Caesar Salad w/ Homemade Dressing - Jenna's Favorites

It’s amazing how easy it is to make your own salad dressings at home with just a few simple        ingredients! This vegan Caesar dressing is one of my favorites. A lot of recipes will call for egg yolk or anchovies, which many people do not tolerate well. This recipe uses hummus as a base,  and is generally safe for most people with food allergies. You can take it to the next level by also    making your own croutons with whatever bread you prefer, including gluten-free or paleo options.  I make this regularly for dinners with friends, and consistently get positive reviews!

 Ingredients:

For Dressing

· 1 cup plain organic hummus

· 2 Tbsp olive oil

· 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

· 2 Tbsp lemon juice

· 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

· 2 Tbsp capers (plus the brine)

· 2 tsp garlic powder

· Salt, to taste

For Salad

· Romaine lettuce or mixed greens

· Shaved parmesan cheese

· Croutons (bonus points for homemade!)

 Directions:

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients for dressing and blend until smooth. You can also use a tall jar and an immersion blender.

2. Taste a small amount of the dressing. If the flavor of the hummus is too strong, add a little more of the lemon juice, vinegar, or capers & brine, depending on your preference. Blend and taste again. Continue adding small amounts of whatever seems to be lacking until the taste is satisfactory. Keep in mind that the flavor will not be quite as strong once the dressing is   tossed into the salad, so it should taste pretty strong on its own.

3. Prepare the salad greens and toss them with dressing.

4. Top with croutons and parmesan. Serve immediately.

 Notes:

· You can prepare the dressing a day or two ahead of time and store in the fridge. It will be thicker when it’s cold, so you’ll want to pull it out of the fridge a couple hours before serving and let it warm until it gets back to the right consistency.

· It’s pretty easy to make your own croutons! Just take a few slices of whatever bread you like (I use a gluten-free bread made with paleo ingredients). Cut each slice into small cubes, then toss the cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings. Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 for 15-20 min. Flip them halfway through baking, and check them every few minutes to prevent burning.

Happiness In Christ - Reece's Peace's

The US Declaration of Independence defines one of our inalienable rights as the “Pursuit of Happiness.” But for many of us, that pursuit feels like a constant chase, a fleeting feeling that disappears with the next deadline or unexpected bill.

Here at Hurstbourne Christian Church, we're starting a new sermon series called "Happiness in Christ." Over the next few weeks, we'll delve into the idea of Christian happiness, a happiness that goes far beyond fleeting moments of joy.

Overcoming Challenges

In the boxing world, there’s a famous quote from Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Now, I hope that none of you are regularly experiencing a literal punch in the mouth, but there’s a parallel in life. We can all find happiness when things are smooth sailing, but when life throws its unexpected punches, it can be challenging to sustain that happiness. Perseverance in the face of adversity can be as crucial to our happiness as almost anything else. Christ promises to stand with us in every moment of our lives, but nowhere does He promise an easy journey.

Gratitude & Thanksgiving

The practice of thanksgiving helps us recognize that whatever we have is sufficient. There will always be individuals with more or less, people who go hungry, and others who discard food we would gladly consume. Offering thanks to God only when we feel like we have enough isn’t truly being thankful. Instead, it’s essential to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. This way, regardless of what you have or the circumstances you face, you are thankful to God for the breath in your lungs and the life you have at this very moment. Life itself is a precious gift that we are meant to carry with us.

Serving Others & Happiness

As we learn more about God, we often realize that material possessions do not equate to happiness. We understand the significance of serving others and spreading love, as exemplified by Christ. This presents an opportunity to redirect our focus from the worldly desires imposed upon us to a deeper, more spiritual passion that aligns with Christ’s teachings

Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Marc Music Notables

Julia Ward Howe was born into a wealthy family in New York City in 1819. Descended from Roger Williams and two governors of Rhode Island, she mixed socially with such luminaries as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Charles Dickens. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) counted himself as her friend.

In 1843 she married Samuel Gridley Howe, eighteen years her senior. An autocratic husband, he sharply limited her activities and took charge of her money, which he managed ruinously. When he died in 1876, she wrote in her diary, “Start my new life today.”

Howe used her writing and speaking skills to promote a number of causes, including women’s rights, education reform, and the abolition of slavery.

In 1861, she traveled to Washington D.C., where she met with Abraham Lincoln at the White House. She also visited a Union army camp, where she heard soldiers singing, “John Brown’s body lies a’molderin’ in the grave” - a song honoring John Brown, a prominent abolitionist who had been hanged for treason against the state of Virginia in 1859.

