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 in the Fall
Registration will open soon!
- 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
Fall Classes
- Behold the Beauty of the Lord
- Falling Upward
- The Christian Imagination and Literature
- Acts of the Apostles
- The Anxious Generation
- Tuesday Bible Study
Tuesday Bible Studies
Join us on Tuesdays this fall beginning after Labor Day as we study the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah. 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 flowers in the chancel this Sunday are given by Reece and Cora Conner in honor of their August birthdays and 60th wedding anniversary, by Pauline Lundgren in memory of Ken Lundren, and by Neal and Charlotte Hubbard in honor of their 51st wedding anniversary.
I know many of you will want to be updated on the Sumner’s situation: we have received the most wonderful news that Rock, Anna, and their home, are all safe and untouched by the fires. They thank you for all of your prayers. That being said, in conjunction with our gratitude for their safety, let us all continue to pray for the greater Spokane area as they navigate the fallout from these terrible fires that have recently afflicted so many lives.
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
8/1 Danny Whitlow, Beth Broderick, Lisa Luke
8/2 Cheryl Whorlow
8/3 Diane Kort, Martha Wallace
8/4 Judy Arms, Simon Kerr, George Morgan,
8/5 Ethan Bennett, Camden Berry, Deb Hanson, Patty Ritchie, Myrna Vasta
8/6 Jean Brady, Campbell Windrum, Hudson Windrum
8/7 Carolyn Millar, Nickolai Garry
8/8 Beau Schiessler, Noah Sekle, Ann Christiansen
8/9 Cora Conner, Kathryn Vint, Joe Weaver, Oliver McClain
8/10 Emma Kalkwarf, Michael Tot, Rusty Vanneman, Dempsey Mendick,
8/11 Jeannette Heese
8/12 Heather Anderson, Don Metzger, Kristi Treu, Kimberly Lorentzen, Liz McGrath, Bob Dehner
8/13 Shawn Harrison, Kate Hoybook, Ada Lewis, Rich Morhardt, Ron Kiger
8/14 Janet Clemens, Faythe Harrison
8/15 Pat McNeal
8/16 Sally Bekins, Matt Ellis, Carole Engelmann Karen Morey, Beth Sargent, Luke De Pooter
8/17 Rich Hamilton, Kevin Polzin, Bob Rieke, Burnice Sladek, Kevin Polzin
8/19 Bettie Atkinson, Marilyn Corum, Karen Miller
8/20 Maurice Conner, Annemarie Tot
8/21 Sue Barger, Donovan Buda, Reva Knightly, Kathy Gross
8/22 John Baddley, Kristine Goodman, Linda Grohs, Laurie Kerr, Gary Marron, Sheri Sessions, Lowell Wilhite, Mollie Husman, Kristine Goodman
8/25 Mary Lynn Bennett, Debbie McMullen, Bill Ritchie, Tim Zimmerman
8/26 Brentleigh Bowen
8/27 Bruce Cramer, Michele Francis-Stine, Sue Gollehon, Gage Maxwell, Kris Bailey, Sue Worrall
8/28 Casey Ballou, Loren Davelaar, Joyce Jeffries Robert Seiler
8/29 Greyson Grady, Scott McCormick, Brian Luke, Christy Davey, James Wise
8/30 Barrett Meyer, Cherri Carpenter, Annika Shaw, Kimberly McCormick
8/31 Mike Boettcher, Curt Field, Meredith Bailey
Best wishes from your church!
JHF and SHF will resume in the Fall
Season 38 of Vespers is Announced!
Do you have all the dates on your calendar? Make sure you visit our website at vesperconcerts.org, where you’ll find the Season 38 schedule, photos, biographies, and videos of our exciting performers. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest information!
Heartland Hope Mission August 7
Heartland Hope Mission’s West Omaha pantry schedule to distribute grocery and hygiene items to the clients they serve has changed from Saturdays from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm to Fridays from 12:30 – 3 pm. HHM decided that they needed a weekday instead of a weekend day to serve clients. If you would like to volunteer to stock the pantry on Saturday morning at the West O location, you may volunteer from 9:30 – 11:30 am. All volunteer opportunities at HHM are listed below for both the South and West Omaha locations.:
West Omaha location – 15555 Industrial Rd.
Pantry distribution – Fridays, 12:30 – 3 pm
Warehouse stocking – Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, 9:30 – 11:30 am
South Omaha location – 2021 U Street
Pantry Distribution:
Tuesdays: 6 pm – 9 pm,
Thursdays: 1 pm – 5 pm
Saturdays: 9 am – 1 pm
Please contact John Bennett if you are interested in volunteering or have any questions at (402) 618-6991 or mljbennett85@gmail.com. Thank you for generously supporting Heartland Hope Mission.
