Post-Thanksgiving News

1. THANKS - A big thank you to all who helped make the Thanksgiving Eve Dinner and Service a success.  Great food!  Great worship!  Great message!  Rev. Tolbert said people from New Hope were still talking about it on Sunday!  We will do this again next year!

2. CHRISTMAS EVENTS

• SUNDAY - It is time to begin ramping up toward Christmas!  Among all of the festivities, we sing Christmas carols.  In our new Sermon series we will look at 5 famous Christmas songs.  They didn't hit the top 40 countdown but they help us celebrate Christmas! Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we sing: "Songs of Advent."  This Sunday: "Zechariah: The Song of Freedom" (Luke 1:67-75).
• MITTEN TREE - Take a mitten off the tree in the Worship Center and buy the item listed for our adopted family from LoveINC.  We want to make sure they have a great Christmas!
• Christmas Cookies Sign Up - Another tradition we have is for families to sign up to bring 2 dozen on Sunday morning for church.  Sign up at the info booth for your week!

3. ADVENT DEVOTIONS - Sometimes we need help to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas.  The busyness of the season overwhelms us.  So, each day of Advent until Christmas we will send out an email devotion from John Piper's book "Good News of Great Joy."  We hope this will benefit you and those around you!

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Nov. 30, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.
Dec. 4, Adult Sunday School, 9:00AM

Dec. 5, Vision Team Meeting, 6:30PM.

Dec. 7, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/10:30AM.

Dec. 7, Book Club meets at Denny's at 6:30PM.  We're reading "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.

Dec. 11, Youth Sunday - Grades 4 and up.  Let Ed know if you want to know more.

Dec. 25, Christmas Day Service!

5. PRAYERS

• Please pray for Walt Jones and his family as his Stepfather's health is deteriorating.
• Duane Gray will have surgery on Tuesday at 10:30AM at the Michigan Pain Association to relieve pain from his hernia surgery.
• Jill Bennett is at Hackley Hospital getting rehab after a set back in her mobility. She will most likely be there for another week.
• "Pray for peace for those feeling stress this Christmas season."
• Praise God for employment, even with the stress and headaches at times.  Praise God for family who also add stress and headaches at times.
• Pray for students under-achieving at school.
• Pray for marriage plans and lives to be joined together.
• Praise God for Matthew DuRose who earned Honorable Mention at statewide orchestra competition playing his viola!  We praise God for his talent and we are very proud of him.
• Amie Anderson's cousin in Kansas passed away recently.  Pray for comfort for her and the family members.
• Pray for loved ones who are already struggling with the upcoming holidays due to loved ones who have passed away. 
• Praise God for Chloe Alexandra, the new grandchild to Brian and Sue Vredevoogd.  She was born 11/22/16 at 7:54am. 6 lb 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches.  Cassie (the mother) and Chloe are doing well.
• Pray for the ministry of Brenda Lange and her team through Orphans Unlimited in Balama Mozambique.  May God continue to bless her ministry!
• Pray for mended family relationships after Thanksgiving dinner "dramas".
• Reyes Hinajosa praises God for his mother’s improved health.  She is home now and doing much better.
• Terry Lacy also asks for the safe return of their dog Candy who ran away recently and who has not returned.
• Pray for those in the middle of the adoption process.
• Pray for Carla (a friend of Paula Blohm) who fought throat cancer a few years ago but now has another spot in her throat.  She will have a biopsy this week. 
• Paula Blohm is having back pain which makes it very difficult to walk.

--

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

Pre-Thanksgiving News

Quote For the Day: “I have attended church regularly since I was less than a week old. I've listened to sermons about virtue, sermons against vice. I have heard about money, time management, tithing, abstinence, and generosity. I've listened to thousands of sermons. But I could count on one hand the number of sermons that were a simple proclamation of the gospel of Christ.” ― Rich Mullins  (Let's keep this season about Christ!)

1. THANKSGIVING EVE MEAL & SERVICE, TONIGHT - Help us welcome New Hope Baptist Church as our guests with a meal and worship tonight, Thanksgiving Eve.  The potluck dinner starts at 6:00PM and the experiential worship at 7:00PM.  Bring a main dish, salad, or dessert.  This will be a great event for children too!