Howe’s pastor, the Reverend James Freeman Clarke, asked her to consider writing new words to that tune. That night, in her hotel room, the words came to mind as she tried to sleep. She got up and wrote them hastily on an old piece of paper. She then offered her poem to The Atlantic Monthly magazine, which published it in February 1862, sending her a check for five dollars.

Chaplain C.C. McCabe of the Union army heard the song, and began to teach it to the soldiers in his command. It soon spread to soldiers in other units, and finally to ordinary citizens of the Union States. It became incredibly popular, making Howe famous.

The song is couched in the language of Christ’s Second Coming - a time when Christ will “sift out the hearts of men before His judgment seat.” Howe’s “grapes of wrath” in the first verse alludes to the passage in Revelation 14:19, which speaks of “the great winepress of the wrath of God.”

Howe’s mention of “the trumpet that shall never sound retreat” might allude to the trumpets of Revelation 8, where seven angels sound seven trumpets. However, that phrase spoke loudly to soldiers who, in the confusion of battle, received their commands from trumpet sounds. A “trumpet that shall never sound retreat” was an inspiring image for those soldiers.

Howe’s song continues to enjoy great popularity. Lyndon Johnson had it sung at his inauguration in 1965. Andy Williams sang it at Robert Kennedy’s funeral in 1968.

But the loveliest story comes from James Humes, a presidential speechwriter. Humes interviewed General Eisenhower a few weeks after Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965. He asked Eisenhower to talk about the most moving moment of that funeral - and Eisenhower mentioned this song. He noted that Churchill had learned this song at his American mother’s knee. It was one of his favorites.

Battle Hymn Of The Republic Eisenhower said, “We all know the first verse, ‘Mine eyes have seen the glory’ - but do you know the third verse? Because there I was seated with heads of state - Charles de Gaulle of France, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. King Olav of Norway, King Baudoin of Belgium, heads of nations whose freedom had been redeemed by the warrior who lay in state only yards before us:

“And I could see feelings of gratitude and reverence mist their eyes as they did my own as we all sang:

‘He sounded forth the trumpet that never called retreat. His will goes marching on.’ ”

(From Humes’ book, Confessions of a White House Ghostwriter)

Red, White & Blue Berry Pizza - Jenna's Favorites

4th of July celebrations are the perfect occasion for this patriotic dessert! A simple crust, creamy topping, and some mixed berries are all you need to have a festive and tasty treat for your holiday gatherings. Slice and serve just like pizza!

Ingredients:

For Crust

• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped

• 1 & 1/4 cup almond flour

• 2 Tbsp coconut flour

• 1 egg

• 1-2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp salt For Topping

• 1/3 cup plain Greek or non-diary yogurt

• 8 oz cream cheese or coconut cream (the thick stuff)

• 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1-2 cups blueberries/raspberries/blackberries/ sliced strawberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the crust and mix thoroughly.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer crust mix to the sheet. Press the dough into a round or rectangular shape with hands. When roughly formed, cover with another sheet of parchment and roll out with a rolling pin until it’s 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

4. Bake for approximately 16 minutes, until the edges are golden. Remove from oven and let cool.

5. While crust is cooling, combine all ingredients for topping in another bowl, except the berries. Mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

6. Once crust is completely cooled, spread the topping mixture over it, then top with the berries. You can be as artistic and creative with the design as you want, or simply scatter them around. It all tastes delicious, no matter what you do!

7. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice into small pieces and enjoy!

*You can make the crust and topping mixture ahead of time, but it’s best to wait to assemble the whole thing until shortly before serving. If it’s assembled too far in advance, the crust may get soggy.

**Banana slices make an excellent addition & fit in with the red, white & blue theme. If you aren’t going for a patriotic theme, you can add any kind of fruit that you enjoy

Homemade BBQ Sauce -

You may or may not realize that most barbeque sauces sold in grocery stores are packed full of things like high fructose corn syrup, modified food starch, preservatives, dyes, and all sorts of things that are generally not healthy for human consumption.

What you probably didn’t know is just how easy it is to make your own barbeque sauce at home with simple, wholesome ingredients. Seriously, it only takes 5 minutes to throw together, and you can customize each batch with a unique flavor profile depending on your tastes. What could be better?

Here’s my favorite recipe for homemade barbeque sauce, with some suggested customizations depending on your palate. This makes a great marinade for grilling, or you can use it to create a wonderful meal by throwing it in a crockpot over some chicken meatballs, bell peppers, onions, broccoli and pineapple. Serve it over some jasmine rice and you’re all set!

