Christmas Eve at Celebration

At the tail end of December, when it seems that we are running a extremely hectic pace, may you still pause to take in the true meaning of Christmas. We can quickly pass it by without a word or comment.

Hustle and bustle, the time seems to fly.

"We're late! We're late! There's presents to buy!"

Christmas is over so fast every year.

Make time for Jesus, our great King is here!

1. Events
- TODAY, Dec. 24, Pray For Muskegon, all day. Invest 1 hour to pray for Muskegon and the surrounding area.
- TONIGHT, Christmas Eve Worship Service, 7:00PM at church.
- Sunday, Worship Service, 10:30AM!
- Sunday, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM. Starts with dinner!
- Jan. 4, Seekers Small Group meets after the worship service.
- Jan. 5, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM at the Ring's.
- Jan. 7, Book Club - Meet at the Brew House (on Seminole @ Seaway) to discuss "Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale" by Lynda Rutledge.
- Jan. 9, Friday Movie Night, 6:30PM at Church. We will be watching "God's Not Dead!" Popcorn will be provided!

2. Sunday - New Years is around the corner and we aren't even close to ready for it! What if this year could be the best one yet? Invite a friend to worship as we consider "Changing for Good". (Luke 19:1-10)

3. Prayers:
- Pray for those who still grieve after the loss of loved ones. May they seek even more after our Comforter during the holidays.
- That we may be filled with grace when we meet with those whom we disagree.
- For the 2 families who were blown away this week by gifts from the Mitten Tree. May God bless the giver and the receiver of the gifts.
- For small groups starting in January.
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Continue to pray for families who are separating or divorcing. Pray especially for the children who are always caught in the middle.
- For Brenda and Steve Swanson and her family at the loss of her granddaughter Isabella.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Bill Essenberg as he is nearing the end of his cancer treatments.
- Those looking for employment and feel like they are not wanted or needed.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.
- Brian and Sue Vredevoogd ask for prayers for their friend Frank who has had his cancer come back.
- Terry Lacy's cousin, Patrick, had a serious reaction to his medication and is "burning" his skin off. It is called Stephens Johnson Syndrome. He is in the burn unit at Spectrum in GR for at least a week.
- Robin Harper's mom, Jan, fell this week getting the mail. Her face took the brunt of the fall. She is very cut up and bruised. Pray for a speedy recovery.
- Pray for the recent visitors and guests as they look for a church home. Whether it be at Celebration or another church, may they find a place to grow closer to God and his people.



--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
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(231) 571-4137

Almost Christmas!

How sad that this quote by Clyde Reid written in 1966 could very much be written about us today: "As we have seen, there is considerable evidence to suggest that Protestant churches in the mid-twentieth century are in serious trouble. By their obvious action and inaction, the organizations often belie their avowed purpose for existence. They tend to be self-centered, not centered on others. They tend to be more interested in programs and buildings and statistics than in persons. In the great social issues of the day, they are foot-draggers, often jumping on the bandwagon to share the glory after the battle has been won by some secular agency. They reject the spiritually sensitive person and fail to help the sinner. They are enmeshed in a massive appalling contradiction between what they claim to be and what they actually reveal themselves to be." 
May we as a church always fight against this!

1. Events
- Saturday, Oasis Christmas Play Practice, 10:00-11:00AM at church.
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Sunday, Worship Service, 10:30AM!
- Sunday, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM. Starts with dinner!
- Wednesday, Dec. 24, Pray For Muskegon, all day. Sign up for your hour to pray for Muskegon.
- Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7:00PM. It is a wonderful way to enter into Christmas!
- Jan. 4, Seekers Small Group meets. Terry & Patti Lacy will lead the lesson.
- Jan. 7, Book Club - Meet at the Brew House (on Seminole @ Seaway) to discuss "Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale" by Lynda Rutledge. 

2. Small groups - We will have new groups starting in January! If you are interested in growing together with God and with others at Celebration, contact Brenda Swanson or Pastor Matt.

3. Mitten Tree - It is awesome to see that all of the tags from the mitten tree are spoken for! Please bring your gift(s) on Sunday. We'll deliver them on Monday!

4. Sunday - "There's a method to the madness!" This quote seems to fit when we talk about why Jesus was born in a manger. Join us Sunday as we continue our Advent series: "The Miracle of Christmas."

5. Prayers:
- Pray for those who still grieve after the loss of loved ones. May they seek even more after our Comforter during the holidays.
- That we may be filled with grace when we meet with those whom we disagree.
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Continue to pray for families who are separating or divorcing. Pray especially for the children who are always caught in the middle.
- For Brenda and Steve Swanson and her family at the loss of her granddaughter Isabella.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Bill Essenberg as he is nearing the end of his cancer treatments.
- Those looking for employment and feel like they are not wanted or needed.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.
- Brian and Sue Vredevoogd ask for prayers for their friend Frank who has had his cancer come back.


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137

5 Things to Know This Week

Author Randy Clark wrote, "God is not looking for the well financed, the well educated nor even the well experienced in 'ministry.' He is simply looking for those who are willing to yield their hearts and lives to all He wants to do working through them. He is looking for those who are willing to believe for more, because there is more!" Do we as a church believe that there is so much more that God wants to do in us and through us? Oh I hope so!

