Published: November 07, 2008 09:51 pm            

Church Briefs: Nov. 8, 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.

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. Visitors are asked to be careful entering and exiting the buildings.

For more details, visit www.st-stephens-th.org or call (812) 232-5165 Tuesday through Friday.

Maple Avenue United Methodist

Worship services will begin at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Monty Barker will give the sermon, “Where is the Light Switch?” with Scripture lessons Matthew 25:1-13 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Join us for the celebration of Veterans Day as we celebrate our nation’s heroes. 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 begins at 9:30 and the children’s Sunday school will meet during the 10:30 service. Nursery care is provided during the 10:30 service.

On Nov. 30, the church will host a concert titled “Music By Advent Candlelight,” featuring performances by Music Ministry Team members Mrs. Bert Evans, mezzo soprano, Tom Layman, organist, Kurt Perry, pianist, and Dan Rodriguez, baritone. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free. A love offering will be collected and will go to the music ministry of the church.

For more details, visit www.gbgmumc.org/maple_ave_

umc/ or call (812) 232-7263.

St. George’s Episcopal

Sunday’s Christian Education topic will be “How we Got to be in the Diocese of Indianapolis: History of the Diocese up to the 20th Century,” led by the Rev. Gordon Chastain of Indianapolis. Adult Christian Education is from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. in Taylor Hall.

Chastain also will be celebrant for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, which begins at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.

The church is at 1337 N. Smith Place on Ferguson Hill in West Terre Haute. For more details, visit stgeorgeswth.indydio.org or contact Kelly Hammonds, bishop’s warden, at kellyjo829@yahoo.com or (217) 826-5439.

Chastain, who retired as rector of All Saints Episcopal Church at Indianapolis in 2001, was ordained in 1962. He graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle and from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He has served parishes in Lebanon, Carmel, Zionsville, Greencastle and Indianapolis and has served as executive director of the Damien Center (HIV/AIDS service center) in Indianapolis, as well as director of various programs for Marion County and Indiana State boards of health.

Coffee hour with food and fellowship follows the service.

Unity Presbyterian

Worship service at 1207 E. Springhill Drive begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Linda Peters’ sermon, “Keep Your Lamp Burning,” is based on Psalm 70 and Matthew 25:1-13. Child care is available during Sunday school and worship. Sunday school for adults and elementary grades, third and up, meets at 9:30 a.m. Kindergarten through second grades have class after “A Moment with the Children.” This week, the congregation will pray for Wabash Elementary School and for the month of November, the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

Amie Ellison is church choir director and Andrea Marlow is organist. Choir rehearsal begins at 7 p.m. Thursday and at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Praise and Potluck is every Thursday; praise at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30.

If you or someone you know needs food, call the Salvation Army or the church office at (812) 299-2206; for more details, visit www.unityth.com.

Blessed Hope Baptist

Blessed Hope Baptist on Route 1 in Jasonville will honor veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces on Sunday evening. An Operation Thank-A-Vet service will start at 7 p.m. and will include patriotic music from Blessed Hope’s adult, teen and children’s choirs and a special gift of a military New Testament and commemorative armed forces coin to all veterans and military personnel. The church is on Indiana 59, south of Jasonville. For more details, call the Rev. Jerry Ross at (812) 665-3282.

Berean Baptist

The 9:30 a.m. Sunday Bible Teaching Hour will feature Lauren Lopez teaching the junior class, Dick Triestram teaching the adult Bible class and Pelo and Heather Lopez teaching the teen class in McDonald’s. The teen class leaves the church at 9:20. Berean provides a moderate breakfast for the teen class.

The 10:30 worship hour will feature the sermon, “Encouragement From an Old Vet” and a tribute to the veterans in our land and church for their service to our country. This sermon will include Scripture to point out the benefits of valorous commitment to a great cause or person, in this case Jesus Christ and the American dream. Every veteran will be considered an honored guest.

Dick and Judy Triestram will present a special Gospel Magic Illustrated lesson for this hour and The Sounds of Victory and Charlie Davis will present special music.