2. SUNDAY - It is time to begin ramping up toward Christmas!  Among all of the festivities, we sing Christmas carols.  In our new Sermon series we will look at 5 famous Christmas songs.  They didn't hit the top 40 countdown but they help us celebrate Christmas! Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we sing "Songs of Advent."  This Sunday: "Isaiah: The Song of Return" (Isaiah 11:10-16; Luke 16:11-31)

3. ADVENT DEVOTIONS - Sometimes we need help to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas.  The busyness of the season overwhelms us.  So, each day of Advent until Christmas we will send out an email devotion from John Piper's book "Good News of Great Joy."  We hope this will benefit you and those around you!

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Dinner at 6:00PM, Service at 7:00PM.

Nov. 24, Pray for Muskegon  (Contact Pastor Matt for a Prayer Guide)

Nov. 27, No Adult Sunday School

Nov. 27, Advent Begins: "The Songs of Advent"

Nov. 30, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave, 6:30PM.

Dec. 7, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/11:00AM.

Dec. 7, Book Club meets at Denny's at 6:30PM.  We're reading "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.

Dec. 11, Youth Sunday - Grades 4 and up.  Let Ed know if you want to know more.

Dec. 25, Christmas Day service!  (Hopefully this helps in your holiday planning.)

5. PRAYERS

• Remember to pray for Muskegon on Thursday the 24th.

• Amie Anderson's cousin in Kansas passed away this week.  Pray for comfort for her and the family members and safe travel.
• Pray for loved ones who are already struggling with the upcoming holidays due to loved ones who have passed away. 
• Praise God for Chloe Alexandra, the new grandchild to Brian and Sue Vredevoogd.  She was born 11/22/16 at 7:54am. 6 lb 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches.  Cassie (the mother) and Chloe are doing well.
• Pray for Jackie Knight in her move to Nevada on Wednesday.  Pray everything goes well with her pregnancy too.
• "Pray for loved ones to see the light in the darkness."
• Pray for those who feel lots of stress over the holidays.
• Praise God Reyes Hinajosa's mom was in ICU but was released the next morning!
• Pray for Duane Gray who will have outpatient surgery on Nov. 29.
• Pray for the Thanksgiving Eve event on Wednesday.  May we be gracious hosts and may God be praised in all we do.
• Pray for our outgoing and incoming governmental leaders.  Also pray for peace in our streets.
• Pray for those putting in long hours over the holidays.
• Pray for good get-togethers and holiday parties.
• Pray for those who are struggling to make ends meet.

--

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

Celebration Midweek - Nov. 16

1. THANKSGIVING EVE MEAL & SERVICE, Nov. 23 - Help us welcome New Hope Baptist Church as our guests with a meal and worship on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve.  The potluck dinner starts at 6:00PM and the experiential worship at 7:00PM.  SIGN UP at PerfectPotluck.com to bring a main dish, salad, or dessert.  This helps us better coordinate the dinner.  http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=SELU3013

2. STUDENTS - Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church on Norton Ave!  Little Peeps (4yrs-1st grade) - Lesson:"God's Messenger--Jonah"; 

GEMS (Girls 2nd-5th grade) Lesson: "Chain Reaction! (John 13: 14-15) and Craft; 

Cadets (Boys 2nd-5th grade) - Lego Night; 

Middle school - Lesson: "The Truthfulness of God". 

High School students meets on Sunday from 6:00-8:30PM at Calvin Church.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

3. SUNDAY - Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we continue our Sermon series: "Things Jesus NEVER Said."  This Sunday: "Poor People Don't Count" (Mark 14:7; Deuteronomy 15:11)

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Nov. 16, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/11:00AM.

Nov. 16, Student Ministries at Calvin Church on Norton Ave.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Dinner at 6:00PM, Service at 7:00PM.

Nov. 24, Pray for Muskegon

Nov. 27, Advent Begins: "The Songs of Advent"

Dec. 7, Book Club meets at Denny's at 6:30PM.  We're reading "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.

