Religion news – Feb. 26

Editor’s note: Some church services may have moved to online-only formats after The Republic’s deadline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Services and studies

Asbury United Methodist Church — Asbury offers a traditional service at 8:45 a.m. and a contemporary service at 11 a.m. Nursery is available for both services. J.A.M. (children’s church) is offered at both services. The church also offers Sunday school classes at 10 a.m.

Asbury Kids meets each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. There are three classes available: Asbury Kids-4 years through first grade; Asbury Kids-second through fifth grade; and Asbury Junior High-sixth through eighth grade. Each class will have a Bible story, a craft or activity, a snack, a time of prayer, and a time of fellowship. As always, your kids and youth can bring a friend. Email Heidi at [email protected] to register your child.

Asbury offers lunch for high school students and visitors on Thursdays (schedule is based on the BCSC calendar) from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for only $4 per person.

Asbury church-wide Lenten study — Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2, and concludes Easter week. The study selected for this season is “Witness at the Cross – A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Friday,” which focuses on the events surrounding Good Friday. The study consists of six lessons. If you would like to join a small group, please call the church Office at 812-372-4555.

The church is located at 1751 27th St., Columbus. All services are available online at asburycolumbus.org.

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Columbus Baptist Church — The church offers worship services on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. A teen service is offered at 6:30 p.m. Sunday school for all ages meets at 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Bible study, Kids Club, and Teens meet at 6:30 p.m. There are various small group events weekly.

The church is located at 4821 N. U.S. 31, Columbus. Information: columbusbaptist.net.

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Community Church of Columbus — Community Church of Columbus meets for Sunday service at 9 and 10:30 a.m. The second service is livestreamed and available on the Community Church’s Columbus Indiana Facebook page and Community Church of Columbus YouTube channel.

DC4K (DivorceCare For Kids) is a 12-week interactive group for children in grades 2-6 whose parents are either separated or going through a divorce. DC4K started on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m., and dinner is also available at 5:30 p.m. In addition, DivorceCare support group for adults meets at the same location at the same time. Sessions are held at Community Church of Columbus and there is no cost to participate. To register or for further information, call 812-348-6357 or [email protected].

The church is located at 3850 N. Marr Road. For further information, call 812-348-6257 or go to cccolumbus.org.

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East Columbus Christian Church — East Columbus Christian Church is open for in-person worship on Sunday mornings with a blended worship service at 10 a.m. The church also has online worship available through Facebook and YouTube.

Sunday morning Bible study is at 9 a.m. Youth meet at the church from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and children’s ministry meets through Zoom on Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

The church is located at 3170 Indiana Ave., Columbus. For more information: 812-372-3789 or eastccc.net.

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East Columbus United Methodist Church — Pastor Ann Thomas will bring the message at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service. The blended worship service includes praise music, traditional hymns and children’s moment, a time when the children receive a special message. Holy Communion is served the first Sunday of each month. The morning service is available online Sunday afternoon through the church’s Facebook and YouTube pages for those not yet comfortable meeting in person. Face coverings are optional at services.

Sunday school is held immediately after the morning service and classes are available for all ages and Bible interests.

The Sunday Evening Chapel Service is held twice per month. Check the church website for dates and times.

“Grace’s Table” Free Hot Meal is served the second Sunday of each month at 5 p.m. in the youth center. Tuesday afternoon Bible study meets at 1 p.m. in the chapel. Men’s breakfast is held once a month (call the church office for dates and times).

The church is located at 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus.

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Fairlawn Presbyterian Church — The church is only having Zoom services at this time. If you would like to join the Sunday worship service or fellowship and coffee hour, please email the church office at [email protected] to request a Zoom link.

This month’s donation for Love Chapel will be peanut butter and jelly.

