Christmas is one of the most important and cultural holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? In today’s episode, we’ll talk with Pastor Joe of the Believers’ Church in Warren, Ohio. In addition to Joe’s story of his journey to becoming a believer, he will teach us how to become holy and maintain it as Christians. He will also educate us on the meaning and symbolism of the Christmas holiday, one of the most important holidays worldwide.
Tune In to learn more than over
Pastors Joe’s Background
How he become a Pastor
Why Joe Blamed God for the Death of His Brother
The True Meaning of Christmas
and much much more.
Key Takeaways
There is a sole purpose for why we were all born, and God knew it even before we were formed in the womb.
As a God’s minister, you have two roles: Bring people back to Christ and turn them into disciples.
We become holy by following the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord by following the Bible.
Christmas is one of the most important holidays for Christians because we remind ourselves that a baby was born to die.
Quotes from the Show
“As you age, you just want to make sure your life’s work did it last, and then you want to make sure that it keeps having the impact of changing lives and helping people.”
“In order to keep serving the community, you have to be authentic. You have to have checks and balances.”
“I encourage people not to do what I did when my brother died, and give up on God and just keep striving for the best.”
“One of our goals that we changed is, we don’t want to just draw a crowd, we want to turn people into disciples and so you have to make an effort, and do something specifically for that to happen.”
“To build a bridge means we want to be culturally relevant. And then I don’t want to hammer people with what they’re doing wrong because you’ll push them away. I want to teach them the right thing; only God can push them to do those things.
“One of the things I thought the pandemic really did that was positive is we didn’t realize how much we loved corporate worship, and when we opened back up, that was the number one thing people told me.”
“What I love about Christmas is that we celebrate it once a year because we need to remind ourselves that a baby was born to die.”
“I want to focus on the fact that no matter what’s going on in my life, God is going to walk me through it, and God is working for my good. He’s going to help me get out of that eventually, or He’s also going to grow me through it.”
“What God is looking for is for us to walk by faith, not by sight. And so whether I understand it or not, I’m going to love God and follow Him, I’m going to trust him. And that’s the attitude God is looking for in you and me and all of us.”
“Focus on the very purpose, which is Christ. Pray and ask him to open up your eyes further to him and make himself real to you.”
#SpanningtheNeed stops by Jen Banna studio from Design House Events by Sweet Arrangements, which gives us Holiday Party Decorating Tips within Your Budget. Jen will show us how to put together a holiday tablescape and entertaining tips for the holidays.
Tune in to learn:
How Jen got started and carried on the family business
#SpanningtheNeed takes its holiday episode into the kitchen with Chef Jack Kravitz for Cooking for the Holidays. Learn how to make Red Cabbage Strudel, Chicken and Leek (or Spinach) Strudel and Chicken Soup-Instant Pot this Holiday Season.
Tune in to learn more:
How Chef Kravitz got his start with Kravitz Deli
Food prepping and recipes for the Holiday Parties and Christmas
INGREDIENTS: Cup red cabbage 2 tsp sugar (add extra sugar if you like it sweeter) 1/2 tsp ground caraway seed 1 tsp salt (to taste) ½ tsp pepper ½ bar butter-melted 3 sheets Refrigerated or frozen thawed Phyllo Dough
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a sauce pan, sauté the red cabbage in the butter until soft.
Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Remove from pan and place in a bowl to cool
Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough and brush lightly with butter, toss about 1 tbl of bread crumbs over the dough.
Place another piece of phyllo and repeat step 3.
Place a third piece of phyllo dough over the other 2 and butter lightly
Place about 2/3 cup of filling into the bottom center of the phyllo (don’t overfill or it will break open in the oven).
Roll up the phyllo like a Jelly roll folding in the sides.
Brush the roll liberally with butter.
Bake in a 350 oven until brown. About 40 minutes or until brown. (May be frozen for later by covering the unbaked roll with plastic wrap and foil and then freezing. Take right from freezer and bake (add extra time to the baking)).
Tid-Bit: Make appetizers by cutting the phyllo dough into thirds, follow the other directions using about 2 tbl filling. Bake about 10-15 minutes until brown.
