Religion news – Dec. 23

Services and studies

Alongsider Church — Alongsider is a community of house churches coming together to worship as one body on the first and third Sundays monthly at 9:30 a.m. The church meets in the cafeteria at WD Richards Elementary School. Park in the back by the tennis courts and enter through door 24. On the second and fourth Sundays, house churches meet in homes across Columbus for a conversational study of the past sermon and deeper fellowship.

To learn more, call 812-343-2937 or go to alongsiderchurch.org.

The church is located at 3311 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus.

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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. Kids’ church is offered only at the 11 a.m. service. Sunday school classes meet at 10 a.m. Asbury offers a variety of classes and group studies at various times during the week. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Christmas Eve morning worship service will be at 10:30 a.m. The church will gather together at 6:30 p.m. for a Christmas organ meditation by Ed Bruenjes, followed by a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

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

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Central Heights Church of God — The church offers 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages and worship services at 10:30 a.m. The message will be led by Pastor Jason Johnson. Children’s church takes place during service and a nursery is available.

The church is located at 3151 Sharon Lane, Columbus.

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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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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 — Sunday morning worship service begins at 9 a.m. The morning blended worship service includes praise music and traditional hymns. Children receive a special message during children’s moment and are dismissed for children’s church during the service. Sunday school begins at 10:10 a.m. with classes for all age groups. Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month.

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

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Fairlawn Presbyterian Church — The church has in-person and Zoom services at 9:30 a.m. To join on Zoom, email the church office at [email protected] to request a Zoom link.

Fellowship and coffee hour is every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Contact the church for the Zoom link.

Women’s Bible study is the third Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.

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 — Worship each Sunday begins at 9 a.m. in person and livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page. Most Sundays, Sunday school and an adult Bible study are offered from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Wednesday evening worship is offered at 6:30 p.m. each week.

Preschool classes continue throughout the school year and the congregation offers an afterschool program each school day from 3 to 6 p.m. with busing from Southside Elementary.

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

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First Presbyterian Church — The final Sunday of Advent will be the Sunday of Love, which this year falls on Dec. 24. So that morning the church will have a simple worship service with a reflection by Pastor Felipe Martinez titled “God is Near: Believe in Love” based on Luke 1:26-38.

Join in person (you may wear a mask) or on Facebook, Zoom or YouTube at 9:30 a.m. For more details, visit www.fpccolumbus.org.

People in the community in need of a meal are invited to our Hot Meals offered Friday at 5 p.m. (please enter through the glass doors on Franklin Street). We are an LGBTQ-friendly church, open and affirming to all.

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

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First United Methodist Church — On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 24, at 10 a.m., the Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Love Amid the Discouragement.” The scripture will be Luke 1:26-38, 46-55. The church encourages those attending in person to arrive 10 minutes before the service. Child care will be available from 9:45 a.m. until the end of the 10 a.m. service. Sunday school for children ages 4-12 will start at 9 a.m.

For those unable to attend the in-person service or not yet comfortable meeting in person, service livestreams will be available on the church Facebook page and the church YouTube channel (FUMC Columbus). Videos will be available on the church website for later viewing as well.

During Advent, the church invites worshippers to participate in reading a devotion written by Kate Bowler from Duke Divinity School. The church will have some copies available at the church, but you can also download the devotion free of charge by visiting katebowler.com.

The church offers three distinct worship opportunities for Christmas Eve following their normal 10 a.m. service. The evening begins with the family service at 6 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., the church celebrates Christmas Eve with a bit of swing in the jazz service. Then at 11 p.m., the church concludes with the traditional lessons and carols. The church will hear the familiar readings with hymns and special music by their chancel choir, leading up to the lighting of candles and singing of “Silent Night” at midnight.

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

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Garden City Christian Church — Sunday school classes are available for infants through adults at 9 a.m. Join the church for a blended worship service with lead pastor Brian Gilroy on Sunday morning at 10 a.m.

Youth group (grades 6-12) meets Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. led by Josiah Been, interim youth minister.

The church is located at 3245 Jonesville Road, Columbus. Learn more about GCCC, check the church calendar or watch missed sermons online at gardencitychurch.com. Information: 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 the fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 24, with divine service at 9:30 a.m. Later that evening is the candlelight service of lessons and carols at 6:30 p.m., followed by the candlelight service of Holy Communion at 11 p.m.

The church is located at 3201 Central Ave., Columbus. Call 812-372-4859 for more information or go online at gracecolumbus.org.

