has his 80’s short shorts ready to go and Pastor Jeff has unpacked his knee high tube socks for this occasion! Join us at noon for some good food and at 2:00 pm for some good laughs as the guys take to the court. One-on-one might be a bit too much, so they’ve decided on a game that won’t mess up their hair—Around the World. Be sure to get a seat at shelter #2 right next to the courts!
• Something new to mark our anniversary: a “random acts of kindness” event. If this catches on, we’ll make it a tradition. The idea is that, in honor of the church’s anniversary, we’ll do some act of kindness or generosity that we normally wouldn’t think to do. You can pick up a participation/info form at church, or download it here. (160 kb pdf )

Questions? Email Melody Merida or call (317) 722?0000.

We have another church wide social event coming up on Saturday, August 15, as we watch the Fever take on the Detroit Shock at the Conseco Fieldhouse. The Fever is currently leading the WNBA with an 11-3 record!

Doors open at 6:00 pm, and at 6:50 pm, our Music Ministry will perform the National Anthem. Game tip off is at 7:00 pm.

See Angie Thurnall for tickets, or email the church office for contact info. Your $14 ticket will include entrance to the game; a voucher for a hot dog, chips, and soft drink; a free Fever t-shirt, and a 10% coupon for the Home Court gift shop.

There will be a ball exchange for the kids as well. Please see Angie for details if your kids would like to be part of that.

This is a great way to meet other people in the church, and support our music ministry! See you at the game!

Join us on Sunday, August 9 as we welcome Indiana Black Pride for our annual Community Worship Celebration! Highlights of the day include:

• Special guest speaker Rev. Dr. William Knight from Water of Life MCC, Tucson, Arizona. You can search youtube.com for samples of his dynamic preaching and singing.
• Songs by the Gospel Choir!
• A soul food potluck after the 11:00 am service! Main dishes will be provided. If you plan to take part in the potluck, please bring a side dish or dessert — and plenty of it! — to share.

On Saturday July 25, Jesus MCC will have a full-page ad in a special Profiles in Faith supplement to the Indianapolis Star. This will appear in northern Indianapolis and Hamilton County.

This is an exciting outreach for us, as it will position our church right alongside many other major local churches. The ad presents our church as a welcoming, diverse place where you can make friends and explore deep questions of faith. Please be in prayer for this outreach!

You can view the ad here.  (~1mb pdf) In addition to this ad, there will be a brief article and contact info.

Jesus MCC is partnering with New Community Project in two practical areas: promoting agriculture sustainability and women’s development in the southernmost portion of The Republic of Sudan.

There are several local projects which have been created to bring about greater peace, prosperity, and equality for the people of Sudan. We hope to support these wonderful projects.

To provide funding for the New Community Reforestation Project and the Girl Child Education Fund, Jesus MCC will be offering delicious pizzas for sale. Every cent of profit will be directed toward the planting of trees in southern Sudan, or toward the tuition costs for a young girl’s education. The people of Sudan have told us that these two areas of concern are the most critical to their future.

Together we can make a difference on the other side of the globe and make earth a little more like heaven.

Orders will be taken at the church July 19, 26, and August 2. All pizzas will be picked up or delivered on August 15 and 16. Please visit the table in the social hall to place your order or to get more information. You’re also welcome to email Melody Merida with questions.