PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. Rev. Jacqueline Ford, Pastor 2842 Monroe Street Omaha, NE 68107 Off: (402) 734-3399

Email: admin@allenchapelomaha.org

Sunday School...........................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Praise & Worship.....10:00 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study..............8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

Pastor Albert Jonathan Wagstaff

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience” Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 Website: www.cmumc.net

Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….6:00 p.m.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Rev.

Rev. Morita Truman, Lead Pastor Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org

First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

Rev. Morita Truman

Charles Galloway - President, Rev John Deang - Pastor, Dr John Beasley - Elder

Charles Galloway - President, Rev John Deang - Pastor, Dr John Beasley - Elder

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod 2721 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583

Sunday School................................10:00 a.m. Church Service...............................11:00 a.m.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC

Pastors Eric and Cynthia Butler

6401 N. 56th Street Omaha, NE 68104

Ph: 402-399-9628

E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com

Sunday Morning Worship.....10:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship.......5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Academy .............7:00 p.m.

Bible Study and Youth Ministries

Pastor Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

KING

MISSIONARY

KING SOLOMON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 3202 Evans Street Omaha, NE 68111

Ph: 402-455-0358 Fax: 402-455-0801 kingsolomonbaptist@yahoo.com kingsolomonomaha.org

Sunday School......8:45 a.m. Sunday Morning......10:00 a.m. Bible Study, Tuesdays......6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service, Wednesdays......12 noon

Journey to Tomorrow, Our Next Step Judges 18:4-6

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451

Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m.

Reconciliation: Sunday

Rev. Michael Voithofer ABLAZE HOUSE OF PRAYER 11501 Fairview Road, Springfield, NE 68059 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901

Contact Ablaze: email: ablazeworshipministry@gmail.com

Pastor: Rev. Michael Voithofer

Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax

Pastor Barbara Mitchell

“Transformed People Everywhere” 2602 N. 24th St. - PO Box 11593 www.mtmoriahomaha.net Off: (402) 451-8800

MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday Worship ..........................................10:45 a.m. Live Stream: Facebook.com/mtmoriahomaha

“Transformed People Everywhere” 2602 N. 24th St. - PO Box 11593 www.mtmoriahomaha.net

Off: (402) 451-8800 Sunday Worship ..........................................10:45 a.m. Live Stream: Facebook.com/mtmoriahomaha

Please call for Prayer and Transformation Group Bible Study Schedule

Please call for Prayer and Transformation Group Bible Study Schedule

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH

“Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH

“Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org Pastor

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor 2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720

Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor 2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720 SUNDAY

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

Why Did Jesus Say That Seeing Him Is Seeing The Father?

The Bible says no man can see God and live (Exodus 33:20). Yet, Jesus said anyone who has seen him has seen God the Father (John 14:9). What gives?

“When Philip asked to see God the Father, Jesus responded that he had been looking at the Father the whole time,” says Anais, 11. “We have to believe that God may open our eyes to see the wonderful secrets of God.”

In our modern world, it’s hard for us to accept mysteries that are beyond the scope of scientific methods. Because we can’t put God under a microscope or see him through a telescope, we’re dependent upon God’s revelation in the Bible. Certainly there’s no greater mystery than the union of God the Son, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

Let’s see if we can dig a little deeper to get a glimpse into this mystery of all mysteries. Most people think of eyeballs

BY CAREY KINSOLVING AND FRIENDS

when they speak of seeing God, but Jesus equated seeing with knowing. We see God with our hearts, not our eyes. God is Spirit (John 4:24).

When Philip asked Jesus to show the Father to his disciples, Jesus said: “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9).

Well, what about the people who saw Jesus do miracles? Didn’t they see God with their eyes?

As fully God and fully man in one person, Jesus is the unique person of the universe. When he healed the sick, people saw these miracles with their eyes, but some failed to make a heart or knowing connection. They said Jesus healed by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:24).

Seeing something with your eyes doesn’t mean you comprehend it. There’s seeing and then there is seeing or understanding with the heart. We’ve all had moments when it seemed like a light bulb came on in our heads. It’s that wondrous moment of understanding where all the pieces come together. As finite creatures trying to understand an infinite God, we’re dependent upon him for many instances of seeing or illumination.

Emma, 12, writes: “In John 14:11, it says, ‘Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.’ The Word of God is telling us that even Philip didn’t know that Jesus and the Father are one.”

Yes, even Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully grasp his oneness with his Father and his mission to sacrifice himself for our sins. On numerous occasions Jesus told them he had to die, but they didn’t get it until after Jesus rose from the dead. The most startling contrast occurs in Matthew 16. After the Apostle Peter told Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus told him that his

Father has revealed this to him and that his church will be built on this revelation (Matthew 16:15-18).

