Religion news

Services and studies

Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will speak on “God Saves the Best For Last,” from Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and John 2:1-11 at the 10 a.m. Second Sunday After Epiphany service at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W near Edinburgh. Sunday School is at 9 a.m. and fellowship is at 9:40 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study is at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

Information: 317-374-8281.

North Christian — The Rev. Cheryl Cloar and Director of Music Elizabeth Clark will lead the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 850 Tipton Lane in Columbus. A nursery for preschool-age children, staffed by a professional caregiver, is available if desired.

Centering Prayer will be at 10:45 a.m. Thursday in the Prayer Chapel on the lower level.

Handbell Choir rehearsal will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Room LL12.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Room LL8.

Jerry Hayes will speak about his recent pilgrimage to The Way: El Camino de Compostela in northern Spain at 9 a.m. Sunday and Jan. 24 in the lower level lounge at the church. All are invited to attend.

Information: 812-372-1531.

First Baptist — The youth Coffee Bar fundraiser will be open before and after the service. All proceeds will go to camp expenses at Green Lake, Wisconsin.

The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Steadfastness of God,” with scripture from Psalm 36:5-10, at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Music worship will be led by the Jubilation Ringers and the Chancel Choir.

Child care is available for infants, toddlers and preschool-age children. Children’s church will read Matthew 4:12-23 about the “Calling of the Disciples.”

Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School lesson will be taken from John 2:1-11 and the “Water to Wine” event.

The annual business meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. following a light lunch.

American Baptist Church youth will meet at 5:15 p.m. for Revision rehearsal. The Revision service will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Zumba classes will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A Fellowship meal will be served at 5 p.m. Wednesday with cost by donation. Reservations are suggested on the registration sheet or at 812-376-3321.

4TWELVE, a midweek gathering for students Grades 6 through 12, will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The Cross Connections Winter Learning Series will begin at 6 p.m. This week’s topic will be “Having Difficult Conversations,” and is pertinent to any age group including senior and middle adults as well as those who are involved in the care and decision making of aging parents. The public is invited.

The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet at 6:15 a.m. Friday at Four Seasons Retirement Center on Taylor Road. All First Baptist me and their guests are invited to join the group for breakfast and study.

Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The Rev. Mary Moore and church members will present a message, “Let America Be America Again,” which is the title of a poem by celebrated black poet Langston Hughes. “Make America Great Again” is the campaign slogan of a presidential candidate. On this Sunday meant to honor the life and thought of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., there will be a dramatic reading of the Hughes poem and exploration of the different meanings behind the two similar-sounding phrases.

Information: 812-342-6230; uucci.org.

Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will use scriptures from John 2:1-11 when she brings the message, “Miracle,” at the 9 a.m. Sunday service on Sunday at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E in Petersville. Teresa Covert will serve as liturgist and also will present the children’s message. Allyson Loper will do a signing presentation with special music. Don and Patsy Harris will be leaders for Junior Church.

Chats with the Pastor will continue at the parsonage at 3:30 p.m. Sunday and at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21. Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Kimerling and the Nolting homes. The Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Nolting home. The Walking group will meet at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesdays at Columbus’ FairOaks Mall. The Prayer Team will meet at the church at 10 a.m. Thursday with Barb Hedrick as leader.

Don Jackson is coordinator for volunteer projects at Clifty Creek Elementary School, including delivering weekend food packs at the school on Friday morning at 9 a.m. Anyone wishing to help may contact Jackson at 812-546-4065.

Central Heights Church of God — During the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, Pastor John Marquis will deliver the message, “Don’t Stop. God has a design for growth.” The praise band will play during this service. Sunday school begins at 9:30 for all ages, including nursery.

Youth group will resume at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Wednesday night Bible study begins at 4:30 p.m.

Information: 812-372-4857; centralheightschurchofgodcolumbus.com.

First Presbyterian — The Rev. Felipe Martinez will use Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and John 2:1-11 in the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 512 Seventh St. in Columbus. His Epiphany-oriented message will focus on how God uses each of us uniquely for the work of God, and how different spiritual gifts help shape how people see the world and how people serve others.

Information: 812-372-3783; fpccolumbus.org.

First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “The Power to Make a Difference,” at both the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 618 Eighth St. Scripture will be from Isaiah 62:1-5 and John 2:1-11. Coffee Connections will take place between services in the library.

The Travelers Class is studying the book “Jesus’ Plan for a New World Order” by the Rev. Richard Rohr. Boles is leading the weekly discussions.

The next new member class will be at 6 p.m. Sunday. Those interested will be received into membership at both services Jan. 24.

Information: 812-372-2851; [email protected].

The third annual First Cares will begin with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Monday in the Fellowship Hall. Groups will then split up for a variety of local mission opportunities. Details are in the January Spire.

The next selection for the pastor’s book club is “The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford. Discussion will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 24.

Fridays@First concert series will welcome Jane Dutton and the students of Sarah Kittle in recital at 5 p.m. Friday in the Sanctuary. All are welcome.

The first Noon Timers luncheon will take place at noon Feb. 3 in Fellowship Hall. Soup will be provided. Bring a salad or dessert to share. Call the church office by Jan. 31 to sign up.

Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org.

Events

Martin Luther King Jr. Discovery Day — A broad range of activities will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at White Creek Lutheran School for any area students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Topics will include hands-on activities with engineering, fine arts, sewing, sports, and much more. The day will include free lunch and free snack.

Information: 812-342-6832; [email protected].

Community Church of Columbus small group — DivorceCare for Kids will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb 9 at Community Church of Columbus, 3850 N. Marr Road. The group, also known as DC4K, is a nationally recognized program that is designed for children in grades 2 through 6 whose parents are separated or divorced.

There is no fee.

Registration: 812-348-6257; [email protected].

Small group leader and community group training — The Irresistible Community live simulcast for small group leaders will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 at Columbus’ YES Cinema, Fourth and Jackson streets. Sponsored by Community Church of Columbus, the focus is on leadership of small groups and community groups and equipping them to assist in growth of their group members. Bill Donahue is host.

Registration is required by calling Community Downtown at 812-348-6257.

Petersville United Methodist dinner — A “Fat Tuesday” Dinner hosted by Kezia Scherer-Berry will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9 at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E in Petersville. The dinner is a fundraiser for Scherer-Berry’s mission trip to Uganda in July. She is scheduled to work with children and youth in this poverty-stricken African country. This will be her third mission trip in as many years.

The “Fat Tuesday” menu includes pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, fruit, coffee cake, milk, juice and coffee. Tickets will cost $5 and are available in advance by calling 574-780-2379. All money raised will be used for her mission trip costing $3,000, the bulk of which is consigned to airfare. Those unable to attend the dinner are invited to donate to the Uganda trip by sending a check to the Petersville UMC with the memo marked “Kezia-Uganda.”

Central Heights Church of God — The annual Chili Supper will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church, 3151 Sharon Lane in Columbus. Cost: $5/person, $10 for families of up to four people and $15 for families of five or more.

Information: 812-372-4857; churchofgodcolumbus.com.