Renovation Update | Reece's Peaces

I want to share a brief update on our sanctuary renovation project. Things are moving along quite well, and we are getting closer to the finish line. I know many of you are  eager to return to worship in the sanctuary, and several have mentioned that squeezing into the Fellowship Hall each week is getting a little tight. Of course, having a full house is a good problem for a church to have, but I understand that we are all looking forward to returning to the comfort and beauty of our dedicated worship space. 

For those who have not had a chance to look inside, here is what has been happening: The new chancel platform has been constructed, and the expanded tech booth at the back of the sanctuary is now in place. The floor under the organ has also been raised so that it now sits level with the rest of the sanctuary floor. This change not only improves the look of the space but also makes it more functional and accessible. 

As you may have seen, the pews have been removed and are temporarily placed in other parts of the building. The painting recently began in the sanctuary, and we hope that by the time you read this, that work will be finished. The new paint adds brightness and a renewed sense of warmth to the space. 

Looking ahead, the next steps include laying the new flooring and reinstalling the pews. In mid-July, the pews will be reupholstered, which will be one of the final steps in   completing the sanctuary. After that, just a few finishing touches will remain before the space is fully ready for use again. 

If everything stays on schedule, we anticipate returning to worship in the sanctuary by late summer. I am personally very excited for that day. I look forward to seeing the beautiful improvements and, more importantly, to worshiping with all of you in our    renewed space. We are planning a special service for our first Sunday back, one filled with celebration and joy as we rededicate our sanctuary to the glory of God. 

We will announce the reopening date as soon as it is confirmed. In the meantime, thank you for your patience, your faithfulness, and your continued support. God is doing something wonderful here, and I am grateful to be on this journey with you. 

“To God Be The Glory” | Marc's Music Notables

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) was blinded by an illness as an infant, but she lived a long life full of joy and accomplishment.  She entered the New York School for the Blind at age 15, and remained there for 35 years, first as a student and then as a teacher.

She wrote poetry from the time that she was a child, and published her first book of poetry, A Blind Girl and Other Poems, at age 24.

But Fanny Crosby is best known for her hymns.  She wrote more than 9000 hymns during her lifetime.  Many, such as “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” and “Blessed Assurance” quickly became standards––and are still included in many hymnals a century after her death.

Fanny wrote “To God Be the Glory” about 1872, and included it in a collection of hymns entitled Brightest and Best.  However, while many of the hymns in that collection became quite famous, this one didn’t catch on––at least, not in America.

But Evangelist Ira Stankey published the song in his Sacred Songs and Solos, and took it with him to England.  It caught on well enough there to be included in several hymnals.

Then in 1954, Billy Graham went to England for his London Crusade.  Someone (almost certainly English) gave a copy of the song to Cliff Barrows, Graham’s song leader, and suggested including it in the songbook that they were compiling for the crusade.  Barrows had heard the song on an earlier visit to England, and was impressed with its strong note of praise so he included it in the songbook and used it in the crusade.  The crowd responded so enthusiastically that he sang it nearly every night.

Upon returning to the United States,  Graham and Barrows introduced the song to an American audience for the first time at their Nashville Crusade.  Once again, the crowd responded enthusiastically, so Graham and Barrows adopted the song as one of their standards. Because of their influence, the compilers of hymnals     began including it in new hymnals.

Mini Cheesecakes | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

There’s just nothing like cheesecake, but some recipes can be overly complicated. I’m a low  maintenance baker; if it involves separating eggs or putting things in a water bath, that’s a step too far for me. I love this recipe for its simplicity, its clean ingredients, and above all its tasty results! If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe to celebrate Father’s Day  or any other summer occasion, you can’t go wrong with this one. It would be even more tasty with some of the homemade jam from last month’s recipe as a topping, so give it a try!

Ingredients:

· 1 & 1/4 cups almond flour

· 3 Tbsp maple sugar or other sweetener

· 5 Tbsp grass fed butter, melted

· 8 oz cream cheese, room temp.

· 1 large egg, room temp.

· 1/4 cup maple syrup or other sweetener

· 1/4 cup sour cream, room temp.

· 1 tsp vanilla extract

 Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 and line a 12 cup muffin tin paper with liners.

2. To make the crust, mix together the almond flour, 3 Tbsp of sweetener, and butter until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the muffin liners evenly.

3. To make the filling, mix all of the other ingredients until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the liners on top of the crust (about 2 Tbsp for each cup)

4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and let cool completely on the counter. Then chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, until ready to serve.

 *This recipe took inspiration from the website jenniferbanz.com

Death After Tax Season: A Gift To Your Loved Ones | Reece's Peaces

They say two things in life are certain: death and taxes. Now that tax season is behind us, perhaps it is a good time to turn our attention to the other certainty. Not to dwell in sadness, but to prepare in love. 

As a minister, I have spent more time in funeral homes than most, and one thing I have learned is how valuable it is for individuals to have their affairs in order before they pass. While most people think about the major items like wills, finances, and estate planning, one important detail is often overlooked: planning your funeral service. 

In moments of grief, families are often left trying to choose scripture readings, hymns, and songs that feel right. It is a task that can feel overwhelming and can sometimes lead to    disagreements during an already emotional time. Having your preferences written down is a beautiful gift you can leave for your loved ones. It offers them guidance and peace when they need it most. 

Here at the church, I have several service outlines from members who have thoughtfully planned ahead. Others have entrusted their wishes to a family member, included them with their will, or made arrangements directly with a  funeral home. All of these approaches work well. 

This month, I invite you to take a quiet afternoon to consider your own wishes. Choose two scripture passages and two or three hymns or songs you would like included in your service. You can give a copy to me for safekeeping or simply make sure it is placed with your important documents where your family can find it. 

Taking these small steps now can spare your loved ones from difficult decisicions later. More importantly, it allows your faith, your hopes, and your love to be clearly expressed even after you are gone. 

God Be With You Till We Meet Again | 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 employs a considerable amount 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.”

God be with you till we meet again;

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet

God Be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

 God be with you till we meet again.

 God be with you till we meet again.