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 summer schedule.
- Worship is held on Sundays at 10:00 in the Sanctuary and on livestream
- Coffee Fellowship is after the worship service in the Welcome Center
- Church office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.
We will livestream the 10:00 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 in September
- 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
Vacation Bible School ~ July 9 -11
Tuesday Bible Studies
Our Tuesday Bible Studies will 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!
- 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
Welcome our New Associate Pastor, Mr. Joshua Garry
Joys and Concerns
The flowers in the Chancel this Sunday are given by the Watt Family in memory of Jody Watt.
The rose in the chancel celebrates Cindy and Ken Nisley on the birth of their new great granddaughter, Daenarys Rayne Mlynek. Parents are Hunter and Kaitlyn Mlynek of Buckeye, Arizona.
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
7/1 – Kristin Jacobi, Larry Will
7/2 – Nancy Anderson, Jane Burch,
Dawn Gibson, Max Justice, Emily Justice
7/4 – Amy Boesen, Lila Dittman, Julie Evers,
Korbin Stalnaker, Ada Stalnaker
7/6 – Bonny Boettcher, Joan Gayle Chapin,
Rock Sumner
7/7 – Barbara Spielman
7/8 – David Hopp
7/9 – Silas Boesen
7/10 – Camille Hinz, Kathy Klein, Bob Nicas,
Jack Nicas
7/11 – Janet Harley
7/12 – Irma Kramer
7/13 – Carolyn Crenson, Justin Kalkwarf
7/14 – Audrey Florent, Barbara Jaeger
7/15 – Clara Stalnaker
7/16 – Jon Boomgaarden, Graham Spencer
7/17 – Beth Kaiser
7/18 – Cindy Rieke
7/19 – Jean Engelmann, Erin Moore
7/20 – Ron Fehr, Traci Harrison, Elijah Pflueger
7/21 – Camille Hancock Friesen, Pat Pariset,
Doug Reid, Carol Gasko
7/22 – Luke Justice, Ken Nisley
7/23 – Dawn Zimmerman
7/24 – Marietta Morhardt, LeRoy Swedlund
7/25 – Carolyn Hansen, Haidyn Spielman
7/26 – Joslyn Bailey, Tanya Mitzel
7/27 – Irene Burson, James Fuller
7/28 – Wendi Harkness, Danielle Obregon,
Jane Olson
7/29 – John Bennett, Beth Maxwell, Amy Miller,
Amanda Stalnaker
7/30 – Carol Barnes, Sue Garcia, Donna Mau,
Charles Spann
7/31 – Jeanette Searson
Best wishes from your church!
Junior and Senior High Fellowship have ended and will resume in the fall.
The Vesper Concerts Season 36 Announcement Is Here!
Vesper Concerts has announced its 2024-25 season! Stop by the Information Desk and get a full-color brochure today, then make sure to mark all of the concert dates on your calendar.
You can also find everything you need to know about Season 36 on our Facebook and Instagram pages and our website at www.vesperconcerts.org. You can sign up for our email newsletter while you’re there.
Second Race & Reconciliation Dinner on July 21
Join Kathy Moore at the second dinner hosted by Pamela Berry, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 6340 North 30th St. at 5:30 p.m. This will be a casual dinner and opportunity to hear speakers and then discuss the period from slavery to Jim Crow and Red Summer. More information will be available later. About six of us attended the first dinner in April along with friends we’ve partnered with from St. Luke’s United Methodist. Seating is limited so feel free to let Kathy Moore know if you are interested at mooreomaha@yahoo.com or 402-880-3844. Registration will also be available at the Information Desk and online Here.
