Religion news – September 23

Services and studies

Newbern United Methodist — The church’s first-ever Blessing of the Animals service will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 1 in the church’s park in Newbern. The Rev. Ed Scherer-Berry will lead a brief observation in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. He will then individually bless each animal present by name. The event will be conducted rain or shine in the park’s shelter house and will be followed by light refreshments.

Francis was known for his affinity for God’s creations. He preached that it was the duty of all creatures to praise God, and that humans were to protect and care for God’s world. In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared St. Francis the “Patron Saint of Ecology.”

St. Francis’ feast day is Oct. 4.

First Presbyterian The sermon, “Surprising Grace,” will be delivered at the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 512 Seventh St. in Columbus. Infant and toddler care is available from 9:15 to 11 a.m. The men’s and women’s support groups meet at 7 a.m. Fridays. A second men’s support group meets at 6:15 a.m. Mondays.

People in need of a meal are invited to the Hot Meals program offered at 5 p.m. Friday, with entrance through the glass doors on Franklin Street.

Information: 812-372-3783; fpccolumbus.org

Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will deliver the message, “The Last is First,” during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will include Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30 and Matthew 20:1-16. Sunday school will meet at 9 a.m. and fellowship will be at 9:40 a.m.

The Wednesday Bible Study will meet at 6:30 p.m.

Information: 812-526-9430

Flintwood Wesleyan Church Amplify (nontraditional) at 9 a.m. and The Well (traditional) at 11 a.m. will both be Sunday in the main sanctuary of the church, 5300 E. 25th St. in Columbus. Pastor Wes Jones will continue his series, “The Words in Red.” The Prayer Team will meet at 8 a.m. and Sunday school classes will meet at 10 a.m. in their regular rooms. The evening service will begin at 6 p.m.

The women’s study group, Connections, meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

“A Christian Journey with Paul” meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday evening in the gym until remodeling is finished. New members are welcome.

The Prayer Team will meet at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday and Adult Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Youth group will meet at 6:30 p.m.

Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]; flintwood.org

East Columbus United Methodist Sunday Morning Fellowship Time begins at 9 a.m. in the foyer of the church, 2439 Indiana Ave., with beverages and light snacks. Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m. The Outdoor Worship Service will begin at 10:40 a.m. with the message to be delivered by Pastor Charles Aigner. Special music will be performed by the Bell and Chancel Choir. A picnic will immediately follow the service with hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and table service provided. All are reminded to bring lawn chairs along with a side dish and dessert to share.

Bible study will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel. Women’s Bible study will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Jesus and Me, the youth group, will meet Wednesday in the Youth Center building. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for homework help with dinner to follow at 5 p.m. JAM fun activities will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Children must be registered by a parent or guardian.

Information: 812-376-7418; eastcolumbusumc.org

St. Paul Lutheran Church Pastor Doug Bauman will deliver the sermon, “Equal Opportunity Employer, Invites All to Serve, Same ‘Wage,’” at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday at the church, 6045 E. State St. south of Columbus. Scripture will include Matthew 20:1-16. The Early Childhood Ministry children will sing at the 10:45 a.m. followed by an open house in from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Information: 812-376-6504

First Baptist The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Discovering Your Purpose,” with Scripture from Jeremiah 1:1-10 at the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. Music worship will be led by the Chancel Choir. Childcare is provided for infants. Older children will remain during the service.

Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. Children will take a look at “Burning Bush and the Plagues.” Scripture will include Exodus 3:1-15 and 7:13-12.32.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. The Abigail Circle of American Baptist Church will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Men of Faith Bible study will meet at 6:15 a.m. Friday in the private dining room of Four Seasons Retirement Community, 1901 Taylor Road. A study, “Framing Metaphors from Paul: What They Meant and What They Mean,” will be led by Bill Griffith and Pastor Cash. All men of the church and community are welcome. Study guides are available at the church Welcome Center or office.

Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org

First United Methodist At the 9 a.m. Traditional Service and the 11 a.m. Celebration Service Sunday at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus, the Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Building Trust.” Scripture will include Exodus 16:2-15. Sunday school for all ages begins at 10:10 a.m. Childcare will be available during both services.

A group will meet from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Mondays in the library through Oct. 26 to discuss Jen Hatmaker’s “A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study.” The book was written specifically for today’s busy woman and offers user-friendly advice on how to get the most from personal Bible study time. Child care is available by contacting Learning Tree Preschool. Books may be purchased via Amazon or The Ark Bookstore.

Information: Sarah Campbell, scampbell@fumc columbus.org

Beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, the church will offer a Divorce Recovery class led by the Rev. Boles and his wife, Diana Lill. Child care will be available upon request.

A Blessing of Animals service to acknowledge the importance of family pets will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 30 at the church. Bring your dogs, cats, reptiles or other pets to receive a blessing.

The church is working with United Methodist Committee on Relief to help people impacted by hurricanes and is collecting monetary donations and supplies to construct cleaning buckets until Monday.

Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org

Petersville United Methodist The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will deliver the message, “God Provides,” at the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E, Petersville. Barb Hedrick will be the liturgist and will share Scriptures from Exodus 16 and Matthew 20:1-16. Teresa Covert will present the children’s sermon. A time of fellowship will follow the service.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Scherer-Berry will lead a new study, “Not a Fan.” Students in Grades 7 and higher are welcome to attend along with adults. There will be a separate class for the younger children.

Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the homes of Chris Kimerling and Larry and Connie Nolting. The Sit ‘n’ 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 Wednesday at the church. Choir practice, under the direction of Kathy Bush, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Barb Hedrick will lead the prayer group at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

Information: 812-603-8378; 574-780-2379

Events

South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship — Steve Harold of Hopewell Church in Deputy will speak on “Can You Share the Story … And Will You?” at the group’s meeting Tuesday at United Christian Church, 7810 W. State Road 250 in Paris Crossing. A fried chicken meal will be served at 6:30 p.m., with donations accepted, and Harold will speak at 7:15 p.m.

St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran fish fry — A fish fry will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the church, 11750 West County Road 930S, Waymansville.

Information: 812-342-4921

Flintwood Wesleyan GLOW, God Lights Our World, starts at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday will supper at 5:30 p.m. at the church, 5300 E. 25th St. in Columbus.

Today is the final day of the Youth fundraiser, Kiss the Critter. The event starts at 10 a.m. and pits teams of siblings against one another. There will be games, pulled pork and all the fixings. Votes in the money jar will be accepted until 2 p.m.

Arni’s Cause Night will will take place Tuesday at Arni’s, 2765 Brentwood Drive. Dine in or take out between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and show the church’s Building Hope fundraiser flyer for a portion of the receipts to go toward the fund. The flyer is available on the welcome table in the church foyer.

The church will host a Building Hope Tupperware Party on Oct. 2 with details to be announced at a later date.

The annual Missions Banquet will be Oct. 7 featuring several speakers and food. More details will be announced closer to the event date.

Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]; flintwood.org

Film at Central Christian — The movie, “God’s Compass,” will be shown at 6 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of the church, 1434 W. Second St., Seymour.

Information: 812-522-4211

St. Paul Lutheran Harvest Fest — The church’s annual Harvest Fest will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Schroer Ranch, 9486 E. County Road 50N in Bartholomew County. Activities for the afternoon include apple bobbing, a hayride, games, pumpkin painting and volleyball. A pitch-in meal, preceded by a hymn sing and youth-led devotions, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with meats, drinks and table service provided.

Information: 812-376-6504

First United Methodist cultural event — WorldFest, a unique opportunity to learn and experience other countries and their cultures, will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus The event is free, for all ages and will have pizza and hotdogs available for purchase.

Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org

Petersville United Methodist Halloween alternative — Trunk or Treat will take place Oct. 28 in the parking lot of the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E, Petersville. More details will be announced at a later date.

Information: 812-603-8378; 574-780-2379