 Ingredients:

· 1 can of tomato sauce (15oz)

· 2 Tblsp tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos

· 2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

· 1 Tblsp Dijon or yellow  mustard

 · 2 tsp garlic powder

· 1 tsp onion powder

· 1 tsp smoked paprika

· 1 tsp chili powder

· Salt/pepper to taste

 Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients and stir thoroughly until smoothly mixed

2. That’s it!

 * The amounts of the ingredients are not exact. Start with these proportions as a base, and then add more of whatever you like. I like to add a little extra garlic, onion powder, and paprika. See the     potential customization options below.

* Making this recipe ahead of time and storing it in the fridge for several hours allows the flavors to really pull together, so it’s recommended to make it a day in advance if possible.

 Optional Customizations

· If you like a sweeter sauce, add a tablespoon of maple syrup, pineapple juice, or orange juice. Start with a small amount and add more if needed. A little sweet goes a long way in this recipe!

· If you like a spicy sauce, add some cayenne pepper, chili flakes, sriracha, or hot sauce to taste.

· If you like a tangy sauce, add some extra vinegar or lemon juice. You can also swap out balsamic vinegar for the other kinds if you want a richer sauce.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - Marc's Music Notables

The words for this hymn were written by one great man and the music by another. The words were written by Henry van Dyke, a great 19th Century clergyman, poet, and educator. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, van Dyke later taught English literature at Princeton University. It must have been in that setting that he came to know Woodrow Wilson, the university president, who appointed van Dyke to be Ambassador to the Netherlands when Wilson became President of the United States in 1913.

The music for this hymn comes from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. While Beethoven never wrote hymns, a number of people adapted portions of his music to serve as hymn tunes. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” is the best known of those.

Van Dyke was quite taken by the joyful sound of Beethoven’s Ninth, and thought that it should be used as a hymn tune. Others had tried without great success. Then, while van Dyke was serving as guest preacher at Williams College in Massachusetts, he was seized by inspiration - perhaps because of the beauty of the surrounding mountains. He presented it to the college president to be sung in the chapel.

Van Dyke was the author of the Christmas story, “The Other Wise Man,” and wrote several books of poetry. He was known for his devotional writings as well. But this hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” is his more enduring work. 

Why? - Reece's Peaces

Since the 1960s, it has been observed that select individuals among chimpanzees and gorillas have the ability to understand sign language. While not all members of these species possess this skill, a number of them have been successfully taught basic signs. The extent of their understanding of language, signed or otherwise, is a topic of ongoing debate. However, numerous observations have confirmed that they can grasp the concept of human language at a rudimentary level. 

Interestingly, all these studies share a peculiar commonality. Despite a demonstrated  ability to respond to questions and comment on their surroundings, no ape has ever been  documented asking a question. This is particularly intriguing given that their vocabulary is often likened to that of a young child, a demographic known for their insatiable curiosity and incessant questioning. This raises the question: if apes can comprehend    language to the same degree as a two-year-old child, why can’t they grasp the concept of posing a question in the same manner? 

From a theological perspective, this could be a testament to the unique nature of  human curiosity. Humans are seldom satisfied with not knowing the reasons behind the world’s workings. As stated in Genesis, we were created in the image of God, a being that possesses knowledge of every ‘why’. When my son asks me why the sky is blue, and I respond with an explanation about it being a reflection of the water (an explanation that may or may not be accurate), he is attempting to uncover another ‘why’, striving to emulate God in his quest for knowledge. 

 As we navigate through life, it is crucial  that we nurture our inquisitive spirit. Our capacity to question is, in many ways, a   reflection of our divine likeness. It is our relentless pursuit of knowledge, of answers known only to God, that brings us closer to our faith and, in turn, closer to God. Perhaps our innate curiosity is a manifestation of a deeper yearning. 

Healthy No-Bake Cookies - Jenna's Favorites

If you need something sweet to snack on, but don’t want to consume a bunch of empty calories or massive amounts of sugar, these cookies are the way to go! They’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients, and taste absolutely delicious. Plus they’re super easy and quick to whip up. You don’t even need to heat up the oven!

You can customize these cookies by making them more or less sweet, more or less chocolatey, and by adding whatever mix-ins you enjoy the best. I prefer a mix of unsweetened crispy rice and oats, but you can use different cereals, nuts, or even espresso beans if you want them to pack a little jolt.

Fair warning, though - they will melt all over your fingers as you eat them, so be prepared for some finger-licking… or keep a napkin handy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Coconut Oil

• 2 cups Peanut Butter or Other Nut Butter

• 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, or Agave

• 4 tsp Vanilla Extract

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• 12 Tbsp cocoa

• 4 cups Mix-Ins (crispy rice, oats, nuts, etc.)

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the coconut oil over low heat.

