Services and studies
First Presbyterian — The Rev. Felipe Martinez will preach a sermon based on Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; and John 12:1-8 at the 9:30 a.m. fifth Sunday of Lent service at the church, 512 Seventh St. in Columbus. He will focus on remembering that following Jesus requires sacrifice.
Infant and toddler care is available from 9:15 a.m. to noon Sunday. Christian Education opportunities for children in grades preschool through elementary begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. The 11 a.m. Sunday Adult Fellowship and Education Hour will include an inductive Bible study on the book of Colossians.
Youth in Grades 7 to 12 have Sunday school at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, and youth group meets from 5:45 to 8 p.m. the same day. The Men’s Support Group meets at 7 a.m. Friday.
The Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches’ hot meal will be served at 5 p.m. Friday at the church.
Information: 812-372-3783 or fpccolumbus.org.
Grace Lutheran — The Rev. John Armstrong will present the message, “From Stumbling Stone to Cornerstone: The Autobiography of Jesus Christ,” based on Luke 20:9-20 at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 3201 Central Ave. Sunday School for all ages is at 9:20 a.m.
At the midweek Lenten service beginning with a meal at 5:45 p.m. followed by worship at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Grace Lutheran concludes its Lenten series, “Blessed are the Peacemakers” with the message, “Go and Be Reconciled.” Child care is provided.
Information: gracecolumbus.org.
Newbern United Methodist — On the final Sunday in Lent before Palm Sunday, the Rev. Ed Scherer-Berry will preach “The Cost of Nard” from John 12:1-8 at the 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 15786 E. Main St. in Newbern. The sermon will explore the value of Jesus compared with materialistic endeavors. It will lead into Holy Week beginning March 20 with Passion/Palm Sunday, continuing on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. March 24 with a service of lessons and Lenten carols, and concluding on Easter Sunday, March 27, with a visit by a Roman soldier who guarded the tomb of Christ.
Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m.
Information: 574-780-2384.
Asbury United Methodist — The Rev. David Blystone will give the message “Inseparable,” with Scripture from Romans 8:35-39 at the 8:45 a.m. traditional and the 11 a.m. contemporary services Sunday at the church, 1751 27th St. Sunday School for all ages is at 10 a.m. The Jesus and Me program 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.
The Mission Columbus team continues to oversee the work being done at Brighter Days, the homeless shelter sponsored by Love Chapel. Small teams are working on projects. People interested in helping may contact the church office or check the Mission Columbus page on Facebook.
Information: 812-372-4555 or asburycolumbus.org.
Central Heights Church of God — The Rev. John Marquis will deliver the message “What is the Cost to Follow Jesus?” at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3151 Sharon Lane in Columbus. Sunday School begins at 9:30.
Information: centralheightschurchofgodcolumbus.com.
East Columbus United Methodist — The Rev. Charles Aigner will deliver the message during the 8:30 and 10:40 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 2439 Indiana Ave. Sunday school begins at 9:40 a.m. for all ages. Children’s church is offered during both services, along with a staffed Nursery/Toddler Room.
The Casual-Informal Evening Service begins at 6 p.m. Sunday with Aigner bringing the message from 2 Thessalonians. All4One Youth will gather in the youth room at 5 p.m. Sunday for a study with youth leader Logan Skinner.
Tuesday Bible Study Meets at 1 p.m. in the chapel to study Thessalonians.
Wednesday Evening Bible study meets at 7 p.m. in the chapel to study the Gospel of Matthew.
First Baptist Church — The Rev. Dave Doles will deliver the message “Discovering God as Forgiveness” at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. Scripture will be John 8:1-11. Music worship will be led by a vocal ensemble. Child care is available for infants. Children’s Church will offer a discussion on “Good Friday,” with scripture from Matthew 27:27-61.
Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. The Children’s Sunday school lesson will be “Mary Anoints Jesus,” with scripture from John 12:1-8.
Zumba classes will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet at 6:15 a.m. Friday at Four Seasons Retirement Center on Taylor Road. Men from First Baptist and their guests are welcome.
Information: 812-376-3321 or fbccolumbus.org.
First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message “Our Desert Journey: Unexpected Streams“ at the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Scripture will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126 and John 12:1-8. 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. Sunday in the multi-purpose room and at 6 p.m. Sunday in the conference room.
The Travelers Class is studying Tex Sample’s video series “Tex Mix.” The study will continue through March 20. All are welcome.
During the season of Lent, Boles is offering a 30-minute worship service at noon each Wednesday in the Chapel. Bring a sack lunch if you would like to eat with the group after the service. These services will run through March 23.
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 at the church.
The deadline to order Easter memorial flowers is Sunday.
Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org.
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.
