Worship and Arts

Three Services to Be Offered on Ash Wednesday Feb. 18

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, simplicity, and spiritual discipline.

Through the imposition of ashes, Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God, and our human mortality. This year we will mark our observance with the imposition of ashes and communion at three services on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. in the chapel.

Early Communion Service Available Weekly During Lent

We will offer communion weekly each Wednesday throughout Lent at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel. This is a short service (15-20 minutes) and will not include a sermon.

Discipleship and Formation

Please Sign Up for One of Five Lenten Study Small Groups

Lent is rapidly approaching, and with it comes North's annual Lenten study written by Senior Pastor Darren Cushman Wood. This year's study is entitled "Turn to Hope."

Five small groups will be available, pending sign-ups:

• Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Sophia class (North Church, room 205);
• Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Power and Light class (North Church, room 202);
• Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Coffeys’ home (2007 Central Ave., Indianapolis — downtown);
• Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in the North Church conference room immediately after our weekly Lenten communion at 7:30 a.m., and
• Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the McDonalds’ home (5032 Arabian Run, Indianapolis — west side).

Please sign up for a group at the table in the west entry this Sunday after both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services.

The groups will begin meeting after Ash Wednesday, which is Feb. 18. Hard copies of the study will be available in the west and east entries. A pdf is also available to download under "Publications" on NorthChurchIndy.com.

The Next LGBTQ+ Fellowship Is Feb. 24 at the Amp

This month and next month's LGBTQ+ fellowship will move to the fourth Tuesday of the month due to schedule conflicts. Also, the February date, which is now Tuesday, Feb. 24, will move to a new location: the AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd. The time remains the same, 6 p.m.

For more info please contact Brandon Wallace or T.A. Inskeep.

Lenten Book Study Starts Sunday

How does a Christian with money respond and act in a country where over 36 million people live below the poverty line? In "When Did We See You?," Elizabeth Mae Magill invites us into an honest conversation about faith, money, and community, posing hard questions about poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. Magill wrestles with her own material privilege and encourages us to do the same. Come to this book study starting this Sunday, Feb. 15, through March 29. We start at 9:45 a.m. in the basement of North, room 005. Everyone is welcome!

Head of Habitat for Humanity

To Speak in Indy March 3

The Lake Institute's next distinguished visitor, Jonathan Reckford, will speak on Tuesday, March 3, in the Basile Auditorium in Indiana University's Eskenazi Hall at 725 W. New York St., Indianapolis. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. and the lecture will start at 5 p.m.

Reckford is the ceo of Habitat for Humanity, which is celebrating 50 years of building homes, communities, and hope. The public is welcome to his talk free of charge and can register here.

Mission and Outreach

Emotional Help, Wellness Coaches Are Available at MLK Center

The MLK Center Indy, located on 40th Street across Tarkington Park from North Church, has been providing services to neighbors for over 50 years. Its programing helps break the cycle of poverty by following its mission: to engage neighbors to practice radical love and build Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community, a community where everyone is cared for, and absent of poverty, hunger, and hate.

Many times people must first look within to improve their mental and emotional health. The Beloved Community Outreach Center, located on Illinois St. next to the Dollar General, offers confidential counseling to families, youth, and couples to help them cope with daily challenges and improve their self-esteem. In 2025 102 neighbors were provided free or low-cost mental health support through the center.

Monthly support groups for parents and grief and loss sufferers are also hosted. These groups foster sharing and community while giving participants help coping with challenges.

Also during 2025, 349 families actively engaged with the wellness coaches at the MLK Center. Wellness coaching can help with life skills, employment opportunities, and financial literacy, and directs people to agencies that can help. Sometimes the need is situational, like help with utility bills, and sometimes long term help is needed like affordable, stable housing. The MLK wellness coaches work on each need and provide help, information, and resources for the journey to self-sufficiency. 

Many neighbors participate and help at the MLK Center. Last year approximately 200 volunteers answered phones, helped host events, and read to children. There are many ways to help! If you are interested in having a tour of the center and checking out the possibilities, please let Pastor Jill know. 

Bread and Bowl Guests Need Warm Gloves

Many of our Bread and Bowl guests are in need of warm gloves during this cold winter season. Please bring in new or gently used adult gloves of all sizes and place them in the bin in the west entry. Thank you!