Chicken and Leek (or Spinach) Strudel
INGREDIENTS: 2 left over chicken breast (or the breast from a grocery store roast chicken or that leftover holiday turkey breast) 1 large leek, soaked, cleaned and chopped into ½ inch pieces or fresh or frozen spinach (well drained) ½# havarti cheese grated or other melting cheeses Bread crumbs Olive oil Butter- melted 3 sheets Refrigerated or frozen thawed Phyllo Dough
INSTRUCTIONS: (preheat oven to 350)
Shred cooked chicken or turkey (hint: buy a roasted chicken at the grocery store or use that leftover holiday turkey)
Clean the Leeks by soaking. Cut into ½” pieces. Sauté the leeks in olive oil until soft. Set aside to cool (if using frozen spinach defrost and drain thoroughly. Fresh can be either sauteed or just used raw)
Combine all the above with the cheese
Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough and brush lightly with butter, toss about 1 tbl of bread crumbs over the dough.
Place another piece of phyllo and repeat step 3.
Place a third piece of phyllo dough over the other 2 and butter lightly
Place about 2/3 cup of filling into the bottom center of the phyllo (don’t overfill or it will break open in the oven).
Roll up the phyllo like a Jelly roll folding in the sides.
Brush the roll liberally with butter.
Tid-Bit: You can substitute mozarella, swiss, or cheddar for the Havarti.
Chicken Soup-Instant Pot
INGREDIENTS: 3-4# chicken parts must have bones 8 cups water 10 whole black peppercorns 2 tbl salt or to taste 2 carrots or 4 oz baby carrot 2 celery stalks-cut into pieces 1 yellow onion, halved, leave whole 1 parsnip (optional) ¼ cabbage with stem (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place all ingredients in Instant Pot style pressure cooker that is set to high pressure and close valve to seal.
Set for High Pressure for 60 minutes or more.
After the cycle is completed, let naturally release for 15 minutes or more and then relieve any pressure left by opening the pressure relief valve.
Strain stock and cool and store for later. Can be used immediately.
Of course, you can debone the cooked chicken for later use, but it will be drained of most flavor as it has been extracted into the stock
Adjust salt and pepper to taste
If a richer flavor is desired, add in chicken base from the paste version. Try to avoid granular bases as they are loaded with salt.
Tid-Bit: Buy any type of chicken that is on sales, freeze in 4# packages. Then use the chicken right from freezer- note it will take longer to come up to full pressure
#STN and fellow musicians came together in 2020 to volunteer their time and talent to do a Virtual and TV concert jam-packed with Christmas tunes for the whole family. In 2022, we have add additional music and performers to make this a Christmas Holiday! You’ll be able to hear a variety of selections from beloved Christmas carols and more! At the end of this broadcast, you don’t want to miss, as it is something that is special for everyone. #spanningtheneed
Performers: Leanne Binder / Rajma McKenzie, Michael Kermec, Heidi Burson, John Reese Project, Fifth & Aurora, Rachell Joy, One Brown Shoe, Dana School of Music, Natalies Dance Company, Darius Bennett, Cheertime Athletics
Special Appearances: Mike Case, The Kurzar Family, Ami LeMaster, Mayor Tito Brown, Judge Baldwin, Brittney Murphy, Kathy Cook, Basilica And National Shrine Of Our Lady Of Lebanon, Chelsea Spears, Dan Martin, The Boo Squad, Rey Esparra, Chris Gunther , The Avila Family, Scott DiMauro, Terrell Vidale, DJ Yokley, Ashley Carocci, George Gabriel, Mahoning County Probate Court, The Sallee Family, McKinley Memorial Library, Niles Historical Society, Mahoning County Childrens Services Board
All the music was performed and supplied by the groups, as part of their presentation.
#SpanningtheNeed sits down with Jess and Hank of 330ToGO Media Network to discuss the good things they are doing in the community and this Holiday season in Northeast Ohio. The many good laughs and things that were discussed was a great time.
330ToGO provides breaking news coverage, entertainment, traffic updates, and sports and event coverage through Facebook postings and Live broadcasts, also through Facebook.
Tune in to learn more:
How the organization got started.
What they do in Northeast Ohio.
The Holiday Specials they have coming up…Holiday Light Loops and Parking Meters w/City of Cuyahoga Falls.
Nobody does the season of giving like we do. Giving Tuesday is around the corner, and we are premiering our “Giving Tuesday in The Valley.” Join us as #SpanningtheNeed profiles some of our of valley’s nonprofits: Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, The Brightside Project, City Kids Care Inc., Project MKC, Inspiring Minds, Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, & The Walnut Grove.
There are so many great non-profits, it is hard to profile them all. We encourage you to search for other non-profits doing good in the community.
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Tune in to the show to explore the following with each non-profit:
Discussion on how each of the individuals got started within the organization
What the Non-profits do
Most Successful Programs and how they make a difference
Discussing in detail about what they wish more people knew about their organizations
Main Obstacles and their needs right now and much more
