Celebration Midweek - February 19

1. Annual Wild Game Dinner, Saturday, February 22 - The Hors d'oeuvres will be at 5:30PM with the dinner starting at 6:00PM. Men: this may be the highlight of the year for you! See you there!

2. Sunday - It has been said that life is a gift. But how do you live this precious gift called life? How do you make plans in an uncertain and un-guaranteed future? Come Sunday an hear how to make the most of the short life that God has given to you! (James 4:13-17)

3. Building Project Update, February 23 - There will be a short meeting directly after the morning worship service where we will update the congregation with the plans for the building project. This will be a chance for you to see your role in the future of Celebration.

4. Prayers: Please add these recent additions to your prayer list:
- People at Celebration who are hungry for God to work in their lives.
- Tammy, Holly's friend, who has just finalized the divorce process.
- Back issues in the Ribbens family. Kadence will be undergoing an injection procedure on Tuesday to decrease the swelling in her spine. Holly has a disk pressing on the sciatic nerve causing constant pain. Also, Rob re-injured his back this past week with a fall in the driveway.
- Those looking for employment.
- Justin Udell who is in the hospital having emergency surgery.

- Basics For Babes ministry that provides layettes for new moms.

--
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 Know This Week

WOW! I just read the part in the book written by my friend Zantesah Ingalls where he says: "The world has labeled this generation as 'the lost generation.' I want to shift your paradigm. God has never created a generation that would be lost. He wants to use you to change a generation!" May God find us willing and useful in his vision to change Muskegon for him!

1. Annual Wild Game Dinner, Saturday, February 22 - The Hors d'oeuvres will be at 5:30PM with the dinner starting at 6:00PM. Men: this may be the highlight of the year for you! See you there!

2. Sunday - How do you deal with conflict? Stuff it? Spew it? Do you deal with it as the Bible prescribes? Invite someone who needs some conflict resolution in their life! Really, who doesn't need that? (Matthew 18:15-20)

3. Building Project Update, Feb. 23 - There will be a short meeting directly after the morning worship service to update the congregation with the plans for the next phase of the building project. This will be a chance for you to see your role in the future of Celebration.

4. Wanted - If you have a copy to lend of the movie "Jesus of Nazareth", please contact Pastor Matt.

5. Communication Cards - We want to update our information of members and regular attendees with accurate information for our new directory.  So, please fill out the communication card this Sunday.  Thanks.

6. Basics For Babes - Continue to pray for the wonderful work that this ministry has done over the last few months.  Also, they are in need of onesies, diapers, and new or gently used baby clothes.  Bring to church before the 19th when they make up the next layettes (Baby Starter Kits).  

7. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Those looking for employment.
- Those excited to grow in their journey with Jesus! Let us all lift them up and encourage them!
- Families looking for relief from the chaos and turmoil.
- Brenda Grabinski for her niece who passed away last week. Also for her mother Joann Fargo is adjusting to life in a nursing home.
- People struggling with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Feeling down due to a lack of sunlight is no fun!
- Robin Busch, sister of Tim Bosma who has only 2 more radiation treatments and then 6 weeks of rest before her surgery at the end of March. Pray for rest and restoring in this time.
- The friend of Sherry Essenberg who is suffering from cancer. She is now receiving hospice care. She is a wife and mother and only 49 years old.
- The city-wide prayer initiative that is being coordinated for this spring.
- The building project, leaders, and future of Celebration Community Church!

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

5 Things to Know This Week!

1. Annual Wild Game Dinner, Saturday, February 22 - Are there men in your life who need the love of Christ and other Godly men? Consider inviting them to this event! If you are interested in cooking for this event or helping prepare, Roger Doctor will provide the meat and recipe for your dish.

2. Think about it - C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity, "If Christianity only means one more bit of good advice, then Christianity is of no importance. There has been no lack of good advice for the last 4000 years. A bit more makes no difference." Clearly there is more to Christ than just good moral advice.

