Published: November 14, 2008 08:14 pm            

Church Briefs: Nov. 15, 2008

TERRE HAUTE — Editor’s note: Send church-related news items to Church news, Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute 47808; community@tribstar.com (e-mail); or (812) 231-4321 (fax). Items must be received eight days before Saturday publication. Please include a contact name and phone number. If sending an event announcement, please list time, date, address and cost; notices will be published the Saturday prior to the event.



Terre Haute St. Stephen’s Episcopal

Services Sunday in the historic church at 217 N. Seventh St. includes Eucharists at 8 and 10 a.m. Church school starts at 9 a.m. After both services, join the camaraderie, coffee and conversation in the Great Hall.

There also is a noon Thursday service.

For more details, visit www.ststephensth.indydio.org/ or call (812) 232-5165 Tuesday through Friday.

n The fall garden clean up will be Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. to put the Mabley Garden to bed for the winter. Grab your cloves and a rake and join us.

n Slate work is under way on the roof of the church, Great Hall and Bell Tower and several entrances may be blocked by scaffolding in the coming months. Be careful entering and exiting the buildings.

Maple Avenue United

Worship services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Pastor Monty Barker invites you to hear this week’s sermon titled “What are we Doing With Our Talents?” with Scripture lessons Matthew 25:14-30 & 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. Favorite hymns as well as contemporary praise choruses will be sung. At the 10:30 a.m. service, the children’s sermon will be given and an anthem will be sung by the Maple Avenue Chancel Choir. Adult Sunday school fellowship is at 9:30 a.m. and children’s Sunday school will meet during the 10:30 service. Nursery care is provided during the 10:30 service in our beautiful nursery.

On Nov. 30, the church will host a concert titled “Music By Advent Candlelight,” featuring performances by mezzo soprano Mrs. Bert Evans, organist Tom Layman, pianist Kurt Perry and baritone Dan Rodriguez. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A love offering will be collected and will go to the music ministry of Maple Avenue UMC. These four outstanding musicians are all members of the Maple Avenue Music Ministry Team and perform in Terre Haute and surrounding areas.

For more information on the church and its programs, visit www.gbgmumc.org/-

maple_ave_umc/ or call (812) 232-7263.

St. George’s

Episcopal Church,

West Terre Haute

The Rev. Jack Brockman, retired priest from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Plainfield, will be Sunday’s Christian Education leader as well as celebrant for Holy Eucharist, Rite II. Brockman’s topic for Adult Christian Education is “Advent Customs in Our Personal and Family Life.”

Adult Christian Education is 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. in Taylor Hall.

St. George’s Episcopal Church, “the friendly little church on the hill,” is at 1337 N. Smith Place (on Ferguson Hill), West Terre Haute. For more information, contact Kelly Hammonds, bishop's warden, (217) 826-5439; kellyjo829@yahoo.com or go to www.stgeorgeswth.indydio.org.

Brockman attended the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., and was received into the Diocese of New Hampshire by Bishop Douglas Theurner. He served at St. John’s, Portsmouth, N.H.; St. Mark’s, Perryville, Md.; and St. John’s, Crawfordsville, before retiring this June.

Coffee hour with food and fellowship follows the service. All are welcome to attend all services.

Berean Baptist

The 9:30 Bible Study Hour features Lauren Lopez teaching the junior class and Dick Triestram presiding in adult class. The teen class will leave the church at 9:20 for McDonald’s where Pelo and Heather Lopez will coordinate the class.

At 10:30, pastor Larry Lilly’s sermon is titled, “Proper Furnishing for Revival.” This sermon will simply point out what God says he wants in the mind and heart of the person in order for revival to take place. Two pieces of “furniture” are glaringly absent in our hearts and churches and the hope for a renewed zeal for America will become more of a reality when this lack is faced honestly. Many struggling, worried and unhappy people have been helped by the verses of Scripture pastor Lilly will use for this sermon.

