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 Presbyterian — On the Second Sunday of Advent the church will focus on peace.
The sermon will be based on Isaiah 40:1-11 and be title “Embraced by Peace.” There will be a very brief congregational meeting immediately following worship to elect elders and deacons for the class of 2022. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. at 512 Seventh St., in Columbus.
Infant and toddler care is available 9:15 a.m. to noon. The men’s and women’s support groups meet on Fridays at 7 a.m., and a second men’s support group (working age men) meets every Monday at 6:15 a.m.
People in the community in need of a meal are invited to Hot Meals offered Fridays at 5 p.m. (please enter through the glass doors on Franklin).
The church is a LGBTQ-friendly church, open and affirming to all.
Information: fpccolumbus.org.
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: Peace” at the church, 618 Eighth St.
The scripture will be Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12. 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; [email protected]; 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 2: “A people blessed” (Luke 1:26-56; Wed., Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.)
Week 3: “A people who praise” (Luke 1:57-80; Wed., Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.)
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 second Sunday of Advent include Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3: 1-12. The message will be “Choosing a Better Way.”
Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. with fellowship at 9:40 a.m.
The church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.
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 her sermon, “Repeat the Sounding Joy: Loving Joy,” at the 9 a.m. worship service at Petersville United Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Liturgist Patsy Harris will share scriptures from Isaiah 11 and Matthew 3:1-12.
The service will focus on joining creation and congregation in praising and thanking God. Teresa Covert will give the children’s sermon, and the choir will provide special music. Each Sunday in December, the coin collection will be given to the Bishop’s Children’s Christmas fund.
A time of fellowship will follow the worship service; at 10:30 a.m., the second session of the Advent study, “Almost Christmas-The Wesleyan Way,” will begin, led by Pastor Scherer-Berry. All are welcome to the class.
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 second 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 “Branch and Root,” based on Isaiah 11:1-10 at the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services.
Christian Education classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m.
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 “Malachi.”
Information: 812-376-6504.
Westside Community — Pastor Robert Vester 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 congregation is continuing a series called “The Christmas STAR: Things We Experience During the Holidays.” The sermon will be about travel.
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 — Today, 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 Sunday, 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.
Dec.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 on Sunday 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 Interfaith Labyrinth Team is offering the Winter Labyrinth to the Columbus community at North Christian Church from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 21 at North Christian Church in the Lower Level Auditorium.
Dec. 21 is the Longest Night of the Year, and, for some, is a time of deep sadness. Some have lost loved ones, some are being pulled into a dark place just by the daily news. Since the labyrinth is a metaphor for life, following this sacred path and personal reflection can be very healing for the soul. All are welcome to make an intention, light a candle, and receive a blessing. The Labyrinth Team will offer refreshments.
Those who enjoy the Labyrinth as a spiritual tool may also be interested in Centering Prayer. An hour prior to the Winter Labyrinth at 9 a.m. Dec. 21, there will be an opportunity to learn about this ancient practice. This introduction to Centering Prayer will finish in time for participants to join the Labyrinth Walk.
For further information contact North Christian Church at 812-372-1531.
The church is located at 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus.
Music
St. Paul’s Episcopal — A Christmas benefit concert for Love Chapel is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at the church.
The sixth annual concert, “Songs for Love Chapel” will include local artists and choral groups performing a mix of sacred and secular Christmas songs and music.
All are welcome and admission is free with donations (monetary or food) gladly accepted for the Love Chapel Food Pantry.
The church is at 2651 California St., Columbus.
Westside Community — The church will offer a Christmas Cantata titled “The King is Here” at 7 p.m. on Sunday, which will feature a 40-voice choir.
All are welcome to attend.
The church is located at 124 Tipton Lakes Blvd., Columbus.