2. Add peanut butter or other nut butter and melt together until smooth, then stir in the maple syrup or other sweetener (start with 1/2 cup and increase to taste if you don’t like things that are too sweet, or add a little extra if you want them super sweet).

3. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

4. Start adding the cocoa powder, stirring in a couple of tablespoons at a time. If you want them less rich, use less cocoa. If you like your chocolate super dark, add a few extra tablespoons.

5. Once everything is smooth, remove from heat and add your mix-ins.

6. Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Use a large spoon to drop clumps of the mix onto the sheet, spaced apart an inch or so.

7. Place baking sheet(s) in the refrigerator or freezer until the cookies solidify.

8. Once cookies are solid, you can remove them from the sheet and enjoy, or you can put them away.

These cookies should be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them, or they will melt and make a mess… but that’s really just part of the fun!

God Be With You - Marc's Music Notables

In 1880, Dr. Jeremiah Rankin, Pastor of First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C., was looking for a farewell hymn to close the worship service. “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” was a possibility, but he wanted something less formal - more engaging.

Not finding the hymn he was looking for, he set out to write it. He took a dictionary from his bookshelf, and began looking at words such as “farewell” and “goodbye” to see if they would spark his imagination. The definition that he found for “goodbye” included the words “God be with you” - and so a hymn was born.

Dr. Rankin wrote a verse and chorus for his new hymn, and sent them to two people asking for a tune. He chose the tune written by William Tomer, a part-time church musician, and was so enthusiastic that he sat down and wrote seven more verses.

Ira Sankey, the music director for Dwight L. Moody, learned of the hymn and began using it as a closing hymn in Moody’s evangelistic services, popularizing it worldwide.

“God Be With You” is a simple hymn that uses a good deal of repetition throughout. Perhaps that is part of its charm. It is like a simple prayer - words from the heart - expressing again and again the lovely sentiment, “God be with you till we meet again.”

The Priesthood of All Believers - Reece's Peace's

The concept of the priesthood of all believers is fundamental to our practices at Hurstbourne Christian Church. However, while it's ingrained in what we do, not everyone may grasp its meaning right away. Recently, I had a conversation with someone who was puzzled by our belief that we are all part of this priesthood. They were particularly confused because we don't refer to anyone as a priest, although we do have ordained and commissioned ministers. This confusion often stems from the difference between priests and ministers in various Christian traditions.

In churches like the Catholic or Orthodox Church, priests serve as intermediaries between individuals and Jesus, facilitating connections through sacraments like confession. On the other hand, in the Disciples of Christ tradition, ministers view their role differently. We don't see ourselves as intercessors between you and Jesus. Rather, we see it as our responsibility to guide and support you in developing your personal relationship with Him. This distinction lies at the heart of why we perceive ministry differently from priesthood.

The priesthood of all believers, for us, means that everyone has the capacity to connect directly with Jesus without needing an intermediary. It's not about everyone becoming a formal minister or preacher, but rather recognizing that each of us can communicate with our Lord on a personal level. We all share in this ability equally. There's no hierarchy or privileged access when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.

So, when I speak about the priesthood of all believers, I'm not suggesting that everyone should pursue formal ministry roles. Instead, I'm emphasizing the importance of nurturing our individual connections with Jesus, understanding the profound privilege it is to communicate with our Creator regardless of our roles or titles. This is the essence of the empowering gift we have as Christians and as members of the holy priesthood of Christ.

Why Allergies? - Reece's Peace's

Spring has officially arrived, bringing with it allergy season to the Ohio Valley. Tissue boxes are flying off the shelves, and yellow pollen is settling on car hoods, patio chairs, and anything else left outside. Despite Spring’s beauty, few of us here in Kentucky are immune to the discomfort that allergies bring.

This leads me to question, why would God make so many of us allergic to His very creation? Why does my nose begin to run the moment I step outside during the very season when all I desire is to escape from my winter hibernation and soak up the sun?

When facing our seasonal adversary, allergies, we might question the goodness of God. However, our understanding of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ is often limited and influenced by our immediate comfort and convenience.

Consider allergies from a different perspective. In many ways, they are a testament to the incredible nature of our bodies, designed to protect us from potential harm. Our sneezes and watery eyes, despite their inconvenience, are our body’s way of expelling foreign particles. It is our immune system at work, tirelessly laboring to keep us healthy.

Challenging times, like the allergy season, can bring about growth and resilience in us. They remind us of our shared human experience, fostering empathy and community as we all navigate these ‘sneezing’ days together. They teach us patience, resilience, and the ability to find joy even in times of discomfort.

