March Madness | Reece's Peaces

In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, March is never just March. It is a season of brackets,  buzzer-beaters, and bold predictions. Whether you bleed blue for the University of Kentucky, cheer for the Cards at the University of Louisville, shout “Hilltoppers!” for Western Kentucky University, or faithfully follow another beloved program, this time of year has a rhythm all its own. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament becomes more than a competition.  It becomes a shared experience that unites families, coworkers, churches, and even friendly  rivals in the pews. 

And yet, for the Church, March also carries another rhythm. It is the season of Lent. 

At first glance, March Madness and Lent could not be more different. One is loud, fast, and unpredictable. The other is quiet, reflective, and intentional. One fills our living rooms with cheers. The other invites us into prayer. But perhaps they have more in common than we think. 

Every year, fans fill out brackets with hope. We study the matchups. We analyze strengths and weaknesses. We dare to believe that this could be the year. There is anticipation in the air. Lent carries its own kind of anticipation. We examine our hearts. We take honest stock of our strengths and weaknesses. We commit to practices that shape us. We dare to believe that God is not finished with us yet. 

In basketball, teams talk about discipline. It is not the flashiest part of the game, but it wins championships. Good shot selection. Strong defense. Smart decisions under pressure. In Lent, we practice spiritual discipline. Prayer. Fasting. Generosity. Repentance. These are not flashy acts. They rarely trend on social media. But they shape champions of the soul. 

And of course, March Madness reminds us that upsets happen. The unexpected team rises. The favored giant falls. In our spiritual lives, Lent reminds us that God specializes in holy upsets. Pride gives way to humility. Despair gives way to hope. Death gives way to resurrection. 

 So as you gather with friends to watch the games, as you text about brackets and celebrate  victories, consider this: What if this season is not only about who advances to the Final Four, but about who we are becoming along the way? 

Cheer loudly. Enjoy the games. Wear your colors proudly. 

But also lean into the deeper work of Lent. Because long after the nets are cut down, the transformation God is shaping in us will endure. 

What is a Cantata? The Sacred Story in Song | Marc's Music Notables

Music has always been the heartbeat of worship. Where spoken words sometimes reach their limit in describing the divine, melody and harmony step in to lift our spirits closer to God. At Hurstbourne Christian Church, we cherish the moments when music becomes more than just a prelude; it becomes the message itself. As we approach one of our major sacred seasons, Easter, it is valuable to understand the deep roots of the musical traditions we enjoy and how we have adapted them to speak vibrantly to our congregation today.

The Roots: The Traditional Sacred Cantata

The term "cantata" sounds formal, but its root is simple. It comes from the Italian word cantare, meaning "to sing." Quite literally, a cantata is a "sung piece." While it has earlier roots, the sacred cantata truly flourished during the Baroque era (roughly 1600–1750), particularly within the Lutheran church in Germany. It wasn't intended as a concert performance. Instead, the cantata was an integral part of the Sunday liturgy, serving as a "musical sermon." It was designed to reflect on and amplify the day's scripture reading, weaving together biblical texts, poetic devotional lyrics, and congregational hymns (chorales).

The Secular Counterpart: Opera

While the church was developing the cantata, the secular world was developing its own musical powerhouse: Opera. Opera and the cantata are musical cousins. They share many of the same tools: both utilize virtuoso soloists, a supporting chorus, and a full orchestra to convey emotion. They both use specific musical devices, such as recitative (a speech-like singing style used to move the plot forward quickly) and arias (emotional, melodic songs in which time stops for reflection).

The difference lies not in the tools, but in the intent. Opera is the precursor of musical theatre, designed for the stage to entertain through human dramas of romance, tragedy, mythology, or comedy. The sacred cantata is a theological drama, designed for the sanctuary to inspire through the divine drama of redemption. One points toward human experience; the other points toward God.

The Hurstbourne Tradition: A Modern Twist

At Hurstbourne Christian Church, we proudly stand in this lineage of musical storytelling, with a distinct, modern approach. We have adopted this time-honored tradition and adapted it to speak directly to the hearts of our current congregation.

 Our "modern twist" is a focus on immersive narrative theology.    We don't just present a collection of holiday songs. Instead, our  Music Ministry crafts a cohesive journey. We utilize gifted soloists to embody the voices of the biblical narrative - perhaps the longing of an Old Testament prophet, the joy of a shepherd, the grief of a disciple at the cross, or the triumph of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. We employ a skilled orchestra to provide the cinematic soundscape that underpins the story's emotional weight. We invite you to mark your calendars and share in this poignant worship      experience with your friends and family as we present the Cantata Calvary’s Lamb on Sunday, March 29, at 10:30 AM.

Lemony Pasta With Shrimp & Capers | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This light pasta is a tasty and quick spring dinner! I tend to keep all of these ingredients on hand,  so it all comes together in less than 30 minutes. The sauce is buttery, a little tangy, a bit salty, and    really delicious. I use Banza chickpea pasta, which gives a nice boost in protein, but any kind of pasta will work. It’s also easy to replace the shrimp with sliced chicken breasts, or switch out the veggies to fit your preferences. Zucchini, yellow squash or asparagus would all be well suited to this dish, so customize away! Sundried tomatoes make a great addition as well. A splash of white wine also wouldn’t be out of place, if that's your style!

