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.

Decadent Chocolate Pudding | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This pudding is so creamy and delicious, it’s one of my favorite desserts of all time! It’s extremely rich, though, and it’s best saved for special occasions rather than a frequent treat. It’s also versatile -you can serve it in a chilled wine glass and top it with chocolate shavings or berries to feel extra    fancy, or pour it into a crust and make a tasty chocolate cream pie or tart. Don’t like chocolate?  Just substitute additional extract for the cocoa powder, and you’ve got delectable vanilla pudding! Or swap it out for peanut butter powder. There are so many options, and no matter which route you take, you definitely won’t regret it. It’s the perfect Valentine’s dessert to make for your sweetie!

Ingredients:

· 2 cups organic, grass fed heavy cream (divided into 1/4 cup and 1 3/4 cups)

· 1/2 Tbsp unflavored gelatin powder    (add a little extra if you prefer a thicker, custard-like texture)

· 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

· 1/4 cup organic cocoa powder

· 1/4 tsp salt

· 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.  Bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it evenly over the 1/4 cup of heavy cream, then whisk together immediately. Set aside. The mixture will thicken while you do the rest.

2.  In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together the remaining heavy cream, maple syrup, cocoa powder and sea salt. Heat, whisking constantly, for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and starting to bubble. Don't let it boil.

3.  Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4.  Add the gelatin, which will be thick. Whisk until smooth and dissolved.

5.  Let cool for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to remove the film that forms

6.  Pour into pie crust, serving dishes, or a glass bowl. You can cover with plastic wrap to prevent  a film from forming on top, if desired.

7.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, until firm. Top with whipped cream, berries or shavings and enjoy!

Who Do You Say That I Am? | Reece's Peaces

Beginning January 11, we will launch a new sermon series titled Who Do You Say That  I Am? The question Jesus asks his disciples continues to shape the life of the church today. 

This series does not seek a single, simple answer. Instead, it invites us to meet Jesus as he appears throughout the Gospels, revealed as teacher, healer, companion, and Christ. Each week offers a fresh window into who Jesus is and how these encounters  continue to speak to our faith today. 

Our journey through this series is not about finding the perfect words to describe Jesus. It is about deepening our relationship with someone beyond full understanding and growing in love for someone who is everything to us. Jesus’ question is both deeply  personal and profoundly communal. Who do you say that I am? And who do we, together as the church, say that Jesus is in this time and place? 

As we move through January and into early February, this series will provide space for reflection, honesty, and renewed curiosity. It acknowledges that our understanding of Jesus can grow, shift, and deepen as we walk with him. Whether you come with confidence, questions, or a mix of both, there is room for you in this  conversation. 

We hope you will join us each Sunday as we listen for Christ’s voice, encounter his presence, and consider how following Jesus continues to shape who we are called to be.

Take the Name of Jesus with You (Precious Name) | Marc's Music Notables

Names were important in the Bible.  When God called Abram, he changed Abram’s name to Abraham, because “You will be the father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis 17:4).  He changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 35:10), which would become the name of God’s people.  The scriptures, especially the Old Testament, often explain the significance of a person’s name, and sometimes tell the story of God changing a person’s name to fit a new calling.

Jesus’ name is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Joshua, which means “Yahweh (God) saves.”  The New Testament gives Jesus many titles (Christ, Messiah, Lord, Master, etc.), but Jesus (“God saves”) is his name.

Lydia Baxter (1800-1874) enjoyed teaching people the significance of Biblical names - especially Jesus’ name.  She had authored a number of hymns, and in 1870 wrote this one.

Of the many hymns that she authored, only this one survives in today’s hymnals.  It calls people to take the name of Jesus with them, because it “will joy and comfort give you” (v. 1) and because Jesus’ name serves as “a shield from every snare” (v. 2).

The phrase “Hope of earth and joy of heaven,” is worth consideration.  Hope (which we have on earth) is future-oriented.  Jesus gives us the hope of salvation - a vision of a heavenly kingdom which we have attained in part but will attain fully only in the future. 

 Joy, however, is something enjoyed in the present, and heaven has already begun to experience the joy of Jesus’ salvation work.  It already knows that we on earth are in the midst of learning.