After Peter received this amazing revelation affirmed by Jesus himself, he tries to dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem to die. Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23).

Think about this: God wants you to know him.

Memorize this truth: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16b).

Ask this question: Have you allowed God to reveal to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? •

COPYRIGHT 2023 CAREY KINSOLVING

Do we only follow God when we feel like it?

Have you ever wondered what is the purpose of television, games, movies, and social media? Many will say it was created to entertain and inform us, but what we may not have noticed, is that when we are constantly focused on these things, we are usually not listening to what God is saying. To understand what He wants us to do, we must give Him our undivided attention. This is accomplished when we find a quiet place where we can pray, worship, and be still before Him. To those who are not followers of God, this sounds silly, but the ones who cry out for His refining fire to purge their minds and hearts, realize the desire for entertainment can become a snare trap distracting us from our mission.

There is an old saying when a person is easily distracted, someone will say “squirrel!” This means they are like a dog or cat that cannot keep themselves from chasing a squirrel no matter how much the owner tells them to stop. Are we like this with God? I’m reminded of a story about a king who wanted his daughter to be married. There were three suitors and as a test, they were to carry a full cup of water across the banquet hall without spilling a drop. The first contender was booed, and he spilled his cup. The second was cheered, but he also spilled the water. The third man received much screaming from the crowd but he managed to hand the cup to the king without spilling a drop. When asked how he was successful,

By Billy Holland

he said, the others became distracted by the people and took their eyes away from the task. I decided not to listen to anyone and to only focus on the king’s desires.

In our modern world, the Christian tries to live in both the secular and spiritual worlds at the same time and often ends up frustrated and exhausted. It has to do with focus and this is a result of our love. How so? Since we do what we love, we are also serving whom we love. You see, there are only two paths; God’s way and our way. Humans are creatures of priorities and what we do reveals what is important to us. Free will has always been alive and well and was present when Adam and Eve chose to ignore God. We can blame others for our lack of concentration, but in the end, we make our own decisions. Yes, we are influenced by those around us and of course, there is such a person called the devil who has been given the authority to whisper lies and subtle persuasions to lure us away from what God has called us to do. Nonetheless, our carnality and rebellion does not remove the responsibility of a Christian to live in the awareness of God’s presence.

I realize this is fairly straightforward, but in a world where doctrinal corners are being rounded and the truth is being watered down, let us not forget the commitment of our profession of faith includes standing for God no

Thomas Funeral Home Obituaries

Mary A Williams 1938 2023 (age 84)

Preceded in death by parents Clyde Jackson & Mary Lee Payton; husband: Everett Williams; grandchildren, Monique and Lamond Strong. Survived by son: Demetrius Williams, IL; daughter: Charmelia Minnefield; brothers: Otis Redmon & Clint (Ella) Redman, Biloxi, MS; sisters: Jerlene Osborne, Biloxi, MS, Marlene Miskel, Jackson, MS; grandchildren: Destiny McCullough & Javontae Williams; great-grandchildren: Rose Correa; nieces: Faye Davis & Felicia (Sherman) Moffett; host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Monday, February 6, 2023, 11:00 AM. Thomas Funeral Home 3920 N 24th St Omaha, NE 68110

Kizzieanna Curtis

August 11, 1934 January 19, 2023 (age 88)

Preceded in death by parents: Willmon & Patsy White; husband: Richard Curtis; son: Tyrone Brown. Survived by children: Patsy Stewart, Willie Esther Williams, Anthony Curtis, Michael (Bobbie)Curtis, Kenneth Curtis, Kinsharella Weathersby, Clifford (Setric) Curtis, Nelson Curtis; many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 10:00 AM. Salem Baptist Church 3131 Lake St Omaha, NE 68111 matter how unpopular or uncomfortable. Some might shrug their shoulders and think this level of enthusiasm is for extreme radicals, but may we be reminded that many have willingly sacrificed their lives for their faith. This causes me to wonder if enough evidence could be found to prosecute me. God wants to encourage us today and to remember the same conviction that drew us to Him, is the same stirring we have to serve Him. How else can we prove to God how much we adore Him than to do what He says? Christianity was never supposed to be a oneway relationship where God does everything and we do nothing. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15.

I just thought about what I would do if God told me to do something I didn’t want to do. What would you do? Would we do it or would we ignore Him and justify our disobedience as a misunderstanding? Some would say it depends on what it was. Ha! That’s a good one! Do you believe there are consequences for ignoring the Lord? In my last book, I said the meaning of life is to know and love God, but accepting Christ to be our Lord and Master means our dedication to serve Him is constant, not just when we feel like it. •

Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com