Upcoming Events in February include fellowship & coffee hour every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

March events include fellowship & coffee hour every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom, Ash Wednesday Service on March 2 at 7 p.m., Lenten sermon series on spiritual essentials for real life using Lentwise by Paula Gooder, second hour reflection on the spiritual essentials raised in the sermon, and Lenten Matthew 25 study with First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, First Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, and North Christian Church on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Women’s Bible study is the third Tuesday each month at 1 p.m.; “Holy Envy” by Barbara Brown Taylor.

Support of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) enables congregations to witness the healing love of Christ through caring for communities affected by crises and catastrophic events. Learn more at pda.pcusa.org.

For more information, contact the church office at [email protected], fairlawnpc.net, or facebook.com/fairlawnpres.

The church is located at 2611 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Information: 812-372-3882.

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Faith Lutheran Church — The church livestreams worship each Sunday at 9 a.m. along with daily devotions Monday through Thursday at 7 a.m. on the church’s Facebook page. The congregation also meets for in-person services each Sunday morning (masks encouraged) at 9 a.m. and Wednesday (mask required) at 4 p.m. following recommended health guidelines. Worship services start at 4 p.m.

The church is located at 6000 W. State Road 46, Columbus. Information: faithontheweb.org, 812-342-3587.

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First Baptist Church — First Baptist welcomes all to join at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in person or at firstbaptistcolumbus.org/video for their livestreamed service. Recordings of the services are also available.

The church is located at 3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Information: 812-376-3321.

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First Christian Church — The church is offering services in person and online at 9 and 10:30 a.m. FCC Kids is at 10:30 a.m. and FCC Teens is at 9 a.m.

The church is located at 531 Fifth St., Columbus. Information: fccoc.org, 812-379-4491.

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First Lutheran Church — The church offers in-person worship on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. for the classic service and 11:15 a.m. for the casual service. Livestreaming of both services can be accessed on electronic devices at the church YouTube page.

Ash Wednesday service will be held March 2 at 7 p.m.

The church is located at 3600 E. 25th St., Columbus.

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First Presbyterian Church — Please check the church website, fpccolumbus.org, for news on whether worship will be in person in the sanctuary on Feb. 27.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday this year brings us an incredible healing story in John 9:1-41. The sermon will be “Surely we’re not blind, are we?”

The service will be livestreamed at 9:30 a.m. on Facebook, Zoom or YouTube. For more details on the church’s response to COVID, refer to fpccolumbus.org.

Those in the community in need of a meal are invited to the hot meals program, which is offered Friday starting at 5 p.m. (Enter through the glass doors on Franklin Street.) The church is an LGBTQ-friendly church.

The church is located at 512 Seventh St., Columbus. Information: fpccolumbus.org.

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First United Methodist Church — On Sunday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m., Jen Riddle will deliver the message, “Don’t Pitch a Tent — Carry the Light.” The scripture will be Luke 9:28-36.

Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 27, the church will resume in-person worship services.

The church encourages those who are attending in person to arrive 10 minutes before the services and use either the Eighth Street or Lafayette Street doors. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrances to the sanctuary. Because of the rise in COVID infections, masks will be required while you are in the building. Masks are available if you don’t have one.

For those unable to make it to the in-person services, or are not yet comfortable meeting in person, a 10 a.m. livestream of the service will be on the church’s Facebook page or YouTube channel and will be available on the church’s website for later viewing.

The service will be available on the church website for later viewing as well.

The church is located at 618 Eighth St., Columbus. Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org.

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Flintwood Wesleyan Church — Sunday morning worship begins at 9 a.m. with the Amplify (contemporary) service. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. with classes for all age groups. The Well (traditional) service begins at 11 a.m. Both worship services are led by Pastor Wesley Jones. The church’s Sunday Amplify services are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Sunday evening is devoted to Celebrate Recovery meetings. The meetings are designed to assist in ridding hurts, habits and hang-ups. The church has started serving meals again. At this time, there is one meal each month on the second-to-last Sunday. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. with getting to know each other, singing, and a lesson, and are open to the public. At 7 p.m., there is an open share meeting that splits into a group for women and a group for men. Safe child care is available.