The Sounds of Victory and Wes Gates will provide special music. Dick and Judy Triestram will present Gospel Illustrations for the Family Integrated Worship Time.

At 6 p.m., Lilly will preach a sermon titled, “Changed Identity: Changed Desire.” This sermon is so practical that it is amazing that many Christians overlook the connection and thus fail to adequately deal with the glaring weakness in most professions of faith. This simple sermon has helped many and it may be just the truth that you need to rise from a subpar life to the abundant life promised by Jesus.

Judy Marsh will present special music.

Berean Baptist Church is at 6770 N. Clinton St.

Centenary United Methodist

The congregation of Centenary at 301 N. Seventh St. in Terre Haute’s Arts Corridor and adjacent to Indiana State University welcomes you to our beautiful, 134-year-old church. We invite you to worship with us in our “Prayer and Praise Time” at 9 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., hear the Rev. Paul Wagner preach on “Rent a Christian” and listen to Bill Cain’s organ mastery and Scott Buchanan and Jennifer Shuck sing “The Prayer” (arranged by Tom Fettke). Refreshments and fellowship time follow the worship service, from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday school classes are offered for all age groups and nursery care is provided. At 10:45 a.m., Brian Royer will teach and lead discussion in the Adult Friendship Class on “Communion with God in the Midst of Struggle” (Phil. 3: 17--4: 9); Steve Hardin and the Rev. Phyllis Peters will continue their discussion on “Methodism” in the College Age Class; the Sojourner Class will discuss “The Ten Commandments”; and Wagner continues the study of “How we Know God Exists” in the Pastor’s Class.

The church’s Seventh Street entrance is handicapped accessible and ample parking is available behind the church. Consider joining our “Prayer and Meditation Time” from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon.

Chancel choir rehearsals are at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays and handbell choir rehearsals, directed by Jennifer Shuck, follow at 7:30. Anyone interested in participating in rehearsals for the Christmas Cantata, other special music events, the children’s Christmas program, or Sunday school activities, call the church office any day, at (812) 232-2319. Centenary is a place to come and put your fears at rest and feel secure in the hands of God.

Central Christian Church — Disciples of Christ

Today the church is having an all-church Work Day. Members, friends and our youth will meet at the church to do repairs, cleaning and yard work.

Our worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and include a children's moment led by the Rev. Rebecca Zelensky. Children (and adults) of all ages are invited to participate. Communion is served every Sunday, and all believers are invited to partake. Worship will be followed by a fellowship time with drinks and doughnuts. Join us at 4950 E. Wabash Ave.

Sunday school will begin at 11 a.m. Classes are offered for all ages. Zelensky is leading our adult Cornerstone Class in a new series, “Living the Questions.” This series will include video presentations, handouts and discussions. Our youth group is directing the annual Christmas pageant, performed Dec. 14. Practice begins Sunday during the Sunday school hour. Nursery care is provided during worship and Sunday school.

Throughout November, we will collect non-perishable food items for 14th and Chestnut Community Center. This is in conjunction with the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation. On Nov. 24, we are invited to bring our food items to the UU Congregation at 1875 S. Fruitridge Ave. from 7 to 9 p.m. for refreshments and a performance by the Terre Haute North High School Madrigal Singers.

The general board of the congregation will meet at noon Sunday.

The church office or our minister can be reached at (812) 877-9959. Visit www.cccthdisciples.org.

First Unitarian

Universalist

Congregation of Terre Haute

Contact at (812) 232-1193 or www.terrehauteuu.org.

9:15 a.m. Sunday — “Current Books and Films of Merit” will be the topic of the Rationalist Free Thinking Discussion Group, which includes members of the congregation as well as members of the community. The group discusses current socio-political events and trends.

9:15 a.m. Sunday — The Wisdom Circle will meet in the educational wing.