Art, culture and food in North Omaha on Wednesday, August 14th
We will start with lunch at 11:45 at Jackson’s Fair Deal Café in North Omaha (2118 North 24th Street). Following lunch, we will go to the Union for Contemporary Arts at 2423 North 24th Street. There we will tour their wonderful cooperative art space which provides affordable opportunities and space for artists who might not otherwise have access. We will also visit their scheduled art exhibit featuring Nathaniel Ruleaux, a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Nathan describes his work by saying: “my work is an expression of my combined anger at our nation, a love of the people and the land, and dreams of what kind of world I want my child to grow up in.” Contact Kathy Moore if you have questions, and please sign up at the Information Desk or online Here. If you can’t join us on the 14th but would like to visit solo, the Union is open T, W, Th from 1 – 8 and F, S from 10 – 5.
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.
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
Active Minds will teach not meet for the month of July. Questions? Contact Earl Uhrig.
July 14 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, July 14. Tell them you’re with PCOC, and 20% of your bill comes back to us to support next year’s JHF Mission Trip.
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.
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.
Dear PCOC friends,
We want to express our deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and love during Dennis’s health journey and for our 40th wedding anniversary. The visits, hugs, food, flowers and cards have buoyed our spirits as Dennis awaits a return to health and normal activities. We look forward to being back among you as soon as possible!
With love and appreciation,
Dennis & Amy Boesen
Vacation Bible School
July 9 – 11
9 a.m. to noon
Cost is $10/student.
Register online now!
Meet Lu (short for Lumen) the lightning bug! Lu will teach us ways we can put our trust in God when we are afraid, challenged, or called to do God’s work and to share the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ. We’re forming our leadership team now! Contact Heather to serve on this very important team. Parents and grandparents, we cannot do this without you. Please consider serving. Registration for Preschool is now full, but you may still register for Kindergarten -5th Grade (Completed).
Attend the Pow Wow at Fort Omaha,
Saturday, September 21, 2024,1-7:30 p.m. Contact Earlene Uhrig at Earleneu2@gmail.com, or sign up at the Welcome Center counter, or online. You will learn so much! Details regarding times of specific events at the Pow Wow will be added to the sign up here.
Time to Play Ball
BATTER UP! SAFE! IT’S A HOME RUN! These are words you will hear on the AllPlay Miracle Buddy League at Seymour Smith Field , May 4th. Over 400 players are registered and need volunteers to help with a wide variety of activities to make a great experience. Game Day volunteers include concession stand servers, greeters, game umpire, AllPlay mascots, game announcers, field set-up and take down, picnic helpers, special events (I.E. Pancake man, Santa) and many more. Each volunteer time slot is for approximately, 2 hours (two games).
It is easy to sign up on our link in the Friday news and on the Allplay web site under Buddies and Volunteer Activities. This is also an excellent place to have your group volunteer, such as a sports team or school group community outreach.
Any Questions? Contact Sandi Stuckey
sandi_stuckey@yahoo.com
July 21 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 July 17
5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Room 13
Book group will meet for their annual planning meeting. All readers are welcome!
Questions? Contact Charlotte Hubbard.
Summer Outings for you to Explore
Down Home Soul Food Gospel Lunches at the Revive Center from 12 – 3pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. 2402 Lizzie Robinson Ave (24th and Lake). No pre-registration necessary, several people from our church go somewhat regularly. All you need to do – Get Hungry!
Jackson’s Fair Deal Cafe, is also a great option, located at 2118 N 24th St STE 101.
They are open Tuesday – Saturday 9:00AM – 10:00PM, Sunday 9:00AM – 5:00PM
10% OFF MEALS for First Responders, Health Care Providers, College Students, Educators, and Seniors. Now that is a fair deal!
Cross Currents Deadline is Friday, July 19
Please send your content for the August 2024 issue to communications@pcoc.us.
New Travel/Study Opportunity in Lithuania
Our friend and Mission Worker Ellen Smith is collaborating with Carl Horton of the PC(USA) Peacemaking Project to host a Travel/Study Tour titled “Lithuania: Healing the Legacies of War and Oppression,” in October, 2024. The tour will be a more in-depth study of the history we were introduced to when Jean Waters, Karen Morey, and Jon and Irene Boomgaarden traveled with Ellen to Lithuania in winter of 2023. Of that trip, Jean Waters said, “When visiting Lithuania, you experience a charming old European country, cathedrals and castles, alongside Soviet-style housing. It is important to see that the people of this country suffered, and they acknowledge their history so that they, and none of us, will repeat it.”