Why would a good God allow something like allergies? Perhaps it’s His way of reminding us of the strength He has given us, both in our bodies and our spirits.

As we step into the vibrant outdoors this Spring, let’s carry our tissues with gratitude and resilience. For we know that this too shall pass, and we will be left stronger and more appreciative of the ‘sneeze-free’ days. Even in the yellow haze of spring, we can see the goodness of God, not despite the challenges, but within them.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today - Marc's Music Notables

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739, less than a year after his Aldersgate conversion. It was first sung in the Foundry Meeting House, an old iron foundry in London that Wesley converted to religious purposes.

Wesley’s original version had eleven stanzas, but did not have the Alleluias that distinguish it today. Some hymns perfectly capture the spirit of their season, which is true of this hymn. Both hymn tunes associated with this hymn (“Easter Hymn” and “Llanfair”) have solid and driving rhythms that make us want to “raise the rafters” with joyful singing. The first line, “Christ the Lord is risen today,” sets the tone and tells us what we are celebrating. “Raise your joys and triumphs high” suggests how to celebrate. The Alleluias soar.

The hymn portrays both the resurrection and the crucifixion. It tells us, "Love’s redeeming work is done, fought the fight, the battle won.” It says, “Death in vain forbids him rise.” But the resurrection is the dominant theme, as we would expect in an Easter hymn.

However, the hymn we have today differs from the one that Charles Wesley wrote. The original hymn had no Alleluias. It seems as if the hand of God directed what came next. Someone whose name has been lost in time decided to set the words to the tune that we now use, a tune by a composer whose name has also been lost in time. But the words didn’t fit the tune, so he added the Alleluias to make it fit.

The perfect Easter hymn came into being through the work of three different people who probably never met. It is unlikely that any of the three had any idea how much their hymn would add to our celebration of Easter.

While this hymn is primarily reserved for Easter Sunday morning worship, it remains a reminder throughout the year that “made like Him, like Him, we rise, ours the cross, the grave, the skies!”

Mushroom Risotto - Jenna's Favorites

Kentucky is blessed to be a prime location for mushrooms in the spring! Whether you like to go out foraging for your own, pick some up at a local farmers market, or buy them at a grocery store, this risotto is a fantastic way to utilize whatever kind of mushrooms you may fancy.

Personally, I don’t care for an overly strong or earthy mushroom flavor, so I usually use Lion’s Mane (which looks like fuzzy cauliflower and has a mild, neutral taste, plus lots of health benefits). You can use any type of mushroom that you enjoy, but I highly recommend varieties like oyster, chestnut, and especially the elusive morel (if you manage to find them somehow – in that case, please let me know where!). Arborio rice is the type that’s most highly recommended for risotto, but you can use whatever kind of rice that you prefer or have on hand.

This recipe requires an hour or so to make, but the result is rich and delicious… totally worth the time it takes! I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, feel free to customize things to your tastes.

Ingredients:

• Chopped Mushrooms, about 2 cups

• 3 cups Chicken Broth

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil

• ½ cup Diced Onion

• Minced Garlic (as much as you like)

• ¾ cups Arborio Rice (or preferred rice)

• Herbs & Seasonings, to taste

• 2 Tbsp Butter

• ½ cup Parmesan (or other cheese)

Directions:

1. Make sure your mushrooms are clean from dirt and debris by gently brushing them off before chopping into small pieces. (Washing mushrooms is not recommended, as it will make them waterlogged.)

2. In a small saucepan, heat the chicken broth to a simmer.

3. Cook mushrooms in a large, dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.

4. In the same pan, add olive oil and onion. Cook onion until it begins to soften.

5. Add garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.

6. Add the rice and stir to combine. Cook until rice begins to turn a golden color, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

7. Add salt to taste and any other seasonings you choose. I like to add extra garlic powder and onion powder, as well as some dried herbs at this point.

8. Once the rice is “toasted,” use a ladle to add about ½ cup of warm broth to the rice mixture and stir. Wait until the broth absorbs into the rice, then continue to add one ladle of broth at a time. Don’t rush this part of the process! It’s important to add the broth slowly and wait for it to fully absorb before adding more. (The exact amount of broth you need may fluctuate. You might not use it all, or you may need a little extra.)

9. When the broth is absorbed and the rice is tender, add the mushrooms. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Top with cheese and serve while hot.

*Optional Additions: • Add a small amount of dry white wine as the rice finishes toasting, before adding the broth. • As a final step, add some heavy cream along with the butter for extra creamy risotto, or add a pinch of chili flakes if you want an added kick.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Recipe sourced from: frommichigantothetable.com

Easter & Springtime - Reece's Peaces

This month we bid farewell to the cold winter and welcome the vibrant hues of spring. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth in nature. This transformation beautifully mirrors the spiritual journey we undertake during Easter.

