Services and studies
Bible Church of Columbus — “Celebrate Christmas” is the theme of the message at the 10 a.m. Sunday service from the Rev. Dave Marvin, senior pastor. Christmas treats will be given to all youth through high school age following the service.The Children’s Choir and Adult Choir will provide a musical celebration during Sunday’s 6 p.m. service.Information: 812-375-9515 or biblechurchofcolumbus.org.
Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will present the message, “Hope in Our Time, Hope in Their Time,” from Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and Luke 21:25-36, at the 10 a.m. Second Sunday of Advent service at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W near Edinburgh.
The Voices Christmas concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
Republic columnist and Bartholomew County historian Harry McCawley will speak on “Remembering Our Beginning As a Church” at the 10 a.m. Dec. 13 service.
The Christmas Eve Old-Fashioned Candlelight Service, circa 1830, will begin at 11 p.m.
Information: 812-526-9430
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The message, “A Spiritual Daily Dozen As We Prepare for the Holidays,” will be presented at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Blvd. At what can be a stress-filled time of the year for many, attendees will take a look at more than a dozen traditional spiritual disciplines, both individual and communal, which people have practiced through the ages to help to nurture their spiritual lives.
Information: 812-342-6230 or uucci.org.
First Presbyterian — The Rev. Marietta Macy will present the message, “Peace, Peace” about Jesus’ message of peace in what many see as a world missing peace, at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 512 Seventh St. in Columbus. Readings will be from Luke 1:68-79 and Ezekiel 13:6-16.
Information: 812-372-3783 or fpccolumbus.org.
East Columbus United Methodist — The Rev. Charles Aigner will preach a special message and Communion will be served at the blended worship services beginning at 8:30 and 10:40 a.m. Sunday at the church, 2439 Indiana Ave. Sunday school meets at 9:40 a.m. for all ages and Bible interests. Children’s church and a staffed nursery/toddler room are available during the morning services. Aigner will bring the message at the Casual-Informal Evening Service at 6 p.m. All4One Youth group will meet at 5 p.m. in the youth room.
Weekly Bible studies meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel.
Family Game Night will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.
A town hall meeting will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 12 in the Fellowship Hall.
North Christian — The Rev. Cheryl Cloar and Director of Music Elizabeth Clark will lead the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 850 Tipton Lane in Columbus. A nursery for preschool-age children, staffed by a professional caregiver, is available.
A Christian education event will be at 9 a.m. Sunday in the lower level of the church. Chrismons will be created to add to the Chrismon tree in the narthex, with cards created to send to shut-ins, and music will be made with colored bells. All are welcome.
Centering Prayer will be at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the Prayer Chapel on the lower level.
Information: 812-372-1531.
First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will use Scripture from Zephaniah 3:14-20 and Luke 3:7-18 when he delivers the message “Advent Questions: What Should We Do?” at the 9 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Coffee Connections will take place in the library between services.
Pastor Lisa Cottingham is leading a short-term Advent study that follows the book “Sent.” The class meets at 6 p.m. Sundays in the Multipurpose Room.
The Travelers Class will view the final session of “Painting The Stars” on Sunday.
White Gift Sunday is this weekend. Gifts for children at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon will be collected and delivered. A list of gift ideas can be found in the December newsletter.
Learning Tree Preschool will present its annual Christmas program at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Sanctuary. All are welcome.
The monthly book club date has been changed to Dec. 20. Rev. Boles will lead the discussion for “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.
Flintwood Wesleyan — Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the 10:30 a.m. service led by the Rev. Wes Jones. Prayer Ministry Team meets at 10:15 p.m. in the prayer room downstairs in the church.
The Ladies Secret Pal Lunch will follow the morning service. There will be a gift exchange/reveal party, and members will draw names for next year. All women are invited to attend the party even if they are not a Secret Pal. A Cozy Christmas will be at 6 p.m. in the Friendship Center around the fireplace. It will include Christmas carols, goodies and warm fellowship, as well as a pitch-in of soups and sandwiches.
Choir practice begins at 5 p.m.
Ladies’ Connections meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 10 a.m. in The Friendship Center led by the Rev. Teri Jones.
Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday 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.
The Senior Adult Ministries Luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in The Friendship Center. There will be a cookie exchange. Bake/buy a dozen and take home a dozen.
Information: 812-379-4287, flintwood.org.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will present her sermon, “Love,” at the 9 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E in Petersville. Scripture will be read from Luke 1:68-79. It will be the second Sunday in Advent, and four generations of the Fiesbeck family will participate in the ceremony for lighting the advent wreath. Communion will be served. Patsy Harris will be the liturgist, and Scherer-Berry will give the children’s message. Betty Hilycord and Sandy Williams will be leaders for Junior Church for children ages 5 through fifth grade. Immediately following worship, a town hall meeting will be led by Chris Kimerling with discussion centered on the Fruitful Congregation Ministry Action Plan.
