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
Like us on Facebook!
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Celebration Community Church! We hope and pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas!


1. Christmas Eve Service Tonight, 8:00PM! - Plan on worshiping tonight at church on this last day of Advent! See you there!

2. Adopt A Family - A HUGE thanks to all who helped make the Adopt a Family project a wonderful success.  Both families were blown away by your love for them that flowed from your love for God!  There were many tears and thanks and prayers.  May God continue his blessings on them this year.

3. Prayers - Here are some prayer requests and thanks, some new and some older. Remember these people in your prayers this week:
- All who are grieving from a recent loss at this season.
- Nancy and Tim Bosma's neighbor Barb and husband Mike on the loss of her Dad.
- Robin Busch begins 5 weeks of radiation treatment. Praise God final big dose of chemo went easy.
- Tim Bosma because of his knee injury. For Nancy to have patience.
- Shirley DeMeyers who is the Aunt of one of our special friends from Moka. She has a brain tumor and they are running tests.
- John Wessel, for his peace and provision.
- Kadence Ribbens who has a bulged disk in her lower back that is pressing on the nerves. Please pray for relief of pain.
- We pray for a wonderful and peaceful Christmas with your families. That there may be peace on earth and goodwill toward all people. (Sometimes the ones we love the most are the hardest to get along with.)
- Steve DuRose's mom who is responding well to her first Chemo treatment.
- Ruth Hinojosa would like to express her gratitude for all of your prayers for the loss of her mother.
- Kim Rhodes' mother in law whose kidney is not working well.
- That loved ones may see that Jesus is the reason for Christmas!


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - December 18

Today was awesome! There was so much pounding and commotion on the roof that I thought at any moment it was going to come down on top of me. That just means that there is much progress happening! Yea!

1. Events
- Deliver Gifts and Caroling, 6:00 PM, December 19 (THU) - We will be caroling in the neighborhood after we have pizza and salads. There will be hot cocoa after we are done singing. Dress in warm clothes and get ready for an awesome time!
- Christmas eve service, 8:00PM (TUE) - Our annual candlelight service will be one to share with others. Pick up an invite at the information booth to give to friends, co-workers, and family!


2. Advent - This week in our Advent series, "From Darkness to Light", we will look at the darkness of anxiety and the light of peace! Invite someone who needs to hear about real peace!  (Luke 2:13-16)

3. Cleaning Church - Every week we have wonderful people from MOKA come to clean church for free. However, they will not be able to clean our building the week of Christmas or New Years. We need a small group of people to clean church for 2 hours during these 2 weeks. Please contact Jim Ring or Doug Bergman from AMT if you are interested.

4. Prayers - Here are some additional prayer requests since Sunday, mostly from the communication cards. Please pray for:
- Kim Rhodes' Mother in Law whose kidneys aren't working well.
- Pam Willimason as she has surgery on Jan 16th to remove her tonsils.
- Ruth Hinojosa as she grieves the loss of her mother.
- The Hooker family, new acquaintances of the Ribbens' family, as Dan's mother just passed away this morning.
- Kadence Ribbens who has a bulging disk in her back.


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

4 Things to Know This Week

Looking at the weather I can confidently say that "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" May the joy of Christmas grow in you as we celebrate the coming of Jesus during Advent! 

1. Events
- Congregational Meeting, December 15 - This Sunday we will vote on the budget for next year and get updates from various groups at Celebration. You can pick up a copy of the budget at the info booth.
- Deliver Gifts and Caroling, December 19 (THU) - We will be delivering gifts to our adopted Christmas family and then caroling in the neighborhood. We will have pizza and salads before we go and hot cocoa after we are done singing.
- Christmas eve service, 8:00PM (TUE) - Our annual candlelight service will be one to share with others.

2. Advent - This week in our Advent series, "From Darkness to Light", we will look at the darkness of fear and the light of joy! (Luke 2:6-12)

3. Cleaning Church - Every week we have wonderful people from MOKA come to clean church for free. However, they will not be able to clean our building the week of Christmas or New Years. We need a small group of people to clean church for 2 hours during these 2 weeks. Please contact Jim Ring or Doug Bergman from AMT if you are interested.

