Religion News – October 29

By

-

October 29, 2016

Services and studies

First United Methodist — The Rev. Lisa Cottingham will deliver the message, “Forgiveness: God’s Desire for Us,” at both the 9 a.m. Sunday traditional service and 11 a.m. contemporary service at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Scripture will be Psalm 132 and Luke 7:40-47.There are Sunday school classes for children, youth and adults of all ages. Adult Sunday school class topics include “Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church” by N.T. Wright and “Couples of the Old Testament.” A special Sunday school class this weekend is Cottingham’s “The Basics: The Bible.” This one-time class will explore the foundational document of faith and will cover core items about the Old and New testaments.

Sunday Night Connections begins with food at 5 p.m. followed by children’s choirs, youth group and adult small group studies.

Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org

First Baptist — The Rev. Dan Cash will deliver the message, “Live Simply: Follow Jesus,” with Scripture from Matthew 6:25-33 at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. Music worship will be led by the Youth Choir.

Child care is available for infants. Older children will remain in the service.

Classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m., following coffee fellowship.

Children are invited to participate in the annual “Trunk or Treat” in the church parking lot, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The Hannah Circle of American Baptist Women will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The fall session of Cross Connections will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, with a six-week, video-based study by Jon Ortberg.

The Men of Faith Bible Study will meet in the private dining room at Four Seasons Retirement Center, 1901 Taylor Road, at 6:15 a.m. Friday. All First Baptist men and their guests are welcome. Pastor Dan Cash and Bill Griffith will lead the discussion of “New Wineskins: Faith’s Great Paradigm Shifts.”

The Sunday service is available in live streaming, beginning at 9:25 a.m. Visit sundaystreams.com/go/fbccolumbus or access through the web page, fbccolumbus.org/WP/sermons.

Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org

St. Paul Lutheran — Reformation will be celebrated at both the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday at the church, 6045 E. State St. in Columbus. Pastor Doug Bauman will preach on ”It’s Still All About Jesus,” reflecting the theme for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. A hymn commemorating the celebration will be introduced.

At 9:30 a.m., the first “Together As Family Day” will be held in the fellowship room with a portrayal of Martin Luther. Afterward, parents will attend Sunday School classes with their children with special related activities while Bauman will conduct an adult Bible class based on the Reformation.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The Ministerial Search Committee hosts Jo Anne Dale to speak at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Blvd. She will highlight how congregations can choose ministers with an open mind and open heart.

Information: 812-342-6230; uucci@uucci.org

Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will present the message, “Growing,” at the 9 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E in Petersville. Liturgist Karen Mize will share Scripture from Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12. Teresa Covert will lead the children’s message. A time of fellowship will follow the service.

Monday night Bible study groups will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Nolting and Kimerling homes. Sit-n-Stitch group meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Nolting home. Choir practice is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Prayer Group, led by Barb Hedrick, meets at the church at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The Walking group meets at 9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the church, weather permitting. In inclement weather, members walk at FairOaks Mall at 9 a.m.

Information: 812-546-4438; 812-603-8378

Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will present the message, “Celebrate!,” wrapping up the year-long 200th anniversary celebration at the 10 a.m. Sunday service on the 24th Sunday after Pentecost at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W near Edinburgh. Readings will be from 2 Samuel 6:12-15, Psalm 145:1-3, and Luke 5:27-32.

Fairlawn Presbyterian — The Rev. Lee Dorsey leads the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service with the message, “Going Out on a Limb at the church,” 2611 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus. The Scripture readings are Psalm 32:1-7 and Luke 19 1-10.

Childcare is available in the nursery from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. for infants to 2-year-olds.

Fellowship time and refreshments will immediately follow the worship service.

Fairlawn is pleased to have Rick Weinheimer lead Christian Nurture discussion based on his book, “Move Your Chair,” for adults and high school youth at 11 a.m. Nov. 6, 13 and 20. Weinheimer has taught middle school and high school English and coached cross-country and track since 1978. Currently at Columbus North High School, he teaches senior language and composition and serves as English department chair. He is a nationally recognized coach of multiple state championship teams and was inducted into the Indiana Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2004. He will present thoughts on seeking excellence in all areas of life in his message of hope, inspiration and humor.

Music

Lowell General Baptist hymn sing — A Hymn Sing will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the church, County Road 200W and South Line Drive, Columbus. The Eddie Smalling Family will perform.Information: 812-546-4363

Old Union United Church if Christ — The Lasting Impressions will be in concert at 6 p.m. today at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W near Edinburgh.

Information: jkrupp2@aol.com

Events

First United Methodist Cookie Walk — The 26th annual Cookie Walk will be from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 19 at the church, 618 Eighth St. in Columbus. Cookies, candies, breads, cookies in a jar and cookbooks will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go to church missions, ranging from Love Chapel food pantry to overseas work.Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org

Westside Community Fall Festival — The Fall Festival for all ages will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the church, corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard in Columbus.

