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.

Fudgy Flourless Cookies | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

Are you one of the many who’ve vowed to eat healthier in the new year? You may not believe it, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on sweet treats entirely! These       chocolatey cookies are so rich they’re reminiscent of a brownie, but they’re made with only clean, wholesome, natural ingredients. They’re also free from several common allergens, like wheat, dairy, and nuts. I know it seems odd to put avocado in a cookie, but trust me, the end result is 100% worth trying! Avocados are full of healthy fats and give the cookies a gooey, moist texture that will have you craving more!

Ingredients:

· 1 cup avocado flesh, very ripe

· 1-2 bananas, very ripe

· 2-4 Tbsp pure maple syrup or honey

· 1 egg

· 1/2 cup cocoa powder

· 1/2 tsp baking soda

· Dark chocolate chunks, to taste

 Directions:

1.  Mash avocado and banana together in a bowl.

2.  Blend in the maple syrup/honey and egg with a mixer until smoothly      combined.

3.  Add the baking soda and cocoa  powder. Mix until fully incorporated.

4.  Stir in the chocolate chunks. The “dough” will be very soft, similar to brownie batter.

5.  Drop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

6.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are firm.

7.  Let cookies cool before serving.

 This recipe took inspiration from the paleoleap.com

Advent Sermon Series: A Hero Has Come | Reece's Peaces

This Advent season at Hurstbourne Christian Church, we invite you into a journey that looks  at the Christmas story through an unexpected lens. Our new sermon series, A Hero Comes,   explores how the themes we love in superhero stories echo the deeper, truer story of Jesus’ birth. In every great hero tale, we find longing, sacrifice, courage, community, and the triumph of light over darkness. Advent tells that story in its most powerful form. 

Together, we will reflect on how the coming of Christ fulfills our deepest hopes and shows us what real heroism looks like. 

November 30 — Hope: The Promise of a Hero  (Isaiah 9:2–7)
Every hero story begins with a promise. When the world feels dark and people feel forgotten,  a spark of hope breaks in. Isaiah gives us that promise of a coming hero, one who will bring light, justice, and peace. This Sunday we begin Advent by remembering that God has not     forgotten us. Hope is already on the way. 

December 7 — Peace: The Power of Sacrifice  (Philippians 2:5–11)
Heroes do not gain their power by lifting themselves up but by giving themselves away. Paul reminds us that Jesus chose humility, service, and obedience, even to the point of death. His sacrifice brings a peace the world cannot give. This week we explore how Christ’s example calls us to a different way of living. 

December 14 — Joy: The Strength of Community (Luke 2:8–14 )
No hero stands alone. The angels announce great joy to a community of shepherds, and they respond together. Joy grows when we share it. As we prepare for Christmas, we celebrate the way God gathers us into a community shaped by grace, belonging, and good news. 

December 21 — Christmas Cantata: Festival Of Christmas
Join us for a morning of music as our choir presents a cantata celebrating the story of Christ’s birth. It is a beautiful way to experience the joy and wonder of the season. 

December 24 — Christmas Eve: A Hero Has Come  (Luke 2:1–8)
On Christmas Eve, we gather to celebrate the moment the true hero enters the world. Not with capes or grand entrances, but in a manger. The child born in Bethlehem is God’s answer to every longing we carry. Come share in the candlelight service as we welcome the hero who brings hope, peace, joy, and love to all. 

We hope you will join us throughout Advent as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, the hero who changes everything. 

Festival Of Christmas | Marc's Music Notables

There's something about the music of Christmas that brings us together, year after year. At Hurstbourne Christian Church, our annual Christmas Cantata has become a cherished tradition - a moment when voices rise as one, and the story of Christ’s birth comes alive in song and celebration.

This year, we’re excited to present our 2025 Christmas Cantata, themed “Festival of Christmas.” We’re pulling out all the stops: classic carols, beloved hymns, and moving musical arrangements. From the opening number - Michael W. Smith’s “Christmastime,” known for its joyful, celebratory energy - to the powerful gospel medley of “Behold That Star,” “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow,” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” our program is designed to stir hearts and lift spirits. We’ll also feature Pietro Yon’s “Gesu Bambino,” a classic that beautifully paints the scene of the nativity, beloved by choirs for its gentle melody and message of light. And in a moment of reflection, we’ll sing “All is Well,” the hymn written by William Clayton during a journey marked by faith, perseverance, and the promise of new life. Wrapping it all up with a modern arrangement of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” This carol, with its journey from sorrow to hope, feels especially poignant for our world today, and recent arrangements bring new life and depth to its timeless message.

This isn’t just a concert - it’s a service woven together with narration, inviting us to walk the road to Bethlehem, hear the angelic proclamation of peace, and reflect on the wonder of God’s greatest gift. The choir, joined by soloists and a chamber orchestra, will help us remember the night when hope entered our world in a humble manger - and rejoice that Christ’s light still shines.

 Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 21,     during the worship service. We hope you and your loved ones will attend and experience the beauty and truth of   Christmas. This is more than music - it’s a time to gather, to remember, and to celebrate the   miracle of Christ’s birth together. Let’s come together this season, lift our voices, and share the hope, peace, and joy that only Christmas brings. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Pecan Cheesecake Pie | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

A delicious twist on holiday classics! If you like cheesecake and you like pecan pie, why not combine them into one tasty dish? I’ll be honest, the sticky pecan pie has never been my   favorite, so I’m very excited about this alternative. Besides baking the crust, you don’t even need the oven. I used Trader Joe’s gluten free pie crust for convenience, but a graham cracker crust would also be delicious and make it taste even more like cheesecake.

Ingredients:

· 9-inch pie crust, store bought or homemade.

· 1 cup heavy whipping cream

· 1/3 cup powdered sugar (or less, to taste)

· 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened

· 1/2 cup light brown sugar (or less, to taste)

· 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

· 1 tsp vanilla extract

· 1.5 cups pecans finely chopped

· 1/4 tsp salt (optional)

 Directions:

1.  Bake crust according to recipe (or package directions if store bought). Let it cool       completely.

2.  In a medium bowl, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form.

3.  In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.

4.  Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined, then stir in 1 cup of the pecans.

5.  Spread mixture into the cooled pie crust, and top with the remaining pecans.

6.  Chill until firm, at least 2 hours. (If making a few days in advance, once the mixture is firm, you can cover it with plastic wrap and freeze. Let it soften at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.)

 This recipe took inspiration from the website 12tomatoes.com