Services and studies
Community Church of Columbus — A leadership group from several local churches plans to offer a “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” class, meant to impart a fresh knowledge and understanding of God’s unchanging purposes, from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 8 at the church. The class will run for 16 weeks. The internationally recognized course can be taken for a certificate or college credit. Cost is $240 for certificate-level participation, but scholarships are available. College credit is available for additional cost. The first class on Jan. 8 is free and prospective students are welcome to come even if they are not signed up.
Information: perspectives.org; Robin Holland, 812-390-5008; [email protected]
Fairlawn Presbyterian — A guest minister, the Rev. Amy Artis, will lead the 9:30 a.m. worship Sunday at the church, 2611 Fairlawn Drive. Scripture will include Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24:36-44. The sermon is “Four Kinds of Christmas.” The Fairlawn Worship Band, and guest musician Roger Banister, will lead the music. Fellowship time with refreshments will immediately follow in the Narthex.
Rick MacArthur, former pastor at Fairlawn and an art historian living in the western Colorado Rocky Mountains, will lead the congregation in worship Dec. 4 and present a 6:30 p.m. program, “The Christmas Story in Art,” in the sanctuary. The program is free and open to the public.
The mission project offered by Mission and Outreach will take place Dec. 4.
Information: 812-372-3882
First Baptist — The Rev. David Doles will deliver the message, “A Shoot,” with Scripture from Isaiah 11:1-10 and John 1:1-5 at the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Music worship will be led by the WAVE bell ringers and the Chancel Choir. Child care is available for infants. Older children will remain in the service.
Following coffee fellowship at 10:30 a.m., classes for all ages will begin at 10:45 a.m. Youth will gather at 6:33 p.m. Sunday in the chapel for Youth-6:33.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
The fall session of Cross Connections will resume at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a video faith-formation study, “All the Places to Go,” by Jon Ortberg.
Live streaming is available for Sunday services beginning at 9:25 a.m.
To view on your personal computer, go to sundaystreams.com/go/fbccolumbus or access through the link on the web page.
Information: 812-376-3321; fbccolumbus.org
First Presbyterian — Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 512 Seventh St., Columbus. The Rev. Felipe Martinez will preach the sermon, “Christ’s Unexpected Return,” a message of hope that will focus on Matthew 24:36-44.
Infant and toddler care is available 9:15 a.m. to noon. Sunday school for children from preschool age to grade 3 will begin at 10 a.m. Grades 4-12 will have Sunday school at 11 a.m. The adult fellowship and education hour will be at 11 a.m. as well. The men’s and women’s support groups meet at 7 a.m. Friday. People in need of a meal are invited to the Hot Meals offered at 5 p.m. Friday, with entrance through the glass doors on Franklin Street.
Information: 812-372-3783; fpccolumbus.org
First United Methodist — The Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message, “Advent at Dawn,” at the 9 a.m. traditional and 11 a.m. contemporary services Sunday at the church, 618 Eighth St. Scripture will be Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122. Sunday school classes will be offered for children, youth and adults of all ages. Adult Sunday school topics include “All I Want for Christmas” and “The Journey” by Adam Hamilton.
Sunday Night Connections begins with food at 5 p.m., followed by children’s choirs, youth group and adult small group studies. Everyone is invited for food and fellowship.
Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org
Flintwood Wesleyan — Members of the church will be decorating for the Christmas season today beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers welcome.
Sunday service times are Amplify, the non-traditional service, at 9 a.m., and The Well, the traditional service, at 11 a.m. in the main sanctuary of the church, 5300 E. 25th St. Sunday school classes begin at 10 a.m. The prayer team will meet at 8 a.m. Evening activities begin with adult choir practice at 5 p.m., followed by the evening service at 6 p.m. in the main sanctuary.
The Connections small group meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. For information on this group, contact Pastor Teri Jones through the church office.
The Greater small group will meet at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday in the large Sunday school classroom in the basement of Curry Hall. This group is for women only and will last six weeks.
Wednesday activities begin with supper at 5:30 p.m. Prayer Team will meet at 6:15 p.m. in the Prayer Room. JAM, for pre-school through grade 6, begins at 6:15 p.m. Youth, for middle and high school, begins at 6:30 p.m. and Adult Bible Study begins at 7 p.m. in the main sanctuary.
Cub Scout Pack 588 meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Boy Scout Troop 588 follows at 7 p.m.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]
Old Union United Church of Christ — Pastor Kirby Rupp will deliver the message, “Ready, Set, Wait!,” at the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh. Scripture will include Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24:36-44. Sunday school will begin at 9 a.m. and fellowship will be conducted at 9:40 a.m.
