Baked Spinach Artichoke Goat Cheese Dip - Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This recipe is a hit at holiday gatherings! Sure, we all love our Christmas cookies and other sweets, but you definitely need some creamy savory goodness to balance out all that sugar!

This dish comes together very easily and can be customized in many ways. I recently added cooked salmon to give it an extra boost of protein, and it was so tasty! Bacon would make a great addition as well, or you can add a pinch of chili flakes if you prefer a spicy kick. Serve with crackers, baguette slices, chips, or fresh     veggies. I recommend Mary’s Gone Crackers because of the clean ingredients and savory crunchiness!

 Ingredients:

· Goat Cheese - 2 large logs

· 8oz Cream Cheese

· 5oz fresh Spinach

· 14oz canned Artichoke Hearts

· 1/4 cup Parmesan

· 1/4 cup Mozzarella

· 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder

· 2 tsp Onion Powder

· 2 tsp Parsley

· 2 tsp Chives

· 1 tsp Salt

· Truffle Seasoning (optional)

 Directions:

1.  Soften Goat Cheese & Cream Cheese in large bowl (microwave on low for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until smooth and easy to stir together).

2. In a small skillet, lightly cook the spinach over low heat until wilted and moisture has evaporated.

3. Drain the artichokes and chop into small pieces.

4. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease an 8x8” baking pan, or any pan of similar size.

5. Stir Goat Cheese & Cream Cheese together until smoothly blended, then add all of the seasonings and stir until thoroughly mixed.

6. Stir in the Spinach, Artichokes, and Parmesan

7. Transfer the dip to the baking dish and smooth with a spatula until evenly distributed.

8. Bake for 25 minutes, then add the mozzarella cheese and continue baking until it’s bubbling and the top is turning golden.

9. Serve hot with crostini, crackers, or veggies.

 *If you are traveling with this dish, you can bake it directly in an oven-safe slow cooker crock (without the lid) before transferring it to the crockpot for transporting.

When Do You Put Out Your Christmas Decorations? - Ben Reece's Peaces

Traditionally, churches have decorated for Christmas just after Thanksgiving and before the start  of Advent. Many of you may remember attending churches with a "Hanging of the Greens" service, where Christmas decorations, especially greenery like wreaths and Christmas trees, were placed around the church. These services, often held at the end of November, led many to decorate their homes the week after Thanksgiving as well. 

However, this tradition is relatively recent. Hanging of the Greens services only gained popularity in American churches in the 1950s-60s. Before then, most churches remained undecorated through Advent, only adding Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve. This custom was mirrored in many American households, particularly among families of German descent, who often decorated their trees on Christmas Eve or even kept them hidden until Christmas morning. Celebrations would then continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas, ending on Epiphany, January 6th. 

Even more surprisingly, decorating for Christmas wasn’t always a common practice in the U.S.  In fact, before the mid-1800s, most families and churches didn’t decorate for Christmas at all. Christmas trees were rare and primarily found in homes of wealthy German families or within  German-speaking communities. In certain periods of American history, some communities and states even prohibited Christmas celebrations and decorations altogether! 

 Today, Christmas decorating has evolved dramatically. Just recently, I visited a Home Depot before Halloween, and the Christmas section was already set up, a Christmas tree displayed next to the headless horseman! Many    families, along with stores, now start decorating well     before Thanksgiving. 

And there’s nothing wrong with that. If there’s one thing we know about Christmas decorations, it’s that the timing is always changing. While people might decorate earlier each year, the celebration remains the same: honoring the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. So, whether someone sets up their decorations in November, or even in July, the heart of the celebration remains centered on that first Christmas morning. 

WHAT DO HYMNS HAVE THAT MOST MODERN CHURCH SONGS DON’T? - Marc's Music Notables

At Hurstbourne Christian Church, we are proud of our music program and pride ourselves on creating a worship experience that is meaningful to all of our worshippers.  Several times, people have asked me about my philosophy around church music and how I pick the sons to include in worship. Here are some of my guiding principles around hymns over some that may be missing in modern church songs:

Theological Depth:

· Hymns often contain rich theological content and profound expressions of faith. They explore doctrinal themes and biblical narratives, providing a sense of spiritual depth and education.