Activities include a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, human foosball, face painting, games and other options. Families can enjoy a hayride, paint a pumpkin and play a few rounds of bingo. The Harrison Township and Columbus Fire Departments will have firetrucks on hand. Plus, there will hamburgers, hot dogs and hot cocoa.

Information: 812-342-8464; westsidecommunitychurch.net

White Creek United Methodist hog roast — The 15th annual All-You-Can-Eat Hog Roast will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. today at the church, 6730 W. County Road 930S. Dinner for a free-will offering includes a pulled pork sandwich (barbecued or plain), several sides and a dessert. Carry-out meals are available upon request.

The event also will include for sale handmade crafts, baked goods, cookbooks and Christmas ornaments.

Petersville United Methodist turkey supper — The 49th annual Turkey Supper will be served from 5 to 8 p.m., Nov. 4 and 5. Adult tickets are $10; children’s tickets are $5; children 4 and younger are admitted free. Carry-outs are available. Bonnie Burbrink is serving as chairperson of the turkey supper and Karen Mize is co-chair.

Information: 812-546-4438; 812-603-8378

Brownstown United Methodist Soup Supper — A Soup Supper will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday in the church, 110 N. Poplar St. in Brownstown. Meals cost $5 each and consist of choice of chili, bean soup or broccoli soup; sandwiches or hotdogs; homemade dessert and drink. Carry-out is available.

Information: 812-358-4537

Sandy Hook United Methodist missionary speaker event — Christian missionary and author Bob Goff, founder of the nonprofit organization Love Does, will give a free presentation at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Commons, 300 Washington St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the gathering are free but are limited.

A love offering will be taken to help build a primary school at Restore Academy in Gulu, Uganda. T-shirts also will be for sale.

Information: 812-372-8495; sandyhook.org

Three adults, one juvenile accused of using counterfeit money

By

Julie McClure

-

October 29, 2016

Three adults and one juvenile were arrested after being accused of using counterfeit $20 bills Thursday at restaurants on Columbus’ west side.

At about 2 p.m., Columbus police were sent to one of the restaurant in the 3400 block of Jonathan Moore Pike about three counterfeit $20 bills used to purchase food.

The fake currency was used to purchase items of low value, and the change was returned to the suspects, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

The suspects left the restaurant, but Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies stopped them on Interstate 65, Harris said.

Arrested on preliminary charges of counterfeiting were:

Kiara D. Ingram, 20, 5724 W. 25th St., Indianapolis

Reveonna L. Barner, 18, 5247 Leone Drive, Indianapolis

Jayla M. Keys, 20, 1361 Norfolk St., Speedway

A 16-year-old juvenile was taken to the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center on a preliminary charge of counterfeiting, Harris said.

Ingram, Barner and Keys were released from the Bartholomew County Jail after each posted $7,500 bond, jail officials said.

Swimming can wait for Bull Dogs freshman

By

Ted Schultz

-

October 28, 2016

On Monday, Olivia Morlok will report to swimming practice a few days later than her teammates, but she’s had a good excuse.

The Columbus North freshman is in the process of wrapping up her freshman cross-country season. She’s been one of the top three runners all season for the sixth-ranked Bull Dogs, who will compete in Saturday’s state finals at Terre Haute’s LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Morlok said. “I’ve really liked racing with my teammates, and I’m really excited for the state meet.”

Ironically, Morlok had a little bit of a late start to her cross-country season because she was swimming this summer. But she caught up to her teammates quickly.

In North’s first big competition of the season, Morlok led the Bull Dogs with a third-place finish in the Conference Indiana meet.

“A lot of my teammates had been training all summer, and I hadn’t really gotten that many workouts in over the summer because I was at swimming,” Morlok said. “I just knew that I had to keep training and keep pushing myself in races. I just knew that I had to keep doing my best.”

Since that race, Morlok has shared the team’s No. 1 spot with senior Rachel Brougher and junior Arig Tong. The three runners give North one of the state’s most formidable trios.

Morlok considers herself fortunate to have runners the caliber of Brougher and Tong to help ease the pressure on her.

“It’s really nice because you always know that you have teammates who are running close to you and pushing you,” Morlok said. “You know if you don’t have as good of a race, there’s going to be your teammates up there doing good.”

North coach Rick Weinheimer credits Brougher and Tong with the development of Morlok, who won most of her races at Northside Middle School.

“Olivia just quietly blends in,” Weinheimer said. “Rachel and Arig have been a really good help for her. It’s a big jump from 3K to 5K. She was very good in middle school, but it’s still a big jump. She certainly was much heralded coming in and has lived up to any expectations.”