Wednesday Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m.
Information: 812-526-9430
Petersville United Methodist — The Rev. Stormy Scherer-Berry will bring the message, “Light — Does Your Life Reflect the Light of the Lord?,” at the 9 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 2781 N. County Road 500E. Scripture will include Matthew 24:36-44 and Isaiah 2:1-4. Joe Bush will serve as liturgist, and Teresa Covert will give the children’s message. A time of fellowship will follow the service, and adult Sunday School class will meet at 10:30 a.m.
The Monday night Bible study classes will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Kimerling and Nolting homes. The Sit and Stitch group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Nolting home. Choir practice will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and the Thursday morning prayer group will meet at 10 a.m. The Walking Group will meet at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at FairOaks Mall, 2380 25th St. The children’s Sign Language class will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the church, led by Allyson Loper. There will be a children’s program during the Dec. 18 worship service.
Information: 812-603-8378; 574-780-2379
Reformed Presbyterian — The public is invited to “The Whole Bible in One Weekend Seminar,” which will be presented by Pastor Tim McCracken at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 10 at the church, 550 N. National Road. Pastor McCracken received his seminary training at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and currently serves as pastor of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Fresno, California.
Information: Search “Whole Bible One Weekend Columbus” on YouTube; Ed Schisler at 812-342-1989
St. Paul Lutheran — Pastor Doug Bauman will deliver the message at the Advent service, focusing on Martin Luther’s hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 6045 E. State St.
Information: 812-376-6504
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s annual inter-generational Guest at Your Table program will begin during the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 7850 W. Goeller Boulevard, Columbus. The program raises support and awareness of work to advance human rights.
Information: 812-342-6230
Westside Community — Pastor Dennis Aud will lead the 10 a.m. service Sunday at the church, located at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard. His message will be “On Any Given Day” from James 4:13-17. There will be a time of fellowship after the service and the Westside family tree will be decorated. The children’s program for ages through grade 6 meets at the same time as the service.
The choir will be performing a Christmas Cantata, “Christmas in His Presence,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the church. This year’s cantata is made up of traditional and new Christmas music for all to enjoy. Refreshments will be served. All are invited.
Information: 812-342-8464
Music
Faith Victory — The church will welcome the Reen Family Singers in a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, 4286 Jonathan Moore Pike. Steve and Sophie Reen are classically trained musicians who have performed professionally for the past 25 years. They were joined by their nine children in 2010. The free Christmas Eve Circle of Joy Concert begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s praise team and children will be featured at this event.
The public is invited to both events.
Information: 812-372-6625
First Christian — The Adventures in Christmas Workshop will be conducted at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the church, 531 Fifth St. It will feature Kingdom Kidz, FCC Orchestra, Worship Band, ALIVE Worship Team, Worship Choir, Aeolian-Skinner Organ and more.
Information: Dan Wallace, 812-379-4491, ext. 239; [email protected].
Old Union United Church of Christ — The Voices Christmas Concert will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Information: 812-526-9430
Events
First United Methodist — Santa’s Workshop is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3. This is a day of crafts and projects for children of all ages. There is no charge to participate, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Community Carol Sing is at 7 p.m. Dec. 8. This is an evening of brass, organ, soloists, hand bells and singing songs of the season. The event is free and open to the public.
The Blue Christmas Service will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 14. This is a service of remembrance for people struggling with loss. Everyone is invited to participate.
Information: 812-372-2851; fumccolumbus.org
Flintwood Wesleyan — A Secret Pal Reveal Party will be conducted after The Well service on Dec. 4. Names will be drawn for next year. All women are invited, whether or not you were a secret pal.
The church will celebrate a Cozy Christmas starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Friendship Center.
The Senior Adult Ministry Christmas luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Friendship Center.
The Children’s Christmas Program will be presented at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. A cookie reception will follow in the Friendship Center.
The annual Christmas Breakfast from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. will be Dec. 18. Regular evening activities are dismissed this day.
The church community will go Christmas caroling, departing the church at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21.
Information: 812-379-4287; [email protected]
Old Union United Church of Christ — The Candlelight Christmas Eve service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Dec. 24 at the church, 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.
Information: 812-526-9430
St. Paul Lutheran — The Christmas Family Fun Day will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the church, 6045 E. State St., with caroling, a supper served at 5 p.m., gingerbread house decorating and a nativity devotion.
Information: 812-376-6504