Also on Sunday, the service will be presented by the Social Action Committee (Tim Bagwell, Elizabeth Friedman, Cathy McGuire and Sylvia Oster). The program will describe the history of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and its program “Guest at your Table.” Google UUSC and you will find the many projects it has supported in the recent past: Gulf Coast relief, Burmese cyclone victims, earthquake relief fund, Justice in Darfur and many others. Learn how the UUSC promotes the right to safe, affordable water, protects civil liberties and democratic processes, advances human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world, advances workers’ rights and a living wage, and defends the rights of people affected by disasters. Celebrate UU faith in action.

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Our Whole Lives: OWL Workshop for Adults. Unitarian Universalists understand that sexuality cannot be isolated from the inherent worth and dignity of being human. This one-day workshop provides activities for participants to explore topics such as discovering the sexual self, sexual diversity and sexuality and aging. Join us for conversation about a subject that is interesting in a setting that is safe and accepting. Lead workshop facilitator is the minister of First UU Congregation, the Rev. Amy Kindred. It is co-facilitated by David Howard, Ph.D., from Indiana State University/College of Nursing, Health and Human Services. A $5 fee is requested at time of registration. Call or e-mail Carolyn at uuputer@yahoo.com to sign up.

6 p.m. Nov. 22, Double Circle Dinner – Bring a dish to share and enjoy food and fellowship.

Prince of Peace

Soloists, choruses, ensembles, duets, choirs, praise bands and other performers in the community have until today to reserve a spot in a musical extravaganza sponsored by the church’s ushers and scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 22 in the church. To participate in the church’s Thanksgiving praise event, call Doretta Bills at (812) 235-9507 or (812) 232-0582.

Marshall Federated

The church, 105 N. Main St., Marshall, Ind., and the Parke County Cowboy Church Band invites everyone to Cowboy Church at 6 p.m. Sunday. Special guest will be Upward Journey Bluegrass Gospel Band. There is no admission charge, however, a love offering will be received. Enter through the west doors of the building. For information, call (765) 597-2209 or 597-2497.

Unity Presbyterian Church

Worship service at 1207 E. Springhill Drive is at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome! Pastor Linda Peters’ sermon is “Whom Will You Serve?” 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 and Joshua 24:15-25 are the readings. Child care is available during Sunday school and worship. Sunday school for adults and elementary grades third and up meet at 9:30 a.m. Kindergarten through second grade have class after “A Moment with the Children.” This week, our church will pray for Riley Elementary School and for the month of November, the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

Amie Ellison is our choir director; Andrea Marlow is our organist. Choir rehearsal is at 7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Sundays.

Every Thursday evening, we invite you to our Praise and Potluck: Praise at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. The church office number is (812) 299-2206, our Web site: www.unityth.com. If you or someone you know needs food, call the Salvation Army or the church office.

Christian Science

If you are searching for a way out of limited or imprisoning thinking, you will find that your true GPS is God as your Pilot and Christ as the navigator. This week's sermon titled “Mortals and Immortals” uses Bible stories of Christ Jesus’ healings to prove that Christ was the way to overcome lack and sickness. One of the passages from our textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy, states, “Christ, Truth, destroys mortality and brings to light immortality.”

All are invited to come to this Sunday service, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

Our Sunday school meets at the same time and has lessons for young people about the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and God’s eternal love.

The Wednesday service is at 7:30 p.m. and includes a sermon on healing through prayer by applying the truths from the Bible and “Science and Health.” There is also time for the attendees to express gratitude for healings.

We have a Reading Room in the church, which is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday. Here you can have time for quiet prayer or read the Bible and Christian Science literature to find your way to healing of all types of problems.

All services are conducted in the church at 329 S. Sixth St.

You can also visit the Web site, spirituality.com to learn more about Christian Science.

Northside Community UMC

Sunday school is at 9 a.m. Sunday, with celebration of worship at 10.

This week, Pastor Frank continues his November Sermon Series on Rueben P. Job’s book, “3 Simple Rules — A Wesleyan Way of Living” based upon the teachings of the Rev. John Wesley. Last week, Frank began with the sermon “Speak No Evil,” based upon the first rule: Do No Harm. The Scripture lesson came from James 3:2-12 as the focus was on the temptation to gossip, and how, at times, we intentionally or unintentionally hurt people by our words, our attitudes, or our actions.

