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.
Eckankar of Southern Indiana — The public is welcome to attend a spiritual discussion meeting, “The Principles of Eckankar” starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus, 7850 W Goeller Blvd. Columbus.
The topic of discussion for the December meeting will be “Recognizing the value of other true religions.”
The meetings focus on an aspect of Eckankar and will feature readings from the books of Eckankar with group discussions of spiritual principles. Please join others to bring more spiritual insight and divine love into our daily lives.
The discussion group meets the third Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow. The meeting is at located in the building.
Information: 812-418-8392.
First Presbyterian — On Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, the choir will worship with the cantata, “Sing Joy to all the World.” All are welcome and invited to the service, which will feature scripture lessons, traditional carols and new melodies to help prepare for Christmas.
Worship begins at 9:30 am, 512 Seventh St., 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: Joy” at the church, 618 Eighth St.
The scripture will be Luke 1:47-55 and James 5:7-10. 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.
On Dec. 24, the church will host three Christmas Eve services. At 6 p.m., there will be a family service with youth leading worship.
At 8:30 p.m. a jazz service full of holiday jazz music will be offered. And finally, at 11 p.m., there will be the lessons and carols service. This candlelight service will feature traditional Christmas lessons and carols.
On Dec. 29, the church will have one unified service at 10 a.m.
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; Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.)
Week 3: “A people who praise” (Luke 1:57-80; Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.)
The IFC Christmas party will be at 9:30 a.m. today at the church.
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 third Sunday of Advent include Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10; and Matthew 11:2-11. The message will be “Choosing to Be Courageous.”
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.
St. Paul Lutheran — The third Sunday in Advent will be celebrated Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6045 East State St., Columbus, with Pastor Jeff Patterson’s sermon, “The Way of Joy,” based on Isaiah 35:1-10 at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services.
Vicar Daniel Fickenscher will lead worship at the 2:30 p.m. Spanish service in the church with Spanish/English Sunday School following at 2:30 p.m.
An Advent service focusing on the the minor prophet Zephaniah will be held at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
Christmas Family Fun Night will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday with caroling to shut-in members. At 5 p.m., a sloppy joe and hot dog meal will be served at the church followed by gingerbread house decorating.
The church will offer several upcoming events and services to celebrate the season, including: a Las Posadas Service Dec. 21. A fiesta will follow in the Fellowship Room. There will be no Spanish service Dec. 22.
A children’s Christmas service will be at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 22.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Services will be held in the church starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24 with lessons and carols, a Spanish program at 8 p.m. and communion at 11 p.m.
On Dec. 25, the church will offer the Christmas Day Festival Communion Service at 10 a.m.
Information: 812-376-6504.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The church presents “Winter Candle: An All Ages Pageant” by the Rev. Nic Cable and Nancy Olson at the 10 a.m. service on Sunday.
The annual holiday pageant this year tells the story of inter-generational and multicultural friendship as one candle spreads light and hope.
All ages will be participating in the service.
Child care available for children six months to 3 years old.
Information: 812-342-6230.
Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the service at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard.
The service will continue with the Christmas sermon series, “The Christmas STAR: Things We Experience During the Holidays.” The pastor’s sermon will focus on “Avoidance.”
The children’s program for birth through sixth grade meets at the same time as the 10 a.m. worship service.
For more information on studies or small groups that meet throughout the week, contact 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 Wednesday, 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 — The Children’s Christmas program will be at 6 p.m. today. 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.
Mount Carmel Church of God — Santa will make an appearance at the service on Sunday.
Kids can visit from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church, 11228 W. Old Nashville Road, Columbus. All are welcome and invited.
North Christian — 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
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — The public is cordially invited to attend an evening of entertainment featuring choirs, musical numbers, Nativity displays and light refreshments with the Christmas cantata, “O Come Let Us Adore Him.”
The cantata will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at 4850 W. Goeller Blvd., Columbus. Admission is free.
St. Paul Lutheran — On Dec. 22, the church will present the Christmas concert beginning at 7 p.m., featuring the Second Presbyterian Church Beecher Singers and Orchestra of Indianapolis conducted by Dr. Michelle Louer.
All are welcome and invited to attend at the church, 6045 E. State St., Columbus.
Organist Dr. John Allegar will perform Christmas favorites and lead audience carol-singing. A pre-concert harp recital will begin at 6:40 p.m. Everyone is cordially invited.
Admission is free.
