Tuesday Bible Studies

Led by Dr. Marshall Zieman
Tuesdays | 7:00 a.m. for Men, 1:00 p.m. for All
Begins January 13, 2026

This fall, both groups will study the book of Jeremiah, which recounts the role of Jeremiah as God’s spokesperson in the years preceding and immediately following the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 587BC. Jeremiah spoke both of God’s judgment and restoration, focusing on the relationship between God and God’s people. Attending the study is easy – no preparation is required and no prior experience in a Bible Study is needed. Just bring your favorite Bible and join the class for an hour of study and discussion together.

Men’s Bible Study at 7:00 a.m. in The Courtyard Room
Led by Pastor Marshall Zieman & Keith Allen
Note: This is a men’s study only. If you are interested in a women’s only Bible study, please refer to the information about Presbyterian Women’s Morning Circle.

Afternoon BIble Study at 1:00 p.m. in The Courtyard Room
Led by Pastor Marshall Zieman
New Members are welcome! Bring your own Bible and an inquisitive mind. If you are interested on attending the 1:00 pm class virtually via Zoom, please contact Marshall at marshall@pcoc.us.
Sign up for Tuesday Bible Study here.

Behold the Beauty of the Lord

Composer Dave Gardner
January 4 at 9:30 a.m.

My compositional focus has increasingly gravitated toward creating music for the church, while still writing for a variety of venues and expanding my horizons as an oboist. I have been deeply influenced by the works of composers across many genres, whose artistry is expressed through melodies that beautifully capture both the subtle and powerful nuances of a text or theme—composers like Dvořák, Lauridsen, Rutter, Whitacre, and many more. Inspiration often strikes during quiet moments—whether I’m walking through nature, watching sunlight filter through stained glass on a Sunday morning, or spending time with my family. Through my music, I strive to express my gratitude for life and share the joy I find in these meaningful experiences.

Behold the Beauty of the Lord
A Simple Christmas:
How the Amish Celebrate the Beauty of the Lord

Led by Charlotte Hubbard
December 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Courtyard Room in the Welcome Center

For more than ten years, novelist Charlotte Hubbard researched and wrote about the Old Order Amish in Missouri. The 30 novels that resulted gave her a deep respect for their simpler lifestyle and the way the Amish live their faith in God every day – which invited a rethinking of her own personal faith. Over the course of her adult life she has lived in 5 midwestern states and has sold nearly 60 novels, several related novellas, and 70 stories to confession magazines. Before that, she was a school librarian.

Names for the Messiah An Advent Study
By Walter Brueggemann

Led by Laura Duncan
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
November 23, 30, Dec 7, 14
Book Cost: $8

In Isaiah 9:6, a divine utterance is given to us using four royal titles – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Names for the Messiah ponders each title and how the people understood it then, how Jesus did or did not fulfil the title, and how Christians interpret Jesus as representative of that title. Christians have claimed from the beginning that Jesus was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. In this study, best selling author Walter Brueggemann tackles the questions: What were these expectations? And Did Jesus fulfill them? Perfect for individual or group study, this book includes prayers and questions for reflection that can be used each week.

What Do You Believe?
An Introductory Theological Survey

Led by Pastor Josh Garry
Wednesdays during Cornerstone
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
September 10 – November 12

Every Sunday we recite together a theological response in the form of an Affirmation of Faith from our Book of Confessions. Often times the Silent Meditation at the beginning of our service bulletin has a quote from a theologian. Sometimes a theologian will be mentioned in a sermon. Every once in a blue moon you may hear the words, Book of Order, uttered in a theological context within the church halls (and on the rarest of occasions, perhaps even from the pulpit). All of these things are clearly grounded in some form of theological perspective – perspectives that are intended to draw us near to God – but what the heck is theology anyway, and what are we really saying when we answer the question, what do you believe, on Sunday. Come find out.
You do not need to attend dinner to attend class, but please register for class if you plan to attend class.

Finding God in the Abyss
I. The Holocaust

Led by Cindy Sloan
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
September 14 – November 2

Where was God? This question is still asked today. Many Jews lost their faith in God during and after the Holocaust. Many found God amidst their incomprehensible suffering. Why were Christians silent? Irving Greenberg offers a ‘working principle’ as a why Jews and Christians should reflect upon the meaning of the Holocaust. We will examine Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s and Rabbi Lord Jonathan answers and writings about God after the Holocaust. We will also discuss Holocaust survivors’ theological responses to the Holocaust (Elie Wiesel Primo Levi and Victor Frankl). Besides readings we will also view interviews on Weisel, Frankl, and Sacks. The subject matter is enormous, but we will make a dent and open our minds.

Are you saved or are you Presbyterian?

Led by Keith Allen
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
September 7, 14, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
Book Cost: $10

Are you saved, or are you Presbyterian? Find out which, by joining us on Sunday mornings this fall for 7 weeks of discussion and study about what Presbyterian’s believe about everything from salvation and baptism to heaven and hell, to predestination and rapture, to worship and grace. If you are a long time Presbyterian and think you couldn’t possibly attend because you are supposed to know all this stuff, rest assured I have taught this 3 times before and am STILL learning. Be there or be square

Behold the Beauty of the Lord

Led by Lloyd Meyer
Sunday May 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Courtyard Classroom in the Welcome Center

The purpose of this project is to enrich our congregation and community through interactive discussions and presentations by visual artists, composers, musicians, architects, dancers, writers, and poets from our church and the larger community of Omaha.
The questions that the artists will explore:
• How does your artistic creativity inform your faith?
• How does your faith manifest itself in your creative pursuits?
Goals of the series:
• Introduce our congregation / community to the wonderful artists among us in our congregation.
• Learn how these artists create their works and how their creations reflect the beauty of God and understanding of God.
• Welcome new ways we can incorporate creative arts into our own faith journeys and communities.
• Introduce participants to the art of other faith traditions, through special guest presenters.
• Welcome people from other faith traditions to our church. Build cultural bridges.