The Good News, however, is that when our actions do harm, God is there to forgive us, to put us back on track, and to give us the strength to deal with the consequences, and there usually are consequences. This week, Frank will preach a sermon called “A Helping Hand,” based upon the Second Rule: Do Good. Frank will look at 1 John 3:11-24 and will focus on how important it is to our spiritual journey, and our relationship with God and others to avoid doing harm, but also to seek doing good. By practicing this rule “Do Go,” we begin responding as the hands and feet of Christ, as well as demonstrating the love of Christ to others. To find out more, join us this Sunday. The mission of Northside Community UMC is to “Reach the lost, Renew the Church and Reveal the Love of Christ.” If you are looking for a warm, friendly environment; a safe place for your kids, and passionate worship, Northside Community UMC is the church family for you. We are located at Maple and Fruitridge avenues.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study is at 10 a.m. We continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. This study is open to anyone in the community.

A New Tuesday Evening Faith Development Group: If you are intentional about your faith development, then at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, we have a new women’s accountability and share group. Call the church office at (812) 232-2478 if you are interested or for more information.

Adult Children of Alcoholics Support Group — If you are a male adult child of an alcoholic parent or parents we invite you to join pastor Frank and others to discuss the characteristics and behaviors of adult children affected by alcoholism. The group will meet at 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month (next is Nov. 26) in the church. Call the church office for more information. We are in the process of trying to establish a local online community.

Join us on Wednesday evenings for two opportunities for Intentional Faith Development. First, at 6 p.m. join us in the chapel for a time of personal prayer. This is not a group-led prayer time, but a time for individuals to speak with God. There will be resources available to guide you along in that prayer time. If you would like to stay, join our study group at 7. We are studying Philip Yancey’s book “What’s So Amazing About Grace.” If you are interested in participating, call the office. For more information about the study, call the church and ask for extension 11. Child care is provided.

We have a Women’s share group called Heart Friends that meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. To learn more, call the church office.

We invite all youth to join The Highly Energized Anointed Teen & Tweens. We meet on the first, second and fourth Sundays of each month, 4:30 to 6 p.m. The first Sunday we meet at the church for a group lesson with snacks. We will go do some type of mission work on the second Sunday of each month, and on the fourth Sunday, we do something fun as a group.

Tonight we have a free dinner and movie. There has been a change in the menu. We will serve hot dogs, hamburgers and potato salad. We will watch the movie “RV” with Robin Williams.

Central Presbyterian Church

The church at 125 N. Seventh St. will gather Sunday for worship at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Davis’ sermon, “Living in the Light,” will be based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, in which the apostle Paul cautions the church to be prepared for Jesus’ return. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m. A time of light refreshment and conversation follows immediately after the worship service, downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Nursery care is provided. Korean worship begins at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, followed by a communal meal. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Korean praise and prayer service will take place in the church, followed by homework help. For more details, call the church office at (812) 232-5049 or visit www.thcpc.org.

Seelyville United Methodist Church

The church is a Christian community of open hearts, open minds and open doors. It is at U.S. 40 and Second Street in Seelyville, one block east of the stoplight.

Join us for 9:30 Sunday morning worship. Pastor Steve Bahrt will remind us it’s not that we just do God’s will, but it’s how we do it.

A time of fellowship follows worship, with church school for all ages beginning at 10:45. Nursery care is provided.

Mountain Top Bible Study meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The current study is the worship practices of ancient Israel. Share Food orders can be picked up between 9 and 11 a.m. Nov. 22. For more information, visit www.seelyvilleumc.org, e-mail seelyvilleumc@verizon.net, or call (812) 877-1868.

Memorial United Methodist Church

The church is at 2701 Poplar St. At 8 a.m. Sunday, Partners in Prayer meet in the chapel with the pastors to pray for their work with the church and for their personal and professional needs.

