Services and studies
Bible Church of Columbus — During Sunday’s 10 a.m. service, Pastor Dave Marvin will begin a series of messages, “Characters of Christmas. This December series will take a look at people who shaped the real message of Christmas, including Mary, Joseph, Jesus and Herod.
Children’s Ministries, newborns through grade 6, begins at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. The Teen Ministry, grades 7 to 12, will meet at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Adult Life Group Bible Studies are available at 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Additional Life Group Bible studies are available throughout the week at the church, located at 3010 10th St., Columbus.
Information: Visit BCColumbus.org
East Columbus United Methodist — Sunday Morning Fellowship Time begins at 9 a.m. with beverages and light snacks in the foyer of the church, located at 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus. The morning worship service begins at 9:30 a.m. with a special Advent program that will include special readings, Holy Communion and a “Grown-Up Moment” presented by the J.A.M. Youth Group. Young children will receive a special message before being dismissed to go to Children’s Church. Sunday School will begin at 10:40 a.m. for all ages and Bible interests.
A staffed nursery/toddler room is available during the morning service.
Sunday Evening Chapel Service begins at 6 p.m.
Tuesday Bible Study will begin at 1 p.m. in the Chapel.
Choir Rehearsal will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Sanctuary. Wednesday Bible Study begins at 7 p.m. in the Chapel.
First Presbyterian — Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 512 Seventh St., Columbus. This is the first Sunday of Advent, which will focus on hope. The congregation will be led by the adult choir in the cantata, “The Winter Rose,” to meditate on the love of God which blossomed in that Bethlehem manger. The church will celebrate the sacrament of communion.
A brief congregational meeting to elect officers abnd consider the budget will follow Sunday’s service.
Infant and toddler care is available from 9:15 a.m. to noon Sunday.
The men’s and women’s support groups meet at 7 a.m. Fridays, and a second men’s support group of working-age men meets every Monday at 6:15 a.m.
People in need of a meal are invited to Hot Meals offered 5 p.m. Friday, with entry through the glass doors on Franklin Street.
The church is LGBTQ-friendly, open and affirming to all.
Information: fpccolumbus.org.
First United Methodist — At Sunday’s 9 a.m. traditional service and the 11 a.m. celebration service, the Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Hope for the World,” at the church, 618 Eighth St., Columbus. The Scripture will be Jeremiah 33:14-16.
Sunday school for all ages begins at 10:10 a.m.
Childcare is available during both services.
Flintwood Wesleyan — The Amplify non-traditional service is 9 a.m. Sunday and Sunday School classes are at 10 a.m. The Well traditional service is at 11 a.m. Both Amplify and The Well are held in the main sanctuary. The Prayer Team will meet at 8 a.m. Sunday School classes meet in their regular rooms at the church, located at 5300 E. 25th St., Columbus. Choir practice is at 5 p.m., followed by the evening service.
“In The Beginning …,” a small-group Bible study, will meet at 6:30 Tuesday in the Friendship Center. It is studying the book of Genesis.
Wednesday activities begin with supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by GLOW at 6:15 p.m. The Prayer Team will meet at 6:15 p.m. in The Prayer Room. Youth meets at 6:30 p.m. and Adult Bible study will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]; flintwood.org.
Old Union United Church of Christ — Sunday’s 10 a.m. sermon, “Eyes Upward” marks the first Sunday of Advent with text from Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; and Luke 21:25-36.
Sunday school will begin at 9 a.m. followed by fellowship at 9:40 a.m.
Wednesday Bible study will resume at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The church is located at 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Information: Old Union United Church of Christ on Facebook.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will deliver the message, “Peace,” at the 9 a.m. Sunday worship service at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E, Columbus. The sermon series for the month will be “Calm and Bright,” based on the 200 anniversary of “Silent Night.” Scriptures from Isaiah 2:1-4, 9:2, 6-7 will be given by liturgist Patsy Harris, and the choir will share special music. Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon. A time of fellowship will follow the service.
People are encouraged to bring any kind of star to decorate the large tree in the sanctuary.
The study of “The Gift of the Nutcracker,” based on the book “The Nutcracker,” will begin at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning during Advent. Matt Rawls, author of the study book, explores the story to help people understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ Child. A workbook and a DVD will be included in the study.
Larry and Connie Nolting and Chris Kimerling will host the Monday night Bible study, meeting at 6:30 p.m. New members are welcome at either of the classes.
The Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Nolting home. Prayer Time will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with Barb Hedrick as leader.
Choir practice is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
The church continues to collect food items for Love Chapel and the Hope Food Bank; also, recyclable bottle caps are being collected for Clifty Creek Elementary School. Loose coins in each Sunday’s offering will go to the Bishop’s Children’s Christmas Fund.
Information: 812-546-4438; 574-780-2379.
St. Paul Lutheran — The church will celebrate the first Sunday in Advent. At the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services, Pastor Doug Bauman will present his sermon, ”The Coming of the Lord Jesus,” based on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13.
Christian Education classes for children and adults begin at 9:30 a.m. The Spanish worship service will be held in the chapel at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
An Advent service focusing on the important role of angels when Christ was born and their ongoing work in many lives today will be held at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the church, 6045 East State St., Columbus, with Pastor Bauman’s sermon, “An Angel in the Temple,” based on Luke 1:5-25.
Information: 812-376-6504.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — At 10 a.m. Sunday, the Rev. Nic Cable will present his sermon, “The Art is Listening.” He will discuss what people are able to hear, when they slow down to listen deeply. This time of year is filled with many emotions that can make the slowing down and the listening a true art.
Information: 812-342-6230.
Events
Burnsville Christian — The South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship will be holding its program at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. The program will feature interim Pastor Doug Sharp and the Wilson Chapel Christian Union. The theme of the program will be “Gather Together,” and the theme song will be “We Gather Together.”
At 6:30 p.m. until the time of the program, there will be a meal time featuring ham and beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, slaw, desserts and drinks.
The church is at 2891 South County Road 900E, Columbus.
East Columbus United Methodist — At 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, the “Children’s Christmas Workshop” will be held in the Youth Center. This free event is for children of all ages to come and make special Christmas Crafts for friends and family. The church is located at 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus.
Flintwood Wesleyan training program — The first Discipleship Training Program class will meet at 9:30 a.m. today in The Friendship Center and complete the first class in the series. The church is located at 5300 E. 25th St., Columbus.
Old Union United Church of Christ — An advent dinner will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday. A Voices Christmas Concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8. The church is located at 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Westside Community — Everyone is invited as the choir will be performing a Christmas Cantata, “Hark the Herald!,” at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church, 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd., Columbus. This year’s Cantata is made up of traditional and new Christmas music for all to enjoy.
First United Methodist — Today, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., visit Santa’s Workshop, where children of all ages with an adult chaperone are invited to make Christmas crafts and visit with Santa. This free event begins with a sensory friendly hour at 9 a.m. The church is located at 618 Eighth St., Columbus.
At noon Wednesday, the United Methodist Women will have their annual Christmas Luncheon, also at the church. All are welcome to attend for a special guest speaker and fashion editor “Dorothy June” from the Uniontown Gazette. Cost of the luncheon is $3. For more information or to RSVP: 812-343-2064.
Columbus Reformed Presbyterian Church — Children’s Make and Take Christmas Gifts, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the church, 550 N. National Road, Columbus, for ages 2-12. Information: Visit the church’s event calendar at columbusrpc.org
