Religion News – December 16

Services and studies

Asbury United Methodist — A combined worship service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Contemporary Worship Center of the church, 1751 27th St., and will feature The Asbury Worship Arts Team’s Christmas musical, “Come Let Us Adore.”

The birth of Jesus Christ will be celebrated during both the traditional and contemporary services Dec. 24 at the church. The 8:45 a.m. traditional service will be in the sanctuary while the 11 a.m. contemporary service will be in the Contemporary Worship Center. A Christmas Eve candlelight service with organ prelude will take place at 6:30 p.m. with a service to follow at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Information: 812-372-4555

First Baptist — With the musical, “Hope,” as the theme, the Chancel Choir and an instrumental ensemble will lead the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive. The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “It’s a Wonderful Life: Hope in It.” Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. Child care will be available on the lower level for infants. The service will be streamed live at sundaystreams.com/go/fbccolumbus or fbc columbus.org/WP/sermons.

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

Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org

Dayspring Church of God, Apostolic — A Christmas Eve service led by Pastor David C. Bosley will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 24 at the church, 2127 Doctors Park Drive. Enjoy praise and worship, a holiday Christmas program and poetry reading. The first 15 visitors will receive an autographed copy of Bosley’s book, “Love Came Down at Christmas Time: The Christmas Story.”

Information: 812-372-9336

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The message, “Waiting for a Miracle: A Multigenerational Celebration,” will be delivered by the Rev. Nic Cable during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Blvd. The congregation, especially with the leadership and creativity of the children and youth, will re-imagine the story of Christmas.

Information: 812-342-6230; [email protected]

St. Paul Lutheran — Pastor Doug Bauman will deliver the message, “The Witness Bearing Witness,” during the 8 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 6045 E. State St. Scripture will include John 1:6-8 and 19-28. The children’s Christmas program, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” will be presented at the 10:45 a.m. service.

The Las Posadas service will take place at 5 p.m. today 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 Christmas. A fiesta will follow.

An Advent service focusing on “The First Temple/Tabernacle/Jesus,” based on John 1 and Corinthians 6, will take place at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Services of lessons and carols will be during the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services with a “Happy Birthday Jesus Party” during the Sunday school hour for all ages Dec. 24. At 12:45 p.m., the Spanish Communion Festival service will begin in the chapel. A Christmas Eve family candlelight service, “The Reason for the Season,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. “The Journey to Bethlehem,” a candlelight communion service, will be at 11 p.m. A congregational carol sing will precede both services.

A Christmas Day Festival Communion service will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 25 at the church.

Information: 812-376-6504

Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will deliver the message, “Shouting for Joy!,” during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will include Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; and Luke 1:46-55. 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

East Columbus United Methodist — Sunday morning fellowship time begins at 9 a.m. Sunday in the foyer of the church, 2439 Indiana Ave., with beverages and light snacks. Morning worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Hand Bell Choir will perform special Christmas music during the service and special Advent readings will be presented as the Advent candles are lit. Children will receive a special message during the service before being dismissed for Children’s Church. A nursery/toddler room will be available during the morning service. Sunday school will start at 10:40 a.m. with classes for all ages and Bible interests. The Sunday evening chapel service will be at 6 p.m.

Bible study will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel, continuing their studies on the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus and Me, the youth group, will resume Jan. 10.

Information: 812-376-7418; eastcolumbusumc.org

Flintwood Wesleyan — Amplify (nontraditional) at 9 a.m. and The Well (traditional) at 11 a.m. will both be led by Pastor Wes Jones on Sunday 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. There will be no adult choir practice.

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

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 — Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 512 Seventh St. The Adult Choir will lead the congregation in singing the Cantata, “The Longest Night: A Winter Service of Hope and Healing.” 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 doors on Franklin Street.

Information: 812-372-3783; fpccolumbus.org

First United Methodist — A special Christmas music Sunday will be observed during both the 9 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 618 Eighth St. Featuring a string quintet, the Chancel Choir and the Chancel Ringers, this service will embrace the seasons 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 with Scripture, special music, silent reflection and healing prayer. All are welcome to attend.

Four services will be on Christmas eve. The first is a Unified Service beginning at 10 a.m. Later that evening, the Family Service will take place at 6 p.m. followed by a Jazz Service at 8:30 p.m. and Lessons and Carols at 11 p.m.

There will be a second Unified Service at 10 a.m. Dec. 31.

Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org

Music

Asbury United Methodist — The Asbury Worship Arts Team will present the Christmas musical, “Come Let Us Adore,” at 7 p.m. today at the church, 1751 27th St. The musical will include a full drama, “Close to Christmas,” and will feature a combination of traditional carols and contemporary Christmas songs from Chris Tomlin. A second performance will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday during a combined worship service in the Contemporary Worship Center of the church.

Information: 812-372-4555

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

Westside Community — Associate Pastor Robert Vester will deliver the message, “Do You Really Want God to Come?” at the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd. The program for children through 6th grade will meet at the same time as the 10 a.m. worship service.

During Advent, the pastors will be sharing the sermon series, “Christmas Questions.”

Pastor Vester will lead a Bible study from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church. “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

Events

St. Paul Lutheran — The Off Drugs support group will be having a Christmas party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 18 in Room 2164 at the church, 719 Fifth St., Columbus. The party, open to the public, will feature chili catered by Hangar 5. Santa Claus will also make an appearance.

Information: 812-342-1552

Westside Community — All ages are invited to a movie night which will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd. There will be plenty of snacks. Children may bring a blanket or sleeping bag.

Information: 812-342-8464

Flintwood Wesleyan — The church will present its Kids Christmas Program at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the main sanctuary of the church, 5300 25th St. Following the program, there will be a cookie reception in the Friendship Center.

Regular Wednesday activities including God Lights Our World will resume Jan. 10.

On Dec. 20, the congregation will go Christmas caroling. Those planning to participate should plan to meet at 5:30 p.m. at the church.

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