Church and Religious Items

Arcadia UM ARCADIA — The Rev. Gerry Hubbs will continue with the Gospel of Matthew and a sermon titled "Baptism of Jesus" on Sunday at Arcadia United Methodist Church. Sunday school starts at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10. Children's church and nursery services are available. On Tuesday, the bell choir will practice at 5:30 p.m. and the trustees will meet at 7. The church will host its senior group, Friends of a Certain Age, with a potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m. Friday. All are welcome to attend. The church is located at 19397 County Road 216/Brown Road and is handicapped accessible. College First FINDLAY — "One God, the Father, the Almighty" is the sermon that will be presented during the 9, 10 and 11 a.m. services Sunday at College First Church of God. The scripture reading is Isaiah 42:5-7 and Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The next senior fun dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the fellowship hall. Various soups and chili will be offered for the main course. Table settings and drinks are provided. Those attending are asked to being a side dish, salad or dessert. Entertainment afterwards will be provided by some College First friends during the annual talent show. Sign-ups sheets are located in front of the church office or on the Winebrenner welcome table. Contact the Rev. David Welker with questions. The Encounter group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday with the purpose of introducing youth to Jesus. Gatherings begin with enthusiastic worship followed by games, snacks, scripture memory and lessons in a fun and loving atmosphere. Contact Nicky or the church office for more information. Finally Friday, for youth in grades K-5, are invited to join CF Kids Min for Unlocked! The event, from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 30 in the fellowship hall, will feature a night of mystery and clues to escape rooms. The rooms will vary in difficulty according to grade level. Contact Nicky or the church office with questions. Night To Shine, which is a program of the Tim Tebow Foundation, will be held Feb. 13 at the University of Findlay's Alumni Memorial Union. College First, St. Marks United Methodist and Movement Church will host the local event which is now in its fourth year. This prom night experience is held worldwide and centered on God's love for people with special needs. Visit https://www.findlaynighttoshine.org to learn more, to volunteer or to donate. First Lutheran FINDLAY — All are welcome to worship at First Lutheran Church on Sunday as the Baptism of Our Lord is celebrated. The Rev. Tucker O'Leary will share the message from Matthew 3:13-17. Worship services are at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. The youth will collect a noisy offering for a local charity. Special music will be provided by the senior choir at the later service. Sunday school for youth and adults meets at 9:30, while the junior youth group will gather at 5 p.m. Access to the weekly bulletin and announcements can be found on the webpage: www.1stlutheranchurch.org . A video of the service will be available on the website Monday afternoon and can be viewed by clicking "Online Services." Requests for the Blessing Basket Food Pantry at St. John's Lutheran Church this month are canned tuna, canned chicken, laundry soap, shampoo and dish detergent. These items can be placed on the cart by the elevator or dropped off at the pantry on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. O'Leary continues to lead a 15-minute midday prayer service at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday in the chapel for members and people of the community to sit and refocus their day with personal prayer. Holy Communion is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while a short healing service is held on Mondays and Wednesdays. First Presbyterian FINDLAY — First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main St., welcomes all to worship at 10 a.m. Sunday for the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The Rev. Jessica Commeret will be preaching. Coffee hospitality is available beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall and continues after the service. Childcare for infants and toddlers begins at 9:45. All are welcome. The church will host this week's free community dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the great room. Good Hope Lutheran, Arlington ARLINGTON — All are welcome to worship at Good Hope Lutheran Church which offers three services each weekend including 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 7:30 and 10 a.m. on Sundays. Pam McCloud is today's organist, while Madison Thomas provides music on Sunday. Thomas' special music will include "Children's Song Medley" for the prelude and "Jesus Loves Me" for the offeratory. On the first Sunday after Epiphany, the Rev. Steve Ramsey's message will be "Petosky Stones." Bible passages will include Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 3:13-17. During the 10 a.m. service, the senior choir, under the direction of Dan Basinger, will sing "Spirit of God Descend," accompanied by Montgomery Moore. Baptism and a children's sermon will be included at this service. Sunday school and Bible study will meet as usual at 9 a.m. The new year has begun with new lessons and Bible studies for all ages. Fellowship is held in the educational unit prior to class time. New members are always welcome. Confirmation classes begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by Pizza and Jesus for all youth at 7. A teen breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. on Thursday for youth in grades 7-12. All Arlington students are welcome. There will be a devotional speaker before students are dismissed in time for school. Church members are encouraged to donate pancake mix and syrup for the food pantry this month. Redeemer Lutheran FINDLAY — Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated the second Sunday of the Christmas season last Sunday. The Rev. Bill Geiger presented the sermon, "We Can't Find Jesus." He said at this point, Jesus was about 13-15 years old. The family had celebrated Passover and was on their way back to Nazareth. The caravan of people had grown to a large number with the adults and the children in different groups. Mary and Joseph, who had searched the entire group for Jesus, returned to Jerusalem and found him in the temple talking with the teacher and rabbis. They were upset that he had not stayed with the children. Jesus' response was "You know I must be in my father's house." This was the first public acknowledgement that he is the true son of God. Those who watch the service and have questions may call Geiger at 567-208-2078. Call David Roth at 419-301-5416 for information about communion. St. Andrew's UM FINDLAY — The Rev. Amy Miller will share her message, "New Year, Same Promises," during the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. The service includes scripture, music, prayer, a children's message and a meaningful sermon. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month, and all are welcome to participate. The Jubilation Choir will sing "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place" on Sunday. The service can also be viewed online at saumcfindlay.org and on Facebook, and it airs live on WFIN Radio and WFIN.com . A Family Fun Day is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17. There will be bounce houses, face painting, games and crafts. St. Marks UM FINDLAY — The Rev. Dan Metzger will begin a new sermon series, "Talking with God," on Sunday at St. Marks United Methodist Church. The first sermon is "Strengthened with Power," and the scripture is Ephesians 3:14-21. Spark Kids and the youth group meet on Wednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. The Women's Bible Study will meet for the first time at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The group will be reading "A Woman Who Doesn't Quit: From the Book of Ruth." The church is supporting the 2026 Tim Tebow Night to Shine dance on Feb. 13. To volunteer or attend, visit stmarksfindlay.org . There are a few spots still available. Donations to help financially support the dance can be sent to St. Marks UMC. Call 419-422-4236 with questions. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran, Arcadia ARCADIA — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 18974 Ohio 12, invites all to worship on Sunday. The day commemorates the Baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Karl Gingrich will provide the message at the 9:30 a.m. service. The children's talk will center on God's love for us. Children will then be dismissed for Sunday school. The adult bell choir will perform "Ring Christmas Bells" during the offertory. Coffee and fellowship will take place after the service. The public is welcome to join the Wednesday morning quilters and then stay for Bible study. The Wednesday afternoon prayer group meets at 1 p.m. and all are welcome. Our Lady of Consolation CAREY — The Basilica and National Shine of Our Lady of Consolation has announced its healing masses for 2026. The Hope & Healing Masses will take place at 11 a.m. on Feb. 7, May 2 and Oct. 3 in the Upper Basilica. 3. Since 1875 when the Statue of Our Lady of Consolation was carried from St. Nicholas in Frenchtown to Carey, countless miraculous healings have occurred. During Mass, the friars of Our Lady of Consolation will administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The first condition for reception is that the person must be a baptized Catholic. In general, the conditions for receiving the anointing are for illnesses which are or can become life-threatening, those who are very advanced in age, or those who are about to undergo serious surgery. Common illnesses such as a simple infection or broken bones are not a cause for anointing. Children who are seriously ill and can understand and respond to the sacrament may come forward to be anointed. At the end of Mass, all present are welcome to come foward to receive an individual blessing with the Relic of the True Cross. Knights of Columbus Carey Council #1925 serves lunch in the Shrine Cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Saturdays when there is a healing mass. A freewill donation of $8 for the meal is suggested. Trinity Episcopal FINDLAY — The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord will be observed Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church with renewal of baptismal vows at both the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services. Christian education for all ages will be held at 11:30 a.m. that day. The adult class will learn about the church's model for daily prayer. The Confession of Saint Peter will be observed on Jan. 18, with the Conversion of Saint Paul on Jan. 25. The annual meeting of the parish is Jan. 25. A potluck luncheon will follow the 10 a.m. service. A service of Holy Communion will be held at 8 a.m. Feb. 2 for Candlemas: The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. All baptized Christians may receive Holy Communion, and all people are welcome to attend at the Findlay church, 128 W. Hardin St. Consult the website at www.findlayepiscopal.org or call the church office at 419-422-3214 for more information. Upper Room FINDLAY — A message titled "God's Dreams Are Beyond Our Limits" will be presented Sunday at the Upper Room Church of God, 520 W. Bigelow Ave. Life groups for all ages meet regularly at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, followed by a spirit-filled worship at 10:30. The vision theme for 2026 is "Limitless." Anyone who is in need of a ride to the service Sunday should call 419-422-8017 and ask for the bus, then leave a message with your name, phone number and address. West Independence FOSTORIA — The Rev. Ben Wallick will deliver the sermon, "Blessed are Those Who Hear," on Sunday at West Independence Church, 22876 U.S. 224. The worship service begins at 9 a.m. The sermon is based on scripture from Revelation 1:1-9. The choir will also share "Bethlehem Morning" during the service. There will be junior church for children in grades K-5. Coffe fellowship follows worship. At 10:15, Sunday school classes are held for all ages from nursery through adult. At 5 p.m., youth will meet in the loft. The service is livestreamed on YouTube. West Independence Church is a Global Methodist Church. Zion UM FINDLAY — All are invited to attend Zion United Methodist Church, 9009 W. Ohio 12, for the 10:45 a.m. worship service. The Rev. Gay Blau will speak on "Come on In," referenced in Matthew 3:13-17 and 14:22-33. The dedication of church officers for 2026 and baptismal remembrance will also be celebrated.