PC(USA) is now recruiting participants for this Travel Study Tour, who will begin their journey in Lithuania’s capitol, Vilnius, then move to Klaipeda, learning about various phases of Lithuania’s history, from the Nazi and Soviet occupations to today’s Ukrainian refugee crisis. Applications are being accepted now, online at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/what-does-lithuania-have-to-teach-us-about-war/.
The deadline for applications is June 14, but the size of the group will be limited, so the sooner you consider this opportunity, the better! For additional information, check the website above or contact Karen Morey or Jean Waters.
Back to School Supply Collection in July
School supplies will be collected throughout the month of July to benefit our OPS mission partner schools: Integrated Learning Program (ILP), Walnut Hill, Bancroft, and Sherman elementary schools. For 2024, we have added a new mission partner in Wakonda Elementary. Wakonda is impacted by the development of the Habitat For Humanity Blue Stem Development in North Omaha. It is estimated it will send between 100 and 200 additional new students into a school that is already at capacity. With that on the horizon we’ve set a goal of 140 backpacks in addition to all the traditional school supplies for 2024. The collection boxes are inside the circle drive doors and in the Narthex. The mission committee and all the participating schools thank you for your generous support!
Summer Choir July 21
Ever been curious about singing in the choir? We warmly invite you to join our Summer Choir on July 21. We’ll gather in the choir rehearsal room at 9:00 to practice music that’s easy to follow for the 10:00 service. This is a fantastic opportunity to dip your toes in without a weekly commitment. And who knows, you might just discover a new passion and decide to join us regularly!
For our regular singers, Summer Choir is an opportunity to invite friends, family, and even your house guests who are in town for the weekend.
New Member Discussion July 21, 2024
Are you looking for a faith home? Our next discussion about joining the church will be held after the worship service on July 21, 2024. We will meet for about an hour, and a light lunch will be served. Sign up online.
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).
PCOC GALS on August 2
Join us for an evening of relaxed fellowship at the GALS Picnic on the Patio. The event will be held at Brenda Grauman’s Patio (120 South 166th Street) on Friday, August 2, at 6 p.m. This event will be a casual potluck style and please sign up to bring a dish. Please contact Brenda Grauman (402-305-4739) or Staci Voss (402-658-7545) with questions. See you there!
Sign up Here.
Churchwide Garage Sale on July 27
It’s getting closer to our churchwide garage sale, and we need your help! We can’t accept your donations just yet, but you can start setting aside donations, hangers, boxes, and plastic bags in your home.
We accept:
furniture, toys, small sporting equipment, household goods, baby and children’s items, clothing (no t-shirts), and shoes. Please make sure your items are clean and in working order.
We cannot accept:
Electronics older than circa 2000, mattresses, tires, tube tv’s, VHS videos/players, cassette tapes/players, or liquids of any kind. We must pay to dispose of these items, so please do not bring them to church.
Drop off your donations:
Sunday, July 14 at 9 a.m. at the north entrance
We are unable to accept donations before this date. Please keep your treasures at home until then.
Donations will not be accepted after July 19.
Volunteer to help with prep work:
July 15 – 19 and July 22 – 26
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Help or Shop on Garage Sale Day:
July 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thank you for your donations and for your help! We hope to see you there!
Sign up to Volunteer Here.
New Quilting Process for Piecemakers
In Fall 2022, with an inventory of 10+ completed quilts on hand, Piecemakers have decided to take a well-deserved break from meeting every week. The quilting will continue with a new format. ALL quilters in the PCOC congregation are invited to participate in a new process to ensure we continue to welcome newborns to our church family with handmade quilts. You will be invited to use the patterns, fabric, and even equipment available in Room 11.
If you are interested in joining this new Piecemakers process, please contact Linda Miller, Judy Arms, or Karen Morey for the details.
Dinner Servers Needed on July 14
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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