NEWS & EVENTS
What’s Happening at PCOC
Worship, music, fellowship, education, and mission are filling the halls at Church of the Cross! Keep reading to learn about our news and events. Be sure to sign up for our education and activity programs. As you will read, church life is picking up. We’re excited for a full calendar of activities.
Worship Schedule
We are on our fall/winter/spring schedule.
- Worship is held on Sundays at 9:00 in the Sanctuary and 11:10 in the Sanctuary and on livestream
- Sunday School is at 10:00 a.m.
- Church office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.
We will livestream the 11:10 service each week. A recording is available after the service is over. Services are available for a full year, so please explore our sermon library for all available sermons and services.
Church Calendar
The church is active every day of the week!
Power of Prayer
Submit a prayer request to our church’s prayer team using our new online form. Prayer requests are confidential and shared only with members of the prayer team.
Cross Care Connections Support
The last several years during the pandemic have been challenging on both our physical well-being and our spiritual lives. Sometimes, we just need a friend or companion to walk with us. Church of the Cross has a wonderful care giving team known as Cross Care Connections. Learn more about this program and how our deeply caring providers can assist you.
Cornerstone will resume January 15.
- Bible Study for children in Preschool – 7th Grade and two classes for adults
- Confirmation Class for 8th Graders.
- Choir for children in 1st Grade – 7th Grade and Adults
- Dinner for all
Winter Classes
- Theologians, Philosophers, Composers, and the Persuit of Beauty
- More Than Words – 10 Values for the Modern Family
- Blessed Are You, The Beatitudes of Jesus in Scripture and in Life
Tuesday Bible Studies
Join us on Tuesdays this winter starting January 14 as we study Paul’s New Testament letter to the church in Rome. Both groups will look at the same passage each week. We’ll read these and discuss how these themes still apply to our lives today. Newcomers are always welcome; just bring your favorite Bible and join us in the classroom in the Welcome Center!
- Men’s Bible Study from 7:00-8:00 a.m. in the Courtyard Room (Note this is a men’s study only. If you are interested in a women’s only Bible study, check out the Presbyterian Women’s Morning Circle).
- Afternoon Bible Study from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Courtyard Room and on Zoom
PCOC Updates for The Week
Joys and Concerns
The flower bouquet in the chancel this Sunday is given by Arnie Nelson in honor of Karleen Nelson’s 83rd birthday today, December 22nd. Flowers are also given by Jim and Betsy Conway in honor of their 53rd wedding anniversary on December 18th.
PCOC Birthdays for This Month
Each month, we list upcoming birthdays, so you can extend your good wishes to one another. You can find member contact information in the online directory
12/1 – Joan Boomgaarden, Char Fehr, John Fettig, John Morey
12/2 – William Smith
12/3 – Piper Smith
12/4 – Jenny Bruce, Izzy Piotrowski
12/5 – Dee Coffey, John Hall
12/7 – Nathalie Hart, Libby Whitlow
12/8 – Addison Hansen Holdren, Ken Kluck, Jan Steffa, Joe Trapp
12/9 – Sam Arnold, Beth Morris, Jeffrey Swenson, Webb Versaw
12/10 – Dennis Boesen, Ryan Davelaar, Kathy Moore, George Rath
12/11 – Sydney Goodwin, Nadine Jenkins, Robin Kussman
12/13 – Holly Baddley, Paula Hazelrigg
12/14 – Cindy Garner, Marinell Neuhaus
12/15 – Shirley Emig
12/16 – Adam Buda, Aaron Fettig
12/17 – Janet Wallace
12/18 – Barbara Thompson
12/19 – Jim Conway, Douglas Corum, Charlene Meyer
12/21 – Irene Boomgaarden, Katie Gerot
12/22 – Kristin Johnson, Karleen Nelson
12/23 – Carole Sieck, Tom Stalnaker
12/24 – Ken Burson, Kim Spencer
12/25 – Toni Craig, Sawyer Dittman
12/26 – Howard Anderson, Julie Driftmier, Tammy Holdren, Gary Lippstreu
12/28 – Ardys Hansum, Brooklyn Miller, Clarence Waters, Jackie Youngstrom
12/29 – Charlotte Avivor, Louis Knight, Ginger Petersen-Britt
12/30 – T. J. Davey, Mark Mathia, Paul Nickel Jr., Chris Rath, Marla Vanneman, Staci Voss
12/31 – Bob Allen, Amavi Amela, Avis Polacek, Mary Reid, Chelsea Spielman. Kate Gibson
Best wishes from your church!