Sing with the Summer Choir August 16
This is the final summer opportunity to participate. We’ll meet in the choir room at 9:00 a.m. to rehearse a few simple and fun pieces to sing at the 10:00 worship service. Send Kristi an email at kristi@pcoc.us to let her know you’re coming.
Chamber and Alleluia Rehearsals begin August 26
Another choir season begins on Wednesday, August 26! Chamber Singers rehearse at 5:30, and Alleluia Singers follow at 6:30. Is it time for you to say “yes” and join? Email Kristi and tell her the good news!
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.
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.
Registration Open for Miracle League
Many of you are familiar with the AllPlay Miracle League located in Seymour Smith Park for children, youth and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities to have the opportunity to play baseball. Registration is now open for the summer Two Rivers Miracle League at the First Interstate SportsPlex . The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with intellectual and physical disabilities off the baseball field and let’s them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. The cost is FREE. Season: 6-8 week regular schedule (May-June) Open Practice Nights:Wednesdays and Fridays
Games :
May 10, 17, 31
June 7, 14, 21, 28
Divisions : Ages 5-12 and Ages 13-adults
Registration is now open HERE
This is a wonderful opportunity! The Boys Town Pediatrics Adaptive Sports Field will come to life with inclusive baseball games designed to help participants learn the sport, build confidence and create lasting friendships.
Calvin Crest Information and Updates!
Enrollment is Open!
Hey Parents, guess what?! Camp Calvin Crest is open for 2026 summer enrollment! What a great way to get your child out of the house (and your hair) for up to a week to experience God’s love in community and nature. There are camps for all ages – from completing first grade all the way through high school; even employment opportunities for your college student! Have younger children? Come experience camp with your entire family at Family Camp weekend! Check out calvincrest.camp for more information.
Camp Scholarships also available!
Camp scholarships are available for children and youth that attend Camp Calvin Crest. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out the form located on our church website before paying for camp. Also let Calvin Crest know that you have applied for a camp scholarship. Calvin Crest will contact Heather to verify the scholarship amount. The CE Committee determines the amount and frequency of scholarships per camper. Heather will notify the parents of the amount of the awarded scholarship. PCOC will send payment directly to Calvin Crest. The scholarship amount will be deducted from the total cost of the camp. Parents are responsible for paying the remaining balance. We encourage you to take advantage of this resource.
Garage Sale News
The churchwide drop off day is Sunday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to Noon. We are unable to accept donations before this date. Please keep your treasures at home until then. We are happy to accept donations that are gently used, clean, and in working order. Please no broken items or those with missing pieces.
We cannot accept the following:
– Mattresses
– Tires
– tube tv’s
– VHS videos/players
– Cassette tape/players
– Burnt candles
– Liquids of any kind (perfume, lotion, kerosene, etc.)
We must pay to dispose of these items, so please do not bring them to church.
The garage sale will be on Saturday, August 1. We hope to see you then!
Femi’s Heart Foundation Update
Senior High Car Wash
Bring your dirty, dusty, and muddy cars to church on Sunday, August 16 and swing by the SHF car wash in the north parking lot! The team will begin washing cars immediately after worship and continue until 1:00 p.m. Donations are welcome, and every dollar supports next year’s mission trip. Thanks for your support!
Blessings of the Backpacks
All children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks to church on August 9 at 10:00 a.m. Keep your backpacks with you until Pastor Marshall calls you forward during the service. Each student (any age) will receive a fun keychain to attach to their backpack – a simple reminder that God walks with them wherever they go.
Dinner Servers Needed on August 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.
August 16 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 August 19
5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Courtyard Room
PCOC Book Group will meet August 19 in The Courtyard Room from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. to
review The Dry by Jane Harper. All readers are welcome!
Questions? Contact Charlotte Hubbard.
Beauty of the Lord Class
September 6 at 11:00 a.m.
English Christian theologian and writer Charles Williams’ remarkable play, “The Three Temptations”, will have a section read in the hour after church as part of the Behold the Beauty of the Lord series. Michael Paulus, who has taught this work, will be leading the discussion afterwards. This will be both enlightening and thought provoking. Please join us!
Choral Workshop August 22
Alleluia Singers will have an allday workshop on Saturday, August 22, with guest clinician Dr. John Petzet, Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska Kearney. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room, and lunch will be served in Fellowship Hall. Then, Dr. Petzet will lead the choir during the worship service on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. If you’ve ever been interested in singing with us, this is a great opportunity to find out more about our group, and we’d love to have you join us. Email Kristi at kristi@pcoc.us to reserve your spot
Cross Currents Deadline is Friday, August 21
Please send your content for the September 2026 issue to communications@pcoc.us.
AGAPE for ALL Pop-up Tour in North Omaha Saturday, August 22
We have confirmed two very interesting tours for Saturday, August 22nd so we hope you can join us. We will be visiting a very new Legacy Library Exhibit featuring the legacy of former Senator Ernie Chambers, and learning about the nonprofit endeavor of his daughter, Gayla Chambers, called Together We Achieve Miracles. Gayla will be joining us for the tour. We will follow that tour with a visit to the Malcolm X Foundation to learn more about a major redevelopment project underway and observe the historical information that some of us visited a few years ago.
