Christmas In October | Reece's Peaces

As we approach the end of October, our congregation reaches a major milestone in our "Through the Bible in One Year" journey. In October, we will officially step out of the Old Testament and cross the threshold into the New Testament. On October 25th, we will be having a "Christmas in October" service to study the birth of Jesus Christ. While we will certainly celebrate the nativity again when December arrives, starting the New Testament naturally brings us face to face with the arrival of our Savior.

It has been a long and rewarding journey through the pages of the Old Testament. Some might wonder why we spent so much time studying those ancient texts, but the Old Testament is far from an outdated prelude. It forms the essential foundation of our entire faith. The Bible is, at its heart, the living history of God’s relationship with humanity. That sacred story begins in Genesis and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When we look back over the past several months, we can clearly trace how this divine relationship grew. We saw its earliest beginnings in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. From there, God formed a personal covenant with Abraham and his descendants. We watched that promise expand into an entire nation as God delivered the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt, gave them His law, and led them into the Promised Land.

Later, we explored the era of the kings, witnessing the rise of Israel under David and Solomon as it grew into a powerful kingdom. Yet we also walked through the sorrow of spiritual drift, watching the nation divide and eventually fall, leading to the painful darkness of the Babylonian exile. Through every trial, God remained faithful to His promise. He preserved a holy remnant, brought His people back to their homeland, and guided them as they rebuilt their lives and their temple.

All of these historical events laid the groundwork for the world into which Jesus was born. Even during those ancient times, God was preparing to reveal that He was not merely a localized deity, but the one true God over all creation. As we enter the New Testament, we will watch that relationship blossom and expand far beyond the borders of the ancient Near East. What began with a single family in the desert has grown into a global movement that covers every corner of the earth today.

The Old Testament is not something to be set aside or forgotten. It is the rock upon which our understanding of Christ is built. As we celebrate our Christmas in October on the 25th, let us carry the deep rich history of God’s faithfulness with us into the Gospels.

A Symphony Of Faith | Marc's Music Notables

Once a month at Hurstbourne Christian Church, a distinct acoustic warmth fills our sanctuary. The rich, resonating depths of the cello, the balanced mid-tones of the viola, and the bright, expressive soar of two violins weave together around our choir and congregational voices.

While instrumental music is common in modern worship, featuring a live string quartet each month is a rare and distinct blessing. It bridges timeless art, deep spiritual reflection, and our unique heritage as Disciples of Christ.

Music in worship is never mere background filler; it is an active ministry. Where spoken words convey doctrine and petition, music engages the heart, enabling us to express awe, gratitude, and devotion that lie beyond speech.

Strings, in particular, mirror the human voice more closely than almost any other instrumental family. A bow moving across a string carries a breathing quality, a swell and sustain, that creates an immediate atmosphere of reverent stillness during preludes, enhances meditation during Communion, and adds grandeur to congregational singing.

To fully appreciate why having a string quartet in our worship space is special, it helps to look back at our denominational roots. Within the Restoration Movement (out of which the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) grew), the use of instruments in worship was once a subject of intense debate during the 19th century:

A Cappella Foundations - 1800s - Early 1850s

Early Stone-Campbell worship relied strictly on a cappella singing. Leaders emphasized simple, accessible congregational voices without mechanical accompaniment, mirroring early New Testament practices.

The First Instruments - 1851 - 1860s

In 1851, the Christian Church in Midway, Kentucky installed a small melodeon (reed organ) to assist key pitch and congregational harmony, sparking widespread debate across the movement.

Embracing Instrumental Variety - Late 19th - 20th Century

As congregations grew, the Disciples of Christ embraced musical instruments as vital tools for worship. Organs, pianos, and brass ensembles became common fixtures to guide congregational praise.

Today, as Disciples of Christ, we celebrate freedom in worship and the wide variety of gifts God gives us. What began as a debate over basic pipe-organ accompaniment has expanded into a tradition that embraces fine orchestral composition to enhance our worship.

In many modern churches, instrumental accompaniment leans either strictly toward an electronic band or entirely toward a traditional pipe organ. Offering a professional, chamber-style string quartet once a month sets our worship apart from other congregations.

As we look forward to our upcoming worship services, let us give thanks for all the musicians who share their gifts with us, and for a church that values a worshiping tradition that continues to find fresh, beautiful ways to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

GF Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This recipe was shared with me by a dear friend, and it's the perfect treat to embrace fall! She recently brought these cookies to a party, and they were a big hit. You'd never know that gluten free treats could be so good!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/2 cup shortening (or more butter)*

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 cup white sugar

• 3 cups gluten free flour**

• 1 cup gluten free oats

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 egg

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup chocolate chips

• 1 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine flour, oats, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.

