Religion News
Services and studies
East Columbus United Methodist — Sunday events begin at 9 a.m. at East Columbus United Methodist Church at 2439 Indiana Ave. in Columbus, with fellowship time in the foyer with beverages and snacks. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School begins at 10:40 a.m. for all ages and Bible interests.
First United Methodist — On Sunday, at the 9 a.m. Traditional Service and the 11 a.m. Celebration Service, the Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Advent Waiting: Hope” at the church, 618 Eighth St.
The scripture will be Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44. Sunday School for all ages begins at 10:10 a.m. Childcare is available during both services.
On Dec. 17, FUMC will offer the Longest Night service at the church, 618 Eighth St. The service includes scripture, special music, silent reflection and prayer. Christmas can be a bittersweet time of the year and we can feel very much alone in the midst of the festive season. Yet we are not alone. Come and join in this special service to acknowledge our sadness, our concerns, and to know God’s presence.
Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org.
Flintwood Wesleyan — On Sunday, the Amplify (non-traditional) service begins at at 9 a.m. with Sunday School classes at 10 a.m. in the regular rooms. The Well (traditional) service starts at 11 a.m. Both services are in the the main sanctuary and led by the Rev. Wes Jones, senior pastor.
The Prayer Team meets at 8 a.m.
Sunday evenings Celebrate Recovery begins with a meal at 5:25 p.m. in The Friendship Center and the meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the main Sanctuary. The public is invited to attend.
Connections, a ladies’ study group, led by Pastor Teri Jones, is resuming. The group will meet the second and fourth Mondays at 10 a.m. in the Friendship Center.
In the Beginning, a small group Bible study, meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in The Friendship Center. New members are welcome to join.
Wednesday activities begins with a meal at 5:30 p.m. The program, iKids (Ignite Kids) On Fire For Jesus! starts at 6:15 p.m. This program is for kids in Pre-K through the sixth grade. If your child needs transportation, call the church office. The bus will run on Wednesday nights. The prayer team meets at 6:15 p.m. in the Prayer Room. Youth meets at 6:30 p.m. downstairs in the church. Bible study is at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Thursday: Cub Scout Pack 588 will meet when events are scheduled and Boy Scout Troop 588 will meet at 7 p.m.
The church is located at 5300 E. 25th St., Columbus.
Information: 812-379-4287; flintwoodoffice@gmail.com; flintwood.org.
Garden City Church of Christ — In the December sermon series, “The Christmas Playlist,” a young lady, a priest, a host of angels, and an older man will bring listeners to the heart of Christmas.
The church is located at 3245 Jonesville Road, Columbus.
All are welcome to join worship on Sundays at 10 a.m., and for the Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24.
The church is led by Lead Minister Brian Gilroy and Family Life Minister Bryan Graves.
Grace Lutheran — Pastor John Armstrong will bring the message at the worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Sunday School for all ages will be at 9:30 a.m.
Midweek Advent worship and fellowship meals will be offered throughout December. Pastor Armstrong’s theme for midweek Advent services this year is “A people prepared,” base on Luke 1:17.
Week 1: “A people humbled” (Luke 1:1-25; Wed., Dec. 4, 6:30pm)
Week 2: “A people blessed” (Luke 1:26-56; Wed., Dec. 11, 6:30pm)
Week 3: “A people who praise” (Luke 1:57-80; Wed., Dec. 18, 6:30pm)
Each service is preceded by a light supper in the fellowship hall at 5:45 p.m. All are welcome.
Old Union United Church of Christ — Scriptures for the 10 a.m. Sunday service on the first Sunday of Advent include Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24: 36-44. The message will be “Keeping Watch.”
Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. with fellowship at 9:40 a.m.
The church is at 12703 N County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Information: Visit the Facebook page or call 812-526-9430.
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will give the sermon, “Prepare Him Room: Hopeful Joy,” on Sunday morning at the 9 a.m. worship service at Petersville United Methodist Church, 2781 N 500 E Columbus.
Scriptures will be shared by the liturgist from Romans 13:11-14, and Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon. The choir will provide special music, and Holy Communion will be served during the worship service. A time of fellowship will follow the service.
At 10:30 a.m., an Advent Study, “Almost Christmas — A Wesleyan Advent Experience,” will be led by Pastor Scherer-Berry; the class will meet each Sunday morning during the Advent season. Books are available at the church.