3. Sunday - Listless, unmotivated, direction unknown? The Bible says "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Prov. 29:18) So, what is Celebration's vision? What is the vision for your life? Join us with a friend as we look at God's idea of vision from Mark 4:35-41.

4. Small Groups - It is difficult to grow closer with others and with God at church for only one hour on Sunday. That is why smaller groups are so important. Contact Brenda Swanson or Pastor Matt to do life with God and others in a small group. We will be starting new groups in late February!

5. Prayers - There are a couple of prayer requests from our Sunday communication cards.
- Continued prayers for those who are dealing with back issues or other pains.
- Robin Busch, sister of Tim Bosma, continues her radiation treatments for esophageal cancer.
- Our Classis (gathering of area churches) meets on Thursday, February 6. Pray for wisdom, guidance, and unity.
- Sean VanderJagt, son of Cheryl Ferguson as he enters the Army. Please lift in prayer all of our soldiers serving.
- Peace, comfort, and understanding within our relationships and marriages.
- That God may continue to direct our efforts in the building program.

--
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 - January 29

Highlight of the day? It was so bright outside that I had to wear sunglasses today! Hello Summer!
Here are a few things that you should know this week!

1. Annual Wild Game Dinner, Saturday, February 22 - Are there men in your life who need the love of Christ and other Godly men? Consider inviting them to this event! If you are interested in cooking for this event or helping prepare. Please see Roger Doctor.

2. Be Careful Please - There are huge snow banks at the exits to Sherman Blvd. Please be careful when leaving the parking lot.

3. Next Steps Class - February 2, Noon - Want to know more about Celebration or want to make it your Church home? Wwill meet after church with food (YAY!) before we dig in to what Celebration Church is all about and your "next steps" here. Contact Pastor Matt for more details.

4. Sunday - Prayer: It is the first thing given up when things are going well and the last thing done when things are not going well. Clearly, a shift in perspective is needed! (Luke 18:9-14)

5. Church Safety Class - We will be having a Church Safety class in a few weeks for those who will be volunteering in the nurseries and Oasis. Contact Pastor Matt for more details.

6. Prayers -
- There is a continued need for the people we know who have marriages that are in crisis.
- Those who are incarcerated and need a loving community more than ever.
- We celebrate the life of babies born within our community (Halden Workman). We mourn for the families of babies that did not make it safely into our world, unintentionally or intentionally.
- Those who are overextended financially and are near the breaking point.
- For all of us as we preach the good news of Jesus Christ every day, often times with our words.


--
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 - January 15

I'm a 21st-er! Huh? Let me explain.  For me, winter is already over! After December 21, the daylight hours of each day grow longer until June 21, the longest day of the year! For someone who loves the sun, this is a wonderful thing! Even though the gloomy grip of winter is strong and will continue for a time, I anticipate the final end of a long winter and the soothing warmth of a West Michigan Summer! In the middle of a cold and dreary Michigan winter, be assured that the end of winter will certainly come! Let me know if you have the intended sermon application?

1. Upcoming Events:

- Baked Potato Bar, Sunday January 26 at Noon - After the worship service we will have lunch together! Yay, food! Sign up at the info booth to bring something to add to the meal.

- Oasis Family Sledding Party, February 1 from 2:00-4:00PM - Come with your children and enjoy a fun day of sledding, talking, and snacks. Contact Julie Bergman for more details.
- Annual Wild Game Dinner, Saturday, February 22 - Are there men in your life who need the love of Christ and other Godly men? Consider inviting them to this event! If you are interested in cooking for this event or helping prepare. Please see Roger Doctor.Baked Potato

2. Layette Ministry - Will not meet this Monday as advertised but will meet next month. Continue to pray for this ministry and help support them by bringing to church: soap, shampoo, diapers, and new or gently used clothes. Contact Kathy Meyer for more details.

3. Next Steps Class Starts February 2 - We will meet after church with food (YAY!) before we dig in to what Celebration Church is all about and what your "next steps" could be here. Contact Pastor Matt for more details.