Lloyd Meyer is our first presenter in this series. Lloyd’s presentation is titled: “Architecture: Seeking Spiritual Peace”. Lloyd views architecture as poetry without words. He holds a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Architecture and Design and a bachelor’s from the University of Nebraska in architecture. Before retiring Lloyd worked for the Leo A. Daley Architectural and Engineering Firm for 42 years, of which 17 were at the helm of the Omaha office.
Lloyd is married to Charlene, and they are both very active in our church. They have served on committees, led the Lenten Bible Study, attend Bible studies and Sunday School, serve coffee and are seen helping and giving wherever they are needed at church.
His presentation will be held in the Courtyard Classroom in the Welcome Center on Sunday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. There will be coffee and snacks. Please join us for an inspiring presentation and bring your questions.

DIVISIBLE: The Omaha Redlining Documentary

Date: Tues, April 8, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Where: Omaha Conservatory of Music
7023 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68132

Church of the Cross and our Presbytery are joining with other congregations to sponsor a screening of this film. The auditorium at the Omaha Conservatory is a beautiful space. We would love to see dozens of Church of the Cross members attend! Bring your friends and neighbors! It’s free!

The documentary “Divisible” was made in Omaha, about Omaha. It explains the history, mechanics, and lasting ramifications of redlining in our city. Many of us have heard of redlining and know it began in the last century as a process of segregating neighborhoods by race. But, did we experience it? Do we think it has ended? Do we think there are lasting effects today?
Redlining was outlawed in 1968 by the Fair Housing Act, but the practice did not end at that time. Redlining not only told real estate agents where people could live, but allowed discriminatory mortgage lending and neighborhood business development. The film will help us understand the resulting disparities in generational wealth, education, health care, and access to good nutrition among different sectors of our city.
The April 8th evening also includes a brief panel discussion by Omaha experts and refreshments. It promises to be an informative and inspiring night! Inspiring because with truth comes a way forward.
Take note of the invitation in our bulletin, and remember to sign up online! You can follow the button below or the link in the announcements. If you don’t do stuff online, feel free to sign up at the information desk and we will register for you. Carpooling will also be an option, so you can indicate your desire to carpool at the information desk

Embracing Community Connections Speaker Series

Led by Kathy Moore and Patty Ritchie
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
April 27 and May 4

This spring we have two more speakers coming to church to share information about our Omaha Community, and the important work which needs to be accomplished for immigration and refugee resettlement. We believe these are timely, rich opportunities for us all, so bring your questions and imaginations and let’s open our hearts and minds together!

April 27 – Connecting with Omaha Welcomes the Stranger (OWS)
Tom & Margaret Hoarty, founders

Omaha Welcomes the Stranger, formed in 2022, strives to serve migrants fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries by providing safety, hospitality, hope and assistance with establishing new lives in the United States.

Increasing numbers of families have been arriving in Omaha who have no friends or relatives in the U.S. OWS provides shelter, food, and healthcare, and facilitates referrals to legal assistance for these asylum seekers. Because these families have no sponsors in other cities, OWS assists with resettling them in permanent housing in Omaha, and supports them monetarily while they await work permits. They initially house them in a shelter that is located on the same campus as the Omaha Street School. They are currently supporting 21 families, 12 in the shelter and 9 in rental housing, totaling 78 people.

OWS collaborates with local churches and service providers, as well as many volunteers, in order to fulfill its mission of providing compassionate care to immigrants. Tom and Margaret Hoarty started this organization after volunteering in El Paso, Texas at Annunciation House for a couple of years. This experience compelled them to address a need in our Omaha community and to create this new nonprofit organization. We have much to learn from them and may find new opportunities for service.

May 4 – Connecting with the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), formerly known as the Immigrant Legal Center
Erik Omar, Executive Director of CIRA

CIRA’s history reflects a dedicated effort to merge organizations which strive to provide legal, resettlement and social services in a growing number of locations, from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff.

CIRA now has close to 100 employees in ten locations. Many or most of those employees were refugees themselves, easing the language and cultural challenges faced by new arriving families. They are just completing renovation on their building space at 42nd and Center and will have all Omaha employees under one roof. The building itself, which is wrapped in a beautiful, diverse mural, throws out a brilliant welcome mat before the newcomers even walk in the front door.

Our speaker, Erik Omar, is an attorney who has served the refugee community for the last ten years, first as a volunteer and ultimately as the leader who took the agencies through this important mergers in 2022. He has important information to share with us about the changes underway in our country and within their agency.

Black History Tour Presentation

Led by Kathy Moore, Anna Sumner, Staci Voss
Sunday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Our Mission Committee provided scholarships for two youth from North Omaha to attend this tour with Preston Love. Three of our members were also able to join them on this week-long civil rights tour which took them to seven southern cities in seven days. Kathy Moore, Anna Sumner, and Staci Voss will share photos and stories of the many sites they saw and the experiences they had in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. You can watch a recording of this presentation.