Justice and Advocacy

Upcoming Events to Support and/or Express Your Opinions

Upcoming events of interest include:

• An Ash Wednesday prayer vigil at the Clay County Detention Center in Brazil, Ind., at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18;
• Public witness at the governor's mansion in Indianapolis at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22;
• IndianaAID (Assistance to Immigrants in Detention) prayer vigil for the immigrant community on Monday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. at Southside Christian Church in Kokomo, and
• Public witness for immigrant justice in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Feb. 25. More info on the latter can be found here.

United Women in Faith

Order Wick's Pies on Feb. 22 or March 1

Help our UWFaith circles support programs benefiting women, youth, and children at home and abroad by purchasing delicious Wick's pies! Orders will be taken in the west entry from 9 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, March 1. Online orders may be placed by email before the deadline of Wednesday, March 4. Orders may also be placed by calling Carol Tiller-Luchtman at 317-313-9376 until March 4. The pies will be available to pick up in the west entry during the same hours on Sunday morning, March 29.

The pies cost $11 each. Flavors include sugar cream, pecan, peanut butter, German chocolate, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and coconut cream. Wick's is an Indiana-based company that remains loyal to a slower, more traditional pie baking method to ensure quality. The pies can be enjoyed this spring or they can be frozen for later holiday celebrations.

Lydia Circle to Meet Feb. 24 to Learn About Prison Ministry

The Women of Lydia circle will meet on Tuesday evening, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in the club room to learn about the Use What You've Got ministry. Cecelia Whitfield, a former member of the Lydia circle, founded this ministry to meet a need — to allow family members to connect with their incarcerated loved ones. The Women of Lydia circle has supported this work for several years. At this meeting its members will learn more about how the ministry is doing and how they might continue to support this important work. All are welcome.

Youth Group

Please Sign Up for Lenten Retreat by March 8

North Church Indy youth are heading back to Teter Organic Farm and Retreat Center on March 13-15 for their annual Lenten retreat! This year’s theme is "Pivot." Building on our church-wide "Turn to Hope" series, this weekend is all about that life-changing moment when we stop trying to "earn" our way and simply turn toward the peace and friendship God offers us. As Ephesians 2:19 reminds us: We are "no longer strangers... but friends.” 

It’s going to be a weekend of high-energy games, insightful small group discussions, interactive worship, and plenty of time to hang out in the cabins.

• Who: All students in grades 6–12.
• When: Friday, March 13 (7 p.m.) – Sunday, March 15 (1 p.m.)
• Where: Teter Organic Farm (10980 E. 221st St., Noblesville, IN). Parents, please note that drop-off and pick-up are on site at Teter Farm. If you need transportation assistance to the retreat center, please let Brandon know prior to the weekend.
• Cost: $45/student (covers all lodging and meals). Scholarships are readily available — we want every student there!
• What to Bring: Bedding (pillow/sleeping bag/blankets), although we have extras available if you need them. Clothing and toiletries for the weekend. Bible.

Please register by March 8 to secure your spot! The registration form is here. Please fill out this registration form even if your student is on scholarship or will be requesting scholarship assistance. For more info please email Brandon.

Green Team

Review Your Lighting Choices

Globally, our homes' lighting contributes to 5 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. We can all do more to dim this figure. For example, LED bulbs are more efficient than filament bulbs, using up to 75 percent less energy. They also give off less heat and last up to 10 years. They work out to be cheaper in the long run.

Shepherd's Center

Feb. 18 Meeting Will Feature Music by Jeffrey Bowen

The Mid-North Shepherd's Center's meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18 will start at 10 a.m. when Stephanie York leads devotions and jewelry crafts in room 007; Bob Kirk moderates a discussion of the news in the youth room, and Janet Humphrey leads chair yoga in the game room. At 11 a.m. Jeffrey Bowen will serenade the group in Fellowship Hall. He has been a full-time, professional musician for over 30 years. Since 2014 he has been the music director at the Lilly Theatre at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Lunch will follow his performance at noon in Fellowship Hall. At 1 p.m. the Shepherd's Singers will rehearse with Sean Baker in the choir room.

The group asks that you like and follow the Mid-North Shepherd's Center's Facebook page to stay up to date on its news.