There is no Junior or Senior High Fellowship until January 5. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Christmas Giving and Volunteer
Opportunities with Heartland Hope Mission
Our Mission Committee, with our mission partner of over 15 years, Heartland Hope Mission, has provided several opportunities for Presbyterian Church of the Cross members to give by purchasing gifts or giving monetary donations for local families in need, this coming Christmas season.
First, for Heartland Hope Mission’s annual Hope-Filled Christmas celebration, we will continue the tradition of having our Giving Tree that will be located in our Narthex beginning Nov. 17th. Every year we have green and red paper angels on the tree with gift suggestions for boys and girls between the ages of 11 – 14 years old. Please take an angel from the tree, shop for a gift, and bring it back to the church by Sunday, Dec. 8th. These gifts will be delivered to HHM and be available for parents to select for their children at one of several December HHM Hope Filled Christmas events.
A second option to support Heartland Hope Mission’s Christmas event is to adopt a local family in need and provide gifts for their children. If you choose this option, you may sign-up in November on HHMs website at heartlandhopemission.org. A final option is to provide a monetary donation to HHM through their website or our church offering.
If you would like to volunteer to help sort gifts, set-up gift tables, assist parents select gifts for their children at one of the Hope Filled Christmas events or participate in adopting-a-family please sign-up online on the HHM website. Approximately 1,500 volunteers are needed. Over 5,000 local children will be provided with gifts who otherwise would probably not receive anything for Christmas.
Another option for giving this Christmas season will be located in the lobby outside of the church offices at a table with a beautiful hand-made wooden Mission Giving Tree placed on top of it. Donation envelopes are provided to donate to your choice of three other PCOC Mission Partners.
I would also like to thank the congregation for your continuing support of the HHM pantry collection at our church every 3rd Sunday of the month and for volunteering at the West O HHM pantry location every first Saturday of the month.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
John Bennett – Mission Committee
Triennium 2025 – As If We Were
Dreaming – RSVP Now
The nationwide gathering of high school youth that meets every three years has been on hold since the pandemic. I’m happy to report that it’s back! Teens from all over the country will meet in Louisville, Kentucky the last week of July where they will worship, learn, fellowship, and play as a hopeful and joyful community of faith at the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. The experience will be one of those life-shaping faith-forming events that they will never forget!
Parents, a $100 deposit is required to reserve your youth’s spot for Triennium.
Please submit payment to Heather before Christmas.
If you need financial assistance, please let Heather know.
Children and Youth Ministry Volunteers Needed
If you love working with children and building relationships with youth, this is the job for you! Contact Heather for ways you can make a difference in the lives of our children and youth.
Presbyterian Women January 2
Happy New Year wishes from the Presbyterian Women! On January 2nd at 9:30 am in the Courtyard room we will continue our studies from Growing Older & Wiser by Dale & Sandy Larsen. Jacquie Kluck will share Lesson 5 “Wiser by Faith” from Genesis 24: 1-9. All church women are invited to join us. Please contact Cindy Nisley at 402-850-0889 if you have any questions.
Tuesday Bible Studies
Our Tuesday gatherings continue to study the Old Testament book of Joshua. Newcomers are always welcome; just bring your favorite Bible and join us in the classroom in the Welcome Center at 7:00 a.m. (men’s only) or 1:00 p.m. (everyone).
Stay Active with Tai Chi and Music & Movement
Tai Chi meets at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. No class on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day. Drop in anytime if you’d like to attend a class. Questions? Contact Paula Allen.
Music and Movement exercise classes meet 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. every Monday and Thursday to encourage and support each other while staying active and healthy. New people are welcome to join our Music and Movement ensemble any time! This group will take a holiday break from Dec. 18 through January 1, resuming on January 4. Questions? Contact Betty Baddley.
Active Minds in January
Come join the fun and laughs with Active Minds when we resume on January 14th. We will be playing Spades and Five Crowns. Please join us when the weather and your schedule allows. 1:30-4:00 pm in the lower level — couch area /Great room. You are welcome to come down after Bible Study dismisses. New players are welcome at any time. Friends who are not members of PCOC are always welcomed also. Questions? Earlene Uhrig, 402-650-5077.
January 9 is a Caring & Sharing Day!
Stop by Don & Millie’s at 108th & Center to grab lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9. Tell them you’re with PCOC, and 20% of your bill comes back to us to support next year’s JHF Mission Trip.
Bible Explorers Sunday
School Classes
Our Sunday School for children in kindergarten through 5th grade is called Bible Explorers. They use the curriculum, Deep Blue – A Weekly Adventure Through the Bible. The children enjoy rotating through different workshops, like Art, Games, Science, Cooking, Drama, Spiritual Practices, and Mission, learning about the same Bible story in many ways.