4. Sunday - Some people say, "I love Jesus but I can't stand the church!" What is the purpose and role of the church? Why should I join one and how do I know if I am in the right church? (Matthew 16:13-20)

5. Small Groups - The focus with small groups at Celebration is "Growing Closer to God and Growing Closer to Others". We are starting new small groups at the end of January. If you are interested in doing life with others in a group, contact Brenda Swanson or Pastor Matt.

6. Prayers - Please pray for:
- Lily,the granddaughter of Sue Weston cousin of Nancy Bosma. Lily was diagnosed with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Holly's friend Kristi Monette who had a very large cyst removed from her ovary. The biopsy results showed that she is cancer free!
- Join in prayer warriors around the country in praying for 1 minute each night at 9:00 PM Eastern Time for the safety of the United States and for a return to a Godly nation.
- For the many unspoken or unknown prayer requests of people that need God's help to overcome the obstacles in their life.


--
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 - January 9

The chill may have put us back a few days but we are back at it now! It may even be 30's this weekend! Woot! Woot!
Here are a few things to keep you warm this week.

  1. Movie Night, Friday, January 10 - Tomorrow night at 7pm we will be watching the movie, “I Am” here at Celebration. Come out for fun, fellowship and popcorn! Here is the movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Z-ZKoZN8Q

2. Baked Potato Bar, Sunday January 26 at Noon - After the worship service we will have lunch together! Yay, food! Sign up at the info booth to bring something to add to the meal.

3. Sunday - Our souls long for it. Some people fear it but nothing can ever take the place of it. It can be all around you but you can still miss out on it. Invite someone Sunday as we talk about God's presence! (Exodus 33)

4. Annual Wild Game Dinner - Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 22 for our annual men’s event. Are there men in your life who need the love of Christ and other Godly men? Consider inviting them to this event! If you are interested in cooking for this event or helping prepare. Please see Roger Doctor.


5. Prayers - It is an awesome thing to lift up to God our needs and the requests of others. Here are some new prayer updates. Please pray for:
- Paula Espinoza's friend, Carla, whose latest scan results shows that the lesions they detected a couple of months ago are just scar tissue. So great news!
- Phil Pressotto (friend of the Schossau's) who continues to battle with cancer. He will need surgery on January 10 because the cancer is affecting a facial nerve.
- Those who require surgery soon.
- For the continued building progress at Celebration that we may be mindful of what God would like to do with our facilities!
- Jayson Kozal, a friend of the Eenigenburg's, , whose grandpa died this week.
- Roger Doctor (policeman) who had a stent put into one of his arteries this past week. He needs to lay low for a while.
- Duane Gray who officially started his own security business this past week!
- Those who are fighting the post holidays funk.
- Continue to pray for the leadership at Celebration.
- The snowplow driver who was over-busy during the latest round of snow.

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

Easter Week at Celebration

These happenings are being sent out early because there are a number of great things happening this week that you will want to know about.

1. Thanks! - The proceeds from the Wild Game Dinner came to $501. It will all go to our Benevolence Fund.  It was such a great time!  Orange hats off to Mark and Roger and all those who helped make this a success, again!

2. Maundy Thursday - See you Thursday for a night of reflection as we take a "Journey to the Cross". Our worship experience will begin at 7PM.

3. Easter - Make sure you use your Easter invite this week to include others in our Sunday Worship at 10:30AM and the Easter Breakfast at 9:30AM.

4. Prayers - Anxiety in new business ventures, Thelma Bergman because her good friend passed away last week, continued prayers for family relationships, progress on getting a mortgage, upcoming surgery for Makenna on April 9, past surgeries for Reyes Hinojosa's mother and Cheryl Ferguson, children who have been abused and wounded deeply, and many other unspoken requests.

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

Midweek at Celebration

Hey Celebration!  Check out these 8 things for this week!

1. Green: Sunday is St. Patrick's day which is named after a man with a great story of how he brought the Gospel to people in Ireland. Wear something green on Sunday just to create a festive atmosphere!