At 8:45 a.m., join us for our traditional service.

From 9:45 to 10 a.m. is fellowship and coffee time. Sunday school is at 10, for all ages. Children’s lesson this week will be “Jacob’s Dream.” (Genesis 28:10-22)

At 11 a.m. is the casual worship service. If you missed the early service, join us for this one.

Emmanuel United Methodist

Join us this Sunday for Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and worship at 10:30. The West Terre Haute community Thanksgiving Service will be conducted at St. Mary-of-the-Woods at 7 p.m. Nov. 24.

Emmanuel is a host site for Angel Food ministries, where you can place an order for a unit of food, usually $65 worth, for $30. The deadline for ordering a unit in December is Dec. 8. The delivery date is Dec. 20. Angel Food offers new senior boxes for $28. They are 10 perfectly seasoned, nutritionally balanced, fully cooked meals. For more information or to place an order, call the church office at (812) 535-4218.

First Baptist

The Rev. Bernie Jackson will continue a four-part sermon series this Sunday titled “Questions for Life.” The topic will be “How do we Manage?” with Scripture text from Matthew 25:14-30 and services at 9 and 11:15 a.m. The Sanctuary Choir anthem at both services, which is based on the Scripture text for the day, will be “Well Done My Faithful Servant,” by Pepper Choplin. Music will be provided at the 9 a.m. service by the Sanctuary Bell Choir. Children in grades K-3 are dismissed from the first service for children’s church and a children’s story is included as a part of both services. Sunday school, with classes for all ages, is at 10:15 a.m. and pre-school programming is provided throughout the morning.

The annual church business meeting is at 6 p.m. Sunday. Also, during this weekend, 19 members of the church youth group are attending the annual American Baptist Youth Convention on the campus of Anderson University. Because of this event, the regular evening programming for youth will not happen this Sunday, although the children’s choirs will rehearse as usual at 6 p.m.

The church is at 4701 E Poplar Drive and more information is available at www.thfbc.org.

First Congregational Church

The church invites you to share in this Sunday’s worship service as the Rev. Dawn Carlson brings the message “Using What God Has Given to Us.” Built around the Parable of the Talents in the Gospel of Matthew, Carlson will share how we use the different gifts that God gives to each of us.

Services are at 8:30 a.m. (meditative service) and 10:30 (traditional service). The youth group meets at 10 a.m. in the Upper Room and joins the traditional service immediately afterward. There is a staffed nursery and children’s Sunday school at 10:45, after the children’s sermon, part of the 10:30 service. All are welcome.

The Monday Night Book Group is studying “Christianity for the Rest of Us” by Diana Butler Bass. On Monday, the group will discuss chapters 3-4. Join us for this lively discussion about the reshaping and rebirth of the mainline Protestant church. Plans are under way for our traditional Thanksgiving morning recreation of the 1621 Thanksgiving celebration. The service will begin at 9:30 Thanksgiving morning. All are welcome to share in this celebration of our traditional congregational heritage.

United Methodist Temple

Special service times for this Sunday only are 9:30 a.m. for Sunday school, 10:30 a.m. for one service, only. For the sermon, guest speaker the Rev. Robert Sharp will preach from the book Malachi 3:10, “Celebrating Gods Goodness.”

This week, Merry Methodist will present the children’s message.

Kids Own Worship is a worship program for children ages 4 through third grade. Children will be dismissed from the sanctuary after the children’s message to attend Kids Own Worship.

Child care will be provided in the nursery for both worship services and Sunday school.

We are collecting food to assist the families of the 14th and Chestnut Community Center. All donations many be dropped off in the Narthex in the barrels. For a ride to church, call the church office 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and leave a message at ext. 10. Join us for Sunday school at 10 a.m. We offer classes for all ages. Join our youth fellowship on Sunday evenings at 5:30 for youth in middle to high school. We have many activities scheduled.

For more information, visit www.terrehauteumtemple.org, e-mail thumt@verizon.net or call (812) 299-1898.

        

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