5. PRAYERS

We included a prayer guide which should be useful on Thursday the 24th, our day of praying for Muskegon.

• Praise God for renewed family relationships.
• Pray for the Thanksgiving Eve dinner and service.
• Pray for Brenda Doctor's cousin and family at the death of her cousin Debbie.  Funeral arrangements are still being set.
• Pray for those who care with loved ones in nursing homes.
• Deb Mart asks for prayers for her sisters neighbor and close friend. He had a kidney removed in early spring and they thought it was contained in the kidney. But there are now tumors where the kidney was. His wife is now legally blind from a degenerative disease and is even more scared because of this.
• Kim Rhodes is going back to work next week (and she is ready) after recuperating from her surgery!
• Thank God for our children. They are a blessing!
• Lilia DuRose reports that her mother, her niece Sasha and her children are doing well.  
• Lilia DuRose has lost her voice and we pray that she will be able to talk again soon.
• Reyes Hinajosa’s mother still needs prayers.  She is in good spirits though.  She has a doctor appointment on Wednesday.  
• Patti requests prayer for healing for a very hurtful situation.  
• Praise God for the LoveINC successful Play to Learn program.
• Pray for those who are angry about the outcome of the presidential election, and the families that are being torn apart because of it.
• Praise God for the progress Paula Blohm is making in physical therapy. "I thank God that I am able to walk better!"
• Duane Blohm is having surgery on his knee this Thursday.  Please pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
• Pray for the peaceful transition of power since the election.
• Pray for our leaders.  Commit to pray for them every day.
• Pray for Hal Hester, Eddie Anderson's son, at the loss of his father-in-law last week.
• Pray for our children who do not know Jesus.  
• Pray for the Forest Park Covenant Church community at the unexpected death of a member.  It was a difficult loss.
• Pray for Patti Lacy's friend Gerald who is scheduled for an amputation above his knee on Thursday to stem the spread of cancer in his leg.

--

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

Post Election Celebration News

I got to be the Chairman of Precinct 8 polling location all day yesterday.  It was a seriously long day but it was so much fun!  No political commercials.  No campaign stickers.  No Facebook partisan arguments.  It was glorious!  And if you love to people watch, this was the place to be!

It was quite apparent how many of my poll workers were active in their churches.  When a church member or a friend from another church came to the poll, they laughed, gave hugs, and wished them well till they met again.  The election was a secondary issue, even with the gravity of the election.  The important part was connecting as fellow Christians.  

But I pondered, could this continue on Wednesday?  Could all Believers put their politics aside for the sake of community, for a bigger vision, and for the healing of friendships?  The world is watching and waiting!  

May God heal us, the church.  May God give us, the Church, the desire to live together in unity in a country which has lost sight of what we, the Church, on fire for Jesus can really do.  May we, the Church, all live with our politics as secondary to the primary goal of living in community as Christ's Church!

1. STUDENTS - 

This Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM at Calvin Church on Norton Ave!  Little Peeps (4yrs-1st grade) - Lesson:"Daniel and the Lions Den"; GEMS (Girls 2nd-5th grade) Lesson: "Love Inside Out (Romans 5:5)” and Craft; Cadets (Boys 2nd-5th grade) - Veterans Day Project Night; Middle school - Lesson: "Teh Attributes of God". Our High School students meets on Sunday from 6:00-8:30PM at Calvin Church.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

2. THANKSGIVING EVE MEAL & SERVICE, Nov. 23 - Help us welcome New Hope Baptist Church as our guests with a meal and worship on Thanksgiving Eve.  The potluck dinner starts at 6:00PM and the experiential worship at 7:00PM.  Go to the link below at PerfectPotluck.com to sign up for the meal.  http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=SELU3013

3. SUNDAY - Invite a friend to worship Sunday as we continue our Sermon series: "Things Jesus NEVER Said."  This Sunday: "Doubting is Dangerous" (John 20:19-31)

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER

Nov. 13, Celebration of Communion

Nov. 13, Seekers Small Group meets after church

Nov. 16, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/11:00AM.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Dinner at 6:00PM, Service at 7:00PM.