The 6 p.m. service will feature a time of singing, testimonies and a sermon by the Rev. Larry Lilly titled “Greatest Truth for Troubled Times.” This biblical sermon will visit the night of the betrayal of Jesus and explore the mysterious comfort Christ gave to his disciples, one truth that is somewhere near the top of all Christian mysteries, yet the truth that enables us to somehow grasp the fact of God’s love toward us. Why and how did the phrase Jesus spoke in John 14:9 bring comfort to his followers on the eve of his crucifixion? Lilly uses this and other Scriptures to explain how we can and should have God’s peace in Christ, which the Holy Spirit uses to encourage and comfort us in these times.

John and Lauren Lopez will present special music.

The church is at 6770 N. Clinton St.

Seelyville United Methodist

The church is at U.S. 40 and Second Street in Seelyville, one block east of the stoplight.

Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Steve Bahrt will challenge us to live our daily lives according to what we claim about God with our mouths. A time of fellowship follows the worship service and church school for all ages begins at 10:45. Nursery care is provided.

Our monthly Scrapbook Workshop is scheduled 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday on the lower level of the church. Anyone at any experience level is welcome.

MountainTop Bible Study meets at 7 p.m. each Wednesday and is studying the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Share Food orders can be picked up during morning hours on Nov. 22.

For more details, visit www.seelyvilleumc.org, e-mail seelyvilleumc@verizon.net, or call (812) 877-1868.

Centenary United Methodist

The church at 301 N. Seventh St. will worship Sunday with “Prayer and Praise Time" at 9 a.m. At 9:30, hear the Rev. Paul Wagner preach on “Being a Difference Maker” (Nehemiah) and listen to Bill Cain’s organ mastery and the chancel choir, directed by Scott Buchanan, performing “Merciful God” (arranged by Craig Courtney). 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., Louann Kearns will teach and lead discussion in the Adult Friendship Class on “Conflict in the Community” (Galatians 2:11-21); Steve Hardin and the Rev. Phyllis Peters will lead discussion on “Methodism” in the College Age Class; the Sojourner Class will discuss “The Ten Commandments”; and the Rev. Wagner will lead 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. Also offered is “Prayer and Meditation Time” from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursdays. 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, or Sunday school activities, should call the church office any day, at (812) 232-2319.

Central Christian

Disciples of Christ

The Christian Women’s Fellowship of the church at 4950 E. Wabash Ave. will sponsor a pancake breakfast before the worship service Sunday. A love offering will be accepted. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to a designated ministry of the church, and expenses to attend the Disciples Women Quadrennial Assembly.

Worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m. and include a children’s moment. The children’s time will be the annual presentation of the “Story of the Onion.” Children will be given a Christmas Amaryllis bulb. They will be nurtured by the children and returned when in bloom to decorate the sanctuary. All children 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.

Scrip Gift Card orders are due Sunday. The church takes orders for gift cards, and a percentage of the purchase stays at Central Christian Church for outreach ministries.

Sunday school will begin at 11 a.m. Classes are offered for all ages. The Rev. Rebecca Zelensky is leading the adult Cornerstone Class in a new series, “Living The Questions.” This series will include video presentations, handouts and discussions. Nursery care is provided during worship and Sunday school.

Sunday afternoon members of the congregation will visit those of our congregation who are no longer able to attend worship. Communion also is offered during our visit.

Throughout November, we will collect nonperishable 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 Vigo High School Madrigal Singers.

For more details, visit www.cccthdisciples.org or call Zelensky at (812) 877-9959.

First Unitarian

Universalist

Congregation of Terre Haute

A pasta bar dinner and service auction are scheduled today in the church at 1875 Fruitridge Ave. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7. Dinner will be a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family. It will consist of white or wheat pasta with various red or white sauces, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. There are lots of services being offered to bid on.

At 9:15 a.m. Sunday, “Cultural Diversity: Benefits, Challenges, Problems?” 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.