4. Prayers - Please add these people to your prayer list:
- Steve DuRose's mom as she battles with cancer.
- Makenna got her helmet off Monday and her CTscan was clean with no bleeding in the brain! Yea!
- Those walking through painful memories, losses, and depression during Christmas time.
- Ruth's mom in Texas is in ICU.

- Safe travel for those going out of town this weekend.
- Sue Vredevoogd as she recovers from breaking her wrist.


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Midweek - December 4

Pause! Take a breath! You didn't did you! It is difficult to do this when you are running through life. Don't run so fast and miss out on all of the blessings to be had in this journey with Jesus! So...take a breath...now here are 5 things to know for this week!

1. Events
- Congregational Meeting, December 15 - We will vote on the budget for next year and get updates from various groups at Celebration. You can pick up a copy of the budget at the info booth.
- Deliver Gifts and Caroling, December 19 (THU) - We will be delivering gifts to our adopted Christmas family and then caroling in the neighborhood. We will have pizza and salads before we go and hot cocoa after we are done singing.
- Christmas eve service, 8:00PM - Our annual candlelight service will be one to share with others. 

2. Advent - Last Sunday we kicked off our Advent sermon series "From Darkness to Light". This week we look at the oppressive darkness that is destroyed by the light of salvation! (Luke 2:1-5)

3. Basics for Babes - We are in need of diapers, wipes, baby soap, baby shampoo, baby powder, small and crib sized blankets, new or gently used clothes. 

4. Five Minute Rule - This is merely a reminder to continue what you already do. For the first 5 minutes after worship, there shall be no church business conducted! Instead, thou shalt only greet and connect with those not known to you or who are guests. Thus endeth the sermon!

5. Prayers - Please pray for:
- The friend of Sherry Essenberg who continues to wait for medical treatment.
- Steve DuRose's mom as she battles with cancer.
- Reyes would like to thank all of you for praying for his nieces. They have now both been released from the hospital. He describes their recovery as miraculous.
- Marc and Darla's friend Noah who had cognitive functioning issues last week.
- Bobby Kenney's family as they mourn.
- The leadership of Celebration as they seek to remain faithful to God's calling as servants of God's people.


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

7 Things to Remember This Week at Celebration

If you are rushed today, read through the noteworthy items but then mark this email as unread. Come back to it later when you are not rushed and pray over each item in the prayer request section. WHY? There is a great difference between becoming informed of the needs of God's people and actually lifting them up to God.  Invest some time with God and bring up the cares of others too. "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8)

1. Update - We have moved forward in the building process to work with Post Associates as our architectural firm. An Architect Input Team is being formed to make sure that the architect has the necessary information to make plans for the building both now and into the future.


2. Roof, Roof! - It is a happy day because we are going to have our roof replaced! The renovation is scheduled to start on Monday, November 19! There will more efficient insulation installed, a slope to the roof, and there should not be a need to find more buckets when it rains! Yea!

3. Great Chili Feed! - Thanks to all who entered a crockpot into the contest this past Sunday. It is always enjoyable to see tables full of food at church! The 2013 Champions are: White Chili = Nikki Rowell, Red Chili = Duane Blohm. Nicely done!

4. Adopt a Family - We will once again Adopt a Family for Christmas. Gift tags will be on the Christmas tree November 24th and we are asking that all gifts be wrapped and brought to the church by December 15. We will do a non-perishable food drive for the family at the Thanksgiving service.

5. Thanksgiving Service - As we gather together to give thanks with our families let us not forget to also come together with our church family. Join us Wednesday evening, November 27th at 7pm to give thanks to our Lord. Our evening services are always touching and worshipful.

6. Christmas Cookies - What better way to celebrate the Christmas season than with cookies. Each Sunday in December we will give you the opportunity to bring 2 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies to enjoy after the morning worship service. There will be a sign-up sheet on the information table beginning November 24th.

