The Reformation = Pointing Others to Christ
I don’t know about you, but I remember in 2017 watching a PBS special on Martin Luther for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and being struck by a particular quote from Luther. The quote was in regard to what Luther thought his followers should be called. He, or more precisely the character playing Luther responded by saying, “The first thing I ask is that people should not make use of my name and should not call themselves Lutherans but Christians. What is Luther? The teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone.” The primary focus of Luther was getting back to what the Bible taught about the Christian faith, not getting the praise for starting a large movement. I think this is a good reminder for all of us.
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Many Instruments, One Song
This Sunday, we are delighted to welcome the Concordia High School Orchestra as they join us in worship. Their presence gives us an opportunity not only to enjoy the sound of additional instruments, but also to give thanks for the many ways God uses music in the life of His Church.
Throughout Scripture, God’s people are repeatedly called to praise Him with voices and instruments alike: “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! … Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150). From the singing of the congregation to the organ, choir, bells, and instrumentalists, each adds its own voice while serving the same purpose: supporting the proclamation of God’s Word and giving praise to Him.
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Summer of Service
Pacific Hills youth and families held a “Summer of Service” in 2026. With a large number of youth in the congregation, the CYF board encouraged youth and their families to participate in missional service projects throughout the summer.
To kick off the season, nine youth and adults visited Scatter Joy Acres on May 29 to help on the farm. They dug a drainage channel from the horse barn to a nearby creek. After the work was done, the volunteers were able to explore the farm and visit the animals.
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The 25th Anniversary of 9/11
In the days after 9/11, crowds were drawn to the site of the Twin Towers, the pile of rubble where two of the world’s tallest, proudest skyscrapers had recently stood. The crowds, actually, were no surprise; the whole world sensed this was now a historic site. What was strange was the smoke that continued to rise from the still smoldering ruin—weeks, even months, after the tragedy.
It seems to be true that everyone remembers where he or she was, what they were doing, when they first heard of the events of 9/11. And they ought to be remembered. Especially this week, the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11. We should remember the lives lost, the reality of unspeakable evil, and the heroism of those who rushed to help—some of them becoming additional victims. We should remember and continue to pray for those who lost loved ones, and that those who espouse such evil would be brought to saving faith in Christ Jesus
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Rally Day Kickoff Sunday 2026
Please mark September 13th on your calendar. September 13th is Rally Day Kickoff Sunday! Rally Day at Pacific Hills signals to us that the summer has ended, and the fall program is underway. Sunday school classes will begin their new program on September 20th. Our youth confirmation classes will have started up a few days earlier on September 9th.
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Pastor Drebes 25th Ordination Anniversary
Pastor Drebes is marking 25 years since he was ordained on Aug. 19, 2001, at Zion Lutheran in Palmyra, Missouri, his home church. But young Bryan wasn't always certain that he would become a minister.
"Ever since grade school, I had been thinking about going into church work," Drebes said this week. He was considering working as a teacher or a principal -- perhaps at the high school level. He also was thinking about the pastoral ministry.
After graduating in 1991 from St. Paul High School in Concordia, Missouri, he enrolled that fall at Concordia College (now Concordia University) in Seward, Nebraska, majoring in education and preseminary work. After his first semester, he took a break and sold insurance full time for 2 1/2 years and then part time for another 2 1/2 years. He had gone back to college in 1994. He finished his undergraduate degree at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, in 1997 after studying in 1995 at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. "I felt that God was calling me more to the pastoral ministry," he said, and he enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in the fall of 1997.
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Courtyard Jazz Series for 2026
The Pacific Hills Courtyard Jazz Series for 2026 is here. Please join us in the courtyard to hear local Omaha artists. The Sponsored by Pacific Hills Lutheran Church & omahamusic.com.
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Opening Our Doors Through Music
Pacific Hills is grateful to continue building a concert series that welcomes both our congregation and the wider Omaha community into our sanctuary for meaningful, high-quality musical experiences. Through these concerts, we hope to feature organists, pianists, vocalists, and other talented musicians in programs that are open to the public and offered without admission. These are in addition to and separate from our Summer Courtyard Jazz Series.
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Singing the Mystery: Pentecost and the Holy Trinity
Pentecost and Holy Trinity Sunday stand side by side in the Church Year for good reason. At Pentecost, we hear of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles, giving them boldness to proclaim Christ crucified and risen. The Church’s song follows this same pattern: we do not sing vaguely about spiritual feelings, but about the Spirit who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church through the Gospel.
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Outdoor Worship at Chalco Hills
After pausing last year’s outdoor worship service to celebrate our 70th anniversary, we are excited to announce that the tradition will resume in 2026 at Chalco Hills Recreation Area. The park’s group shelter has been reserved for Sunday, June 14, with worship at 10:00 a.m., followed by a lunch featuring sandwiches and chips.
We look forward to gathering together in God’s creation for a joyful day of worship, food, and community.
We will also be hosting a newly commissioned missionary.
We look forward to you joining us as we come together as one body to worship our Lord Jesus Christ.
Look for sign-up sheets in the Narthex. Ride requests can be made by calling the office at 402-391-9625.
Services will be at the Group Shelter inside the park. Most people should travel on Interstate 80 to Hwy 50 (144th Street) and take Exit 440. Go North to Giles Road then turn left and go to the main entrance of Chalco Hills. We will have signs up pointing the way to the shelter. Please see the Messenger for more details on lunch & ride share opportunities.
A map in PDF format is available - Chalco Hills Map
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- National Day of Prayer
- How Will We Live for Christ Who Lives for Us?
- Holy Week – A Journey of Faith
- The Lenten Season 2026
- For Us
- PHLC Foundation Legacy Workshop
- Living the Ancient Faith
- From Mountaintop to Ashes: Seeing Christ in Song
- Christmas to Epiphany: Singing the Gospel Clearly
- Every Heart Prepare
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The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
W
hen the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
- Acts 2:1-4
Pacific Hills Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). This is an international church consisting of over 6,000 congregations in the U.S. and missionaries in over 50 foreign countries.