Pacific Hills welcomes organist Zach Hastings as Director of Music on July 1, 2020. He will be directing music and choir for the congregation’s traditional Lutheran Liturgy worship services and seasonal offerings. Zach will be playing the newly-renovated Schantz pipe organ, one of two like it in the Omaha area.
Zach is a native of Ankeny, Iowa, and served for seven years at congregations in Iowa and Minnesota, as a director of worship and music and as a bell choir director. He holds a 2016 Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Iowa State University, where he studied organ performance. He currently serves on the Central Iowa American Guild of Organists (AGO) Executive Committee, and on the American Guild of Organists Young Organists (AGOYO) National Board.
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- Published: 14 June 2020 14 June 2020
- Last Updated: 14 June 2020 14 June 2020
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Every year at this time, children, of all ages, have quite a challenge. How are they going to pay attention to mom in such a way that the day goes well? There are the standard and routine ways to recognize this one very important person in the family – a card, a phone call, flowers, children trying to be on their best behavior. Mothers and their children tend to have high expectations for what the day will be like.
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- Published: 09 May 2020 09 May 2020
- Last Updated: 09 May 2020 09 May 2020
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Our Lenten Midweek Catechetical Sermon Series - The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments in the Shadow of the Cross and the Empty Tomb
During this season of reflection and repentance, we will take a close look at the Ten Commandments our Lord has given to us. Not only do these commandments of our Father guide our behavior, but, most importantly, they remind us of our deep need for the redemption our Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, has come to bring by His death and resurrection.
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- Published: 11 April 2020 11 April 2020
- Last Updated: 13 April 2020 13 April 2020
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HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!
Even though you may be safe at home this Easter, Jesus still died and rose again for you! You can print these pages and color them to remind you of His great Love for you, every single day. Bring them to church when we meet again, and share them with your friends!
Easter Coloring Pages Collection from CPH
HAVE A HOP-PY EASTER!
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- Published: 09 April 2020 09 April 2020
- Last Updated: 09 April 2020 09 April 2020
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Our routine may be on hold, but God's Word is our Stronghold.
Stay in The Word with free online resources for Bible, devotions, and home worship. We encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to praise and honor God and to share the joy of Christ.
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- Published: 22 March 2020 22 March 2020
- Last Updated: 01 September 2021 01 September 2021
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Things continue to change very rapidly with COVID-19. On Sunday afternoon, the CDC put out guidelines limiting groups to 50 or less. Yesterday afternoon, the White House called for limiting group sizes to no more than 10, and Governor Rickets followed the exact same advice when he recommended canceling all gatherings where there are 10 or more, including worship services, weddings, and funerals.
I have said, we would not cancel services unless this was the strong recommendation of our governing authorities or we had an outbreak in the congregation. Thankfully, we are not dealing with the later. So, at this time, we are cancelling all worship services, Bible studies and in person meetings for the next two weeks. After the two weeks, we’ll reevaluate the situation.
Psalm 46 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
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- Published: 17 March 2020 17 March 2020
- Last Updated: 17 March 2020 17 March 2020
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This weekend we were blessed with a special visit from the Concordia Junior-High Orchestra and their director, Sarah Jay. Thank you to the orchestra for filling the church with wonderful music for our worship services.
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- Published: 08 March 2020 08 March 2020
- Last Updated: 08 March 2020 08 March 2020
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The Lenten season is the fourth season in the church year (after Advent, Christmas and Epiphany). It begins with Ash Wednesday and is the oldest season of the church year. The original period of Lent seems to have been 40 hours. It was spent in fasting and contemplation on the sufferings of Christ. Later it became 30 days, then 36, and finally, in the reign of Charlemagne (about 800 AD), 40 days. Lent originally had one purpose — to prepare candidates for Baptism. For hundreds of years, the Baptism itself took place late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning before the dawn of Resurrection Day, during an all-night vigil.
The 40 days of Lent do not include the Sundays. Sundays in Lent - like every other Sunday - were to be “mini” resurrection days celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and not part of the Lenten fast. The 40 days of Lent correspond to Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness. The date of Lent is determined by the date of Resurrection Sunday. The Council of Nicea (held in 325 AD) determined that Resurrection Sunday would be observed on the first Sunday following the 14th day of the paschal moon. Lent probably comes from the old English word for Spring: Lenten (it may also be related to the German word for the time when the days lengthen: lenz).
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- Published: 29 February 2020 29 February 2020
- Last Updated: 29 February 2020 29 February 2020
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Philip Chawech, recently shared with the members of Pacific Hills Lutheran Church his missionary work in South Sudan over the last several years as well has his current projects. During the Bible Study hour in Aker Hall, on Sunday, February, March 2, Philip told his story of fleeing South Sudan in 1994 to the United States. At one time Omaha was home to 8,000 Sudanese immigrants. The Sudanese members of Pacific Hills are members of the Nuer tribe. They were citizens of two villages in southern Sudan, Khoromchar and Uleng. The Sudan has been in civil wars for the past 50 years and only recently has been in relative peace. Philip, in partnership with local churches, has led missionary trips back to the South Sudan periodically as funds and the government allow him to return. Philip's wife and children remain back in South Sudan.
An Opportunity to Witness, An Opportunity to Help
Through local churches, and charities like UNICEF and Maiwut Christians Charity Community Action Group (MCCCAG), Philip has been able to provide assistance to the South Sudanese people back home. One of Philips past projects involved transporting a 150 lb clinic tent and medical supplies 100 miles on foot across the Ethiopia border into South Sudan.
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- Published: 08 February 2020 08 February 2020
- Last Updated: 09 February 2020 09 February 2020
- Hits: 768 768
Join us this year to find out more and be a part of God’s work here in Omaha. Attend a Sunday service, Bible study, or other event. Click on the Ministries menu above. Follow along on the journey of substantial renovations to our facility. We’ll have all the updates here.
Attend our one-day VBS in June. You will be able to register online to enjoy learning about Jesus at this fun event. Help us celebrate 65 years as a congregation! We’re celebrating in a big way. While our facility will be undergoing major work, we’ll have an off-site event and service. Update: Many events have been cancelled due to the virus crisis.
“Come unto Me,” Jesus said. Come, and join us as we together Share Christ and Serve Others.
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- Published: 03 February 2020 03 February 2020
- Last Updated: 24 May 2020 24 May 2020
- Hits: 599 599