Our first unit was Abraham and Sarah, where we learned that God promises to be with us. Our current unit, Moses and His Sister, reminds us that we are all a part of God’s family. The last unit of the year is Celebrate the Birth of Jesus, where we will celebrate the birth of God’s only son.
Sunday School begins at 10:00 a.m. We meet in the Gathering Space for a short introductory activity with Sue Thomas, and then we split up into our groups and attend class. Class ends at 10:50 a.m. and parents can pick up their children in the Gathering Space. We would love to see your children on Sunday mornings! If you have any questions, please contact Heather.
Gifts and Memorials
Presbyterian Church of the Cross is fortunate to have a long-standing and functional Gift & Memorial program that allows for memorial funds or individual gifts to be designated for specific items, portions of items, or ‘Ongoing Giving Opportunities’ from the Session approved “Gift and Memorial Items List.” The items or missions selected are then recognized in worship, the bulletin, and the Memorial Book, where records have been kept since 1957. Please see this May 28 bulletin for memorial designations and gifts that occurred during the past year. These selections are all appreciated, and each will enhance the life of our congregation in a special way.
Adult Education in the New Year – Register Online Now
There are opportunities for learning and growing together on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, beginning January 12. Start the year off right by joining one (or more!) of these groups:
Theologians, Composers, Spirituality and Icons of Sacred Music – Part Two led by Cindy Sloan on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Ten Values for the Modern Family (a parenting class) led by Josh and Emily Murray on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study led by Pastor Marshall on Tuesdays at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cornerstone Adult Ed Class led by Kirk Ryckman on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Agape for All opportunities offered on various days and at various times
Register Here
OSS Needs Back-to-School Supplies
Omaha Street School (OSS) has a list of needed supplies available through an Amazon Wish List. You can also make a donation online, so OSS can purchase supplies.
Hear a Minute for Mission at both services on October 23 from Linda Reimer, Executive Director of OSS. Linda will be in Fellowship Hall between services, so please stop by, say hello, and learn more about OSS.
January 19 is Pantry Sunday!
Bring your food and hygiene items to Sunday worship on the 3rd Sunday of the month, or drop them inside the circle drive doors at church anytime. The most needed items are listed below.
Food Items:
- Peanut Butter
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Corn
- Mac & Cheese
- Cereal
- Pasta & Pasta Sauce
Hygiene Items:
-
Baby Diapers (all sizes but biggest need is sizes 4-6)
-
Baby Wipes
-
Full-Size Shampoo and Body Wash
-
Toilet Paper
-
Toothpaste
PCOC Book Group on December 18
5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Room 13
PCOC Book Group will meet December 18 in Room 13 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. to review KATHERINE’S REMARKABLE ROAD TRIP by Gail Olmstead. All readers are welcome!
Questions? Contact Charlotte Hubbard.
Save the Date for April 8th
“Divisible,” a documentary by Lizzy Barrett
What you know about redlining – both from an historical perspective and the residual effects felt in Omaha today?
We will gather with other churches in Omaha to watch this remarkable film, by Lizzie Barrett, listen to a panel discussion, and enjoy food from Myrtle and Cypress Coffeehouse.
Watch for sign ups – but for now – Save the date!
Agape for All Martin Luther King Day Events
Some event opportunities will present itself on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20. Events include an MLK Day of Service at The Venue at Highlander Accelerator, supported by United Way of the Midlands. Enjoy food from Big Mama’s, the Rib Shack, and Aleece’s Sugar Shoppe at the annual MLK Luncheon from 12 – 1:30. Then from 2:00 – 4:00, also at The Venue, volunteer and help assemble snack packs for the Bright Minds program of the Empowerment Network.
Several of us have visited the wonderful Highlander Accelerator facility, which houses The Venue, Big Mama’s, and No More Empty Pots, for tours and lunches.
The Venue event center and No More Empty Pots are located at 2120 North 30th Street
The Highlander Accelerator – 2112 North 30th Street
We will share more information about MLK Day events as it becomes available.
So, let’s continue to find new ways to Embrace our wonderful Community Connections throughout 2025!
Cross Currents Deadline is Friday, January 17
Please send your content for the February 2025 issue to communications@pcoc.us.
2024 Winter Clothing, Coat and Shoe Drive Update
We wrapped up our 2024 Winter Clothing, Coat and Shoe Drive Event for OPS schools Bancroft, Sherman, Walnut Hill, Dodge, King and, new this year, Wakonda Elementary. Thank you letters and e-mails have been coming in and Timara Kroeger the school nurse at Sherman Elementary writes… “On behalf of the Sherman administration and families we would like to take the time to say thank you for all your congregation does each year to support our school community.”