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Mt. Healthy Community Church — The church offers Sunday school weekly at 9:30 a.m. for folks of all ages. Worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Jon Stone. Come to MHCC to receive God’s word, uplifting music and Christian fellowship. Everyone is welcome.

The church is located at 11950 S. State Road 58, Columbus. Information: 812-342-4583.

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Mount Pleasant Christian Union Church — The church invites the community to visit the little 150-year-old country church for a 10:30 a.m. Sunday service with Christmas messages every Sunday in December. The church preaches out of the King James Bible and sings out of hymn books. The church is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and spirit-led.

The church is located at 4960 W. Goeller Blvd., Columbus. Information: 812-344-0478.

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Newbern United Methodist Church — Sunday church service at 10:30 a.m. in-person and Bible study each Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The church is located at 15786 E. Main St., Newbern.

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Petersville United Methodist Church — On Dec. 24, the fourth Sunday of Advent, Beverly Perry will deliver her message on Love at the 9 a.m. worship service. Scriptures will come from Samuel 7:1-11, Psalm 89:1-4, and Luke 1:26-38. She will stress that as we enter the story of the birth of Love Among Us, we are invited to be present in love with those that need it most.

Kathy Bush will serve as worship and song leader, and Teresa Covert will give the Children’s Story.

The First Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 31, former district superintendent Bev Bishop will bring the morning’s message at the church at 9 a.m.

The church is located at 2781 N. County Road 500E, Columbus. Information: 812-546-4438; 812-764-3920.

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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 one combined service at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. As the church celebrates “Love,” Pastor Paul Dazet will bring a message about “Imagine Love: The Gift of Christ” as part of the Advent sermon series.

No Sunday school will be offered. The nursery will not be available. The church encourages families to be together for Christmas Eve service.

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

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

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St. Paul Episcopal Church — St. Paul’s is an inclusive faith community of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. The church meets in person or by livestream at the church’s website, stpaulscolumbus.org.

Join the church at 10:15 a.m. for Sunday worship led by priest and celebrant Br. Aelred Bernard Dean.

On Dec. 24, Christmas Eve services are at 10:15 a.m.: Said Eucharist (No Music), 4 p.m.: Family Eucharist, and 7:30 p.m.: Festive Eucharist. Come early for 15 minutes of Christmas music and carols before both music services.

No services on Christmas day.

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

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St. Paul Lutheran Church — Pastor Doug Bauman will lead services of lessons and carols Sunday at 8 and 10:45 a.m.

Christian fellowship begins at 9:10 a.m. During the 9:30 a.m. Education hour, together as family day, will be celebrated with Jan Voelz leading a presentation on German Christmas traditions.

Pastor Dan Fickenscher will lead the Spanish worship service candlelight Christmas service at 1 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight services will be led by Pastor Bauman at 6:30 and 11 p.m. Congregational carol sing will precede both services.

A 10 a.m. Christmas Day Festival Communion service will be led by Pastor Bauman presenting the message “Incarnate for Us and For Our Salvation.”

Radio worship service is every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., and “The Lutheran Hour” is every Sunday at 7 p.m., both on WYGS 91.1 FM.

New Year’s Eve Communion service will be held Sunday, Dec. 31, at 6:30 p.m.

Adult Bible classes will not meet on Wednesday.

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

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Such A Time As This — Sunday School is at 11 a.m., followed by a worship service. Youth on The Rise and adult service meet on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Office hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Call 812-418-8482 for more information.

The church is located at 606 Cleveland St., Columbus.

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — Sunday Service begins at 10 a.m. in-person. Videos of past services will be available on Youtube@uucolumbus.

Information about services, events and programs is available on the congregation’s Facebook and website: uucci.org.

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

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Events

East Columbus United Methodist Church — Grace’s Table is a free meal available for anyone to attend. The meal is every second Sunday of the month at 5 p.m. inside the Youth Center Building adjacent to the main church building.

The church is located at 2439 Indiana Ave., 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.

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Parkside Baptist Church — Awana discipleship club for children 3 years old through eighth grade will meet every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 1780 Rocky Ford Road, Columbus. For information or to register, call 812-372-5889 or go to parksidebaptist.com.

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Such a Time As This — The church will host a family Christmas event, “The Miracle of Jesus”, with activities throughout “Bethlehem City” from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. The event will feature a live donkey.

The church is located at 606 Cleveland St., Columbus.