Spring is a season of awakening. The once barren trees burst into bloom, animals emerge from their winter slumber, and the earth seems to come alive with a renewed vigor. This natural reawakening symbolizes the promise of life after death, a central theme in the story of Easter.

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after his crucifixion. It’s a testament to the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and good over evil. Just as spring breathes new life into the world around us, Easter reminds us of the new life that Jesus promises.

The parallel between spring and Easter is profound. As Christians, we believe in the promise of renewal through Christ’s resurrection. The transformation we see in nature during spring serves as a tangible reminder of this spiritual renewal. The budding flowers and chirping birds echo the joy of the resurrection, reinforcing our faith in the promise of eternal life.

As we journey through the season of Lent towards the joyous day of Easter, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of spring and its symbolism. Let the blooming flowers remind us of the resurrection, and the chirping birds’ songs of the joy that Easter brings. In this season of renewal, both in nature and spirit, let’s strive to renew our faith, hope, and love.

In the heart of spring, we see the essence of Easter. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is mirrored in the rebirth of the world around us. This spring, let us embrace the spirit of renewal and resurrection. Let us look to the blooming flowers as symbols of hope, the singing birds as messengers of joy, and the warming sun as a reminder of God’s love. As we celebrate Easter, let us remember that just as spring brings new life to the world, Jesus brings new life to us

Amazing Grace - Marc's Music Notables

John Newton’s earliest memories were of his godly mother, who devoted herself to nurturing his soul despite his fragile health. At her knee, he memorized Bible passages and hymns. Though she died when he was about seven, he later recalled her tearful prayers for him.

After her death, John alternated between boarding school and the high seas. Pressed into service with the British Navy, he deserted, was captured, and flogged. More voyages, dangers, toils, and snares followed. It was a life unrivaled in fiction, as he eventually became the slave of a slave in Africa.

Then, on the night of March 9, 1748, John, 23, was jolted awake aboard a ship by a brutal storm. He cried to the Lord in great peril and began a slow spiritual journey that eventually transformed his life. The next several years were ones of slow, halting progress. Still, in the end, John Newton became one of the most potent evangelical preachers in British history, a powerful foe of slavery and the slave trade, and the author of hundreds of hymns.

“Amazing Grace” is his hymn of testimony, originally written to accompany a New Year’s Day sermon Newton preached on January 1, 1773, from the text 1 Chronicles 17:16-17. “I once was lost,” he said, “but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

Hymns are distillations of the wealthiest truths of God, versified, emotionalized, set to music, and released in the mind and from the mouth. They’re miniature Bible studies that lead us effortlessly to worship, testimony, exhortation, prayer, and praise. They’re bursts of devotional richness with rhyme and rhythm. They clear our minds, soothe our nerves, verbalize our worship, summarize our faith, and sing our great Redeemer’s praise.

Everyone should have a hymnbook on their desk and a song of praise in their hearts. Lots of good music will improve our moods, but the great hymns of the faith will fill our hearts with the truths of God and lift our spirits in praise

Tuna & Salmon Fritters - Jenna's Favorite Recipes

These fritters are a quick, simple, and tasty way to get some extra protein. Despite being fried, they are a relatively healthy meal option and fit into a low carb lifestyle. You can make these using canned tuna, salmon, a combination of both, or any other canned fish. I prefer to use a mix of tuna and Costco’s canned salmon, which is wild caught and has no skin or bones to pick through. As always, feel free to customize this to your preferences! You can add all sorts of seasonings to change the flavor profile, and they taste delicious with a variety of sauces (my favorite is a mix of Dijon and sour cream). This recipe yields between 8-12 fritters depending on how big you make them.

Ingredients:

3 cans of tuna, salmon, or other canned fish

2 Tbsp mayonnaise

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons of lemon juice

¼ cup almond flour

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp salt

2 Tbsp herbs, such as chives, parsley or dill

½ cup cheese Oil for frying (avocado oil is the best healthy oil for frying, but you can use olive oil too.)

Directions:

• Open and drain canned fish.

• Add all ingredients except the oil into a medium mixing bowl. Mix well until thoroughly combined.

• In a large skillet, heat oil on medium.

• When oil is hot enough for frying, form mixture into small patties (2 to 3 inches in diameter). Fry patties for 3-4 minutes on each side.

• Briefly place fritters on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve warm with lemon, tartar sauce, or any other preferred sauce.

