Services and studies
First Presbyterian — Worship on the Fourth Sunday in Lent begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 512 Seventh St. in Columbus as the Rev. Felipe Martinez preaches on “The Prodigal Son,” based on Luke 15. Communion will follow. Infant and toddler care is available from 9:15 a.m. to noon. Christian education opportunities for children from preschool through elementary age begin at 10 a.m.
The Adult Fellowship and Education hour on Sunday at 11 a.m. is offering an inductive Bible study on the book of Colossians.
Youth in seventh through 12th grades have Sunday School at 10:45 a.m., and youth group from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The Men’s Bible Study will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The Men’s Support Group meets at 7 a.m. Friday.
Information: 812-372-3783 or fpccolumbus.org.
Grace Lutheran — Grace Lutheran continues its Lenten Sermon Series, “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” with the topic “Gently Restore” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 3201 Central Ave. in Columbus. Worship is at 6:30 p.m., with a light supper served at 5:45 p.m. Childcare is available. Call 812-372-4859 for more information.
First Baptist — The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the communion message “Discovering God as Host,” from Luke 22:14-23, at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive. Music worship will be led by the Jubilation Ringers and Chancel Choir. Child care is available for infants. Children’s Church will discuss Maundy Thursday with scripture from Matthew 26:26-30 and 36-50.
Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. The Children’s Sunday School lesson will be about “The Prodigal Son” from Luke 15:1-3 and 11-32.
Zumba classes are available at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The Mending Ministry will meet at Four Seasons Retirement Center at 9 a.m. Wednesday to do mending for the residents.
4TWELVE, a midweek gathering for students in grades 6 to 12, will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The Cross Connections Lenten Study will conclude with the 6 p.m. Wednesday session. The study “Who is This Man?” utilizes a DVD featuring the Rev. John Ortberg. He reveals how Jesus made an inescapable influence on the world.
The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet at 6:15 a.m. Friday at Four Seasons Retirement Center on Taylor Road. Men of First Baptist and their guests are invited for breakfast and study. Information: 812-376-3321 or fbccolumbus.org.
Westside Community — The Rev. Dennis Aud will lead the service 10 a.m. Sunday at the church at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard. The title of his message will be “The Courage to Face the Future,” from Mark 10:32-34.
Holy Communion will be served during the service.
The children’s program up through 6th grade meets at the same time as the 10 a.m. worship service.
Westside is reading the “One-Year Bible” together as a church and the pastors are giving their message from the weekly readings during 2016. Bibles are available at the church for families needing one.
Westside will again be having its Easter Sunday service at The Commons in downtown Columbus beginning at 10 a.m. The service is open to the public.
First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will present the message “Our Desert Journey: Finding Oneself” at both the 9 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 618 Eighth St. Scripture will be Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Both children’s choirs, Sounds of Joy and Sounds of Celebration, will be sharing their songs during the services. Coffee Connections will be in the library between services.
The Rev. Lisa Cottingham is leading a six-week Lenten study on the Gospel of John by Adam Hamilton at 10:10 a.m. in the multipurpose room on Sundays, and at 6 p.m. on Sundays in the conference room.
During the season of Lent, Rev. Boles is offering a 30-minute worship service in the Chapel every Wednesday at noon. Bring a sack lunch if you would like to have lunch with the group after the service. These services will run through March 23.
The Rev. Boles has selected “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry,” by Gabrielle Zevin, for the March book club. The book club will meet at 6 p.m. March 20.
Beautiful You is an event for all girls in seventh to 12th grades and will take place on April 8. There will be guest speakers, group challenges, games, food, crafts, scripture and discussion. Deadline for registering is March 12. Call the church office at 812-372-2851.
Smorgasbord dates are April 21 and 22, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased starting Sunday outside the church office. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children, ages 5 to 10. Children 4 and younger can eat for free.
The deadline to order Easter memorial flowers is March 13.
Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org.
Flintwood Wesleyan — Sunday services begin with Sunday School for all ages starting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday followed by the morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. led by the Rev. Wes Jones at the church, 5300 E. 25th St. in Columbus. Prayer Ministry Team meets at 10:15 a.m. in the Prayer Room downstairs in the church. Adult Choir practice is at 5 p.m.
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 in the church.
The Senior Adult Ministries luncheon is scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in The Friendship Center.
Cub Scout Pack No. 588 meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Boy Scout Troop No. 588 meets at 7 p.m.
Here is a list of winter/spring small groups:
Sunday: “Hymns and More,” led by John Shelton will meet in the sanctuary at 6 p.m. Hymns will be sung and stories of origin and interesting hymn facts will be discussed. “War Room,” led by Donna Jewell, will meet at The Friendship Center at 6 p.m. This is a women-only group doing a study based on the movie of the same name.
Monday: “Ladies’ Connections” meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at The Friendship Center, and is led by Rev. Teri Jones.
Tuesday: “A Christian Journey with Paul: A Trip Down The Roman Road” is led by Sandy Dooley, meeting in The Friendship Center at 6:30 p.m. This is a continuing series but people can join anytime.
Friday: “Senior Perks,” led by Darlene Morford, will meet in The Friendship Center from 10 a.m. to noon. This a fellowship for senior adults ages 55 and older. It’s a fellowship open house with donuts, cookies, coffee and friendship.