2. Mix butter, shortening (if using), and sugars until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract.

3. Slowly add dry ingredients to the mixture, alternating with the pumpkin. Mix until entirely incorporated.

4. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using).

5. Drop spoonfuls onto a lined or greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

7. Let cool and enjoy!

Recipe notes:

*Crisco is the most commonly used shortening. If you prefer not to use it, you can substitute with an equal amount of additional butter, or with coconut oil (use a 3/4 ratio to the amount of shortening suggested).

** Measure for measure GF flours can turn out really dense. I suggest substituting half the amount with almond flour for a lighter texture, unless you're working with a brand you've used before.

The Prophets | Reece's Peaces

We have officially moved past our study of judges and kings and into the era of the prophets. However, calling this a new chapter in biblical history can be a bit misleading. The prophets did not simply show up after the kings disappeared. They lived, ministered, and challenged leadership right alongside the judges and kings throughout all of Israel's history.

Prophetic voices are woven through the entire fabric of Scripture. In fact, scholars do not even have a single, conclusive count of how many prophets exist in the Bible because the role was so dynamic and varied. Elijah challenged a nation on a mountaintop, Deborah judged and prophesied beneath a palm tree, Jonah traveled to a foreign land, and Huldah authenticated sacred scrolls for a king. Some prophets served directly in royal courts, others wandered the countryside, and many were ordinary people called into extraordinary moments.

Despite their different backgrounds, every true prophet shared a common calling: proclaiming the truth of God, especially when it was painful to hear.

When King David abused his power and attempted to cover up his sin, it was the prophet Nathan who stood before the monarch and confronted him directly. Earlier in history, it was Samuel who anointed kings, establishing God's authority over human leadership. The prophets never adjusted their message to make it comfortable for those in power. They held a mirror up to individuals and society alike.

Over the next few weeks, our sermon series will dive deeper into the lives and messages of these courageous messengers. We will look at prophets who spoke directly to rulers, but also those whose primary audience was the public at large.

Their messages were direct and unflinching. They looked closely at the world around them and spoke out against corrupt worship that went through the motions of tradition while hearts were far from God. They defended the poor and oppressed against exploitation by the wealthy. They called out the cruel abuses of foreign empires like Babylon, as well as the home-grown tyranny of Israel's own rulers.

The prophets serve as a powerful blueprint for us today. They show us what it looks like to remain steadfastly faithful to God even when the culture around us turns away. Most importantly, their lives remind us that real power does not come from wealth, social status, or political influence. True power comes from standing firmly in the truth of God.

Lift Your Voice This Season | Marc's Music Notables

Join the Choir for "A Noel Celebration"

As the holiday season approaches, I am thrilled to invite anyone who loves to sing to join the Hurstbourne Christian Church Choir for our upcoming Christmas cantata! Whether you are a lifelong vocalist or simply love making a joyful noise, there is a place for you. No previous experience is required, just a willing heart and a desire to sing.

Kickoff & Rehearsal Schedule

We will be holding our choir kickoff on Wednesday, September 23, at 6:00 PM. Regular rehearsals will take place on Wednesday nights from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This timing is intentionally designed so that anyone wanting to attend the Wednesday night Bible study can easily participate in both! If you are interested in singing, please join us for an event featuring a preview of the music, food, and fellowship!

Like in years past, the choir will help lead our Sunday morning worship services on:

• October 25

• November 21

• December 6

• December 13

The Cantata: Sounds & Stories of Christmas

All of our preparation will culminate in a magnificent presentation on Sunday, December 20, when we will perform "A Noel Celebration: Sounds and Stories of Christmas" for the morning worship service. Joined by our chamber orchestra, this event creates a beautifully elevated worship experience for our congregation.

The morning will begin with a stirring Overture composed by our very own Zachariah Preston! Throughout the cantata, moving narrations will weave the Christmas story together with a diverse selection of anthems. The choir will sing everything from the joyful "O Come Little Children" and "Mary Had A Baby/Amen!" to the rousing "Rise Up Children, Arise!"

Beyond the music itself, participating in the choir is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level. If you are new to Hurstbourne Christian Church, joining us on Wednesday nights is a fantastic way to plug into a small group environment. It offers a warm, welcoming space to build meaningful friendships, share in fellowship, and get to know more people within our church family.

If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful musical offering, please join us on September 23rd. I look forward to making music with you!