1. Events
- TONIGHT, Youth Ministries at Calvin Church, 6:30-8:00PM - (ages 4 years to 8th grade) Little Peeps, GEMS, and Middle School = Christmas Program Practice. Cadets = Game Night!
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Sunday, Fellowship Team Meeting, 9:30AM in the Oasis room.
- Sunday, Worship Service, 10:30AM!
- Sunday, Annual Congregational Meeting, Sunday after worship. Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Information Table. Contact your elder if you have any questions.
- Sunday, High School Youth Group at Calvin Church, 6:00-8:00PM. Starts with dinner!
- Dec. 20, Oasis Christmas Play Practice, 10:00-11:00AM at church.
- Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7PM. It is a wonderful way to enter into Christmas!
- Jan. 7, Book Club - Meet at the Brew House (on Seminole @ Seaway) to discuss Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale by Lynda Rutledge.

2. Community Survey - On Sunday, make sure to write down and turn in your surveys of your neighbors, friends, and others in your community! Place them in the collection plate or turn in at the Info booth.

3. T-Shirt Sale - We sold enough T-shirts and raised $292 for the building fund!! 3. Sunday - What is the true message of Christmas? Are you sure? Join us Sunday as we continue our Advent series "The Miracle of Christmas."

4. Sunday - What is the true message of Christmas? Are you sure? Join us Sunday as we continue our Advent series "The Miracle of Christmas."

5. Prayer - Please send your prayer requests to our prayer team so that we may bring them before our God. Here are some recent requests:
- For the LoveINC events: "Christmas store" and "Share The Warmth PJ giveaway". They bless so many with these events and the comprehensive array of classes. May all their efforts help transform lives in Muskegon County.
- Brian and Sue Vredevoogd's friend Frank had encouraging news after his biopsy procedure. They still need to wait for the biopsy results there is reason to be optimistic.
- For those misunderstood and the feelings of deep hurt that come when someone lashes out at them.
- From a Communication Card: "I pray for my boys and the lukewarm people in the world, including myself. His mercy endures forever! Amen!"
- For the craziness and stress that has become synonymous with Christmas time. May we all seek and find Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
- That those who attend church this Sunday will be filled with everything they need.
- For those who have made commitments lately to trust in Jesus.
- Natalie Sims is looking for employment and to make matters worse also has pink eye.
- For all of the requests of our hearts that only God knows!--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137

5 Things to Know This Week

Where is the line between words filled with loving grace and loving correction? I think we err on both sides too often. We remain silent when the other person is on a bad trajectory in life. Or we blast them with both barrels on how they need to change their ways. The big picture when speaking our words is that they must be loving. If the person does not know that we love and care for them, re-think saying your words of correction. But if you love and care about the other person, please don't withhold loving words of correction that might help them? So, when in doubt: speak words of love!

1. Events
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, Book Club, 6:30PM at Verdoni's. We're reading "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson.
- No Youth Ministries tonight at Calvin church.
- Saturday, Food Truck at Calvin Church, Saturday, 8:00-10:00AM. Help distribute food to those who need it.
- Sunday, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM in the Nursery.
- Sunday, Worship Service, 10:30AM!
- Sunday, Oasis Team Meeting, after worship in the Oasis room.
- Dec. 14, Annual Congregational Meeting, Sunday after worship. Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Information Table. Contact your elder if you have any questions.

2. T-Shirt Sale - The website extended our sale for one week! So, get a T-Shirt, Long Sleeve T, or Hooded sweatshirt for Christmas! The costs range from $16-$36. All proceeds go to the building fund. Go to: www.bonfirefunds.com/celebration-church-building-fund. As of today we need to sell 17 more shirts!

3. Sunday - You have probably heard it said, "Timing is everything." Have you ever thought of that when it comes to Christmas? Join us Sunday as we consider this idea in our Advent series "The Miracle of Christmas."

4. Community Survey - Remember to ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, boss, etc. your 3 questions before Sunday! 1) What are the biggest needs in our community? 2) How are those needs presently addressed? 3) How could a church be helpful in addressing these needs? We will collect them on Sunday!

5. Prayer - Please send your prayer requests so that we may bring them before our God. The following requests are ones we know.
- For Brenda and Steve Swanson and her family at the loss of her granddaughter Isabella last week.
- That we may be filled with grace when we meet with those whom we disagree.
- Prayers for families that seem to be falling apart.
- Marilee Schut as she continues to heal from her foot surgery.
- Bill Essenberg as he is in the middle of his 2 month cancer treatments.
- Those looking for employment.
- The unspoken prayers of our hearts that only God knows.
- Those dealing with loneliness and depression.
- Continue to pray for families who are separating or divorcing. Pray especially for the children who are always caught in the middle.
- Brian and Sue Vredevoogd ask for prayers for their friend Frank who has had his cancer come back.
- Harold West gave prayers of thanks for Janet Sykes, his resident who fell and was in a coma after a lot of blood loss. She returned home this past week.
- Nate Meyer, son of Bob and Kathy, has improved enough to be moved to Mary Free Bed after his accident.
- Pray for those who still grieve after the loss of loved ones. May they seek even more after our Comforter during the holidays.
- Pray for Congregational meeting scheduled for Dec. 14. The budget will be presented and updates given on several ministries.

--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.org
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137