Services and studies
Grace Lutheran— The Rev. John Armstrong will present the message, “Discrimination: When Is It Wrong and When Is It Right?” based on James 2:1-18, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 3201 Central Ave. in Columbus. It focuses on the idea that God does not discriminate on the basis of appearance but on the basis of the heart.
Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. and will include the Paul Maier video series, “Jesus, Legend or Lord,” as well as a study of “Obadiah, Jonah and Micah,” and “Liturgy: Yesterday, Today and Forever.”
Grace Lutheran’s ALPHA Class on Christianity’s basics continues Tuesday with the topic, “Who is Jesus?” A light supper is served at 6 p.m., followed by a video presentation and small-group discussion. Child care is available.
Information and registration: 812-372-4859, grace columbus.org.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will present the message, “Mystery,” at the 9 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E. She will use Scripture from Mark 7:24-37. Kezia Scherer-Berry will play the prelude for the beginning of worship. Communion will be served. Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon, and Maxine Harden will lead Junior Church for children ages 5 through fifth grade. A time of refreshment and fellowship will follow the service. Sunday school will resume Sept. 20.
The Sit and Stitch group will begin the fall schedule at 6:30 p.m Tuesday at the Connie and Larry Nolting home. Both Monday night Bible study groups will resume meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Nolting and Kimerling homes. The walkers group will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday at the Petersville Park; should there be inclement weather, they will meet at Columbus’ FairOaks Mall, 2380 25th St.
The United Methodist Men will have their monthly meeting at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 13 at the church.
A tailgate worship service and picnic will be conducted on the front lawn of the church at 10 a.m. Sept. 13, a change from the usual 9 a.m. worship service time. It will be an informal day, and people are invited to bring lawn chairs and dress casually. A pitch-in meal will be served following worship, so those attending should bring a dish or two to share. A variety of activities and games will be available.
Information: 812-372-3575, 812-603-8378.
First Baptist — The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Setting Personal Goals by Faith,” at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday communion service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive. Scripture will be Philippians 3:12-15. Music worship will be led by the Chancel Choir with flute.
Child care will be offered for infants, and children’s church will be available for toddlers through preschool-age children.
Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The Menders Ministry will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Four Seasons Retirement Center to do mending for the residents.
A Zumba class will meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet at 6:15 a.m. in a private dining room at Columbus’ Four Seasons Retirement Center on Taylor Road. First Baptist Church men and their guests are welcome.
Information: 812-376-3300, fbccolumbus.org.
Central Heights Church of God — Pastor John Marquis will continue the series “Praying” at the church, 3151 Sharon Lane in Columbus.
Dive Deep Bible Study is at 7 p.m. Thursdays.
Revival will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Rally day is at 11 a.m. Sept. 12.
Information: churchof godcolumbus.com.
Asbury United Methodist — Pastor David Blystone will deliver the message, “Not to Us,” from Psalm 115, 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.
Just a few days are left to sign up for packing shifts for the Feed My Starving Children meal-packing event Sept. 11-13 at the church. There still are a few openings. Go to the church website, asburycolumbus.org, and click on the FMSC box from the home page.
The Knitters Small Group will resume meetings from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Library. Beginning or experienced knitters are welcome to join.
Tickets go on sale Sunday for the Asbury Family Fish Fry, which will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25. Tickets are $6 in advance; it’s free for children through sixth grade.
Church members will be collecting canned pork and beans for the Love Chapel food pantry throughout September.
An Asbury Golf Scramble at Clifty Golf Course is planned for 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Cost is $16 per person. Sign-up for teams begins this week. Family and friends are welcome to join in on the fun.
Information: 812-372-4555, asburycolumbus.org.
Unitarian Universalist — The Rev. Forrest Gilmore, Unitarian Universalist minister and executive director of the Shalom Community Center in Bloomington, will deliver the Sunday message, “Racism Without Racists.”
Gilmore served congregations in Monterey, California, and Princeton, New Jersey, over 10 years before moving into nonprofit work. In his current post, he serves at the community center in Bloomington, a day shelter for people experiencing hunger, homelessness and poverty. Gilmore is a graduate of Cornell University and Starr King School for the Ministry.
Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will lead the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost service at the 10 a.m. Sunday with the message “The Problem with Miracles,” from Scripture readings Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37, at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W Edinburgh.