The itinerary for the day will be:
12:30 Leave the North Parking Lot of the Church (if you want to carpool)
1:00 Tour both Together We Achieve Miracles and the Legacy Library at 4401 N 21 Street
2:15 Tour and presentation at the Malcolm X Foundation at 3448 Evans Street
4:00 Back at the church parking lot for those who carpooled.
Please sign up online or at the information desk. Questions? Contact Kathy Moore @ mooreomaha@yahoo.com.
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Backpack and School Supplies Collection for OPS
Our annual Backpack and School Supplies Collection for OPS officially kicks off on July 5 running through August 14. This is always one of our most successful mission activities of the year benefiting 6 underserved OPS schools! Blue collection bins, properly marked, will be in placed outside of the sanctuary and on the brick wall outside of fellowship hall. Items collected include backpacks, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, notepads, binders, glue sticks, markers, and scissors.
Last year we collected 177 backpacks, which was a new record. So let’s not stop there. Let’s go for 180 in 2026!
The event will wrap up with the blessing of backpacks on Sunday, August 9. We will gather in the new conference room and lobby on Saturday, August 16 at 9:30AM to sort and bag the supplies and get ready for delivery on August 18. We encourage families with school age children to bring their kids to help as it is needed and lots of fun! We usually finish in an hour which leaves plenty of time for doughnuts, juice and coffee which are provided free of charge. Hope you can join us!
For more information reach out to Rob Bailey at 973-610-5990 or at RobertCampbellbailey@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for all your support!
Don’t Wait to Reserve your Tickets for Emanuel Ax
8-time GRAMMY-winning pianist Emanuel Ax opens the 38th season of Vesper Concerts on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. We are limiting seating for this event to avoid an over-capacity crowd. If you haven’t done so already, reserve your FREE tickets one of three ways:
1) Online HERE
2) Call 402-881-0166 and leave a message for Tyler Sieh, our Administrative Assistant, with your name, email, phone number, and how many tickets you’d like to reserve.
3) Send an email to Tyler at vesperconcerts@gmail.com.
Seating is limited, and tickets are going quickly, so don’t delay!
GO SOLO for August
The Go SOLO fellowship group is for anyone wanting to know more people at PCOC. Some want to explore Omaha and prefer company when they do! Some want to sit and visit. Feel free to join our email lists if you live alone, have a partner, or just want to meet other like-minded folks.
Tables for Eight Fall Session 2026
The deadline for new registrations or making a change for the spring/summer session (September, October, November, December) is August 10. If you are currently in Tables for Eight as a “Regular” or a “Sub”, you will automatically be reassigned to a new group or stay a “Sub. However, if you choose not to participate or want to change your current status,” contact Pam Otto 402 830-6375 or pottomt@cox.net. New “Regular” participants or “Substitutes” (couples or singles) are always welcome to join this fellowship opportunity. “Tables for Eight Registration Form” is on the Website (www.churchofthecrossomaha.org.
49ERS on Tuesday, August 4
Our program for Tuesday, AUGUST 4, 2026, will be Greg Combs, Director of Production & Strategy at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) and former Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI). He will speak about how the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP) operates and what goes into producing live theatrical productions, as well as sharing how growing up at the Playhouse led to his career with Disney – and the similarity between the world of theater and the world of Disney theme parks. The lunch location is Wheatfields, One Pacific Place, at 11:30 a.m. Every one is welcome, whether or not you are 49, younger or older, come join us! We will order from a special menu. For reservations or questions, please contact Mary Ott, 402-201-4103, or Judy Sundberg, 402-333-6981. We also have a sign-up sheet at the Information Center.
Active Minds in August
Active Minds will resume on Tuesday, Aug 4th. We meet every Tuesday in the lower level Great Room to play cards/games from 1:30-4:00 pm. Please join us if you want to learn something new—but not too hard. We will be playing Somerset. We have plenty of these special card sets available. Drop in as your schedule allows. Contact: Earlene Uhrig
August 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, August 9. Tell them you’re with PCOC, and 20% of your bill comes back to us to support next year’s JHF Mission Trip.
Meet people and serve the Church. New Ushers are needed!
Ushers are the welcoming face of our church when people first walk in the doors. Ushers are passionate about Presbyterian Church of the Cross and helping those who come to worship have a positive experience. It all starts with a smile, a warm handshake, and a bulletin. We are looking for people to join an usher team one Sunday a month, especially since we have several long time ushers retiring in April/May. If you would like to be a part of an usher team, a substitute, or have questions, please contact Mary Lynn Bennett at Bennettmtbc@gmail.com or 402-618-6992.
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.
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.
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).
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