Supporting Middletown Elementary: A Heartfelt Thanks and Reflection - Reece's Peaces

I see God at work in our church when I reflect on the incredible generosity shown by our church community in gathering school supplies for Middletown Elementary. Your            contributions have made a significant difference in the lives of the students, ensuring that they have the tools and resources needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond. 

Thanks to your support, we were able to provide a substantial amount of school supplies  and food items to the students of Middletown Elementary. These supplies, ranging from notebooks and pencils to backpacks and lunchboxes, will greatly aid the students in their  academic pursuits.

Additionally, the food items we collected will help alleviate some of the daily struggles faced by families in our community, allowing the students to focus more on their studies  rather than worrying about their next meal. 

This effort was not just about collecting items; it was about coming together as a community with a shared mission to support the next generation. By providing these essential supplies, we are helping to create a more equitable learning environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their  circumstances. It is a powerful reminder of the   impact we can have when we work together with the love and compassion of Jesus. 

As we move forward, let us continue to keep the students of Middletown Elementary in our prayers. Thank you once again for your generosity and commitment to this important cause. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of these young students, giving them the tools they need to achieve their full potential. 

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less - Marc's Music Notables

Sometimes the grace of God penetrates into unlikely places.  Edward Mote’s parents were hostile to religion, but while still a boy Edward became a Christian through the influence of a cabinet maker to whom he was apprenticed.  As a man, he became a skilled cabinet maker with a successful business of his own.

Regardless of the claims of his business on his time, Mote always found time to worship God.  He was especially interested in Christian music, and one day felt inspired on the way to work to write down a verse that came to his mind.  Before the day was finished, he had completed four verses.  His new hymn began with the words, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

Not long thereafter, Mote visited a friend whose wife was ill.  It was a Sunday, and the friend mentioned that he and his wife liked to observe Sunday by singing a hymn, reading a scripture, and having prayer together.  Mote had a copy of his hymn in his pocket, so they sang it. The friend’s wife was so taken with the hymn that she requested a copy for herself.  Encouraged by her interest, Mote had copies printed - and soon found himself the author of a beloved hymn.

At age 55, Mote responded to a call to the ministry.  He served out the rest of his life - more than two decades - as the pastor of a Baptist Church in Horsham, Sussex, England.

Mote may have written other hymns during his lifetime, but this is the only one in common use today.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce - Jenna's Favorites

Enchilada sauce is another thing that is so easy to make, why would you ever need to use a   store bought version with unhealthy additives? With this simple recipe, you can make amazing enchiladas, and even better, you can customize the sauce to your tastes! All you need for a complete meal is seasoned shredded chicken or ground beef, cheese, and your favorite tortillas. If you’re keeping gluten and corn-free like me, there are lots of great alternatives, including Siete’s almond or cassava flour tortillas, or you can try your hand at making your own!

 Ingredients:

· 3 Tbsp grass fed butter

· 3 tsp chili powder (more or less to taste)

· 2 tsp garlic powder

· 1 tsp onion powder

· 1 tsp paprika

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 8oz tomato sauce

· 3 Tbsp tomato paste

· 1.5 cups chicken broth

· 1/2 tsp xanthan gum

· 1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)

 Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.

2. Add all of the spices and salt, stir until it forms a paste.

3. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir well until smooth.

4. Taste the sauce and determine if you want to add any additional spices. You can add as much or as little of the chili powder as you like, or add some hot sauce or cayenne depending on your preference.

5. If using cocoa powder, add it now. This is optional, but really adds to the depth and authenticity of the flavor. You can try a small amount of sauce with a tiny sprinkle of cocoa if you want to taste it first.

6. Once everything is fully combined, sprinkle the xanthan gum slowly over the sauce and remove from heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools

This recipe makes about 3 cups of sauce. Use it for enchiladas, Mexican skillets, add it to taco meat, stir it in to chili, or whatever else you can think of!

(this recipe took inspiration from the website www.lowcarbinspirations.com)

Soul Food - Reece's Peaces

As the aroma of fried chicken and sweet tea fills the air at the Kentucky State Fair each August, we’re reminded of the rich flavors that define our region. It’s a time of indulgence, a celebration of culinary delights that satisfy both our taste buds and our hearts. From the classic comfort foods to the adventurous deep-fried concoctions, the State Fair offers a smorgasbord of options to tempt every palate. 

But amidst the feasting and fun, let’s remember that true sustenance comes not from what we consume physically, but spiritually. The month of August, marked by cookouts and gatherings, invites us to consider the deeper meaning of nourishment. While physical food fuels our bodies, it’s our souls that crave a different kind of sustenance. 

Just as we carefully select ingredients for our physical meals, we must also be intentional about what we feed our spirits. It’s easy to be drawn to the spiritual equivalent of fast food: quick fixes, empty promises, and superficial satisfaction. But lasting nourishment requires a steady diet of God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship. 

This August, we embark on a journey to discover what it means to be spiritually well-fed. We’ll explore the biblical concept of soul food, examining its nature, its benefits, and how to cultivate it in our lives. Just as a balanced diet promotes physical health, a spiritually nourishing regimen strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God. 

 Let’s come together to explore the ingredients of a truly satisfying spiritual meal. We’ll discover how to savor the rich flavors of grace, the hearty portions of love, and the sweet dessert of hope. Together, we’ll embark on a transformative journey, leaving us not only full but fulfilled. 

So, as you enjoy the delights of the State Fair and the warmth of summer gatherings, remember that the greatest feast awaits those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 

Hymns & Why We Need Them - Marc's Music Notables

A hymn is not just an “old song” we used to sing.  Yes, many of the great hymns have been sung literally for centuries, but we do not sing hymns because they are old; we sing them because they are so true that they have survived all the fads of language, rhythm feels, and musical trends.  If new hymns live, it will be for the same reason.  In fact, there are many new hymns being written and whole hymn movements of new writers rising up, not only in the U.S. but in the U.K. and Scandinavia.  Then what is a hymn, and why do we need them?

First of all, a hymn is meant to be sung corporately.  When we gather with other Believers, we sing together praise to God or remind each other just who this God is that we serve. In general, we could think of hymns as those songs of praise and worship we send up to God identifying for all to hear His attributes and thanking Him for His amazing intervention in our world and in our lives. 

We sing of the incarnation: God who was before anything existed, the Cause and Source of all things, God of grandeur, power and infinite glory chose to become one of us and to walk with us – Immanuel!  Hymns are God-centered and call our attention upward.  They are lofty in message and lift us above the earth.  They remind us of our original glory that preceded any “original sin” and remind us of God’s intention to see that glory restored in us.  The exchange in hymns, then, is vertical – connecting us to God and seeking to hear His voice speaking to our hearts in return.

Hymns are firmly rooted in God’s Word and, since they are intended to be sung corporately by the fellowship of believers, pull us above our petty differences by reminding us of God’s dream for us – that we would be one.  

No wonder, then, that when times are confusing or the world is in upheaval, we find ourselves needing songs that nail to the wall the deep cardinal truths of our faith and the always available and ever dependable qualities of God.  When we cannot sing them as a congregation, we sing them to ourselves to help us remember that the Body of Christ is always at the table and the great cloud of witnesses are always present to encourage, love  and support.  When we sing hymns alone, we refocus on the ways this great God has delivered us before; this focus turns our anxieties to praise and our questions to certainties.  Therefore, let us continue to proudly sing our hymns, together or alone, not only to praise God but as a daily reminder of his goodness and mercy.