Sunday school is at 9 a.m., with fellowship at 9:40 a.m.
Sunday As You Are Evening Prayer Service is at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Bible study is at 6:30 p.m.
Information: 812-526-9430.
East Columbus United Methodist — Nashville, Tennessee, recording artist Darla McFadden will be in concert during the 8:30 and 10:40 a.m. Sunday services at the church, 2439 Indiana Ave. The Hoosier native recently was nominated for a Dove Award, Christian music’s equivalent of a Grammy.
Sunday school will meet at 9:40 a.m. for all ages (children, youth, young adults, adults) and Bible interests. A staffed nursery/toddler room is available during morning services.
All4One Youth Group will meet at 5p.m. for the Nooma Series by Rob Bell in the youth room.
The Rev. Charles Aigner will bring the message at the 6 p.m. casual-informal evening service.
Weekly Bible studies 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 in the Rainbow Room.
First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message “My Favorite Parishioner,” with Scripture from James 2: 1-10, 14-17 and Mark 7: 24-37, at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services at the church, 618 Eighth St. Coffee Connections will take place in the church library from 10 to 11 a.m.
Travelers Class and Sunday Night Connections will not meet due to the holiday weekend.
Worldfest will be a celebration of cultures sponsored by Learning Tree Preschool from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 rain or shine in the church parking lot. Volunteers for this event are needed. Contact the preschool office or the church office for volunteer information.
A new-member informational class will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in the multipurpose room. Information: The Rev. Boles at [email protected].
Tuesday Night Small Group will resume Sept. 15 at the Witwer residence. Information: 812-372-2851.
Pastor Lisa Cottingham will lead a six-week study on “The Call” by Adam Hamilton in South Fellowship Hall. This class will meet at 10:10 a.m. Sundays starting Sept. 20.
The Rev. Boles will once again lead a monthly book club at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 in the multipurpose room. “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce is this month’s book. The book club is open to everyone.
Fridays at First returns at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the sanctuary. Arkady and Tamara Orlovsky will be the guest artists. The concert is free and open to the public.
Information: 812-372-2851, fumccolumbus.org.
First Presbyterian — Labor and vocation will be the focus during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service with Communion at the church, 512 Seventh St.
Information: 812-372-3783, fpccolumbus.org.
Music
Lowell General Baptist — The Sextons from Hardyville, Kentucky, will sing at 7 p.m. today at the church, 200 W. Southline Drive on Columbus’ northern edge. Information: 812-703-5040.
Events
Columbus Christian — Nita Evans of Confidential Christian Counseling will offer the marriage-enrichment class “Homes of Honor” from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 through Nov. 15 at the church, 3170 Indiana Ave. It is open to all engaged and married couples no matter how long they have been together. There is no cost. Call the church at 812-372-3789 to sign up by Tuesday.
Waynesburg Christian — Grady S. McMurtry, Biblical scientific creationist, will speak at the 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday services and at 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. McMurtry is a worldwide speaker on the subject of creation vs. evolution, both from a biblical viewpoint as well as that of secular science. He has an entertaining and humorous style of presenting scientific fact and Bible truths. He will speak about the biblical record of creation, the flood and man.
St. John’s Lutheran — White Creek Lutheran annual Smorgasborg and Bazaar will be at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at 16270 S. County Road 300W.
The menu consists of baked ham, turkey and dressing, homemade noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and home-grown sweet corn, and homemade salads and desserts.
Country Craft Bazaar includes handcrafted items, seasonal selections, quilted items, jewelry, woven rugs, Christmas gift ideas, homemade baked items, homemade noodles, 18-inch doll clothes and other items.
Information: 812-342-6832.
St. Paul Lutheran preschool/kindergarten fundraiser — The ninth annual golf scramble is on Sept. 19 at Shadowood Golf Course, 333 N. Sandy Creek Drive. Seymour. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., and shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $200 per foursome or $50 per individual and includes continental breakfast, green fees with cart, lunch and door prizes. Information: Henry Wischmeier, 812-343-1261, or Gayla Alesandro, 812-522-7816, by Sept. 12 to register.
First Lutheran — Family Game Night is from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the church, 3600 25th St. in Columbus. All ages are invited to join for an evening of organized activities and free play. There are no agendas, just friends, snacks and fun. Information: Jimmy Collins, director of youth ministries, at 812-372-1256.