Dec. 13 has been designated “Christmas for Children.” Special activities are planned during morning worship, followed by refreshments and creative activities for all children.
Bible studies will be 6:30 p.m. Monday at the home of Larry and Connie Nolting and at the home of Jim and Chris Kimerling. The Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Nolting home. 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.
Don Jackson is the coordinator for volunteer activities at Clifty Creek Elementary School, including delivering food packs at 9 a.m. each Friday. He may be contacted at 812-546-4065.
Information: 812-546-4438, 812-375-0898.
St. Paul Lutheran — Pastor Doug Bauman will deliver the message, “Repent and Bear Fruit,” based on Luke 3:1-14, at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 6045 E. State St.
An Advent service focusing on “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem” will be at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church. The theme will be “Famine at Bethlehem.”
Christmas Family Fun Day will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the church with caroling, a supper served at 5 p.m., gingerbread house decorating and a Nativity activity.
Information: 812-376-6504.
Taylorsville First Baptist — “The Unexpected Guest” will be presented at the 11 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 9118 S. Main St. in Taylorsville.
Information: 812-526-0172.
Westside Community — Associate Pastor Robert Vester will present the message, “God Knows When to Speak Up,” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, at State Road 46 and Tipton Lakes Boulevard. Scripture will be from Matthew 1:18-25 as a part of the Advent series, “God Knows.” The children’s program for birth through sixth grade meets at the same time as the 10 a.m. service.
The annual Westside Couple’s Retreat will be Jan. 29 to 30 at Wooded Glen Retreat Center in Henryville. The deadline to register is Sunday.
Several Bible studies and small groups meet throughout the week. Call for days and times.
Information: 812-342-8464 or westsidecommunity church.net.
Music
First Presbyterian Christmas concert — Four Columbus organists will join in a concert of Advent and Christmas organ music 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, Seventh and Franklin streets in Columbus. Playing on the newly restored 47-rank Casavant pipe organ, the organists are Robert Welch from St. Paul’s Lutheran, Elizabeth Clark from North Christian, Robin Gratz from First Methodist and Ray Hass from First Presbyterian.This is the second of five programs this season presented by Music at First Presbyterian Church. Admission is free, but an offering will be taken. A reception will follow the program.Information: 812-372-3783 or fpccolumbus.org
First United Methodist — A Community Carol Sing will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 in the sanctuary, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. The event will include brass, organ, choir and hand bells. All are welcome.
Information: 812-372-2851, fumccolumbus.org
Westside Community — The Christmas cantata “Breath of Heaven” will be performed at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. This year’s cantata is made up of traditional and new Christmas music for all to enjoy.
Information: 812-342-8464
Events
Community Church of Columbus pregnancy support — Embrace Grace is a new 12-week support system program for teens and young women facing an unexpected pregnancy. The group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. starting Jan. 13 and includes a mentoring component.For further information and to register, contact facilitator Maria Westbrook at 812-341-1385.Ogilville Christian — A free meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month at the church, 7891 W. County Road 450S in Ogilville, a few miles south of Columbus. The first meal will be served Dec. 12.
Information: 812-342-6907
South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship — The next meeting will begin with a free meal at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Jennings Church of Christ, 1200 N. Madison Ave. in North Vernon. A business meeting will follow.
The group of men from 15 area Christian churches get together monthly for fellowship to make sure they can help young people who gather for the same at Hilltop Christian Camp.
Information: Alvin Balmer, 812-526-2071 or 812-346-3193
Flintwood Wesleyan — The Festival of Lights Parade at 6 p.m. today in downtown Columbus will feature a float from the church. Those interested in participating can meet at the Cummins Inc. parking lot on Lindsey Street at 4:30 p.m.
The Kid’s Christmas Program is at 6 p.m. Dec. 13, with cookies and hot chocolate following the program in The Friendship Center. Parents and grandparents are invited to attend.
Christmas Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Dec. 20 for Christmas Sunday. Worship will begin at 10:30 a.m., and there will be no Sunday school. Individual/family candlelight communion will be available from 3 to 6 p.m.
Information: 812-379-4287
St. Mary’s Catholic — Jump Start, a family Christmas Brunch with St. Nicholas, will be held from 10:15 to noon Sunday at the parish center, 617 Clay St. in North Vernon. A free Sloppy Joe meal will be served to the first 120 people. St. Nick will visit at 11 to 11:30 a.m. and bring some surprises for the kids.
The Jump Start singers have a special rendition of “Silent Night,” and there will be shadow puppets for youngsters to enjoy. No reservation is necessary.
Information: 812-592-4107