A big special thank you goes out to Kristin Johnson and Julie Buehler who seamlessly handled all of the buying and delivery of to each school in the days before Thanksgiving. This season PCOC supplied 104 long and short sleeve shirts, 16 pairs of gloves, 19 pairs of boots, 106 winter coats, 21 pairs of tennis shoes, 184 sweatpants, 400 pairs of socks, 700 pair of underwear and a partridge in a pear tree. We are truly blessed each year to have a congregation and a mission committee so willing to meet these needs. Happy New Year to all!
Presbyterian Men January 25
On Saturday, January 25th at 9:00 am, PCOC men are invited to attend a continental breakfast and program in the Welcome Center. Our speaker will feature Josh Planos, VP of Marketing, Communications & PR, at Better Business Bureau of the Midwest Plains. He will speak about “Scam Prevention” covering key strategies to protect yourself from scams and what to be on the lookout for in today’s increasingly digital world. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to safeguard your finances and personal information. Please sign-up to attend at the Information Desk by Sunday, January 19th, and feel free to invite a friend to join you! Contact Jon Boomgaarden at 402-981-7164 with questions.
Young Adult Christmas Party
All our young adults are invited to the home of Chris and Staci Voss to catch up and reunite on Sunday, December 22 at 5 p.m. Look for invitations in the mail soon!
Breast Cancer Support Group
For anyone currently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Stay tuned for our next meeting date.
Questions? Contact Karen Morey or Heather Berry.
Using Our New Welcome Center Spaces
With our new Welcome Center finished, we are now actively using the new rooms. You will see these locations mentioned for some of our activities.
- Courtyard Room – This is the new official name for the large classroom in the Welcome Center.
- Hearth Room – This room has a fireplace, couch/chair seating, and a piano.
- Quiet Room – This room is just off the Hearth Room and features rocking chairs. This room is attached to the family restroom.
- Kitchenette – This is the small kitchen area in the Welcome Center.
Ushers Needed
Looking for a way to serve the church? Join an usher team, or sign up to usher on a Sunday that works for you this fall! Questions? Contact Mary Ott or Mary Lynn Bennett.
Greeters Needed
Your smiling face is needed to greet on Sunday mornings. We’ve made it easy to sign up online! Just choose your preferred service and door (north door by Fellowship Hall or south Welcome Center door).
Home-Delivered Meal Volunteers
– a message from Deacon, Kathy Moore –
One of the many caring ministries at Church of the Cross is the Deacons’ Home Delivered Meals program. We try to provide a meal or two to church members who have been hospitalized, are facing a surgery, had an accident, or have lost a family member. This is a small token of our care and concern, and many have expressed how much this meant to them during what was otherwise a very challenging time.
When one of our ministers or I learn of a household in need, I send out a group email to our Home Meal List and ask for volunteers to take a meal, indicating approximately when the meal would be helpful. I provide the number of people in the household and any dietary restrictions and preferences that I can. There is often somewhat short notice of this need, and we may be soliciting a meal to be provided within the next few days or weeks. On average we deliver 6 – 10 meals per month and have almost 40 volunteers on the list so you don’t have to provide a meal very often.
If you like to cook and could fix an extra meal or two occasionally, this Home Meal Committee is for you. If you don’t like to cook, you could volunteer to pick up a To-Go meal from a grocery store or restaurant. Either way, if you’d like me to add you to the Home Meal Volunteer List, please sign up at the Information Desk or email Kathy Moore. Feel free to call me with any questions.
Treats to Share!
The Congregational Life Committee invites everyone to bring treats to share during Coffee Fellowship on December 22nd. Please have items cut and ready to serve and please label if it contains either peanuts or tree nuts. Thank You!
Choir and Orchestra Worship Services on December 22
The Alleluia Singers, Chamber Singers, and Resound Vocal Ensemble, accompanied by professional instrumentalists, will present “Hope for Tomorrow” during both services on Sunday morning, December 22. The program will feature the premiere of an original composition by Omaha composer and Alleluia Singers member Dave Gardner, along with anthems and congregational carols celebrating the birth of Jesus. This annual event serves as an outreach to our congregation and the community. We encourage you to invite guests to join you for a meaningful morning of music.
Dinner Servers Needed on January 9
Did you know that Siena Francis House provides nearly 400,000 meals each year? PCOC serves meals on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Our serving time is 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. We need 4 to 6 volunteers.
On the Sunday serving date, please sign in when you arrive for your signing shift. If you have questions, call or email Keith Allen.
Sometimes we run short on needed volunteers for our serving dates. If you are willing to be contacted by Keith Allen (Coordinator) when we need volunteers, please add your name to our list.
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