Wednesday activities begin with a meal served at 5:30 p.m. in the friendship center. The iKids program begins at 6:15 p.m. and youth meet downstairs in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. Prayer Team meets in the prayer room downstairs in the main building at 6:15 p.m. and adult Bible study meets at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Scouts are meeting Thursdays at 7 p.m.

The church is located at 5300 E. 25th St., Columbus. Information: 812-379-4287, [email protected], flintwood.org.

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Garden City Church of Christ — Join the church for its 10 a.m. Sunday worship.

The church is located at 3245 Jonesville Road, Columbus. Information: gardencitychurch.com, 812-372-1766.

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Grace Lutheran Church — The church hosts Sunday worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. in person and livestreamed at gracecolumbus.org. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:30 a.m.

The church observes Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes and the start of a new sermon series: “Trans-formed or Con-formed?” based on the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Romans, “By the mercies of God … do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The service is at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 2. Call 812-372-4859 for more information or go online at gracecolumbus.org.

The church is located at 3201 Central Ave., Columbus, and all events are held with CDC guidelines compliance.

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Memorial Baptist Church — The church is offering online-only worship services through the end of February at 9:30 a.m. Sunday school is offered online at 10:45 a.m. Online services are via Facebook, YouTube and Zoom.

During February, the church is looking at the Art of Hearing. Join on Feb. 27 for “Hearing One Another”.

Additional information is available on the website memorialbaptistchurch.us and on Facebook at Memorial Columbus. The church can be contacted via email at [email protected].

The church is located at 2320 Seventh St., Columbus. Information: 812-376-6800.

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Newbern United Methodist Church — The church is practicing strict COVID-19 preventative measures. Masks are required. All activities are postponed until further notice except for Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. and online Bible study each Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

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North Christian Church — Due to the increase in COVID infections, North Christian Church is temporarily returning to online services. Online services can be found at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays on the NCC YouTube channel North Christian Church Columbus Indiana.

The church is located at 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus. Information: 812-372-1531.

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Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Al White, the church’s transitional pastor, is leading worship and sharing messages that encourage firm foundations of faith in Jesus. Simple church — simply Jesus.

The church has added a time for discipleship growth at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. There’s always a coffee and donut time downstairs before the morning worship time at 10 a.m.

The church is located at 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.

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Petersville United Methodist Church — The worship service on Feb. 27 will begin at 9 a.m. The Rev. Bev Perry, a retired district superintendent of the United Methodist Church, will continue to fill the pulpit at Petersville while Pastor Rebecca Milne is on maternity leave. Rev. Perry will continue with her series of sermons focusing on The Apostles Creed.

Mask-wearing and social distancing are encouraged.

Kathy Bush will serve as the worship leader, with Chris Kimerling at the organ and Connie Nolting at the piano. Teresa Covert will give the Children’s Message. The service is recorded by Karen Mize and may be viewed on Facebook later in the day.

The United Methodist Men’s group will meet March 6 at 7:15 a.m. at the church in the fellowship hall.

Items for the Kentucky Mountain Mission truck must be at Petersville no later than Monday, Feb. 28; the truck will be picking up on Tuesday, March 1. Call 812-376-3501 for further details.

The church is located at 2781 N. County Road 500E, Columbus. Information: 812-376-3501; 812-546-4438.

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Sandy Hook United Methodist Church — Sandy Hook United Methodist Church gathers weekly for in-person and online worship. The church will offer two services Feb. 27. The traditional service is at 8:45 a.m., and the contemporary service is at 11 a.m. Pastor Paul Dazet will bring a message entitled “Life Everlasting” as part of a sermon series, “Creed.”

Nursery is available for children 2 and younger from 8:30 a.m. until the end of the second service. Sunday school classes are offered between services at 10 a.m.

