Religion news – Feb. 24

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.

———

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].

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

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

First Baptist Church — Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings, with both a nursery and children’s programming available. The church also has several Sunday school offerings and different Bible study groups that meet throughout the week. The church is excited to have a new senior pastor, the Rev. Evan Guse, who will be preaching a sermon series titled “Simple Prayer” during the season of Lent.

The church is located at 3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Information: www.firstbaptistcolumbus.org.

———

First Presbyterian Church — The Second Sunday in Lent will be Feb. 25. The church’s theme for Lent is “From the Heart.” Pastor Felipe Martinez will preach a sermon titled: “Their Heart is Far From Me” based on Mark 7:1-15.

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 at 5 p.m. Friday (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.

———

First United Methodist Church — On Sunday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m., the Rev. Harriet Wilkin will deliver the message, “Faith Transforms”. The scripture will be Mark 6:7-13. 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.

The church is offering a Grief Support Group on Mondays until March 25 at 1 p.m. in the church library. This is not counseling; this is a group to share stories and to encourage and support one another. All are welcome.

Connie Wilson will be selling Easter flowers on Sunday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, March 3. Orders also may be placed by contacting the church office.

The public is invited and welcome to Dance and Donate! The church offers beginner line dancing instruction in the fellowship hall on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. It costs only $3 to attend each class and all the money goes to the church’s children’s programs. There are many great benefits to line dancing and there is no need for a partner because participants will make many new friends. For more information, contact the church office.

During the month of February, the church focuses on the important work of the Learning Tree Preschool. The preschool is an outward expression of the congregation’s values, providing a safe learning environment for children throughout the community. The preschool also embodies the value of care for all children by offering scholarships so that families in need can attend. This scholarship fund is called “Love a Child” and is the missional emphasis of the church in February. The church hopes members will consider making a gift to this scholarship fund for the 2024-2025 school year.

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

———

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.

Troop IN-0110 meets twice monthly on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. during the school year.

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.

———

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.

Grace Lutheran’s Alpha class, an introduction to and a review of the basics of the Christian faith, will be on Tuesdays through April 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A free meal is served at 6 p.m., followed by a brief video introducing the Alpha class. Free child care is available. Register online at www.gracecolumbus.org or call 812-372-4859.

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

———

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.

———

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. service every Sunday. 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.

———

Petersville United Methodist Church — On the Second Sunday of Lent, Feb. 25, Pastor Rebecca Milne will give her sermon, “Greed,” at the 9 a.m. worship service. She will use Scriptures from Mark 8:31-38 that remind us that the poison of greed can never satisfy our deepest longings; it just leaves us always wanting more.

Kathy Bush will serve as song and worship leader, and Teresa Covert will give the children’s story. A time of fellowship will follow the worship service. The service may be viewed each week on Facebook.

United Methodist Men will begin meeting again on Sunday, March 3, at 7:15 a.m. at the church. For additional information, contact President Don Harris at 812-546-4438.

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

———

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, Feb. 25. Pastor Paul Dazet will bring a message about “Greed” as part of the Lent sermon series “Toxic: Seven Deadly Sins.”

Sunday school is offered for all ages from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. The nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. until after service.

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

A five-week Lent Bible study, “Mission Possible”, will be offered on Wednesdays through March 20 at 6:30 p.m. This study will be facilitated by Pastor Dazet. Call the office to register.

On Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m., there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for all ages including adults, and at 11 a.m., there will be an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast bar as a youth mission trip fundraiser.

Palm Sunday Service will be March 24 at 11 a.m. Easter Service will be March 31 at 11 a.m.

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

———

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.

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

———

St. Paul Lutheran Church — Pastor Doug Bauman will present the message, “A New Name”, based on Genesis 17:1-7, Sunday at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services. Concordia University Choir of Irvine, California, will provide special music at both morning worship services.

Christian fellowship begins at 9:10 a.m. with Christian education classes beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Bauman will lead a discussion “Two Kingdoms Living” in the fellowship room. Senior youth will study “Life’s Big Questions, God’s Big Answers” led by Dave and Jen Probst.

Pastor Dan Fickenscher will lead the Spanish worship service at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship room with Spanish Bible study at 12:15 p.m. Prayer service is offered each Wednesday in the church at 10:15 a.m.

Based on the theme, “I Will Ponder Now”, a 6:45 p.m. Lenten service will be Wednesday with Pastor Bauman presenting the message “Gethsemane”. A nacho bar with desserts will be served in the fellowship room from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. for a freewill offering. Hymn sing begins at 6:30 p.m.

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.

Wednesday adult Bible class meets in the fellowship room at 9 a.m., studying the Book of Acts. The evening class will not meet until Wednesday, April 3.

Registration for 2024-2025 preschool and kindergarten is underway. Pre-K-3 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:15 to 11:15 a.m.; PreK-4 meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:15 to 11:15 a.m.; kindergarten meets weekdays 8:15 to 11:45 a.m. Programs nurture spiritual growth, love of learning, including Christ-centered and developmentally appropriate curriculum, Minds in Motion, and before/after school care options.

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

———

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 page and website.

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

———

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.

———

Olive Tree Ministries — What in the world is happening? Are things going to get better or worse? IS there more beneath the surface than we realize? “Understanding Our Times” seminar with Ken Mikle, a former detective and security consultant from Minneapolis, MN. As an OTM representative, he will present facts and evidence about what is happening in our world today and relate everything to what God says.

Travel expenses are covered by Olive Tree Ministries, but contributions for their time and seminar teaching are appreciated. Information, go to OliveTreeViews.org or call the OTM office at 763-559-4444.

The seminar will be held on Friday, March 8 at 6 p.m. at Wilson Chapel, 6435 N. State Highway 7, Elizabethtown (across from Eco Park).

———

South Central Indiana Christian Men’s Fellowship — Jonesville Christian Church will host the meeting at their church on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Meal will be at 6:30 p.m. and include chicken, green beans, mac & cheese, desserts and drinks.

The meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. Steve Gommel, retired minister from Driftwood Christian Church, will be the speaker.

The church is located at 609 Commerce St., Jonesville.