The adult class, led by Trudi Ellison-Kendall, will meet at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Blue Room to continue study of the book “Radical Welcome,” by Stephanie Spellers.
Centering Prayer will be at 10:45 a.m. Thursday in the Prayer Chapel on the lower level.
Handbell Choir rehearsal will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Room LL12. Chancel Choir rehearsal will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Room LL8.
The Second Saturday Labyrinth Walk will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. today in the lower level of the church.
Volunteers from North Christian Church and Landmark Columbus’ Advocacy and Education Committee will conduct a landscape cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon today at the church. The work session will primarily focus on dormant pruning of trees, removing sticks and limbs from the property and other cleanup work. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and hand tools and wheelbarrows, if you have them.
Information: 812-372-1531.
Old Union United Church of Christ — The Rev. Kirby Rupp will deliver the message “An Act of Extravagant Love” during the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 12703 North County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14 and John 12:1-8. Sunday School is at 9 a.m. and fellowship is at 9:40 a.m.
The Evening Prayer and Eucharist service resumes at 6:30 p.m. April 3.
Wednesday Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m.
A Maundy Thursday service will be held 6:30 p.m. March 24 and a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. March 25.
Easter Sunrise service begins at 7 a.m. March 27 with an Easter Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will use Scriptures from Philemon 3:4b-14 when she presents her message “Press On” at the 9 a.m. Sunday at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E in Petersville. Joe Bush will serve as liturgist and Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon. Allyson Loper and Jean Parker will interpret the song “Trading My Sorrows” with the use of sign language. Maxine Harden will lead children’s church for those age 5 through fifth grade. Fellowship will follow the worship service.
Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the home 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 in Columbus. Choir practice is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Barbara Hedrick will lead the prayer group at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Plans for the Easter season include a community Easter egg hunt for children from toddler age through sixth grade at 11 a.m. March 19 on the church lawn. There will also be a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m. March 24 and an Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. March 27 with breakfast following. The regular worship service at 9 a.m. will include special music by the adult choir and a dramatic presentation “The Guard,” by Scherer-Berry.
Information: 812-546-4438, or 574-780-2379.
St. Paul Lutheran — A light supper will precede the Lenten service from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Fellowship Room at the church, 6045 E. State St. A hymn sing will follow at 6:45 p.m. The theme for the 7 p.m. Wednesday Lenten service at the church, 6045 E. State St., will be based on “I Will Ponder Calvary.”
Information: 812-376-6504.
Westside Community — The Rev. Dennis Aud will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard in Columbus. The title of his message will be “Having Done All We Can” from Mark 14:1-11. The children’s program for ages birth through sixth grade meets during the worship service.
Church members are reading the “One-Year Bible” together. The pastors are giving their message from the weekly readings. Bibles are available at the church for those who need one.
Lenten devotions will be from 7 to 7:15 a.m. March 21 to 24 at the church. Easter Sunday service will be at 10 a.m. Easter Sunday at The Commons, 300 Washington St.
Information: 812-3428464 or westsidecommunitychurch.net.
Flintwood Wesleyan — Sunday services begin with Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m., 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. No Sunday evening service for the next six weeks.
Due to spring break, there are no activities scheduled for Wednesday.
Cub Scout Pack No. 588 meets at 6:30 p.m. and Boy Scout Troop No. 588 meets at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Music
Healing Waters Ministries concert — The Fields Family will be in concert at 6 p.m. March 20 at the church, 2330 Midway St. in Columbus.
Information: 812-344-4562.
Sixth Street General Baptist concert — The Rick Leonard Family will be in concert at 7 p.m. today at the church, 2100 Sixth St. in Columbus.
Information: The Rev. Kenneth Lee at 812-603-3156.
St. Paul Lutheran recital — Robert Welsh, kantor at St. Paul Lutheran, will present an organ recital at noon Wednesday at the church, 6045 E. State St. south of Columbus, as part of the series presented by Indiana University alumni organists. Selections will be by Sweelinck, Bach, Bruhns, Couperin, Mendelssohn and Manz.
Events
First United Methodist — The annual Smorgasbord fundraiser will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 21-22 at the church 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Tickets are now on sale at the church office. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children, ages 5 to 10. Children age 4 and younger eat free.
North Christian — The church will host a St. Patrick’s Day Party Tuesday at the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches’ hot meal site at Asbury Methodist Church, 1751 25th St. Shepherd’s pie will be served and there will be singing and a treasure hunt for children.
Information or volunteering: Kate Peterson at 812-371-2138.
South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship — Ron Bridgewater, pastor of East Columbus Christian Church, will speak at the group’s next meeting at 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the church, 3170 Indiana Ave. A free meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. It is open to all men from area Christian churches (as in First Christian and East Columbus Christian) and Churches of Christ.
Information: scicmf.org.