2. Candy: Bring your candy on Sunday to fill the Easter eggs for the hunt that is coming up soon!

3. Loan: We have been approved for a loan! Wahoo! We hope to have more details in place soon to share with you. This is just to let you know that our plan to worship in Phase 2 of our building has cleared a major hurdle! Yeah!

4. Program: As Winter recedes and Spring begins to take shape, the needs of God's people are also becoming more evident. Make sure that you look at the back of the program each week for the prayer needs at Celebration.

5. Prayer: Be sure to pray for those recovering from surgeries like Sandra Bangma or other people who have been dealing with the pain in their body. Pray for those who suffer from deeper emotional pain though sometimes you would never know it. Mostly, pray for those who have unspoken prayer requests. God hears their hearts even if we are not aware of their need.

6. Sunday: Do you feel useless, a non-contributor in life? What if you made a difference in your area of life? Doesn't that sound interesting? We will tackle this idea and more when we wrap up our series "All I Really Needed to Know" on Sunday.

7. Wild Game Dinner - This Saturday, 5PM appetizers, 6PM dinner! Oh yeah!

8. Prayers: Did you know that Muskegon moved ahead of Benton Harbor as the #3 violent city in Michigan? We are only behind Detroit and Flint! Please pray for our city and how we as a church can join with others to make an impact here for Jesus.



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

If there were only 7 things you needed to know this week, the following 7 things would be it!

1. Prayers - Cheryl Ferguson had a successful surgery on her neck this morning. She is recovering at Mercy and is due to go home on Thursday.

2. Must See TV - If you watch the History Channel, you may want to check out the miniseries titled: "The Bible". It gives a theatrical summary of the entire Bible. It will run for 5 weeks, ending Easter. Check your cable stations for time.

3. Wild Game Dinner - Don't forget this annual event on Saturday, March 16! It is geared for men and boys of hunting age. Appetizers start at 5PM and dinner at 6PM.  Contact Roger Doctor if you have more questions.

4. Passion Week - Who will you invite to our Easter worship? Make sure you pick up your invitation at the Info Booth on Sunday. Also, plan to take a "Journey to the Cross" at our Maundy Thursday service on March 28 at 7PM.

5. All You Really Needed to Know - Wish that someone would summarize for you all that you really need to know in life? Our present series of Sunday messages focuses on the essentials in life that you cannot do without! Invite someone who needs to hear it!

6. Basics for Babies - We are starting a ministry for newborn babies! Babies within our congregation and those in need throughout the community! We are looking for gently used or new clothing, diapers, and all of those other basics that every baby needs. Contact Kathy Meyer for more info.

7. Bigger Better Boat Team - Continue to be in prayer for the team as they direct the progress toward Phase 2 completion. Our plan for Celebration continues to take shape for worship in this old car dealership we call home. However, the more important thing is that we seek how we may fit into God's plan for this area of Muskegon. Thanks for talking to our great God about this!

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

Midweek at Celebration

Here are 4 things that you need to know this week!

1. Wild Game Dinner - Don't forget this annual event on Saturday, March 16! It is geared for men and boys of hunting age. Contact Roger if you have more questions.

2. Meeting Needs - Churches have the distinct challenge of helping meet the various needs of its people. Not only spiritual needs but physical, emotional, and even financial. To help us do this better, the Elders put all of our members into 4 care districts. We hope that you will notice the difference! The specific districts are arranged by last names.
A-C = Tim
D-K = Marc
L-R = Steve
S-Z = Sue

3. New Series - Wish that someone would summarize for you all that you really need to know in life? Our next series of Sunday messages will focus on the essentials in life that you cannot do without! Invite someone who needs to hear it!

4. Drama at Celebration: this morning the snowplow driver cracked the water pipe in the parking lot and it started gushing water. Turns out that no one could find a shut off valve! It was wonderful to see Bobby, Jim, and Rob spring into action! One thing is sure: we definitely need a bigger, better boat (with a shutoff valve)!

