Services and studies
First Baptist — The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Hope In It,” with Scripture from Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12 at the 9:30 a.m. Second Sunday Advent service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive. Child care will be available on the lower level for infants. Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. Live streaming of the service will be available at sundaystreams.com/go/fbccolumbus or fbccolumbus.org/WP/sermons.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. The Mending Ministry will convene at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Four Seasons Retirement Center, 1901 Taylor Road, to do mending for the residents.
The Men of Faith will meet at 6:15 a.m. Friday in the private dining room of Four Seasons Retirement Center for breakfast and study. New faces are welcome.
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., the Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Advent Empathy: Learning the Cries.” Scripture will include Isaiah 40:1-11. Sunday school for all ages will begin at 10:10 a.m. Child care will be available during both services.
The church’s special Christmas Music Sunday will be observed during both the 9 and 11 a.m. services Dec. 17. Featuring a string quintet, the Chancel Choir and the Chancel Ringers, this service will embrace the season with traditional and new inspirational selections.
The December book club will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the church library to discuss “Evensong” by Gail Godwin.
The Longest Night Service will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 featuring Scripture, special music, silent reflection and healing prayer. All are welcome to attend.
This year, Makenzie Brown has partnered with the church to host a Christmas Vacation Bible School for her senior project. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22. Children will learn how Christmas began and play games, make crafts and watch a Christmas movie. Snacks will be provided. However, those planning to attend are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. All children up to the sixth grade are invited. Please register by Dec. 15 by visiting bit.do/christmasvbs.
Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The message, “When Waiting is Hard,” will be delivered by the Rev. Nic Cable during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Blvd.
Information: 812-342-6230; [email protected]
St. Paul Lutheran — Pastor Doug Bauman will deliver the message, “The Beginning of the Gospel,” based on Mark 1:1-18, during both the 8 and 10:45 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 6045 E. State St.
An Advent service focusing on “The First Prophet,” with Scripture from Deuteronomy 18, will be at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The Las Posadas service will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 beginning in the education building and ending in the chapel. This is a traditional service in Latin America that recounts the difficulty for Mary and Joseph in finding a place to spend the night on the first Christmas. A fiesta will follow.
Information: 812-376-6504
Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will deliver the message, “God’s People are Comforted,” during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will include Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a and Mark 1:1-8. Sunday school will meet at 9 a.m. and fellowship will be at 9:40 a.m.
Bible study will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A Candlelight Service will take place at 11 p.m. Dec. 24 at the church.
Information: 812-526-6430
Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd, and share the message, “How Can I Wait So Long?” Scripture will include Luke 1:26-45. The children’s program for birth through grade 6 will meet during the service at 10 a.m.
During Advent, the pastors will be sharing a sermon series title, “Christmas Questions.”
Pastor Robert Vester will lead a Bible study from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday evenings through Dec. 20 at the church. This study, “Christmas and the Gospels: A Biblical Study of Jesus’ Birth,” will help prepare minds and hearts to celebrate the Savior’s birth.
Information: 812-342-8464
Flintwood Wesleyan — Amplify (nontraditional) at 9 a.m. and The Well (traditional) at 11 a.m. will both be led by Pastor Wes Jones in the main sanctuary of the church, 5300 25th St. The Prayer Team will meet at 8 a.m. and Sunday school classes will meet at 10 a.m. in their regular rooms. Adult choir practice will be at 5 p.m. followed by a Cozy Christmas Fellowship at 6 p.m. in the Friendship Center.
The women’s study group, Connections, meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month.
The Prayer Team will meet at 6:15 p.m. and adult Bible study will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the sanctuary. The Youth Group will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Regular worship services will be conducted at 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 24. There will be no Sunday school or evening activities.
A breakfast prepared and served by the men of the church will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Dec. 31 followed by a combined worship service at 10 a.m. Evening activities will be dismissed.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]; flintwood.org
First Presbyterian — The sermon, “For the Love of God,” will be delivered during the 9:30 a.m. service at the church, 512 Seventh St. Scripture will include Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and John 1:6-8, 19-28. Infant and toddler care will be available from 9:15 to 11 a.m.
The men’s and women’s support groups meet at 7 a.m. every Friday. 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 door son Franklin Street.
Information: 812-372-3783; fpccolumbus.org
North Christian — The Rev. Tonja M. Gerardy, minister, along with Director of Music Nikolai Peek, will lead the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at the church, 850 Tipton Lane in Columbus.
The Sermon is “God, Grant me patience … Now!” The Scriptures are 2 Peter 3:8-15a and James 5:7-10.
A nursery for preschool children, staffed by a professional caregiver, is available, if desired.
North Christian Church is an open and affirming congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Information: 812-372-1531
Music
St. Paul Lutheran — The Second Presbyterian Church Beecher Singers and Orchestra of Indianapolis, conducted by Michelle Louer, will present a free Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the church, 6045 E. State St. Concert organist John Allegar will perform Christmas favorites and lead the audience in carol singing. A pre-concert harp recital will begin at 6:40 p.m. All are invited.
Information: 812-376-6504
Old Union United Church of Christ — The church will host a Voice Christmas concert at 6 p.m. today at N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Information: 812-526-9430
Central Christian — Columbus City Band will perform songs of the season and Christmas classics at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1434 W. Second St., Seymour. Admission is free.
Information: 812-522-4211; columbuscityband.org
Faith Victory — The church, located at 4286 W. Jonathan Moore Pike, will host the Tyron Cooper and Friends Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. tonight. Cooper is a three-time Emmy Award winner and faculty at Indiana University. A meet-and-greet reception will take place after the concert. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
Information: 812-372-6625
Events
Westport Baptist cantata — The Living Witness Choir will resent its annual Christmas cantata during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 201 E. Main St. in Westport. The choir will present “Light … Out of the Darkness.”
Featured soloists will be Natalie Smiley, Matt Flessner and Derek Chastain. Narrators will be Pat Benge, Janet Redford, Connie Fish, Ellen Ritchie, Nancy Purvis, Sharon Peden, and Royce Dale McCullough.
Deanna McCullough directs the group and Jennifer Chastain is the pianist.
Information: 812-591-3824
St. Paul Lutheran — Christmas Family Fun Day will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, 6045 E. State St., with caroling to shut-in members. At 5 p.m., a sloppy joe and hot dog meal will be served followed by gingerbread-house decorating and a nativity activity.
The children’s Christmas program entitled, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” will take place during the 10:45 a.m. service on Dec. 17.
Information: 812-276-6504
Brownstown United Methodist — The 13th annual Snowflake Bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the church, 110 N. Poplar St., Brownstown, featuring more than 25 craft vendors selling items such as jewelry, candles, wooden creations, Christmas ornaments, hand-woven rugs, paintings, primitive and re-purposed decor and specialty foods. A luncheon of soups, sandwiches, desserts and drinks will be available to shoppers. There also will be a cookie walk, a silent auction and a raffle featuring baskets and a quilt. The event is handicap accessible.
Information: 812-358-4537
Flintwood Wesleyan — God Lights Our World will begin at 6:15 p.m. with supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 5300 25th St. This will be the final GLOW until the new year.
The church will present its Kids Christmas Program at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the main sanctuary of the church.
On Dec. 20, the congregation will go Christmas caroling. Those planning to participate should plan to meet at 6 p.m. at the church.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]; flintwood.org