Advent Wreath - Reece's Peace's

As we approach the Advent season, let's delve into the rich history behind one of our cherished church traditions: the Advent wreath. This emblem of hope and anticipation has a fascinating origin that dates back thousands of years, rooted in the winter celebrations of North Europe.

Long before Christianity, ancient Germanic people used wreaths and candles during winter festivities. They adorned evergreen trees with candles to celebrate the season and illuminate the darkness. While these traditions featured evergreens and candles, they were quite distinct from our modern Advent celebrations, separated by centuries.

The concept of the Christian Advent wreath began to take shape around the 16th century among German Lutherans, particularly in what is now northern Germany. However, variations in the wreath and its associated celebrations existed during that time.

It wasn't until the 19th century that the Advent wreath evolved into a form similar to what we recognize today. Johann Wichern, a Lutheran Pastor in Germany, developed the tradition as a way for children in his mission school to count down the days until Christmas. He crafted a sizable wreath with candles for each day leading to Christmas, along with a special larger candle for each Sunday. By the 1930s, this tradition had crossed the Atlantic to the USA, carried by German immigrants.

Today's Advent wreath typically features four large candles to be lit on each Sunday of Advent, along with a white candle for Christmas Eve. The act of lighting these candles symbolizes the increasing brightness and anticipation of Christ's imminent arrival, bearing hope, peace, joy, and love into the world.

The Advent wreath remains a central part of our spiritual preparations for Christmas. Families and congregations gather around these wreaths, lighting the candles each Sunday, reflecting on the themes they represent, and growing in anticipation of Jesus' birth.

At Hurstbourne Christian Church, we embrace this beautiful tradition and invite you to join us in lighting the Advent wreath candles every Sunday of Advent. Through this symbolic ritual, we seek to deepen our understanding of the true essence of Christmas and prepare our hearts to welcome Christ into our lives once again.

Let's journey together through this Advent season, guided by the illuminating candles on the wreath, as we eagerly await the birth of our Savior with hope and anticipation.

Christmas Hymns - Marc's Music Notables

It’s all too easy to look up at the end of December and—poof—realize the opportunity for meaningful reflection has passed, vacuumed up or packed away for next year, like another decoration. So this Christmas, how can we truly be present and not just buy presents? We find the answer in the most fundamental (and perhaps surprising) of places—in singing traditional carols together.

Redemption drew a baby breath that first chilly Christmas night, offering hope to a forlorn world dying to be rescued. But even before Jesus lay in the manger, his miraculous story was already being told in song. Mary sang about him in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–51). Zechariah sang about him in the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79). And of course, on the night of his birth, the skies over the shepherds’ field became a vertical stage for hosts of choiring angels.

We have each been created, compelled, and commanded to sing. It’s thus no surprise that the oldest Christmas traditions are the masterpieces of the carols. 

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing was penned by Charles Wesley and included in his 1739 Methodist hymnal. This theologically rich classic was later set to music by Felix Mendelssohn. It began as “Hark, How All the Welkin Rings,” but George Whitefield did us all a favor by changing the words to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” 

2. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus appeared in Charles Wesley’s book of 18 Christmas songs in 1745, and it’s one of my three favorite hymns today. The song captures how centuries of waiting, longing, and weeping find ultimate resolution in Christ: “Israel’s strength and consolation / Hope of all the earth thou art / Dear desire of every nation / Joy of every longing heart.”

3. O Come, All Ye Faithful is a Christmas call to worship, mostly likely written by John Francis Wade, a Catholic artist who created beautiful manuscripts decorated with exquisite floral images. His hymn “Adeste Fidelis” remained a Latin masterpiece for 100 years before being translated into English by Frederick Oakeley. 

4. In the Bleak Midwinter is among our most plaintive carols, partly because of the haunting melody by Gustav Holst. Penned by English poet Christina Rossetti, the lyrics first appeared in 1872. The last stanza says it all: “What can I give him, poor as I am? / If I were a shepherd I would bring him a lamb; / If I were a wise man I would do my part, / Yet what I can I give him? Give my heart.”

5. Joy to the World, with its triumphant cadence and rousing spirit, was written by the man commonly called the “Father of the English Hymn,” Isaac Watts. This hymn was published in 1719 and wasn’t even originally considered a Christmas carol.

6. O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a medieval Latin hymn dating from the 800s. It was one of a series of antiphons sung each December, and it isn’t hard to imagine the mystical beauty of this hymn echoing off the walls of remote monasteries during the Middle Ages. This particular antiphon was discovered by an English minister and musician named John Mason Neale, who rendered it into English and published it in 1851.