Morlok ran a 5K personal-best 18 minutes, 36.14 seconds to finish third behind Brougher and Tong in the Brown County Sectional. In the Brown County Regional, Morlok finished fourth in 19:00.96.

Last week, Morlok developed a sore shin and ran only Monday and Thursday, working out in the pool the other days. Weinheimer didn’t know if she would be able to run in Saturday’s Brown County Semistate, but she did and finished seventh in 18:44.6.

“She’s such a competitor that in spite of that (injury), she ran I think her best race of the year,” Weinheimer said.

Morlok also is a heralded distance swimmer, having won her age group in the mile in the Central Zone Championships. She figures to make an immediate impact on this year’s Bull Frogs team.

But first, she has business to take care of on the cross-country course Saturday afternoon. The top 25 individuals earn All-State honors, and the top five teams make the awards podium.

“I just want to get my (personal record) down because I haven’t done that since sectional,” Morlok said. “I want to see how good I can place in my first year at the state meet. That would be really cool if I could make All-State this year and move up on the (school’s) top-10 all-time board.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

What: Boys and Girls Cross-Country State Finals

When: 1 p.m. Saturday (girls), 1:45 p.m. Saturday (boys)

Where: LaVern Gibson Championship Cross-Country Course, 599 S. Tabortown Rd., Terre Haute

Who: 24 boys and 24 girls teams, including the Columbus North boys and girls and Jennings County boys

Admission: $8

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Olivia Morlok” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Olivia Morlok

School: Columbus North

Year: Freshman

Sports: Cross-country, swimming, track

Favorite sport: “I like swimming and running both, so I’m not sure I could pick a favorite.”

Favorite athlete: Katie Ledecky

[sc:pullout-text-end]

Senior leads North runners into state finals

By

Ted Schultz

-

October 28, 2016

When Elijah Brooks was in fifth and sixth grade, he would regularly come to Columbus North cross-country practice to run with the team.

At that time, the Bull Dogs, led by Andrew Diehn, Christopher Kelsey and Michael Sublette, were in the midst of winning three consecutive state championships. Throughout his four years of high school, Brooks has tried to help North carry on that tradition.

“Fifth and sixth grade, I’m really short, and I’m looking up to these giants of Columbus North cross-country and trying to emulate what they’ve done and just trying to follow their lead of showing up every day and working really hard,” Brooks said.

Brooks has spent most of his senior season going back and forth with junior Charlie Allen for the team’s No. 1 spot. The past two weeks, Brooks has been the Bull Dogs’ top runner in the Brown County Sectional and Brown County Semistate.

On Saturday afternoon, he’ll lead ninth-ranked North into the state finals at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.

“It just feels like he’s always been around,” North coach Rick Weinheimer said. “So he has a real appreciation for what the people before him have done, and I certainly think he’s had the kind of year that he’ll have good memories from.”

Although Brooks was a junior varsity runner his first two years of high school, he learned from leaders Kaden Eaton and Andy Carr, who were seniors on the 2013 team, and Seth Williams and Chase Ballard, who were seniors on the 2014 squad.

Brooks followed the leadership of those runners and now tries to pass that on to his younger teammates.

“If you show up every day and run hard, you’re going to get other people to show up and run hard,” Brooks said. “That’s how all of our guys have gotten better — showing up every day, working hard and putting in the work for three or four years.”

As a junior, Brooks became a full-time varsity runner. He ran a personal-best 16 minutes, 7 seconds in last year’s Brown County Regional.

Brooks’ best time this year is 16:15 in the Brown County Sectional.

“I think he’s developed the work ethic,” Weinheimer said. “He’s very thoughtful about how he races, and I think both of those things are paying off this year. I think Elijah has a special season that he’ll look back on and feel very proud of.”

Brooks credited the coaching staff of Weinheimer and assistants Jan Matchette, Bethany Scruton and Danny Fisher with his development.

“I think from a running perspective and just a physical perspective, I’ve grown a lot,” Brooks said. “I’ve gotten faster and stronger. But I think I’ve learned more from coach Weinheimer. I think I’ve learned a lot more about how to be successful, how to grow as a person a lot more.”

Grace College, where last year’s top North runner Ben Rankin is a freshman, is currently at the top of Brooks’ list of potential college cross-country and track programs. He also is considering Indiana University.

Brooks will wrap up his high school cross-country career Saturday. The top 25 earn All-State honors, and the top five teams earn spots on the awards podium.

“I’ll just do the best I can, and if that puts me All-State, that’s awesome,” Brooks said. “If not, it’s still awesome. I want my team to do as well as possible. That’s all we can really ask from any of our guys — that they do their best on that day.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Elijah Brooks” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Elijah Brooks

School: Columbus North

Year: Senior

Sports: Cross-country, track

Favorite sport: Cross-country

Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]