Prior to worship, the United Methodist Men’s group will meet at 7:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Don Harris, president, will conduct the business meeting, and Larry Nolting will lead the Bible study.
The Monday night Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Larry and Connie Nolting and also at the home of Chris Kimerling. The Sit and Stitch group will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Nolting home.
Choir practice will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night, and Prayer Time will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Members of the congregation will be ringing bells for Salvation Army on Dec. 17; afterwards, the bell ringers are invited to come to the church for a soup and sandwich supper.
Information: 812-546-4438; 574-780-2379.
St. Paul Lutheran — The first Sunday in Advent will be celebrated Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6045 East State St., Columbus, focusing on Old Testament Messianic prophecies with Pastor Doug Bauman’s sermon entitled “Out, Up and In”, based on Isaiah 2:1-5 at the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services.
Together as Family Day will be held during the 9:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour with parents making an Advent wreath with their children.
Vicar Daniel Fickenscher will lead worship at the 2:30 p.m. Spanish service in the church with Spanish/English Sunday School following at 3:30 p.m.
A 6:45 p.m. mid-week Advent service with the theme, “Majoring in Minor Prophets” will be held Wednesday at the church with Pastor Bauman’s message focusing on “Zechariah.”
Information: 812-376-6504.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — Hoshi Frank Diaz and Jan Lucas will present “The Promise of Now: A Buddhist Perspective” Sunday at the service at 10 a.m.
The message will focus on the importance of mindfulness in the present moment.
The church is located at 7850 W Goeller Blvd., Columbus.
Information: 812-342-6230.
Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the service this Sunday at 10 a.m. at the church at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard. The children’s program for birth through sixth grade meets at the same time as the 10 a.m. worship service.
For more info on studies or small groups that meet during the week, call the church office at 812-342-8464.
Events
Community Church of Columbus Celebrate Recovery — The Celebrate Recovery program has launched two new women’s-only Celebrate Recovery groups.
One group meets at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the new Hub headquarters for the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress at the United Way building, 1531 13th St. The second meets at midnight Fridays at Community Downtown at 522 Seventh St. in downtown Columbus.
Information: 812-348-6257 or cccolumbus.org.
First United Methodist — On Dec. 7, FUMC will host Santa’s Workshop, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a morning filled with crafts and projects that kids of all ages will enjoy.
On Dec. 18, the Learning Tree Preschool will have their annual Christmas Program at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to enjoy each preschool class sing holiday songs.
Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org.
Flintwood Wesleyan Church — On Dec. 8, the church will begin Christmas month activities with Cozy Christmas, a night of singing, trivia and surprises. Pitch-in snacks and other finger foods will be available. The event will start at 6 p.m. in the Friendship Center.
On Dec. 12 the SAM luncheon is set from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We might even have a special guest.
December 15 will be the Children’s Christmas program. Program begins at 6 p.m. in the main sanctuary. A cookie reception will follow in the Friendship Center.
On Dec. 18, church members will go Christmas caroling. Those interested should meet at the church by 5:15 p.m. You do not have to be a singer to go caroling.
North Christian — The church welcomes India Bobadilla, Christian Church Foundation vice president, Dec. 8 following worship services, to conduct a workshop on legacy planning.
She will discuss estate planning, maximizing assets, financial security during retirement, and giving options.
The church is located at 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus.
South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship — The fellowship will host a meeting Tuesday at Burnsville Christian Church, 2891 S. County Road 900E, Columbus. A meal will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will consist of ham and beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, slaw, deserts and drinks. A program with Kendall Wildey of East Columbus Christian Church will begin at 7:15 p.m.
The theme will be “Seeking Him by Faith” from Romans 10:17 and Deuteronomy 4:29. The theme song will be “Great is Thy Faithfulness.
All are welcome.
Music
First United Methodist — On Friday, as part of the Fridays@First series, FUMC will present “Celebrate the Season.” All are welcome to hear the Chancel Choir, Chancel Ringers, a brass quintet, and the Columbus East High School show choir Center Stage deliver an evening of holiday music that will delight audiences of all ages. The concert is complete with carols both secular and sacred sung by all those in attendance.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated.