Also at 9:15 a.m., the Wisdom Circle will meet in the educational wing.

The special program Sunday will be “Acceptance in Our Diversity” by the Rev. Amy Kindred; service associate, Ed Warner. Rarely do most people agree all of the time. We have diverse understandings in many areas, including politics. How do we remain in conversation with others who do not share our opinions?

Soup/Salad Sunday activities will follow the service. Bring your favorite bread/soup/salad.

For more details, visit www.terrehauteuu.org or call (812) 232-1193.

Central Presbyterian

The church at 125 N. Seventh St. will gather Sunday for worship at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Davis’ sermon, “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning,” will be based on Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. 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. Our Celebrating Life group will meet in the church at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a program presented by our organist, Gary Jenkins. The final Super Tuesday program, reflecting upon the election, will be at the church on Tuesday, beginning with a light supper at 5:15 followed by informal worship and a program. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, the session will meet downstairs for, among other things, a report on the recent financial feasibility study. Also at 7 on Wednesday, the Korean praise and prayer service will occur in the sanctuary, followed by homework help. For more details, call the church office at (812) 232-5049 or visit www.thcpc.org.

Mount Pilgrim

Missionary Baptist

The church at 1935 Tippecanoe St. and its pastor, the Rev. Charles Irwin, will celebrate the church anniversary at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Douglas Tate Sr. of Indianapolis will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend.

Copeland Chapel CME

The church at 1543 Elm St. will have a fellowship service at 4 p.m. Sunday. Guests will be the Rev. Jahevich Henderson and the congregation of Highland Missionary Baptist Church. Join our fellowship service and rejoice in the Lord.

Spruce Street African Episcopal

The church at 1660 Spruce St. will celebrate its 115th church anniversary at 4 p.m. Nov. 15. The sermon will be offered by the Rev. Elaine P. Walters, with musical guests, The Potter Brothers. The Terre Haute Christian community is invited to join with us in this celebratory service, and to welcome pastor Walters to the community.

For more information, call the church office at (812) 232-6070.

Grace Baptist

The Rev. Jeremy Coombes will conduct a Harvest Revival Service at the church at 1209 N. 19th St. at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Brother Coombes has been preaching since he was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College, in Florida, in 2003, and served as the college evangelist representative for two years. In 2005, God moved his heart to reach young people and the Lord opened a door for him to serve God as full-time staff evangelist out of his home church, Lyford Bible Church in Lyford, where his father, Brother Scott Coombes, is the pastor. His wife, Julie “Doyle” Coombes, is a pastor’s daughter from Cornerstone Baptist Church, near Los Angeles. She graduated from Maranatha Baptist College in 2001. Since 2006, the Lord has used Jeremy and Julie Coombes to serve their Lord preaching in revival services, school chapels, camp ministries, teen rallies, children’s ministry, music ministry and vacation bible schools. Their ministry has led them to fill many pulpits in churches throughout the United States. They truly have a heart willing to be used by God.

The pastor of Grace Baptist, James R. Haddix, invites the public to come. There will be a nursery available at every service. Call (812) 235-8932 for a ride to these revival services.

West Terre Haute First Assembly of God

The church at 708 W. National Ave. is having Nashville recording artist Darla McFadden at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. She has pursued her calling all over the United States. Her latest project, “The God I Know,” is packed with life-changing lyrics and has put Darla on the national charts. She was recently nominated for Gospel music’s highest honor, the Dove Award.

After the concert there will be a love offering received.

For more information, call the church at (812) 533-2095

Memorial United Methodist

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, join us for our traditional service. The Rev. Scott Johnson’s sermon will be “Being Prepared in Uncertain Times.” Scripture will be Matthew 25:1-13 and Joshua 24:14-25. There seems to be trouble all around and trying circumstances with every report of financial crisis, war, unemployment, housing market, etc. In uncertain times, is there a place to turn and a way to be prepared? “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” seems to be the place to start.

From 9:45 to 10 a.m. is fellowship and coffee time.