Nov. 24, Pray for Muskegon

5. PRAYERS

• Pray that our regular guests can find their place and a role at Celebration.
• Pray for difficult family situations.
• Pray for preparations for our Thanksgiving Eve meal and service on November 23.
• Reyes asks for  prayers for his mom, Zoila, as she has inflated veins by her heart.  She will require surgery in the next few weeks.
• "Pray for our pastor that God would speak to him and through him with God's wisdom and power as he leads us."
• "Pray for those fighting cancer.  Pray for healing, strength, and peace in God's love."
• Praise God that he is still in control.  May we all bring healing to our country one person at a time.
• Pray for those with multiple health issues which are complicating things.
• Praise God for improved health for Paula Blohm.
• Pray for those who are physically away from loved ones.
• Pray for Charles Serene who has a fractured Tibia after a motorcycle accident last week.  He will have surgery soon.
• Praise God for new commitments to Jesus!
• Pray for family members with mental illness and the family members who care for them.
• "Praise God for Celebration and the warm words of appreciation last month.  As always, you are a gift to my heart!"  Pastor Matt
• Pray for family relationships to be healed.
• Pray for Jackie Knight and her move to Nevada soon.
• Pray for people in need of employment.

-- 

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

Celebration Midweek - Nov 2

Quote For The Day: "The only eternal item that we can give to others is the truth about Jesus.  True friends of Jesus boldly share His story everywhere they go.  The message the Lord is speaking now is this: RELEASE THE EVANGELIST INSIDE YOU so that all those with ears to hear will rise to glory when Jesus returns!"  (Brenda Lange)

1. STUDENTS - Nov. 2, Family Service Night, 6:00-8:00PM - We will be working on cleaning up McLaughlin Community Park (corner of Terrace St. and Isabella).  Meet at the park at 6:30PM!  Our hope is to connect with each other while serving in the community together.  Please bring rakes, blowers, gloves, etc… so we can make the park look brand new!

HIGH SCHOOL: meets on Sunday from 6:00-8:30PM at Calvin Church.  Contact Pastor Matt for more info.

2. SUNDAY - Invite a friend as we continue our new Sunday series: "Things Jesus NEVER Said."  This Sunday: "Being Good is All That Counts" (Matthew 19:16-22)

3. WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - We will be starting a new book soon: "1000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. Contact Deb Mart to order your book.

4. EVENTS TO REMEMBER
Nov. 2, Baby Basics/Women's Bible Study, 10:00/11:00AM.
Nov. 2, Family Service Night, 6:30-8:00PM at McLaughlin Park. (Info below)
Nov. 2, Book Club at Mango's at 6:30. We're reading "The Secret Keeper" by Kate Morton.
Nov. 4, Play and Learn Class, 10:00AM to NOON at church.

Nov. 7, Council/Vision Team/Deacon Team Meetings, 6:30PM at Church.

Nov. 8, Election Day

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Eve Service, Dinner at 6:00PM, Service at 7:00PM.

5. PRAYERS

• Pray for older loved ones in care facilities.
• Pray for Gerald who is diagnosed with cancer in his lower leg.  They are looking at the possibility of amputation.
• Pray for Kayla who had a heart transplant on Saturday.  May she recover well and find health and strength.
• Pray for all of our country's leaders.  May God help them and us.
• Kim Rhodes wrote: "Here is my list of answered prayers: 1) My son finally got a job so he will have day care for his son Liam. 2) My bathroom is finished! 3) I have finally moved into my new home.  4) I can walk!  I could keep going but I have run out of room!"
• Pray for those actively seeking God's will in their lives.  May God bring clarity for their next step in the journey with Jesus.
• Brenda Doctor's cousin Tayler is in St. Mary's Hospital fighting leukemia.
• Pray for marriages where one spouse is not a believer.  May God bring a miracle.
• Pray for marriages in conflict.
• Pray for Brenda Lange in Balama Mozambique and her ministry at Orphans Unlimited.
• Pray for families dealing with self-inflicted deaths.  Bring peace and healing.
• Pray for those seeking employment.

-- 

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