Masks are required.

Online services can be found on the church Facebook page or YouTube channel.

The Book of Revelation Bible study will be offered Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church or live on the church Facebook page. Contact the office at 812-372-8495 or [email protected] if you would like to sign up for this study.

Lent is 40 days of prayer, fasting and serving. Ash Wednesday service is March 2 at 7 p.m. The Lent sermon series will be titled “The Red Balloon.”

The church is located at 1610 Taylor Road, Columbus. Information: 812-372-8495.

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St. Paul Episcopal Church — Join the church for Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m., in person or livestreamed on the church’s website: stpaulscolumbus.org.

The church is located at 2651 California St., Columbus. Information: stpaulscolumbus.org or 812-372-7869.

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St. Paul Lutheran Church — Transfiguration of Christ will be celebrated Sunday with Pastor Doug Bauman presenting the message “Centered in Christ,” based on Luke 9:28-36 at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services. Children will process with alleluia banners at the beginning of both services.

Christian fellowship will begin at 9:10 a.m. Christian education hour for all ages follows at 9:30 a.m. with families gathering together during the Education Hour to learn about the history and heritage of the congregation. The Spanish worship service will be in the fellowship room at 10:45 a.m. with Spanish Sunday school at noon.

Theme for the 6:45 p.m. Ash Wednesday Communion service will be based on “The Great I Am” with Pastor Bauman’s sermon entitled “Vine and Branches.” Imposition of Ashes will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Room beginning at 5:30 p.m. for a freewill offering.

Radio worship service is every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on WYGS 91.1 FM, which also broadcasts the Lutheran Hour every Sunday at 7 p.m.

Wednesday adult Bible classes meet at 9 a.m. studying the Gospel of John and at 6 p.m. studying the Gospel of Luke.

A class on grief entitled “Hope When Your Heart Breaks” meets Fridays at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Room.

St. Paul Lutheran Early Childhood Ministry is now enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year. St. Paul offers a comprehensive, half-day kindergarten program, a 4-year-old pre-kindergarten class, a 3-year-old preschool class, extended care, and STEM enrichment sessions.

The church is located at 6045 E. State St., Columbus. Information: 812-376-6504 or stpaulcolumbus.org.

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — Due to current public health metrics, the church has returned to single-platform services through February. Gather on Zoom before 10 a.m. Hyperlink and weekly service information available on Facebook, at uucci.org, or by phone at 812-342-6230.

The church is located at 7850 W. Goeller Blvd., Columbus. Information: uucci.org or 812-342-6230.

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Westside Community Church — WCC has resumed in-facility Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. The worship service will also continue to be broadcast in the parking lot on FM 87.9 at 10 a.m.

WCC is located at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard in Columbus.

Information: 812-342-8464.

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Events

East Columbus United Methodist Church — Grace’s Table is a free meal in a drive-in format with entertainment. Presented by East Columbus United Methodist Church on every second Sunday at 5 p.m. There will be music and storytelling. Enter the church parking lot and come right at 5 p.m. so you don’t miss the story. Tables available for walk-ups.

The church is located at 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus.

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Eckankar, The Path of Spiritual Freedom — Discover Yourself As Soul! — Eckankar is an active, individual, and creative spiritual practice that can make God’s love an everyday reality in your life. All in-person Eckankar events in Indiana are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Information: Eck-Indiana.org and 812-418-8392.

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First Lutheran Church — The church is holding their annual Red Cross Blood Drive on March 18 from 2 to 7 p.m.

The church is located at 3600 E. 25th St., Columbus.

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Northview Church — “The Storehouse” exists to serve those in need who may find themselves recovering from a situation such as a fire, elderly on fixed income, single parents, sickness, homelessness, incarceration, etc. Clothing and household goods are provided free.

To make an appointment or to donate, call 812-343-6450.

The church is located at 7230 N. County Road 250W, Columbus.