Services and studies
St. John’s Lutheran White Creek — The church, which has been marking its 175th anniversary this year with a variety of events, will celebrate its final anniversary service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday at the church, 16270 S. County Road 300W. This will be a way of highlighting John’s 175 Christmases together.
For many, Christmas is a nostalgic time of remembrance that is embraced with the senses. This Advent service was created to speak to the senses by touching hearts as people hear God’s word spoken and sung, as people see his story in the banners and vignettes.
Information: 812-342-3516
First United Methodist — The Rev. Lisa Cottingham will deliver the message, “Advent Questions: Why Are We Waiting?,” at both the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Scripture will be Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Psalm 25:1-10. Coffee Connections will take place between services in the library.
Cottingham is leading a short-term Advent study that follows the book “Sent.” The class meets at 6 p.m. on Sundays in the multipurpose room.
The Travelers Class will not meet this week.
November is Food for Fish Month to benefit Love Chapel. Envelopes for donations are located in the pew racks and the church office. Ramen noodles are also being collected for Love Chapel’s Christmas baskets. Bring your donations to the church office by Sunday.
Santa’s Workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 in the fellowship hall. There will be crafts and projects children of all ages can make. The workshop is open to everyone. There is no charge to participate, but an offering will be accepted. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Information: Sarah Campbell at 812-371-2851 or [email protected].
Dec. 7 is White Gift Sunday. Gifts for children at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon, Indiana, will be collected and delivered. A list of gift ideas can be found in the November monthly newsletter or the church office.
The December monthly book club led by the Rev. Howard Boles will meet Dec. 13 to discuss “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf. The book club starts at 6 p.m. and is part of Sunday Night Connections.
Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will use Scripture from Luke 21:25-36 when she presents the message “Hope” at the 9 a.m. first Sunday of Advent service at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E. Karen Mize will be liturgist, and Teresa Covert will give the children’s message. Maxine Harden will be the leader for Junior Church for children ages 5 years to fifth-graders. A time of fellowship will follow the service, and Sunday school will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Bible studies will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the home of Larry and Connie Nolting and at the home of Jim and Chris Kimerling. Tuesday night, the Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m., also at the Nolting home. Choir practice is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, and the Prayer Group led by Barb Hedrick will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. The Walking group will meet at FairOaks Mall at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday.
Preparations are being made for Advent, including special activities for children Dec. 13. The Scherer-Berry family will host an open house at the parsonage from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at the church.
Information: 812-546-4438; 574-780-2379
Asbury United Methodist — Pastor David Blystone will begin the Advent season with his message “The New Normal,” from Isaiah 9:2-7, at the 8:45 a.m. traditional and the 11 a.m. contemporary services Sunday at the church, 1751 27th St. in Columbus. Sunday school for all ages is at 10 a.m. JAM for ages 3 to 12 is available during the 11 a.m. service. Nursery is available all morning. Fellowship time with coffee and snacks is between services at The Well.
Canned corn is being collected for Love Chapel’s Holiday baskets.
Information: 812-372-4555; asburycolumbus.org
First Baptist — The Rev. David Doles will deliver the message “Discovering the Messiah Plan” Sunday at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive. Scripture will be Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, 11:1, 40:3, 53:5-12 and 60:1-5.
Child care is provided for infants. Children’s church is available for toddlers and preschool-age children. Older children will remain in the service. Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. following coffee fellowship.
The Hannah Circle of American Baptist Women will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
4TWELVE, a midweek gathering for students in grades 6-12, will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A Zumba class will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org
Flintwood Wesleyan — The Rev. Wes Jones will lead the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 5300 E. 25th St, Columbus. Sunday school for all ages starts at 9:30 a.m., and Prayer Ministry Team meets at 10:15 p.m. in the Prayer Room downstairs in the church. Choir practice begins at 5 p.m. followed by the evening service at 6 p.m.
Here are the small groups meeting this week:
Monday: Ladies’ Connections meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 10 a.m. in The Friendship Center led by Rev. Teri Jones.
Tuesday: “Stitches from the Heart,” a quilting fellowship at 5 p.m. with quilting instruction available with group leader Robin Bense.
Wednesday: Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. with the Jesus And Me program at 6:15 p.m., youth at 6:30 p.m. and adult Bible study at 7 p.m. Prayer Ministry Team meets at 6:15 p.m. in the Prayer Room downstairs in the church.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]
Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will deliver the message “Hope in Our Time, Hope in Their Time,” with Scripture from Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and Luke 21:25-36, at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Sunday school will be at 9 a.m., and fellowship will be at 9:40 a.m.
Bible study will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Information: 812-526-9430
St. Paul Lutheran — The worship and Sunday school times have changed at the church, 6045 E. State St. in Columbus. The Spanish worship will be at 12:45 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel, and Spanish Sunday school will meet at 1:45 p.m.
Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, State Road 46 and Tipton Lakes Boulevard.
The pastors are beginning a new Advent series, “God Knows.” Aud will give the Sunday message, “God Knows When to Show Up,” from Isaiah 9:1-7. The children’s program for birth through sixth grade meets at the same time as the 10 a.m. worship service. After the service, there will be a time of fellowship, and the church family will decorate the family Christmas tree. Refreshments will be served.
Ruby Tuesday Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the church. They are beginning a new 26-week study on Genesis.
Information: 812-342-8464
Families with preschool age and younger children have been hosting play dates at the church. They will meet Dec. 3 to make ornaments.
Information: Chrissy Alspaugh at christina_ [email protected].
Music
Old Union United Church of Christ — The 12 Voices Christmas Concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Westside Community — The Christmas cantata “Breath of Heaven” will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the church at Tipton Lakes Boulevard and State Road 46 in Columbus. The public is invited to come and hear the Gospel told in story and song.
Information: 812-342-8464; westside communitychurch.net
Events
Flintwood Wesleyan — The Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 5 again will feature a float from the church. Those who would like to volunteer to help decorate may sign up in the foyer.
Ladies Secret Pal Lunch will be after the morning service Dec. 6, with a gift exchange/reveal party.
Cozy Christmas will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Friendship Center around the fireplace. Expect Christmas carols, goodies and warm fellowship.
The Senior Adult Ministries Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 in The Friendship Center. There will be a cookie exchange.
The Kid’s Christmas Program will be presented at 6 p.m. Dec. 13.
Christmas Sunday is Dec. 20. Christmas breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with no Sunday school. Individual/family candlelight Communion will be from 3 to 6 p.m.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]
Old Union United Church of Christ — A program to remember the church’s beginnings is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 13 with special speaker Harry McCawley, former associate editor and a current columnist with The Republic, who is also Bartholomew County historian.
The Old-Fashioned Candlelight Service circa 1830 will be at 11 p.m. Dec. 24.
Information: 812-526-9430
Community Church of Columbus — John Thomas and Tommy Oaks will present an original musical, “Star Queen,” at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the church, 3850 N. Marr Road. The lighthearted production is a contemporary dramatization of the book of Ruth.
The show is free.
Information: 812-376-9478; cccolumbus.org