7. Prayers - Here are some of our prayer concerns since last week. Please pray for:
- Brenda Doctor who is struggling with body pain and depression.
- Charlene's friend Pam whose husband Mike passed away this past week due to complications from having his gallbladder removed.
- Frank VanHees whose procedure was successful! Yea!
- Patti Lacy as she continues to search for a job.
- Those suffering in the Philippines due to the recent typhoon.
- Those in the process of making critical life decisions.
- Those struggling with alcoholism and other vices in their lives.
- Families caught in the difficult process of divorce.
- Rex LeaTrea (Nancy Bosma) is free of heart blockages and is now free to continue heart therapy and hunting!


--
Pastor Matt Eenigenburg
Celebration Community Church
1260 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI 49441
www.celebrationmuskegon.com/
www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon
(231) 571-4137

Celebration Mid-Week

There are 5 things I wish to tell you about this week:

1. Mitten Tree - I love days like today!  Why? Because today we delivered the presents and food to Edwana and her family.  It is hard to describe how shocked she was when the 2 full carloads of presents entered her home!  Edwana wanted to thank everyone for their gifts.  You brought the love of Christ into this home this Christmas!

2. Sunday - Invite a friend to our Sunday service where we talk about Jesus, often times the hidden character of Christmas.  (John 1:1-5)

3. Christmas Eve - Don't forget the Christmas Eve Worship Service this coming Monday at 7:30PM.  We set the time early enough so that you can go open presents with your family when you get home!

4. Prayers - Christmas and Easter may be the only time that some people will come to church this week.  May we be bold and invite them to be our guest.  May we be loving and respectful when we talk with them.  May we be faithful when God asks us to follow up with them after they visit. 

5. The End? - In case there is no service as we know it on Sunday because the world has ended, I am so glad to have been the pastor of Celebration Community Church.  It has been a joy and honor working with you to reach people with the fierce love of God!  Jesus spoke often about being ready (Matthew 24-25).  My hope is that we have done all that we can to make you spiritually ready for whatever is to come, tomorrow or some other day.  

One thing I know, we have a sure hope in our great God: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-4, NIV).

-- 

Pastor Matt Eenigenburg

Celebration Community Church

1260 W. Sherman Blvd.                              

Muskegon, MI 49441

www.celebrationmuskegon.com/

www.facebook.com/celebration.muskegon

(231) 571-4137

This Week at Celebration

Happy Thursday Celebration! Don't miss these 7 important things for this week!

1. Christmas Caroling! Meet at Seminole Shores at 6:30PM next Wednesday, Dec 5, for your opportunity to go caroling! Very important fashion request: Please wear read or green or just a real gaudy Christmas sweater! I just want others to share in my fashion disorder!

2. Adopt a Family - We have a family of 8 from LoveINC for our tree this year! Cheryl Ferguson will be talking about it on Sunday. Talk it over as a family or small group to see where we can bless this family this Christmas!

3. Offering - Our Thanksgiving offering was for World Renew (formerly CRWRC) for the cleanup efforts of hurricane Sandy. The total came to $338! WOW!

4. Advent - Our Advent sermon series highlights the hidden characters in the Christmas stories. This Sunday is the story of Elizabeth and the surprise of God's blessings (Luke 1:39-45).

5. Christmas Cookies - Bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share with others on Sunday. Sign up at the info booth for your week.

6. Prayer Needs: Please be in prayer for Jena DeWolfe who is going through some big challenges.

7. Thanksgiving - This past week it was very easy for me to be thankful for the many different, dysfunctional, and delightful people just like me at Celebration Community Church. It was our 1 year anniversary together! I am thankful for all of you and look forward to what God will do this next year!

Merry Christmas

We just returned from Christmas with my side of the family.  It was good to talk about a wide variety of things ranging from the serious to the superficial to the downright insane.  As usual, the goal of the day is to tell silly stories from our childhood days that make my mom laugh out of control.  Mission accomplished!

I hope and pray that you too have a great day celebrating Christmas!