At 10‚ Sunday school begins for all ages.

At 11, the casual worship service begins. If you miss the early service, join us for this one.

First Congregational

First Congregational Church, 630 Ohio St., invites you to join us for Sunday services. The Rev. Donald C. Mullen will preach on the “Importance of Fellowship.” Services are at 8:30 (meditative) and 10:30 a.m. (traditional). There is a staffed nursery during the later service.

The FCC Youth (middle- and high-school age) will meet at 10 and children’s Sunday school will begin at 10:45, immediately after the children’s sermon.

The Monday Night Book Group continues to meet and discuss “Christianity for the Rest of Us” on the first and third Monday of each month, meeting at 6 p.m. in the Pastors’ Study.

For more information, visit www.FirstChurchTH.org.

Northside Community UMC

Sunday school is at 9 a.m., followed by 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 “Getting the Spark Back,” based upon Psalm 100 and Matthew 5:13-16. This week, Frank will preach a sermon called “Speak No Evil,” based upon the first rule: Do No Harm. Frank will look at James 3:2-12 focusing on how dangerous we can be when we allow our words, gossip, and/or actions to hurt another person. By practicing this rule, “Do No Harm,” we begin treating others with respect and that can get us onto the road of spiritual renewal. 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.” 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 on the corners of Maple and Fruitridge avenues.

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

A new 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 need 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 (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.

Wednesday evenings offer two opportunities for faith development. 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. Then if you want to stay, join our Study Group at 7. This session we are studying Philip Yancey’s book, “What’s So Amazing About Grace.” To participate, call the office. For more information about the study, call the church and ask for extension 11. Child care is provided.

A women’s share group called “Heart Friends,” meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. To learn more, call the church office.

We invite all youth in our community to join the Highly Energized Anointed Teen & Tweens. We meet on the first, second and fourth Sundays of each month, 4:30 p.m. 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.

Next Saturday is a free dinner and movie. This month, we will serve spaghetti and breadsticks and watch the movie “RV,” with Robin Williams.

Emmanuel United Methodist

Join us this Sunday for Sunday school at 9:15 and worship at 10:30. Pastor Karen Bray will conclude her sermon series titled “Five Practices of a Fruitful Congregation” with this Sunday’s sermon being “Extravagant Generosity.”

Emmanuel UMC’s Annual “Feast of the Harvest – Smorgasbord Dinner” is 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Our feast will include turkey, ham, noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, salads, rolls desserts and drinks.

A free-will offering will be accepted for local missions. Carry-out is available.

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 November is Sunday. The delivery date is Nov. 22. 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.

Christian Science

Are you searching for answers to your true relationship to God? Do you ever wonder about the “male and female” that God created in his image?

This week’s sermon will explain why the spiritual creation in the first chapter of Genesis is real and the material creation in the second chapter is a myth. It will show how this truth can be used to heal sickness and sin. Our service is at 10:30 a.m. in the church at 329 S. Sixth St.

Sunday school for young people is conducted at the same time.

Our Wednesday service begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes readings from the Bible and “Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy. A portion of this service is devoted to expressions from the congregation of gratitude and testimonies of healing by the application of prayer.

A public Reading Room is located in the church and is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. In this peaceful haven, you can study the Bible and Christian science literature to find answers to your needs of healing and comfort. All are welcome to our services and the Reading Room.

First Baptist

The Rev. Bernie Jackson will begin a four-part sermon series this Sunday titled “Questions for Life.” The topic for this Sunday will be “How do we Prepare?” with Scripture text from Matthew 25:1-13 and services at 9 and 11:15 a.m. The Sanctuary Choir anthem at the 9 a.m. service, which is based on the Scripture text for the day, will be “Lightshine” by Joseph Martin. Music will be provided at both services by the Youth 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.

At 6 p.m. Sunday will be a Veterans Day service that has been planned and will be conducted by members of the church youth group. During this service, we will honor and celebrate those in our church who have served, and those who are serving, to grant us the freedom that we hold so dearly.

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

        

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