Decadent Chocolate Pudding | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

This pudding is so creamy and delicious, it’s one of my favorite desserts of all time! It’s extremely rich, though, and it’s best saved for special occasions rather than a frequent treat. It’s also versatile -you can serve it in a chilled wine glass and top it with chocolate shavings or berries to feel extra    fancy, or pour it into a crust and make a tasty chocolate cream pie or tart. Don’t like chocolate?  Just substitute additional extract for the cocoa powder, and you’ve got delectable vanilla pudding! Or swap it out for peanut butter powder. There are so many options, and no matter which route you take, you definitely won’t regret it. It’s the perfect Valentine’s dessert to make for your sweetie!

Ingredients:

· 2 cups organic, grass fed heavy cream (divided into 1/4 cup and 1 3/4 cups)

· 1/2 Tbsp unflavored gelatin powder    (add a little extra if you prefer a thicker, custard-like texture)

· 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

· 1/4 cup organic cocoa powder

· 1/4 tsp salt

· 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.  Bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it evenly over the 1/4 cup of heavy cream, then whisk together immediately. Set aside. The mixture will thicken while you do the rest.

2.  In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together the remaining heavy cream, maple syrup, cocoa powder and sea salt. Heat, whisking constantly, for about 5 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and starting to bubble. Don't let it boil.

3.  Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4.  Add the gelatin, which will be thick. Whisk until smooth and dissolved.

5.  Let cool for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to remove the film that forms

6.  Pour into pie crust, serving dishes, or a glass bowl. You can cover with plastic wrap to prevent  a film from forming on top, if desired.

7.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, until firm. Top with whipped cream, berries or shavings and enjoy!

Who Do You Say That I Am? | Reece's Peaces

Beginning January 11, we will launch a new sermon series titled Who Do You Say That  I Am? The question Jesus asks his disciples continues to shape the life of the church today. 

This series does not seek a single, simple answer. Instead, it invites us to meet Jesus as he appears throughout the Gospels, revealed as teacher, healer, companion, and Christ. Each week offers a fresh window into who Jesus is and how these encounters  continue to speak to our faith today. 

Our journey through this series is not about finding the perfect words to describe Jesus. It is about deepening our relationship with someone beyond full understanding and growing in love for someone who is everything to us. Jesus’ question is both deeply  personal and profoundly communal. Who do you say that I am? And who do we, together as the church, say that Jesus is in this time and place? 

As we move through January and into early February, this series will provide space for reflection, honesty, and renewed curiosity. It acknowledges that our understanding of Jesus can grow, shift, and deepen as we walk with him. Whether you come with confidence, questions, or a mix of both, there is room for you in this  conversation. 

We hope you will join us each Sunday as we listen for Christ’s voice, encounter his presence, and consider how following Jesus continues to shape who we are called to be.

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.