Poetic and Artistic Language:

· Hymns often feature sophisticated poetic structures and language, making them musically engaging and artistically significant. The careful crafting of hymn lyrics can convey complex theological ideas in an aesthetically pleasing and memorable way.  They also make you think about the text and lead you to   a deeper study of God’s word.

Corporate Singing:

· Hymns are often written with congregational singing in mind, making them suitable for communal worship. When the entire congregation joins in singing, they can create a sense of unity and participation.

Time-Tested Melodies:

· Hymn melodies have endured and have been sung and cherished for generations. Their familiarity can evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort for long-time churchgoers.

It's important to note that not all modern church songs lack these elements. Some contemporary worship songs have theological depth, poetic language, and congregational singing ability. Some churches today try to blend hymns and modern songs to create a rich and meaningful worship experience that resonates with worshipers of all ages and backgrounds. There are even modern hymn writers like Keith and Kristyn Getty who are writing beautiful music.  While I am not opposed to implementing new songs in our worship, My guiding principle has always been that scriptural-based text and melodic familiarity are comforting elements of our worship services.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding - Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes! It’s a unique way to enjoy all the flavor of traditional pumpkin pie while also getting to experience a new take on a holiday favorite.

Start by making some pumpkin bread a few days ahead of time. I like to use this paleo recipe, but you can use whatever recipe you like best. Then on the big day, all you have to do is make the custard mixture, bake it, and enjoy! It’s so delicious with homemade whipped cream! This recipe makes 6-8 servings.

 Ingredients:

For Pumpkin Bread

· 1 15oz can pumpkin puree

· 3 eggs

· 1/4 cup maple syrup

· 1 tsp vanilla

· 2 1/4 cups almond flour

· 1 tsp baking soda

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

 For Bread Pudding

· 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree

· 3 eggs

· 1 cup half & half or cream

· 1/2 cup milk

· 1/2 cup maple syrup

· 1/2 cup brown sugar, maple sugar, or coconut sugar

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

· 2 tsp vanilla

· 1 loaf pumpkin bread, cubed

 Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a loaf pan with parchment paper or oil.

2. Whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until combined.

4. Pour into the loaf pan. Bake for 45-60 min, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Let cool and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

6. When ready to make the bread pudding, cut the bread up into small cubes, less than 1 inch in size. Place the cubed bread in a greased baking dish in an even layer.

7. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the other ingredients and mix thoroughly to make a “custard.” Pour the mixture over the bread and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes.

8. Preheat oven to 350. When the pudding is ready to go in the oven, stir it just before putting it in to  redistribute the custard.

9. Bake until the pudding is set and starting to brown. This could take anywhere from 40-70 minutes.

10. Serve warm, topped with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

*Leftovers (if you have any) can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Back To School! - Reece's Peaces

I’m officially a student again! On September 30th, I began my first class in the Doctor of Ministry program at Lexington Theological Seminary, a Disciples of Christ institution here in Kentucky. In fact, I'm taking a break from listening to my first lecture to write this article.

I’m excited to be returning to academic life, and eager to bring the insights I gain back  into my ministry. At the same time, I’m also confronting some familiar challenges that come with being a student again. 

One of the biggest hurdles for me is reading material I disagree with. A significant part   of theological studies involves grappling with ideas and perspectives that differ from my own, something I’ve always found difficult. I naturally gravitate toward works that I resonate with, those that feel true and aligned with my beliefs. But when faced with  writings I find problematic, especially on matters of faith, I tend to get stuck. I question the author’s conclusions, scrutinize their reasoning and data, and often dive into my Bible to challenge their translation or interpretation of scripture. 

However, I’ve realized this mindset isn’t the most productive way to learn. Approaching a text solely to find faults limits my ability to discover what it might teach me, and how it might contribute to my growth. Instead of seeking out ways a work could be improved, I’m committing to a new approach as I resume my studies: focusing on what’s constructive and how  each book or article can enhance my ministry. 

I encourage all of you to take this mindset into your own lives as well. Seek out the good rather than the negative, look for opportunities to learn from even difficult experiences, and live fully  into the glory of God.