Ingredients:

· 1 box of pasta (linguine or penne work well)

· 1 lb. shrimp, thawed, peeled and deveined

· 1 Tbsp olive oil (additional to taste)

· 1 cup broccoli florets

· 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

· 1/2 cup chopped artichokes (optional)

· 1/2 stick of butter

· 1 Tbsp capers (plus brine)

· 1 Tbsp lemon juice

· Garlic powder & Italian seasoning (to taste)

 Directions:

1.  Cook the pasta. Drain and set aside

2.  While water is boiling for pasta, heat the oil in a pan. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp is opaque and firm. Season with garlic powder and salt while cooking.

3.  Drain any liquid from the shrimp and set aside.

4.  Sauté the broccoli until desired tenderness is reached. Add spinach for the last minute of cooking. Season with garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning, to taste.

5.  When vegetables are cooked to taste, reduce heat to low and add butter. Stir until melted.

6.  Stir in lemon juice, artichokes, capers and brine.

7.  Once thoroughly mixed, take a taste and add any additional seasonings, capers, lemon juice, olive oil, or butter depending on your preferences.

8.  When the flavor is satisfactory, add the pasta and shrimp. Toss together gently until everything is thoroughly combined.

9.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

The Sanctuary for Lent 2026 | Reece's Peaces

Each year during the season of Lent, our church sets aside intentional time for reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Lent invites us to slow down, to remember who we are, and to return our hearts toward God as we journey toward Easter. In 2026, we will be walking through the Lenten season together using the devotional The Sanctuary for Lent. 

This year’s devotional invites us to think deeply about the idea of sanctuary. Not only sanctuary  as a physical space, but sanctuary as a way of life and a posture of the heart. During Lent, we are called to examine our practices, habits, and rhythms, and to ask where God might be inviting us to create space for grace, healing, and holy presence. The Sanctuary for Lent encourages us to       cultivate an inner sanctuary where prayer, repentance, hope, and love can take root. 

The devotional is grounded in the scripture readings assigned for the season of Lent. Each week,  it offers reflections that help connect the biblical texts to our everyday lives, along with simple practices designed to deepen our spiritual awareness. These practices are not meant to overwhelm or burden us, but to gently guide us toward a more attentive and faithful way of living during this sacred season. As we move closer to Easter, these reflections and practices will help prepare our hearts to receive the good news of resurrection with renewed joy. 

Throughout Lent, our Sunday worship services will be closely tied to this devotional. Each sermon and service will draw from the weekly readings and practices, inviting us to explore together how we might create sanctuary in our lives, in our church, and in our community. Whether you are new to observing Lent or have practiced it for many years, this shared journey offers an opportunity to grow in connection with God and with one another. 

We encourage everyone to participate as fully as they are able by reading along, trying the weekly practices, and engaging in worship each Sunday. Lent is not a season meant to be traveled alone, and walking this path together strengthens our shared faith. 

· Ash Wednesday: February 18 

· First Sunday in Lent: February 22 

· Second Sunday in Lent: March 1 

· Third Sunday in Lent: March 8 

· Fourth Sunday in Lent: March 15 

· Fifth Sunday in Lent: March 22 

· Sixth Sunday in Lent: March 29 

· Easter Sunday: April 5 

May this Lent be a time when we discover anew the sanctuary God desires to build within us,   preparing our hearts for the promise of Easter morning. 

Lift Your Voice: Join the Choir for "Calvary's Lamb" | Marc's Music Notables

As we prepare our hearts for the Lenten season, Hurstbourne Christian Church invites you to be a part of a powerful musical offering. We are calling all singers (and those willing to learn) to join the choir for our upcoming Palm Sunday Cantata, titled "Calvary's Lamb".

Composed by the always creative Mary McDonald, "Calvary's Lamb" tells the Passion story with consummate words and music. This cantata will feature a chamber orchestra, bringing the same depth and beauty to our worship that we experienced during the Christmas Cantata.

Through this music, we will walk the streets of Jerusalem in the spirited Palm Sunday opening, journey to the Upper Room, wait in the Garden of Gethsemane, and finally stand at the hill of Golgotha. The closing anthem soars with the hope of the pending resurrection.

No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn and sing praise to the Lord. If you are interested, please see Marc to pick up a copy of the music and a listening CD. Rehearsals begin soon! We will meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM, starting on February 25th.

In addition to the cantata, the choir will be preparing select anthems to present throughout the Lenten season and on Easter Sunday:

·  March 15: "Redeemed"

·  March 22: "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"

·  Easter Sunday: "Come, Christians Greet the Day" and "Because He Lives"

For those not joining the choir, we invite you to mark your calendars and share this poignant worship experience with your friends and family.

Palm Sunday Presentation: Sunday, March 29th, at 10:30am.

 

Rehearsal Schedule at a Glance

·  Wed, Feb 25 @ 6:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal (Sing Thru)

·  Wed, Mar 4 @ 6:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal

·  Wed, Mar 11 @ 6:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal 

·  Wed, Mar 18 @ 6:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal 

·  Wed, Mar 25 @ 6:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal

·  Sat, Mar 28 @ 6:00 PM: Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra 

·  Sun, Mar 29: Call time 9:45 AM / Service 10:30 AM 

 We look forward to worshiping with you as we celebrate the Song, the Sacrifice, and the Savior.