7. Angels We Have Heard On High is one of the most joyful and well-written choruses ever composed. The lyrical journey shines a light on the reality of incarnation in a way that refreshes the soul each time you sing it.

8. O Little Town of Bethlehem was inspired by Philadelphia pastor Phillips Brooks’s visit to Bethlehem. Around 1867, Brooks wrote the lyrics and passed them along to the church’s worship leader, Lewis Redner, who composed the melody. It was first sung by a group of six Sunday school teachers and 36 children.

9. Once in Royal David’s City might be the least known of these carols, but we mustn’t lose its message or music. Cecil Frances Alexander was an Irish pastor’s wife who published this carol for children in 1848. Today, many consider her works too deep to sing in adult congregations. 

These carols—among many others—are treasures that remind us of the gospel joy we’re to share with the world in the bleak midwinter. They remind us that hope has dawned in the little town of Bethlehem, in royal David’s city, and that we should all join the triumph of the skies.

O come, let us adore him—Christ the Lord!

Come, Ye Thankful People - Marc's Music Notables

November is a time for being thankful. The story behind one of the most well-known and joyful hymns ever written on the subject of thankfulness is “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come'' is an inspirational one.

“I do this day in the presence of God, and my own soul renew my covenant with God and solemnly determine henceforth to become his and to do his work as far as in me lies.”

These astounding words of determination came from a lad only 16 years of age, in England, in 1826. His name was Henry Alford. He came from a long line of clergymen.

His father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather were all ministers of the Church of England before him. He, too, became an Anglican vicar.

Henry Alford was born in London in 1810 and was reared in that great city. His first charge, after graduation from Trinity College, Cambridge, was in Wymeswold, Leicestershire. His gentle disposition, cheerful attitude and sheer genius catapulted him to fame and high honor.

He reached the top of his profession in 1857 when he became the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral.

He was a versatile man: an artist, an organist and singer, composer of verses and a very talented speaker. His literary ability was climaxed with the completion of The Greek Testament, a commentary of four volumes, which required 20 years of hard labor.

It is reported that he loved to mingle with the common man. He never seemed to lose his vision of the pit from which he, too, had been lifted. He was thankful.

In the fall of 1844, while he was at Wymeswold, his first charge, the people of this hamlet decided to have a festival, rejoicing in the abundant harvest already gathered into their barns.

For this particular occasion Alford wrote a song which has been sung, perhaps millions of times during Thanksgiving celebrations.

“Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest-home.

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin;

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied:

Come to God’s own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest-home.”

After you sing this inspiring song, rededicate yourself to a life of thankfulness. Learn to see and appreciate the little things that we so often overlook. Try this: Talk to God for 15 minutes, thanking him, and refraining from asking anything for yourself.

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:21

Killer Lady Bugs - Reece's Peace's

Today, I found myself gently escorting a ladybug out of my office, triggering a flashback to my time as a youth minister in Nashville. Particularly a memory of vacuuming thousands of thousands of ladybugs from our youth room. It may sound like an exaggeration, but it was a reality that unfolded over two days when these little invaders found their way in through a minuscule crack in a window and decided to make our room their new home. What was once a cozy space now became the epicenter of an infestation, with ladybugs stretching from wall to wall.

However, the room's inadequate heating, compounded by the cold, had taken its toll on these tiny creatures, leaving me to confront thousands of lifeless ladybugs strewn across the floor. These weren’t your garden– variety ladybugs, though; they were Asian lady beetles, introduced to the United States with the intention of combating aphid populations. Back in 1916, farmers believed these Asian lady beetles could be North America’s salvation from aphid woes. However, it wasn’t until 1988 that a wild population of these ladybugs firmly

established itself in North America, initially near New Orleans. From there, they rapidly spread, blanketing regions from the northeast, from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Those large gathering of ladybugs seeking shelter indoors, particularly in autumn, are indeed

Asian lady beetles. It’s striking how an initiative aimed at controlling one pest led to the emergence of a new problem. The very creatures introduced to combat aphids had now become a pest themselves.

To the point where a youth minister, armed with a vacuum cleaner, had to tackle an entire room overflowing with them emptying the vacuum canister multiple times. This experience serves as a reminder of how, in life, our best intentions can sometimes yield unexpected outcomes.

In our pursuit of control, we often find ourselves grappling with something far beyond our grasp. It’s in these moments that we can find solace in faith, just as we now find ladybugs infiltrating churches, offices, and homes in the autumn. Despite their unintended intrusion, these beautiful creatures still serve their purpose by devouring aphids, enabling us to enjoy more abundant gardens and harvest.

In the end, it’s a testament to the paradox of perspective-what one person considers a pest may be another’s blessing, and vice versa.