Celebration Midweek

There are always many things to put in the weekly email. Here are 6 of the top things that you should know this week!

1. Wild Game Dinner - On Saturday, March 16, our Men's group will host our annual Wild Game Dinner. Sign up at the information booth so that we can have enough food prepared. Men and boys of hunting age are welcome. And as always, everyone goes home with a prize!

2. Marriage Seminar - Fifth Reformed Church is hosting a Family Life "Art of Marriage" seminar on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9. Personally I highly recommend it! Cost is $40. Contact Pastor Matt for more details.

3. Next Steps Class - We have a full class! Please pray that we would grow together as a group and discover what our next steps are at Celebration.

4. Prayers - This winter has taken it's toll on the health of many people from Celebration, and many that we know and love. We pray for renewed health.

5. Upgrade: Work Life - It's just a job, right? What if our work was more important than that? Invite a friend to find out how God wants to upgrade our work life! (Ephesians 6:5-9)

6. Who are we? - Someone asked me this week whether we were a "missionary church", one that is specifically geared for people who are not presently associated with any church. My first thought was, "Aren't all churches?" Then I thought that most churches probably aren't. It is more about maintaining the structure than leading people to meet Jesus face to face. May we at Celebration continue to be about ALL people encountering Jesus, whether they attend another church or not!

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

The Hunting Pastor

I am sure the drawing was rigged somehow!  How else could I get such a prize?

We had our annual Wild Game Dinner this past Saturday.  What a great event!  The best attended yet!  There were so many people at church that I had never seen before!  This is the 3rd time that this event has occurred and I hear that it keeps getting better each year.  The organizers do a great job!  The focus of the evening is clear each time: celebrate our God!  He has made us stewards and managers of his creation and we celebrate him with others who share a common interest, hunting.  (And a few of us who are not hunters, yet.)

If you love food, this is definitely the event for you.  It is clear that the cooks made each dish with love.  I have heard of the detailed recipes that were used.  Wow, they took their role very seriously!  We had bear roast, rabbit stew, pheasant gumbo, venison steaks, perch appetizers, and more than that.  And each dish was incredible!  It was like Christmas dinner!  

After we were stuffed to near bursting, we heard a talk by the CEO of Scent-Lok.  If you know anything about hunting you know this product and how well it works.  I of course had no clue until a few months ago.  It was great to hear his story of how God has changed and shaped his life.  I think that this meant a lot to those who know the brand.  A CEO within the industry is a follower of Jesus and is proud of it!

The next part of the evening was a blur for me.  Each person gets a ticket that is used for the drawings.  The event organizers have so many contacts within the hunting industry that they can get many different promotional products and donations for the event.  There was hats, deer stands, hunting videos, and even urination pouches.  I will let you Google that last item.  Everyone walked away with some kind of gift, maybe two.  The night progressed well and the gifts were slowly given away.  People seem genuinely grateful for their gifts.

Then, the next item in the drawing is one of the big prizes donated for the night, a muzzleloader rifle worth around $250.  I have a vague idea of this style of weapon but would not be able to tell you the details of how to operate it.  My brother, niece, and I are joking that we are going to win it.  We are eagerly holding our tickets and laughing with mock expectancy.  The crowd is silent as we anticipate the number to be called.  They call my number!  Seriously!  I wait for someone to say "Just Kidding" but no one does.  Really, there may be only 2% of the people present that could not shoot this weapon better than me.  They must think it odd that the new pastor who is pretty green and ignorant in the ways of hunting gets a brand new rifle.  But no matter, I now am the proud owner of a rifle.

It is my lesson of grace all over again.  Receiving something of great value that is unexpected and undeserved always brings me back to the grace of God.  Priceless, unexpected, and undeserved yet lavishly given out of love and at a significant cost.  I am sure that I will underestimate the value of this rifle just as I underestimate God's grace.  My hope is that I learn to appreciate both and find great joy in having both.

It was a wonderful weekend!  And I haven't even talked about Sunday yet!