“Stitches from the Heart” is a quilting fellowship meeting at 5:30 p.m. and is led by Robin Bense. Meeting schedule is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 28; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9; and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 18.
“All Creatures Great and Small,” led by Marie Brauneller, will meet in The Friendship Center and combines fellowship, worship and love of animals. It will meet March 11, 18 and 25.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be March 26.
Information: 812-379-4287 or flintwood.org.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Jonathan Gosser, a member of the Indiana United Methodist Conference Fruitful Congregation Journey team, will present the message at the 9 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E. His theme will be “Repentance and Forgiveness” and will include the serving of communion.
The church has completed phases one and two of the Fruitful Congregation Journey, and this service will begin phase three. Patsy Harris will serve as liturgist. The choir will provide special music during communion, directed by Kathy Bush. Teresa Covert will give the children’s message, and Maxine Harden will lead children’s church for children ages 5 through fifth grade. Fellowship will immediately follow worship and Sunday School will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Monday night Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the homes of Jim and Chris Kimerling and Larry and Connie Nolting.
The Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Nolting home.
The Walkers Group meets at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at FairOaks Mall.
Choir practice is at the church on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Barbara Hedrick is the leader of the Prayer group at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Don Jackson is the coordinator of volunteers for Clifty Creek Elementary School; those wishing to help should contact him at 812-546-4065.
Information: 812-546-4438 or 574-780-2379.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The Rev. Mary Moore will lead the 10 a.m. Celebration Sunday service at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Boulevard in Columbus. Members will have the opportunity to pledge a commitment of generosity toward the church. A meal will follow.
Information: 812-342-6230 or uuci.org.
Fairlawn Presbyterian — The Rev. Lee Dorsey became the transitional pastor at the church, 2611 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. The Rev. Dorsey will provide leadership while the congregation seeks a permanent pastor. He will lead the worship service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. speaking on “Wonderings and Fascinations,” with scripture readings from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32.
Communion will be served, and Cindy McMillin and Mirabella Minut will present special music. Fellowship time and Adult Christian Education will immediately follow worship service.
Information: 812-372-3882 or fairlawnpc.org.
Central Heights Church of God — The Rev. John Marquis’ message will focus on “What It Means to be Radical,” at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3151 Sharon Lane in Columbus. Sunday School for adults through nursery age begins at 9:30 a.m. Children’s Church is available during service time at 10:45 a.m. Youth meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Information: 812-391-1684.
Community Church of Columbus — Sponsored by Community Church of Columbus, a new Celebrate Recovery group will begin meeting at 9 a.m. Monday at Community Downtown, 522 Seventh St. No registration is needed.
The Grief Recovery Support Group will begin at 1:15 p.m. March 24 at Community Downtown. There is no cost for the eight-week group and it is open to any adults who have lost a loved one. Registration is needed for this group.
Information and registration: 812-348-6257.
North Christian — The Rev. Cheryl Cloar and Director of Music Elizabeth Clark will lead the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at the church, 850 Tipton Lane. A nursery for preschool-age children, staffed by a professional caregiver, is available.
The adult class, led by Trudi Ellison-Kendall, will meet at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Blue Room to continue the study of the book, “Radical Welcome,” by Stephanie Spellers.
Thursday: Centering Prayer will be at 10:45 a.m. in the Prayer Chapel on the lower level. Handbell Choir rehearsal will be at 6:30 p.m. in Room LL12 and Chancel Choir rehearsal will be at 7:30 p.m. in Room LL8.
The Second Saturday Labyrinth Walk will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. March 11 in the lower level of the church.
Volunteers from the church will serve the meal March 15 at the Hot Meals site at Asbury Methodist Church, 1751 25th St.
Information: 812-372-1531.
Old Union United Church of Christ — The Rev. Kirby Rupp will deliver the message “A Faithful POV” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 12703 North County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will include Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. with Fellowship at 9:40 a.m.
Lenten breakfast is at 8 a.m. today at the church.
The evening prayer and Eucharist service will resume at 6:30 p.m. April 3.
Ladies Aid meeting will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Wednesday Bible Study meets at 6:30 p.m.
A Good Friday service will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 25.
Easter Sunrise service will be at 7 a.m. with breakfast at 8 a.m. March 27.
St. Paul Lutheran — The Lenten service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 6045 E. State St. The theme will be based on “I will ponder the trial before Pilate.” A light supper will be served from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a free-will offering, followed by a hymn sing at 6:45 p.m.
Information: 812-376-6504.
Music
Lowell General Baptist — The Mullins Sisters will be in concert at 7 p.m. today at the church, 200 W. Southline Drive. All are welcome.
Information: 812-703-5040.
Events
Burnsville Christian — The monthly soup supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the church, 2891 S. County Road 900E, Burnsville. Included will be chili, vegetable, potato, sauerkraut and oyster soups, plus hot dogs, dessert and drinks for a free-will offering.
Information: 812-579-5611.
Religion news appears Saturdays inside the Faith & Community section, and includes items from area houses of worship, plus other ministries, outreaches and groups from all faiths throughout Bartholomew County. Elements can range from sermons and study groups to special services, discussions and other programs. Submit news by 4 p.m. Mondays to [email protected]. Information: Brian Blair at 812-379-5672.
